Ever Been To Crab Island?
Elusively tucked away about 22 kms from Cochin, is Njandu Kadu or the Backwater Crab Island. Patronized by heavy weight travelers from all over the world and yet pretty obscure even to the locals, the ‘island of coconut groves’ is a spectacular treat. Strips of coconut groves intermingled with thickly foliaged canals from a 36 […]
Battlefield Punnamada
As the small town ofAlappuzhabids adieu to the resilient but cathartic monsoon rains, it embarks on the next arduous display of determination in the month of August – The Nehru Snake Boat Race. Peg the bone-drenching rain versus the grit of the oarsmen of the race and you would struggle to establish the stronger contestant. […]
Mahe: Waiting To Be Discovered
“There are no beggars in Mahe,” a gleeful Tayil Sadanandan erupts amidst the noise of the rain on my already weather-assaulted umbrella. Struggling to have someone speak to me in detail, Sadanandan made my second attempt at Mahe absolutely worthwhile.
Fight Clubs Of Varanasi
Faith and fitness have always found common ground in Varanasi. In its traditional ‘gymnasiums’ or kushti akharas along the ghats, wrestlers continue to practise millennia-old moves with single-minded devotion.
Southern Trails
With the receding monsoon having washed the southern circuit of the Western Ghats a conglomeration of different greens, september is a great time for hikers to head out to Karnataka’s coorg and chikmagalur districts.
Backyard Beauty
I opted for the one-km steep trek to Surkhanda Devi, huffing my way to the summit at 9,976 feet. I braved the aggressive gangs of monkeys to reach the ancient temple dedicated to Parvati.
Shades of Green
Set aside a day or two to explore places around the plantation. A trip to Kuruva Island (17 km east of Mananthavadi, the town nearest to the estate), which abounds with plant and bird life, includes a boatride in a small river raft.
Tapping the Adrenaline
Most people think of coorg as a relaxing break, to be enjoyed with cups of hot coffee and good company. the opportunity to laze around in estate houses, enjoying the misty valleys, makes coorg a favoured getaway destination, especially for travellers from Bengaluru.
The Mountains Rise Again
The hike from Dehradun to Mussoorie was always an easy one. It took only four hours if you started the climb from behind Shahenshah Ashram with pit stops like the big flat rock at the edge of the mountain just before Jharipani and the teashop at Barlow Ganj.
Tripura
Still inching slowly towards creating a spot for itself on the travel map of the Northeast, Tripura remains pleasantly away from tourist clichés. Running to its own rhythm, for those going solo, it is as offbeat as it gets
Punjab
Long fabled amongst travellers for its serene Golden Temple, langars at scenic gurudwaras, authentic farm-stays and delicious street food, Punjab could be the highlight of this new year for your solo wanderings
Nagaland
Explore this land where folklore is an essential part of life, where age-old traditions still come alive during festivals. Nagaland is perfect to get lost in if you are disappearing alone