In a traveler's words

Amsterdam light festival 2017

2018-01-08T00:08:00.001+01:00

One of my favorites

The thing with Amsterdam light festival is, I just love them all. All the installations amuse and entertain me. Why? 'cos I love Amsterdam.
The crystals above, which are also diamonds floating on the sea, or tip of the ice berg or something else. It is fun!

Then there is Bapu! Gandhi said "Be change you wish to see in the world! "
And I humbly lived up to it in recent times. Well, there is Bapu in the center of Amsterdam, next to central station.

There are waves of the sea. Netherlands is a country below water level and it is the sea water in canals that keeps us up floating.
I actually took the boat ride this time and for 21€ it is a winter rid ein a semi open boat with plastic sheets covering the parts without glass windows. In any case the sheets and windows get foggy by the end of the hour long trip. Just FYI.

This is a feeble picture. But the "Whole Hole" from ALL2017 is one of the best. I see this every evening on my way back from work and just admire the dynamics. More pics

Just a crazy water animal to wind it off... Happy new year 2018!

Yerevan, Armenia

2017-11-27T15:27:00.001+01:00

If a 3 day business trip can make me try some variety of food, this is going to be it.

Eggplant roll-up. This is aubergine wraps with cooked paste of aubergine. Like a baba ganousch.

The one below is a cold salad, it is a shredded chicken held tight into a bowl so the mass takes a shape. Topped with walnuts and other dry fruits.

This walnut, apricot stuff is serious in Armenia. Apricot is like their national fruit. Breakfast buffet includes 5 different types of apricot items, dried, paste, pastry, in syrup etc.

Women making Lavash, the armenian bread, which looks very close to Rumali roti from india.

Turkish coffee, very fondly enjoyed by Armenians.even in their fancy coffee shops for an evening out.

Sintra- Exciting day trip from Lisbon

2017-08-23T10:27:00.001+02:00

Sintra is a hilltop town and growing in popularity since being featured on 2017's best destinations.

It is medieval, the first thing that stuck me since I arrived. Considerably higher than Lisbon and the surrounding Cascais area, Sintra seems to have nestled on top of the mountains, far away from civilization. Ofcourse you can't say that for sure since it is just about growing with tourists.

The quaint town feeling with alleys in the middle of its hilly terrain and tiny stores selling glazed ties is a big tourist magnet for summer months. I could feel myself getting pulled into tile stores for souvenirs and if I wasn't as full, I would be gorging in the bakeries too.

The huge medieval well in Sintra with moss growing on this storm walls, had me at first sight. I saw it in a travel blog and decided it would be on my 2017 travel list. However, the day i decided to visit just happened to be after a long morning of surfing and a late afternoon arrival to Sintra. So I missed the well after all. Take the bus to the top of the hill and there is the famous Castle of the Moors and palace.

I loved the walk to the Moorish Castle. I have visited quite a few castles in Europe and this one definitely beats several others in the quaintness,over planned architecture ;) ,the sheer vastness of area it spans and as a bonus the sunset you enjoy from up there.

Stockholm: A photo essay

2017-07-11T17:28:00.000+02:00

Mariaheissen : Viewpoint that throws a scenic Stockholm in front of you!

The Royal Palace

Parliament House of Stockholm. On the walk up to the Royal palace

Entrance to the Old Town of Stockholm . Like all European old towns, it starts with a characteristic arch marking the inner heart of their old town which is walking only.

Waterfront at Gamla Stan island

Stortorget : the tourist heart and Nobel prize soul of Gamla Stan

Day trip: Alkmaar and Bergen aan Zee

2017-06-20T20:01:00.001+02:00

We chose Alkmaar for a day trip with the interest to check out their famous cheese market. As it turns out, Sunday is not Alkmaar cheese market day! Friday is the cheese market day.

Sunny Sunday is everything else day. If you have one day in a European town, you should walk the city center, shop in a quaint store and eat an ice cream. That's exactly what we did.

Old town center. By the canals.

Walk along the town center in a line and you can sight these pretty buildings in a row.

Oh! The fun part about Alkmaar center is its entire street lined with these tiles ad-hoc. They actually have unique tiles with a bit of history on Alkmaar. How lovely!

The walk across Kennemer park get you to this rustic looking bridge over looking the Sint. Josef church. Park is beautiful for a picnic and if you happen to rent a boat, the water below is just what it is for.

And when we were done with Alkmaar the inland town, we headed to the nearest beach by bus. Bergen aan zee. I would gladly recommend it to anyone taking a day trip to Alkmaar. The beach side cafes are great to hang out for a warm day or even spring / autumn seasons. They have glass shields all along the terraces and you can get a warm chocolate drink in winter while you sea gaze.

Bergen aan zee literally means mountains by the sea. For a flat country like Holland, the dunes around this beach a impressively high. And the road leading into the beach is through a forest to enter the dunes area. Happy sighting of rabbits and deer!

And Enjoy the North sea !

Day trip in The Netherlands: Muiden

2017-06-18T12:58:00.002+02:00

Muiden was more like an afternoon trip. I decided to take a bike ride to Muiden along the seaside. The route is lovely with water all along. From Oosterpark in Amsterdam, I started to bike owards Flevopark and took the bike route along the IJBurg. That is about an hour with water and selfie breaks. Route below:

At the very entry of Muiden is the bikepath at a height allowing you to get a view of the tiny fort, docks and the Muiden castle. I was pleasantly surprised to see the fancy sailboats in Muiden. But then I saw that Naarden is 7 km away from Muiden, which is the highborn's neighbourhood. Behind the boats stands a quaint little castle.

And the entrance to the castle. It is open from 10.00- 17.00 everyday. Since my day trip turned out to be an afternoon trip, I did not make it inside. Going to be another trip if I have to make it inside that castle.

Muiden castle gate

The town of Muiden is very quaint and almost a village to me. However, the Dutch don't agree it is a village. There are a couple of restaurants by the waterfront. There is also a Muiden Lock here like the pretty Camden lock in UK. Sea locks are a common thing in Europe. I had never seen them earlier. Boats who want to cross from sea to a canal of different water levels, enter a tunnel of water and gates are closed on either sides. The water level is raised or lowered to match the destination direction and then gate opened. I love this Medieval European concept.

Chikmagalur: Our Coffee quest journey

2017-05-20T10:23:00.002+02:00

May 2017 trip to India seems to be going nice and sunny. For starters I attended and ate at a couple of weddings. And then set out on a trip to Malnad.

Road trip to Malnad had been on my mind for some time already. But I wasn't convinced it was the best idea because the roads were never very well maintained. And the recent increase of traffic was not encouraging me either. But May of 2017 changed it all. Before I get dramatic about this, our start at 6.30 helped the cause. No traffic woes from south Bangalore until Tumkur road. The new bridge seemed good (new for my NRI self, I heard it is 2011 built)

And 4 tolled roads connecting Bangalore to Hassan just meant a smooth ride for us. I haven't even driven in Bangalore in 3 years and I was confident to drive. Impressed.

Now back to the coffee trail, we started the second morning from Kigga and drove towards Chikmagalur. At Jayapura we tried some fresh beans. None of these shops sell beans. They sell powdered coffee. But Chikmagalur is the Land of Coffee and dad had no intention to give up. Background of the story is the new bean grinder I bought from Amsterdam.

We saw a board with Coffee works near Sringeri. And picked up some beans. With a small shop you get 2 types. Plantation A and Robusta. Dad doesn't like Robusta because it is very strong. We wanted Arabica blend and more importantly Peaberry. They are full beans, not half like the usual. The little shop in green sold us 2 types.

Then we drove up to Chikmagalur to find shops named "coffee works" as these would be the coffee bean sellers and not just the coffee powder sellers. It surprises me how home grown coffee is difficult to find in the same town as beans or in different native forms- roasted, unroasted. Everything is possible but seems like there is no market or takers. People want to buy coffee powder and make coffee than experiment with the varieties of coffee taste you get by mixing different portions of beans. Rather in Europe, seven thousand kilometers away we get all the luxury to choose coffee beans grown in India or Brazil.

The last two stops indeed turned out to be Vasavi Coffee works and the famous Panduranga coffee works.

Vasavi gave us the Peaberry we wanted together with some more Plantation A+ types.

Panduranga sold us a supposed premium quality of Plantation, better than Peaberry. I am not a connoisseur of coffee. I will let dad do the honours of experimentation.

Night Lights of Bordeaux

2017-05-20T09:40:00.000+02:00

Seriously this post is just for the lovely blue picture that got my heart. It is one of the towers to the inner city of Bordeaux and can be reached from the riverfront. When you enter through the tower, square that opens up right onto several restaurants and cafes. Lovely place to spend an evening with French wine and food.

Amsterdam Light Festival 2016

2017-01-02T18:30:00.001+01:00

Happy new year 2017! As the year kickstarts, I want to get in some Colours of the Amsterdam Light Festival, the annual winter event of my city. I love the spirit of Amsterdam to celebrate the early dusk and long dark hours with a light festival every winter.

All along Herengracht, the gentleman's canal, are the light installations in different themes. The flower way above changes colours every half minute in different sections.

Some 3D installations above, looks interesting from the bridge away but is a 2 dimensional frame up closed. Simple, abstract, fun installations all around the canal. There is also a canal boat ride of one hour offering the light festival tour. For me walking is the way.

And the last but not least! Tulips that say it all, like the mascot of Amsterdam and whole of The Netherlands.

Photo Essay Prague: Eating and Walking

2016-06-30T17:38:00.000+02:00

Indulging Kurtos :the Hungarian bread rolls.. for break fast, brunch and just about any time

The front of Prague castle

back of the prague castle

up the tower to the prague castle ...

Prague city view from the top

Walking tour of Budapest

2016-06-22T17:35:00.003+02:00

Plitvice Lakes National Park

2016-06-08T12:09:00.001+02:00

First timers going into the park with a phone. That's what this post is all about. My phone clicks and my selfies. But the emerald lakes blew my mind off. I can't wait a minute to post these on my blog. I'm droolig over the waterfalls of the Plitvice lanes national park.

When you enter the park, you are on the top of a cliff .. literally. The view starting 50 m into the park just blows mind eh! Mind blowing view!!!!

Then we follow the common walking route and walk down the steps to reach the lower lakes. The little water falls and emerald lakes in close proximity gave me the feeling of being in the most exotic place ever. The entire walking route is on decks along the water and very easy trail.

View from the top

The route also cover a boat ride and a bus ride to reach back to the stations from where you can reach the entrance by foot.. in all a very friendly trail to walk and personally, the most beautiful inland landscape in Europe.

Budapest for first timer

2016-06-02T18:52:00.001+02:00

When you start a brand new day in a brand new city, it sends an excitement that few travelers identify with.

Budapest started with a 2am entry into the city for us. The airport taxi service is quite authentic as they take the end point and give you a calculation of fare printed on the recipe with taxi number.

The next morning we went to Deak -ter area which is the tourist hub and downtown. It is the called the Jewish quarter. Seems to be well known for the cafe and bars lining the street. Walk into the Budvar passage. It is really nice with cafes and hip restaurants along. This is a culture I have notices in Europe. They upgrade historical structures into passages with cafe so the current generation uses it and appreciates the history alongside.

Walking tours are another favorite of mine. So we took the afternoon walking tour starting from Vorosmarty square.

The walking route is around the old town of Pest, Jewish quarter and until the bridge which separates Buda and Pest. Pest is the flat side of the river and Buda is the hilly side.

Pest palace as seen from Buda

Buda is up the hill and the castle. It's a quick walk and the hill is all of 80m high. I liked this castle for its mosaic tops. Didn't get a chance to go inside but the exterior charmed me so much that I went into a narcissistic mode and took selfies around the castle walls to satisfaction.

Travel the Grottos caves of Lagos

2016-05-31T10:58:00.001+02:00

Lagos of Portugal is the stretch along the Algarves coast. First thing to note. If thought Lagos was only the capital of Nigeria and brushed it off, give it another thought. It could just be that awe striking scenery you were waiting to travel to.

The Algarves coast of Portugal has some amazing turquoise and emerald waters that I have seen in Europe. The fact that I hadn't researched Algarves and went with a friend on her suggestion made it more of a pleasant surprise to travel to. We reached Faro on a Sunday. Everything was closed in the evening that we strolled around. It seemed like a sleepy old town but the inner old city area had a charm alright. That's for another post. During this boring sunday we were deciding between Albufeira vs Lagos and almost decided on the former because of proximity to Faro. But a last minute article I read recommended traveling an extra hour for the lesser developed Lagos. It was definitely worth the decision to pick Lagos. The inner town of Lagos has a quaint old world charm that most European cities offer. Most houses are now guestrooms etc. Promenade of Lagos is well maintained and the walk on end may was good for me. Slightly breezy but not chilly and definitely not crowded with tourists. Now all along the promenade tour boat stalls try to sell you 1hr/ 2hr/ 4hr boat rides. We took the 1 hr boat because of our day trip time constraint. I would even recommend this if you are not much of a swimmer of kayaker. 2hr trip has an hour for kayaking the caves which I felt I missed but hey! You make mistakes.

The boat sails along caves coast with the captain explaining about each of the beaches and the access to them. Ad the town is on along cliff you would need to walk down to the beach from 50 to 300 steps depending on which beach you choose.

The coast is lines with calcium and lime deposits and these have carved the caves. Some are structures in the middle of water, some are covered in an arch along nd some others are stuck to the cliff making the cave that allows minimal light inside. That's what makes it so exotic for me. The water inside is shallow and clear. It plays with emerald shades with hardly any signs of moss. Kayak groups paddle between these caves. Water seem clear enough to take a swim but end may is still 17 degrees to enter water. If I come back in August I will be dipping. I know that!

An hour of the caves sailing, a lunch on the waterfront and a breezy walk on the promenade. That set me up on the nirvana mountain!

Visiting Faro

2016-05-30T00:20:00.001+02:00

Think of a quaint little beach town in Europe that has lesser people than the smallest town you have visited. That's Faro for you. This is end of May and I arrived with an expectation of warmth and beach swims. Clearly this year summer is playing with us. After days of cloud and rain in Amsterdam, we are here at a 16 degree Faro in Portugal' Algarves coastline. It is windy as ever and doesn't make me forget Amsterdam at all. But the sun has made an appearance and that's the grace to thank!

After a super windy afternoon at Praia beach, I decided to get my jacket for the evening walk in Faro city.

The city center happens to be deserted on sunday evening. Your best bet is the cafes inside with Algarvean seafood and desserts.

A short walk in the city and the windy started off. Bought some amazing desserts with coffee. It kind of made the first day of this long trip worthwhile. We walked along the coastline to the center and this line is amazing. There is and spread of land, greens and water. It looks like a marsh but is not even one. The walk along deck is a sunny one. I loved is the sight on both sides... wait for more...

Hamburg for a first timer

2016-04-24T11:06:00.001+02:00

So what did I think when I booked a weekend to hamburg? Well, I had no clear ideas. I knew Hamburg is a harbour and there would be ships and waterside. Other than that I expected a party scene and a promenade. However, what I didn't consider is the weather. Living Amsterdam has gotten me used to cloudy weather with wind and rains at any time of the day and year. But I was really craving for a bit of sunshine but hey, 2016 seems far from sunshine.

We went to the Hauptbahnhof area as we do in every new city. That's the main train station area. And on a Friday evening it was mostly closed, no bars or restaurants around and really seems a little too dull for a big city like hamburg. But no, we followed the walking trail until the Gänsemarkt and Jungfernsteig. That felt much better. The malls and shops which constitute main business were closed but I hot an idea of the ambiance. And of course I found the restaurant for dinner and drink. So it was a decent city night after all. Graa I've grown up and older...

Saturday night we decided to go back to the same place and also explore Reeperbahn. Yes, that famous Hamburg red light district. Also the Große Freiheit for Party scene. What happened was quite different!!!!

Bengaluru food musings

2016-03-23T15:40:00.001+01:00

There are some standard eat - out places in Bangalore that I want to visit for the nostalgia. Some to fill. And some to just explore.

SLV in banashankari 2nd stage is one such. I like the idli chutney there. It is a low cost fast moving eat out that's popular with he common man. When I say common man, there is the whole class structure of Indian society in play. It is the working class on scooter, auto drivers, students that love to stop by for a quick filter coffee or shavge bath. For me it was idli chutney.

Around the corner of BDA complex in banashankari is Lakshmi sweets. Since my 16th year in Kumarans Pre university college I have been eating the chaat at Lakshmi. So the sev puri was a no miss. Also the marwadi shop on the back side of the complex which makes samosa, kachori, dhoklas, rasmalai and the freshest jalebis.

The lemon chocolate tart I tried out at the cafe in Auroville pondicherry. It was good, a rip from the tarts in europe just too hard crust and too tangy filling. Not that I complain.

Empire's dosa chicken or idiappam with kurma. It love it. And the Magai paan with dates!

Long weekend in Madrid

2016-01-16T17:50:00.001+01:00

That was a greta 4 day trip to Madrid. Although it was mid december, except for some breeze and cloudy days, the weather is good and festive season helps bring up your spirits to shop and go crazy.

Day 1: Walk the Gran Via and its alleys

Gran Via - good to walk

Xmas season at El Corte Ingles

If you like walking to explore a city, you should probably start with Gran Via. It is the high street of Madrid with all major brands having a flag ship store. Why I like it? Not really for the shopping, but the concept of high street gets in a lot of life and businesses. I like the business of these places.
You have lots of options to eat ranging from international chains to creative cafes in the side alleys. The side lanes are definitely worth the detour.

Shop in the numerous El Corte Ingles stores, Madrid's biggest departmental store chain.

Day 2: Take in the Real Madrid ambiance

Santiago Bernabeu Stadium

Whether you are a Real Madrid fan or not, you have definitely heard of the legendary team. I have seen them play from my college days and it was a cool experience to see the home stadium and their change rooms.

Especially after 2014's tenth cup, Real Madrid celebrations are contagious and you can walk out feeling their spirit.

Evenings in Madrid are your golden hour to catch the flamencos dancing. YEs, catch the Flamenco dance performance at any of Madrid's favourite Flamenco clubs. We went to Cardomomo for the last and the longest show with their biggest troupe of 9 artists. It was a great experience. Not full house because of the low season but definitely a great experience to see the intense local art form.

I thought Flamenco was just a ladies dance, but there are men and couple dance performances too. Also music and song solos and recitals.

Day 3: Royal Palace, Buen Retiro park, a museum or two

While I liked taking a walk in the vicinity of the Royal Palace, the local park and greenery, I found it also slightly monotonous. The palace has a English look and feel to its facade with grays and longish architecture. I was expecting something more southern European and this kind of threw me off.

As the palace and cathedral are on top of the hill, the view from top of the palace entrance across the cityscape is a good one. there is also a monastery nearby to walk around to. I was there on a low season and closed day, but do plan visit there.

Mercato de San Miguel -

The most amazing fresh food market. It is better than any food court or food street in Madrid. This one place justified the trip to me.
Amazing sea food, tapas, paella, lots of iberian ham and desserts. Them all and lots of sangria stalls around the market. I loved the authenticity and the creativity of food here.

Day 4: Calle de Mayor - the area

The downtown area near Calle Mayor is filled with life. If you want the best churros in town, go to San Ginos as per the recommendation on all travel sites. Every street has a churro shop too many, but choose the right place and you got your best churros.

Don't forget the Tapas and Sangria!

Lisbon, first impression of Portugal

2015-12-18T12:30:00.001+01:00

That's my day out in Lisbon. Partly sunny and not so cold day in mid December. Definitely happy to be in Lisbon and enjoy the weather. Yet to try out the sea food and party culture

The French Riviera

2015-09-18T21:51:00.001+02:00

Nice! Oh my god!!! It is nice. Very nice.

Nice was the latest destination. It was a fun trip especially since Amsterdam was beginning to lose the shreds of its summers and I needed a proper sunny vent, nothing beats the fancy than the turquoise beach and a cotton dress.

The first time we see as we enter the city a French bakery for breakfast full of delicate fren ch pastries and desserts. It was just the beginning of the day and the trip and the pastry already set me up to a great sugar pumped start. I always recommend a kickass breakfast and stuff it with sweet. No better time than morning!

French Desserts in Nice

The rest of the afternoon I just while away on the beach sunbathing and lazing in a beach chair and takings swims in between. Isn't that what you do on a holiday in the French Riviera?

Came back in the evening for a series of concerts set up along the promenade. Turned out to be a summer party- Prom party in Nice. I liked this idea. Set of small stages every few hundred meters and each playing different music. Pick and choose your music for the night...

Next day we went off to Monaco for a day trip. But on sunday we were back at the promenade and checked out the walking trail, the port and and a short train tour up to the top of the cliff. Totally recommend some these in your to-do list:

The walk along the promenade
The visit to Nice port and a long walk back to the city along the beach
The old town for day time shopping and evening cocktails and dinner
The little train ride to top of Nice fort.

Port of Nice

Sail Amsterdam 2015

2015-08-24T21:14:00.001+02:00

Sail is the maritime event that happens once in 5 years in Amsterdam. Ships from all over thr world come to Amsterdam. Often the countries send their naval representatives, some their cultural flavours and many have happy little boats sailing by. It is larger than life and a definite treat for the eyes. I totally recommend Sail 2020

INS Tarangini is India's navy training ship. They sailed for 3 months and had a beautiful tri colour flying it's vibrance off in the summer day. Best of all- the captain decided to allow Indians on board the last day. We went up, called with the Indian Navy, shook hands and in general had lots of fun.

3 Great Walking routes in Dubrovnik

2015-07-10T23:59:00.000+02:00

The recent trip to Croatia in Spring made me fall in love with Dubrovnik. The weather was perfect 28 degrees and just about right to get out in the sun all day long. Though not warm enough to get into water (although locals claimed it was 24 degrees in water ;) blah!!!) , the heat was not scorching enough to give head ache and make me stay indoors with the AC on. So, that's my temperature rant, I loved it and it's my bottom line. We walked quite a bit and discovered some neat routes around for a good walk to build up your appetite to gorge on more sea food while enjoying the local landscape and Balkan turquoises.

1. Copacabana beach to the Old Town / Babin Kuk to Old town.

We stayed at Babin Kuk at the Valamar hotels and did this walk almost every day of our stay. I loved the walk to the old town all along the sea. The walking trail is well made and walks you along the port with its little private decks and all sized boats anchored through the length of the journey. I can guarantee you will love this 6 km walk

2. Walk in the Old town. It is guaranteed to be on your list if you are in Dubrovnik. But needless to say, if you walk the alleys and the steps up and down, make your way till the port and back , you are bound to burn some calories just as you take in the ambiance of the town.

Port just outside the Dubrovnik Old town

3. Panoramic Walk up and around the Walls - The Old Town has a panoramic walk tour. I would totally recommend this. If you don't want to sign up for a tour, still go for this route because it is just one of the best you can get in Dubrovnik. You need pay to enter the Fort and then just follow the steps that lead all around the Old Town.

Oh! my favorite port

It is panoramic at all levels and I absolutely loved it. Much as all of Dubrovnik is over-hyped and touristic, there are these despite-touristy bits that make the experience memorable. I am glad I did this walk.

Panoramic View of Dubrovnik

Oyster Farms in Montenegro

2015-06-08T11:29:00.001+02:00

The Kotor Bay in the Balkan gives a fertile and self - sufficient feeling. On the bus ride from Dubrovnik, I saw all these little plastic boxes floating in the lovely landscape. And I almost judged them for pollution. Duh! How wrong I was!

It is an organized farming. Oyster Farms and mussel farms in the warm Balkan waters.

Dubrovnik Chronicles

2015-06-01T00:51:00.001+02:00

That one best panoramic shot from the top of the walls

Montenegro : Bay of Kotor

2015-05-14T23:16:00.003+02:00

Just like that, we took a bus from Dubrovnik to Montenegro, another country. Montenegro means black mountain. The bay of Kotor is one of the first bays into Adriatic sea that opens up as you enter Montenegro from the west. Montenegro is a really small country and the beauty of these ultra small Eastern European territories ( cities or countries) is how quaint and contained the town and sea are. Coming from India, this is miniature for me. But hey, I am no judge of size. I loved the bay of Kotor and Montegran towns I visited.

How to reach : Rent a car from dubrovnik and drive down. Or get a guided tour or day tour from nearby cities. All big cities offer the day trip as I came to know.

Visa: Eastern Europe has different visa restrictions. Taiwan passport cannot enter for example. But with an Indian passport and my EU residence card ( or Schengen tourist visa) it is a valid entry.
Please check the visa restrictions.

Currency: Euro
It is cheaper than most of central Europe and some Eastern European cities. Good idea to shop!

Food: totally try the seafood from Adriatic. It is fresh and local grill style is my favorite. Make sure the restaurant is not ultra touristy and they can make you fresh fish. There are also some vegetarian options.