Rathina's View Space
TRAVEL | CULTURE | FOOD
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Air Arabia Mumbai – Sharjah
Flying to international destinations from Tier 2 cities in India is a pain in the neck. You need to fly to the nearest metro with an international...
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Solo Travel
In my recent long distance travels whilst returning home by train the gentleman next seat asked me what took me to Kannur? “I was keen to explore...
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Chettinad doors to a faded glory
An edited version of this article was published in the February’15 issue of Travel + Leisure India and Southasia magazine as Chettinad’s treasure chest A beautiful Kolam...
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Goa paint me Red
An edited version of this article was published in the Feb’15 Vistara in-flight magazine. The waves lapped at my feet as the golden disc slipped down the...
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In love with Devon
An edited version of this article was published in Travel + Leisure India and South Asia magazine (December’14) It was my second trip to United Kingdom after...
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Dandeli Diaries – memorable experiences
Dandeli had been my abode for three days and I had enjoyed every moment of it. Three years back I had visited Dandeli but then it was just...
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Borough Market for the Global Cuisine
I climbed the stairs to step out of London Bridge’s tube station. A cold draught blew in and I zipped my jacket. It indicated I was getting...
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Balloon Safari – Romancing the sky
I woke up at dawn and got ready for the safari of my life. Have you ever been part of the limitless azure sky with white puffs...
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How Traveling Changes your Life
This post appeared in Women’s Web Traveling is the tonic for life that keeps the soul replenished. Every moment brings in a new perspective to the journey...
ABOUT
Want to know more about me? I am a freelance journalist based in Pune, India and write about Travel, Culture, Food, Wellness, Health and Lifestyle. My bylines have appeared in National Geographic Traveller India, Forbes India, Travel + Leisure India and South Asia, BBC Travel, Mint, NPR, Economic Times, Hindu Businessline and more. In an earlier avatar I worked as a software engineer. I let go off these 12 + years of cubicle life to spread my wings and explore the world. I am on the lookout for those offbeat extraordinary stories from…
PUBLISHED
`Browse Travel
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Oman Tourism Board Blogging Contest
The butterfly counts not months but moments, and has time enough goes a popular quote by Rabindranath Tagore. When you are in the company of nature nothing beats those moments of tranquility and serenity. Each moment brings out a new lease of life and you live every count of it.
My love affair with the mighty Himalayas started with my trip to Arunachal Pradesh. The gigantic peaks with the snow drenched slopes leave you in a state of trance. There is nothing better than to wake up to the sight of the streaks of golden light pouring onto the sierra. I call it The fingers of God for their magnificence and the golden halo that they spread across. In the background the sky splashed with a myriad hues brings in a dramatic effect. The glaciers, beautiful glacial lakes that freeze in the winter and lay a white carpet for you to walk, hot springs and the snow covered pine trees with picturesque waterfalls are an absolute delight for the nature lovers. Read More
The first time I met Firdaus Shaikh it was at the Duster 4WD drive to Lavasa near Pune. She was the only female to have driven the beast all alone but a veteran these toys had amused her since long.
It is not always you come across ladies donning leather riding jackets, riding pants and riding boots. She is one who has broken the hackneyed feminine impressions and revolutionized the definition of femininity. With a fiery attitude in her belly, a thirst for adrenaline high coupled with love for travelling, this gal has a long way to go. From doing stunts in MTV Stuntmania to starting an all women bikers group Firdaus is a package that stands out distinctly in the so called men’s arena.
Sangetsar Lake is considered very pious by the Buddhist Lamas in Arunachal Pradesh. A lake that was said to have been formed due to the post effect of an earthquake has bare black sky rocketing trees jutting out of the water. Golden Ducks or Ruddy Shelduck fly into this lake in pairs and it is great to capture them.
Army personnel are stationed in this area and cater to food and beverage needs to the tourists. Steaming hot coffee with great company of the jawans for some gupshup this place should not be missed when in Tawang. A long drive through snow drenched mountains with almost no vegetation except for some stunted shrubs this place is a must visit. As you reach Sangetsar lake you find pine trees on the slopes of the mountains. Driving through these roads is risky and at times snow chains would be required to explore this terrain. Drivers are seen warming the fuel tanks by lighting a fire below it to crank the engine.
When I received the gift voucher of 30,000 INR from makemytrip.com I wondered which destination in India should I travel to? The customer executive from Makemytrip suggested the touristy kind of trail like Kerala, Rajasthan. But I was keen to explore the unknown and the the unheard, where few have tread. After few rounds of contemplation I zeroed in on Arunachal Pradesh.
An edited version of this article was published in Travel + Leisure December’14 issue.
As I started the car and hit the NH4 (National Highway) towards Bangalore, I noticed Pune was still fast asleep. Any sane person would be, considering it was still four in the morning. Night hadn’t lifted its veil and it was pitch-dark. We sped through the well laid four lane roads with minimal traffic. I and my husband took turns driving and by eight we had reached the outskirts of the city of Kolhapur famous for its leather footwear and spicy masalas.
We drove ahead to find numerous tractors loaded with sugarcanes in trailers meandering leisurely on the road. The roads were dotted with mimosa trees bearing beautiful pink flowers. Spring was in the air and the weather was perfect for a long drive. We were headed to the coffee town of India called Chikmagalur. Soon towering wind mills welcomed us to the city of Belgaum. After a brief stop for lunch at the famous Hotel Niyaaz we drove ahead towards North Karnataka. From Belgaum it was a two lane road and our speed reduced drastically with the combining effect of the traffic. After crossing Dharwad we reached the Haveri district of Karnataka. The day had been long and we decided to crash for the night at Ranebennur (meaning Queens resting place in Kannada) a small town in the same district.
An edited version of this article was published in Travel + Leisure India and South Asia magazine (December’14)
It was my second trip to United Kingdom after a gap of four long years. Having stayed in London for two months, shopped at its high streets and also been to the highlands for a taste of the Scottish culture, this time around I wished to explore its beautiful countryside.
One fine day I left the star studded, populous city of London and hit the road to drive down to South of England. The hustle and bustle vanished behind and what lay ahead was rolling hills, farms and moors. The beech, oak and pine trees dotted the road as we drove through the disciplined traffic towards Devon, famous for its sandy beaches and rolling countryside.
Wayanad or Vayal Nad is a verdant beauty where one is surrounded by the hills and every drive takes you up and down the terrain through narrow roads that snake through them. Small shacks sell the famous Malabar Paratha with chicken curry, fish curry and the Tapioca, Beef Biryani for your afternoon meal pit stop. Spices, Tea and Coffee Plantations cover the hills and the mountain air has the fresh earthy smell.
Wildlife in Valparai
Valparai is a haven for flora and fauna. It has a rich biodiversity with some being highly endangered. The Lion Tailed Macaque is a threatened species that is an upper canopy dwelling animal but with the change in lifestyle today it is found near human habitats. As I walked out the Puduthottam Estate I saw numerous LTM on rooftops, walking on the road on trying to get into a house through a window.
Valparai nestled in the Anamalai Ranges is a beautiful hill station with tea gardens and thick forests teeming with wildlife. Valparai has been hidden from the tourist sector since long and is not commercialized but has much to offer to the explorers.
Chinnakallar Falls –
Chinnakallar Falls located about 20 km from Valparai town is the wettest place in this region. It is also called the Cherapunji of the south as it receives second highest rainfall in India. Walk on the bamboo bridge and hike to the top of the falls. You need to pay a nominal charge for visiting the Falls. Do ensure you reach the falls before four as it gets dark and you wouldn’t be allowed entrance.
The red fiery ball had set and we were still on the narrow roads of Wayanad or vayal nad (meaning land of paddy). The day had been long with few stops at Edakkal caves and the Soochipara Falls. Edakkal had challenged me physically but nevertheless it turned out to be an interesting walk climbing 350 steps.
Now it was time to head back to the sanctity of a home. I desperately needed a shower, good home made food and some sleep. As our Santro rambled on we looked out for navigation to Vythiri a town in Wayanad with tea plantations all across. A short drive from Vythiri towards Pozhuthana took me to Pranavam Homestay.
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