Food & Stay

The car hugged the road as it smoothly negotiated the curves as we climbed about 6,000 feet above sea level, leaving the Kuala Lumpur International Airport far behind.

Bangalore or Bengaluru as it is now called is the city that we call our home. Whenever and wherever we travel in the world, we always look forward to coming back to this city.

We were once again in familiar territory. The Kempegowda International Airport at Bangalore. But this time around it felt strange as we were not there to board a flight nor had we alighted from one.

“Why don’t you take my picture too?” We turned around to see a small boy with an angelic face and a smile that shattered our hearts to smithereens.

“Shortly, we shall be landing at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad”, was the announcement on the PA.

Goa is not just a place, it signifies a celebration of life to millions. Goa is like a multi-splendoured flower with different hues and fragrances, some known and some unknown.

Nature literally surrounds and serenades you at every step that you take in the southern Indian state of Kerala.

William Wordsworth was inspired to write one of the most famous poems in the English language, “Daffodils“, after seeing daffodils growing on the shores of the enchanting Lake Ullswater in England.

These are the names of the exotic spices whose intoxicating fragrance has drawn the world to what has been dubbed as the “Spice Bowl of the World”, Kerala, India.

A new concept on the hospitality landscape of India was what the OYO Townhouse has been touted as. The concept is a departure from the traditions of the hotel industry and was looking at a futuristic way of operations, the SMARTER way.

As we all know, India is known as a country of diversity, and so there is also a huge variety of diversity in eating.

The fragrance of the mountain air tinged with the sweet aroma of Eucalyptus and other exotic herbs and spices gently nudged our sleepy senses awake.

We all listened with rapt attention. Our eyes and ears focussed on catching every nuance and every word of what the COO of GRT Hotels, Mr.Vikram Cotah was telling. He was telling the story of Grand by GRT Hotels, Chennai, India the flagship hotel of GRT Hotels and Resorts.

The sun was bidding adieu for the day when we reached Mahabalipuram or Mamallapuram which is another name for this ancient town which lies about 60 kilometers away from Chennai, the bustling metropolis of Southern India.

The man must have been in his late forties or early fifties. However, the silvery gray hair that adorned his head and most part of his face, made him look older than his years.

Chennai is a city in India which has a rich heritage and a fascinating history. The city throbs with a rich and pulsating culture which enchants the visitor.

What we thought was an invitation to experience the hospitality of a hotel metamorphosed into something that was totally unexpected, it turned out to be a melange of experiences that went beyond the ordinary and transcended the borders of the extraordinary.

India is a land of many cultures and traditions, and a lot of different communities thrive in this ecosystem. Food has played a significant role in reflecting the blend of various cultures throughout the ages in India.

When we were planning our visit to Bangkok and Pattaya in Thailand and researching on the internet for hotels, we were clear on one thing, we wanted a decent hotel in the center of the city which would help us have an immersive experience of the city.

November is the month when we take a few days off from our busy schedules and head out of our home city in search of new places and relaxation as a celebration of our years of togetherness.

Isn’t it amazing how hunger haunts us more while traveling? What do you do to take care of those untimely hunger pangs that have an uncanny habit of making an appearance while traveling?

These or something along these lines were the words that described our temporary digs on the official website of Beach Bay Cottages Bogmalo, Goa and on a few travel sites.

It was with a feeling of great relief that we looked at the signboard that glowed in the night. The signboard read HOTEL EUROPA.

Food along with Man has evolved over time. If modern day Man has traveled the road of time and transformed himself from the pre-historic primitive caveman by adding on the trappings of civilization, food too has evolved from a basic necessity for survival to a fine art.

India is a country that mesmerizes you with the sheer vibrancy and diversity of its landscape and culture. The richness of the country’s heritage also reflects in the sweetness of its desserts.

Hong Kong is a bustling place, teeming with activity and if you are on vacation and want to stay in a quiet place but still be able to access all the hot spots of the city very conveniently, then The Royal View Hotel is THE place for you.

Bangalore is a cosmopolitan city which has rapidly transformed from a sedentary and salubrious “Pensioners Paradise” to a vibrant IT capital of the country.

India is a veritable food paradise, given the wide range of its cuisine. Every State and every region has a different cuisine with its own unique flavors and aromas.

The shape is perfection personified, each curve sharply accentuating every contour and the color of the body a visual treat to the senses.

I love travelling and I love food, both go hand in hand, but not always, especially if you happen to be a vegetarian.

The overflowing plate of dessert arrives and you look at it greedily, your exocrine glands release a flood of saliva which you quickly gulp. You wait impatiently for the others at the table to begin and then you dig in and place a generous scoop in your mouth.

We were in Switzerland for more than three weeks on a project that we were working on and were staying in Uster, about 20 Kilometers. from Zurich.

Travel broadens the mind and I think it also broadens the taste buds, travel enables one to indulge the senses in a wide array of exotic tastes and aromas.

Traditionally, most if not all Indian dishes other than sweets from all parts of the country are embellished with what is called ‘Tadka’, in the northern part of the country, ‘Bhagaar’ or ‘Vagaar’, in the western parts of the country and ‘oggarane’ in some areas of the southern..