My first visit to Chail was way back in 2000 with Seshadri. While coming back from Fagu, we took a small detour again to Chail. This time it was with Chhavi and 15 years have passed in between! However, Chail retains its sleepy town ambience. I was able to see only two places, the Chail…
Category: India

Women’s Day- Do I Really Need a Day?
You might have noticed that I usually remain silent on the various days, including the women’s day. And I guess I am damned lucky to be able to afford to do so. At my home there would be no celebrations. My father won’t bat an eyelid and my husband is away having a good time…

Of Holi and Festivals
When I got back from work today my father complained about Chhavi saying she was playing with so much water, he had to change her clothes five times, literally. Now Chhavi and Nana are the best of the friends. Neither can find any fault with the other! So, I know she must have irritated the…

Haji Ali Dargah, Mumbai
It all started with a visit of Nisha and her husband to my 28th floor room at the Palladium Hotel, Mumbai. We were there to attend 2015 Discover Thainess event. I had a room with the view. Over tea, they pointed out that the structure in the water was the famous Haji Ali Dargah. Now…

The Apple Blossom Fagu Review
Both Chhavi and I were quite tired by the time we reached The Apple Blossom Fagu which is a HPTDC hotel. She perked up seeing snow on the side. I was happy that she found something to look forward to in spite of being tired. We spent three nights there and The Apple Blossom Fagu…

When I Dropped My Wallet
Chhavi and I visited the Chail Palace on our way back from Fagu. Both of us were quite happy to potter around the huge lawn right next to the main premises. There was a toy train, a merry go round and a swing and you know what a treasure it is for a kid. However…

Beautiful Fagu Himachal Pradesh, India
I am a big mountain fan and I am blessed that I live in India, the home to the Himalayas. And if I want more there is always Nepal and Bhutan next door. However our ‘main’ hill stations like Shimla, Manali, Nainital etc are extremely crowded, particularly over holidays and weekends. They are over constructed…

It is Time to Live with My Mad Decision
This year when I was planning my one week January break I considered exotic locations. I tried booking Kenya and Seychelles. Seychelles was way too expensive, so was Kenya. I thought I would shell out the money for Kenya but then yellow fever vaccination came in the way. I finally gave the go ahead for…

The Real Nomads!
It all happened because of the small girl. She was at the hand pump, washing her face. We were visiting the museum at Sirpur. And that is when I met the real nomads! There were a lot of people camping in its grounds. I started kidding around with the children, soon they wanted a photo….

Videshi Aaye Hain! The Foreigners are Here!
While we were walking around the ancient excavations of Sirpur in Chhatttishgarh, I wandered a little on my own. I heard a bunch of women whispering to each-other, “Videshi aaye hain” (the foreigners are here). I was quite intrigued, because barring one of us, Mariellen Ward, who is from Canada all of us looked as…