Globalization vs. localization has been an never ending debate. Some believe that the whole world is becoming more and more alike, akin to a global village. It is said that increase in trade and travel will lead to even more homogeneity. And yet many believe and customs and culture still remain as distinct as ever…
10 Years of Travel Blogging
I started blogging a long time back, on 10th June, 2005. At that time I was between two jobs. I had a month before I would join another. I was sitting at my sister’s home and they forced me to start a blog. OK they didn’t actually force me but then they gave me no…
In Praise of Haldiram
Now that I have started thinking about food, I realized I actually quite enjoy going to Haldiram. There are two locations which I frequent. I go to the one in the MGF Mall, Gurgaon and the other being Shipra Mall in Ghaziabad. One is close to my home, the other is close to my sister’s…
Khum Khantoke in Chiang Mai, Thailand
Khum Khantoke in Chiang Mai is a popular restaurant serving the traditional Lanna dinner along with a vibrant cultural show. Khum means a wooden pavilion and Khantoke is a circular plate which contains many dishes. Traditional khantoke is served while the guests are sitting on the mats on ground! Modern ones can be served on…
Have You Visited Chandratal in Spiti?
If you have visited Chandratal in Spiti, you could stop reading now. If you are yet to visit the region, what are you waiting for? Ladakh has now become very popular with tourists. Spiti is equally beautiful and less crowded. I find the terrain very similar at both the places. But there is one crucial…
Bathtub My Guilty Pleasure
A lingering hot soak in a bathtub is my guilty pleasure. It is possible only when I travel because at home we do not have a bath tub. Let me rephrase it, we are the kind of people who grew up in homes without bathtubs. Hence it is the norm for us, we do not…
World Environment Day
I feel every day is environment day. But then 5th June is dedicated as the world environment day. As a person I feel I do very little. But then whatever little I do, I am going to talk about it. But what worries me more is that I do not know what more can I…
Bangkok Canal Tour- A Fun Activity in Bangkok
Doing a Bangkok Canal Tour is popular with tourists. A canal is called ‘khlong’ in the local language. I went on a tour called Khlong Bang Luang. My guide for the day told us there are many routes on the canals. She added that doing a canal tour is mostly a tourist things. Locals seldom…
Luxury Villas in Goa
Goa, it evokes so many emotions, from beach to heritage and everything in between. On my recent trip I had some off beat experiences like visiting a cashew processing factory which gave me a new appreciation about something which I otherwise took so much for granted. But when it comes to my stays in Goa…
Asiatique the Riverfront, Bangkok
As I was staying at the Ramada Plaza Menam Riverside in Bangkok, the Asiatique was a short walk away. I spent two nights walking around the place and I quite liked it. This was my second stay at Ramada Plaza but I could not go to The Asiatique on the first visit. On that trip we…