THE TAJ MAHAL,A BEAUTY BEYOND WORDS.

                                                                                                                                                                                                        The Taj Mahal ,a beauty beyond words

Just 2 hours from Jaipur , a perfect escape teamed with an out of the world experience awaits you at Agra,The Taj Mahal which is an unspoilt paradise on earth, is a heaven of beauty. This grand monument is a definitive address of royalty and heritage which was undoubtedly slated as one of the seven wonders of the world and now honoring UNESCO world heritage site and a pride of India.

Leaving Jaipur on a early summer morning we turned on to the Agra road and swept through the "Ghat ki guni" tunnel on NH 8 ensuring a calm and serene long drive till Agra. I visited the monument of love last year having a sole aim to admire the beauty of the magnificent mausoleum, which has enchanted the world for almost five centuries now.

We marked our presence in Agra first coming to “Ram babu Parathe wale”which is the oldest and known eatery as the” paratha king of Agra”. The menu is well crafted with varieties of finger licking parathas served in all possible combinations of veggies, fruits and dry fruits which tantalize your taste buds thus a treat for the foodies. Parathas are flavorsome crisp as ghee is a generously used ingredient. Papad ka Paratha is a must try. Another famous offering that this historical city of Agra brings for the tourists is “Petha”a sweet dish to pamper your sweet tooth.

We first visited the Taj Mahal on a full moon night under the canopy of star lit sky from a distance. The minute I laid my eyes on the white marble beauty, I was mesmerized with my heart awestruck and exuded with reverence. It looked peerless in its full glory under the dazzling moonlight as the moon rays fell on the white marble gave it a faint silvery glow adding life to the ancient charm which looked nevertheless magnificent peaceful and admirable. This staggering beauty was worth capturing not only in your cameras but also deep down in your memories.

As the dawn broke, my most awaited sojourn to Taj Mahal began.The Taj Mahal stands serene and perfect amidst the surreal natural surroundings of manicured gardens with its mirror reflection on the pools,tall trees by the sides ,located on the bank of river Yamuna completed the post card scenery while a mosque and a guesthouse are also in the vicinity. The dome is the crowning glory of the Taj while the four Minarets frame the tomb on each corner of the plinth enhancing its pure elegance. To understand the history and its hidden facts about the 15^th century monument better,we decided to take up a guided tour .The explaination about its architectural features engulfed my mind in the royal yore of the bygone era. Various facts were unfurled. The Taj incorporates both Persian and Mughal architecture using white marble with semi precious stones studded amazingly by 22000 skilled workers to make the kings dream a reality. It took 22years to complete this symbol of eternal love where the emperor too lies buried reunited at last with his beloved Mumtaz. No cost was spared to make the most beautiful monument the world had ever seen. The most interesting hidden fact about it was it shimmered silvery white in the moonlight, pink at the dawn and ivory white at the noon showcasing various moods of the women, in particular emperor’s queen. The engineering marvel includes the fact that it is earth quake proof and was built without the use of modern technologies.

Walking further, the monument looked even more huge and majestic with intricate carving work and semi precious stones adorning the ancient walls. Each corner was echoing with royalty while rich history was oozing from every nook and cranny this left me in a spell bounding trance. I realized no photographs or words will match up what architectural marvel i had seen. Shahjahan and Mumtaz s tomb is placed inside under the massive dome but honestly outside is way more interesting than inside! To keep the enduring memories of the Taj mahal with you can buy souvenirs which are sold right near the exit gate.

Blessed with the most recognizable symbol of Indian heritage,it attracts admirers across the world .But, what many of us don’t know is that there is more than one way to view this awe inspiring masterpiece that is from Mehtab bagh which is at the back of the Taj mahal beyond the river Yamuna promised a spectacular view ,revealing another set of treasures. The most interesting concept about this memorial is that it is symmetrical from all four sides. Admiring the Taj mahal under the moonlight as well as from back and front was absolutely blissful which soaked me in the legends and lore of its rich past and truly a beauty exaggerated beyond words which I yearn to see yet again.

However, there are certain things to remember:

·   It is advisable to carry a water bottle with you because it takes hours to admire the beauty and you won’t find anything inside.

·   Food, bags, diary ,pen newspapers, mobiles and selfie sticks are not allowed to carry with an exception of cameras.

·   Carry your ID proof as it checked at both at the ticket counter and at the entrance to the complex.

·   While viewing the Taj mahal in the moonlight you are only allowed to take cameras and it is advisable to choose later batches to view the monument as the moon may not always be high enough or visible clearly during the early batches.

·   To avoid the rush it is advisable to visit the Taj in the morning hours and it remains closed on Fridays.

“The white marble beauty enliven my senses in a divine thought that the Taj mahal is a heaven bought on earth”

                  

   

SOUL HEALING PLACE IN THE LAP OF SATPURAS,PANCHMARHI

Soul healing place in the lap of Satpuras

Panchmarhi is the only tourist retreat in Central India ,at an altitude of 3500 feet bustling with tourist , touts and has a strong presence of army base .It is a walkers paradise and a favorite destination for trekkers, as it unfolds the natural beauty ,making it popular among tourist. Blessed with very rich flora and fauna with many nature spots lush greenery breathtaking view waterfall, mountains ,stream and rich and rare wild life.

It was an unplanned weekend trip to the Queens of Satpura. We booked our resort one day prior and surprisingly got reservation in the royal Victorian suite of Golf view. I waved goodbye to my home town [Kareli] and started my journey overlooking the plains which ended near Matkuli ,a small village, which marks the start of Satpura National Park and a divergent road towards Nagpur.

On the way I got a breathtaking view of Satpura ranges enveloped in smog, as it appeared fromdistance.it was only after few miles from there, ranges were apparently seen covered with lush green blanket. Further driving, the highway blend into narrow serpentine curve bending into another. Our car passed through dense forest of sal and bamboo ,ensuring a calm and serene drive till Panchmarhi.

After checking- in to the resort ,we then headed to the Bison lodge and bought the pass which ensures the entry to all the places of interest. Since I had 24 hours to soak the natural beauty, without squandering a moment we drove towards Bee fall, and trekked down about 1.5 km amidst thick shady forest forming a canopy .On the way we found a narrow water flowing stream which flew through the manmade concrete steps, which later plunges in to the main waterfall. We took a snack halt on one of the rock in the middle, with our tired feet dipped into ice cool water giving a soul-healing feeling. We then marched downwards and heard the gushes of water tumbling down around 35 meters, dragging me to high spirits. Seeing this majestic pristine waterfall, I could not stop myself from taking a divine bath, which was indeed a very rejuvenating experience ever.

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The trekking uphill till our car was little exhausting, and by this time we heard our stomach growling and hurried to Nandanwan, a basic restaurant with friendly atmosphere, having a wide range of delicious Indian meals.

After relaxing in the resort for a while we then left for Bada Mahadev temple is in a large cave around 60 feet long with water dripping on the Shivling as well as inside the cave. There is a small pond inside the cave where devotees and Sadhus take a dip during Nagpanchami and MahaShivratri. The cave of Goddess Parvati is situated nearby. As we walk ahead from the cave of Goddess Parvati, up the hill, we saw a large Trishuls covered with black cloth. I am presuming this denotes KaalBhairav.

In the evening, we went to Dhooparh, the way had hairpin bends picturesque with mesmerizing view of valleys and mountains and also bisons and wild deers. It is the highest peak in satpuras offering panoramic view of mountains and valley around. We were here to see the beautiful hues of sunset, as the sun dipped in to the horizon, hence making a photographers delight.

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However there are more places of interests to see like Apsara fall, Handi khoo, Pandav caves, Jata Shankar but due to packed schedule I could only visit few.

Golf view resort, undoubtedly is the best resort in Panchmarhi. Our suite had a Victorian theme with colonial ambience which stood a class apart. The garden was lush green with beautiful landscape. I personally loved the breakfast buffets spread in the open. The fact is that the property is vegetarian, made my experience even better.

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The climate of Panchmari is pleasant except winters. Advisable to visit between October to May .

When it comes to accommodation, this tourist destination as many options to offer .Starting from budgetary to luxurious stay, tourists get many options to choose from. Few of the accommodation facilities include MPTDC.

Panchmari is perfect place for naturelover,trekkers and for relaxation. It is worth every penny you spend.

Things to remember:

1. Do not make a trip during Shiv ratri ,Nagpanchmi as it is very crowed that time and monsoons.
2. Advisable to take sports shoes,painkillers,pain relief sprays.
3. Carry something to drink and munch since it is a trekkers bliss.
4. Carry change of clothes when visitng water places.
5. Beware of monkeys.

Nearest railway head is Piperiya around 47 km.

Nearest airport is Bhopal around 195 km.

“The gushes of water from the waterfall,the sky lit up in the shade of orange and red,the never ending meadows is still persistently flashing in my memory ,the lovely hill station crowned in Satpuras is enough to imprint a mesmerizing pictures in my mind"

Written Jun 17 · 

NEEMRANA FORT ,GLIMPSE AT THE GLORIOUS PAST

NEEMRANA, GLIMPSE AT THE GLORIOUS PAST

Keeping in mind my affinity towards heritage, my husband I chose Neemrana fort and Palace in January this year for our 9th anniversary celebration. It is a Fort, Palace, Heritage hotel and a destination – all rolled into one. It is a nice weekend getaway for Jaipurites, around two and a half hour (147 km) from Jaipur by Delhi Jaipur highway [NH 8].The forts dates back to the 15 centaury and is crowned on the Aravalies and is built on 11 levels. It was built and refurbished from 15th to 19th century, which means the place has incorporation of architectural styles from the Rajputs to the Mughals.
    

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With the help of GPS we reached the Fort ,the entrance itself gave me a royal feeling, the guards all dressed up in traditional dresses and fort ‘s view from the bottom gave me majestic shadow to start  my journey up through cobbled path, right from the Reception. There are various categories of room ,each room in the fort and palace are unique – some are large and luxurious, others are tiny but airy, some expensive some just right for the budget international travelers. The rooms given named as “mahal’’ like Aman mahal,Gagan mahal, Hari mahal. Apparently, my husband and I choose Neelam mahal which was on the seventh floor .It was quaint room situated on the old part of the fort with thick walls and tiny windows that open to the mountain side ,showcasing the grand living experience. My room opened to royal courtyards garden and is ideally situated. Restaurants, cafes, both pools were steps away. If you need high tech stuff then, this is not hotel for you. Rooms do not have T.V., bathroom have 100 years ago look. The rooms are locked using paddle style, the furniture evokes old times and it works perfectly as a part of whole concept. Each and every room has its own beauty, theme, style and décor.

After relaxing in my room for a while, we went to explore the fort .I decided the fort palace was all I wanted to see that winter noon as I just had 24 hours to absorb the beauty of the majestic palace. The whole complex was full of flowers, bushes and trees. I loved the true maze of staircase, terraces, hidden courtyards, walk-able roofs, hanging gardens, and hallways. As I walked around I saw various part of the fort each more charming than other. I loved exploring and roaming around the fort for photography from different angles. I also discovered many nooks and crannies that transported me different time period and many secret tunnel type passages that lead to different part of the fort .I loved the passages that starts at Badal mahal and leads to Hawa mahal balcony. I was getting carried away by the nobility of the ancient times.

Around sunset they served snacks in one the courtyards near the canon, which reflected the glories of the past. I loved the pakoras, cakes, cookies, which was served with tea. The fort looked picturesque in the sunset. There were amenities like spa, gym, three restaurants, two swimming pools ,[one heated] and amphitheater. There was also a baoli [water reservoir] depicting the ancient past. After the sunset, they had live performances in the amphitheater for the guest’s entertainment. There are different artist performing every day ,luckily Katthak dancer Archana Singh performed that night and left the audience spell bound .At night the fort looked even more beautiful with all lamps lit  adding grandeur to the ancient charm.

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After the cultural program, for the gala dinner we had to walk on the rocky stairs uphill to reach the dinner area around hanging garden. The buffets had a spread of Indian, Continental and Chinese cuisines .We ate to our hearts content and went down for a walk and captured some of the most beautiful memories under the moon light where the staff in one of the courtyards had planned for a complementary cake for our Anniversary to mark the occasion. Such a celebration of my anniversary left a glorious queenly feeling  in my heart .
                             
The royal stay at the fort palace would have been indeed incomplete without a drive in the vintage car, so decided to take a vintage car ride of around 2 km in the village of Alwar, which reminded me of the ancient medieval era. Another interesting adventure, was the Fire fox zipping provided by the fort palace, which is longest zipping in India .To enjoy 4oo m zip line over this beautiful fort around the Aravali hills, we had to trek about one km uphill .The view of the fort from the top was  admirable opulent and worth capturing in your cameras.

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One of the most interesting hidden facts I liked about this fort palace was that the new architecture was so amazingly designed that it blended with the Mughal era. It is a perfect place not only for celebrations or relaxation but also for Destination weddings too. My experience in one of the oldest traditional heritage resort was authentic and out of the world which is must visit.

However, there are certain things to remember while going to Neemrana fort are

• You must carry your id proof with you.
• There are no medicine shops near Neemrana fort so if you are travelling with kids make sure you have some medicines with you.
• The place is not advisable for small children and people who have health problems as there are many staircases to climb throughout the fort.
• They have rooms in almost all range starting from Rs. 3000 and goes up to Rs. 25000 per day .Every room has its own beauty and differentiating factor so you got to research for kind of room you like.
• Rooms can be booked online only and try to book well in advance else you may not get your desired room.
• There is no intercom in the room so you will be kind of communication capped. So you may keep the STD landline number of the resort to communicate with them.

THE GRNDEUR OF VENICE, VENETIAN MACAU

The hotel is no less than a “Mini city”, with striking structure that stands out. The Venetian Macau is the must do experience if you are heading to Macau! Not only because it has world‘s biggest casino but it boasts a resort and is the ultimate luxury experience — with the theme — Venice which gives you a feel as if you have been transported to Venice. It is not only a hotel which offers luxury suits, but also complete shopping, entertainment and dining.

THE ROYAL ,VENETIAN MACAU

GRAND LOBBY AT VENETIAN

Three years back I had visited Venetian Macau, to experience a leisure stay. I was amazed to enter this massive edifice, the entrance and the lobby was grand indeed with the majestic art work in ivory carving, contemporary interiors and ceilings well painted that truly pledges to deliver an impressive architectural marvel. Seeing this plush ambiance, it took my breath away and walked slowly to fully adapt the Venice feel. There are two main areas –the tourist area and the Casino area .In the tourist area there are European styled buildings, canals and plaza.

Once I was checked in, I made way to room with help of a map presented by the concierge, as the hotel is vast. Surprisingly it features 3000 suits, 300 boutiques,35 world class restaurants, first class entertainment ,Asia s premiere spa ,luxury Venetian theater ,kids play zone ,swimming pool, cabanas and golf course all well amalgamated with the touch of luxury.There are various types of suites offering sumptuous services as per the catagory like Bella suite,Rialto suite,Verona suite ,Royale suite and Famiglia suite. Apparently my husband and I booked the “ Royale suite” which was spacious and cozy in two levels with split in between the sleeping and living areas with all the possible amenities and bathrooms with lavish Italian marble .We had a sweeping view of the city, punctuated with eye popping skyscrapers, taking luxury to a new level. The fact is that the Venetian smallest and cheapest suite is also larger than the most of the family rooms of the other Asian luxury hotels. The hotel leaves no requirements unaddressed and peppers with good services.

ROYAL SUITE ROOM AND BATH ROOM

Venetian, has very artistically created a small replica of Venice — the entire shopping mall has an artificial sky and it is done so well that it looks real, hence proving it the most amazing thing and the center of attraction. The food court, the shopping area and the Grand Canal with the gondola rides which is another added attraction, are set under this massive atrium. The canal system provides a round trip on any of the three canals in the gondolas. My ride on the Venetian gondolas was an authentic one, as the sailors sang the French songs and played guitar, which drove my spirits to the fantasies of Venice. The floor is cobblestone paved with shops front facades are like individual buildings, exuding the charm of the “Miniature of Venice”.

THE MINIATURE OF VENICE

Though, I am not a casino player, yet I was thoroughly entertained walking around the casino which frankly drained me of my stock of energy with the sheer large floor. The gamblers pour in all over the world to play the jackpot, which features 800 gambling tables and 3400 slot machines and is awake all night, therefore making it the high light of the hotel.

The duty-free shopping experience is awesome with an over abundance of international brands under one roof right from LV and Rolex to H&M to Zara for the shopaholics. There are few affordable shops like souvenir, accessories and gifts shops as well.

To please the palate of the international travelers, there is an array of multi cuisine restaurants which caters delicacies. But if you looking for ultimate Indian fine dining experience in Venetian, look no further than the “Golden Peacock” restaurant, a perfect place where your senses would be engulfed in the enticing aromas of the freshly made Indian curries . “Confeitarie”, is a charming patisserie that serves home made fresh pastries and chocolates where you can satiate your sweet tooth.

Overall what I loved about Venetian is that it is classy and designed to impress, and the fact is that it has everything inside it! Just being inside it is already a grand, lavish experience that appealed to my senses. Staying here has certainly pushed my standards for luxury hotels higher than they already were. Hence it is an “Epitome of Opulence “where the bouquet of unique experience awaits for you in the mini city of Venice.

However, there are certain tips to remember:

Bring suitcases with wheels, as you are expected to cart your luggage to and from your suite.

Ask the taxi driver to drop you at the front gate as there are more staff at the check in counter, hence the time in the queue is lesser.

Advisable to take the map from concierge and explore the place on your own because the staff mostly speaks Mandarin and Cantonese.

"This princely piece of palace adorned with elegance and richness ,honoring Venice’s royal touch,drove my heart to the glories of Europe”

Written Jul 24 · 

VILLAGES OF FRANCE - EZE, ANTIBES ,CANNES AND SAINT PAUL DE VENCE

If you think France is only about Eiffel tower, Wine, Cheese and branded stores then you surely haven’t seen the real essence of France. The real France is about the sparkling Mediterranean sea, blue skies, well defined soaring mountains, beautiful ruins, rich history, picturesque landscape and bright sunny sea shores all these represent the true spirit of the French Riviera, encapsulated by the stunning village of Eze, France. Last year I visited the villages of southern France which are truly blessed with ancient medieval charm and peace. After seeing the opulence and glamour of Monte Carlo [Monaco] we stopped for 3 hours in Eze, which was like a breath of fresh air on a hot summer day .

Eze village

Eze is a hill top village with stone walls [12.5 km] from Nice[ by road],France built in 12 century located on a high cliff offered a stunning view of the Mediterranean sea. This village is basically the ruins of a huge mountain top fortress which has been amazingly remodeled with cobblestone path leading to lovely art galleries, souvenir shops, shops selling soaps and olive oil, cafes, bars, restaurants and most magnificent gardens. I being a shopaholic enjoyed shopping craft and jewelry. Surprisingly some shops are like tiny caves dug out of the rocky hill side.Browsing boutiques and antique shops was even fun. The best part of the village was that the credit cards were accepted. The luxury hotel,Chateau De La Chevre D'Or offers five star accommodation there and fine dining experience as well. There are 2 beautiful hotels on the top Chateau Eza [1920]and Chateau de la chevre’dor. This chateau Eza was once a winter residence of the prince Williams of Sweden. If you are a fan of perfumes and cosmetics, Eze also features a perfume factory "Fragonard “which is an interesting visit.

On further walking up got 360 degree view of the Mediterranean sea and mountains which is a must capture in your cameras .I found the place well steeped in History with bliss. The peaceful atmosphere brimmed me with life and energy. This village in my opinion is one of the best villages of France and a must visit in your itinerary.

SAINT PAUL DE VENCE

Saint Paul De Vence is another ancient medieval hilltop village of 16 th century 19 km from Nice, France.[little away from the coast].Known as a “village of artists “it’s been heaven for the artists, writers and poets. Some of them made their home .

The first glimpse of the village gave a majestic feel to start my journey up on the cobbled path through the old walls, carrying a map in my hand from the tourist office. The ancient medieval charm of this hamlet was no less than Eze village, surrounded by the niches of incredibly built stone fortress, the narrow stone houses dressed with green creepers, bright pink and purple bougainvillea blossoming, diffusing the air with refreshing floral scent.

The entrance of the village was like an entrance to any of the north Indian forts- a huge arched door. On further walking, it was pleasing to explore art museum, galleries and studios which studded the streets. Except for the ramparts and the typical old houses, today there were many upscale galleries owned by the local artists in the heart of the village. Make sure you can afford the pieces before you are tempted because they are exorbitant. Many interesting boutiques, antique and souvenir shops, alleyways are also lined up. To carry my memories back home of this ancient charm there could have been nothing better than souvenirs.

There was an array of cafés and restaurants and we too grabbed the opportunity to relish “crepes “and “Heinekens”[local delicacy] at La Colomb ‘d Or restaurant which it also caters varied European cuisines having gastronomical delights.. Further, got a breathtaking view of the valley which was worth capturing. Old tower, Dungeons and other structures were even fascinating. We even visited the main church, very simple inside and sat down for a while listened to the taped chants music, which was very soothing.

My visit to Saint Paul De Vence was one of the main highlights that i will remember vividly from my visit to this part of France ,where I loved unfolding the hidden Historictreasures.it is well worth visiting this famous atmospheric medieval village if you ever get a chance.

The hidden fact about these fortified villages is that after the fall of the Roman Empire, the area was threatened by the Barberians invasion so the local inhabitants built “perched villages” on the higher grounds of the region and today it relives the splendor of the bygone era.

Antibes

Antibes is another beautiful medieval town between Cannes and Nice .[27 km from Nice ]and has exotic sandy beaches with spectacular view of the Mediterranean sea .It is a home to the most exquisite yachts in the world. The town has remarkable vintage architecture, antique art collection and many fresh produce markets. We visited this place while returning from Cannes allowing ourselves about Two hours to explore the quite place on foot. A tour around this place is best when done closer towards dusk.

A visit here is the Chateau Grimaldi known for its iconic sky line views. Mussee de Picasso for housing collection of Picasso‘s artifacts and delightful sculptures along the cobbled pathways. Another interesting place is the Port Vauban which has the largest marina in the Mediterranean sea with most luxurious yachts in the world .Since we had time, we explored the walk to Fort Carre, along the historic wall which gave a royal feel.

Further in the town, the streets were littered with cafes and restaurants, few serving the local French delicacy “Crepes” while others served the Mediterranean cuisines. The ice cream of ‘Gelaterian Del Porto” is a must have as all the ice creams are home made with fresh local and seasonal products which were apt to match my palate.

Antibes offered a serene atmosphere with added leisure hence soaked me in the charm of this picture “Post card town’’

CANNES

Cannes is a glitzy coastal town near Nice, where worlds oldest and prestigious film festival takes place at Palaise de festival.It is an impressive complex of buildings with huge hoardings at the front adding the grandeur to the venue. Celebrities from all over the world grace this place every May and walk the red carpet that leads up the staircases to the main auditorium. Even if you go there when the festival is not operational,you can certainly smell the glamour in the air. The red carpet is left on the staircases throughout the year and its quite hard task to resist posing for photographs there. So even though i am not a celebrity, I can proudly claim to have been photographed at the venue of “Cannes International Film Festival’’.

Another added attraction of this place is also rows of cement slabs which have hand prints of celebrities on each one of them. There are too many famous celebrities hand-prints to count including Sharan Stone and Bruce Willis.

In the vicinity the streets are tucked away with luxurious designer stores, hotels and beach clubs are lined up. Among the best luxury hotels in the world “Hotel Du cap, Eden rock is here right on the coast of Mediterranean overlooking the sea and surrounding the yachts. The special feature is that many celebrities stay in this world famous hotel. For the adventurous travelers, hiring a yacht is an amazing fun luxury activity which ensures the best way to enjoy south of France. Our visit to Cannes was for only two hours, yet very enchanting and glamorous.

My experience to these towns and villages was beyond wildest expectations. I was overwhelmed by the bliss of these towns and hamlets. If you are fed up the museums, monuments and expensive shopping malls, then is the place to visit. It is a place replete of historic past where you are embraced with tranquility. Such villages should be promoted from the point of tourism and should definitely be on every tourist map.I truly believe that these hamlets are the real “Gems of southern France.”

Nice is a glittering capital city of this region and acts as a centre point to explore these places of attraction with very efficient road and rail connectivity.

Things to remember:

Carry a drinking water bottle. Wear comfortable pair of shoes as these villages have steep inclines and many stair cases to climb.

Advisable to visit Eze and Saint paul de vence in the morning time to avoid afternoon crash.

Advisable to take guided day tours to visit these towns and villages.

Do take the maps of village from the tourist office at the bottom [Eze and Saint Paul de vence ] to avoid confusions.

“An untouched village beauty with sun- kissed shores, mosaic of landscapes, Reel world glitz, swanky Yachts moored up by the Mediterranean were the exotic high lights and a reality to be cherished forever.”

MALDIVES , A PARADISE ON EARTH

Maldives, a Paradise on Earth

Maldives has always been my dream destination and stood number one in my bucket list. Last year I traveled to Maldives to celebrate my 8th Anniversary, which was a surprise gift to me, until the very last day of my departure. Maldives is a group of thousand islands with each resort occupying its own island.

With all the excitement in my heart, I boarded the flight purposely bearing the window seat number onto my boarding pass to enjoy the forthcoming breathtaking view of the Indian Ocean. The landing of the flight at Ibrahim Nasir International airport was simply mesmerizing as the sea looked serene with small islands which seemed as if a necklace were sprawled. I could not stop myself from taking the photographs of the Archipelago. The turquoise blue sea looked so crystal clear that surprisingly I could see the shadow of my flight. As I disembarked the aircraft, I could feel the cool breeze of the sea welcoming me to the land of sun sand and sea. Surprisingly, unlike any other place I did not see a taxi hovering around but the lovely blue ocean awaiting with my jetty for my transfers.

                                                   Aerial view of the Maldivian Island

                                   waiting for the jetty at Ibrahim Nasir International airport                                                                                   

My husband and I chose “Club Med “, resort on the island of Kani. Most recently Club Med has set up some pretty exclusive villas at the neighboring island of Finolhu. The club staff greeted my arrival at the noon with refreshing welcome drink. The resort has three categories of rooms 1. Deluxe room 2. Super deluxe rooms 3.Lagoon suites, depending upon the requirement and preferences of the guests. Apparently, I had opted for Super deluxe room on the beach for three nights which was sea facing. My villa looked “rustic” outwardly with soothing Bose music system inside enhancing the ambiance even more. My room was cozy and comfortable with a welcome basket of fruits and Champagne drawing me to high spirits. I chose this category of room as my husband I were looking forward to spend time in out lounging on the beach to enjoy all the activities arranged by the resort to entertain their guests to the fullest. Super deluxe rooms are designed for people who plan to spend more time on the beach where as Lagoon suites are located at the end of the island and are meant for guests who wish to spend a personal quality time and the best part of these suites is that, sea lovers and swimmers can step directly in to the shallow water from their balconies and enjoy snorkeling, swimming and nice view of corals.

                                                                    My villa

                                     

                                                   A walk towards the lagoon suites.      

The club med resorts are known for its warm sunshine services and it has a plentiful fun activities planned everyday to keep their guests occupied and entertained through out their stay like Zumba,Aqua aerobics, Sun set yoga ,Cycling ,Snorkeling ,Kayaking and sailing on the catamarans, which is the most amazing way to enjoy the sea and corals. Of all the activities, I personally enjoyed the Micheal Jackson show, where the performances by the GO’s {Club staff} were just too electrifying. Also there was party till the dawn for party lovers like me.

The special feature of the club was, that it offered all inclusive package of the basic meals, drinks and activities. The main dining area has quite a wide spread of international cuisine with several live counters.

For the most awaited day ,my anniversary, the GO’s had complementary decorated the room with fresh exotic flowers elevating my mood ,while the lavender oil diffuser filled up the villa with a soothing fresh vibe. In the evening, the candle light dinner was laid by the beach with mouthwatering delicacies accompanied by the waves which brought in me a sense of tranquility and revitalized my mind body and soul. As I was entering the sphere of peace, suddenly I could hear the chores of ‘Happy Anniversary song sung by the GO’s along with cake towards us which was a indeed very overwhelming, I truly felt HOME and a very good gesture of their hospitality.

Candle light dinner at the beach.

As the time for the departure neared, my heartfelt heavy and my mind started rushing around the island mustering all the possible memories I could carry along. The moment I boarded the jetty for the airport , I never felt like leaving the place and I wished I could stay here forever. I have seen beautiful sea and islands around the world but Maldives always stood out. I can bet, there is something about this place that’s quite not like any other in this world with a perfect combination of white sand, turquoise blue water ,palm fringed beaches blue lagoons and extensive reefs which are worth capturing. 

I personally thank Eric, Ibraham Asim ,Martin and all the other staff for their hospitality.It was my best gift and the unforgettable island experience ever, and truly A PARADISE ON EARTH. 

           

Group picture with Club Med team

I strongly feel if you are looking for a free mind holiday then this is the place which offers all inclusive package..

However, there are certain things to remember:

1.     Wi-Fi connectivity is weak so it’s better to enjoy solitude.

2. Service taxes are relatively higher and can vary as the food drinks have to be shipped from abroad to Male.

3. Check the villa location directly or with your travel agent, to avoid its location near restaurants, bar or generators.

4. Boat transfers can longer than scheduled in case of bad weather.

5. Confirm all your transfers to the staff one night before your departure to avoid chaos.

“Our memories of Maldives will linger on for long, after our footprints in the sand are gone”