continuation to last post on Masinagudi…

We took a share cab which charged us Rs.50 per person to drop us till Ooty bus stand. From there we hired a cab to roam around the town. Ooty had pleasant weather and we went first to Doddabetta, which is the highest point in Ooty and is the highest peak in South India. One can have a panoramic view of the city from this point. The entry fee to Doddabetta peak is Rs 5 per person and you need to shell out another Rs.10 in case you are carrying a camera. I would recommend the fee as it is a nice place to do some photography.

Tea Museum Pic: Pooja Sri

Our next stop was at the tea factory where will you get to see how tea dust is manufactured. They also have a small museum inside which tells you about how the origin and history of tea in India. They also serve you a cup of tea (free of cost ) which was a treat in the cold weather. There is a shop inside the factory where they sell a variety of tea leaves.

Tea factory Pic: Pooja Sri

Just behind the tea factory there is a chocolate factory as well; wherein you will get different variety of homemade chocolates. I decided to get a batch of assorted chocolates, so as to taste each one of them (any excuse is fair to get as many chocolates;-)).

Chocolates Pic:Pooja Sri

From the tea factory our cab driver took us to the Botanical garden which is one of the famous tourist attractions in Ooty. Laid out in 1848, the garden is currently maintained by the Horticulture department of Tamil Nadu.It has a beautiful green lawn for you to relax with your family and friends.

Botanical Garden Pic: Pooja Sri

In the garden there are scores of trees which one would have never seen before and a walk along the pathway made for exploring them will take at least half a day to complete, if one decides to be serious about it!

Botanical Garden Pic: Pooja Sri

In the garden several shrubs and hedges are cut to resemble animals, which looks spectacular. The entry fee to botanical garden is Rs 15 per person and an extra Rs 10 is the fee for the camera.

Wax Museum at Ooty Pic: Pooja Sri

Nearby, there is a private wax museum which has wax statues of Mahatma Gandhi, Subhash Chandra Bose, Mother Teresa, Abdul Kalam and many more. Not many people are aware of this museum as it is run by a private organization without much marketing hype. The organization has similar wax museums in few more other cities. One could definitely plan a visit to this museum, just to get a feel of it. Entry fee to the wax museum is at Rs 25 per person.

In the end we went to the 2 kms long Ooty Lake which is yet another spot of tourist attraction. One can go for boating (both pedal and motor boats are available) or just outside the lake there are ponies available for a ride. It took us around 3 to 4 hours to cover all these places. Capturing all the memories in our mind and a few in my camera, we took a cab back to Mettupalayam where we had our train waiting to take us back to Chennai.

Hope you found the post informative. Do leave your feedback.

Till next time…happy traveling!

On the borders of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka is the exquisite Masinagudi wildlife sanctuary. A quiet and serene vacation awaits everyone here, with many a surprises that unfolds for you as you explore the sanctuary. Pooja Sri recounts her experience here…

Travel from- Chennai
Destination-Masinagudi
Mode of transport- Train
Route – Chennai-Mettupalayam-Ooty-Masinagudi

Our first anniversary was just an excuse for me and my husband to plan a travel to Masinagudi, a wildlife sanctuary situated in between the Bandhipur National Park, Karnataka and Mudhumalai National Park, Tamil Nadu. With great excitement we packed our bags,but before leaving we did do a bit of research and got to know that carrying a good sunscreen cream, a pair of shades and a cap would be really helpful specially if you are traveling somewhere in between March-April, as we did.

Though one can plan for a road trip, we preferred going by train. It takes about 8 to 9 hours to reach Mettupalayam (Coimbatore) from Chennai and from there you have various mode of transport to commute till Ooty. I was fascinated when I saw the Toy Train at the platform ready to take its passengers to Ooty, but to my disappointment we could not manage to get the tickets as there was a long queue in front of the ticket counter.  Lesson we learnt – if you are planning to travel by the Toy Train book your tickets online! The first class ticket costs somewhere around Rs.75 and the second class around Rs.9, the Toy Train takes around 5 to 6 hours to reach Ooty in comparison to other modes like cab or buses which take around 2 to 3 hours.  We decided to take a share cab which cost us Rs.100 each. A private cab which will cost somewhere between Rs.1500 to Rs.2000 for a drop till Masinagudi, also do note that there are frequent bus services also.

We reached Ooty in 3 hours and managed to get a bus immediately to Masinagudi. The breeze was chilly; I just closed my eyes and took a catnap before we reached Masinagudi.

Monkey blocking our way! Pic: Pooja Sri

The resort management had already arranged a jeep for us at the bus stand to fetch us to the resort. The way to the resort is via the sanctuary and I was so engrossed in the scenic beauty that I almost fell from my seat when two tall langoor’s jumped across our jeep and tried blocking our way by sitting on the center of the road. Our driver stopped the jeep and waited for them to leave while we learnt the rule – in the jungle the animals have the first right of way!!

Pic: Pooja Sri

As we entered the resort we could hear loud noises of a birdy kind and not being sure of which bird it was, I ran towards the direction from where the noise was coming, and there I was totally enthralled to see a peacock walking around the resort with poise and in colorful splendor. For the records a few monkeys were also playing around.

Peacock Pic: Pooja Sri

Later in the evening, we stepped out for the night safari. We were told by the resort management that we could spot more animals during night time as all of them come out at night to drink water from the lake. We were super excited;it was getting pitch dark when we entered the deep woods The first animal that we could spot was a Spotted Deer followed by Sambar Deers, Bison’s, Wild Boars and couple of Elephants. Overall it was a thrilling experience and is highly recommended. The night safari would cost you around Rs.1500.

The next day we got up early and went for a trek near the resort, it was arid but the weather was pleasant. The guide took me to the top of the hill from where I could get a bird’s eye view of the sanctuary. The scenic beauty was just amazing; I sat there for some time and felt the cool breeze on my face. On my way back to the resort I found an antler shed by a deer. Our guide told me that deer’s shed their antlers annually for regeneration of new ones. That was one interesting piece of information I got early in the morning!

We decided to be in the resort for the later part of the day and got ourselves involved in activities arranged by the resort management. The resort manager told us interesting facts about the jungle rules and the habitat of the cat family. He also suggested tours that Masinagudi was the place for people who love bird watching. We did not go for a bird watching session but spotted at least 5-6 varieties of birds in and around the resort itself!

Overall, stay at Masinagudi was an awesome experience and I would love to revisit the place again, but this time somewhere in between October to December; post monsoon, when there would not be even a single piece of parched land to be seen.

Since Ooty is quite close by, and we had some time in hand before we caught a train back to Chennai, we packed our bags and headed toward Ooty. I had heard nice things about Ooty and was looking forward to my short visit.

Pooja stayed at Zest (a Club Mahindra property)

to be contd…

London remains as one of my favorite places to visit. I hold fond remembrances of the city. It’s beautiful modernity, existing cheek-by-jowl with the rich cultural heritage is a must see for any traveler.

London Tower Pic: Mr.Q

The Tower of London, The London Bridge, Westminster Abbey, British Museum, Big Ben, The London Eye, The Buckingham Palace, Art Museums, well manicured gardens,Fish and Chips,… etc. are all reasons for me to go back another time.

In the city, for the detective in you, visit Sherlock Holmes abode at 221, Baker Street and meet Dr. Watson!! Walking around the house catching glimpses of life and trivias from the fictional private eye’s character is quite interesting and memorable.

Very close to the Baker Street, actually just around the corner, is the wax museum of Madam Tussauds, displaying two centuries of fame and notoriety. For the marketing & brand buff in you, The Brand Museum at Notting Hill is a very interesting museum, dedicated to brands – displaying their history and their journey to the present times.

Well, there are far too many attractions in London city, which draws people towards it, round the year. With Olympics round the corner, it might be a good time to visit London this summer. The sporting events are sold out across all stadiums is what we are being told, but one can still catch the pulse of the great grand Olympics through the pulsating life in London; if you haven’t booked the entry tickets, that is! Much before the event (in July) one can catch the Olympics Torch Relay arriving in UK on 18th May 2012. Torchbearers will carry the Flame through more than 1,000 cities, towns and villages in the UK.The schedule for various events can be checked out at http://www.london2012.com/

London Bridge Pic: Mr. Q

Westminster Abbey Pic: Priya Q

If time permits one should look at the nearby places from London in England like Devon, Bath, Cirencester, Stonehenge, Cambridge, Oxford, the Isle of Man, Jersey,…etc. The country side of any country holds its true flavor – the peace, the simplicity and the unadulterated smiles on locals’ faces.

Was the info useful? Do leave your feedback…

Next is a guest post about a beautiful wild life sanctuary – Masinagudi.

Stay tuned…

If you have couple of days extra, you can make a day trip to Hoover Dam which is around 4 hrs from Williams. It’s an arch gravity dam on Colorado River on the border of the states of Nevada and Arizona. It was constructed between 1931 to 1936. People who visit Las Vegas in Nevada also visit Hoover dam. There are also day tours to Grand Canyon from Las Vegas.

Hoover Dam Pic credit: Rishi Menon

Another day trip from Grand Canyon is to drive to Petrified National Forest Park. This is around 4 hours from Grand Canyon.  Petrified national forest has a scenic drive 28 miles long and is the best way to see the park. There are two sections in the park, the north end has several interesting stops including Painted Desert and a spot to see petroglyphs carved on rocks. The south end has many trails including one where you can see petrified wood.

Petrified National Forest Pic credit: Rishi Menon

Winslow, Arizona is on the way to Petrified National Forest Park from Grand Canyon. The city became famous after being mentioned in an Eagles song “Take it easy” and the lyrics goes this way – “Well, I am standing in a corner in Winslow Arizona and such a fine sight to see”. And we being huge fans of Eagles had to visit the city and take a photo with the statue of a guy leaning against a pole at a corner signifying the song

Pic credit: Rishi Menon

If you are staying in Cameron, you can see preserved dinosaur tracks within 30 mins in Tuba City. We even saw T-Rex tracks. There is no way to see the sights on your own since these prints are on Navajo land, who are a tribe of Native Indians. Once you reach the place, you will find several Navajo people waiting to show you around and they expect tips anywhere from 10-30$. Our guide upfront told us she needed 30$ The guide will pour water into the tracks which makes it more visible.

T-Rex print Pic Credit: Rishi Menon

This is a guest post by Rishi Menon and Suchi Menon

Grand Canyon has been on my bucketlist for some time now and the feeling only got stronger post I received these pics from the traveling couple Special thanks Rishi and Suchi for sharing their travel stories on Composed Volcano.

In this post Rishi Menon, captures beautifully the powerful and overwhelming landscape of the Grand Canyon almost transporting you there. Suchi Menon, his travel partner tell us about her adventures and exploits. She talks about their experiences both good and bad and lots of interesting trivias Have fun reading….

Grand Canyon in Arizona state is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.  The canyon was caused by the erosion of Colorado river that started 17 million years ago.  It is best seen at sunrise or sunset when the light falling on the canyon causes shadows to highlight the ridges.  On the west side of the Canyon there is a glass bridge walkway called “Grand Canyon Skywalk” and it’s true to its name. It’s about 4,000 feet above the Canyon and extends 70ft over it.

Sunset Grand Canyon Pic Credit: Rishi Menon

There are seven lodges inside Grand Canyon, but you have to book much in advance to get a room. For folks who don’t get reservations inside the park, they can stay in Williams or Cameron. There are several hotels in Williams. There is only one hotel in Cameron called Cameron Trading Post which also has a huge gifts and souvenir store. We picked up few Native Indian home décor from there. When staying at the Cameron Trading Post, one important thing to remember is if you reach after hours in the evening, the front desk is closed. There is a gas station next to the lodge where the security guy sits and will check you in. I would not recommend staying in Cameron.

Lodges Pic Credit: Rishi Menon

Grand Canyon tour has two rims, north and south. North rim is always closed during winter months. South rim is open throughout the year. If you are short of time, you can just do a scenic drive of the south rim stopping at interesting stops. There are also free shuttles which will take you to all the interesting points including certain trail heads which are otherwise not accessible for private vehicles. People can even camp at the bottom of the Canyon. Camping overnight is advisable if you plan to trek till the bottom of the canyon or do a rim to rim hike, since it’s very difficult to attempt going down and coming up the same day especially in the hot summers.

Grand Canyon Rim Pic Credit: Rishi Menon

There are several hiking trails in Grand Canyon. One of the hikes we did was South Kaibab Trail.  This trail begins south of Yaki Point on Yaki Point Road. We originally planned to do till Cedar ridge point which is 1.5 miles one way, but because there was snow and ice on the trail and we didn’t have chains on our shoes we could go only till “Ooh Aah Point” which is 0.9 miles one way, 1.8 miles roundtrip. It’s an apt name because the view is stunning, in fact throughout the trail we were hit by stunning views. And yes we saw people slipping and falling on the trail including me The next day we went and bought chain fixtures for our shoes   And please carry water especially in summer months, people have known to die of dehydration in the canyon.

South Kaibab Trail Pic Credit: Rishi Menon

Grand Canyon Helicopter ride is another exciting way to experience the magnificent canyon. They take you over the canyon and also descend into the valley where you can get down and breathe the crisp fresh air! There are many companies which offer this tour and you can take off from Grand Canyon village or Sedona which is a city down south within few hours of Grand Canyon or Las Vegas, Nevada. Shreya Nair had the good fortune of experiencing and exploring the Grand Canyon from high up in the air. Here’s a shot taken by her… (thanks Shreya )

Helicopter ride Pic Credit: Shreya Nair

(post to be continued…)

Book your flights to London Heathrow now, because this summer looks set to be one of the best times to visit Britain for decades. The country has made a huge investment in preparing for the London 2012 Olympics which kick off on 27th July with what is likely to be a spectacular opening ceremony to celebrate the coming together of hundreds of nations and this milestone year for Britain, but that’s not all Britain has to offer this summer.

Last April saw the world go Royal mad as Kate Middleton and the UK’s Prince William tied the knot in spectacular style – 2012 brings another Royal landmark with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrating the monarch’s 60 years on the throne. The Jubilee will be surrounded by a plethora of royal events, from a parade and muster at Windsor Castle on 19th May, to a fabulous concert at Buckingham Palace on 4th June and the lighting of Jubilee beacons throughout the Commonwealth. The Jubilee on June 5th will bring a chance to grab a glance of the royals first hand in a royal carriage procession through London: with the whole family out in force, this is a must-see for fans of the British monarchy!

In July, the Olympics will bring the country to life. Lasting between 27th July and 12th August, the games will see 205 nations battle it out for gold across 300 world class events and athletes including record-holding runner Usain Bolt and Olympic champion Michael Phelps will be out in force. This Olympics will mark the first time the UK has hosted the games since 1948 and will see a number of patriotic events taking place across the country.

As the Olympics close out, the Edinburgh Festivals kick off. Featuring everything from opera, to book readings, comedy shows, film screenings and philosophy lectures, the Edinburgh Festival showcases the best of British and beyond and sets the Scottish capital abuzz. Not to be missed is the spectacular closing fireworks ceremony at the Princes Street Gardens, where millions of pounds worth of fireworks will sign off a truly fantastic British summer.

Parambikulam, Kerala

Parambikulam Pic: Priya Q

The beauty of staying in Kerala is that it gives you many varied options of vacationing. It has something for everyone. Beaches, mountains, wildlife, backwaters, city life, country side, history, religious places, you name it.

Most of our extended holidays are well utilized where we try to get away from city madness; bundle up some sweet memories, laugh like there was no tomorrow, rejoice in each others company and get back totally rejuvenated.

Parambikulam Wild Life Reserve Pic: Priya Q

The latest trip we did was to the Parambikulam Wild Life Sanctuary. It’s a Tiger Reserve on the Tamil Nadu – Kerala border. Having lawyers in our group helped us in getting a guest house in the heart of the jungle. However, there are various stay options including tree-houses and tents, which might not be in the middle of jungles but close enough. The cost for these accommodations range between 3000-5000INR.

About 4hrs drive from Kochi, we started off about 10am and reached Parambikulam by about 3:30 in the afternoon. We took a long lunch break at Nenmara at Tiny Family restaurant which we all will highly recommend as the food & ambiance inside their AC room was excellent.

After staying in luxurious and nice looking resorts, where you have all the modern amenities, bed coffee & food just a phone call away through room service; the guest house at Parambikulam was surely to build character not just for the kids but us adults too. Though the rooms are bare and acceptable one can expect all kinds of creepy crawlies; shabby walls and bedspreads …etc. For people who are sticker for cleanliness like me and the other ladies in the group (am sure Men wouldn’t have even noticed any of these ); carrying bed sheets is advisable. Toiletries (soap, towels,… etc) are not provided for, hence that should be on your checklist as well.

Tea shop Pic: Priya Q

There are 2-3 check-posts within the sanctuary where you need to stop for various reasons – paying a fee for your vehicle / for your camera …etc.  No liquor is allowed inside the wild life reserve and all cars & vans are thoroughly checked for this. Similarly no food in plastic packages is allowed in. The last check-post is where you get assigned a guide. It is compulsory, for you are not allowed to loiter around the jungle on your own. At all times, you must be accompanied by a guide. We set off for an evening safari followed by a much needed hot tea, right after we settled our baggage in the guest house. You are allowed to take you own vehicles, which is what we did. Vehicle safari (mini-buses) is available for big groups at 150INR per person that last for about 3 hours and takes you around to view Thunakadavu Dam, Kannimara Teak, Tribal Heritage Centre, Valley View Point,… etc.

The Elephants! Pic: Priya Q

Spotted deer, Sambar deer, Wild boars, Bisons and various colorful birds made our safari exciting. But the thrill was to watch the elephants in the wild. We were in two cars, the guide being in the pilot one. We slowed down and had to move without making noise and disturbing the elephants. I had my camera ready (like always), but as my friend rightly said, it definitely was the first time my subject reacted so violently. As one of the elephants came charging in our direction trumpeting, I was sitting there in the car, frozen with terror. Now that point has a name, yeh you got it – ‘The Priya Point’; courtesy: my very creative friends.

Bisons Pic: Priya Q

Spotted deers Pic: Priya Q

Another incident worth mentioning is our encounter with a huge Bison-larger than our sedans. It was getting darker and we were on our way back to the guest house when we saw a Bison walking like a king in the middle of the road. There was a gorge on one side with hardly any space on the other side, so there was no way we could have sped past it. We stopped and sat for what seemed like eternity waiting for a clear road. Had the Bison thought that we were cornering it, I might not have been sitting here recounting my experience! We reached our guest house safe and sound. For security issues, people are not allowed to go out after 6 / 6:30 pm. So it might be a good idea to carry games, books etc to keep yourself occupied for the rest of the evening.

Parambikulam Dam (its lowest point) Pic: Priya Q

There are quite a few Dams inside this reserve forest & on one afternoon we explored the bottom of the main Parambikulam Dam (its lowest point). There are about 300 steps you need to climb down inside a tunnel made in the dam wall and suddenly there is knee deep water. More than kids we were excited to wade through it. After the heat the feel of cool water was so much appreciated. Climbing back was another back breaking exercise for all of us, so caution must be taken before getting on this trip.

For food you have two options –you travel to the restaurant in the main bus stand area for it or pick it up yourself from a home run by locals and get to your room (you need to return the vessel yourself, no one will collect it from you!) In either case you need to inform the restaurant the quantities you need. And in both cases you have to travel 3-5km from the guest house to reach there!!..:)

Though there are signage’s “Plastic free zone” around, but if you have kids in your group like we had, it’s next to impossible. But yes, as responsible visitors we collected all plastics in one place with plans to carry it back. But later we learnt that the local tribals could recycle the plastics to make keychains which are available for sale at an Eco shop. Hence, we left our plastics in the designated area.

Bamboo Raft Pic: Priya Q

Bamboo rafting in the dams water reservoir is a must.  The rafts are sturdy and can take upto 8 adults and 2 kids. If you are lucky you might even spot a few wild animals quenching their thirst. We saw couple of peacocks and peahens!!There is an accommodation available on Veettikkunnu Island, a remote island with no electricity & food facilities at 5000INR per night accommodating maximum 5 people. We got talking with our oarsmen and they told us about it. They are also in-charge of the food for anybody who stays on that island. One motor boat is kept for such uses and also emergency needs. The fare is 100INR per head but it’s a nice gesture to tip the oarsmen.

Half of us also did a morning trek that didn’t necessarily help them site any more number of animals than us, but nevertheless the morning chill (14 degrees), the silence of the jungles interrupted by the crushing of leaves of twigs under your feet and various birds was worth an experience. (Our team missed sighting a Wild Bear by minutes).

Kannimara Teak Pic: Mr.Q

Inside the reserve forest don’t miss the opportunity to see the oldest / biggest teak tree ever. While I was relaxing with my little one at the guest house, my friends were making a human chain trying to cover the girth of the Kannimara Teak. With a girth of 6.48m and a crown height of 48.75m, it is believed to be around 400 years old. The legend says that that when this tree was tried to cut down, blood spurted out. The Kannimara Teak has been worshiped by the local Tribals ever since.

I have been to various different wild life sanctuaries and each time the Tiger missed me. Hope s/he isn’t unlucky the next time around. Another thing I missed was the sight of thousands of fire flies lighting up the trees as if set up for a celebration. Apparently, fire-fly season is sometime in April/May.

No liquor, no French fries or wedges, no sausages, no tea or coffee, no aerated drinks on demand – the experience was different and surprisingly not all that challenging too. You learn to make do with what is available….

For those who want to go on this adventure, do book your tents/tree houses in advance as their availability is always tight.  Further details are at – Parambikulam Accomodation

Wild Boars that are found everywhere! Pic: Priya Q

Top 3 Things To Do In Cirencester, Gloucestershire, UK.

Cirencester is a market town situated approximately 100 miles west of London, with a very long history associated with the Romans. It has one of the largest churches in the UK and is surrounded by beautiful villages on the outskirts, a perfect holiday destination. Situated in the Cotswolds with Roman remains dotted around the town, the town attracts thousands of visitors each summer. The Japanese are particularly fond of the area. If you decide to visit Cirencester, here are the 3 top things you should do whilst you’re there:

Corinium Museum and Black Jack Street

The town’s, once owned by the Roman’s, history can be found here. The museum contains mountains of genuine artifacts, mosaics (of which many mosaics can be found around the town, for example, the Brewery Arts rabbit mosaic) and pottery. There are also Roman army tunics on show as well as Roman weaponry. It’s relatively cheap to get in (£4.80 for an adult and £2.40 for children and further discount for families) and there is also a souvenir shop where you can buy replica artifacts. After walking through the museum, take a walk down Black Jack Street for some excellent coffee at Keith’s or some fantastic baked cakes at Jack’s.

Cricklade Street and the Market Place

Cirencester High Street Pic Souce: http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3170/2479992759_8a5eb6b1a0.jpg

These are two main shopping streets of the town. Here you’ll find boutique shops and cafes serving up fresh baked cakes, quality ground coffee through personal customer service. Everyone here knows everyone, and they’re more than willing to introduce tourists to their quirky shops. The Market Place holds a farmers’ market whereby morning fresh foods and meats are brought to the stands. Unfortunately, unlike some places in Asia, there is no bartering here! The Market Place leads up to the Parish Church, one of the largest churches in England. Recently renovated, there is underground heating (so it’s warm unlike most churches where it’s freezing!) and a new pipe organ as well as several damaged statues that have been restored.

Nearby Towns – Bibury

Bibury Court, Gloucestershire Pic source: http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3249/2529898316_5f35c611d1.jpg

Bibury is a beautiful village approximately 6.5miles north east of Cirencester. The River Coln cuts straight through the village making it a picturesque village, nominated once as the most beautiful village in England. A lot of the buildings are made of the famous Cotswold Stone, a local material found only in the Cotswolds. The Bibury Court Hotel is a fantastic hotel which offers tea and scones every evening, for guests and non-guests. Set in acres and acres of land, it really is a perfect place for a wedding or a romantic getaway. The village has also been used as a film location by Hollywood for Stardust and Bridge Jones Diary.

You can reach Cirencester from London by Rail (1 hour 40mins), Bus (2 hours 30mins) and by Car (2 hours).

This is a guest post by  James Bean. He regularly blogs about holidays in the Great British Countryside @ sceniccotswolds.com

Kumarakom Pic: Priya Q

About 2 hours drive from Kochi, Kumarakom is a beautiful backwater location and is a must visit. Meandering canals, sprawling paddy fields, Vembanad Lake, rich variety of flora and fauna, stunning views constitutes Kumarakom.

Kumarakom’s close proximity to Kochi was a decisive factor for our impromptu trip with our friends. Idea was to drive down to place somewhere close by and just relax. So Kumarakom is where we headed to.

There are quite a few good resorts in Kumarakom one can stay like Kumarakom Lake Resort, The Zuri, Coconut Lagoon, Kayal Resort, Taj Garden Retreat,…etc. All the good resorts are built with backwaters as the backdrop and offer a boat cruise service on demand.

Here is a list of 5 things you must do while visiting Kumarakom

Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary

Visit the bird sanctuary. Watch various birds in their natural surroundings. Carry your binoculars, study and catch the sights of various migratory birds. Set against the background of Vembanad Lake, the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary also called the Vembanad Bird Sanctuary, is a favorite haunt for bird lovers and tourists. Another must do is a walk around the sprawling lush green peaceful sanctuary and fill your lungs with fresh air.

Kerala Houseboat Pic: Priya Q

Take a day cruise on a houseboat. Immerse in the beauty of backwaters, palm fringed canals, in-flight birds, vast blue sky and the local life from your boat.

Sunset Cruise Pic: Priya Q

Take a sunset boat cruise and watch the sun set in the lake preferably with a flutist

Canoe ride Pic: kunal.wordpress.com

Take a short canoe ride on the tranquil and beautiful backwaters. The local fisherman sometimes offer a canoe ride to the entrance of the bird sanctuary which is a local attraction. Canoe rides are not as comfortable as the houseboats nevertheless worth the experience.

Food served on the boat Pic: Priya Q

Try various sea food preparations (fish, mussels, lobsters, etc) cooked in Kerala style and take sip of local liquor – toddy.

Toddy Pic: Priya Q

UNO Pic credit : Rishi Menon

This post is a continuation to the earlier post – ‘The City of New York’

8.    UN

The headquarters of the United Nations is in New York City. There are guided tours and audio tours conducted here. Audio tours are available only on weekends. There are multilingual tour guides who offer tours in different languages. You can see donated gifts of art, the General Assembly Hall, the Security Council & articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Cathedral of Saint John the Divine Pic credit: Rishi Menon

9.    Cathedral of Saint John the Divine

Cathedral of Saint John the Divine claims to be the largest cathedral and Anglican Church and fourth largest Christian church in the world. It has a beautiful gothic architecture and is a major center for musical performances.

Radio City Hall Pic credit: Rishi Menon

10.    Radio City Hall

New York city is very famous for its Broadway shows. There are theatres which play musicals, comedy clubs, ballets etc. You can book tickets online or go to the TKTS booth on Times Square which gives you a discount of 25% to 50% for same day shows.

Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum Pic credit: Rishi Menon

11.    Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum

Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum in New York City is a branch of the original Museum in London. There is an entry fee and if you buy it online you save some money. There is also a 4D movie theatre inside the museum. You can take photos with your favorite celebrities, one of my favorites was Prince, and it looked so life like.

Ground Zero Pic credit: Rishi Menon

12.    Ground Zero

Ground Zero Site in Manhattan is the site where the original twin towers of the World Trade Center once stood. The construction for One World Trade Center has already started. There is also a Ground Zero Museum Workshop. On September 11, 2011, Ground Zero Memorial opened to public. Visitors must reserve advance passes for a specific date and time. It can be done online.

Top of the Rock Pic credit: Rishi Menon

13.    Top of the Rock

Top of the rock observation deck located in the Rockefeller center is one of the major tourist attractions. It is 70 floors high and from the top deck, it has an unobstructed 360º view of the stunning city of New York. There is an entry fee to go up and the prices are higher at sunrise and sunset. Rockefeller center is located between 5th Avenue & 6th Avenue. 5th Avenue is famous for high end shopping and known to be one of the most expensive shopping streets in the world.

Grayline Bus Pic credit: Rishi Menon

14.    Grayline Bus tour

New York City is best seen on foot. There are subways which take you from one point to another but if you are not keen on public transport, there are private buses which have ‘hop on and hop off’ tours. Grayline is one amongst them and it also offers a fully guided day tour that takes you through the whole city of New York. It includes lunch and usually stops at St John the Divine Cathedral, Ground Zero, Statue of Liberty Cruise and ends at Top of the Rock.

Immigration Center Pic credit: Rishi Menon

15.    Immigration Center

Ellis Island is symbolic to American immigration. One can go here to check their family history and find out if their ancestors came through here. Between 1892 until 1954 European immigrants flocked in plenty to America through the port of New York. Ellis Island National Monument and museum is one of the most historic places in NYC and they have a 45 minute audio tour. The American Immigrant Wall of Honor inside the museum is the longest wall of names in the world.

Central Park Pic credit: Rishi Menon

16.    Central Park

Central Park is situated in the center of Manhattan and is known to be the most visited Urban Park in the United States. There are jogging trails, beautiful small bridges and grounds for sports teams to practice.

This is a guest post by passionate travelers Rishi Menon and Suchi Ravindran Menon