Wild Junket

The Welsh Showdown: Coasteering and Cliff-Jumping

admin — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 11:34:48 PDT

Legs wobbly, stomach queasy, I am about to take the leap off a 15-feet tall cliff. Looking down at the churning waters, my head swirls but before I know it, I’m in the air, plunging feet first into the sea. Seconds later I resurface, only to be swept by a gratifying sense of high.

I am coasteering along the Pembrokeshire coastline of West Wales, getting a taste of the country’s wild side. It’s Day 3 of the Great the Welsh Showdown (a challenge VisitBritain had set me up with) and our group of bloggers are putting our wits and courage to the test.

What is Coasteering?

Coasteering involves scrambling around the coastline from rock to rock, navigating sea caves, clambering up to the craggy cliff tops and jumping off into the waters. Participants are given wetsuits and crash helmets and are accompanied by instructors to ensure safety. A brand new sport that pioneered in the area, coasteering is the trendiest outdoor activity in town and the Welsh coastline is said to be the place to try it.

Scaling the Pembrokeshire Coastline

Earlier that morning, we had started out from a gorgeous, quiet bay, clambering along the steep cliff surface to get to a tiny pebble beach where we would start our navigation. Our instructors from the Preseli Venture, John and Libby, guided us through the wading water, constantly watching out for the tide.

Our first element to navigate – a sea cave. The raging waters threw us around the giant cave, like a washing machine swirling its dirty laundry. We giggled and laughed like a bunch of school kids, enjoying the thrill more than anything.

Soon came the scaling and we were clambering up barnacle-studded rocks like drenched monkeys. We started out with a low cliff, belly-flopping our way into the water to make sure we were comfortable leaping off.

Higher and higher we went to plunge off from greater heights, challenging ourselves to our limits. The highest height was topped at 15 feet, where it was still safe to jump. For someone wild at heart but wimpy with heights like myself, cliff-jumping was more fun than terrifying, and more adrenaline than nerve-wrecking.

Here’s a video of me and our group of bloggers jumping off a 15-foot cliff. Check out our pre-jump screams!

Cliff Jumping in Pembrokeshire

Disclaimer: My trip was sponsored by VisitBritain but all opinions are my own.

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The Welsh Showdown: Bushcrafting

admin — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 16:25:40 PDT

It’s not everyday I find myself bushcrafting in the middle of the Gower Forest in South Wales but there I was – with nothing but two chunks of wood – attempting to start a fire the way prehistoric men did. We are on our next challenge of the Welsh Showdown: the Survival of the Fittest.

This full-day Wilderness Survival Course conducted by Dryad Bushcrafting is aimed at teaching us basic skills and techniques of bushcrafting. So what is bushcrafting?

Andrew Price, the young founder and head instructor of the outfitter, tells us, “Our aim is to teach people how to live in the outdoors and using our environment for sustainable living. It does not require supernatural abilities, but a practical understanding of the basic principles and techniques of bushcraft that will enable you to adapt confidently to any environment.”

Dryad Bushcraft was started a few years ago with funding from the Welsh assembly sustainable development fund. Activities include fire lighting, fungi forage, primitive and modern traps and tracking techniques and many other subjects.

Man vs. Wild

Earlier that morning, we had driven towards Swansea, Southwest Wales to get to Gower. This particular part of Southwest Wales was designated Britain’s first area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB) on the 9th of May 1956.

We started our day off with a stop at the Gower Heritage Center and a Neolithic period burial ground. After catching a glimpse into the rural Welsh lifestyle, we headed out into the woods, geared for some ‘Man vs Wild’ action.

Foraging through the thick foliage of the Gower Woods, we chance upon raspberries, meadowsweets and willow plants. Rick, our instructor, plucks a thorny leaf and chucks it into his mouth. Surprisingly, his tongue remains unscath. As we thread through the forest, Rick explains the use of each plant and how some can serve as medication or just to fill our stomachs.

Making Fire From Scratch

After a series of explanations and demonstrations, we are presented with our first task: making fire with two sticks of wood. With my knee pressed against a slab of wood, I summon up strength to rub another slice of wood against it like a saw. Teamwork plays an important factor here, as our team of three emerge as the winner with our combined efforts.

“Bushcraft is not a spectator sport. The emphasis is on hands-on practice and working together as a team. As you can see, team work makes every single thing you do easier and more enjoyable.” Andrew explains the aim of his bushcraft courses.

Next, we are tasked to build our own makeshift shelter using natural elements in our environment. Logs of wood and short branches are gathered and the construction begins. As a group, we discuss the basic structure of our shelter and how we would stack the logs together. Soon we are piling up wood, dried leaves and hay.

At the end of the day, we have adapted to the natural environment and become modern-day survivors. Perhaps I wouldn’t have won without the help of my team members, but I sure have learned a ton of essential knowledge in this adventure.

Stay tuned to my updates over the next few days and leave some comments to help me win the challenge! The blogger with the most number of comments wins the challenge.

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The Welsh Showdown: Learning the Language!

admin — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 11:29:46 PDT

I used to think of myself as quite the linguist, not until Welsh came and threw my language skills right out the window. Day 1 of the Great Welsh Showdown and we’re already faced with a pretty darn interesting challenge: picking up the old Celtic language of Welsh.

“Shwmael!” Delyth Pollard, a local native and experienced Welsh teacher greeted us in a chirpy tone. Our group of bloggers looked at each other, puzzled and slightly amused by the word that sounded close to ‘Chinese dumpling’ in the Cantonese dialect. Little did we know that we would be having more fun giggling about quirky Welsh words later on in the day. Meaning hiya, a casual form of greeting, “Shwmael” was about to be the first and last word to enter our Welsh memory bank.

A New Language Trend in Wales

We had made our way to the Welsh capital, Cardiff, zipping here via a fast-speed train from London. Just under two hours and we were already whisked off to our language class at the Visit Wales office in Brunel House. But why a language class in Welsh for our first task? Surely there must be some interesting stuff out here in Cardiff? Surely we could get by in English?

Delyth shared with us the importance of learning Welsh in their country these days. “We were almost at the point of losing our language; there are more people who speak English than Welsh here in Wales.” Only in the last few years have people become more aware of the importance of preserving their ancient language.

“Welsh-medium schools are now mushrooming all over the country. Over 20 years ago, there were only 4 welsh-speaking schools in Cardiff, these days there are too many for me to keep tab.” Currently, 25% of the population speak Welsh and the numbers are growing.

When asked why and how this trend started, Delyth told us with pride, “We are a country and we have our own language that identifies us. It’s often mistaken as a dialect, but no it’s a language that goes way back. Now people have started to realize how we can be effectively bilingual, mastering both English and Welsh.”

Wyt ti’n siarad Cymraeg? (Do you speak Welsh?)

From “Shwmael”, we advanced along in the lesson, mastering basic greetings, numbers and even short sentences. Putting what we’d learnt to use, we exchanged greetings and practiced conversations with our partners.

A Celtic language closely related to the Irish and French, more so than English, Welsh was quite a tricky affair. Although I would hardly believe it possibly to sprout a language within two hours of learning it, we did catch some phrases here and there. Here’s a list of some memorable Welsh phrases (pick some and add them to your comments below!)

How are you? = Shwd ych chi? [pronounced as ‘should ich hee’]

Very good = Da iawn [pronounced as ‘dai yawn’]

Thanks! = Diolch [pronounched as ‘dee-ol-ugh’ with a rough, saliva-spitting sound towards the end]

Welsh language = Cymraeg [pronounced as ‘cam-rai’]

Can I have milk? = Ga i llaeth? [pronounced as ‘ga-ee-ll-aef’ with a thick, tongue hissing sound for ‘ll’]

Please? = Os gwelwch yn dda? [pronounced as ‘oss-gwell-ugh un thah’]

Goodbye! = Hoil! [pronounced the way it’s spelt]

Europe’s Longest Place Name = a town name in Northern Wales Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch [yes, seriously the town’s name is a full 163 characters. ]

*Please leave a comment below with at least two Welsh words, only those comments count! I need as many comments as possible to win today’s challenge, so pretty please?

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The Great Welsh Showdown

admin — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 15:26:55 PDT

It’s a cloudy evening here in London. I’ve arrived to the capital of England ready to embark on quite an extraordinary journey. It’s not just any other press trip: With five other travel bloggers from around Asia and Australia, I’ll be taking on a four-day challenge in Wales.

The Great Welsh Showdown is organized by Visit Britain with the aim of reaching out to the social media travel community while showcasing the various types of activities available in Wales.

Over the course of the competition, we will take part in five challenges conducted in various corners of Wales, and end off each day with a blog or video entry. Come tomorrow, 1 September, our wits, strength and blog-writing prowess will be put to the test. To win the competition, we will have to garner the support of their readers by obtaining the most number of comments and videos views for the various tasks. So I’ll seriously need your help to beat the rest and win the Great Welsh Showdown!

Fellow travel bloggers hail from six countries around Australia, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Korea and Singapore (that’s me). We’ll be getting down and dirty, dabbling in some interesting activities in Wales. Watch out for my daily updates – meanwhile, here’s a sneak peek of what we’ll be up to over the next four days.

Wyt ti’n siarad Cymraeg? (Do you speak Welsh?)

The competition kicks off in Cardiff, capital of Wales, where we’ll be attending a half-day Welsh lesson. Using our new-found knowledge of the language, we’ll be blogging about our findings, while including five words in Welsh. The blogger who receives the most number of comments from readers who comment with at least two Welsh words, will win the challenge! Hey, I’m a language freak, so I’m sure I’ll be picking up Welsh pretty fast, but I’ll be depending on you to help me beat the rest.

Wilderness Survival

The second task takes place in the coastal city of Swansea, where we’ll be learning the ways of surviving in the wilderness. We will be attending bushcraft lessons before splitting into two groups to compete against each other in survival activities, such as lighting a bonfire or setting up a shelter. After a day in the jungle, we will return to civilisation and provide survival tips on our blogs. I love getting down to basics but I’m sure not an expert in survival techniques.

Dryad Bushcraft Wales is one of the UK’s leading Bushcraft and Survival schools, and one of very few full time specialist providers of high quality practical instruction.

A Giant Leap of Faith

This is the challenge I’m most looking forward to! Moving on westward to Pembrokeshire, we will don wetsuits and scale the cliffs of the Welsh coastal line in this coasteering challenge. Coasteering is a unique adventure sport where you experience the exhilaration of sea level traversing, rock climbing, cliff jumping and swimming into sea caves. Preseli Venture can offer a range of coasteering experiences, from a half day session on our adventures days, through to a dedicated Wicked Liquid coasteering weekend.

Our bravery will be put to the test (yikes!) as we jump off the cliffs into the raging waters, all this while being videoed. The videos will be posted online and the blogger who receives the most video views will emerge as the winner of this task – so be sure to catch me in action!

The Wooly Encounter

Sheep, ubiquitous in Wales, will be the central focus of the fourth challenge. We will have their hands on making Sheep Poo Paper – like its name suggest, paper, made out of sheep excrement – at the Creative Paper Wales paper mill at the Snowdonia National Park regions. Even the name of the region sounds exotic, not to mention making paper out of sheep poo. We will complete the woolly experience by learning the ways of a farmer in gathering sheep at a farm. It all sounds like lots of fun, as long as I don’t have to be collecting sheep’s poo.

A Film of Triumph

The final challenge will require us to create a one-minute video of ourselves in Wales using the Flip MinoHD sponsored by Cisco. The video will consist of our daily challenges and I’ll be sure to sneak in some behind-the-scene moments, so stay glued for the final product right here on WildJunket.

The Prize

The overall winner will take home a grand prize of a pair of return tickets to their preferred destination to anywhere in the United Kingdom. Readers, however, will not be forgotten for their support rendered. One commenter, selected from all the commenters of the winning video of the last challenge, will stand a chance to win a Flip MinoHD video camera!

Stay tuned to my updates over the next few days and leave some comments to help me win the challenge!

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City Break: World’s Greatest Cities

admin — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 02:40:27 PDT

Bright lights, skyscraping buildings and an endless flow of energy: big cities can be some of the best travel destinations. I used to be a city girl – dazed by the glitzy lights of New York and charmed by the classic English squares in London. These days, I’m more of an outdoors traveler but it’s still hard to resist the seduction of these vibrant, energetic metropolis. Here’s a list of the world’s greatest cities – from their quintessential attractions to their hedonistic nightlife.

New York

The Big Apple is America’s pride and joy – a massive metropolis chocked full of ethnic districts, charming restaurants and attractions. New York is perhaps the most photographed and filmed city in the world, with its sprawling skyline appearing in thousands of movies and series. Even hotels in New York – like the Plaza – are world famous. When in New York, the first thing that most tourists do is climb to the top of the Empire State Building for a 360degree view; then wander through the nightlights of Times Square and mourning the loss of lives at Ground Zero.

London

London – Europe’s culture capital – is a melting pot of cultures and a modern-day testimony to European history. Packed with traditional English pubs, outdoor markets and green gardens, London is rich in character and old-world charm. Whether you are visiting the world-famous museums, or shopping along the Portobello Road Market or just drinking in the city view from your London hotel, you’ll find yourself quickly falling for London.

Paris

Sexy, romantic and aloof: Paris is dubbed the most romantic city in the world. Stroll through the city’s artery of Les Champs Elysees, get lost for hours in the prominent Musee de Louvre or climb up the Eiffel Tower and steal a kiss or two with your loved one. There are endless choices of things to do in Paris – but remember to bring your partner along!

Rome

One of the oldest cities in the world, Rome is studded with priceless monuments and valuable testimonies to history. Every street corner opens up to a majestic Roman ruin – be it the Foro Romano (Roman forum/marketplace), Fontana de Trevi or the Vatican San Pietro Basilica. There are no other cities like Rome and it’s easy to see that once you’re here. Over tens of thousands of Roman sites to visit and rows upon rows of charming restaurants to unwind in, Rome makes for a perfect city getaway.

Singapore

The economic hub of Southeast Asia is not just sky-soaring buildings and hectic commercial districts – Singapore is also filled with bouts of ethnic culture and tradition. Outside of the futuristic city center, you’ll find traditional Buddhist temples, Hindu temples, Muslim mosques and Catholic churches. In a multi-racial society like this, food is diverse and rich: sample colorful and flavorful Singaporean dishes like chilli crabs or fried oysters.

Tokyo

There are few cities in the world as futuristic, energetic and modern as Tokyo. At the busy traffic-junction of Shinjuku, over thousands of people cross each day. Neon lights fill the night skies in the technological district of Akihabara, while the crowded shopping district Shibuya is littered with cute, little boutiques. Don’t forget it’s also one of the most expensive cities in the world, so watch your pocket!

Dubai

Middle East’s cosmopolitan hub, Dubai, is not just any other metropolis. With the world’s only 6-star hotel, Burj Al Arab, rising through its sea, Dubai has a wealthy economy that is progressing so rapidly that few other cities can catch up with. But besides the sophisticated high-rises, there are plenty of traditional sights to see – like the Jumeirah Mosque and Gold Souk. A little outside of the city is the golden desert, book yourself on a camel safari and within an hour you’ll be right in the heart of the desert.

Photo credits: All flickr photos above by Stuck in Customs except London(Anirudh Koul), Singapore (Nellie Huang) and Dubai (Crazy Diamond).

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Tibet in Exile: Dharamsala, India

admin — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 13:30:49 PDT

As our bus crawled into the misty highlands of Dharamsala, we felt like we had left India behind. The humid heat and raucous chaos were all gone, only to be replaced by cool mountain air and calm serenity. Tibetan monks stroll languidly through the town’s narrow alleys. Since China claimed Tibetan territories, the Tibet government including His Holiness the Dalai Lamai have been in exile here in Dharamsala, India. Tucked in the highlands of the Indian Himalayas, Dharamsala has a mystic air for both its heavenly location and its spiritual residents.

Little Tibet

Poised above the main city center of Dharamsala is McLeod Ganj, the main base for Tibetans refugees and these days, hordes of tourists. The mountain station was set up by British Officer McLeod who was stationed here when the British ruled India. Today, it’s home to the largest Tibetan community outside of Tibet – naturally, you can expect to see evidence of Tibetan existence in every corner of the town.

A bright red Tibetan temple stands in the heart of McLeod Ganj, flanked by two main streets. The temple is decorated with intricate Buddhist carvings, shimmering golden figurines and praying wheels. Climbing to the rooftop of the temple, we were treated to a view of the bustling town – misty clouds hung mid-air backdropped by a shade of obscure greenery.

Tibetan praying wheels – turn it in a clockwise direction and send your prayers out.

Tushita Meditation Center

Curious to learn more about the town’s relation with Tibetan Buddhism, we hiked up to the surrounding forest to visit the Tushita Meditation Center. The center organizes intensive meditation courses conducted by both Tibetan and Western teachers. Besides these month-long retreats, you can also sign up for short meditation classes that gives you an introduction to all forms of meditation. Non-Buddhists are welcomed to attend. His Holiness Dalai Lama even gives teachings here whenever he’s in town. Be sure to check out Tushita’s website for the schedule.

The People of Tibet

One of the most interesting places in McLeod Ganj was the Tibet Museum. It told the story of the Tibetans – how their resilience have brought them here. They’d traversed miles and overcome difficulties like frost bites and extreme weather and find home here. In their eyes, I could see determination and strength.

An old lady in traditional Tibetan costume.

Tibetan monks strolling along the streets of Dharamsala, India.

A lady selling typical Tibetan street food, momos.

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World’s 7 Most Scenic Drives

admin — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 03:49:09 PDT

As much as I enjoy taking local buses and trains, one of my favorite ways of enjoying a country leisurely is driving through the countryside, soaking in the landscape and scenery. Especially in massive countries like Australia, driving from one region to another gives a real sense of he back country. A recent driving trip in Ireland allowed me to reacquaint with that love. I’d previously written about ideal driving tour destinations, now I’m going deeper to dig out the world’s 7 most scenic drives.

1. Great Ocean Road, Australia

Weaving through the Southern Ocean coastline in Melbourne, the Great Ocean Road offers sights of the scrubby landscape, craggy coastal rock formations and the surrounding Otways rainforest. The scenic drive starts from the picnic-heaven Torquay, passing through the surfers’ paradise, Bell’s Beach, and culminates at the Twelve Apostles (pictured below) – an impressive display of limestone rock stacks rising from the tumultuous waves. If you’re planning to spend your holidays in Australia, be sure to rent a car to cruise through this incredible scenic route.

Flickr photo by [mapu]

2. Milford Road, New Zealand

An essential part of NZ holidays includes the jaw-dropping scenic drive in South West New Zealand, journeying through valleys, lakes and waterfalls. Running alongside a 14-mile fjord, the drive offers views of the Tasman Sea, and the surrounding snow-peaked mountains. The route takes you through Fiordland National Park and portions of the Te Wāhipounamu World Heritage Area, one of the great wilderness areas of the southern hemisphere.

Flickr photo by jdegenhardt

3. M8, Scotland

The mountainous and craggy landscape of Scotland is often overlooked by travelers, but the country’s diverse geography is definitely worth checking out. Mountain passes that mark the transitions between the highlands and lowlands snake past steep slopes and hilltop castles. M8 is the main motorway – its secondary roads lead to interesting spots and some have bends so sharp that will send you screaming.

Photo by Stuart Pinfold

4. Pacific Highway, California

Perhaps one of the world’s most photographed route, the Pacific Highway that cuts through California meanders languidly along the shoreline. Starting from San Luis Obispo, the route brings you through hairpin bends, cliffs and oak woodlands and ends at Monterey. Some of the essential stops include Morro Bay – where a volcanic rock stands 536 feet above the bay, the Hearst Castle and the Point Lobos State Reserve to catch gray whales migrating past (December through April).

Photo by nancydowd

5. Leh-Manali Highway, India

Those who have been to the Indian Himalayas would have passed through this hugely famous route – fame for its unworldly beauty and notorious for the dangers and harshness of the terrain. The Leh-Manali Highway is a highway in India connecting the Kashmir region to the Himalayas. It crosses some of the highest mountain passes in the world and is open only for 2 months in a year (between June and mid-September) when snow does not pose too much of a threat. Travelers who have done this by bus vouch that this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience – nowhere else offers such raw beauty.

Photo by Wilson Loo

6. Seward Highway, Alaska

The Seward Highway is a major highway in Alaska that extends 127 miles (204 km) from Seward to Anchorage. Backdropped by majestic snow-capped mountains, the highway snakes through plundering waterfalls, verdant forests and calm lakes. Watch for the rare Beluga Whales, or mooses and bears near rapids and creeks. Wildlife and nature are abundant here, so take your time to explore the area and you’ll be generously rewarded.

7. Grossglockner High Alpine Road, Austria

The single most breathtaking drive in Europe is the Grossglockner High Alpine Road that winds around the highest mountain in the Alps (at 3,798metres above sea level). The 4,000km journey to the Arctic passes through all types of vegetation – from green meadows to dry cornfields and the eternal ice. The highlight of the route is definitely the Hohe Tauern National Park: the highest mountain and the largest glacier in Austria.

Photo by daneen_vol

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A Grand View of the Taj Mahal

admin — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 04:18:29 PDT

Home to the world-famous Taj Mahal, Agra has gained worldwide fame for its impressive works of architecture. As the second corner of India’s popular Golden Triangle along with Delhi and Jaipur, the city is rightfully an essential stop for visitors to India. But aside from the Taj Mahal, few people know about the gardens of Agra. The first Mughal Emperor, Babar, had brought into India the concept of gardens: fountains, fruit-bearing trees, fragrant flowers and water channels. Today the garden city of Agra is splashed in emerald green, with luscious greenery lining its streets.

Blending beautifully into the city’s landscape is the ITC Mughal Agra, a Luxury Collection hotel set in 35 acres of luxurious gardens. Drawing inspiration from Agra’s garden flair, the plush hotel softens up its imposing redbrick exterior with emerald green grass, lotus ponds and blossoming lilies. Even the building’s red facade is inspired by the architectural marvels of the Mughal empire: resembling the Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri.

The Taj in the Distance

From our suite at ITC Mughal Agra, we were treated to a view of the ivory-white marble dome of the majestic Taj Mahal. Although the view was slightly obstructed by a series of corrugated roofs and sky soaring trees, it was clear that the Taj was just within a stone’s throw away.

Earlier that day, we had arrived to the humidity and heat of Agra only to be whisked right into the cushy comfort of our hospitable host, ITC-Welcomgroup. We were warmly welcomed by its staff and presented with beautiful jasmine flowers and a refreshing glass of coconut juice.

Back in our fifth-floor suite, we drank in the view from our cushy divan seating conveniently designed to sit right by the bay window. The Mughal inspired interior design is evident from the lavish furnishing: a elaborate Persian carpet, velvet upholstery, ancient traditional paintings and exotic teak furniture. A high-powered massage chair sits by our bedroom window, adding an element of relaxation to our suite.

Mughal Splendour

“We have heard stories of how prosperous the Mughal empire was, with their lavish palaces, banquets and extravagant lifestyles. The only way to fully understand it, is to actually live it. Our hotel aims to give guests that experience.” Jyoti Chitkara, the hotel’s marketing manager explained.

It’s no wonder the entire hotel is tuned to such refined perfection. As the winner of the first Aga Khan Award for Architectural Excellence to be won in India, ITC Mughal Agra definitely lives up to its reputation.

Jyoti brought us on a tour around the compound, starting from the resplendent lobby to its swimming pool and royal spa.

The hotel’s two Presidential suites have hosted a string of VIPs and celebrities including Nelson Mandela. The Raja Mansingh Suite, named after Emperor Akbar’s main advisor, offers a regal combination of royal ambiance and modern luxury. The suite is equipped with two rooms, massive marble-floored bathrooms and a sprawling living area decorated with antique chests and paintings. The Tansen Suite, named after Akbar’s favorite musician, is starkly contrasting with a romantic flair: a traditional swing looks out into the gardens, while a four-poster bed invites you to a cushy sleep. This suite is especially catered to honeymooners or couples looking for a tinge of romance.

Royal Gourmet

Every meal at ITC Mughal was a royal feast, each one better than before. The hotel’s specialty restaurant, Peshawri, is a unique Tandoor restaurant that serves up North West Frontier cuisine in the traditional way.

Since its opening a few decades ago, the restaurant has yet to change its menu. Its head chef explained that they want to give their guests the classic, traditional style. Guests who have eaten here seem to come back again and again, with each visit springing a different surprise on them.

At Peshawri, we were encouraged to eat with our fingers. They believe that silverware when in contact with food produces a chemical reaction, thus affecting the original taste of the food. We devoured one slice of dish after another, savoring the richness and flavor of the barbequed meats.

Of the myriad of meats and vegetables dished out from the open kitchen, I particularly enjoyed the fried paneer (cottage cheese) stuffed with mint chutney. The roast leg of lamb when topped with the refreshing yogurt dip created an explosion of flavors in my mouth.

The hotel wins its guests over with its impressive culinary offerings. The Bagh-E-Bahaar multi-cuisine restaurant had an amazing array of foods on its menu – ranging from Western/European-style cuisine to traditional South Indian food. I was blown away by the South Indian feast that the head chef had specially designed for us.

Hedonistic Pleasures

The latest addition to ITC Mughal Agra is the in-house spa. The Kaya Kalp Royal Spa, just inaugurated two years ago, has already bagged several awards including the Best City Spa of the World in 2008 by UK’s Tatler Magazine, as well as Asia Spa’s Best new Spa of the Year award.

In honor of Mughal Emperor Babar, the pomegranate fruit has been used as the theme of the spa. Combined with the extensive use of greenery and water, the spa gives an exotic, refreshing feel to the hotel. The mood is heightened at the lap pool, reserved only for spa guests.

Exhausted from weeks of traveling, I was treated to a Pomegranate Journey – the spa’s specialty treatment that included a pomegranate scrub, a bath that used pomegranate liquid and a full body massage. It was like knocking on the doors of heaven, indulging in the sensation and then returning back to Earth.

Disclaimer: My stay was sponsored by the hotel, but all opinions are my own.

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A Pictorial Tour of China’s Hidden Gems

admin — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 03:06:57 PDT

While I’m contemplating a China tour this November, I’m browsing through websites to seek out rural, secret parts of China that are largely unexplored. Although it’s almost impossible to find such places these days – considering how tourism has taken over our world – there are definitely still some stunning, isolated spots to be discovered. Here’s a pictorial tour of what I’ve uncovered, and hopefully, will get to see for myself come end of the year.

Jiu Zhai Gou, Sichuan

Tucked in the mountainous regions of Sichuan is a nature reserve commonly known as Jiu Zhai Gou, the Valley of Nine Villages. Made up of a series of multi-level waterfalls and crystal clear colorful lakes, the UNESCO World Heritage site stands out for its poetic setting. The remote region was inhabited by various Tibetan and Qiang peoples for centuries, but was not officially discovered by the government until 1972.

Flickr photo by GreenArcher04

Flickr photo by randomix

Xi’an

Unknown to many, there’s more to Xi’an than the world-famous Terracotta warriors. As one of the oldest cities in Chinese history, Xi’an is one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China having been the capital (under various names) of some of the most important dynasties in Chinese history. From the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda to the Drum Tower and the majestic Mount Hua, there’s a tinge of history in every corner of the city.

Photo by Ignacio Izquierdo

Flickr photo by Szymon Kochański

Guizhou Province

For a peek into China’s minority groups, head to Central China’s Guizhou province. Minority groups account for more than 37% of the population here; amongst them the long-horn tribe, one of the small branches of Miao, stand out the most. The wooden horns worn on their heads remain the daily attire for most women.

Both Flickr photos by Minneapolis Institute of Arts

Guilin, Guangxi

Guilin is no secret to travelers: Its mystical karst landscape, calm river and shimmering pagodas resembling those of IndoChina have put it on the world map. There is the popular saying “Guilin shanshui jia tian xia”, which means Guilin’s mountain and water scenery is the best under heaven. Just what about Guilin is a secret then?

Flickr photo by nigelfj

Not many know about the outdoor activities that Guilin has to offer: its series of caves and calm waters make for excellent leisure rafting, biking and mountain climbing.

Shangri-La, Yunnan

In James Hilton’s novel, Lost Horizon, he described a fictional place that was a mythical Himalayan utopia — a permanently happy land, isolated from the outside world. In 2001, the Zhongdian county was renamed to Xianggelila, Shangri-La in Chinese to attract tourists. While the story behind it is some sort of a tourist gimmick, the largely Tibetan county is still packed with natural beauty and magnificent temples.

Flickr photo by M.Y

Flickr photo by CW Ye

Flickr photo by das farbamt

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Faces of Rajasthan, India

admin — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 15:41:12 PDT

“The colors of Rajasthan never fail to captivate,” a local man once told me. A region blanketed with bright tie-dyed saris, mirror-studded cloths and artful patchworks, Rajasthan epitomizes India at its most exotic. Besides the extravagant palaces, temples and forts, the people of Rajasthan have also given it a distinctive character that sets it apart from the rest of India.

As we head east leaving Rajasthan behind us, this photo essay is a tribute to the region that have both fascinated and intrigued me. Here are some of my best shots of its beautiful people, photographed in Udaipur, Jaisalmer, the Thar Desert and Jaipur.

Thar Desert: Our camel guide’s wife prepared potato masala and fresh chapati for us under the stars.

Jagdish Temple, Udaipur: A Hindu preacher adorning a bright orange robe sits on the stairs of the temple.

Jagdish Temple, Udaipur: A woman sells offerings to pilgrims at the temple’s gate.

Amber Fort, Jaipur: A lady sits on a window frame and watches the crowd go by.

Jaisalmer: A local woman selling silver anklets along the streets of Jaisalmer.

Jaipur: Wearing a red, yellow and green turban, a Rajasthani man with his bronze barrel.

Jaisalmer: Children on the streets

Jaipur: Along the Tripolia Bazaar, a street vendor with typical roadside snacks.

Udaipur: In the labyrinth of the city’s historic quarters, a lady in her bangle shop.

Jaisalmer: A mother and son pair walk through the streets of downtown Jaisalmer.

Udaipur: A woman does her laundry by the road.

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