Category: City Guides

Are you planning to go on vacation with your family members but you’re yet to find a perfect place of your choice? Or are you on an official trip and you want to see some fascinating pieces of stuff before heading back to your company or office. Are you a tourist seeking for where an event to explore and you’re yet to find a great area/place for your adventure?

 

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Irrespective of the group you belong to, there is one place I would love to recommend and that’s Kerala.

Where is Kerala and what makes it so Unique

Kerala is a huge state created on the 1st of November 1956 (62 years ago) and it’s located at the Southwestern Region of Malabar Coast in India. It has over 38,863 km² (15,005 sq mi), making it one of the largest states in the Asian country.

With well over 40 million citizens, Kerala is known for its diverse cultures and wide-range of food, norms, and festivals. Despite the numerous cultures, languages, and races; Kerala has an official language which is known as Malayalam.

As a stranger, you don’t need to worry too much about learning many languages; you only need to learn the Malayalam language and you’ll be able to communicate fluently like the son of the land — isn’t that amazing?

That’s not enough, the people of Kerala — whose nicknames include: Spice Garden of India, Land of Coconuts and God’s own state — are very friendly and welcoming, you can be rest assured of your safety because you’re ‘home away from home’

Talking of Kerala’s uniqueness, their festivals, food, and other events make it the best place to be at all times. If you’re not convinced with some unique traits have mentioned above, don’t be too quick to judge. Just take a look at the next paragraph of this article to see other exciting things you can do in Kerala;

* Watch Kathakali Performance

Kathakali is an ‘all-in-one’ art show which is often characterized by wide range of colorful costumes, wears, face masks and other eye-catching attires. It’s called ‘all-in-one art show’ because it contains wide range of performances such as choreography, dance, drama, music, vocal performances among others.

According to research, Kathakali has been in existence since the 17th century, though, no one can specify its year of origination. You wouldn’t want to miss this.

* Pay a visit to Iringal Craft Village

Kerala isn’t just known for good food only, it is also known as a good craft-making state. The State’s Tourism Department set up a spacious craft village in Kozhikode (a district in the state) where traditional artisans create many mind-blowing objects /products.

Craft village is the best arena for you to learn how to make some important products from raw materials such as coir, bamboo, coconut shells, husk, coconut leaves, sand, palm leaves among others.

* Stay with Traditional Families during your visit

Most tourists prefer booking a hotel room throughout their visit to Kerala, however, I will advise you to stay with some people during your time in the state. This will help you learn a lot about Kerala’s culture and their cooking as you have the chance to chat with them and ask series of questions.

* Don’t miss the Kalaripayattu Bout

The Kalaripayattu Bout is a must-watch show that showcases Kerala’s ancient martial arts. It’s one of the oldest martial art shows in the world, hence, you can’t afford to miss the breathtaking actions such as running, somersaulting, swinging of spears and daggers, jumping among others.  You’ve been watching it on TV; it’s time you see it live in Kerala.

* Embark on a trip to Sandalwood Forests

When we talk of forest in India and Asia at large, we can’t but mention Sandalwood forests located at Marayoor. The forest contains a wide range of trees, and it produces a very cool atmosphere where you can relax and feel refreshed.

Apart from the trees, there are some fascinating features in Marayoor, they include factory of the Forest Department, Thoovanam Waterfalls and ancient rock paintings.

* View a Theyyam Performance

Theyyam performance is a scenario where some groups of actors create a fierce-looking but colorful and well-costumed Warrior so as worship him. In short, Theyyam is a way of worshipping an idol-like creature so as to experience success and prosperity in all their endeavors.  You’re not mandated to bow to the creature/ warrior; it’s a matter of choice.

* Ride on an Elephant’s back

This is one of the liveliest activities you must do during your stay in Kerala. Riding on an elephant’s back makes you feel thrilled and comfortable. It also renders you an experience you won’t forget anytime soon. You don’t need to be scared of its size, many Elephant handlers are readily available to guide and guard you throughout the exercise.

* Engage yourself in an Ayurveda Massage

This massage isn’t like every other massage because it comprises the ancient method of massage and the modern-day massage technique. Warm plants are combined with massaging oils before being applied to the body and bones for great effective actions. It helps to stimulate nerves and muscles and it helps you feel more relaxed and more energized.

* Ride in a boat down Periyar River

Periyar River is one of the largest rivers in Kerala, hence, it’s important you experience what it is to boat-ride on it. Safety measures are put in place, should there be any case of emergency. You don’t need to worry about your health and personal luggage.

* Boat-ride the Alleppey Backwaters at Sunset

The last, but not the least, thing to do in Kerala is to view the sunset via the Alleppey backwaters. Allepey is known for numerous tourist attractions, however, experiencing a sunset is an event you wouldn’t want to miss out and that can only be possible by taking a boat at Alleppey’s backwater.

Conclusion

So, there you have it. If you’re planning to visit Kerala, make sure to make most of your time there by engaging in these things and for those that have visited and failed to do participate in some things listed above, put it on your to-do list against your next visit.

Read Kerala Cuisine

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Jaipur, also known as the Pink City, is a colorful and beautiful city of India. This city is known for its culture, heritage, and jungles. It is a perfect place to make many delightful memories with your friends and family.

How Can I Make My Trip In Jaipur Exciting?

Jaipur city is an amazing collaboration of historic royal forts & palaces and many fun, thrilling and adventurous places. There are more than 20 places and things that one can explore and do during the stay in Jaipur. This guide provides you a brief overview of the 15 most popular and exciting places and things that will fill your trip with fun and memories.

1- Explore the Forts and Palaces:

The Pink city of Jaipur is well-known for the abundance of forts and palaces. These forts and palaces are the display of an exotic and splendid architectural combination of Mughal and Rajput times. Jal Mahal is known for its beautiful architectural structure, as it is built in the middle of the water, therefore also known as the Water Palace. The City Palace, Amer Fort, and Nahargarh Fort also among the famous places in Jaipur. Nahargarh Fort is a combination of Indian and European architect.

2- Folk Festivals:

The city of Jaipur has been known for restoring its culture and traditions. Many festivals such as Gangaur and Teej are celebrated every year in March. Locals use dry color (gulal) to smear on each other, along with folk dancing and music. There is bus tour service for the City Tour. You can enjoy the celebration of the festivals from the city tour bus. During the month of January, there is a kite flying festival in Jaipur, celebrated at the Man Sagar Lake.

3- Hot Air Ballooning:

Jaipur is a city full of colors and views. And the view of this city is even more beautiful from the above. You can enjoy the top view of the Pink City from a hot air balloon. The hot air balloon ride is a popular and exciting thing to do in Jaipur. The ride starts from the Amber Fort, two hours before the sunrise and sunset. It cost about INR 12,000 per adult person.

4- Jeep Safari:

If you are on a short trip in Jaipur and want to see different places in just one day, then go for the jeep safari. You can explore the forts, palaces, and the jungles in Jaipur. You can see the wild-life such as peacocks, panthers, cobra, and Panthers while passing through the jungles. The jeep safari ride starts from the major and popular forts and gateways of the Jaipur city.

5- Elephantastic Elephant Farm:

The elephants have always been an integral part of the Rajasthani culture. Therefore to protect the Asian elephants, an Elephant farm was started in 2012, that is a sanctuary for elephants. You can enjoy the most unusual experiences with the elephants here including feeding, bathing and walking the elephant. You can also learn how you can communicate with the elephants. The opening hours of the elephant farm are from 9 am to 5 pm and the ticket is for INR 4500.

6- Experience the Taste of Rajasthani Cuisine:

Good news for the food lovers is that Jaipur offers a variety of flavors and traditional food. You can try many mouth-watering dishes such as Dal-batti-churma, Mawa Kachori, Mirchi Bada, Ghewar, and more. A must try thing in Jaipur is the famous lassi from the lassiwala. However, if you want to eat something organic and healthy visit the Anokli cafe.

7- Bhuteshwar Nath Mahadev Trek:

Enjoy a guided trek that starts from the Bhuteshwar Nath Mahadev and ends at the Amer Fort. The trek at Bhuteshwar Nath Mahadev is a combination of adventure and spiritual experience.

8- Tree House Resort:

Treehouse resort is among the best luxury places in Jaipur. The resort has iron wrought beds, state-of-the-art amenities, and fancy leather chairs. The tourists stay in the ‘nests’ on the keekar trees, which is an exciting experience. The place has more to offer in addition to this, such as ATV rides, camel rides, bird watching, jungle safari, tennis courts, and outdoor movies.

9- Ranthambhore National Park:

There are different species of animals and plans in this National Park including the Indian fox, pelicans, ibis, jackals, rats, tigers and the hyenas. You can also go hiking at the Ranthambhore Fort or buy some of the handicrafts from the Dastakar Craft Center.

10- Raj and Birla Mandir:

The Birla Mandir is famous for its beautiful temple structure that is fully constructed with white marble, the whole temple glows at night. On the other another spot worth visiting is the Raj Mandir, that is actually a movie theatre. You can enjoy the premier movies in this theatre but it is also famous for its mesmerizing architecture.

11- Jantar Mantar:

The world largest stone sundial and a UNESCO Worl Heritage site, Jantar Mantar is located in the Pink City. It was built by the Sawai Jai Singh in the 18th century. Jantar Mantar is a remarkable observatory structure that indicates the time and predicts eclipses and stars, using only sun and shadow.  The visit hours of Jantar Mantar are from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm.

12- Jaipur Literature Festival:

Every year, many literary persons come and meet in the historic city of Jaipur. This meet and greet happen for India’s biggest literary festivals, The Jaipur Literature Festival. This festival is all about the pleasing Sufi melodies, folk music, and literary readings and discussions.

13- Jaipur Night-life:

The nights of the Jaipur city are equally as vibrant as the day. There are many popular night clubs and bars in Jaipur where you can go and party all night. For dance and music lovers, these night clubs are the most fun and exciting places to visit. Here you can enjoy the delicious snacks, a variety of cocktails and a lot of music and dancing.

14- Jaipur Bazars:

The Bazars in Jaipur are very impressive and diverse. Take a stroll through the Johari Bazar, Tripolia Bazar, Chandpol Bazar, and Mirza Ismail Road to find authentic and traditional clothing, gemstones and jewelry. You can also buy the wooden souvenirs from.

15- Adventurous Activities in Jaipur:

Jaipur also offers some thrilling and exciting activities. You can enjoy the ATV rides, Quad biking, Flying fox and Body Zorbing for sumo wrestling. Not only this you can also experience the Zip lining activities which are hosted at multiple parts of the city.

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With a population of just under 100,000, Thimphu is not only the capital but also the largest and most populous city in Bhutan. The urban agglomeration is located on the western hills of the wang chu valley, at the height of over 2,300 meters above sea level.

Despite being at the same latitude as Miami and Cairo, Thimphu has a very different climate from that of the other metropolises due to the attitude, which keeps temperatures at fairly low values.

In January the values fluctuate on average between -3 and 12 degrees, even if there are not rare nights at -7/-8 degrees. In summer the highs exceed a few degrees above the 20 degrees mark, while the minimum hardly falls below 15 degrees.

The rapid urbanization of Thimphu in recent years has considerably increased the size of the settlement, the state’s main economic and political center.

A peculiarity is linked with the fact that  Thimphu is the only capital in the world where traffic lights do not exist, since, after the attempt by the local authorities to install some, the population protested by judging them to be impersonal and demanded that they are removed at once.

Therefore, you could imagine the traffic conditions, which is currently being governed exclusively by the theatrical gestures of the white brigade fighters. In another light, the white brigade fighters are real points of attraction of the region that almost no tourists let escape the lens of their camera.

Before the new road was completed in 1962, it took about ten days to reach the capital from the Phuentsholing; now six hours are enough. For the rest, once you have landed at the only airport in the country, Paro airport, you can take a taxi or rent a car to reach Thimphu, which is 53 kilometers away and a couple of hours away by a car.

The best way to move around the city is undoubtedly your legs, with which you will avoid the sudden traffic jams caused by the lack of traffic lights.

Several archaeological findings suggest that the area of Thimphu must have been inhabited as early as 2,000 BC when nomadic populations have been staying there to hunt.

The influence of Buddhism which began to spread among the population starting from the 2nd century AD was very important for the city, which still sees the presence of enchanting temples and ancient monasteries.

10 Things To Do In Thimphu

1. Visit the Trashi chhoe Dzong

The Trashi chhoe Dzong is one of the symbolic attractions of the capital of Bhutan. The site, built on the western shore of Wang Chhu,  does not overlook the valley or the city as a real fortress but, on the contrary, its wonderful  portions and its modest  give it a remarkable magnificence the external  structures are two stories high and is covered with a thin layer of plaster, while at the four corners there are three- story towers with red and golden roofs  that jut out over the walls .

Unlike most decades, the headquarters of the secretariat, the throne room and other offices of the king, as well as the ministry of the interior and finance have been located within the complex.

2. Explore the National Memorial Chorten,

This is a large Tibetan style memorial site built in 1974 in memory of the third king Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. It also comes as a great point of visit for all tourists.

3. Visit the Changlimithang Stadium

The Changlimithang Stadium stands as the national stadium of Thimphu, as it houses the archery range, a large football stadium, a basketball court, and several tennis and squash courts.

4. Explore the SAARC Building

The SAARC Building a large Bhutanese style building which was set up in the 1990s on the eastern bank of the river to host a meeting of heads of state from various South Asian countries held by the  SAARC ( South Asia Association for Regional Co-operation).

5. Visit the National Institute for Zorig Chusum

The National Institute for Zorig Chusum commonly called ” the painting school ” stands as a testimony to the high cultural level reached by Thimphu in recent years. This also comes as a delight because it provides students from all over the state with a four/six-year course that gives a complete artistic preparation.

6. Visit the National Institute of Traditional Medicine

The National Institute of Traditional Medicine is one of the most particular structures in the city, in which medicines based on medicinal herbs and other preparations are prepared.

7. Visit the Thimphu museums

In Thimphu, there are several interesting museums scattered around the capital, such as the Folk Heritage Museum, the ” Museum of Popular Traditions,” housed in a building made of pressed mud and wood.

This tends to be an imitation of the typical Bhutanese rural houses, and the National Textile Museum used for the dissemination of the local art of weaving.

8. Explore the Thimphu National Library

 In this list of ideal things to do in Thimphu, we can also fully insert the National Library, established in 1967 to preserve ancient texts in Dzongkha and Tibetan languages.

9. Visit the traditional weekend market

Many tourists define the traditional weekend market as one of the most interesting and curious attractions of Thimphu. Starting Thursday evening and until Sunday, hawkers from all over the regions enliven the shores of Wang  Chhu immediately north of Changlimithang Stadium with stalls laden with food of all kinds, depending on the season, including fruits, vegetables, meat, and cheese.

Between one banquet and another, smells and flavors will stimulate your senses in a sublime way, and also enticing the reticent visitor to try some Bhutanese delicacies.

10. Explore the Motithang Takin Preserve

To spend an afternoon in the open air inside the capital, there is nothing better than exploring the Motithang Takin Preserve. This is a site where there are several specimens of takin, the national animal of Bhutan.

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There is a beautiful and peaceful city of Nepal that stretches along the shore of a beautiful lake, the Phewa Tal. Her name is Pokhara, and surely many of you have never heard of her. However, it is a place that despite the calm that it transmits receives many tourists every day since it is the starting point of innumerable trekkings that take travelers to different circuits through the Annapurnas. It is also for this reason that the city has a large number of shops where you can get everything you need for those days that you will be away from civilization. Although there is no doubt that these outings to the mountains are the main attraction of the city, there are many more things to do & see in Pokhara.

If one decides to escape from the hustle and bustle of Kathmandu and cross the country to the east, they will be rewarded by the calm of this small city that was taken by the hippies in the 1970s. From that moment on, the city grew and became important as a traveling destination in Nepal until the end of the 1990s, when a Maoist conflict prevented visiting Pokhara for almost a decade. Fortunately, the city resumed its rhythm and today is one of the most complete destinations to see in Nepal.  Some things to do & see here include:

1. Climb to the Peace Pagoda

On the crest of a mountain on Lake Phewa Tal, you can visit this white Pagoda of World Peace. It was built by Buddhist monks of a Japanese organization and today is one of the best things to do in Pokhara. Even the pagoda can be walked up to the mountain, there is a route that can be done in one hour, and that crosses a forest, another one that takes two hours to pass through rice fields and a beautiful shore as forest.

But something simpler is recommended, which is to go up by bus or taxi to the nearest point to the pagoda and invest your natural strength in going down the mountainside to the lake. The views from the crest on which the pagoda is located are impressive, but the ones you have going down the mountain are also wonderful. Once in the lake, in order to cross it and get to the city, it is enough to get on one of the boats waiting for potential customers next to the restaurant at the end of the road. For a few rupees, you can do all the excursion and give yourself a cold juice to quench your thirst after the walk.

2. Paddling in the Phewa Tal

This lake is the second largest in Nepal and one of the most charming places in the country. The landscape that surrounds it is really impressive, few lakes in the world can boast of being the mirror for some of the highest mountains in the world. To walk along its shore, to contemplate it from the Pagoda of Peace or to see it from the heights is a marvel, but it is also to end the day in a boat crossing its calm waters to reach the Varahi Mandir, a small temple on a lake island built in the style of a pagoda with two roofs. To get there, just hire a boat near the lakeside intercity bus stop.

3. Go shopping on the shores of the lake

It is almost inevitable not to make any purchase on your visit to Pokhara. The entire area of Lakeside is full of shops, many of them offer clothing and accessories for trekking that start in the city, many others sell handicrafts of different quality, some show work of Tibetan women, whether in textiles or goldsmiths. Many of these things can also be found in Kathmandu, mainly in Thamel stores.

However, buying in Pokhara is more relaxed, the quality, in general, is good, and you can enjoy more of the pleasure of shopping. Also, never forget the art of bargaining. Although not everyone likes to go shopping, there is no doubt that it is something to do in Pokhara. Besides, looking is free, and you do not have to buy anything. You can spend the afternoon just snooping or chatting with the vendors because you can learn something from Nepal that you probably did not know.

4. Eat and drink

Although it may seem a lie, eating and drinking are part of the pleasure of spending a few days in this city of Nepal. The gastronomic offer is varied; one can enjoy a dinner with Italian, Japanese or Indian flavor, savor delicious fresh fish or spend an evening as a couple by candlelight. The problem with so many visitors is to decide which one to opt for because one surely does not spend so many days in the city to visit all the restaurants that you would like.

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