We all know that India is famous for its different types of thali, that can represent the culture of the place, goan thali, with different types of fish was beautiful! And the calamari was outstanding! If you ever go there, do not ever forget to have the tender coconut pudding and sarradura vanilla pudding!
It is in mapusa and definitely easy to access. Mapusa is the local bus stand, and ideally the common point to anywhere in Goa.
Hey! So, I'm 20 now, and I've been dreaming about Amritsar and the kulchas from I don't know when. So, I set myself on a solo trip, and dared myself to go for it. I planned my journey from goa- mumbai -Rajasthan- Delhi- Amritsar- Kerala! I stayed in vagator, Goa, as a part of my internship for 4 months, and it was aaammmaaaazzziiinnnngggg! All the stereotypes about the place was false, and I personally felt completely safe and secure to wear anything I wanted, go anywhere I wanted alone. I felt empowered and I realized that I started noticing things in me that I never did. So much for an introvert, I began to feel less conscious and more comfortable and could easily talk to people without hesitation.
The cultural diversity of our country is vast, and my passion being anything related to food, I wanted to become a chef from my 9th grade. This journey is to taste different food delicacies and explore the hidden treasures of the destinations.
So, when I was in chapora, bardez, the chicken cafreal is something to die for. It is usually paired with mashed potatoes, but I prefer it with parathas.
It will be a loss if you miss the buttered mushrooms on the toast! It is rich in its flavours and gives u the satisfaction of a happy breakfast!
Mapusa has its beautiful market and well known during Saturday and Sunday. But above all, it is known for its wall art by different artists that gives the place it's charm!
Hilltop parties are well known for its goan vibe. With a couple of shots and the DJ of course, hilltop is the best place to party!! Newyear is the best time of the year to visit hilltop!
Below is a link to what's happening in Hilltop! It has free entry during the weekends! https://www.instagram.com/s/aGlnaGxpZ2h0OjE3OTY0MzgxNDM5MTc1MTk3/?igshid=1b4lbjf3l6c1y&story_media_id=1944469960776921923_4022869810
Music band in Hilltop!
https://www.instagram.com/s/aGlnaGxpZ2h0OjE3OTY0MzgxNDM5MTc1MTk3/?igshid=qr8doavmaera&story_media_id=1944474728584792610_4022869810
Goa has a lot of forts! The Portuguese did put on a land mark in Goa with the beautiful forts and churches! And the view is breathtaking! As you stand there, on the fort, looking into the sea, the breeze swifting through your hair, and as you close your eyes, you cannot help it but smile, you find peace.
Baga beach as you see, it's beautiful and mesmerizing. The beach is alive after sunsets with music and dance floors, and of course alcohol and hookah! It is the dream destination if you are in a party mood.
Nadeem's burger is a hidden treasure of vagator! His place is open only after 6.00 pm and we can find people waiting for him to begin with his magic! He is famous for his burgers! The burger is famous for its homemade sauces which is spicy with a pinch of tangy flavor. One bite of the burger shows how much Indian flavors can influence them and the fusion is just mouth watering. Kudos to Nadeem!
How can I ever miss the famous St.Francis Church! Being a world Heritage monument, it contains the body of St. Francis Xavier, it is said that the saints body is as fresh as the day it was burried!
This is another fort and another tourist attraction, best before sunset! Many Bollywood movies has been shot here including Dilwale.
This is a hidden beach, behind a park, can only get down there after a small treck! The beach, though it's small, it looks like a painting of treasure full of gold.
Anjuna beach, is different from other beaches in Goa, it has a kind of peculiar beautiful rocks down the lane, it is the best place to chill with a bottle of beer and chips! But the beach also has another face at night! It has the famous beach shacks of Goa! With a small game of snooker, the place is all lively and fun!
This is the place I would go to just to see the sunset. As the salty breeze plays with my hair, I would not dare to take my eyes off the beach, the laughter of kids, adults swimming, everything is peaceful and as the sun sets and the stars show up, I breath deep and lie down on the sand, gaze at the stars shining so bright back at me as I take a sneak at my deep thoughts.
If you have watched "dil chahta hai" I'm sure you must have been mesmerized by the scene where they click a picture sitting on the wall. This picture was taken from chapora fort near W, Goa. The picture below is from the same.
I caught a train to Mumbai from Madgao, I've been curious about the "dream city" Or "city of dreams" I wanted to see about it myself, and checked myself in lower parel.
It is an apt hostel for budget travellers with only ₹500 per night. But I would recommend an early booking.
So, Mumbai is famous for its food! And I was going savage this time!
And this time, after a little research, I head myself straight to Le 15! Don't we all have that somebody who is an inspiration to us amidst all the chaos? Like if they can do it, so can you! Chef Pooja Dhingra is my inspiration!
Hoping to see her in her cafe (which I couldn't, maybe next time!) I had a feast! And I couldn't more an inch.
The Bombay canteen was my next destination! The executive chef of the restaurant, chef Zac, and assistant. Executive chef, chef Shannon, was next on on my check list! I could meet chef Shannon! And get some advice on my career as well! For a small appetite, make sure to try out Red Snapper Ceviche. It is the best!
The streets of Mumbai has its own architectural beauty! Movie theaters of very old movies, dusty shades, age old famous bakers! Posters and street fashion! As I walked past the roads, I realized how and why Mumbai is the city of dreams! I'm sure everybody here is with one, a dream and a purpose, after all, so was I!
Gateway of India is my next destination! Near the famous "Taj Mahal palace". It is a mark of the history itself!
Street food is a must try out in Mumbai! And it is most famous in Juhu beach! Mumbai is all time famous for vada pav and so on! And I got my eyes laid on punjabi ragda apttice!
How could I not try butter chicken factory? Well, things are going a little bit out of hand by now, I was no more trying food, I was feasting all day every day! And guess what? No regrets!
So,I tried butter chicken and chur chur naan from the place! And it was delicious!!!!!
Bengal is famous for its sweets and what's better if I get a taste of it in Mumbai!!!! Rosomalai is the best here!! And it is worth a try! Trust me!
If you love macrons and brownies you love Theobroma! This is another bakery that should be on your bucket list!
My next destination was Udaipur, Rajasthan! Hostel crawl is another hostel for budget travellers!
The idea of Rajasthan, and my expectations of it was exceeded by what I came across! I fell in love with these place! The culture! The beauty! The food!!! The cultural show at night and the festivity was largely celebrated!
This is the cultural spot of the place! With puppet shows and rajasthani tribal dance, dramas from the Hindu mythology, dream lakes and architectural beauty of the palaces! It sure is a dream that unveils in front of our eyes as the sunsets. And it all turns gold and beautiful. And you know that you are in love with the place.
The Rajasthani thali from Natraj was unforgettable! I was addicted to lassi by now!
Kachori and jalebi is worth over eating.
My dream destination at last! From Rajasthan, via Delhi, I reach Jalandhar and finally Amritsar! I had a visit to the Jallianwala Bagh during its 100 years after the massacre. The more heartbreaking the story is, the more proud we are of the country.
I couldn't get a good picture of the Golden Temple, I was too lost to capture the moments, I was proud of myself that I finally got to my destination, and I couldn't believe that I was there finally! The reflection on water around the temple, the people, the beauty! I was grateful! I spent the night in the temple with everyone else.
Wait no more!!! Punjabi kulcha!!!! (Drumroll) finally!!!! I could taste heaven! I ate kulcha all day every day for 4 days! I watched them cook it from scratch to placing it inside the big tandoor, and having it with a huge amount of butter! To pair it with chole ( chickpea) and achar (pickle) with a tall glass of lassi!! And the streets of Amritsar is apt for shopping! The have a variety of punjabi jutti, kurthis punjabi salwar, and the never ending list!
Punjab marks the end of my journey for the time being, and so, as I go back home to Kerala, I feel empowered, that kinda feeling that I've never had in my life. I felt that nothing is impossible and somehow, there will be someway I can do what I want to do. And I'm happy and content with it. I realized, being a topper in my school or college doesn't matter in life, I got a whole new picture of life, something that I always felt was missing in life.
Punjab marks the end of my journey for the time being, and so, as I go back home to Kerala, I feel empowered, that kinda feeling that I've never had in my life. I felt that nothing is impossible and somehow, there will be someway I can do what I want to do. And I'm happy and content with it. I realized, being a topper in my school or college doesn't really matter much. There's a lot to life than that. There's a whole new phase of life that we turn a blind eye to. And being a woman, the feeling of empowerment, the trust you have in yourself, the leap of faith you decide to take on others, is a beauty in itself! This is life for me now, the little moments, the wrong decisions that make the best of memories, light.