Saturday, September 26, 2015

A dash of Helsinki, with a touch of Tallinn!





My travel story
Some places have a charm that lingers with you long after you have left...and Finland is one of them. But then of course I feel like that about all places I visit. Hmm. Having said that, Finland is a country of small, tucked away neighbourhoods and towns that are not really famous for anything specific, but has a tremendous capability to cast its spell on you. I loved soaking into the culture, the language, the weather (In August ;)) and the food. Of course you can traverse into the lesser tread roads for the most authentic experience, but that is advised to be done with company only (due to the harsh terrain and weather of the country.





But if you are a solo traveler, fret not. You can get a glimpse of all this and more in the capital city of Helsinki and its suburbs. 
Take a walk down the streets of one of the lesser known neighbourhoods, Espoo. I loved the natural flora and fauna of the place. Beautiful mushrooms grew in the wild which inspires even the totally amateur photographer in you. Be ready to be startled by the cackling of wild geese which frequently fly overhead , enroute to their migratory destination.
Make a trip down to the port of Helsinki and you can see the blend of food from all over Europe. It is a foodies paradise...Belgian cuisine, Scandinavian fare, food from Lapland, and Arctic beer. Be sure to try the Salmon soup, broiled Baltic herring and Reindeer Meatballs, to name a few. Apart from food, the reindeer, mink and fox fur apparel are worth a look! It is also a perfect place to do people-watching. Just sit back and relax at one of the open air cafes with a pint of Lapin Kulta (if summer) and lose yourself in the bustle around. 
Take a ferry for sightseeing and sail till the Fortress of Suomenlinna. It is quaint fortress on a tiny island, and is of historic importance to Finland, besides being a UNESCO world heritage sight.
Or if you are up to some more travel, take a ferry to Tallinn or to Stockholm. Tallinn is just 2.5 hours by ferry, and is a wonderful summer destination. Saunter through the old town lanes and take in the enchanting medieval charm, indulging on Scandinavian or Mediterranean fare as and when the tummy demands!
Stockholm is an overnight ferry, of about 17 hours, so it may make sense to plan 2 more days for exploring Stockholm as well.
Finland, I discovered, loves the violin. There is so much talent in amateur violinists who pour their heart out into their music on the sidewalks, making your walk a melodious one.
On a trip to Finland, a visit to Lapland is a must if you are an adventure lover. Camp out into the wilderness near Rovaniemi where you do have some slim chances of seeing the northern lights. There are glass-roofed igloos to stay in, which is an experience of a lifetime. The trip to Lapland may also be done in winter, which is actually a better time to view the northern lights, and experience the ice hotels, but stick to summer if you think you cannot combat the harsh terrain and weather.
To sum it up, Finland is one place that I visited for 3 weeks, but is going to be with me for a long long time.

The Gastronomical Journey across India and beyond - Right in the heart of Gurgaon

Gurgaon, wanna get adventurous with food? Are you bored of your regular eating joints and wanna venture into a new arena of taste? Or are you an outsider new to Gurgaon, and craving for a taste from back home?
Here are some joints that bring in tastes from all over India and the world that are sure to either set your taste buds tingling, or give you a solace of having your native food after a long time.
1. Bengali - Oh Calcutta! and Ki Hangla
Bengalis, here is your chance to have a tryst with your very own tastes. Visit Oh Calcutta! at DLF Cyber Hub for a plethora of bengali preparations including Kolkata Biryani, Railway Mutton Curry, Paturi, Fish fry, Sukto, Aam porar shorbot, and much more. Do not miss their Nalen gurer ice cream.
If you are looking for some Dhakai cuisine, or want to try some Kolkata rolls, visit Ki Hangla at Super Mart 1 market in DLF phase 4. This is a good take away joint although they have some sitting space as well. These guys have some good Kolkata biryani as well.
Your trip all the way from Gurgaon to CR Park may get eliminated by these authentic joints.
Oh Calcutta!
2. Maharashtrian - Maharashtra food, Food court, Ambience Mall, Gurgaon
Visit this joint for a authentic taste of vegetarian Maharashtrian fare and street food. Indulge in their vada pav, shrikhand-puri, dahi vada, pani puri, veg thali and other delights from this western state.  And all my Mumbaikar and Punekar friends, you will not have to give up on your favourite tastes just because you have moved out of Maharashtra. Aamchi mumbai, yes the pavs are a bit different in the north from what you have, but the tastes are closer than you think!
3. North Indian - Sighri, Sector 17, Faridabad
A city in north India should not have a lack of North Indian restaurants. But in spite of that, this quintessential place has me wanting to go back time and again. Yes it serves North Indian and Chinese fare like its other culinary counterparts, but there is something about the "Sighri" flavours that gets your taste buds tingling.
The place gives a twist to all regular preparations and that makes the culinary experience a refreshing one.
Instead of the regular momos at any other joint, try their "Tandoori Momos" assortment straight from the Tandoor. The filling inside and the seasoning outside are equally unique.
Replace your regular parathas and naans with the Sighri style Achari Pudine da paratha or the Olive Chilli naan.
Ditch the veg rolls from the carts for a while and indulge in the Soya Chaap roomali roll.
Not only are the names impressive, but the preparations are also exemplary. And oh, I almost forgot the mention of these little bowls of amazing dips! So go out there and explore more on their menu!
Image credit: Sighri, Faridabad
4. South Indian - Vaango! and Naivedhyam
My south Indian friends (esp the vegetarians), fret not! For some treats from back home head to Vaango! at the Sector 29 Market, Gurgaon, or at DLF Cyber City. You will get an elaborate spread of Idlis, Dosas, uthapams, poori bhaji, Bisibelebath, Thalis, Curd rice and more.
For a more closer to home experience, visit Naivedhyam at Vipul Square, B Block, Sushant Lok, Gurgaon. It may be a lesser known place but a strong contender among folks from the south who want to feast on their regular culinary fare. 
Yes, it may not match up to the magic of Amma and wifey, but definitely a welcome treat in an unknown place.
 
Naivedhyam
5. American - Johnny Rocketts and MediumWellDone
Want a taste of the authentic American burger? Head to Johnny Rocketts in Ambience Mall Gurgaon. Similar tastes, similar portions and similar ingredients, you will not be disappointed (having stayed in the US of A for a considerable amount of time I can confidently say this). Its the house of the classic hamburgers, Philly Cheesesteaks, Salads, Chillidogs and more..
I always have a tough time picking from the menu, because everything is so good, that you cant leave one for the other! Try their Smoke house burger, The Bacon cheddar burger, Onion rings, and the Grilled/Crispy Chicken club salad. A special mention here for the Route 66 burger which is an absolute delight!
Visit Mediumwelldone Steakhouse at DLF South Point mall on Golf Course Road for some steak-delight. These guys really know the steaks well, and you would have it just the way you ordered it!
 6. Korean - Gung The Palace, Sector 29 Market, Gurgaon
If you are looking for a good Korean culinary experience, look no further. This place offers an ambiance and spread that is extremely authentic. First off, the display of the various knick knacks from Korean art and tradition is quite interesting. Second, the seating style is very Korean. It gives you the feel as if you are seated in a traditional korean home for a meal. You even get a private dining room with wooden interiors to dine in. I am a person for whom the ambiance matters as much as the food, and so you may see me rambling about it at times (for the positive and the negative).
But for the food lovers too, this place is perfect. The starters platters are good appetizers (literally)! It really brought on my hunger like a good appetizer is meant to do. The Octopus casserole and Fish cake soup are some of the must-try entrees.  The casserole cooks right in front of you, and they have rice and numerous accompaniments that come with it. The portions are well-sized and 2-3 people can easily share on the same order. A must visit place if you bear a Korean palate!
Octopus Casserole
7. From Continental Europe - Olive Bistro, DLF Cyber Hub
Have an office gang or a family that has varying palates and gastronomical preferences? Olive Bistro is the place to go! Situated on the 1st floor at DLF Cyber Hub, this open-air-cum-indoor cafe has a plethora of options from all across Continental Europe. From the Mediterranean Basa and Falfels, to Wood fired Pizzas and Pastas this place has something to tickle every kind of taste bud. My all time favorites here are the selections on their healthier menu - the Beetroot and Arugula salad and Chicken vegetable broth  ( having traveled a lot in Europe I have some high expectations where this cuisine is concerned :) ).
Again, the ambiance here is quite interesting. You must check out their chandeliers and lamp shades in the interior seating. The outdoor seating is also very unique and every time I visit cyber hub, after browsing across all other eateries I eventually settle with this !
 The decor speaks food too!

Rejuvenate in the lap of nature – a spa treatment for your mind!


Need to relax? Or to clear your thoughts? Or to let go of the stress of everyday life?
Here are some locations within India that are so tranquil and mystical that even 30 minutes spent has great healing power – the sheer healing power of Mother Nature. No electricity, no cell phone signal no bustle around.
A treat to the eyes, silence to the ears, and solitude to the mind is what you would get. With not a soul to be seen as far as eyes can see, become one with the winds, the water, the mountains and the sky only to find yourself transformed. The positive vibes you get from these places is immense; you walk away feeling that life is so beautiful!

1. Porch of the Shashur Gompa, Lahaul overlooking the Lady of Keylong

Take a tour of the lesser known Shashur Gompa (monastery) in Lahaul Valley, Himachal Pradesh. This monastery is accessible from the nearest town of Keylong.
After your tour, come outside on the rear porch of the building, and make yourself comfortable at the edge of the parapet. Facing you would be numerous steep snow-clad peaks, view of glaciers and the mysterious Lady of Keylong. Birds and crickets are the only sounds your hear, and the occasional gong from inside the monastery. If you are lucky you will get a cup of chai from the locals residing in the monastery. Spend as much time here as you want to, and don't forget to explore the untouched slopes with their foot-trails, wildflowers and rare birds.
2. A sunset by the Mawphlang Sacred Grove, Meghalaya
Drive down to the Sacred Grove that has been maintained as a spiritual sanctuary by the local tribes for hundreds of years. The walk around the forest itself is a calming experience. With sounds of only twitter of birds and crackling of twigs under your feet, you get transported to a different world. As soon as you enter the forest the air gets cool (because the sunrays hardly penetrate the thick foliage the year round and the ground is always moist), making your walk a pleasant one. After your exploration, come outside on to the clearing, sit yourself down on the grass or on one of the wooden benches and stare into nothingness. Around you lie miles of open green fields and undulating landscape as far as the eye can see. If you are lucky to be here at sunset, you would witness one of the most breathtaking experiences whatsoever. As the sun starts sliding down the sky, you see a canvas unfold before you. You can continue to spend time here to do star gazing (if you are the adventurous type and can manage without anyone around in the darkness of the night).
 3. The green paddy fields in Divar Island, Goa
Image credit: exploretourism.com
We are all familiar with the hip and happening beach fronts of Goa, but little did we know about the charm of the little Divar Island situated on the delta of the Mandovi river. The lsland is covered with greenery and paddy fields surrounded by the green Ghats in the horizon. Be sure to visit this place in monsoon and stay at a hotel that overlooks the exotic views. You can choose to soak into the scenery from the comfort of your room, or venture outside to take a stroll among the fields. Keep your footwear aside and feel the moisture of the grass under your feet. Watch the rain drops drip along the bright green stems and splash themselves off from the leaves. Stand at the edge of the paddy plantations, and gaze at the cloudy skies that scallop the peaks of the Ghats. All things look so fresh and new that your mind cannot help but get determined for a fresh start!