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Majorda Beach Goa
The next time you are in Goa, with visions of yourself relaxing on an easy chair, sipping on a chilled beer, and enjoying scenic views of the sun setting over the Arabian sea, then head to Majorda Beach. This picturesque beach, far from the madding crowd, is worth your time.
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Shri Vinayaka Shankaranarayana Durgamba Temple
Dedicated to Lord Vinayaka Shankara Narayana, this historic Shri Vinayaka Shankaranarayana Durgamba Temple is set right on the banks of the Netravati River in Nandavara, Bantwal taluk of Dakshina Kannada.
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The red junglefowl
Entrance to the Botanic Gardens, Singapore. Truth be told, I am not a garden person. Stepping into one to gaze at flowers isn’t my cup of tea. I’d rather be up to mischief somewhere else. Unless, of course, I am dragged to one. Which was “sweetly” the case here. They seem to be casual in the presence of humans, though don’t get too close. Turns out the 163-year-old Singapore Botanic Gardens, or simply the Gardens, is one of three gardens, and the only tropical garden to feature on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Now, sucker that I am for anything with a World Heritage stamp on it, if this isn’t…
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Wongwian Yai Station
The idea was to try and get to Maeklong railway market, about 80 odd km southwest of Bangkok. While I’m sure everyone knows what it’s famous for, what nobody tells you is that there’s just one train from Wongwian Yai station that takes you directly to this station – the Maeklong Railway Line at an unearthly hour of 6:45 am. Of course, we never made it on time. This is Bangkok, after all. The local train to Mah Chai station. Instead, like good travelers who expected things to fall into place, we reached the station late that morning, and on enquiring, figured some trains take us to Maha Chai station.…
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Wat Khunaram
For those inclined, the island of Koh Samui has a lot more to offer than just its beautiful beaches. Wat Khunaram is also known as Phra Wihan Luang Por Daeng. While it may not necessarily be among the most impressive Buddhist temples in Thailand, Wat Khunaram, or Phra Wihan Luang Por Daeng, more than makes up for it with its special guest – the mummified body of Luang Pho Daeng, commonly known by his Buddhist name Phra Khru Samathakittikhu. The temple is host to a special guest. Koh Samui’s most famous monk was ordained as one in his early twenties. Then, after spending two years studying in the monastery, he…
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Perspective
At 60 km per hour, the loudest noise that comes from this car is an FM station playing some soothing melodies. Or the driver making polite conversation. Seriously. At first glance, there is nothing spectacular about it. However, it is a car that has been and continues to be driven for years by everyone – from beginners to experts. It can carry up to six persons in absolute comfort. With some boasting of an automatic driver-activated rear door and fender mirrors. It was first released in 1995, primarily for the Japanese market. However, it proved so popular that it was soon seen on the streets of Singapore and Hong Kong.…
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A bridge that was nearly far
There are bridges, and then there are some more. There are bridges that have been immortalised in countless classic movies; The Bridge on the River Kwai instantly comes to mind. There are bridges that connect countries and people, like the Oresund Bridge that links Sweden with Denmark. And then there are bridges, that, in this age of social media, have shot into the limelight. One such bridge is the Nine Arch Bridge. A train passes along on the bridge Also called the Bridge in the Sky, the Nine Arch Bridge lies between the small-town stations of Ella and Demodara in Sri Lanka. For those who continue their train journey on…
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The blue train from Kandy to Ella
This train journey is today, a rite of passage for any traveller who visits Sri Lanka. As it chugs along on its approximately seven-hour long journey across paddy fields and through tunnels, you get a door-side view of the high hills and lush green tea plantations. Welcome aboard the blue train from Kandy to Ella. View of Kandy station It wasn’t always so though. It was originally built when the British to transport tea from the hills of Kandy to the capital. What initially started out as a 50 odd kms rail line in 1864, has, today, expanded to over 1,500 kms that runs through hills, along the coasts and…
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Welcome to the People’s Socialist Party of Wong
Step back in time and have a drink or three in a setting that takes you to the 1920s. Step into Miss Wong in Siem Reap, Cambodia. The interiors are a tasteful nod to its history Sure, a pint of beer at 50 cents is ridiculously cheap on Pub Street in Siem Reap. And that means, a few pints and hours later, you are still sitting on the same seat, in the same bar you have chosen to make your preferred spot for the day, or evening. A pint doesn’t get any cheaper But it’s not every evening that you can tolerate doing the same thing, only changing the bar…
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Oh Calcutta
It’s a city that elicits various responses. Some swear by it, while others swear at it. This is Kolkata. A smile can brighten up anyone’s day I had first visited Kolkata in October of 2011, having just finished a week’s stay in Shillong. The idea was to meet with a friend, have a few drinks, and try see a city I’d wanted to visit for many years. As luck would have it, it was pouring. There were parts of the city that were no-go zones, including where my friend lived. So my time was spent at another friend’s home, close to the airport, on Park Street, which is as close…
