THE MOONCHASERS

9 reasons to visit Sri Lanka when Covid passes

While deciding for a tropical beach holiday with a mix of culture and adventure sometime around J’s birthday thats in November, the choices were varied that year! We often face such dilemmas, and perhaps its most often the flight tickets which plays the veto. In the current scenario however, it will be wise to stay home, and avoid all leisure travel until the world can get a free pass from the deadly corona virus that has got every country by the horn.

The calling of a neighbouring country that topped the Best Country to visit in 2019 by Lonely Planet was hard to ignore. It was an easy choice too given the budget constraints and its proximity to India.

We spent 10 days in the island nation and explored what we could fit in our itinerary, that only left us craving for more. If you are intrigued by the vast natural beauty, improved tourism and cultural diversity of this once war torn country, here is everything you need to know!

It has a 1340 KM long coastline!

Imagine the sheer number of pristine beaches that you could explore, for kilometres on foot! When in Sri Lanka, explore white sand beaches of Ahangama with stilt fishermen or walk along the beautiful coastline of Tangalle, take surfing lessons at Arugam Bay or Hikkaduwa, have a romantic wedding shoot at Hambantota or hit the eastern coast for the gorgeous Trincomalee, beaches are plenty in this country!

2. Ancient history and Buddhism

aluvihare 1 — Meditating Buddha at Aluviharaya Temple, Matale

Buddhism is in the heart of Sri Lanka while sharing a cohabited religious space with Hinduism, Christianity and Islam. It is the oldest Buddhist country with India being wiped off of Buddhism virtually, and preserves the most original and pure form of Buddhism – the “Theravada tradition”. Ancient stupas and ruins conform to this and you as a traveller can find a million pieces of Buddhist tradition strewn across the width of Sri Lanka. The country has been constantly warred since centuries due to it’s vulnerable geography and it’s richness in natural resources inviting invasion by colonists and kings and traders. However, it managed to preserve deep roots to Buddhism alongside other religions. In fact, it was at the Aluviharaya Rock Temple in Matale where the revered Pali Canon (sacred scriptures with teachings of Buddha) was inscribed for the first time in history. 70% of the population are Buddhist in Sri Lanka and you will find it to be a peaceful, disciplined way of life with the locals. We could not squeeze in a visit to the Cultural Triangle apart from a visit to Sigiriya, which only gives The Moonchasers more reason to go back!

3. Strict Laws

If you are planning on going on a ‘let loose’ trip, better be in the city and more touristy locations than venturing into the local side of Sri Lanka. The nation is very strict against any form of drug abuse and if you are caught with even a wee bit of marijuana, you can be in serious trouble. Travellers sporting tattoos of Buddha, remember to cover them up because you will be disrespecting their religious faith when in Sri Lanka. And that, causes even more trouble, including deportation.

4. Food

This is the part I was looking forward to writing the most!

Food is delectable, gorgeous and flavorful in Sri Lanka. Indians may find some similarity with the style of dishes but the taste buds are in for a surprise! Europeans and Americans might find the food a bit spicy but for Australians who have travelled to Asia before, its a treat. Bananas are there in every meal as dessert, you can have a choice of vegetables that taste brilliant or meat (chicken/pork/fish/duck). Vegans too will find wonderful appetite here inland. Some of the places like Nuwara Eliya and other remote locations may not be fancy but if you grow a taste for egg hoppers and sambhal, you will have a great time.

5. Transport

kandy to ella train — World’s most scenic train ride – Kandy to Ella

Traffic is generous outside the cities and the roads are scenic, so if you are driving through, remember to have your DL along with an IDP and a permit from the Colombo RTO. Local transport is extremely cheap and effective. You can take buses to most places, and where not be sure that the train will take you. For booking tickets you can check at any station and get it yourself. For big groups, booking through an agent will be better however avoid paying exorbitant rates for the same.

6. Ceylon tea

tea fac — Damro Tea Factory – Nuwara Eliya

Tea was brought to the island country by the Portuguese and British colonists from China and since then it has been a flourishing industry. The famous Ceylon Tea is grown, processed and packed in tea estates and factories spread around the Knuckles Mountain range and has high aromatic taste. A visit to a tea factory is a must if you have a nose for varieties of tea. Till today, the little town of Nuwara Eliya wears the hat of a British Tea Colony and is called ‘Little England’ by the locals. You can pack a bag of flavoured teas, BOP tea and silver leaf tea on your way back home if you like. There are about 15 other varieties to choose from.

7. Natural reserves and wildlife

Sri Lanka houses and protects 26 national parks covering 5734 square kms! Its basically the size of Norfolk in England. The most prominent finds will be peacocks and so many of them, the junglefowl and elephants. If you are out in the sun you will find plenty of land monitors lurking about in search of warmth and food. On a good day one can spot a majestic Srilankan leopard or a rare sighted sloth bear.

While traveling to Srilanka keep separate budget and time for jungle safaris as you can get lucky or spend hours in the jungle looking for game. The jungle camps are steeply priced than normal accommodations, more so due to the remote locations and challenges of over tourism. For wildlife enthusiasts and jungle lovers it is a paradise though as there are special camps that allow you to stay inside the core area even at night. We experienced luxury glamping with Ruhunu Safari Camping and would highly recommend their services for anyone wanting to spend time in the wild.

9. Shortcuts for a 10 day trip

It is a great idea to travel locally using trains and buses or ride a tuktuk on your journey. If you are on budget, restrict the number of stops you’ll make and pick places which can act as a base for multiple activities. This way you’ll spend less time in commute and more in exploring. Set aside a day to enjoy the world’s most scenic train route between Kandy to Ella. Smart travellers hop on at Peridaniya station to avoid crowds and travel in second or third class as tickets are mostly available. Do not listen to guides who try to tell you otherwise. The most scenic part is actually between Hatton and Haputale, two perfectly pretty mountain hamlets that could be worth a visit. Here are some shortcuts we found helpful on our trip, hope you find them useful!

Take a cab outside the airport in Negombo, negotiate. If headed to Colombo city, don’t pay more than 600 LKR.
Do not ask questions about the war, they don’t appreciate you meddling with their terrible past. Militants are employed as helps, cooks, tuktuk drivers in search of a living. It may upset them.
Cover your knees and elbows when entering a sacred temple. The Buddhists are not staunch or violent but it’s great to respect their way to earn theirs while you are in their country.
You will save a lot of money traveling by buses and trains. Its a tad bit time taking but if you are interested in exploring the country, take that time out and enjoy the ride.
World Heritage Sites and protected monuments do not allow drone photography so be sure to check your airspace before flying. We managed to fly early morning at Sigiriya but did so from a great distance from the gates.
Research well because it can be overwhelming. We felt we didn’t see 30% of Sri Lanka in 10 days, traveling like maniacs everyday. Prioritise your kind of places and have a great time.
While you cant fit everything in an itinerary, for your first visit, do not miss out on Sigiriya Rock, Ella train, willowing tea estates and waterfalls, Portuguese lighthouses and pristine waters on the southern coast and the fort city of Galle. Couple it with beautiful mix of modern and traditional architecture in Colombo and great coffee, you have yourself a very inviting vacation in Sri Lanka!

Watch our Sri Lanka in 5 minute video to know what we are talking about:

What the traveller in you should do on Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day is around the corner and if you are not meticulous like us to have a whole 10 day trip to the jungles planned in advance, let us help you out! Believer of St. Valentine or not, when V day falls on a Friday, the expectations meant to soar. We understand the situation (or plight) of those who could not find time to plan something special for their sweetheart. So this year, J and I decided to share a few cool ideas to help you make your V day a !Friyay! and more, because the weekend can be clubbed too!

We did not want to share the typical gift ideas because there are plenty of them out there. To be honest, we do not celebrate Valentine’s day with special vigour because i celebrate my birthday just two days later and it essentially, always is fun! Read more about it on our latest Insta post!

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A post shared by 𝙼𝙾𝙾𝙽𝙲𝙷𝙰𝚂𝙴𝚁𝚂 (@themoonchasersofficial) on Feb 12, 2020 at 6:04am PST

Here is a list of 7 things you can do this Valentine’s day to surprise your partner/spouse/valentine

1. Valentine’s Day Special Electric Bike Tour with BLive

This Valentine’s day, gift an experience to your loved one. Rekindle the romance in a new style. Explore the unexplored destinations on BLive electric bike tours. Choose quality time over busy bustling restaurant waiting-lines. Choose nature, heritage, local experiences over expensive crowded places.

Choose BLive and choose a new way to romance. Choose to throttle away from the crowd to hear the love stories from the past. That’s not it, let the music set the feel and don’t shy off, ask your date for a dance on those beats. With a touch of romantic ambiance, end your e-bike ride relishing some local cuisine.

Explore the cities of Kochi, Goa, or Jaipur on BLive electric bike tour.

Price – Starting from Rs 2,124/-

Location: Goa | Kochi | Jaipur

Date: 14th Feb 2020

2.Underwater proposal anyone?

Scuba Aliens in Goa is offering to help couples plan and execute proposals under water while scuba diving in the midst of sea life, corals or even at a ship wreck site off the coast! While there are tonnes of people offering Scuba Diving, only about 6 are PADI certified of which Scuba Aliens is a front runner with PADI certified Instructors as well.

Costs: INR 3500 (plus taxes) and upwards

They are offering a couple scuba dive with special photographs, a cake and other such offerings to execute an ethereal proposal, underwater. Cool!

3. Indulge in mountains with your beloved

Homestays of India is providing a 10% discount to couples on selected homestays across the whole country!

Take it from the traveller in us, nothing beats a cozy homestay experience in the mountains with your loved one this weekend. Feel at home, eat hot local food and enjoy genuine hospitality with your partner. Valid only for those couples visiting homestays in this week ending 16th Feb. Minimum stay – 2 nights.

Locations include Bhubaneshwar, Uttarakhand (Multiple properties), Mount Abu, Udaipur, Himachal Pradesh and Karnataka. You can check the properties here.

4. Want to stay lost in luxury?

For south or western India based couples, head to Kahani Paradise for a luxury filled, quaint and romantic weekend.

Perched atop the hills and affording 360º views of the contrasts of sea- and forest-scapes, Kahani Paradise offers a world of quiet indulgence amidst nature in Gokarna. With 6 suites, a Drawing Room, a Swimming Pool, Spa and Dining Room that overlooks a teeming garden, Kahani Paradise is unlike any other villa in India.

Privacy is paramount, and without a neighbour for miles, the villa is yours and yours only.

The good folks here offer special arrangements for groups and couples. The above image is from the step well candlelight dinner they organised for our friends at The Next Checkin! You can head to their insta to see more of the property on highlights!

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Cost: Suite stay starts at INR 25000/-

Step Well Dinner: INR 35000/- per couple

5. Looking for a romantic dinner in Goa?

A candlelight dinner might sound cliched, but don’t we just love it, when it’s that time of the year. Located on the bustling street of Candolim just a short distance from the famed beaches of Goa, Yu Hotel’s international restaurants present to you a personalized candlelight dining experience with menu tailored by one of the best Chefs.

With a variety of dining options, the celebrations specially curated Valentine menu and a bottle of wine at INR 1200. If in Goa this weekend, you can book tables with Yu Valentine’s offer on their website for an incredible candlelight dinner.

Where: Yu Hotel, Goa

For further query, contact on- +91 0832-6717272

6. Bengaluru! Indulge in wilderness with Tee Pee Culture

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The Teepee Culture is India’s only Wilderness Festival. It’s Edition 2.0 is happening on the foothills of Nandi Hills, Bangalore from 14-16 February 2020. The festival is a perfect getaway for not just friends and family but also couples who want to Discover Wilderness and learn from the experts, veterans, artists and a community of conscious nature lovers.

The 3 day long festival will have nature trails, learning workshops, music, astronomical observations, adventure, art and culture, eclectic performances and much more.

Cost: INR 750/- onwards

Passes for the festival are available on BookMyShow and Townscript.

7. Overnight Camp Stay near Namma Bengaluru

Findmyouting.com is organizing Valentine’s special packages for an adventure camping with luxury tent stay experience at an hour’s drive from the Bengaluru City. Q Mango Forest resort enchants you with mango orchards, lakeshore scenery and adventure activities curated for Valentine’s Day this year. Includes lakeside view stay, bonfire, candle light dinner and more.

Price: INR 2999 + taxes per couple

Time: 05:30 PM Check In |1100 AM Check Out

For inclusions and booking head to aurafoothills.findmyouting.com

Lastly, women’s apparel brand W has some cool fashion tips for the quintessential Indian woman who also loves to celebrate Valentines day with elegance!

This V-Day, revive memories of that first red rose moment and celebrate your day with your loved ones. Choose this red round neck all-over printed dress with the beautiful chunky neck embroidery details for a cozy dinner and casual lunch date. This dress can be teamed up with hoops and heels for a chic look!

It’s a day where one wants to make every moment special for their partner. Choosing this royal red round neck solid kurta with solid sharara pants and complementing it with white dupatta will definitely steal your partner’s attention. This can be paired up with rusted danglers and high heels!

You can buy these online on Nykaa.com or WforWoman.com

That’s it from us!

We wish you a very sweet, love filled, peaceful weekend and Valentine’s Day.

Toodles 🙂

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Best heritage stay near Mumbai-Pune: Fort JadhavGADH

“A concerted effort to preserve our heritage is a vital link to our cultural, educational, aesthetic, inspirational and economic legacies – all of the things that quite literally make us who we are.” – Unknown

Wondering why the heavy quote?

If we have to explain our connection to our heritage, every small and big events that happened to our collective culture, this quote kind of summed it up. Historically seen, most modern cultures have emerged from times of bloodshed, conquest and battles. During those events, many buildings of historic and military importance were built and destroyed. Over hundreds of years, civilisations of the world have tried to preserve and prevent further destruction of these marks of our history. UNESCO and Archaeological Societies have and continued to work towards the preservation of monuments, forts, castles, churches, temples, mosques of historical value. But when you look at a culturally rich nation like India which has had influences from the north, south, west and far east, it is incredibly difficult to locate, protect and preserve every single monument of importance. Some of these properties are flourishing today as resorts, museums, places of interest thanks to private interest.

In this blog, we will take you on a journey through 300 years of history and experience of the grandiose of the Maratha regime at Fort JadhavGADH – Maharashtra’s only Fort Heritage hotel. Located 2 hr drive away from Mumbai in the Saswad region of Pune, this hotel provides one with the luxury, comfort and beauty of the Sahyadri Mountains (The western ghats of India).

The story of Fort JadhavGADH starts from the man who himself was as strong in mind and body as the stone structure he created. Pilaji Jadhavrao, the then Maratha General who built this fort. But before we take you to Fort JadhavGadh, lets dig a little deeper into its history.

In 1707, Chhatrapati Shahuji, the grandson of the great Chhatrapati Shivaji, was released after 21 years of imprisonment by the Mughal ruler Shahjahan. The Mughals still controlled the Maratha region but were losing some ground because of Aurangzeb’s death. It was during this time that Shahuji thought of a comprehensive plan. His ultimate goal was to bring back the lost glory of the Maratha empire and recapture the region from the Mughals. He was also an excellent judge of characters. Therefore, he appointed a select group of loyal men, to spread far and wide across the region and recharge the quiescent emotions of the people.

It was this select group of men of honor that Pilaji Jadhavrao was a part of. With a keen focus on the mission assigned to him, Pilaji lost no time in gathering able men across Jadhavgadhi and Saswad area and to train them to fight for the victory of the Marathas. Power of the mind or the sword, whichever instrument seemed more befitting for use at a particular situation, Pilaji used most assuredly. It was through the heroic efforts of men like Pilaji Jadhavrao that Chhatrapati Shahuji finally sat on the throne of the Maratha empire. Pilaji Jadhavrao breathed his last in 1784 after leading a long and fulfilling life of a true patriot, serving the Marathas till the very end.

Why are we telling you this?

Because the Fort at JadhavGadh played a crucial role in forming the resistance and fighting the Mughals. Today, this property rolls up as a quaint, exclusive heritage stay experience for the peace seeker from nearby modern cities. It is also the closest heritage stay experience you can take your expat friend to, to experience the essence of Indian heritage and hospitality.

fort jadhavgadh entrance heritage stay pune mumbai — Th entrance darwaza

Our stay in Fort JadhavGADH brought us a step closer to the beautiful Maratha history, with a touch of exuberant hospitality. Located on a lone mountain, just 40 Kms ahead of Pune, this place ticks all the boxes for the perfect stay away in luxury for a relaxed holiday.

The eccentricity in the small things catches one’s attention from the moment you walk in. The sound of royalty greets you as soon as you enter Fort JadhavGADH, as you are greeted by the Mavlas (soldiers during the period of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj) who play the tutari and guests are welcomed with a traditional tilak on the forehead. Quirk is everywhere here. The General Manager is called Killedar (Fort Manager), the manager at the reception is called ‘Swagat Kaksha Vyavasthapak’ (One who manages guest reception), and the swimming pool in the fort hotel is called ‘Kund’. The Chhajja is the quaint all-day dining, Kholis are the rooms. The Pilaji Darwaza, Maha Darwaza, Gadhicha Darwaza, Kund Darwaza, Purandar Darwaza, rock stairways, they all tell a story.

fort jadhavgadh heritage pune mumbai sunset — Sunset over fort walls at Fort JadhavGadh

You would be amazed to know that they continue to maintain an in house Art museum where ancient Maratha artefacts, handicrafts are kept for visitors to see. You are guided by an audiobook (we felt its a really thoughtful idea) where you can learn about each of the items and mentionable places within the premises.

A total of 58 rooms comprising of Royal Suites, Darbari Suites, Varsha Suites, Hill View Dalaan, Chaavni’s, & Kholi’s, Neem Forest Cottages, are spread across the fort’s three wings – making it an ideal luxury destination near Pune. The interiors are a mix of old-world charm and contemporary luxuries making it an ideal holiday resort near Mumbai. Fort JadhavGADH welcomes you to experience a regal retreat at our luxurious suites, cottages and tented rooms at one of the best resorts near Pune.

Jd2 — That guys blows the horn when you walk in!

A leisurely visit to Fort JadhavGadh with your friends or family is quite ideal. The poolside is at the top of the fort and has the best vibes ever with that ancient neem tree in the courtyard. The Spa is decently equipped but makes up for that with their professional service and the pool view. All in all, a very pleasant and x=cozy property with the right mix of modernity and heritage.

Highlights:

Cozy rooms with fort elements like jharokha windows, chajjas to look out the valley

fort jadhavgadh maharaja suite — The Maharaja Suite

2. Quaint, quiet surroundings

Fort jadhavgadh the moonchasers travel blog — When modernity meets heritage

Jadavgadh1 — Enjoy looking up during your stay at Fort JadhavGadh

3. In house restaurant and coffee shop

Jd4 — Chajja is your perfect place for a post breakkie read!

fort jadhavgadh pune — Pruned hedges and a sprawling garden

4. Banquet and conference facilities

Jd13 — The Payatha restaurant houses quirky artefacts and an indoor lotus pond!

5. Mind blowing pool and spa area with cabanas

JD16 — Kund – our favourite place at the property

fort jadhavgadh kund the moonchasers swimsuit — Take a dip while you can!

6. Activities at Fort JadhavGADH:

Shivaji Martial Arts – DaanPatta

This is a 45 minute show that takes place at our royal lawns or at ‘Payatha’ at the backdrop of the fort wall.

The Aai Museum at Fort JadhavGADH

Fort JadhavGADH is the only hotel of its kind with an in-house museum.

Ghazal and Musical Nights

Fort JadhavGADH’s rooftop restaurant comes alive with ‘Ghazal or Musical Nights’ filling the air with a nostalgic ambience. Ghazal nights is on Saturday, while musical nights are on Sunday.

We enjoyed two lovely performances, one by a singer and one by an excellent flautist during our stay.

jd12 — Chill and watch the clouds pass by

Heritage hotels are rare and expensive! Fort JadhavGadh is the perfect mix of heritage, luxury and modern amenities within your budget for a blissful holiday with friends or family. Cozy rooms, great food and superbly amazing pool side which will blow your mind away!

The Orchid Group of Hotels has some great offers on their membership plan. You can check it out here.

Disclaimer: The Moonchasers were invited by the property for a staycation. Reviews provided are from our own experience.

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Travel guide to Rann Utsav: Kutch

If you are planning a visit to India anytime in the months of November – February, one of the brightest idea to experience a culturally rich event would be to attend the Rann Utsav. While the event itself takes place in a huge tent city at the White Rann or better known as Little Rann of Kutch, there is plenty to see and do in the Kutch region that will keep you busy!

We visited the Rann Utsav last year with our lovely friends at Stargazing Mumbai and spent 4 days exploring the riches of the Kutch.

rann of kutch white desert — You cannot be all sane at this insane place!

To give you a little context to the images you see next, here’s a few things you may need to know:

The Great Rann of Kutch is one of the biggest salt flats in the world, spanning over 30000 square kilometres between the Gulf of Kutch and the mouth of Indus river in Pakistan.

rann of kutchh moonchasers — There is no other place like a salt flat! Clearly!

It comprises of three distinct parts, the Great Rann, the Little Rann and the Banni grasslands
Nearest city with an airport is Bhuj, 80 Kms from the tent city
The Rann Utsav is closest to the village Dhordo, however stay options can be explored depending on what you want to see more and conveyance available
Kalo Dungar (Black Hills) and Dholavira (ancient village excavated from the Harappan civilisation) are easily accessible from Bhuj/Dhordo

kalo dungar india bridge view — We simply couldn’t get over the fact that we were looking at Pakistan, somewhere beyond the misty Rann

6. Kutchhi food is a must try, however you can expect to find non-vegetarian food in Bhuj.

kathiyavar thaali kutchhi food — Kathiyavar Thali at Anjar town

7. Visit the Agariya at work at a salt farm, stay in a Bhunga (earthquake resistant circular huts) and wear the Kutchhi traditional dress for an epic photoshoot.

8. Local communities are rich in handicraft and artworks. More on this later in the post!

Check out our video from Rann Utsav here for a better visual of what to expect!

How To Reach?

Rann of Kutch is accessible by road from Mumbai or Ahmedabad. Super smooth roads and red dust makes it a visually enjoyable and comfortable drive. After reaching Bhuj by air, you can book a taxi to reach Kutch. Alternatively you can self-drive from Mumbai or hire a chaffeur driven car from Avis India at great prices!

Where to stay?

We found the Tent City to be opposed to our choice of stay for the high prices. However you get access to the white desert in the early or late hours if you are staying here. There are activities like paramotoring and night jeep drives along the salt flats if you stay at the venue. However, we chose to stay at a friend’s farmhouse which also doubles up as a homestay for peaceful travellers. Located close to Bhuj in the town of Anjar, Ganesh Baug is a quaint Kutchi residence with the right amount of stillness in its bounty of orchards. The host is a warm, elderly gentleman who is not only a great human being, but also is the most knowledgeable person to ask about the region and culture. The home can accommodate families/big groups in its spacious rooms. Rates are reasonable at Rs.1500 per person per day. You can book it on AirBnb by clicking on the property name.

What to see around?

Bhuj – You have to dedicate two full days to explore everything worth seeing around Bhuj. Plan accordingly if you are interested in history, art and handicraft! To start with, the ancient Prag Mahal and Aaina Mahal (lined with European style mirrors) at Bhuj are standing even after the major earthquake that hit this town in 2002. Spend 2 hours to explore the fort area. You can then head to Sujan – a handicraft centre (be ready to shop!) . We did a short detour to Ajrakhpur – the original home of Azrakh silks! The development of this remote region is largely dependent on NGOs forming communities and infrastruture for the local artisans. From textile to metal work, leather goods making to salt farming, there are incredible gems all scattered around Kutch.

Ganesh Baugh helps you plan your itinerary and recommends the places below as top 10 visits around Kutch:

– Visit the Mandvi beach and the old shipping yard of Kutch.

– Heritage walks through the palaces in Bhuj.

– Visiting the Banni Grasslands.

– Walk through Nirona Village, a village famous for Rogan art.

– Narayan Sarovar

– Hill Garden

– Bauter Jinalai Temple

– Jesal-Toral Samadhi, a sacred tomb where the mortal remains of Jesal and Sati Toral were buried.

– Kala Dungar (For an epic sunset and drive to India Bridge)

– Handloom sites: Shrujan, Khamir, Kala Raksha Museum, Bhujodi and Ajrakhpur.

ganesh baugh orhard — Use the orchard at Ganesh Baugh to click sunrises or star trails like Wandering Stargazer did!

kalo dungar sunset moonchasers — The magical sunset colours are best enjoyed from the view point at Kala Dungar

So what are you waiting for? Plan a trip to the Great Rann of Kutchh and experience sights you have never seen before!

A bonus tip for a completely offbeat item on the list. Read on!

lyari rock formation flickr — Lyari River Rock Formation. Image Source: Flickr

Is that a lion about to pounce ? Deep inside the Kutch region of Gujarat, India, you’ll find a dried river bed in winter months. The river is called Layari and it dries up completely in winter months only leaving white salt sediments, making a large area of amazing rock formations accessible to humans. Hardly anybody goes there. The local villagers are blissfully unaware of this amazing attraction. Millennia of water, wind and sand had sculpted spectacular shapes here. A landscape of mineral rich rocks sculpted by the monsoon fed Lyari River, Kutch. The river originates in the Banni Grasslands – a vast oasis for wildlife on the southern edge of the salt-flats of the Great Rann of Kutch. If you are there just after sunrise then it’s a surreal experience. The colours look so soft that you feel your fingers will go through the rocks. It’s indeed hard to believe that People from India go to antelope canyon but never visit this place.

Disclaimer: The Moonchasers were hosted by Ganesh Baug however we only write what we experience.

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A photo series from Japan: Autumn Foliage

Going to Japan in autumn was perhaps the best idea we had all this year. Nature is turning gorgeous there and we couldn’t wait to bring you a glimpse of the tranquility we found. Across shrines, temples and world heritage sites, we experienced the early Koya in it’s glory. Check the images below.

tokyo ueno park autumn fall — Oncoming fall in Tokyo

japan shinto shrine prayer autumn — Shrines and prayer walls

kyoto fushimi inari fall koya — The touch of Koya in Kyoto

hiroshima fall japan koya futaba — Walking amidst nature in Hiroshima

shrine japan kawaguchiko fuji — Zozai Ji shrine at Fuji Kawaguchiko

nagoya fall koya autumn japan — Nagoya lit up with Koya bloom

japan shinto shrine fall colours — Shrines getting prettier with Autumn

We got hit by two typhoons during our 15 day trip but nothing deters Japan and the fall is coming on with hues of red, orange and yellow on the Japanese maple scattered all around the landscapes.

kanazawa castle fall autumn japanese maple — Kanazawa colours were the best

japan autumn sky fall autumn castle — How can you not love those skies

hiroshima atomic dome genbaku fall autumn — Hiroshima blooms in glory

pagoda japan shinto shrine fall autumn — Mesmerising pagodas and fall

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6 ways to have a Green Diwali this year

Diwali is the festival that the whole of India celebrates together. Celebrated across many Asian countries with much fervour, diwali is a celebration of love and light. A promise of success and prosperity, diwali has also essentially been celebrated with bursting wonderful looking firecrackers. We remember this from our simpler childhood in the small town of Durgapur, when the rising AQI wasn’t in our peripheral understanding of the world.

Today, only about 10-15 years from those fiery, happy evenings, we are worried, concerned about leaving a planet with insufficient breathable air to our next generations. Let us admit it that we all caused it. In small ways, however, if each of us can start making changes with their personal choices, the world would definitely try to breathe again. So this Diwali, like the last few, we will celebrate only with candles and lights instead of burnt paper and gunpowder producing poisonous gases and adding them into our ecosystem. As it is, the others are not going to stop, are they?

We bring a few recommendations of saying no to one time use products and instead choose a #GreenDiwali for yourself and your family this year. Hoping to be the first of many years to come.

Go cracker free – This is the most basic item on our list and should be on yours too. We know it feeds the mouths of little children in remote villages, but it also worsens the air they will grow up in. Make a choice, Say no to crackers. If not just for the air, for the poor pets who are currently preparing to get under the couch or crawl up on the bed to feel safe. Choose #poonchoverpataka this year instead!

Say NO to chemical products and offer healthy gifts to friends and family. Choose cruelty free products from The Eco Trunk – India’s first vegan, cruelty-free portal for lifestyle products that is kind to animals and humans alike. You can purchase a variety of products from apparel to home decor on their website.

Price Range: Rs. 190 – Rs. 7,500

Gift Plants!

Make your home’s air pure with some plants. You can get them potted or choose to buy your own style of pots that goes with your home decor. Spoilt for choices, get a pack of air purifying plants from online websites or from your nearest nursery. We are nurturing our plants and they add much needed greenery and positive energy to our home.

Price Range: Rs 600 – 1500

Availability: Nursery Live or Ugaoo

Personal Care with love

If you are looking for a personalised gift boxes that resonates with someone who loves using Ayurvedic items, check out Amrutam Official’s self love gift collection. Amrutam Self Love Gift Box contains Ayurvedic recipes for your skin and hair care, made with a blend of more than a hundred herbs. Each of them carefully chosen for your health and beauty. A personal recommendation, once you use their products, you will not want to go back to your shelf products.

Availability: Amrutam Official

Price Range: Rs. 500 – 3800

Consumable Gift Hampers

With the festive fervour setting in, Marriott has curated a selection of indulgent festive delicacies to celebrate the season with its unique offerings under “Diwali with Marriott”. Handcrafted to perfection by Marriott’s own chefs, this bespoke limited-edition artisanal hamper will raise the temptation quotient for the perfect celebrations.

From pralines, bonbons, cookies, florentines, tarts to traditional favourites like the Nankhatai and Laddoos, this uniquely crafted delicacy box features an array of interesting and creative fusion of modern and traditional treats. The hamper is available for a limited period at select properties in Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai, Indore, Jaipur, Kolkata, Bengaluru & Pune for INR 5,000++.

Availability: Call on +91 90046 16506 or log onto www.diwaliwithmarriott.com

Celebrate with candles and lamps instead of wasting electricity. Use battery powered LED lights and cruelty free rangoli colours to add festive touches to your home!

And something special for Delhi since they will be engulfed in dangerous smog post the celebrations:

DETTOL SiTi SHIELD PROTECT SMART MASK AND MICRO FAN

Have a very happy, safe, prosperous and green Diwali! 🙂

Love,

The Moonchasers

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Now Marrakech has an Oberoi too!

Talking about imperial cities that are popular amongst world travellers, Marrakech ranks quite high. In the Kingdom of Morocco! We have been eyeing this country for a while now and imagine the excitement when we heard The Oberoi group is opening a new luxurious property there!

The land of mosques and souq, Morocco is a truly breathtaking locale and offers visual treats probably like no other city, with its beautiful patterns and designs you see often n Instagram! This week, The Oberoi Group announced the highly anticipated opening of The Oberoi, Marrakech.

A luxury resort with warm hospitality and picturesque views of the Atlas Mountains that will open to guests on 1^stDecember, 2019.

The property is located in twenty-eight acres of beautifully landscaped gardens, fragrant citrus orchards and olive groves with spectacular views of the snow – capped Atlas Mountains. The resort is located twenty five minutes from the Djema el-Fna square and the ancient walled city which makes it super easy to explore the various sites around.

The design of this luxury resort has been inspired by the magnificent history of Moroccan architecture. The courtyard of the main building incorporates the design of the historic Medersa Ben Youssef, built in the 14^th century and one of Marrakech’s most famous historic monuments.

Medersa Ben Youssef Marrakech — Medersa Ben Youssef Courtyard

The Oberoi, Marrakech has 84 spacious and luxurious rooms, suites and villas; seventy-six of which have large private pools and private gardens. The rooms and suites have been thoughtfully laid out for maximum privacy.

Announcing the opening of the resort, Mr. P.R.S. Oberoi, Executive Chairman, The Oberoi Group, said, “We are delighted to announce the opening of The Oberoi, Marrakech. We look forward to extending The Oberoi Group’s presence in one of the world’s most exotic destinations. Several Oberoi Hotels & Resorts have been recognised as amongst the best in the world. I am confident that The Oberoi, Marrakech, with its exceptional location, aesthetic design and committed team will offer the distinctive Oberoi service to travellers from around the world.”

The Oberoi, Marrakech has three restaurants featuring diverse International and Moroccan culinary experiences. The bar and the terrace overlook the extensive gardens and the Atlas Mountains. That sure gets us excited to visit and take in the pleasures of everything Morocco has to offer!

The Oberoi Spa with an indoor pool is located on a natural water body and is surrounded by orchards. The spa has private therapy suites offering authentic Moroccan and Ayurvedic treatments. Guests can also experience the Hammam and herbal therapies. But we can’t wait to see the pictures from this place when the property opens!

colorful-carpets-street-marrakech-medina-morocco-detail-102503230

Hospitality is for everyone and hence the kind folks at Oberoi have built a children’s activity centre within the premises for families travelling with children.

Additionally, it also has a 300 square metre function room and smaller meeting rooms for social and corporate events. The resort claims to offer authentic Oberoi Experiences to enable guests to explore the best of the destination’s vibrant culture and historic monuments.

Unparalleled luxury, exquisite design and Oberoi Hotels’ legendary service have impressed travellers world over, again and again. It will only be a little before The Oberoi, Marrakech becomes the preferred choice for discerning travellers looking for a unique and personalised way to experience Marrakech.

If you are planning a trip to Marrakesh, you can use the comprehensive resources at Lonely Planet to start with.

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Goa Travel Guide: Experience culture with these Art cafes

Living in Mumbai always posed one silver lining to both of us – its proximity to Goa! Despite being the most frequented holiday destination in India, Goa holds a very special place in our hearts. You must be wondering why Goa of all places is special to us when we have visited so many other, supposedly more exotic locations. Well, it is a unique love story between The Moonchasers and the offbeat Goa through our tinted glasses.

Goa happens to be the birthplace of our blog, vlog and everything that we do today for travel. It might sound like a fairytale but sitting on a deserted fishing boat, parked loosely in a tidal creek, watching as the moon casts its light on the shoring phytoplanktons is one of our favourite things to do in this union territory.

Today, tourists are taking a deeper interest in understanding the culture of the natives in Goa and engaging with them while on vacation. Nearly 80 lakh tourists visited Goa in 2018* and according to Goa Tourism, the numbers have jumped tens of lakhs every year since 2012.

Goa tourism arrival statistics — Source: Goa Tourism

You may want to not recognise that despite all the charm, Goa also attracts a strange segment of rowdy tourists who visit with zero respect and responsibility for their actions, demeanor and impact on Goa. They go for the nightlife and cheap booze, with shady intentions of misbehaving with women and with a sad motivation of sleeping with a foreigner woman during his stay. You read it right, we are saying it aloud. Goa attracts uncouth travellers too, who not only stop at being rowdy but cause enough problems for those around. We have made such wonderful friends with people we have met, stayed with, travelled with and explored with in Goa that it deeply saddens us to hear about their experiences with such crowds, quite alarmingly frequently!

This blog post is to provide insights to the better traveller on what’s new in Goa that can make for a great holiday destination still very much! Trust us when we say, Goa continues to be our favourite beach destination in India and will be for years to come!

In our 17 or so visits to this gorgeous beach state, we have explored more than 30 beaches, ate at homestyle cafes and made hundreds of friends who always welcome us with warm hearts and epic Goan food. More and more locals are opening up their homes to guests, taking cooking classes for them, or showing them around the fishing villages from the view of a native or simply helping them find Instagrammable spots on the mountainous terrains or lush village roads. Goa is not about just the beaches any more. Goa has evolved.

In this article, we bring to you 6 cafes that will make your trip to Goa extra special just by their simplicity and craft. If you visit any of them after reading this, don’t forget to tell us about your experience!

Artjuna Cafe, Anjuna

Artjuna cafe is a hub for expats in the North Goa area and is located on the road to
Anjuna Beach and Wednesday flea market. The café is situated outside an old
Portuguese style house in a beautiful garden, with a trendy lifestyle store inside the
house and a popular covered event space offering regular yoga, mixed martial arts
and other workshops. Their coffee is a good accompaniment to the delicious desserts they serve in partnership with couple run Patisserie Delicieux. It remains open in the monsoon and people come in regularly for activities such as mixed martial arts, yoga classes, movie nights and a well stacked bookshelf.

Our choice: Shakshuka and Chia Seed pudding with Watermelon feta salad for an appetising breakfast.

artjuna cafe goa smoothie — Jamun Smoothie for a healthy breakfast

Cafe Bodega, Altinho, Panjim

This cafe is not only a cafe but an art house offering classes for children to adults. The beautiful courtyard and gallery housed within a Portuguese bungalow makes for a great space for conversations and art appreciation. Do check out their fresh baked desserts for your sweet tooth!

Caravela Cafe & Bistro, Sao Tome, Panjim

A hidden gem in the heart of Panjim! Run by a father-son duo, Caravela Cafe is cosily tucked in the by lanes of Sao Tome and also has a beautiful homestay, on top of the cafe that serves the best coffee and amazing food. Try out the prawn rissois or beef xacuti to taste the sensationality of their recipes! When at Caravela, say hi to Carlos Uncle and ask him to give you a little tour of Goan history. His warmth and knowledge makes us go back every time we are in Goa!

Saraya Goa, Porvorim

Saraya was created to be a space which touches the Goan community, by helping young aspiring artists, spreading awareness on alternatives and new ways of living , by being an example on how new structures and ideas of living can be even more beautiful and enjoyable as most people are stuck with copying the tried and tested ways of construction, eating , living , etc. which are proving to not only be harmful for the Earth but are also dry and boring. It is essentially a space created to inspire change. It is still a work in progress and the owners have many more ideas on making this place even more harmonious with Nature, one step at a time. Founded by Architect and INterior Designer Deeksha Thind in 2014, Saraya hosts numerous workshops and events throughout the year.

The Project Cafe, Assagao

A gourmet cafe and living space that originated from an idea of a design consortium of creators, The Project Cafe is one of the best places to take in art in the setup of a 130 year old Portuguese Bungalow. It has a residential space as a melting pot of ideas and inspiration fro creators and artists.

the-project-cafe (2) — The Project Cafe: Interior

Carpe Diem, Majorda

A true art gallery cum cafe, Carpe Diem houses some of the best artworks by artists from different genres. An old Goan bungalow with phenomenal artwork lining the walls, it opens up to a beautiful indoor garden serving as the cafe area. In addition to the space that serves as an Art Gallery, are a small courtyard behind the chapel, a couple of rooms, a kitchen, a larger landscaped backyard and even a stage area that go to form space that can be used for creative learning experiences of all sorts.

Carpe Diem Art Cafe with its cozy ambiance and gourmet menu provides the perfect opportunity to sit back and unwind with a good book.

While waiting for a coffee or a signature sandwich like the ‘The Meat Eater’s Club’ or a sweet/savory waffle, browse through the lifestyle store with its wide range of offerings, from apparel and ceramic products to gifts and souvenirs.

They are open 6 days a week, Tuesday – Sunday. 10 am – 7 pm. The outdoor stage provides a great space for performance based events here!

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Timeless Dharamshala at Blossoms Village Resort

What comes to your mind when someone says Dharamshala?

Well, if not for the gorgeous cricket stadium that is the apple of all Himachali’s eyes, Dharamshala-Mcleodganj is also home to H.H the Dalai Lama of Tibet. Yes you heard that right! In fact, this city is lovingly called ‘Dhasa’ – an acronym for Dharamshala and Lhasa since it houses the Central Tibetan Administration or the Tibetan Government in exile. Did we get your interest just about now?

Located well within 500 kms from NCR and about 200 kms from Amritsar, this is one of the favourite destinations for a weekend visit to the Himalayan foothills. Not just so, Mcleodganj brings a unique flavour of Tibetan culture in a modern Euro-American setup, right in the heart of an Indian shepherd’s village. The Tibetan settlement in this twin city has all the appeal of a meditation retreat to attract peace seeking travellers, who visit and most often end up staying for months.

We spent 4 days exploring the streets of Mcleodganj and learning about Tibetan arts in Dharamshala with our friend Nidhi from http://www.untravel.in Before we jump into the details, here is a quick list of things to do/places to visit from Dharamshala:

sunset view dharamshala — Naddi Sunset Point: Magical Sunsets at Dharamshala

1. HH Dalai Lama Temple Complex, Mcleodganj
2. Namgyal Monastery
3. Triund Trek
4. St. John’s Church
5. Kareri Lake Trek
6. Dharamshala Cricket Stadium
7. Norbulingka Institute of Tibetan Arts
8. Pong Dam (Maharana Pratap Sagar)
9. Masroor Rock Cut Temple
10. Naddi Sunset Point
11. Indrahar Pass Trek (opens seasonally)
12. Kangra Valley paragliding

Now that looks like a long list so let us take you on a visual journey of our experience where we covered 50% of the items mentioned above.

Staying inside Dharamshala city was not going to be our choice since we prefer quaint, offbeat places. Blossoms Village Resort in Sidhpur, just on the edge of the main city was our home for this trip. We stayed in one of their luxury cottages and were blown by the hospitality and innovation that these guys bring to the table. Our room was elaborate and vintage, with ornate furniture and big wide windows. The old world charm reflects perfectly in the decor and the modern world peeks at you from a chic bathroom. Our little porch was beautifully adorned with pots and plants, bringing the garden outside right to our cottage.

luxury suite blossoms village dharamshala — Luxury suite for two: Blossoms Village Resort

As we explored the property, the staff informed us of evening showers which are quite regular in Dharamshala. After a quick lunch at the in-house rooftop restaurant, The Cliff, we headed straight to the Norbulingka Institute.

tibetan arts culture norbulingka dharamshala — Explored Tibetan culture at Norbulingka Institute, Dharamshala

When you step into the Institute, be ready to be transported to a world of ancient art and culture. The big Buddha in the prayer hall called for some quite moments of contemplation before we walked around the institute, talking to various heads of departments for metal art, Thangka painting, Tibetan language studies and more. They also keep a spectacular collection of ancient Buddhist scriptures in a beautiful wooden room. The afternoon sun gladly guided us through this treasure trove of Tibetan culture.

Our hosts at Blossoms Village arranged for an epic barbecue night to follow at The Cliff restaurant afterwards. We drank the best cocktails and made merry with the other guests at the restaurant, one of them who runs the Cold Mountain Pottery Studio took us for a quick show around of the space. You can spot the items made at the studio if you drop by to the famous Illiteratti Cafe in McLeodganj.

The cliff blossoms village resort — Romancing at cozy corners of The Cliff restaurant

blossoms village resort dharamshala — Secret Garden Restaurant at Blossoms Village Resort

Dharamshala has a timeless charm to its life. Days are bright and sunny most of the time while evening calls in clouds from the mountain ranges just behind, making for the best ever sunset hues in the sky. We idled on our second day and spent some quality time in our beautiful cottage. While breakfast was served in our suite, we took the morning to pay a visit to Illiteratti Cafe, followed by the HH Dalai Lama Temple complex in Mcleodganj. Sitting by the Dal lake on an overcast afternoon was followed by a bakery hunt in the streets of Mcleodganj. The locals are superb bakers and are so innovative in everything starting from their recipes, cafe decor and even packaging. At Woeser Bakery, a cute small hidden cafe under the stairs on a building, you’ll get your purchases in recycled packaging made from used milk cartons and such. We were late but made it just in time to grab the last piece of carrot cake that they are so famous for! We also went to Norling Cafe, a tiny home stye Tibetan Cafe and had the best mutton momos of our life! When it comes to food, Mcleodganj will never disappoint you with so much to offer.

dharamshala mcleodganj view — Mesmerising views of Dhauladhar range: Dharamshala

Our second evening was lit up with a music band performing at The Cliff back at Blossoms Village. What we loved most about this was they bring in local talent to entertain their guests and it sure adds a lot more value to your experience of traveling to Himachal.

Blossoms Village Resort offers superior, premium rooms, cottages and luxury suites (where we stayed in). You can make your booking here

We went in February so trekking was out of question (roads were blocked with snow). Our time in Dharamshala was spent with good people, great food and amazing hospitality. If you don’t mind spending a couple of days in peace, this might be just the perfect place for you!

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Organic farm living only 50 Kms from Mumbai

Retirement is somehow supposed to be a scary thought, something to plan for years. We have seen our parents evolve post retirement and become avid travellers, at least from what they used to be! They even love going on hikes despite the age and failing health. Suppose we had it in our genes to start blogging and pick travel as our genre. It is true it wasn’t the plan, but from what its worth, let’s make retirement exciting !

Living a city life becomes imposing to so many, after spending years even! A somewhat similar concern drove the owners of Arwa Farms to think seriously about the land they owned in Dahanu. Situated amidst rice fields and sparse village huts, the sprawling landmass was waiting to be cultivated. Veteran photographer and journalist Fawzan Hussain decided to dig back into his family ancestory and bring back the profession of the great-grandfathers back to life. Yes, farming. Because not only does it provide you with chemical free, organically grown fruits, vegetables and cereals; it allows them to learn on the land everyday and produce fruits and vegetables to sustain life at the farm.

We were invited to visit the property and understand how a completely organic farm works. Fawzan showed us the organic dung fertilizer that they make at the farm itself to be used on the produce. The range of items he cultivates at Arwa is simply fascinating. From papayas, mangoes, custard apples and sapota, cereals and paddy also finds space.

Whats more! The farm can accommodate 14 guests at a time, making it an ideal destination for a calm family weekend getaway or even for groups of friends. Plastic is completely banned on the premises and Fawzan ensures the guests get the right vibe of being organic in the smallest details. The bathrooms have organic soaps and shampoo, kitchen sports clay pots and pans, plates and glasses sourced from the heart of Mumbai city, Dharavi.

Spending a night under a skyful of stars sitting at the terrace having hot pakodas with him gave us an opportunity to experience the real farm life. The comfy beds and especially the one with the garden view was the boy’s absolute favourite for a night time stargazing. We are so thankful to the amazing staff at the kitchen who made delicious food, made from the fresh farm produce. An equally appetizing breakfast coupled with organic green tea refreshed us before the drive back home.

If you are interested in learning how to farm, do visit this place. Fawzan also organises workshops and to introduce kids to the idea of farming and crop cutting seasonally. A seasonal visit may also allow you to grab a bagful of ripe mangoes to take back home! We brought back some organic stevia for our diabetic parents because whats better than an organic replacement of sugar, right?

You can book Arwa Farms on AirBnB or Booking.com

Fantastic Beasts: Crimes of Grindelwald is a must watch at IMAX Inox

Today it is 21 years since the first Harry Potter book was published by J.K. Rowling and it has been a world of adventures for kids and adults since then. There are probably a handful of 90’s kids who haven’t used a HP reference in their lives or been exposed to the world of magic through books or movies from the #HP series. Now, Harry’s story is over and Rowling has helped us understand the background of her magical renderings through the prequel story in her latest books.

We have to say, it is one of the best things that could ever happen. A world of fantasy that draws comparisons with Narnia or LOTR by J.R.R.Tolkien, cannot just be left to go into oblivion, right?

We are so thrilled to have seen the second edition of Fantastic Beasts on a large screen with phenomenal surround sound in the cozy comfort of Inox theatre. While you may have your tickets booked already for the new release today or for the weekend, here is a little dope on what to expect without being too revealing.

Drawing from where we left of in ‘Fantastic Beasts and where to find them’, the story starts with a series of events leading up to yet another adventure by Newt Scamander, obviously commissioned by none other than Albus Dumbledore. Fantastic Beasts 2 is however not so much about the younger Dumbledore, played by the phenomenal Jude Law. It is a story of untold emotions and memories, finding new creatures that will take your breath away as Newt sets on a journey to Paris to find Credence, the obscurus.

A few refreshing new faces add charm to the storytelling where you see Theseus Scamander, Newt’s elder brother come into the picture as a devoted yet headstrong Ministry Official. A turning point will come with the introduction of Leta Lestrange, played by the beautiful Zoe Kravitz. You may remember her from the role of Toast from Mad Max: Fury Road. The Lestrange family has been a key element of the plot even in the HP series and it is only admirable that the backstory is woven so well with Leta’s past having a serious impact on Credence’s questions about his identity. One more interesting addition is the character of Nagini, played here by the slender and pretty Claudia Kim. You know who Nagini is, don’t you? (Hint there)

gallery-1537826028-fantastic-beasts-2-gellert-grindelwald

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The star-studded cast has Johnny Depp as Grindelwald who predictably does a marvellous job of being dramatic where its needed. Honestly we would have liked a little more of Jude Law as the charming middle-aged Dumbledore, but resting assured that there will be more of him in the next edition. That is all we are going to tell you about the story, period. Expect to have comic relief amidst the serious turn of events leading up to an unfathomable discovery of Credence’s true identity, as elaborated by Grindelwald which leaves us shocked and stunned. To tell you the truth, we still haven’t been able to digest, relate, emancipate or understand it. But we will leave it to you to believe or not.

Coming back to the wonderful movie experience at INOX, here is what we loved!

Big screen – The Zouwu (You will know what it is when you watch the movie) looked so extravagant. The graphics of the movies is superb, which was made so much better on a jumbo screen at IMAX!
Quality of the image and surround sound – A graphical, VFX heavy movies is not enjoyable if these two things are compromised. So glad we chose IMAX for this.
Food & beverage – We could barely look away from the screen throughout the movie. It was keeping us hooked so thank to the staff at Inox, we had filled ourselves with huge tubs of popcorn and snacks while gorging on the crazy visuals.

We watched Fantastic Beasts: Crimes of Grindelwald at Inox R-City Mall, Ghatkopar in Mumbai. It is a special theatre because of the beautifully lit lobby area which automatically transports you to a fantasy world. The interiors are absolutely gorgeous, especially the lighting design. Its a 7 star luxury experience of theatres, we would say.

So book your tickets now and go watch this much awaited fantasy film with your family, friends, kids of friends and everyone else at Inox!

Disclaimer: The Moonchasers attended a secret screening of the film on invitation and opinions expressed in the article are our own and not sponsored by the brand.

Eco-friendly Grape County gives you a taste of luxury and beer in wine country Nashik

What happens when an Architect comes across an intricately crafted space? I think they fall in love with their profession all over again!

This is what happened when we visited Grape County Eco Resorts in Trimbak, near wine country Nashik. On the lookout for eco-friendly stays around Mumbai, we found this Greenspaces initiative to exactly what we were looking for. Located just about 30 minute out of Nashik city, it is a quaintly crafted destination, perfect for mingling with the nature while enjoying a bit of luxury for your well deserved weekend getaway.

There is so much to say about the resort, which is spread across 150 acres, just adjacent to a vast area of reserved forest land. It is home to 35 different variety of birds and innumerable species of butterflies, in the specially built biodiversity park. Grape County is not just a hotel or resort; it is a getaway in itself. An artificially built lake, two large swimming pools overlooking the rolling meadows, multiple nature trails where you can spot a leopard print or two if lucky or come across a full grown Cobra (happened to us!) makes this place a treasure chest for bird watchers and naturalists.

Staying true to their business, the property landscape was done by a famous design firm. One can take a bicycle ride or a pleasant evening stroll by the lake or have tea witnessing a gorgeous sunset from the watchtower!

We however want to talk about the fantastic hospitality first! Grape County is an eco resort and eco living destination, bringing together nature enthusiasts from different cultures to relax and rejuvenate amidst wilderness.

The rooms are tastefully curated for the vast variety of travellers – Premium and Superior rooms best suited for couples and small families. The Suite rooms are huge, making for a spacious yet private space for groups of friends, groups of couples and big families! They also provide luxury tents for the nature lover in you, which can be accessed with a fun buggy ride inside the biodiversity park.

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Grape County eco resort premium room — Premium Room overlooking the lake

Our personal favourite will be the view from the humongous bathtub though! The small things that screams good hospitality are the little additions to the room amenities and decor. Organic toiletries, glass water bottles instead of plastic, solar powered light furnishings – you will get that feeling of being taken care of the moment you step into your abode here.

Bath tub premium grape county — Bathe with a view

Grape County is the country’s first star rated eco-resort, accredited by TERI. What makes it so?

The entire property makes their own power using the man made water reservoir, recycles 70% of everyday water used in the operation of the property, houses a biodiversity park to provide home to birds and butterflies and the company has planted 35000 trees after the property was built adjacent to the forest land. The forest and the property are separated by fences that you can cross only with a certified naturalist. Guess what! You can have a blissful sunset all by yourself while kayaking in the pleasant waters of the lake too!

We loved the food at Flambé restaurant, where you can not only taste a variety of food especially with the regular food specials the chefs bring in; but taste a wide variety of wine and craft beer. Surprising us with the range of sheer amazing beers from Great State Aleworks, Moonshine Meadery and WhiteOwl Brewery, they also invited us to the second edition of Oktobrew – a two day craft brew festival with music, shopping and camping under the stars! Who expected a beer festival in the typically known wine country!

As you all know we are big fans of craft brews and we think it is absolutely fantastic that Grape County is building a platform for Mumbai and Pune beer enthusiasts to experience new tastes while camping in the Nashik valleys. The 5 kickass bands that will be performing on October 20th and 21st are a big bonus to be there too!

We are giving away two passes on our Instagram page. Head there for your chance to experience a happening beer fest to celebrate Oktoberfest!

What is Overlanding? Here’s everything you need to know!

Ever heard of Overlanding?

By definition, overlanding is the concept of self-reliant adventure travel for long durations to remote locations, over the ground. The primary goal here is obviously the journey and not the destination. How many times have you read that phrase on Instagram? Probably more than the number of tough travellers who opt for overlanding in reality and make the fullest out of their journeys. Still, it is there and is very much booming. Because as many times as we say that traveling is about the journey, we tell ourselves there is much more than what we are doing.

overalnding trucks in the desert — Image: MeetPlanGo.com

Well here it is about Overlanding, it is the history of where ‘adventure travel’ began. Centuries ago, when Australian herders used to travel long distances on the outback to herd their cattle, it was called ‘overlanding’. Much before adventure travel became the norm, it was further propagated by the road builders in Australia. Also to note, overlanding can be done by any mode of transport where the traveller sustains long distance journeys over the ground. However, motorized vehicles have always been held in high regard among self-sufficient travellers, majorly due to the freedom it provides. The Land Rover, Jeep Wrangler and Toyota Land Cruisers have been the favourites in this segment.

overlanding journeys road travel — Image By: BunchofBackpackers.com Atacama Desert Overlanding Experience

So to speak, has India been introduced to overlanding yet?

The answer is a solid YES!

Indian travellers have already made their mark on the global media front with their extensive travelogues exploring the nooks and crannies of this country. Even if not a public’s choice of traveling just yet, overlanding made its entry in India with various companies who are curating overlanding experiences for the more thrill seeking traveller.

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Overlanding is not your regular road trip – not by a long shot! At the heart of an Overland journey are safe and sturdy off-road capable trucks. It could be done in a car with roof-top tents as well. Guwahati base The Camping Company started their journeys in vehicles with roof top tents and reports having a phenomenal response from the audience. Voyages Overland provides the overlanding experience in robust trucks converted to give the basic amenities for a long road journey in the western parts of India and Ladakh.

bonnie voyages overlanding truck — Bonnie – the passenger truck where you stay

The passenger truck by Voyages is air-conditioned and comes equipped with a mini-fridge for those chilled beverages, personal lockers where travellers can store their daypacks, laptops and other valuables safely and roof seats to enjoy 360-degree views while on the road.

Clyde – The Utility Camper

Washrooms on Clyde

The camper utility truck takes care of every other requirement one might have while on the road, including, a fully functional kitchen where all your meals are prepared, a washing machine for the long spells on the road – enabling you to travel light and five washrooms with both hot and cold water!

We cant wait to be on our Overlanding experience, and can bet it is very close to the top of our to-do bucket list. You can book your overlanding journey in the beautiful valleys of North East by visiting http://www.camping-co.com and using our code “MOONCHASERS15” for booking your trip with an additional discount of 15%!

If you are wondering about the amenities, don’t bother! They have got everything covered, along with five toilets! What more could you ask for? Clean toilets are the biggest deal-breaker for long road trips, which is why we carry Peesafe with us everytime!

That says it al, doesn’t it? So what are you waiting for! Go book yourself an overlanding vehicle and head out. The road can teach us so much more than what four walls could, right?

Voyages Overland presently covers three different circuits in India, namely – Rajasthan, The Himalayas and Central India. Camping Company takes you to known and unknown spots in Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland.

You can check out Voyages Overland itineraries here.

Watch this video by the Camping Company to know all about the fun trips they organize from Guwahati!

Note to reader: Overlanding is considered a religion. We read an interest account of an avid overlander talking about the influence of social media on changing the idea of overlanding to an off-road drive with 4×4 vehicles. You can read his story here.

Product Review – Himalaya Fresh Start Oil Free Gel facewash

Beauty regimes are terribly difficult to maintain for a person who has never been aware of the many products available, and emphatically lacking the knowledge of what to choose. It doesn’t mean we don’t have problems!

We are traveling like nomads, with packed and unpacked bags strewn around our house every week. To be honest with you, doing laundry is enough work already! Let alone packing skincare stuff in each bag. But like they say, where there is a will, there must be a way.

Himalaya Wellness has always been a basic go-to for us starting from shampoos, facewashes and even their latest face wipes which works wonders when you don’t have a setup to get ready on a crazy mountain hike. When they sent us a box of goodness with four variants of their #HimalayaFreshStart range facewashes, kid you not, I was elated. It gave me an opportunity to pack one each in each bag, just to avoid the hassle of transferring items from one to another!

The gel texture of the facewash does wonders to an oily skin. The one situation i suppose all of you can relate to very very closely. After waking up from sleep, or coming back from a tedious day on the road, this product does amazing in removing that dirty extra oil on my face. Believe it or not, even the man who doesn’t like using any other products than a simple facewash found this thing so very useful!

We love the flavours too – Peach, Blueberry, Strawberry and Lemon. So much so that ended up gifting the lemon to a friend who has chronic acne and oil issues with her face. She reported no breakouts or side effects from using this natural product.

There are many out there who are not as savvy as us when it comes to skincare regime and find it painful to choose from so many options available in the market. Himalaya Fresh Start Oil clear facewash is your one go-to if you don’t prefer using a lot of products. Having a clean face itself can add a lot to your skin health. Its a lot cheaper than fancy products and does it’s job really well, in keeping your face oil free. #StayOilFreeStayFresh this season with these fragrant and fruity range from Himalaya.

Price: INR 75 for 50 ml / INR 140 for 100 ml

Product Description:
Himalaya Fresh Start Oil Clear Face Wash is a special formulation with an effective blend of Blueberry/Peach/Lemon/Strawberry and gooseberry. It contains natural beads to help remove excess oil and impurities, leaving the face soft, healthy and fresh.

Key Ingredients:
Fruit Extracts: Inculcating a rich store of nutrients and antioxidants that exhibit skin-conditioning properties.

Indian Gooseberry: The astringent properties in Indian Gooseberry help reduce excess skin oiliness. The tannins act as free radical scavengers.

Directions for Use:
Apply Himalaya Fresh Start Oil Clear Blueberry Face Wash on a moist face and massage. Gently work up a lather using a circular motion. Wash off and pat dry. Use twice daily for best results.

You can watch the video review here

You can get the Himalaya Fresh Start Oil Clear Face Wash range on BigBasket or Nykaa or at a store near you.

How to make the most out of your travels

“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness.” – Mark Twain

The world today poses complex challenges to the average human being, more than what it used to be 10 or 20 years back perhaps. The constant need for staying connected to the world propagates through generations like a wildfire and we all are into it, all the time. Traveling has opened up new avenues for those seeking clarity by untying themselves from the mundane, city life. In the age of Instagram and Snapchat, instant information sharing is standard practice, and traveling is a necessity to keep up with the lifestyle definition of a millennial.

Traveling does open up the horizons of our mind, by showing us differences of lands, cultures, practices and offerings. If only our kind was more cautious to inculcate more of nature in the standard definition of a city life, this need would have never arisen. However, it is the age of seeking the world, ticking places off the bucket list that proudly sits on your fridge door!

So what can one do to ensure that they make the most out of every travel experience, no matter 100 kms away or 10,000?

Here is what we have tried and tested in our journeys. Hoping it would help you gather the best of wherever you go and what ever you do!

Find your perspective: Each new place that you set foot on, has something to offer that is only yours. Most often we rely on the internet, friends who have visited to know what to do, where to go. Each traveller is unique just like the place. Find out your likes and to-do when traveling to a new destination, own it and embrace the explorer in you. That way, you will have a great story to tell back home.

Have an open mind: Whether it be the food, language, clothing, markets or the people, have an open mind. Don’t let preconceived notions cloud your choices. Try new things. If you like it, great! If you don’t, let it become an experience. Observe your surroundings and try to absorb the vibe, you don’t have to always act like the others are, but it never hurts to welcome new experiences!

A bit of knowhow: The history and traditions of a destination adds to the richness of your holiday extravaganza. Reading a little on the history of the place you are visiting will help you assess the do’s and dont’s, understand why something is there or is popular. It will also help you feel less like a tourist and more at home.

Best time to visit: It may so happen that you end up missing out on the best things to see, best activities to do if you land in a bad season, at a gorgeous destination. Off season travel comes cheaper, but assess your priorities well and ensure you get to see what you want. Don’t end up burning a hole in your pocket only to find everything closed or inaccessible in the off season. A bit of research on the best time to visit a place will also keep you safe from the perils of a treacherous winter or harsh summer or worse, monstrous monsoons!

IMG_3239 copy — Idols of Gauri Mata and Isar Maharaj

Interact with the natives: The best way to explore a new place is by interacting with the locals. Always remember you are a tourist in their home land, and approaching the locals for help on local timings, places to see, best eateries etc. will help you make a regular plan into something extraordinary. Traveling is nothing without the essence of the lifestyle of a place, so try to get the best ideas by talking to friendly, approachable locals. What could go wrong by asking a few touristy questions. Right?

Be immersive, don’t just be a tourist: Gather memories via curating your own experiences. It is very important to make yourself and others feel comfortable with your presence. Try everything and only then you will be able to share your experiences with friends and family back home. Exploring a place like its your home will not only save the environment, but also add unforgettable memories to your travel diary.

Be responsible: Vacationing like a mad tourist, destroying property, harassing others and being rowdy will not go well and may land you in serious trouble. If you have the opportunity to see a place in all its glory, its only fair that others after you get to experience the beauty in the same way. Try to carry your own water, eco-friendly alternatives to plastic and always remember to pick up your trash and dump it in a bin.

Lastly, take pictures! Take as many as you want, capture videos of happenings and add them to your travel diary. A good photo speaks volumes about a destination. What better than visual memories to transport you back to the same spot when life seems all mundane, again!

Published on Nationalviews.com