Queenstown- Where adventure takes a whole new meaning

 

Lake Hawea

Hawea again

Lake Wanaka

 

Enroute Q’town

This little city located on the south of South Island is, quite safely, the adventure capital of NZ. It happens to be the birthplace of Bungy Jumping, and I think thats reason enough to call this place daring.

For starters, its scenic. Its surrounded by The Remarkables which stand true to their name and the turquoise Lake Wakatipu runs right through the city. Queenstown is a small, precise, well structured, and hospitable city and the locals seem to love where they live.

View from Shotover St- of The Remarkables and Lake Wakatipu

They say no trip to NZ is complete without doing a bungy jump, so yes, we jumped off the cliff! I almost always run out of words when i relive that experience, it was safely the scariest physical voluntary decision I have taken! The guys at the Nevis Bungy (AJ Hackett Bungy) are passionate and motivating! Kudos to them for convincing people to jump into a gorge that is 134m high, day in and day out!

Food suggestions-Q’town:

Cafe Vudu for creative breakfast options and a morning caffeine hit
Worldfamous Fergburger for your perfect ‘dirty’ burger. More so, for the ‘Ferg’ experience.

NZ

We visited gorgeous New Zealand this July’15 and were left asking for more. NZ is untouched, blessed, spectacular and picture perfect. It is home to some of the most genuine and large hearted people, who unconsciously make this country so much more likeable.

We visited the South Island of NZ, and explored the landscape all the way from Christchurch to Nelson in the north, southwards to Franz Josef Glacier, further south to Queenstown and Milford Sound.

Kaikoura

One of my personal favourites was a little town called Kaikoura, approximately 180km north of Christchurch.

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Kaikoura- at first glance

This place is a cradle of marine biodiversity! We started our day with Whale watching, which involved appreciating not one, but three sperm whales, who happen to be local inhabitants. Whale Watching was followed by an interaction with a bunch of enthusiastic dolphins who welcomed us with somersaults under the bright Kaikoura sun!

Sperm Whale, 2 more followed. They made us wait, though.

These creatures, on the other hand, didn’t play hard -to- get at all.

Dolphins again, at their playful best.

Recommended provider: http://www.whalewatch.co.nz
Approximately $145 NZ$ per adult

 

 

 

 

 

Bombay- not Mumbai.

Humidity and over 30 degrees celsius welcomes me into Bombay. The city boasts of a long colonial history, architecture such as Victoria Terminus manages to assert its presence despite its current sorry state of low maintenance and no grooming.

The traffic is like nothing else one would have experienced before. Being on the road feels like an exhausting exercise, even as a passenger inside a cab. There is a pattern though, amidst all this chaos. A walk along Marine Drive or Band Stand is all it takes to rejuvenate, relax, restart and recommence.

Marine drive @ 8am

Despite conscious efforts to re-recognise Bombay as Mumbai, Victoria Terminus as Chatrapaji Shivaji, the city cannot quite escape its colonial roots, the many dowries it received as a result of the British rule. In my opinion, and in the opinion of many bambaikars, the architecture and look of the city screams loud and clear of its colonial past, and there is little to be ashamed of. Shiv Sena, however, disagreed.

Bombay is a city of immigrants, it thrives on being the centre of commerce, multiculturalism and open hearted, fearless talent, struggle and fame. The city has come together many a times in the past and set impressive examples of unity and brotherhood. It has come out stronger from terrorism, communal riots and life threatening monsoons.

Worli Sealink

And when you walk down Colaba Causeway or Bandra, Churchgate or Kala Ghoda, you see how little it takes to bring this city together, to get people to help each other, to get them to stand up and walk again.

Food:

Amongst many delightful food options, my personal favourite was the famous Parsi restaurant- Britannia & Co. This little gem does justice to the typical Irani cafes that Bombay once boasted of. It goes back to the 19th century. The food was rich in flavour and the portions were generous.

Dinner @ CCI (Cricket Club of India). This club is strictly members only. Lovely ambience, well priced food (Chilli chicken is a must). You look out at a well kept, state of the art cricket ground where many legends fine tuned their game.

Leopolds @ Colaba- Another historical cafe that is more a landmark than a cafe. Since the November’08 terror attacks, the cafe has attracted curiosity as well as sympathy. The cafe has been around since the 1800s and the ambience is both warm and welcoming.

Cafe Mondegar– This is just down the road from Leopolds. For simple, well priced meals in a historical & arty setting. Very Bombay!

Breakfast rush at Mondegar

Bar/Pubs suggestions:

Tap @ Linking Rd, Bandra
Marina Bay @ Sea Palace Hotel (Town)

Of travel and more

 

This blog will serve as an archive for our many travel adventures from the past as well as ones that are yet to come.

It may also, from time to time, include some poetry and other such unrelated writings.