Innholdsfortegnelse for August 2020 i Travel + Leisure India & South Asia

WITH A CHILDISH GIGGLE, I extended my arm to aid my six-foot-tall friend, who struggled to stand straight. With feet slipping in the snow and legs involuntarily split, his skating stance wasn’t exactly graceful. Out of nowhere, a little boy appeared. With a wide grin, he offered his tiny hand to my friend, and with a slight tug, got him out of his predicament before disappearing in the snow. Such are the children of Malana, strong yet kind souls with far too much wisdom in their eyes. In this ancient village of Himachal Pradesh, time seems to have stood still. Nestled in the Parvati Valley, Malana lies isolated from the rest of the country, in the shadow of Chanderkhani and Deo Tibba. And though the ‘Forbidden Land’ title lifted when…

I HAD OFTEN IMAGINED MYSELF cruising on the Khardung La road or hunched atop a Bactrian camel in Nubra Valley. But when my friends and I finally made that summer road trip across Ladakh, I found myself drawn towards Turtuk, the northernmost village of India, beyond which lies the Pakistan-administered Gilgit-Baltistan. The eight-hour drive from Leh to Turtuk, along the River Shyok, was memorable. The awe-inspiring views of changing terrain and the patriotic music that blared from the hundreds of army trucks en route kept us going through tough conditions. Turtuk, on the banks of River Shyok, was under Pakistan’s control until 1971. Post the war, the Indian Army gained control over the border village. But linguistically and culturally, the village and its people retain all the traits of the…

THE LOCUSTS. They came in from the sun, like fighter jets ambushing an unsuspecting enemy. Taking a roadside break on our drive from Delhi to Sariska, my partner and I were admiring the landscape—the Aravalli hills covered in lush green foliage after the first monsoon rains. Somewhere in the recesses of my mind, a voice from a WWII comic strip crackled over the radio. “Dive, dive, dive!” We scrambled back into the Jeep Compass, shut the doors, and waited for the swarm, so dense that it nearly eclipsed the sun, to pass by. “It feels almost biblical, doesn’t it?” she said, finally. I shrugged. The thought had crossed my mind. In March this year, standing on the summit of Mount Nebo in Jordan, where Christians believe that Moses led his…

“IN GOA, IF YOU ASK a woman where her husband is, she will often tell you that he’s ‘gone to the parliament’,” says Raul da Costa, a native of Curtorim town in South Goa district. The ‘parliament’ he refers to is an unlikely one. It refers to a tavern, mostly a nondescript little shelter by the side of the road or on the way to a paddy field. It is the locals’ destination of choice at the end of a hectic day. It holds the promise of delicious fish cutlets and a few rounds of the ever popular feni, shared alongside their troubles with friends and familiar faces. This tavern culture took a hit near the end of the 1980s, when the state encouraged these Portuguese-era establishments to be converted…

1 TREK TO CHOPTA WITH YOUR DOG Thanks to start-ups such as Collar Folk, holidaying with your pet is no longer a complex proposition. Among a range of outdoor experiences, they offer a four-day trek to Chopta, a picturesque valley in Uttarakhand famous for its meadows and evergreen forests and easy access to trekking trails. Think end-to-end services with adequate safety gear and enviable Himalayan views throughout the experience. Besides the trek, the experience also includes overnight camping by the Lake Devariyatal. collarfolk.com 2 SAVOUR A BLIND MEAL IN BIKANER Among the many regal heritage properties of Bikaner, Narendra Bhawan is the crown jewel. The boutique hotel serves up extraordinary experiences that give you a taste of the bygone era—but with a modern twist. Take, for example, the blindfolded dinner…

Somatheeram Ayurveda Village KOVAL AM SET ON THE alluring coast of Kovalam, Somatheeram Ayurveda Village offers an effortlessly revitalising atmosphere. Here, wellness transcends physical well-being and encompasses mental healing as well. The key to building immunity, in this retreat, lies in slowing the ageing process and aiding the regeneration of body cells—a result achieved through their Longevity Treatment. Spread over 28 days, the healing journey involves snehapanam (eating a medically advised amount of ghee for eight to 12 days), virechanam (cleansing of body toxins), nasyam (treatment of the nasal tract using medicated herbs), pizhichil (herbal oil massage), njavarakizhi (herbal poultice massage), tharpanam (strengthening of the optic nerves), and a medicated steam bath, among other rituals. Tying all these treatments together is the use of Rasayana, an Ayurvedic medicine integral to…

ROLLING HILLS, ancient temples, shrines, and a famous deer park—if there’s a languorous side to the fast-paced Land of the Rising Sun, it has to be Nara. Japan’s first permanent capital with the largest count of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the country, Nara brims with experiences. And lending it a touch of glamour is the JW Marriott Hotel Nara, the brand’s first entrant into the Japanese market as well as the first international luxury hotel to perch in the ancient prefecture. With 158 luxurious guestrooms including 16 suites steeped in modernity and dressed in warm and earthy tones, JW Marriott Hotel Nara’s interior design is inspired by the surrounding landscape. While the property’s sophisticated decor puts you into a trance, its two distinctive restaurants and a stylish lounge bar…

1. PERFUME Men’s Armaan Apparel Perfume, Sugandhco, ₹550 (50 ml); amazon.in ——— 2. WATCH Stamp Watch, Jaipur Watch Company, price on request; jaipur.watch ——— 3. WALLET Olive Croco Print Leather Wallet, Brune, ₹2,999; voganow.com ——— 4. BAG Classic Weekender Duffel Bag, Aulive, ₹3,900; aulive.in ——— 5. HAIRCARE Hair Wax, Beardo, ₹275 (75 g); nykaa.com ——— 6. ESSENTIAL HOLDER Waist Pouch, Malai, ₹5,000; made-from-malai.com ——— 7. SKINCARE Beard Oil, The Man Company, ₹440 (30 ml); themancompany.com ——— 8. FOOTWEAR Balmy Men Rivet Cross Strap Flat, Aprajita Toor, ₹3,999; aprajitatoor.com ——— 9. CLOTHES Fall/Winter 2019 Menswear, Anita Dongre, ₹1,47,000; anitadongre.com…

AROUND 70 KILOMETRES from the home of the Asiatic lion at Gir National Park in Gujarat lies the city of Junagadh. While it’s thrilling to drive through a forest teeming with lions, the intricate layers of history and legends that Junagadh is wrapped in are no less exciting to explore. In fact, the very existence of the Asiatic lion in what is dubbed as its last wild home is linked to a chapter of Junagadh’s history. Lions were once on the verge of extinction, owing to indiscriminate hunting and habitat loss, but thanks to the conservation efforts of the last ruling Nawab of Junagadh, Muhammad Mahabat Khan III, the species got a fresh lease of life. The Nawab belonged to a dynasty that had ruled over the princely state of…

THE SETTING IS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE. I’ve just alighted from my trusty camel to see vibrant swaying cloth break the stark monotony of the desert. After a ceremonial welcome in royal fashion, I settle down to enjoy the mesmerising view. My fellow travellers and I are seated on majlis-style cushions shaded by canopies, gin-and-tonic in hand, and are being served generously by a team led by Nakul Hada, general manager, Suryagarh Jaisalmer. In front of us, Mehboob Khan and his troupe croon ballads against the backdrop of the setting sun. They belong to the Manganiyar community who used to sing for royal families on important occasions like festivals, childbirth, death, and even the onset of war. They narrated tales about families, and in return, received positions in royal…

Anindya Spa offers a variety of traditional Indonesian beauty treatments. THE ISLAND LIFE in Indonesia is incomplete without pristine tropical beaches and holistic wellness experiences, and Bintan Resorts offers both in abundance. Covering the northern coast of the Bintan Island, the multiple award-winning integrated beach resort destination is host to 19 independent beach resorts, four designer golf courses, as well as an ever-expanding range of recreational attractions. Since travelling is unlikely for many for now, experts from Bintan Resorts are offering tips to bring holistic wellness to your home. Anindya Spa, which is present at many of Bintan’s prestigious resorts, like Nirwana Resort Hotel, Mayang Sari Beach Resort, Holiday Villa Pantai Indah, Lagoi Bay Villas, and Doulos Phos The Ship Hotel, offers a wide range of treatments. Fhoni Sandradewi, manager,…

THIS PICTURE WAS TAKEN at the Pangong Tso Lake, in the Union Territory of Ladakh. The five-hour drive from Leh to the lake made us experience rough, dramatic, and mostly barren mountain roads. Witnessing Pangong Tso, which is known for its scenic beauty—a backdrop of mountains, and clear water that changes hues with the sky—in the winter was a surreal experience. A fun fact: even though it is a saline lake, it completely freezes over in winters and many people do somersaults on its thick sheet of ice. -RAJVEER SINGH ON HIS PHOTOGRAPH, SHOT WITH A NIKON D7100 IN FEBRUARY 2017 Rajveer Singh was an entrant in our ongoing ‘Your Best Shot’ contest with this month’s theme being #TnLRoadTrips. Submit your best shots at tplusl@burda.in, or hashtag #telltnlindia and tag…

FOR A LONG TIME, ITC Hotels’ commitment towards the environment has appealed to discerning guests, who are becoming increasingly aware of their duties towards the planet’s well-being. In a decisive endorsement of its values, ITC Hotels has become the first and largest hotel chain in the world with the maximum number of properties accorded the highest rating of LEED Platinum (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) by the US Green Building Council (USGBC). The distinction is hardly a surprise, given the group’s decade-long credo of ‘Responsible Luxury’—an ethos that integrates world-class green practices with contemporary design elements to deliver the best of luxury in the greenest manner. In a post-pandemic world, travel and hospitality have taken on new meanings. In a first for the industry, ITC Hotels has launched the…

1. BAG Mara Cabin Travel Bag by Shivangi Bagpai, MixMitti, ₹5,000; mixmitti.com ——— 2. BRACELET Rose Gold with Emerald and Fine-Cut Diamonds, Narayan Jewellers, price on request; narayanjewellers.com ——— 3. HAIRCARE Scalp Tonic, The Earth Collective, ₹900 (100 ml); theearthcollective.in ——— 4. RING Colour Bond Collection, Kohinoor Jewellers, price on request; kohinoorjewellers.com ——— 5. EARRINGS Stud Earrings, RK Jewellers, price on request; rkjewellers.in ——— 6. MASK Giraffe and Chintz Print Reversible Mask, Payal Singhal, ₹795; payalsinghal.com ——— 7. FOOTWEAR Noor, ShilpSutra, ₹3,299; shilpsutra.com ——— 8. SKINCARE Hydrating Rose Petal Face Mist, Kal Hans Naturals, ₹575 (50 g); kalhans.com ——— 9. CLOTHES Spring/Summer 2020, Wild Flower, Payal Khandwala, price on request; payalkhandwala.shop…

THESE DAYS, IF YOU LOG in to Instagram or Facebook between 5 pm and 7 pm, you come across a bunch of live sessions on an array of subjects. These real-time video sessions range from counselling chats to tutorials offered by bloggers and cooking demonstrations. Hospitality players haven’t been left behind, aggressively publishing innovative content on social media. The majority of these online experiences are in the form of Instagram and Facebook live sessions, but there are also webinars, Zoom calls, YouTube videos, and what-not available for free consumption to India’s cyber citizens. While hotels, airlines, and other businesses wait for normalcy to return, many are banking on such ancillary experiences on the Internet to drive engagement with patrons. DIGITAL EXPERIENCES The Ritz-Carlton, Pune (ritzcarlton. com) conducted a home photography…

Tell us a little about ‘Climate Warrior’. How important is such an initiative in today’s world? I have been very conscious about climate change since I was a little girl. I spent many nights thinking of it when I was a teenager. After I became an actor, my work and opinions regarding the crisis came to the forefront. Subsequently, my team at Yash Raj Films (YRF) and I decided to use my social media platform to communicate, and to celebrate the people who were actively working towards saving the planet. Climate Warrior is an attempt to change the thought process and help people recognise that climate crisis is the biggest threat that mankind has ever faced. What are the challenges you face? The biggest challenge is getting people to accept…

IT’S 3.45 AM, AND I’M DOING a pre-travel house check. Appliances unplugged, chargers packed, windows locked—we’re going straight from four months of house-arrest to a road trip, and mixed in with the excitement is anxiety and guilt. Sharing our plans with friends and family has garnered mixed reactions, from envy to worry to outright disapproval. As far as travel is concerned, the world is divided into two camps. One views travel for its own sake as foolish and frivolous. The other concedes that life should go on, albeit with caution. The resort we are headed to, Atali Ganga, is among the first to reopen in this relatively untouched valley of the Upper Ganga, about 30 kilometres north of Rishikesh. For now, I’m focussed on the first step. I want to…

“ARE YOU READY, KIRANA?,” boomed Abtu, my 23-year-old Balinese surf instructor, as he held my longboard, ready to help me catch the wave that was looming behind us. I nodded impatiently, positioned myself on the board, and before I knew it, was belting towards the shore. I foolishly believed that I would finally be able to stand up on my board this time if I went through all the movements that Abtu had taught me. Once again, however, I shot off the board and into the warm waters of the Indian Ocean for the 10th time in a row. When my head bobbed out of the water, I turned back to see Abtu chuckling to himself. “What’s going on, Kirana?” he shouted in his endearing Jamaican accent that sang all…

I MAKE MY WAY TO ATTEND a Yamuna Body Rolling session at RESET Bengaluru. It’s a rare opportunity since Yamuna Zake, the founder of ‘body rolling’, rarely conducts public masterclasses. A master of body sustainability, Zake developed her technique 40 years ago to minimise people’s dependency on therapists. Now, she has over 450 certified Yamuna practitioners across the world and a client list that includes top athletes. Here are some excerpts from my conversation with the master: Tell us about your philosophy. I named my work ‘body sustainability’ because it’s not just about fitness but includes keeping your body moving every day. It’s about asking the right questions before you do anything with your body and knowing how it can keep making you feel good for the rest of your…

WHEN MY WIFE and I moved to Singapore last year for her new job, I expected to be travelling into the future. On my previous visits, Singapore’s famously efficient airport, Changi, had seemed like the principal node of a gleaming network of expressways, subway lines, and skyscrapers, all designed to maximise the flow of people and capital. It is a place where your car automatically pays for parking, where the traffic lights are controlled by artificial intelligence, and where the cityscape is gilded with ever more fantastical architectural forms. Marina Bay Sands (marinabaysands.com), a triple-towered hotel and casino, is capped by a horizontal sky garden resembling a marooned spaceship. Gardens by the Bay (gardensbythebay. com.sg ), the park next door that had a starring role in Crazy Rich Asians, is…