Delhi now has a range of eating options – Fast Food, Casual Dining, Pub- Cafés, Fine Dining and the it’s many variations – Bakeries, Coffee houses, Dhabas, Buffets and thousands more. What differentiates them is primarily,  Food preparation style, Service (speed, quality and self/full), Ambiance and Pricing.
The top of the list is the Fine dining restaurant. They offer their diners the finest in food, service and atmosphere: hence the exorbitant prices.
My question is- Although, most average sized restaurants in Delhi call themselves Fine Dining, yet why can one never be sure of what …

 
Leh – three small letters, but symbolizing a place with scenic landscapes, warm people and fresh air that you don’t find in the plains.
My holiday last year was from Srinagar to Leh. While driving we halted at Hambotingla, at a height of 13,202 ft with a breathtaking view. Standing tall were mountains shaded in brown dust, with vertical structures resembling Egyptian temples.
The endless winding snakelike roads lead deeper into the valley where we came across a village called Darchick, an Aryan Village remnant from the time of Alexander the Great …

In most of my travels the luggage restriction was in terms of weight and not volume, so when my husband told me to fit everything we both needed for a 6 day trip in a single saddle bag, I was less than amused. Never the less, it is important to travel light, prioritize requirements and share with fellow travels.
Some of my tips as trip essentials that one can use as a basic blue print –
CASH:  Carry some money, ATM’s haven’t been installed and most people believe in the saying ‘In …

Last year at this time, we were drenched to the skin and loving it as we walked down the Beach Road at Pattaya. No it was not raining, it was bright and sunny. Hot to be precise. It was Songkran day and ice-cold water was being poured on us by everyone on the street.

Songkran is Thai New Year. A festival, celebrated for 3 days starting from 13th April, where getting wet and having fun is all part of the celebration.
At about eight in the morning we left our hotel and …

 
We saw all that we could in two days, shopped, ate and had a festive time. And now it was time to say goodbye. We were flying off from the Leh Airport to Delhi and the weather conditions were good, so unfortunately we didn’t have an excuse to extend our trip.
 
If you are flying in or out, make sure to book yourself a window seat since the view of the snow-capped Zanskar & Karakoram ranges from the aircraft with the dawn breaking is simply amazing! The mountains turn from deep …

Today was an easy breezy rest day. The total distance we had to travel was 45 km, from Karu to Leh, and just about an hour of driving time. We rode along the Indus, appreciating the smooth road, the sun and the cool breeze. Enjoying ever last bit.
 

We reached our destination. It’s an uneasy feeling, for months you are planning a trip, preparing for it and in the last couple of days you are struggling towards it. But when the final destination is just an hr away – you don’t …

Debring to Taglang La (About 30 Km)

Debring marks the end of the majestic Morey plains and the start of the long gradual climb up to Taglang La. Debring is also known for the camps set up by the nomads (Changpas)  from the nearby TsoKar village during their summer months. There is a detour via Tso Kar and Tso Moriri to Leh (240 km) from here.
The stunning Tso Kar Salt wetland at 4600m is the breeding ground of numerous birds such as the endangered Black-headed Crane and the Bar headed geese. One …

The morning sun was a welcome feeling as we got up the next day at Pang. Although Pang is at a height of more than 15000 ft, it is a major stopping point on the Manali-Leh highway. Travellers can be assured of both food and accommodation here. There are always a couple of parachute tented camps with necessary supplies.
We stayed at the Army Transit camp, which is considered to be the world’s highest military transit camp situated at an altitude of 15,768 ft. The medical aid that we received was at …

Ghatta Loops to Nakeela Pass & Whiskey Nullah (About 17 Km)
The road conditions worsened quickly. Tarmac was now being replaced by bumpy roads and soon we were left with loose gravel, stone chips, mud, slush and a lot of running streams. This was one of the worst mountain roads I had seen till now, and it was to continue all the way till Pang.
The Nakeela pass after Ghata Loops was actually a pretty soft pass, though it is just little shorter (15547 ft) than BaralachLa (16500 ft), unlike others it’s …