Anything come to mind when you think of traveling to India? The Taj Mahal, perhaps? Wildlife sanctuaries, yoga retreats, samosa stands, beach filled coastline? How about a tour of an authentic Indian slum? That’s right, a slum. This seems to be a viable tourist option now, and gaining speed due to Oscar winning Slumdog Millionaire. You can sign up for a merry jaunt through the poorest sections of Mumbai. To take in the poverty and sorrow?
A few weeks ago, while speaking to a student from India about Slumdog Millionaire, I was told this is a new tour for travelers to put on their To-do list. And indeed it is. I was nonplussed to say the least. Times Online does its best to paint a foul picture of these areas. Travelers can pay a fee to tour through.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
48 hours along Chennai's Coromandel Coast
10.30 a.m . - For the quintessential south Indian experience, drive 25 kms (15 miles) south of Chennai on the East Coast Road to Dakshin Chitra, a "living" museum that recreates traditional villages from the southern states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. The sights, sounds, smells and even the unique vegetation of each state are there. You can also find ethnic handicrafts.
2 p.m. - A late lunch at Bayview Point, the sea-side restaurant at the Taj Fishermen's Cove resort on Cove Long or Kovalam as the local fishing community calls it. The fresh catch is prepared to suit all palates and the bar is well stocked.
4 p.m . - The clear and cool Bay of Bengal water is inviting. Enjoy a swim but be wary of the strong winds coming in from the east. Most lifeguards will have one tale or other from the 2004 tsunami. There's a treasure trove of sea shells during low tide.
2 p.m. - A late lunch at Bayview Point, the sea-side restaurant at the Taj Fishermen's Cove resort on Cove Long or Kovalam as the local fishing community calls it. The fresh catch is prepared to suit all palates and the bar is well stocked.
4 p.m . - The clear and cool Bay of Bengal water is inviting. Enjoy a swim but be wary of the strong winds coming in from the east. Most lifeguards will have one tale or other from the 2004 tsunami. There's a treasure trove of sea shells during low tide.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Ski slopes of Himachal devoid of snow this year
Manali (Himachal Pradesh), Feb 1 (IANS) For years a thick blanket of snow in Himachal Pradesh’s popular Solang slopes in Kullu district in north India has been attracting skiers from across the globe. But this year, this seems to be a thing of the past.Members of the tourism industry say erratic snow and rising temperature have taken a toll on ski tourism.
“This year the snowfall in Solang slopes is too scanty and erratic. You see, most of the slopes are devoid of good ice cover during this period,” Manali’s Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports Deputy Director Mahavir Thakur told IANS. The institute is conducting skiing courses on Solang slopes.
“It (rising temperature) is slowly taking its toll on skiing. Now the snow falls but melts quickly (as the average temperature has gone up considerably). The ski slopes, which normally used to have four to five feet of snow during these days, are totally bare.”
“This year the snowfall in Solang slopes is too scanty and erratic. You see, most of the slopes are devoid of good ice cover during this period,” Manali’s Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports Deputy Director Mahavir Thakur told IANS. The institute is conducting skiing courses on Solang slopes.
“It (rising temperature) is slowly taking its toll on skiing. Now the snow falls but melts quickly (as the average temperature has gone up considerably). The ski slopes, which normally used to have four to five feet of snow during these days, are totally bare.”
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