Low cost airlines in India - Boon to Tourism ?

A few years ago, I was very much a part of the corporate world and my media job required me to travel almost every month. And although I used to fly Jet or Kingfisher on work , the obvious choice when it came to travel for pleasure used to be the low cost airlines.

When Air Deccan launched in India almost a decade ago, the tag line was "Simplifly" . They were the first of the domestic airlines to make it possible for almost everyone to fly. I used to fly very often to remote destinations and Air Deccan used to be my preferred airline ; not just because of the prices but they had the best network, flying to small towns as well. In a way, the airline brought in more travelers to these small towns and developed tourism to some extent here.

However, with Kingfisher taking over Air Deccan and Jet buying Sahara, the era for low cost airlines seemed to be over. I was for one, a great fan of Air Deccan. Even with all the delays, they made it possible for loads of travelers to take to the skies.

 Pic Credit - Cliff, Flickr.com

Of late Indigo , Go and Spice Jet have however taken over from the realms of Air Deccan and Sahara.Although the latter is part of the Jet family, I still prefer flying Indigo as am assured of the most basic quality - on time performance. Frills and food on board have never been something I cared for as long as the flight takes off on time and lands on time and there is no turbulence when I fly.

Nowadays I prefer flying the national carrier .I flew Air India for the first time in the domestic sector - from Bangalore to Delhi last month and was amazed at the service and punctuality. I have also flown Indian Airlines several times and their price range is rather moderate and they are pretty much on time too. With Kingfisher flights being grounded, travellers prefer reliable low cost airlines which are sure to take them to their destinations.

I am planning Goa next and am checking Make My Trip to see some competitive pricing and looks like I am already late. The prices have gone up but a few surprises in store. Go Air offers a non stop flight and it is the cheapest , but surprisingly Air India is offering very low prices as well, although it comes with a couple of halts. But then, it is the new years eve and what am I doing here, writing this post when I should be booking the tickets !

A Jaunt in Jonker Street - Malacca, Malaysia

Most of travelling is not just about sightseeing. I usually enjoy absorbing the sights and sounds of a city by hanging out in the main square or walking around the streets. One of my favourite streets in Malaysia is located in Malacca, the World Heritage Site. Jonker Street is a cultural melange , a fusion of art and architecture , of local crafts and curios and I could lose myself for hours here. One of the best ways to experience the cultural heritage is to take a journey down the ages in a trishaw or a beca and listen to the stories narrated by the locals as they drive you down these streets.

Pic Courtesy : Brian Jeffery Beggerly, Flickr.com

Some of the ancient buildings here , which have been restored , date back to the 17th century and they lend a distinct European flavour to the architecture styles. East meets West in these quaint streets, now thronged by tourists. Visit Jonker Walk on the main street where you are greeted by art galleries, antique furniture and curio shops that  beckon you but be prepared for some hectic bargaining. And while you are here, do not miss Heeran Street or the Millionaire's Row and the beautiful Peranakan Museum, which showcases the unique culture . Sample the local food here or sit in a cafe and watch life pass you by in this vibrant street.

Take a piece of Malaysia with you

Buy a wooden mask or a tribal blow pipe from Malaysia’s skilled and talented artisans. 

I have a fetish for souvenirs and I collect almost everything from trinkets to masks to handicrafts from every country I travel to.  Amongst the melange of several souvenirs on my shelf is a tiny elephant with pink feet and ears resting under a coconut tree with its arms folded behind its head. Made of pewter, an alloy of tin, aluminium and copper, the piece was aptly titled Rest and Relaxation. It is my first pewter piece from Royal Selangor and although I bought several others, this one is a personal favourite.

Shopping in Malaysia is a delight, if you are like me interested in local handicrafts.  I have picked up wooden masks and carvings, shadow puppets, colourful kites, hand woven fans, batik sarongs among several other souvenirs. I have been told that the Handicraft Market in Kota Kinabalu or the Jonker Street Night Market in Malacca are some of the best places to shop, but you can visit many markets and shops in and around Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Kelantan, among other cities.

 The joys of shopping in a market lies in the discovery of a unique product. Sometimes it can be a tribal blowpipe or an wooden ornate panel. It can be jewellery if you fancy pearls or just some interesting trinkets. Eventually it is all about carrying a bit of Malaysia with you as you return home. And the golden rule is that you can always bargain in any of these markets.

This is a post that was published recently in Travel Wire Asi. If you like this post and want more information on Malaysia, do visit Tourism Malaysia.

Destination Goa for 2013

Goa to me has never been just a destination  - I refer to it as a state of mind. I have visited Goa in many seasons and yet, I have never been able to head there for a new year's eve celebration.  By the time we make our plans, Goa Hotels get overbooked, the rooms are full, there are no train tickets  and the flights are  more expensive than a return trip to London.

This time however, we have been trying to make our plans well in advance . I have been toying with the idea of spending a night in the forests of Goa or head to Ponda or live it up in old Goa.  But my friends want to party and they are insisting that we join them. I would ideally prefer a lovely vacation home somewhere atop a cliff near a beach , but I would look at places that are accessible as well and I want to be close to a beach. 

Hotels in Goa get booked almost as early as end November and  it is very difficult to get a room of your choice. There are always two ways of looking at spending a new years eve destination. Either you find a good budget hotel which offers you all the comforts of a resort and you spend your entire night at a party or driving from one party to another or you check in at a comfortable spa resort and chill and party away the night there. There is of course the option of heading to Ginger Hotels, which is located conveniently at Panjim. I refer to Ginger as a do it yourself hotel , but then my friends would prefer a resort .

We have been recommended Pearls Oceanic Resort or the Golden Palms Resort and Spa. I am completely into spa destinations, so am wondering if we should head there and go to South Goa and then drive around for a few days. Given a choice, I would prefer a lovely Portuguese villa near the beach , where I can have my own private party and ring in the new year.

Its almost end of November and we are still not decided..what are your recommendations ?And while Goa is very much in our plans, this is a sponsored post for Make My Trip.

Happy Deepavali folks

It is all about lighting up your own life . Smile. Live for yourself. Celebrate.

 

Malaysia - A slice of paradise awaits you

Imagine this for a moment.  The salts of the sea tickle your nostrils as your eyes take in the vast expanse of blue. The waves gently flow and ebb, caressing the shore. As you close your eyes, warm hands work their magic on your skin as your body relaxes and your mind lets all of its cares go. You are in Malaysia, in one of the luxury spas on a little island by the seashore having the holiday of your life. Now, this is what they call bliss.

Malaysian spas use a range of natural products. Pic: Four Seasons.

A slice of paradise greets you the moment you step into any spa in Malaysia. Almost every resort in this country offers you wellness at their fingertips. You can choose from a medley of treatments – Ayurvedic, Balinese, Thai , Chinese and the quintessential Malay . If you prefer western forms of treatment, then you can choose between Swedish and Hawaiian styles. The aromas will lighten the mood as you step into a world of luxury and beauty. Bathe yourself in spicy and fragrant oils or try hot stones therapy to heal yourself as the fingers stroke your muscles in a rhythm of their own. Pamper yourself with a massage or try out any of the organic treatments or smear yourself with beauty products, Malaysia will bring you back as a fresh and new you.


The spas are all located in exotic destinations. You can choose to lose yourself  in lush tropical rainforests or gaze for eternity at blue green oceans or chill in the cool environs of mountains. From exotic Langkawi to forested Penang to Pangor Laut, every destination in Malaysia will treat you to a world of wellness. Enjoy the pampering, cool yourself in a swimming pool and hydrate yourself with a tropical drink. Now that’s a perfect way to enjoy a holiday on a tropical island!

This is an article that I wrote for Travel Wire Asia. If you enjoyed this article and would like to find out more about travelling to Malaysia, please visit the Tourism Malaysia website

Travl Update - A road trip across Karnataka and Kerala

I am on a four day road trip that took me across Kerala and Karnataka on a brand new Automatic Ford Fiesta given to me by Ford India for the trip. The route is Bangalore - Saklespur - Puthur - Vittal - Bekal - Kasargod - Kateel - Moodbidri - Agumbe - Teerthahalli - Chikmagalur - Belur - Hassan - Bangalore. Staying in an absolutely stunning property of Vivanta by Taj at Bekal Fort. Pure Bliss.