Train travel Mumbai to Baroda …down the years.

Off to Baroda or Vadodara as it is called now. By train. Alone. Remembering the umpteen times I have made the trip in my life. Such awesome memories. Earliest that I can remember is going in a day train with mom n my older brother, regular sleeper class with all our possessions around us, above

Kashmir Take 2.. a month later!

So I returned to “Heaven on Earth” in a month! This time with my mom and family.It was a totally different experience, both in the places visited and the company. We entered Srinagar at a sensitive time. Internet and connectivity were compromised due to the passing away of an important political figure. We did not

Day 7 Kashmir Homeward bound..

It was an early morning, though not as early as the day before. Wanted to make the most of the last few hours in Kashmir. Had a dekko at the front of the houseboat, then decided to make a trip to the top deck to see the view. We had been told it was unsafe,

Day 6 Kashmir Shalimar Gardens, Pampore

Our last full day in Kashmir. To make the most of it, we woke up early, yes, really early…at 4.30 am! The plan was to experience the floating vegetable market. And of course we had to go on the shikara. The weather was marvelous and cool, the darkness was enchanting with twinkling lights way out

Day 5 Kashmir Gulmarg

The houseboat we were staying at is  on Nagin Lake. There is access both from across the lake via shikaras and  by road from behind. It takes a mere 5 minutes to come across the lake by shikara and is a wonderful experience. We were told there was a lovely park at the back where

Day 4 Kashmir trip

Early morning walked uphill to the stream. So rejuvenating. Met some women going up into the forest to collect wood. They  carried these wooden baskets on their backs. I decided to take a pic with one. Was it heavy!!! They go uphill with this and then come back down with it laden with sticks and

Day 3 Kashmir,Khullan, Sonamarg

As it was cloudy, the morning sky was not as spectacular, but beautiful nonetheless.Sat on the balcony, sipping my green tea and soaked in the sights and sounds of rural Khullan. We wanted to check out the Villa Himalaya resort,so we headed there after breakfast. What an idyllic location. Right on the banks of the

Day 3 Kashmir Sonamarg

As it was cloudy, the morning sky was not as spectacular, but beautiful nonetheless.Sat on the balcony, sipping my green tea and soaked in the sights and sounds of rural Khullan. We wanted to check out the Villa Himalaya resort,so we headed there after breakfast. What an idyllic location. Right on the banks of the

Day 2 Kashmir trip Thajiwas Glacier Sonamarg

The morning was chilly.  Lovely weather to sit outside, waiting for the sunrise…not as magnificent as the sunset due to a cloudy sky, but the cool  weather with chirping of birds, soft breeze and a hot cup of tea made it perfect.After a hot breakfast, we headed towards Sonamarg and the Thajiwal Glacier. The route

Kashmir trip Aug 21 Day 1

Kashmir – Heaven on Earth! August 2021 Day 1 We decided to take a break from Mumbai for a while. Kashmir beckoned and so  we took a direct flight to Srinagar. Flying after a year! Masks, sanitizers, all the Covid precautions in place. Booked aisle n window seats and luckily as the flight was not