#places to see near mumbai

[ondelina]

7 Best Places for Solo Trip Near Mumbai

Embark on a thrilling solo adventure near Mumbai and set off on an unforgettable journey to the 7 Best Places for Solo Trip Near Mumbai. Delve into the serene beauty of misty waterfalls and ancient caves in Mumbai. Immerse yourself in the eco-friendly hill station of Matheran, where scenic viewpoints and tranquil forests await your exploration. Unwind in the small yet captivating hill stations of Lonavala and Mahabaleshwar, providing the ideal setting for a solo getaway near Mumbai. Prepare for an enriching and rejuvenating experience as you venture into these remarkable destinations.

[mindfulyatra]

best tour and travels in Pune

Welcome to mindful yatra- your best trusted tour and travels partner in Pune. Here you can explore the prime views in or beyond Maharashtra.

[the-fandom-is-now-my-life]

The doctor order a cat scan

Mortkraken as cats

Wc: 470

Yuri

An Abyssinian, his short hair always sleek and groomed in place. He was given to you by a hospital whose pet cat had a litter.

He is so small but such a yapper, he screams his little head off when he sees Jiro limping, when his bowl is empty, when other cats get close. Noisy baby.

As stubborn as he is in refusing to play with you when you pull a laser or string and feathers, he LOVES those intellect puzzle toys where he has to follow a series of steps to get some treats, he sometimes meows or shows you the piece of treat he got hoping for praise. Please praise him, it makes him happy.

He is very particular about touching though, he is very fickle on it, sometimes you can rub his belly and brush his hair and sometimes even holding his paws to trim his nails in too much.

Even if Jiro is ‘alright’ and his scars mostly healed, Yuri insists on cleaning those zones for him, it's mostly his stomach and chest. He is so careful it takes him almost an hour to finish while Jiro stays still looking at the ceiling like a good patient.

If any of the other cats gets too close to him or Jiro (or near at all with Jin and frost!) he will start hissing like crazy but never bite or scratch, he hides behind Jiro who gives a half-hearted slap unless he feels it's about to become a real fight.

Jiro

A strangely big Mumbai cat that you found ran over in the street. After you took him to the vet and no one claimed him you kept him, having already caught affection for your big baby.

Cats are normally not very expressive by human standards but, compared to Yuri, he has a poker face. Unblinking staring into your soul as you drink coffee in the early morning.

You have to give him his medicine two times a day and even though it's really bitter he is such a responsible kitty and always brings the box or meowing at you.

Another one who doesn't play with typical toys or even entertains those puzzle games but he does seem to enjoy pulling at the flowers and weeds in your garden. He even has a little bunch of dried flowers he keeps around his bed.

Lingers around corners or nooks waiting for someone to pass by and scare them, if his victim has an amusing enough reaction his tail sways ever so slightly as he walks away. Yuri never fails in amusing him.

After his accident he can only stomach a very liquid diet that you have to supplement. Don't even think of giving him treats or anything because he will puke and the vet is expensive.

[srbachchan]

DAY 5926

Jalsa, Mumbai May 9/10, 2024 Thu/Fri 12:22 AM

Birthday Greetings for May 10th , 2024

Saddened to hear the news of the passing away of Shri Ratan Lal Bhutoria , Father of our dear Ef Rohit Kumar Bhutoria .. Rohit's Father met with a road accident this morning and unfortunately could not survive .. as informed by Ef Sanjay Patodiya .. 😔🙏🏻 .. deeply shocked and grieved .. our very sincerest condolences to you , Rohit .. we hold your hand .. be strong .. the whole Ef Family with you .. in prayer and support .. 🙏🏻

..

Hard to put anything after this 💔 .. but the occasion for it's greatness I think it deserves a mention .. 🙏🏻

..

A bit of historic ”gyaan” today .. 🙏🏻

:

10 May In Indian History :

.. 10th May 1857 .. the great Indian rebellion .. the 1st war of independence against the British at Meerut .. the rebellion began in the form of a mutiny of sepoys of the East India Company's army in the garrison town of Meerut ..

Meerut is situated between the holy rivers Ganga and Yamuna ..

Thanks to its geographical importance, the fertile Ganga-Yamuna doab had been an important centre of human activities since the very early times of Vedic Civilisation.

From the medieval period onwards, the proximity of this city to Indraprastha (present day Delhi) helped it play an important role in the affairs of India.

With the capture of power by the British, Meerut became a major military centre. The aggrieved Indian soldiers of the British Army began their fight against the imperial powers in this soil on 10th May, 1857. They captured the control of the city in one day and marched to Red Fort in Delhi, which was considered to be the symbol of control over the whole of India. On their way, they were joined by the common people who shouted patriotic war cries. By the next morning, Red Fort had fallen into the hand of the freedom fighters.

..

Few pictures of India from 1857 ..

Lucknow .. 1857 ..

Calcutta .. 1853 ..

Taj Mahal .. Agra .. 1857 ..

Jantar Mantar near Delhi .. 1858 ..

James Outram's Camp at Alumbagh, Lucknow .. It was occupied by Outram and his 4000 Soldiers After the 1857 Mutiny ..

Humayun's Tomb in Delhi .. 1858 ..

See how the change has taken place .. this is the same location where we shot the song from UUNCHAI, the film of Sooraj Barjatya, pictures of which had been put up here at the Blog

A Sikh cavalry .. Illustrated Times .. 1857 ..

..

Jai Hind .. 🇮🇳🫡🕉️🙏🏻

Love .. ❤️🙏🏻

It has been a bit of a history lesson .. and after which it would be too severe to write anymore .. but simply to say , that the time at the Studio Saptaswar was visited after many an hour and days .. and the sonorous sounds for an upcoming film of Abhishek .. and of my own Section 84 , was I felt , in keeping with the moment and the story and the emotion ..

Amitabh Bachchan

[secretagentspydetectiveninja]

so there's no hindi version of phoenix wright but it absolutely SHOULD exist because it would be so good listen-

(i am fully "localising" this because if the english and french versions of the game were allowed to then so am i, dammit)

it would take place in some big city in india, probably mumbai so that the steel samurai stuff can be connected to bollywood

the last time i was in mumbai i literally saw a japanese temple like down the road from my grandparents' building so the japanese influences aren't even that out of place. it's a big city okay, it could totally work

kurain village can be a "gaon" (village) somewhere in the maharastrian countryside. the fey manor even feels a lot like the big family houses you get out in gaon, though with a lot more japanese influence of course

the thought of pearl calling maya "maya didi" is melting my heart omg ("didi" means "big sister" but you can also use it on people who aren't literally your sister)

maya can still be called maya, it's a common name in india

and morgan would get so mad whenever phoenix doesn't call maya "maya-ji" ("ji" is a respectful suffix like "-sama" in japanese). he'd be like SHE'S MY BEST FRIEND, WHY TF WOULD I CALL HER "MAYA-JI"

edgeworth and gumshoe would have THE jai dixit and ali bhai dynamic from dhoom. without the motorbikes, of course. gumshoe would call people "yaar" instead of "pal" (it means the same thing).

larry is circuit. i don't know how else to put that. if you understand then you understand and if you don't, you don't.

speaking of, furio tigre would ABSOLUTELY refer to himself with the pronoun "apun" (a first-person pronoun often used by mafia-type characters) and call people "mamu" ("sucker")

OH AND WOCKY WOULD TOO. wocky would speak in the most munnabhai slang you ever heard. he would also mix english, hindi, marathi, gujarati, punjabi and bengali all in the same sentence. nigh incomprehensible.

lotta hart... while it makes sense to make her from south india, i feel like they get negatively stereotyped enough as is and they deserve better. so you know what? she can be gujju. lotta is from surat now and she talks like it. she's got that "hurati" accent. morgan fey hears her with her પાણી instead of पानी and ગોળી instead of गोली and is immediately like "get out >:("

wendy oldbag being one of those desi grannies is absolutely brilliant lmao

sister bikini being a desi auntie is even better

me and my brother have been calling hindi manfred von karma "manoj karma" for funsies so i've decided to keep it (the word "karma" is of indian origin so it works perfectly)

i haven't come up with pun names for people yet but phoenix, apollo and athena can keep their english first names. seriously, in mumbai you see places with those names all the time. especially apollo. it is inescapable.

^see? i was DYING. anyways

MAYA'S TRADEMARK FAVOURITE FOOD SHOULD BE PANI PURI ("gol guppa" for you dehli peeps), NO I AM NOT TAKING CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM

khura'in, being likely in the himalayas somewhere near bhutan (based on their climate and culture), would still be a few hours' plane journey from mumbai so it still works. a lot of the khura'inese characters can keep their same names too, eg "nahyuta sahdmadhi" already sounds very very sanskrit to my ears (sanskrit is the south asian equivalent of what latin is in europe). and also have you seen how he dresses because it's clearly a sherwani (indian/pakistani formal clothing) and amara's idle animation is clearly inspired by art of hindu deities and rafya's middle name is literally padma and oh my god there is so much shared cultural influence they are CLEARLY countries that border each other

(the "kh" sound strongly present in the khura'inese language is also giving me south asian vibes...)

me and my brother already joke about how shah rukh khan would totally make a great mr reus/roger retinz. LISTEN okay he absolutely would. he's got that villain swag.

you don't even need to change the other guy's real name ("manov mistree") because that already sounds like an indian name. do you know how common the surname "mistry" is in some parts?? do you know how many gazillions of people i personally know who have names that sound exactly like that??? and roger retinz is the ratings rajah. RAJAH (king). i've already been headcanoning him as desi since the first time i played aa6. anyway shah rukh khan character vibes

(but then again amir khan has literally played an evil magician in a bollywood movie before, so he could pull it off too i think...)

hindi has informal ("tu"), medium ("tum") and formal ("aap") second-person pronouns. you could have SO MUCH FUN with those. franziska would call literally everyone "tu" to assert dominance while edgeworth would call literally everyone "aap" to keep them distant. siblings amirite

franziska referring to miles as "mera chhota bhai" is actually killing me oh my god. that's her chhota bhai you guys skjdhkjfhldjssdrgse

feenie calling dahlia "dollie" works really well because i have like seven relatives with the nickname "dollie" so i'm presuming it must be common

oh yes, and mumbai does occasionally get earthquakes so the DL-6 incident still makes sense

india also has an active space programme so the UR-1 incident does too

and there's a monsoon season with storms so the SL-9 incident does as well ahahhahahhaa this is sO GOOD (okay in all fairness the monsoon season is not in february, when the case takes place... whatever whatever it's FINE i can make it work somehow)

you can use three scripts for the one translation -- english romanisation (for NRIs like me who suck at hindi...), the devanagari script commonly used to write hindi, and the urdu script so that urdu speakers can play too (for the most part the languages are mutually intelligible, you wouldn't need to change the dialogue at all, only the writing system)

if anyone out there is better at hindi than i am and wants to make a fan translation please do, it would be so iconic

[rrcraft-and-lore]

Hindustan, India, where do the names come from, why? Why does the world use them?

Well, let's look first at other countries like Japan (Nippon) - Land of the Rising Sun or where the Sun Rises. This is what Japan's always called itself.

Others, over time, language, translation led to, and made stick, Japan. It's like how Germany is actually Deutschland to themselves, technically. This is what's known as an Exonym, or name given/used by other people/country outside the one being referenced. This is led to creation of myths, stories, fairy tales, and more about cultures as well. Back to India.

Well, the original people behind the connection to the name are best known as the Indus Valley people/civilization.

But that's not what they were called amongst themselves. No. In fact, these people who originated and farmed the Sindh valley/Sindh river, were first given their eventual "Indus related" name but the Persians.

When the Persians first started interacting and trading with the people we know as Indus Valley, they referred to them as the people of the Sindh river or valley, however, in their native tongue, the S became an H.

So the Hindh valley, Hindh people. Eventually the greeks and romans would show up, and call them the Indos, or Indus people for the river (as translated into their tongues...remind me again how many river based names there are again in the world, even for.....just river itself) go figure. Because people usually fucking set up near rich fresh water sources cuz... we need it to live. That's why people set up along the Nile too. And...well, everywhere. Water kinda important.

The Indus valley people were not Hindu as we know it today. In fact, at one point, they practiced a religion older than the vedic, we just don't know what that is do to proto indo european influences and the impact they had in forming the vedic era pre Hindu.

Continuing. Now we reach the eventual evolution of Hindhu through the word and alteration of Sindh/Sindhu people - of that river/past it.

Stan. Well, in Sanskrit there is sthāna - or place. And in Persia, there is stan (a suffix you see in many Islamic countries as well given the evolution of the language), and the similarity in sanskrit and ancient persian is likely because of PIE influences in both of them so, outside countries started using interchangeably (and of course eventually so do the people within an empire when you're trading and referring to yourself and building alliances, agreements or going to war) you adopt those terms: Hindustan, or India. But Hindustan was never meant to be the land of the Hindu (in terms of religion) because it was a given name by the river, and we're talking about the vedic religion.

Now, I left one name out of here, because it is specifically NOT an exonym. It's the name India historically identifies with from within its own epics, including the most well known, Mahabharata (romanized/english) said closer to (god it's hard typing these sounds in freaking english): Mah-bharat.

Bharat is the key there. So, what's it mean?

Well, it's important to note the word first comes from Bhāratavarṣa - which comes from the Vedic people Bharatas - who are first mentioned in the Rig Veda.

They are the principle people who come from Aryavarta - land of the Aryans, which is why the word is still word in Indic languages, and even a used name. Like, it's a used name for real. You'll meet guys called Aryan.

Anyways, continuing. So, the oldest known name for Indian proper, and you might if you pay attention to Indian news see this making a comeback, is Bharat.

To many from the outside, it's come off heated, people are unsure why, and so on for the name change. But honestly? It's just what India was once called. It's no different than when Mumbai replaced in name Bombay. That name, Bombay was given by the Portuguese. Later (I can't recal the year, someone comment it) the Indian government decided to change the name and reclaim it to Mumbai. But someone asked me about this recently like why all the Bharat stuff and talk online in places.

For anyone who's seen it and wondered, I hope this helps.

It's a history of language, names, and other people sometimes making names stick and translation and evolution of words and culture and empires.

Closing with how did India come to stick? Latin. Then everyone who inherited the legacy, evolution of the language, and the love - all the romance languages that built on it. Eventually, by the 16th or was it 17th century, most of the world started calling it India when they

traded, colonized more, w.e.

The Latin transliteration of Indos, Indica - India.

But the term was used sort of before.

Herodotus in his writings mentions the Indus people, and then calls on of them, "An Indian."

But, yeah, it was never a name for/from those the land themselves.

[worldscollidinginone]

Chapter 9 - Hate. Unite. Abort.

Book masterlist

After the devastating news that she was forced into, she had to deal with the fact that she had to go home. The one place she detests. Not to mention that her “supposed” fling disappeared before she could possibly understand. And her job? Her job was draining her, but she would not believe it. 

Her heart and mind were in a conflict, just like her boss. The same boss that was not sure how to progress for the dream project, which has yet to find a name or the how to start on the project. 

Kaira is in the airport where she sees her boss waiting for someone. 

Everyone assumed that the boss would go back to America and complete her dream project there, but she was not feeling inspired after the last few weeks, she would take a break from the game and reconnect with nature, so she told her assistant to book her plane ticket to somewhere she would find peace, and since her assistant has been with her for a number of years, she knew where to take her. 

Goa, where both Kaira and Piya were heading. 

After about 10 minutes, her assistant arrives and she is panting from running. 

The boss takes her to a chair and tells her to sit down and take a breath. 

“Are you feeling better?” 

“Yes miss.” 

“Are you sure?” 

“Yeah…” 

“Good, because I have a question for you.” 

“What is it, miss?” 

“Why does my ticket have the destination Goa written on it?” 

“Well miss… that’s what you wanted” 

“EXCUSE ME!?” 

“I said to book me a ticket to somewhere where I could write and hopefully get some inspiration for the project.” 

“What is the best place to get inspiration than home? Besides, I have also booked you an Airbnb, which looks over the sea.The place is absolutely pretty, and calm and and it’s also near the town, so you can travel as well, that is if you wanted” 

Piya was quiet. 

“And didn’t you also say that every story needs to have a good beginning? Well, you are going, to the place where your story started, so that you can start your own written story.” 

“Okay, fine. I’ll go. Will you be able manage everything from here?” 

“Yes miss. Have a good trip!” 

The assistant gets her stuff to back to the office and she takes off. 

Piya debates one last time. 

Am I so hung up on him that I can’t even go home? I… I am not going there to see him. My only target is to be able to start and hopefully finish the writing. So, I need to go to do that. 

The flight gate got announced and I took my luggage with me, towards the gate and towards Goa. 

Kaira wonders if she can still leave before getting home. But her eyes never moved away from her ex-boss and when she saw that she went towards to gate, she thought that at least she could meet up and chat with her, so that she doesn’t stay lonely. 

Once they both got into the airplane, Piya sat down in her seat which was in front of hers. Kaira remembered that she had booked her seat and that was going to be a little bit difficult and then the senior citizen was just aggravating her mood even more. 

The dreadful flight ended for both, and they managed to meet up when Piya was just about to call for a taxi to take her to her Airbnb. 

“Hey Piya, wait!!” 

She turned around and saw Kaira running quite fast.  

“Oh Kaira, why are you here? I thought you were going to stay in Mumbai.” 

“It’s a long story that I can tell you at dinner. Want to come?” 

“Sorry, but not today. I am a little tired from the flight and I am sure you are as well. But we can meet up later in the week, if you want? By the way, where are you going to be staying at? 

“No, I understand. Sure, just text me when you are available and we can organise something. I am going to be staying at home.” 

“Home? I didn’t know you were from here.” 

She looks uncomfortable. 

“Kaira, take the taxi home. I’ll see you later. Okay?” 

“But…” 

“It’s okay. I am sure I’ll get another soon anyway.” 

“Okay, see you later.” 

“See you” 

Luckily, there was a taxi waiting so I took it and I reached the temporary home for me. 

I got the keys and dropped the luggage. The windows were shut so I went and opened them. While opening for one of them, I realised that it was opening into a small building, covered in greenery. It looked ethereal from where I was looking. What I saw next shocked me to the core. 

I saw him, coming out from that ethereal building and worse, he looked towards me, and my heart knew. My body just his behind the wall, taking deep shaking breaths. 

Now I need to abort this. I am…. I can’t. 

I… I am not going there to see him. My only target is to be able to start and hopefully finish the writing. So, I need to go to do that. I can’t believe it. He looked so handsome from where I saw him….No, I need to focus on my writing, not on him. Oh beating heart, please calm down. What would happen if someone heard you? 

I felt like I went through hate, union and abortion.

Go To Chapter 10

[beatricebidelaire]

Daniel Handler on living in San Fran

I moved to New York because New York was the center of everything literary. And I moved away from it for the same reason. (...) I wanted to work someplace where I wasn't attending a release party for every book written by everybody I knew. (...) There are all these books about young people in Manhattan. I think because San Francisco doesn't have a notion of itself as the center of the world, you're more likely to write about something else that interests you.

Daniel Handler's recommendations on places to visit in San Francisco

If you are not frightened of the cold, head over to the Dolphin Club and ring the bell. Wait for a while. Eventually someone will open the door and you will put a small amount of money into an envelope and sign a piece of paper saying you understand you are about to do something foolish. Then, go change into your bathing suit and swim in the Bay. It is very cold but you will see many beautiful things, including old ships, which you may touch, and sea lions, which you may not. A good thing to do while waiting for someone to answer the door is read a new book you have picked up at Green Apple, Booksmith, City Lights or any other of my town's amazing bookstores. If you see me in the water, I do not need rescuing although it might look like it.

Daniel Handler on the changes of San Francisco

“Changing” is a word applied so readily to “San Francisco” nowadays that it sounds like the town changed its name: I grew up in San Francisco, but I now live in Changing San Francisco. Twenty years ago, when it was just San Francisco and Lisa Brown was just my girlfriend, we didn’t see any wild animals around our apartment. Probably the wildest thing in our neighborhood was a sex club called Eros. We never visited it, and it was nondescript from the outside, but there’d been some articles about it, or maybe a piece on the radio, so people always asked us about it. “We live right near it,” we used to tell them. “It’s near our video store.” Nowadays, though, in Changing San Francisco, everyone asks about the tech industry. The tech industry is the presumed source of all changes in Changing San Francisco, from traffic to homeless encampments, from the new businesses that are springing up to the old ones closing their doors.

Daniel Handler on San Francisco and its tech industry

My novel has the tech industry in it, if only because it would be impossible to write about San Francisco without mentioning it, the way it would be impossible to write about Paris without mentioning food, or Mumbai without mentioning colonialism, and like food or colonialism or any other knotty topic, I’m not always sure what I’m talking about. I never hear the latest news or buy the latest gadget, but, like everyone else, I’m now guided on road trips by a talking map, even to places I’ve been countless times. If I’m on foot and I want to go home, I can summon a stranger who will drive me there and I don’t even have to talk to them. I give them all five stars, the highest rating. I don’t have the bona fide know-how to chart the tech industry’s influence, but I know it’s having an effect on San Francisco, or taking a toll is maybe what I mean. We now have a culture of tech bros in my city, although “tech bro,” as with “hipster” or “yuppie” before that, is a term only applied to other people. “I hate tech bros,” is something I’ve heard from more than one person who makes what any reasonable person would call a ton of money working for an internet site everyone uses. Twenty years ago, nobody said this, although, of course, people spouting nonsense is not a new phenomenon in San Francisco, or anywhere else.

Daniel Handler on scheming to get his wife to agree to move to San Francisco

I married a New England woman. She’s from a family where you live in Manhattan until you have a child, and then you move to Long Island. Or if you’re a rebel, Connecticut. That’s kind of what I thought was maybe going to happen. But also I’m a big propagandist for San Francisco, too. When she and I were first dating we spent a summer here, and I pretended that every spectacular thing that I took her to was a thing I’d stumbled upon. Like, “Oh, I’m hungry, do you want to have some dumplings right here? Could you use a little pick-me-up? Let’s just stop by Cafe Trieste! We’ll have an espresso. I go here sometimes …” Everything was the most spectacular version. And then I kept saying, “I’ll live anywhere, it doesn’t really matter to me!”

[mermaidsirennikita]

ARC REVIEW: Match Me if You Can by Swati Hegde

3.5/5. Releases 6/4/24.

Vibes: Emma, heroines who gotta learn, slow burn, friends to lovers

Heat Level: 2/10

Mumbai-based Jia spends her days writing silly listicles for women's magazine Mimosa. On her off time, however, she works on her anonymous blog, giving what she thinks is very real talk... even if she's in denial about her own true feelings. She wants to get upgraded to a new column--but the only way she can is by helping her coworker find love. Thing is, Jia herself doesn't even realize that her longtime family friend Jaiman has a thing for her. Maybe... more than a thing.

Alright--if you're at all familiar with Jane Austen's Emma, I'm sure you can tell that this is an Emma retelling. I've actually been seeing a lot of Emma retellings lately; but that's not a bad thing for me, as Emma is by far my favorite Austen.

The skinny on this one is that, at least from my perspective it's very cute and well-written. It's a romcom with wit, and there's certainly a lot of chemistry between Jia and Jaiman. I love the setting (it's shockingly rare to find an English-language romcom novel that isn't set in America, and even harder to find one set in India). I enjoy the tone. It's not reinventing the wheel; it goes in the directions that a lot of Emma retellings do. For me, too... I don't mind that it was closed door, per se. However, there were moments cut off in a way that left me thinking "but why?"

The answer is that it was the author's prerogative, and that's valid. I just feel like we were kind of left in a place where there was teasing--and if there wasn't going to be anything, why tease, I suppose?

But nonetheless--if you want a light, fluffy romcom that happens to be closed door, and if you love Emma, I would recommend this.

Quick Takes:

--One way in which this book differs from Emma and that Jia and Jaiman have what I'll call a near-miss about a year prior to the novel's beginning. To me, this was really clever. First off, it swerves away from the typical Emma setup, adding a little tension that I really appreciated. Second, it makes Jia a more interestingly human character, to me. She knows there's this tension, she knows there's something between herself and Jaiman, she just doesn't want to confront it.

--Personally, I think modern Emma retellings arguably work better in a setting wherein matchmaking is still a thing. Jia is nothing if not a consummate matchmaker, and I feel like this plays so well in a book set in Mumbai, where matchmaking is a feasible career (not that it can't be in the west--but it's less common, obviously).

--Like I said: this is a slow burn. Jia and Jaiman have known each other since childhood. Feelings have been there for a long time. So while I understood, and to an extent I mean, it's there in the material... I just wanted them to kiss. I wanted something to happen. Although the book is closed door, that doesn't mean they can't get together earlier in the novel (I'm thinking of a closed door romance by Alexis Hall that I enjoyed not so long ago). It did drag a bit for me.

And ultimately, for all the theoretical tension, that lack of interaction in a romantic sense did keep it from going as far as it could have. I don't mean sexually--I mean as a love story.

That being said--if you're not sure about sex scenes, if you like a slow burn, and you want an Austen update that makes sense... This could be great for you!

Thanks to NetGalley and Dell for providing me with a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[jayagupta29]

Rangeelo Rajasthan: Padharo Mhare Des

Jan 3, 2024

Uncategorized

Having lived in Rajasthan for 18 odd years and some 24 years in NCR, I have always wanted to explore the western side of Rajasthan which includes Jodhpur and Jaisalmer. This land of abundant sun, sand and soil was still mysterious to me and evaded me for long until I got an opportunity to go on a road trip this winter of 2023.

Gliding through the glazing smooth butter roads starting from Mumbai expressway in Gurgaon to Jodhpur in Rajasthan, the drive was very smooth except some parts near Ajmer where some re – laying of roads was being carried on but that failed to dampen my enthusiasm in any way.

We touched down Jodhpur by 3 pm and checked into Rani Mahal, an erstwhile haveli run by a mother daughter duo. This 450 years old haveli purchased by Sri Vinod Sa Bhandari against her wife’s wishes was turned into a hotel in 2014. Little did she know that it would become her lifeline and lifelong companion in the time to come when her husband passed away in corona in 2020. From fighting all odds, facing all challenges to supporting her very young kids and putting up a bold facade and protecting her grieving and vulnerable self, she rose to the occasion and took the reins of the hotel in her hands. Smt Nisha Bhandari along with her daughter Ms Mitali Bhandari,is right here at the hotel in the morning to attend to her patrons, asking for feedback, supervising the property and gradually learning the tricks of hospitality industry day by day. Located against the majestic Mehrangarh fort in Nauchowkia, Fatehpur road, Rani Mahal provides a very unique and authentic experience to the guests of living in the city and of the vibrant markets around.

The interiors of Rani Mahal are quite impressive. It houses 19 rooms, all of which are done differently and gives you the feel of what life the maharajas and maharanis of the bygone days must have lived .Breakfast at the terrace against the Mehrangarh fort in the winter chill and sunshine is a different experience altogether . Dinner again at the terrace with live folk music playing adds a dash of charm to your excitement .Lunch is served in the cosy ambience of the ground floor .

One can visit Toorji ka Jhalra, a stepwell constructed in 1740 which is very near to Rani Mahal. One will be surprised to see a very modern market that has come up there in the midst of the old city, near clock tower for the tourists; catering to all your couturial needs and handicrafts for your homes.

A 5 mins walk from Rani Mahal will lead you the major tourist attraction of Jodhpur, yes, you got it right! It’s the Majestic Mehrangarh Fort. Indulge in some adventurous activities before indulging in its historic grandeur .The zip lining at 6 levels is a major draw for the adventurous lot. You get an amazing experience of zipping through lakes, above the fort and enjoy some good aerial views of the fort and the city.

Zip-Lining at Mehrangarh Fort (Agency- Flying Fox)

Once inside the fort, you travel back to old times and remain awestruck looking at the weaponry, the relics, the vibrant costumes and turbans ,the massive palaquins, the huge howdahs used by the members of the royal family. The grandeur and architectural beauty of the fort including the sheesh mahal, Phool mahal have to be seen to be believed.

The restaurant in the fort offers you some really good Rajasthani cuisine like dal- bati churma, traditional thali besides other cuisines . I can vouch that all over Rajasthan ,you will always find good food . The spices used are qualitatively very good but again you will have to savour it to believe it.

Village safari is another tourist attraction that you can pack in your itinerary. The jeep picks you up from the designated point and the driver cum guide takes you to the Bishnoi village enlightening and immersing you with the different aspects of their culture . Not many know that the Bishnoi community of 15 000/ people have a place in history as we read about the ‘chipko movement’. Some 439 bishnois had laid down their lives to prevent the felling of Khejari trees which are sacred to them .Not many know again that it’s the same community that was behind Salman khan’s imprisonment for the infamous black buck hunting case .They believe that their guru Jambkeshwar has been reborn as Black buck, hence the respect for the creature is something that they will never compromise with. Bishnoi, as they got the name from Hindi words for 20 and 9. They believe in 29 principles, hence the name of the community. The foremost principle of their culture is that they don’t burn the dead bodies but bury them as they believe that a lot of wood is burned and wasted in the process. They worship trees, nature and wildlife. Secondly, they hold women in high esteem. The female mukhiya has a distinct appearance from the rest of the ladies in the family like she wears a red skirt, a red turban, a nath and a heavy anklet .

The male mukhiya wears a white turban. He prepares very diligently a drink made of opium which is used to relax their bodies and also on occasions like wedding. They do not take any kind of medicines ,whatsoever ,but rely only on opium for any aches or illnesses but they understand that moderate consumption is the key.

As you navigate further into the open village, you can see black bucks, nilgais, peacocks chinkaras and foxes openly roaming and grazing without fear . You also get to see the live workshop by durry weavers.A durry can take 140 hours of weaving by 2 people on the loom. Cotton and camel wool are used for durry making. The former can fetch double the amount while the latter is cheaper and non- dyeable too.

Block printing live workshops are very interesting to witness. It’s amazing to see vegetable colors and natural dyes being used to transform some plain drab cloth into a vibrant and valuable printed cloth. It’s notable that different castes like chipa, Patels, Bishnois are identified by the different clothes they wear . It’s like understanding that clothes are their I – cards.

As we move to our another district Jaisalmer on roads paved to perfection, I see vast stretches of barren land sans any high rises , my eyes unaccustomed to see. As far as you can see, there are herds of cattle, sheep, cows, goats claiming their land ; turbaned men on charpoys leisurely pulling out the day with no haste ; carefree kids playing some local games and women carrying haystacks on their heads to be used as fodder for the cattle or fuel for cooking.

Enroute Jaisalmer, one can see dates farms and vendors selling so many different varieties of dates that we may not even have heard the names before.

There are certain interesting things you can do like jeep safari, dune bashing, camel riding and parasailing on the Thar desert against the backdrop of the rising sun or against the sun set. Both of these times offer exclusive experiences to cherish.

As I bid adieu to the desert , my heart longs to come back once again and re witness its charm and glory ; savour it’s traditional food ; immerse in the folk music and dance  and imbibe the simplicity of this land of sand.

Rani Mahal Contact; Instagram Page – Rani Mahal, Jodhpur

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[balapann-blog]

Day 95 - 10 December - Mumbai > Cochin

Got up and packed and then went to breakfast at a place called boojie cofe which lived up to its name (it was nearly London prices!). I had a smoked turkey sandwich which seems a bit random but hay! And a nice smoothie and iced coffee. It all felt very Islington or Fulham!

I then went to look for a hair dresser while Nin went to the dentist. I went to a place I found on google, which was billed as a salon for men. It had lots of chairs in plastic and no one in there, which gave me slight bad vibes. The final straw was when the lady asked me to sign a waver form for the haircut! Which, even if it is just a process for all treatment I thought was a bit sketch so I left. I then went to a couple of other places before finding the one I eventually used. My haircut was quite good I think! I then went to the dentist too and got my teeth cleaned which was good after all the black tea we had in Central Asia!

We then finished packing and left the apartment and went to a taproom that Harini had suggested near our place and had a quick drink before getting an Uber to the airport. This kicked off a weirdly stressful turn of events as Air India closed their bag check in quite early and board early too so the 90mins were were there before turned out to be not that much time. Also it didn’t help that air india had reduced their bag check allowance to 15kg (both our bags were 20kg!) so we had to take stuff out and put it n out hand bags. Strangely we could also check a small bag so Nin checked in her day bag. It all seemed quite arbitrary.

As we were getting through security Nin realised that she had over several pairs of scissors and a pen knife from her checked bag to hand bag in her haste and it got flagged up by security. Luckily I had taken my other back pack which was empty out of my checked bag, so Nin was able to go back and check that it with the weapons and then run to the gate where I was waiting. We then boarded the flight which was an hour late taking off. When we landed in Cochin, all our bags were accounted for and we got a transfer to our hotel/yoga and Ayurvedic retreat. We checked in had some very nice coconutty curry and went to bed.

Day 96 - 11 December - Vajra Yoga and Ayurveda Retreat

We work up and went to breakfast. It turns out we had got up too late for the first yoga class. Nin went back to sleep and I went and asked about the packages. I was given an appointment with an Ayurvedic doctor, who we went to see an hour later. We didn’t have any real ailments so our consultations were bit awkward, but I said my back was sore, which it often is and was prescribed accordingly. We went back to the room to relax before getting called for our first treatment, which was a full body massage with special oils, followed by a steam in this strange box which you sat it with your head out the top while steam was pipped in. The message was very relaxing and got to lots of the tension in my back The steam was interesting, it was like a personal body steam room but I was slightly too tall for the box and was just sitting in it while the two guys just looked at me, which was slightly strange.

After this we went to the room and then to lunch which was tasty but also you could tell very healthy. I had some other curry and a couple of sabzi things. We then went back to the room and slept for a bit as we were both pretty tired, maybe all the travelling is catching up with us! We were woken by a knock on the door which was our call for our next treatment. This one for me was a back massage with oils but also delivered using this sort of cloth baton (I’m sure there is a proper term) which was soaked in the oil before being slapped on the back. Having been woken up for something that was itself relaxing meant that by the end I was incredibly relaxed (is it possible to be too relaxed? Keep reading to find out).

We then had some tea and chilled out till I went to the yoga class which I was then only attendant of. It was mainly breathing and meditation, with a few poses I couldn’t do thrown in for good measure. In the final 15 mins we did a meditation session where I had to sit in a comfortable position. I had exhausted all cross legged sitting comfort so I went for a pose kneeling and sitting on the feet, which was fine, until it wasn’t and the last five mins of meditation were not about bringing my attention to the breath but about bringing my attention away from the burning in my feet. I had to do some exercises at the end to bring the feeling back but left feeling zen and with the overall feeling that today has been good for me. We didn’t venture out much further than the treatment room but i think today was a bit of decompression father all the busyness of the cities we have been in.

Day 97 - 12 December - Vajra Yoga and Ayurveda Retreat

I awoke a midnight needing the loo and then realised that something was off. Before long was up every hour or so, I felt really bad and was going through being too hot then being too cold. Luckily most Indian bathrooms seem to have big buckets in them which are used for washing so that made an ample sick bucket.

The Ayurvedic doctor came and had a look at me and suggested more medicine which I accepted. However since I think it might have been a strange concoction that they gave me to drink the day before that set me off, I didn’t take it. I spent most of the day in bed feeling a bit weak. I ate a tiny bit of this kind of rice porridge which allowed me to take an activated charcoal and overall I am felt much better than I did before. Nin was very good to me and has got me things like rehydration sachets and did a lot of speaking for me with different people like a felling my treatments.

I exhausted all my store of podcasts in a daze as I fell asleep.

Day 98 - 13 December - Vajra Yoga and Ayurveda Retreat

Work up feeling much better, thankfully and managed to have a bit of breakfast although it was still very plain.

I had my first therapy which was a full body massage followed by tapping of powder pottali-choornapindasweda. This was administered using the same heated cloth baton and was very relaxing.

I managed to keep down some very plain lunch, but the coconut curry was losing it shine of the first day. It didn’t help that they were very healthy and not very seasoned!

I had my second therapy which was a neck and shoulder massage with a ‘local steam’ which consisted of there being a pipe hooked up to a pressure cooker which was then used to apply steam locally to my neck and shoulders. The pipe was obviously very hot so the guy wrapped the end in towels so he could hold it. It was nice but wasn’t quite sure of the benefits and they weren’t really explained.

We then had our tea and a really nice cardamomy rice snack in a banana leaf. while we were sitting there, just outside a troop of monkeys was galavanting around in the trees which was cool!

We then went to the evening yoga class which was really simple but very hard. Lots of sitting up straight (which is hard) and sitting cross legged for 20 mins (very hard). Out teacher was very sweet and had a chant which went ‘I’m relaxing my body, I’m relaxing my mind…reeeeelaxxxx, reeeeeeellllaaaaaxxxxxx’

I had a small dinner went to be and finished my book which was a book of Alice Munro short stories.

Day 99 - 14 December - Vajra Yoga and Ayurveda Retreat > Alleppey

We finally managed to get up for early morning yoga which was similarly gentle and similarly brutal on my tight hips and weak back.

We checked out and the same guy who picked us up drove us to our next place in Alleppey. There were lots of communist flags everywhere because I think there had been the CPI(M) congress recently.

There is an interesting Christian influence everywhere and it definitely has the most Christian churches since Armenia since roughly 20% of the population is Christian in Kerala. The thing that was most overtly Christian was that lots of hospitals are named after saints.

We got to our place which was right on the beach and we had a sheltered area what was kind of ours on the beach. I asked if we could swim but the guy was like ‘it’s very rough so don’t swim too much!’

We went into the water a bit but the current did seem quite strong so did not get to do lots of swimming unfortunately. We walked down to a bar had a kingfisher We then went to the restaurant below the bar but they insisted that we go to the roof terrace which I think they were quite proud of.

The restaurant was having a sea food festival so we had a fish curry and one fried fish. It was quite spicy but still really nice. After dinner we got tuk tuk to the place we were staying. I listened to the football and then went to sleep.

Day 100 - 15 December - Alleppey

We woke up and went for a run and brief dip in the water although the waves are so strong and the rip is so powerful it was literally a dip while standing in between waves. We got a Tuk tuk to the place where our tour would start, but the lady gave me the wrong location so it took a bit longer. When we got to the boat there as a small pick up that was stuck in the mud that I helped push to safety. I think my heft really swung the balance.

We were 30 mins late starting off, not a very auspicious start. We were going very slowly and had to stop twice, once for petrol then to put the petrol in. Still we went slowly, going into a lake near Alleppey which is where all the other boats was going.

Went around in circle before docking in a strange place at the entrance to a small river for lunch. There was a tree full of Black Sea birds which I don’t think were cormorants but they looked quite like them.

Lunch was massive. We had this masala prawn fry with a massive prawn about half the size of a lobster

Then went across the lake very slowly. We had to tell the guy to go faster multiple times to very limited success.

We watched the beautiful birds fishing including an all new kite that we hadn’t seen before the brahminy kite and the white tern.

We went into a backwater which was very nice with rice paddies on both sides and villages along the shore. It is really notable that most villages and houses in Kerala seem to be pretty solid houses rather than slums and I found an article stating that Kerala has the lowest number of people living in slum conditions. I guess you would need to take kerelas smaller population into consideration but I think that along with kerelas high literacy rate (94%) among other things shows the benefit of democratic communist government!

Annoyingly they turned around and went in another way that brought us into the river we had come from and we told them that we didn’t think we were getting value for money. I think since we were only doing a day and it was high season it is kind of what you expect but the boat was going really slowly. Incidentally I read in an article that peak time is serious tourist trap time for houseboats so I guess it’s just what happens.

The river that we ended up going down was really nice with paddy fields on both sidesand the boat was nice and was nice to relax on but we just spent too much time faffing on the lake rather than in the nice backwaters. We had banana fritters and sweet coffee and then got dropped off near where we started. We got a tuk tuk into town and then went to a very strange bar that looked a bit like a modern west of Ireland saloon bar, except there were no windows and the lighting was mainly blue neon. Nin was also the only woman there.

We got a Tuk tuk back to the room and then watched Fabulous Lives vs Bombay Brides which is a real housewives type show for Bombay, which this season had added in 4 Delhi brides and it has shaken up Indian pop culture. The copy of outlook I bought had dedicated the whole edition to the Delhi / Bombay rivalry. I then watched Palace beat Brighton on the vpn which was a great way to finish the day!

[openplotsmumbai]

Explore the Benefits of Farm Land for Sale in Mumbai Highway Hyderabad

If you're searching for a peaceful retreat away from the hustle and bustle of city life, Farm Land for Sale in Mumbai Highway Hyderabad presents the perfect opportunity. Offering a unique combination of agricultural potential, serene surroundings, and easy access to Hyderabad, this property provides an excellent choice for those seeking a sustainable and fulfilling lifestyle. Whether you're looking to grow organic produce, enjoy a slower pace of life, or invest in the future, these farm lands offer something for everyone.

Strategic Location with Great Accessibility

One of the main advantages of Farm Land in Mumbai Highway Hyderabad is its convenient location. Situated just 20 minutes away from Sadashivpet and 30 minutes from the prestigious IIT-Hyderabad campus, the property is easily accessible by road. The proposed Regional Ring Road near Sangareddy and the ongoing development of surrounding infrastructure, including the NIMZ Zaheerabad manufacturing zone, make this an even more attractive destination. You’ll have quick access to the city, with the Outer Ring Road junction at Muthangi only 45 minutes away, and the Financial District just an hour’s drive.

This strategic positioning makes Farm Land for Sale in Mumbai Highway Hyderabad ideal for both personal retreats and long-term investments, as the area is expected to see significant growth in the coming years.

Farming Opportunities for a Self-Sustaining Lifestyle

If you're passionate about farming or organic living, Farm Land in Mumbai Highway Hyderabad provides the ideal space for cultivating your own crops. These farmlands are perfect for planting fruit-bearing trees like mango (including varieties such as Pedda Rasalu, Chinna Rasalu, and Banganapalli), guava, sapota, lemon, and coconut. With fertile soil and favorable conditions, you can enjoy the satisfaction of growing your own organic fruits and vegetables, providing healthy, fresh produce for your family or for sale.

Amenities for Relaxation and Community Engagement

Living on Farm Land for Sale in Mumbai Highway Hyderabad isn’t just about farming—it’s about adopting a lifestyle that nurtures your well-being. The project includes a range of amenities designed to enhance your rural experience and bring you closer to nature.

Swimming Pool: After a day spent working on the farm, unwind in the refreshing swimming pool. It’s the perfect place to relax and stay active, especially during warm days.

Cycling: The expansive, open spaces offer ideal conditions for cycling, whether you want to explore your farm or enjoy a leisurely ride through the countryside.

Traditional Rural Sports: Reconnect with traditional games like Kho-Kho and Tokkudu Billa, activities that promote physical fitness and create opportunities for socializing with neighbors.

Kite Flying: The wide open fields are perfect for kite flying, offering a fun and nostalgic activity that both children and adults will enjoy.

Pottery Workshops: Tap into your creative side with pottery, an ancient craft that allows you to create unique pieces while enjoying the peaceful surroundings.

Bullock Cart Rides: Experience the charm of rural life with bullock cart rides, a leisurely way to explore the farm and relax with loved ones.

Star Gazing: The clear, unpolluted skies in the area provide perfect conditions for star gazing. Enjoy the tranquility of the countryside while looking up at the stars.

Gardening: Gardening is a wonderful way to connect with nature. Whether you grow vegetables, herbs, or ornamental plants, gardening offers both a rewarding hobby and a way to enhance your surroundings.

These amenities foster a sense of community, helping you live a balanced, enriching lifestyle surrounded by nature.

Investment Potential in a Growing Area

Investing in Farm Land for Sale in Mumbai Highway Hyderabad is not only an opportunity to embrace a sustainable lifestyle but also a smart financial decision. As Hyderabad expands, the demand for eco-friendly living and organic farming will continue to rise. The development of the Regional Ring Road and the NIMZ Zaheerabad manufacturing zone will only enhance the value of properties in this area.

With the increasing trend of sustainable living, Farm Land in Mumbai Highway Hyderabad offers great potential for capital appreciation. Whether you choose to farm the land, lease it out, or simply hold onto it as a long-term investment, this property is likely to see significant returns in the future.

Conclusion

Farm Land for Sale in Mumbai Highway Hyderabad offers the perfect blend of natural beauty, agricultural opportunities, and modern amenities. Whether you're interested in farming, enjoying a rural lifestyle, or making a sound investment, this project provides everything you need to create a fulfilling life. The property’s prime location, coupled with its future growth prospects and recreational amenities, makes it an excellent choice for those seeking to invest in both their well-being and their future.

[rentnhope]

5 Island Hopping Adventure by Bike in Mumbai

Mumbai is a city that continues to fascinate people. It is famous for its vibrant markets, busy streets, and tall skyline. But beneath the surface of disturbance in the city, there's a special adventure just waiting to be discovered—a bike journey around the islands, You heard correctly. Bike rentals in Mumbai can help you set out on an interesting cycling adventure that passes through some of the lesser-known islands that are sprinkled throughout the city. You may see a more calm side of Mumbai while remaining near nature at these unusual and quiet spots, which provide a sharp contrast to the fast-paced lifestyle of the city.

In this blog, we'll take you on a memorable bike ride island-hopping adventure where you'll learn about the unspoiled beauty and important historical sites of the islands that surround Mumbai.

1. Madh Island: A Hidden Gem Near the City

Madh Island, one of the most accessible and popular islands in Mumbai, is the starting point of your island-hopping trip. You can reach this beautiful island that is worlds away from the city with a quick ferry journey from Versova or Marve. The verdant surroundings, peaceful beaches, and sleepy fishing villages of Madh Island await you as soon as you arrive. The ideal way to see this peaceful retreat is on bikes, and you can easily get a bike for the day and get going with Mumbai bike rental.

You may cycle through Madh Island and see the gorgeous Madh Beach, tiny village vacation rentals, and coconut groves. The real charm of Madh Island is found in its unspoiled surroundings and slower pace of life, even though the beach is a wonderful place to unwind. Madh Fort, a historic building constructed by the Portuguese in the seventeenth century, is also located on the island. You can ride up to the exterior of the fort and take in the expansive views of the Arabian Sea, even though it is not accessible to the general public. Madh Island is the ideal place to start your island-hopping journey if you're hoping to get away from the city for a little and enjoy a serene bike ride in the middle of the outdoors.

2. Manori Island: Tranquil Beaches and Beautiful Sunsets

Your next destination from Madh Island is the neighboring Manori Island, another undiscovered haven that offers a peaceful getaway. You may take a quick ferry ride from Malad's Marve Beach to Manori Island. The island is a popular destination for leisurely bike rides because of its lengthy expanses of peaceful beaches and laid-back atmosphere. 

You'll see a blend of modern beach resorts and old-world fishing towns as you cycle around the island. Manori, with its roads lined with coconut trees and beautiful seaside views, is ideal for visitors looking to discover Mumbai's more sedate side. There isn't much traffic on the roads here, so you have lots of space to explore the island at your speed. Before continuing your journey, don't forget to stop by the lovely Manori Beach to witness a breathtaking sunset.

The independence that biking in Manori affords is its best feature. You may take slow rides along the lovely coast, explore the island's more quiet areas, and take in Manori's famously relaxed way of life. Additionally, you can enjoy the ride and take in the peaceful surroundings without worrying about transportation thanks to the simplicity of bike rentals in Mumbai.

3. Elephanta Island: A Blend of Nature and History

Continue your island-hopping journey with a visit to Elephanta Island, which is well-known for its historic rock-cut caves and breathtaking views of Mumbai's harbor. You'll need to take a ferry from the Gateway of India to get to Elephanta Island. The ferry journey is a fascinating experience in and of itself, with incredible views of the Arabian Sea and the city skyline. It's time to get on your bike and ride Elephanta Island, discovering its natural beauty and historical sites. Of course, the island's most notable feature is the UNESCO-designated World Heritage site, the Elephanta Caves, which were created in the fifth century. These ancient caves, which are devoted to Lord Shiva, are adorned with pillars and idols that are artistically built.

Cycling through Elephanta Island is a unique experience, as the island is largely free from motorized traffic, allowing you to enjoy a peaceful and scenic ride. The lush greenery, coupled with the island’s historical significance, makes for an unforgettable bike ride.

4. Arnala Island: An Offbeat Getaway for Nature Lovers

If you're prepared to travel even farther outside of the city, Arnala Island is a unique location ideal for individuals who enjoy the outdoors. Arnala Island may be reached from Arnala Beach with a quick boat ride, and it's close to Virar. Arnala Island, which is popular for its green surroundings and tranquil mood, provides a distinctive riding experience apart from the typical tourist attractions. Arnala Fort is a historical fort constructed by the Portuguese in the sixteenth century and is the main attraction of Arnala Island. Situated on the northern tip of the island, the fort is surrounded by lush vegetation and provides amazing views of the surrounding coastline and sea. Cycling the island's winding paths will reveal secret beaches, sleepy fishing villages, and verdant surroundings around every corner. 

For riders seeking a more sedate and immersed cycling experience, Arnala Island is the ideal destination. Adventurers and nature enthusiasts alike should not miss the island because of its unique appeal and natural beauty.

5. Alibaug: A Coastal Paradise

Alibaug is a coastal town that is sometimes described as an "island town" because of its remote location and convenience of access by ferry, even though it is not officially an island. Alibaug, a popular weekend hideaway for those seeking to get away from the bustle of the city, is situated just south of Mumbai. Taking a ferry from the Gateway of India to Mandwa and then a quick ride to the town is the most efficient method to get to Alibaug. After arriving in Alibaug, you can rent a bike and tour the town's many sights, which include its beautiful beaches, old forts, and attractive countryside.

Situated at low tide, the sea fort known as Kolaba Fort is one of Alibaug's main attractions. Cycling around Alibaug's coastal areas will reward you with breathtaking views of the ocean, beaches covered with palm trees, and the laid-back atmosphere of the town. There are lots of peaceful roads and beautiful trails to explore in Alibaug, making it the ideal place to combine relaxation with adventure.

You may easily bring your bike on the ferry or rent one once you reach Alibaug, thanks to the bike rental in Mumbai. Alibaug, is a cyclist's dream, whether you ride along the ocean or explore the town's lovely streets.

Conclusion: Discover Mumbai’s Hidden Islands on Two Wheels

Mumbai may be known for its busy streets and fast-paced way of life, but several gorgeous and quiet islands are hidden inside its borders that escape the madness. A bike trip through the city's lesser-known attractions is the ideal way to see the historical sites of Elephanta Island, the serene beaches of Manori, or the green surroundings of Arnala.

You can easily tour these islands at your own pace and take in the natural beauty and rich history that each location has to offer with the ease of bike rental in Mumbai. Mumbai's hidden islands are full of adventure, from the famous Madh Island to the unique charm of Arnala. So, pick up a bike and go out on an amazing island-hopping journey the next time you're in Mumbai and searching for a different way to see the city. Whether you live in the area or are just visiting a ferry trip will take you to these attractive and peaceful islands, which provide a welcome respite from the bustle of the city and an opportunity to get back in touch with nature.

[srbachchan]

DAY 5464

Jalsa, Mumbai                 Jan 30/31,  2023                 Mon/Tue  12:28 AM  

 Birthday - EF - Valentina Ivanovna .. Ef Sourav Banerjee ..  Ef Madhumita Gupta .. BirthdayTuesday, 31 January .. wishes for this special day in your lives .. from the Ef 

The independence of presence and the Ef here at the BLOG .. the independence of starting a small group of enthusiasts and building by itself a family so dear and near ..

The independence of the many that have sincerely remained here with me , given me the love and strength and perseverance to reach this condition of measured quality .. 

5464 days is not a joke for the connect each day  ..

may your blessings be with us forever ..

love and respect ..

the values the language and the conditions have altered .. for time and place .. but the communication has brought all in one very large capsule .. this is the wonder of life today .. and many feel the misnomer of life too .. 

we shall wait in patience and see ..

Amitabh Bachchan

🪔 .. January 31 .. birthday happiness to Ef Valentina Ivanovna .. Ef Sourav Banerjee .. and Ef Madhumita Gupta .. 🌿 And .. my affection to the Ef whose birthdays were missed .. missed due circumstances .. but never forgotten .. all Ef equally loved and cherished .. Happiness to you all .. January 28 .. Ef Nitasha Sidorov .. Ef Hemlata Sai Saini from Aligarh .. January 27 .. Ef Abhishek Tiwari .. January 26 .. Ef Margaret Ann from USA .. Ef E. T. from Greece .. January 25 .. Ef Tilak Rishi .. we pray you're well , Tilak ji .. 🙏🏻

[rentnhop2]

5 Island Hopping Adventure by Bike in Mumbai

Mumbai is a city that continues to fascinate people. It is famous for its vibrant markets, busy streets, and tall skyline. But beneath the surface of disturbance in the city, there's a special adventure just waiting to be discovered—a bike journey around the islands, You heard correctly. Bike rentals in Mumbai can help you set out on an interesting cycling adventure that passes through some of the lesser-known islands that are sprinkled throughout the city. You may see a more calm side of Mumbai while remaining near nature at these unusual and quiet spots, which provide a sharp contrast to the fast-paced lifestyle of the city.

In this blog, we'll take you on a memorable bike ride island-hopping adventure where you'll learn about the unspoiled beauty and important historical sites of the islands that surround Mumbai.

1. Madh Island: A Hidden Gem Near the City

Madh Island, one of the most accessible and popular islands in Mumbai, is the starting point of your island-hopping trip. You can reach this beautiful island that is worlds away from the city with a quick ferry journey from Versova or Marve. The verdant surroundings, peaceful beaches, and sleepy fishing villages of Madh Island await you as soon as you arrive. The ideal way to see this peaceful retreat is on bikes, and you can easily get a bike for the day and get going with Mumbai bike rental.

You may cycle through Madh Island and see the gorgeous Madh Beach, tiny village vacation rentals, and coconut groves. The real charm of Madh Island is found in its unspoiled surroundings and slower pace of life, even though the beach is a wonderful place to unwind. Madh Fort, a historic building constructed by the Portuguese in the seventeenth century, is also located on the island. You can ride up to the exterior of the fort and take in the expansive views of the Arabian Sea, even though it is not accessible to the general public. Madh Island is the ideal place to start your island-hopping journey if you're hoping to get away from the city for a little and enjoy a serene bike ride in the middle of the outdoors.

2. Manori Island: Tranquil Beaches and Beautiful Sunsets

Your next destination from Madh Island is the neighboring Manori Island, another undiscovered haven that offers a peaceful getaway. You may take a quick ferry ride from Malad's Marve Beach to Manori Island. The island is a popular destination for leisurely bike rides because of its lengthy expanses of peaceful beaches and laid-back atmosphere. 

You'll see a blend of modern beach resorts and old-world fishing towns as you cycle around the island. Manori, with its roads lined with coconut trees and beautiful seaside views, is ideal for visitors looking to discover Mumbai's more sedate side. There isn't much traffic on the roads here, so you have lots of space to explore the island at your speed. Before continuing your journey, don't forget to stop by the lovely Manori Beach to witness a breathtaking sunset.

The independence that biking in Manori affords is its best feature. You may take slow rides along the lovely coast, explore the island's more quiet areas, and take in Manori's famously relaxed way of life. Additionally, you can enjoy the ride and take in the peaceful surroundings without worrying about transportation thanks to the simplicity of bike rentals in Mumbai.

3. Elephanta Island: A Blend of Nature and History

Continue your island-hopping journey with a visit to Elephanta Island, which is well-known for its historic rock-cut caves and breathtaking views of Mumbai's harbor. You'll need to take a ferry from the Gateway of India to get to Elephanta Island. The ferry journey is a fascinating experience in and of itself, with incredible views of the Arabian Sea and the city skyline. It's time to get on your bike and ride Elephanta Island, discovering its natural beauty and historical sites. Of course, the island's most notable feature is the UNESCO-designated World Heritage site, the Elephanta Caves, which were created in the fifth century. These ancient caves, which are devoted to Lord Shiva, are adorned with pillars and idols that are artistically built.

Cycling through Elephanta Island is a unique experience, as the island is largely free from motorized traffic, allowing you to enjoy a peaceful and scenic ride. The lush greenery, coupled with the island’s historical significance, makes for an unforgettable bike ride.

4. Arnala Island: An Offbeat Getaway for Nature Lovers

If you're prepared to travel even farther outside of the city, Arnala Island is a unique location ideal for individuals who enjoy the outdoors. Arnala Island may be reached from Arnala Beach with a quick boat ride, and it's close to Virar. Arnala Island, which is popular for its green surroundings and tranquil mood, provides a distinctive riding experience apart from the typical tourist attractions. Arnala Fort is a historical fort constructed by the Portuguese in the sixteenth century and is the main attraction of Arnala Island. Situated on the northern tip of the island, the fort is surrounded by lush vegetation and provides amazing views of the surrounding coastline and sea. Cycling the island's winding paths will reveal secret beaches, sleepy fishing villages, and verdant surroundings around every corner. 

For riders seeking a more sedate and immersed cycling experience, Arnala Island is the ideal destination. Adventurers and nature enthusiasts alike should not miss the island because of its unique appeal and natural beauty.

5. Alibaug: A Coastal Paradise

Alibaug is a coastal town that is sometimes described as an "island town" because of its remote location and convenience of access by ferry, even though it is not officially an island. Alibaug, a popular weekend hideaway for those seeking to get away from the bustle of the city, is situated just south of Mumbai. Taking a ferry from the Gateway of India to Mandwa and then a quick ride to the town is the most efficient method to get to Alibaug. After arriving in Alibaug, you can rent a bike and tour the town's many sights, which include its beautiful beaches, old forts, and attractive countryside.

Situated at low tide, the sea fort known as Kolaba Fort is one of Alibaug's main attractions. Cycling around Alibaug's coastal areas will reward you with breathtaking views of the ocean, beaches covered with palm trees, and the laid-back atmosphere of the town. There are lots of peaceful roads and beautiful trails to explore in Alibaug, making it the ideal place to combine relaxation with adventure.

You may easily bring your bike on the ferry or rent one once you reach Alibaug, thanks to the bike rental in Mumbai. Alibaug, is a cyclist's dream, whether you ride along the ocean or explore the town's lovely streets.

Conclusion: Discover Mumbai’s Hidden Islands on Two Wheels

Mumbai may be known for its busy streets and fast-paced way of life, but several gorgeous and quiet islands are hidden inside its borders that escape the madness. A bike trip through the city's lesser-known attractions is the ideal way to see the historical sites of Elephanta Island, the serene beaches of Manori, or the green surroundings of Arnala.

You can easily tour these islands at your own pace and take in the natural beauty and rich history that each location has to offer with the ease of bike rental in Mumbai. Mumbai's hidden islands are full of adventure, from the famous Madh Island to the unique charm of Arnala. So, pick up a bike and go out on an amazing island-hopping journey the next time you're in Mumbai and searching for a different way to see the city. Whether you live in the area or are just visiting a ferry trip will take you to these attractive and peaceful islands, which provide a welcome respite from the bustle of the city and an opportunity to get back in touch with nature.

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Mumbai in December: A Perfect Blend of Winter Vibes and Urban Charm

Mumbai, the city of dreams, transforms into a haven of pleasant weather and festive festivities in December. Mumbai's blend of modernity and tradition is best experienced in December, when the bustling city is magically enhanced by the winter air. From cultural festivals to well-known locations and luxurious accommodations, the city offers a variety of activities that guarantee a trip that will never be forgotten.

Why December is Special in Mumbai

With temperatures ranging from 17°C to 32°C, Mumbai experiences a warm and stimulating winter. This is the ideal time to stroll along the famous Marine Drive, have some street food at Bandra's Carter Road, or see a sunset at Juhu Beach. Christmas decorations, New Year's festivities, and cultural events like the Mumbai Film Festival and Kala Ghoda Arts Festival make December a joyous month as well.

Top Activities to Enjoy in December

Explore the Heritage of South Mumbai: Visit Gateway of India, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, and the Prince of Wales Museum. The cool weather makes it ideal for walking tours.

Shop Till You Drop: Mumbai’s December sales are irresistible. Head to Colaba Causeway, Linking Road, and High Street Phoenix for the best deals.

Relish Mumbai’s Culinary Scene: From roadside vada pav to exquisite dining at fine-dine restaurants, Mumbai’s food culture shines in the winter months.

Celebrate Christmas and New Year: Attend midnight mass at Mount Mary Basilica or party at some of the city’s most happening clubs and lounges.

Discover Mumbai’s Vibrant Art Scene: December is the perfect time to explore art exhibitions, theater performances, and cultural festivals. Venues like NCPA and Prithvi Theatre host a range of events that capture Mumbai’s artistic spirit.

Best Places to Stay in Mumbai

To fully experience the charm of Mumbai in December, choosing the right accommodation is key.

The Empresa Hotel: Your Home in the Heart of Andheri West

The Empresa Hotel is a fantastic choice for travelers seeking lodging that blends style, practicality, and quick access to important locations.

Our Andheri West hotel is perfect for both business and leisure travelers because of its excellent service and contemporary amenities. One of the best places to stay in Andheri is the Empresa Hotel, which provides easy access to Versova, Juhu Beach, and Mumbai's vibrant nightlife. Whether you are in Mumbai for business or pleasure, this hotel is among the best near the airport and ensures seamless connectivity.

Other Noteworthy Options in Andheri

Andheri provides a variety of hotel choices to accommodate different preferences: Andheri offers hotels that cater to all kinds of visitors, from opulent lodgings to more reasonably priced choices. When searching for "business hotels near me," Mumbai's Andheri West offers first-rate facilities and easy access to corporate hubs.

Why Choose The Empresa Hotel?

One of the greatest hotels in Mumbai is this one, which is close to important landmarks like Juhu Beach and ISKCON Temple. It also has wellness services like a spa and fitness center, a restaurant on the rooftop with stunning city views, and opulent apartments with contemporary conveniences.

Make the Most of Your December Trip

Mumbai has more to offer in December than just tourism. It's about enjoying the vibrant energy of the city, and its varied culture, and indulging in the best that urban luxury has to offer.