Why Kaziranga National Park India is so interesting?

Kaziranga National Park known for one horned Rhinoceros opens only for six months in a year due to heavy rains during monsoons. While we were visiting Guwahati, we planned for a night's stay at Kaziranga. We started from Guwahati at around 11am and straight away headed to Kaziranga which took us about 4 to 5 hours to reach there. On the way to Kaziranga National Park, the sighting of one horned Rhinoceros had already begun. It was a pleasure to be there.

One Horned Rhinoceros as seen from far on the way to Kaziranga National Park

Rhino enjoying symbiotic relation with birds

Viharin.com- Two Rhinos enjoying harmony with deers

Close up of Rhino

The last entry at Kaziranga happens at 3pm. So rather than fishing for hotel there, we decided to take jungle safari first. It was a pleasurable sight to get into jungle in an open jeep.

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Nidhi KM

Why is Tsomgo lake so famous?

Tsomgo lake is so popular in the world.  I had heard alot about itand hence was curious to personally visit the lakje to know reasons of its popularity. While we were on our way to Nathula Pass, Tsomgo Lake was on the way.

On the way to Tsomgo Lake

Icelets

Being at the height of more than 12,313 ft, we were well equipped with layers of woolens, jackets , caps and gloves, mouth covers. On the way to Tsomgo lake, it was a scenic route.

Beautiful way

Viharin.com- Mesmerizing views

Tsomgo lake was full of snow. All mountains around it were snow covered. There was a flat sheet of ice on the lake.

I was now getting to know the reasons of being a famed Tsomgo Lake. As we got there, there were yaks all around.

Yaks lined up

One can enjoy the view of lake by taking any of rounds around Tsomgo lake in two options. We decided to walk down the way but could not go far with kids as the way was too narrow and slippery ( due to ice and mud). So, we wet up the stairs and view the whole area from a certain height. What a view it was! Lovely.

Sun rays falling

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Nidhi KM

Umium Lake, the pearl of Shillong

Umium Lake or Bada Pani is the name that is synonymous to nature's gift in Shillong.
I am a nature lover so have always wanted an accommodation in a travel destination that surrounds the natural attraction.

Umium Lake

Since our cottage in Ri Kynjai was overlooking Umium Lake, I would say my 65% of Shillong trip was a success due to the view of Umium Lake and rest 45% goes to Cherapunjee. View of Umium Lake from our balcony used to be spectacular. We never missed a chance to dine in our balcony having the pleasure of scenic view there.

View from our cottage balcony

Umium Lake was serene, calm and beautiful.

Surrounded with green belt and mountains, this lake attracts visitors from the globe

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Nidhi KM

Walk out rejuvinated from The Westin Gurgaon

It is a new trend these days- to educate people to get a sound sleep in order to better lifestyle and bring overall wellness and energy to one's daily life. With busy schedules, hectic lifestyles and house responsibilities, not even women but men too are deprived of sleep. Result is a lathargic and boring day ahead. Westin Gurgaon partners with World Sleep Society and organized a pop up at DLF Cyber Hub in Gurgaon. It re enforced the famed sleep quality Westin provides by taking care of guests sleep via heavenly beds.

Westin celebrates World Sleep Day

Heavenly beds are high quality mattress and linen set that provides guests a sound sleep during night. Mattress are super quality with sheets layered with feather and cotton sheets to make the bed actually heavenly that soothes the guest immediately triggering the sleep mechanism.

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Nidhi KM

Thrill of Sweet and Spicy food adventure

As I and my mother keep doing many experiments with food, we keep getting more and more enthusiastic about our food adventures. Specially, if the result turns out to be superb, we enjoy it all the more. This time I have sweet and spicy in my mind.

Have you ever tried Chutney Dhokla with ice cream or Jalebi with green chutney or for that matter, Kurkure with semi solid halwa? Hmmm.... try them once. If at all you want to experiment with food, I am sure you will love them. You must be a food adventure enthusiast , that is why you are reading this post. You know what I and my mother tried latest? Sweet and Spicy Crispy Sandwich. Wondering what it could be? Its a hidden gem that I never knew my palette was waiting for!!

See what I mean!!

Sweet and Spicy Crispy Sandwich

Isn't it enticing?

Recipe of Sweet and Spicy crispy sandwich

Ingredients required

8 bread loafs, one cup water, 1 cup sugar, one medium sized onion, 1 tablespoon gramflour, 2 green chillies, red chilly powder, one-fourth teaspoon coriander powder, salt to taste,  2 cups oil to deep fry and green mint chutney.

Steps

1. Make sugar syrup

a.) Boil half cup water with 1 cup sugar

b.) Simmer down till it becomes sticky

c.) Let it cool

2. Prepare crispy onion pakoras

a.) Mix two tablespoon water with 1 tablespoon gram flour so that it is not so thick . (This will make pakoras more crispy and will spread onions in the pan)

b.) Cut long thin slices of onion

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Nidhi KM

Enjoy this spring @ Grand Resort Bad Ragaz , Switzerland

With the advent of spring season, blossoming flowers, cool breeze during evenings, there is a lot of freshness all around. Why not recharge your batteries in Switzerland, world's dream destination? Stay at Grand Resort Bad Ragaz and enjoy world's luxurious service and amenities by dining at unparalleled restaurants Bel-Air or Olives d'Or.

Aerial view of The Grand Resort Bad Ragaz

Package inclusions at Grand Resort Bad Ragaz

• 2 nights’ accommodation at the Resort
• Daily 4-course lunch or dinner in the Restaurant Bel-Air (15 GaultMillau points) or in the Restaurant Olives d’Or.
• Unlimited access to the 36.5° thermal spa and the legendary Helena pool throughout your stay as well as bathing experiences in the popular Tamina Therme (public thermal spa)
• Value worthy, daily health-promoting fitness and relaxation activities.
• Exclusive beauty and skin care kit in your room

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Gift by God- Nathula Pass, Gangtok- India

I had read about Nathula Pass during my school dasys but had never thought that I will ever be able to see it. When we planned our trip to North East India, I wanted to include Nathula Pass as part of our itinerary but my husband was a bit skeptical about it. People too suggested that with little kids it may not be a good idea to travel to such a high altitude of 14,140 ft.

On the way to Nathula Pass

But when we drove up till Gangtok from New Jalpai Guri, we talked to local people about kids friendly weather uphill. Everyone advised to take kids up there unless and until anyone suffered from respiratory disease. Even The Royal Plaza General Manager advised to take kids up there. He also warned us that the moment anyone gets sick, retreat instantly.

Nathula Pass is not as far. One can easily reach there within one and a half hours. After say 1 hour snowey mountains started. Kids were thrilled at thge sight. After a while we could see sheets of ice covering mountains and it was a breathtaking view. I wondered how beautiful things God has created. It was a new and unique view at every turn of the road.

Tsango lake comes on the way to Nathula Pass. We are first supposed to do Nathula and then enjoy at Tsango. So, we took only five minutes at Tsango and headed for Nathula.

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Nidhi KM

Viharin.con- Nathula Pass

Review- Infinity Resorts Kaziranga

Infinity resorts Kaziranga is the address of greenery I must say. Nestled in nature's lap, surrounded with trees , housing a pond full of fishes, Infinity Resorts Kaziranga gives a refreshing and re juvinating breeze when one enters. 

Ambiance at Infinity Resorts Kaziranga

Beyond the parking area, there is a park surrounded with hanging cottages around a swimming pool. There is a long nature's trail beyond cottages which one should take early morning to watch beautiful species of birds.

Way to Nature trail

There is a pond that has fishing opportunities. Guests can have a beautiful fishing experience.

Restaurant at Infinity Resorts is having a nice location as well. It is facing the greenery and has got beautiful interiors. Brown coloured furniture with glass doors and open air seating lures guests to the location. Cool breeze blowing around brings lot of positive energy.

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Restaurant

Not to be missed- Cafe B-You, Radisson Blu Guwahati

Radisson Blu Guwahati is the gem of hospitality. Adding to its galore of beauty is Cafe B-You. It is an icing on the cake.

Interiors at Cafe B-You

Ambiance at Cafe B-You

As you will pass through the reception, lobby and bakery counter, you will enter the world of elegant and beautifully designed interiors with exotic seating.

Cafe B-You

The royal, lavish spread of buffet sections, salad counter , dessert area and starters will embrace you enticing your taste buds.

Buffet

Presentation of salads, desserts is magnetic and lures guests straight away to savour those flavours.

Food

We had most of our meals at Cafe B-You. Cafe B-You is a multi cuisine restaurant offering Italian, Chinese, continental, Mediterranean cuisines. Every time we dined there, it was a different experience. I wondered how so much of thought process and innovative skills were deployed everytime to create and present a lavish spread to entice all kinds of palettes.

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Nidhi KM

Review- NestAsia - Radisson Blu, Guwahati

My experience with Radisson Blu , Guwahati was wonderful. There is stylish and sophisticated restaurant by the name NestAsia in Radisson Blu Guwahati. It looked attractive from outside.

Entrance from lobby side was marvellous. It was a great combination of red and yellow light.
So , I decided to dine there during dinner time.

Entrance of Nest Asia

 Ambiance at NestAsia

Another view of interiors

Interiors at NestAsia were quirky. I loved the red and brown combination of walls and furniture. A very striking contrast was provided in the middle of thge restaurant through blue coloured fiber leaves.

NestAsia

Food

As I sat with my elder son to have our dinner, we were first served with welcome tea and pineapple dish. They both were a great palette cleanser.

Welcome Tea and pineapple

Then, we had Xiancai, Crispy fried spinach leaves tossed with chopped onion, garlic, ginger, ground pepper and garnished with almond. It was yummy and crispy. I would call it as a great blend of taste and health. It was actually irresistible. One must try it.

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Nidhi KM

Narayani Heights, a hidden gem to stay in Gandhinagar

Narayani Heights appeared to be a very promising hotel in Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad as per my internet research. It indeed was when I reached the hotel. It is located near Apollo Hospital and is just 3 kms from Ahmedabad Airport.

Narayani Heights

Ambiance at Narayani Heights

Narayani Heights is as high class as it looks in the virtual world. As one enters the massive drive way, glass door entrance with few countries flags welcome.Beautifully designed, huge but delicate chandeliers enhance the overall decor of the lobby. Sparkling floors and seating arrangement define interiors of the hotel.

Entrance at Narayani Heights

Lounge at the lobby

Further ahead are elevators and stair case decorated with planters refreshing the atmosphere.

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Nidhi KM

Royal Sarovar Premiere Siliguri, royal indeed!

While coming back from Gangtok, we wanted to pass through the hilly area around the river before dark. So we started early while our train was at late night. So, we had to spend some time in Siliguri. We decided to stay in Royal Sarovar Premiere Siliguri, the finest hotel in Siliguri having a monopoly in service and hospitality industry in Siliguri.

Drive way

Ambiance at Royal Sarovar Premiere Siliguri   

Sophisticated ambiance with exotic lights and chandeliers enhanced the overall decor of entrance and lobby that was sparkling with marble floors and brown coloured furniture.

Entrance

Lobby at Royal Sarovar Premiere Siliguri

After the grand drive way and entrance, reception , there was a beautiful open air lounge. Opposite to lounge was the restaurant.

Swimming pool had nice and sophisticated set up. Although I didn't get time to swim but am sure, it will be an experience there.

Our room was nice, cosy and comfortable. Beds were of high quality to provide good sleep. Room was well appointed with all modern facilities including tea/coffee maker, mini bar, LCD TV, well appointed bathroom.

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Nidhi KM

Ace of Hospitality- The Royal Plaza Gangtok

The Royal Plaza

The Royal Plaza, a 4* property in Gangtok is highly specialized in hospitality. Amongst many hotels/resorts in Gangtok, The Royal Plaza has a strong name. It is one of the top properties in Gangtok. The Royal Plaza belongs to Sarovar group of hotels.

Way to the restaurant

As we entered the hussle bussle of town, The Royal Plaza is at a prominent location in town. But inside, its an altogether a different world with rooms, lobby, restaurant, everything overlooking the beautiful valley.

Seeing mesmerizing views of valley, I was very happy to be staying in The Royal Plaza.

Valley view

Ambiance

When we visited, some renovation was happening. Beautiful stairs welcomed us with a grand lobby. Lobby was divided into various parts- Reception area, travel desk, guest relations,  seating, a little counter for food and a lounge overlooking the valley.

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The lobby

Nestled in nature’s lap- Ri Kynjai, Shillong

I did thorough research on internet to decide the best hotel/resort to stay in Shillong. Ri Kynjai was the best as per all websites/blogs. As we reached the hotel, all my anticipations came true. It was about 10 Km away from main Shillong Town Market. Being away from the hussle bussle of Shillong, Ri Kynjai was like a dream.

Ri Kynjai

Ambiance of Ri Kynjai

Nestled in greenery in the lap of mother nature's Umiam Lake or Barapani as it is popularly know, Ri Kynjai refreshed us at the moment we entered the hotel. Mesmerizing view of Umium lake just hypnotized me. I thanked myself for doing a thorough research. 

Mesmerizing view of Umium Lake

The reception had marvellous wooden floors and furniture with ethnic and exotic artifacts, curtains, cushion covers. I loved how traditional stuff was used and displayed across the hotel. Not only did it enhance the ambiance but also gave many employment opportunities to locals. 

Reception

Seating near reception

Our cottage was a duplex accommodation. The ground floor of the cottage was well appointed with all modern amenities including mini bar, fire place, LCD, tea coffee maker. You name it, you get it. Last but not the least, our cottage had a magnificent view of Umium lake. Words can't describe how beautiful the view was. I can only share pictures to make you realize the breath of fresh air one can get. I just loved my cottage. The upper floor had a single bed, table and lamp.

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Nidhi KM

Interiors of cottage