Monday, 18 July 2016

Six Reasons to Visit Slovenia, a Gem of Europe

Content and photo credits Frank Lee
Slovenia is a mountainous republic in central Europe which used to be a part of Yugoslavia before 1991. The country has been blessed with some of the most exquisite views on the planet by nature, however, it is still a relatively unknown country for the world. The country has an area of less than 10 percent of the United Kingdom yet it has more geographical diversity than many countries many times its size. There are towering mountains and beautiful lakes, the kind which result in perfect photo opportunities.
fairytale scenery 02
The relatively small size of the country means that you can visit the major attractions without feeling like you’re in a rush or you’ll miss out on something. The attractions offered by the country are many however there are certain attractions which overpower all others and we’ve curated a list of the major reasons why you should pack your bags and take a trip to the beautiful Republic of Slovenia.
fairytale scenery 01

Fairytale Sceneries

A trip to Slovenia can look like a trip to another universe where everything either happens to be in green color or it is deep blue waters which force you to look at them. You’re truly stepping into a fairytale when you visit Slovenia. One of the best places to visit for the scenery is Lake Bled which seems to have come straight out of a fairytale and once you visit it, you wouldn’t really want to leave. In fact, you’ll star finding reasons to spend more time here such as writing a biography or a novel.

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Thursday, 14 July 2016

Have you ever tried Uttapam with Chole?

When I used to work with American Express, there used to be a tradition of pot luck lunch when everyone would bring their cuisine speciality food item and it would be shared across the team. My team used to be big and its members were from various parts of India. Pot luck lunches used to be a great platform to know each other's cuisine. Some one would bring Chicken Chettinad, some Chhole, Paneer makhani etc. Once my friend suggested why not create as special dish that reflects the taste of two different tastes!
I got super curious with the concept and loved it. Such unique and interesting combination! So when it comes to an interstate marriage, why not marry cuisines as well of those states. I simply fell in love with this great idea and started thinking what can I do to compliment this concept of inter state cuisine marriage. I suddenly got an idea to surprise my colleagues with this.
Well, I tried to combine onion uttapam and chhole. What a superb combination! I named the dish as Onion Uttapam with Chhole.

Ingredients required

1 cup Curd, 3 cups semolina, 1/2 cup chopped onions, green chillies, 1 cup chickpeas( soaked in 4 cups water overnight), 2 medium sized onions, 4 medium sized tomatoes, 5 cloves of garlic, 2 inches ginger, 1/2 tea spoon garam Masala, 1/4th tea spoon black pepper, 1 tea spoon coriander powder, 1 teaspoon turmeric powder and 2 tea spoons chana Masala and salt to taste, oil and ghee
Steps to make Onion Uttapam with Chhole

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Nidhi KM
Viharin.com- Onion Uttapam with Chhole
The dish was mouthwatering. I loved it. My family loved it too! Now that I am in blogging world and whenever I get a chance, I am going to present this dish to my friends.
Nidhi KM
©Viharin.com

Wednesday, 13 July 2016

Batu Cermin, Mirror rock , Labuan Bajo

Viharin.com- Welcome to Batu Cermin
Welcome to Batu Cermin
Viharin.com- Batu Cermin
Batu Cermin
Batu Cermin means Mirror Rock. This rock is called a mirror rock as it has got some minerals embedded which shine when sun rays hit them.
It takes around an hour to explore the whole area. We had guides with us. We were given helmets and torches as well. Once you reach the site, one has to walk a bit and will have to climb a flight of stair
Viharin.com- Coral fossils
Coral fossils

My experience of Batu Cermin

The Mirror Rock Batu Cermin looks like a cave. I have experienced a cave adventure in North East India when we all got super scared with no one around. I was more frightened as we had two little kids with us. This cave Batu Cermin that we were supposed to venture into, was a scary one as well but since our group was big, I was not scared. Although the entry of cave was very small, but that was the most tough part of the cave.


Nidhi KM
Viharin.com- Entrance to the cave
Entrance to the cave

Monday, 11 July 2016

Chamarel, a must visit in Mauritius

Chamarel is a village in Rivière Noire District in Mauritius . There are three sightseeing locations in Chamarel- Waterfall , Seven Coloured Earth and  Black River Gorges National Park. Chamarel waterfall was a treat to eyes when I had visited last time.
Viharin.com- Chamarel Waterfalls in Mauritius
Chamarel Waterfalls in Mauritius
This time again I got a chance to visit. How could I miss that opportunity!! We hurried in the morning to reach Chamarel waterfall as we wanted to spend ample time there our schedule being packed. Our car was parked and we had to walk a little to reach the sightseeing place. Waterfall looked refreshing from distance. I could see two strong streams flowing from the top. Waterfall was at a height. This waterfall is fed by River Viande Salee.
Viharin.com- Waterfall close up
Waterfall close up
After Chamarel Waterfall, we went to see Seven Coloured Earths. Its a unique location in Mauritius and a major tourist attraction due to its phenomenal characteristic of distinct colours of sand dunes. Main colours I could see at that time were red, brown, purple, yellow, blue, violet and greenish tinch was there. It is said that the sand is formed from decomposition of volcanic rock and red and bluish purple colours are due to presence of iron and aluminium ( source - https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_Coloured_Earths)

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Nidhi KM
Viharin.com- Seven Coloured Earths
Seven Coloured Earths

Chamarel, a must visit in Mauritius

Chamarel is a village in Rivière Noire District in Mauritius . There are three sightseeing locations in Chamarel- Waterfall , Seven Coloured Earth and  Black River Gorges National Park. Chamarel waterfall was a treat to eyes when I had visited last time.
Viharin.com- Chamarel Waterfalls in Mauritius
Chamarel Waterfalls in Mauritius
This time again I got a chance to visit. How could I miss that opportunity!! We hurried in the morning to reach Chamarel waterfall as we wanted to spend ample time there our schedule being packed. Our car was parked and we had to walk a little to reach the sightseeing place. Waterfall looked refreshing from distance. I could see two strong streams flowing from the top. Waterfall was at a height. This waterfall is fed by River Viande Salee.
Viharin.com- Waterfall close up
Waterfall close up
After Chamarel Waterfall, we went to see Seven Coloured Earths. Its a unique location in Mauritius and a major tourist attraction due to its phenomenal characteristic of distinct colours of sand dunes. Main colours I could see at that time were red, brown, purple, yellow, blue, violet and greenish tinch was there. It is said that the sand is formed from decomposition of volcanic rock and red and bluish purple colours are due to presence of iron and aluminium ( source - https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_Coloured_Earths)

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Nidhi KM
Viharin.com- Seven Coloured Earths
Seven Coloured Earths

Friday, 8 July 2016

My speed boat to Le Morne Rock, Mauritius

When I had visited Mauritius last time, I saw Le Morne Rock a number of times. I had known about its story that how slaves got terrified from the police that they jumped from the rock out of fear. Whereas the police had gone there to inform them about the abolishment of slavery. At that time we could not do any water sports due to Hurricane.
Viharin.com- Early morning journey to Le Morne Rock Mauritius
Early morning journey to Le Morne Rock Mauritius
This time, the weather was favourable for water sports and so I grabbed the opportunity to experience the speed boat till Le Mourne Rock. We knew that we would get to see dolphins as well. Our trip started at 9am from SOFITEL Mauritius ImperialI was raring to go. 


Viharin.com- Beautiful Ocean
Beautiful Ocean

Tuesday, 5 July 2016

Weekend festival @ Castle View Holiday Home Park

The organisers of the inaugural Harlech Caravan and Lodge Festival from July 22-24 are hoping to attract thousands of visitors to the seaside resort.

The festival, which will include a range of family entertainment, has been organised to officially launch a new £2 million caravan holiday home park in the town.



The sculptures were made by Marche Studios at Ford, near Shrewsbury who have already made another eagle, which guards the entrance to Morben Isaf Holiday Home and Touring Park, near Machynlleth and a leaping salmon and oak tree for Seven Oaks Holiday Home Park at Crew Green, near Shrewsbury.

Castle View Holiday Home Park
Castle View Holiday Home Park
Picture caption: Dewi the Dragon guarding the entrance to Castle View Holiday Home Park.
Content and photo credts- Castle View Holiday Home Park