In need of some mental recharge? Then it is time to pack up your bags and set off for a quick getaway to waterfront villas. As there is nothing like jaw-dropping views, scrumptious food and tranquil settings, to cure the blues.
Don’t know where to find one? SaffronStays is here to solve your dilemma and brings you the wonderful waterfront villas for your quick getaway! Luxuriate in the privacy, savour the serenity, gorge on delicious meals and get inspired by the magnificent views.
Here’s a list of six waterfront villas for your quick getaway to unwind!
Perched on a cliff, SaffronStays Villa 270°,offers stunning views of the Arabian sea from all sides. It has five stunning cottages which can be booked individually. This villa has a rustic setting, designed using the stone age style. This quaint homestay with a lovely garden and a man made pond, offers the perfect chance to relax. So, enjoy gorging on delicious Konkani seafood delicacies while the panoramic views keep you company.
SaffronStays Salt Rim, a 2-bedroom beachfront villa, can accommodate up to 10 guests. With Goan and Portuguese style decor, the wooden decor and earthy tones soothes the tumultuous soul. This is perfect for the ones in need to recharge as there is no inhabitation for half a kilometer. Feel the wind in your hair, the sun on your face and the sand beneath your feet as you make an escape to this heavenly abode.
SaffronStays L’attitude, a lakefront villa, is an incredible 3-bedroom villa which can accommodate up to 9 guests. Built with reclaimed wood, mud and exposed brick it adds a raw charm to the interiors and is a soothing retreat for everyone. Sit on the deck and experience the splendid sunsets and sunrises. The perfectly meshed rustic setting and luxurious interiors offers luxury and comforts to its guests.
SaffronStays Little Paradise, with its own private and secluded beach is perfect for a romantic getaway. It has 3 wooden cabins which can be booked individually and can accommodate up to 9 guests in all. Sink your toes into the water, lounge on the secluded beach or enjoy the amazing ocean breeze from the comfort of a cozy front porch. This is a perfect getaway for the one’s seeking solitude.
Away from the cacophonous crowd, savour the much needed tranquility at SaffronStays River Rock. A 2-bedroom villa, it is pet friendly where you and your furry little friend can frolic all you want. Lounge in the private outdoor jacuzzi or dip your toes in the bubbling river nearby! This brick-and-mortar edifice can accommodate up to 6 guests and is perfect for a rustic rejuvenation.
An earthy home, SaffronStays Fragrant Sun, offers its guests an expansive view of the Mulshi lake. A 4-bedroom home, the rooms can be booked individually and it can accommodate up to 16 guests. It is surrounded by lawns with a bonfire sit-out, gardens, fruit trees, herbs and vegetable patches. Savour the mouth-watering food while the mesmerising views make it hard for you to ever leave!
To book your next stay with SaffronStays, send a mail to book@saffronstays.com with the name of the home in the subject line!
Have you ever seen someone’s name flash on your phone and wondered how that person became such an integral part of your life? We all have these friends who walked into our lives unexpectedly and stayed on to become much more. On this International Day of Families, we want to shout out to those ‘families’ who may not be related by blood or name, but those groups whom we cannot imagine our lives without.
Bridge-playing buddies
Friends get better with age.
Those Sunday afternoons seem so boring without the gang, eh? Ask your parents or your grandparents who their closest pals are and they’ll most likely mention the gang they play cards with at the neighbourhood club. In fact, why limit it to only a gymkhana? This International Day for Families calls for an outing with this bunch, and don’t the weekday prices at most our properties sound lucrative too?
Social Work Club
A little breather from work can work wonders.
So you and a bunch of mates rally together to produce some socially relevant difference to the world? Why not get together today and chill out over a drink. For all the work you guys have done, ya’ll deserve a little break, no? So meet up, discuss the week that was and just unwind after that last piece of activism.
MBA group
Drinks on?
If you’ve spent 2 gruelling years with a bunch of individuals who were equally intent on finding themselves and building up their careers, you will know that you all know match on that same wavelength. They say friends made during an MBA course are friends for life. Here’s your chance to put that saying to test: Make sure you and your entire gang land up at a designated bar tonight. Drinks on the last one to arrive!
Co-Teachers
Nobody gets teachers the way teachers get each other.
Squabbling kids, botched education systems and immense knowledge are such a great link to connect with others. If you’ve ever been a teacher, you know exactly how important your colleagues from work are. Gather up your co-teachers and head for a relaxing weekend (sans the noise and stress) at Parsi Manor, Matheran. Consider it as a vacation for those who truly deserve it.
Train travellers
Who said train journeys have to be bad and boring?
Always catch that 9:14 local, do you? You’ll surely have a train gang then. Given this new age digital boom has left very few people getting their heads out of their devices, but when they do, you’ll see how friendly your train buddies can be. Try exchanging numbers and meeting up outside, and you now have a new group to hang out with!
Hobby class gang
Birds of a feather fly together.
Have you and your significant other signed up for a hobby or health class together? High chance is that you’ll have already formed a clique within the class. Why not plan a trip around the said hobby or health fad? Like practicing some yoga out on the porch at Verandah by the Valley on an early monsoon morning?
Kid’s friend’s parents
Why should kids have all the fun?
This gang of people is one you definitely will not be able to do without. If you’re a kid reading this, you’ll know how close your parents have become. If you’re in your mid-20s, it’s quite possible that you have been out of touch with your school pals, but your parents still get together like a house on fire. And if you’re a parent, the fact that your respective kids spend some 8 hours together, get along perfectly and won’t trouble you while on vacation makes these co-parents just the best travel buddies. Right?
Kitty Party
Head out of the city for your next kitty party!
From husband-bashing to ranting against your ma-in-law to discussing the kid’s college and your world tours. Your gang of gal pals is extremely critical for your monthly gossip sesh, and none may deny that. So after all the home and hotel kitty parties you have hosted and attended, it’s time you stepped up your game and stepped out of the city. That’s right! Host a party in a hill station or just take a vacation together. And in case you are looking at ideas for fun games and activities at your do, look no further. We’ve got you, girl.
Neighbourhood Pals
You know those familiar faces in your galli that don’t have names yet whose smiles prove to be just the best pick-me-ups after a long day at work? Next time stop and have a chat with them. Who knows you’ll probably make a new BFF and that smile could mean so much more then!
Here’s to all the small families we build outside our etched ones. Here’s to those who matter too!
Hot Water Springs, Dolphins and Tandem Paragliding… sound like some exotic vacation? Guess what? These activities and some more, are right around Maharashtra. If you’re feeling the summer blues, fret not, because we’ve got a list of activities to kiss these feelings a sweet goodbye!
So what are you waiting for? Head out NOW!
Soak yourself in the Hot Springs of Dapoli
Take a dip in the healing waters of Unhavare
Did you know you could step into healing hot water springs so close to home? Well, now you do! Head over to Unhavare for a relaxing and rejuvenating weekend of peace and quiet. Our quaint little Villa 270 promises to be the best bet for your Dapoli stay. Cheggit out!
Set Sail in the Seas around Mumbai
Sailing by the shores of Mumbai is a great way to destress.
Discover the amazing coastline Mumbai boasts of with a quick sailing trip around the shore. Many clubs around the bay provide extensive sailing classes from introduction level to advance stages. If you are even a day over 15 year, join one of the special summer courses where you can learn to be a pro sailor in just a day!
Fly up into the air in a balloon with your family.
Always dreamt of going to Bristol or Cappadocia for a scenic Hot Air Balloon ride? Why look so far away when your neighbourhood has an equally eye-catching ride for you? The lush hills of Lonavala are a delight to see from 1200 ft and you must see it to believe it. Go and book your family a trip right now!
Go solo or fly tandem! Paraglide away the summer heat.
Want to fly like a bird, but don’t have the courage to go alone? Don’t worry! Tandem paragliding is an amazing way to get some wind under your wings, quite literally. Head out to Kamshet, the less boisterous version of Lonavala, to enjoy a ride. Or sign up for a certificate course and stay at the gorgeous L’attitude Villa while you grab the ropes of this daring activity.
Turn up your adrenaline with an adventurous river rafting experience. From: CSG Raft Gear Ltd
Getting into a pool of water is probably the best feeling during the summers. But why stop at that? Jump into a nasty river while you go white water rafting and it shall be one guaranteed great weekend. So gather all your friends and head over to Kolad for a gala time!
Catch a glimpse of these beautiful dolphins right around Mumbai.
Want another example of how ecologically diverse and rich Mumbai is? Hire a boat and head out just a few nautical miles off the coast of Maximum City and spot bottleneck dolphins with your own eyes! Does sound splendid right? Here’s another summer afternoon planned for you and your family.
There are so many bucket lists of things-to-do, books to read, cuisines to try and of course places to visit. We know you have been to all the possible places in and around Mumbai. And that you must have spent like a king and saved like a squirrel! So we thought about a bucket list which is more practical and doable – the ‘Relaxing’ bucket list! We hope this list helps you see places in a different light and that there’s new stuff to do every day i.e. relax your mind, relax your body, relax your soul and recharge for the week!
A 100-year old heritage bungalow, owned by a Parsi family in Matheran is your little pad of solace. It opens into a large forest facing verandah where you could, on a lazy sleeper chair, catch-up on your book or simply gaze into the nature’s beauty. Every room is tastefully done with old-style wooden furniture, yet complete with modern amenities. It comforts you with delicious home cooked food and personal attention.
If flowing river right at the backyard of your house is what you have been dreaming of lately, then this place is an example of uber luxurious property where you can relax at the lakeside, or play with your friends/family in the garden. With all kinds of modern amenities available, this is an excellent place to relax and rewind!
Barely 2.5 hours away from Mumbai, is located this beautiful Villa by the sea that makes sure you don’t spend your weekend like a lazy bum! With three forts on this beach, one at the southern tip of the beach, submerged in seawater during high tides; the smaller one located within the coniferous trees near the northern tip on the beach, Kelwa beach provides a fair share of activities. There is also a famous shitala devi temple at Kelwa.
Located about 10 kms from Murud, in Agardanda, this beachvilla will take your breath away. Here, the only sound that disturbs the peace is that of the sea waves crashing on the shores, barely 50 meters away. The property has no neighbours, so the stretch of 200-300 meters of beach is almost private. It has 2 units, wooden structures, both with a porch from where one can keep staring into the open Ocean. You will find yourself fixed on the porch the whole day long with a book for company.
Just 10 minutes away from the Mandwa jetty, this lovely stone villa is easily accessible. Tastefully decorated with antique furniture and with two outdoor sitting areas, you can breathe in the fresh, unpolluted air, read, eat and enjoy. In the afternoons, either simply laze around or cycle through the tranquil villages and the two nearby ponds and enjoy the peace and calm. The evenings are meant to go to the Awas beach, which is a nice 5-10 minute walk from the house. Play cricket, run around, get soaked and have fun till you get tired!
While your stay at this mansion in an isolated place in Alibaug, let the chirpings of bird bring you the state of tranquility. The hospitality of caretakers will want you to revisit this place. The Villa is well furnished with large spacious rooms, wooden furniture, wall paintings and antiques which add the feel of homeliness to it.
A luxurious 6 bedroom valley facing bungalow in Panchgani offers breathtaking views, much more appreciated during the monsoon season when the Bhilar waterfall is visible in its full glory. The bungalow is fully furnished and is equipped with the latest gadgets to make your stay as comfortable as possible. The valley facing glass enclosed gazebo is connected by a bridge to the dining area and is a perfect place to relax and unwind.
A spacious pool villa little away from Alibag city, has a beautiful garden in front of the bungalow. This place is ideally Suited For Large Groups Of Friends And Families, Wanting A Quick Weekend Getaway From Mumbai. The house is large with plenty of light and air.
Set amidst the lush green valleys of Karjat, this farmhouse is situated among the hills near Mumbai. The large front deck, with a breathtaking view of the Sahyadris, provides a great setting for evening parties with barbecue.
Barely a 10 minutes walk from Nagaon beach, this bungalow is easily accessible. Engaging in various water sports like Jet ski rides, parasailing, kayaking, Banana boat or enjoy fishing and beach walk is more fun when you are staying right next to a beach!
We’re kicking off with this list, and so should you! Enjoy the list, check out how many you have seen and how many you haven’t.
About the Author:
Keenjal Patel
A reader at mind, a writer at heart, a believer at soul and an achiever overall, is what she want to be. She loves to express through words. She’s a firm believer that imagination rules the world and the day this world absorbs the essence of her words, that would be a day of pride for her!
We feel for all the non-vegetarians cribbing and feeling outraged about the #MeatBan in Mumbai during Paryushan. However, for our vegetarian friends who often feel inconvenienced and uncomfortable eating at places that also serve non-veg (“What if the same utensils are used?”); here’s some relief. No, we aren’t referring to the #MeatBan.
For our vegetarian friends and their families, we bring few quick weekend breaks that serve only VEG meals. Some of them can even prepare Jain meals. Here you needn’t worry if the utensils are used for non-veg preparations. So go ahead and book NOW!
Experience the bygone era where the house was lit by natural daylight, large windows with ample of air ventilation and green landscape. With a spectacular look of Darna river in close proximity, you can enjoy the warm sit-out that overlooks the huge lawn and savour your veggie taste buds with delicious local food. Maharashtrian food with a blend of north and south dominates the local cuisine in Igatpuri. Akki roti (rice flour bhakri) is a must try!
Visit the 400 year old Ganesh temple and the serene Malgund beach, both just a hug and nuzzle away from your stay at Ganpatipule. You can also drive along the beautiful coastal stretch of Ratnagiri and visit Thibaw Palace and Ratnadurg Fort. On your return to the bungalow, relax and retreat with mouth watering vegetarian food. The local cuisine is ruled by Konkani food which can bowl over your non-vegan craving anyday! The luscious kokam curry, Ambapoli (Pancake made of dried mangoes), Sabudana Khichdi, and Phanaspoli (Pancake made of dried jackfruit) are few famous dishes. This region is known for jackfruit and the special delicacy which is Modak with a filling of jaggery and coconut.
The Bungalow is a cozy living paradise in the dense foggy mountains of Lonavla-Khandala. This is the right spot to unwind and relax! Enjoy the lovely view of mountains or visit there by yourself. Tiger point, Kune waterfalls and Lion point are in close proximity from this bungalow. Khandala doesn’t really have a standard or unique cuisine but it definitely welcomes to those interested in enjoying simple vegan food. You will find varied options from North-Indian to Gujarati to Chinese cuisines here. The staple food is our very famous Vada Pav with a sprinkle of spicy red chutney.
While the brisk of air heralds the end of fall season and it is time to extend a warm welcome to the breeze and sunset at the Tiger point, Lonavala. A popular destination that this is, you will find end number of options for food, especially dhaba’s. But you must try hot masala chai with cheese and corn pakoda’s, onion rings, and fudges if you have a sweet tooth!
If you are wanting to stress out from your daily routine, this rustic cottage house in Palghar is an ideal place for you to rejuvenate yourself and regain the balance of your chakras through Yoga, detox, and consuming naturally grown clean vegetables for food. The place is eco-friendly in every possible way and serves only VEGAN food! Palghar does not offer much options when it comes to food joints. Thus, making it perfect to enjoy the organic local food served by the tribal community.
A reader at mind, a writer at heart, a believer at soul and an achiever overall, is what she want to be. She loves to express through words. She’s a firm believer that imagination rules the world and the day this world absorbs the essence of her words, that would be a day of pride for her!
I remember when I first traveled with my family, I was very curious about why the roads were so curvy; why the railway tracks went criss cross; why it rained at one place while some miles ahead we could only find breeze to accompany us and so much more. Today, I wish to see the same excitement in my children. I don’t want to take them on a lavish vacation where all they can do is admire the beauty from far and brag about it when they meet their friends. I prefer taking my kids for a trips wherein we live in a homestay, spend some time with local people, and children can mingle around with the localites learn how to adapt new life, get their hands dirty with mud, eating a cuisine which they would not otherwise get in the city.
“The use of traveling is to regulate imagination by reality, and instead of thinking how things may be, to see them as they are” – Samuel Johnson
Although the internet has changed the world into a global village, one still needs to travel. Children are like butterflies, they remain in the cocoon for a purpose and they adapt the change only when exposed to it. And as a parent when I think of what is that one thing I want to give my kids, the answer unanimously is Education & Travel. Education is taken care of by the schools, while travel for us, it teaches children the cultural diversities and to appreciate and relish that experience forever.
Considering the weather, I thought it is time for parents to take their kids to places where they can engage themselves in activities that will not just entertain them but also teach them how to embrace the change. Often families going on a trip miss out on whether their children will enjoy as much as they will. Is the place kids friendly? We hardly find places that could teach the basics of a simple life to our children. I found few such places and am sure kids will absolutely cherish the experience!
While we decide to lay back and relax in the amazing weather, your kids could get a chance to lay their hands on gardening, fishing, bird watching and everything that excites them about nature. This Agro-farm located at Kamshet offers a comprehensive range of terrestrial and aquatic adventure activities, and a series of horticultural and farm-based educational experiences within the premise. With a variety of outdoor experiences it will help children discover oneself & hone one’s capabilities.
Nestled in the majestic Sahyadri valley, surrounded by lush green mountainous forests, blessed with abundant rainfall, this place at Pali can make your stay comfortable. While we laze around the place, taking a stroll on the half km walkway, the kids can engage in learning how to fly a kite. One thing every parent must consider doing here is to ditch your car for once and hire a bullock cart to visit the nearby scenic locations like Padsare waterfall, Jatayu temple and Pali Ashthavinayak Ganpati temple.
Far from the maddening crowds, just 100 km from Mumbai, cocooned among the western ghats, in the Raigad district, this place is a recreation of all the simple elements of village life within 7 acres of land – fields, orchards, temple, pond, waterfall, farm animals, and last but not the least – Indian country homes, made by unskilled hands, with natural materials and rustic decor, which are comfortable, clean and furnished with necessary amenities. If your kids love to pamper animals and play with them, this is an ideal place for petting. They can enjoy the simple joys of waking up with the cackle of geese and spend their day walking in the fields, swinging, kite flying, rowing, fishing, planting, feeding the fowl and cattle, riding a bullock cart, star gazing or just watching time go by with nature. Having ponies and horses is an added attraction for kids.
In a place surrounded with rustic village atmosphere along with 1200+ trees, you can get an easy access to peep into nature’s beauty at Kolad. With the help of the caretaker one can arrange for river crossing and river rafting at Kudalika river. One can also arrange for kayaking, day and night trekking and river body surfing. Not just the kids, but parents too can enjoy these activities.
Besides streams and scenic beauty this place at Karjat is situated amid 120 acres of thick wooden mango orchads. Visit here in monsoon for the lush greens, fresh forest smells, and gurgling river that is safe even in monsoon to play in. Remember the last time you climbed a tree? Probably not! It’s time for you to let your children jump and hop around the trees like monkey and relive your childhood days. The farm attracts a splendid variety of birds. One can take walks around the property and swim in the river or even have a family barbeque or just sit back and read and listen to nature.
Are you a Konkani? Or have you heard alot about Konkani tales? Then this place at Khopoli is ideal for you to travel with your kids for them to taste the many flavors of this region. We would love to live at a traditional Konkani Cottage with veranda overlooking mountain ranges. The place is doing its best to preserve and protect our ecology, our native culture and food habits. And they are prepared to share the natural beauty and comforts of their place with the guests. Kids would enjoy farming and they can learn the very art of rice cultivation, soil building, poultry farm and brick furnace. Also, camping and barbeque can be arranged on request.
Living within the wooden interiors and a place that follows agro-toursim, I am sure this place at Mulshi has great deals for our kids to learn. This place is been taken care of by the local villagers and they gladly welcome you to witness their warm service and mouth watering food over your weekend trip. The villagers believe that everything is of value and use and the homestay itself is been built with a lot of recycled material. What could be a better way to teach our kids ‘best out of waste’! The localites are known to indulge kids into fun activities like crab hunting and rice plantation. Now every time they will crave for sea food, they know where it comes from! The best thing about choosing this place as a farmstay is to realize that the money raised by the guest visits is being used for the education of village children which is an amazing effort!
If you think your children would love to indulge in similar fun activities, then visiting these places is a must! On your way back home if you sense the same curiosity in your kids which you had years ago on your first travel trip with your parents, then your weekend trip to the above places is worth it!
About the Author:
Keenjal Patel
A reader at mind, a writer at heart, a believer at soul and an achiever overall, is what she want to be. She loves to express through words. She’s a firm believer that imagination rules the world and the day this world absorbs the essence of her words, that would be a day of pride for her!
It was 5:30 pm and the quiet forest seemed to have suddenly come alive. A downpour later, the howling wind violently rustled the trees. The kids in the house were running about, singing songs in Nepalese. My host was out plucking pears for all of us while his wife stood stirring curry in a steel saucer in the kitchen. For a moment, it seemed like a regular day in a Sikkimese household, until I looked out.
There was neither another person nor another house in sight. The view from my small two-bedded room, done in green and red, was mostly shrouded in mist. The clouds had enveloped the mountains and I had been watching them shift and change shapes for a while. There were trees as far as I could see, in shades of green that I did not even know existed.
I was in Lingee Payong, a remote twin village in South-east Sikkim that lies at the base of Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary. Untraceable on the map and with very little information about it available on the internet, the village was undoubtedly the most beautiful discovery during my ten-day long Sikkim trip.
The breath-taking view from the window
A week before I was to leave for my assignment for SaffronStays, I had gotten in touch with Mr. Gitanath Koirala, the General Secretary of Comprehensive Tourism Development Committee Payong, who patiently helped me plan the trip over countless phone and email conversations. Once in East Sikkim, three nights in Gangtok and half a day in Assam Lingzey later, I finally met him in the transit town of Singtam. We were to travel to his village together. I shared a packed cab with his wife and two little kids for an hour until it dropped us on a deserted road. There on, with our bags carefully strapped to our shoulders, we were to trek up to Mr. Gitanath’s house, which, like all other houses in Payong, was built on a solitary slope. The 500 meter uphill trek, through dense forests at one point and through narrow trails by the edge of the hill at another, was enough to exhaust a non-trekker like me. Panting and slipping, I managed to reach Mr. Gitanath’s house after about forty-five long minutes, his two kids trotting much ahead of me. As I finally put the heavy bag down, caught my breath and looked around, I was instantly convinced that the struggle had been worth it. Away from all forms of civilization, the family lived there in a small house amidst acres of self-grown vegetable farm, orange orchards and fodder trees. The distant mountains stood at the backdrop like a protective shield.
Almost all houses in Payong were built the same way and lay scattered at considerable distance from each other across the slope of a hill. This made access to outsiders very difficult, unless guided by a villager himself. The locals here enjoyed their space and solitude. Lingee, the other half of the twin-village, was quite different. It lay above Payong and could be reached by driving through a scenic forest road. All its houses, however, were located by the motorable road.
Mr. Gitanath hiking with his little daughterHiking through dense forests in the rain
Until a few years ago, Lingee Payong was a prosperous village owing to the growth and sale of large cardamom in huge quantities. Mr. Gitanath himself recalls producing 1200 kilos of it in one season. In the year 2000, however, a viral disease attacked the crop, drastically reducing its growth by 90 percent. To make up for the sudden loss of income, the locals took to cutting and selling timber – a highly unsustainable alternative. Soon, alarmed by their own desperate measures, the village gathered and formed a committee that decided to use tourism to generate income. With no knowledge as to how to do so, the committee took the first step by sending two people to North Sikkim for tourist guide training. The young guides returned, having witnessed some form of village tourism and discussed its feasibility with the rest of the locals. The Ecotourism and Conservation Society of Sikkim, a non-governmental organization, helped promote the twin-village and provided tourism related training to locals. A hall was built for tourism related group activities a few months later and a number of home stays have opened their doors to guests ever since.
Considering the remoteness of the location, I was amazed by how ambitious the locals had been and how much they’ve achieved over the years. Mr. Gitanath went on to show me an extremely detailed five year tourism plan for the area that was mapped by a German traveler a few months ago and one that they want to implement to the minutest detail. He told me about their collaboration with Shankara Institute of Technology in Rajasthan whose students visit the village every year for one of their papers. And finally, before we sat down for a hot meal made of organic vegetables, he showed me architectural sketches, made with the help of international travellers, for home stays that will be built using the grant sanctioned by Sikkim Tourism Department in the future.
Hiking through beautiful terraced farms to reach the home stays in Payong.This little kid gives me company while I try to catch up with Mr. Gitanath.
He doesn’t own a home stay himself, but as we hiked through the village the next morning, he introduced me to hosts and their homes with such zeal that I was often lost for words. Located in perfectly unspoilt locations, by the terraced farms, forests and sacred trees, these homes radiated warmth and hospitality like no other. Locals spoke to me in half-baked Hindi, offering hot tea and steamed corn cobs to keep away the cold. It wasn’t long before I stopped complaining about the pouring rain and my aching feet. It was all worth it, I reminded myself.
After spending a fulfilling morning with the locals, I hesitantly sat in the car to proceed with the rest of my journey around Sikkim. But before I could leave, Mr. Gitanath let me in on a few secrets about the place. He told me about the hanging bamboo bridge at a height of 200 feet that allowed you a glimpse of a beautiful waterfall only after you had walked a certain distance. He also told me about the sacred cave that lay at a depth of about 120 feet and villagers visited it every Shivratri, with ropes and lamps, to offer prayers. He recalled the scenic camp site that he had spent chilling days in and the nights when fireflies lit up the forest around his house. His daily life was an extraordinary treat for us travellers and he was visibly excited to show it to the world.
This suspended bridge in the midst of a beautiful forest lies on the way from Payong to Lingee
As I write this, it’s almost been a month since I spent those 24 hours in the beautiful twin village of Lingee Payong. I am counting on the lingering warmth, and the many stories, secrets and memories to take me back there again.
My driver, Mr. Bhim, driving me to darjeeling at the end of my Sikkim trip
Note: From Lingee Payong, I travelled to the rest of South and West Sikkim with Bhim. He is an excellent driver, reliable and has a good knowledge about the roads and the regions around the state. He is also very friendly and made great company during the trip. You can avail his services by calling him at +91 9733220703.
Travelling is as exciting as it is dangerous. Who knows what you will come across, who knows whether you will get a warm bed to sleep in tonight or food in your belly – it’s exciting. With one SSExpress already over and another one underway, we’ve become pros at planning travel.
Your movement from one place to another should be planned, especially when you are on a tight budget and have limited time in hand. So here’s some help in creating the best plan for you.
Where are you going and what do you want from the trip?
It’s easy to decide that you want to travel. The question is where? India is a large country and each state has something unique to offer. Your expectation from the trip is also very important. May be you just want to snooze and unwind; or maybe you want to travel from one place to another and take in a lot of culture and scenery.
At the end of this thought process, you should have a route decided that you want to travel through.
Get a Roof over your Head
One of the main issues of most travellers is finding a place to stay. You have quite a few options from hotels, hostels, inns, homestays and B & B. If you are planning a trip during season time, you should try to book a room in advance. Saffronstays is unique in the way that you can get access to a quaint, local place to stay, plus you can learn about the area’s culture from the host.
Plan the Transport
Before you leave, ensure even your return tickets are booked. This way, no matter what happens (like you’re robbed), you at least have a way to come back. Find out the various ways you can travel to the places you want to visit and what’s the best means of transport over there. Is it better to rent a bike or use the public transport?
What should you Visit?
There is no point of visiting a place, if you are going to laze about in the hotel or homestay room. Get out there and experience things. Every place has interesting things to check out, whether it is the local dam or that national monument. Making small lists saves time when you reach the location. You won’t waste time about finding about the places you need to visit.
No Plan is the Best Plan
At times, the best idea is dive in. No matter how much you plan, you can’t prepare yourself for all the awesome experiences on the trip. Some may even test you. You must be flexible and be prepared to evolve according to the situation.
Lastly, if something has to go wrong, it will. Don’t worry about it! Just go ahead and dive into that trip you wanted to go for.
About the traveller: Tristan Fernandes is currently travelling to the North East of India and has used all of the above tips in planning his travel successfully.
It’s hard to believe it was only 2 days ago that I was sitting at office in Malad, Bombay, not knowing what was in store for me soon. And then we, (as in Samir and I) were told that in two days we would have to pack for 20 days of South-seeing! There was like a surge of mixed feelings, like wondering how exactly I would pack 20 days into one bag and how I was going to finish my six pending articles with all the excitement!
This wasn’t just a “moment-I’d-been-waiting-for” cliched scene, it was THE moment I had anticipated since I decided to come back to Bombay from Melbourne (thus leaving all my travel dreams behind I’d assumed). Actually, it’s difficult to explain what this trip really spells out for me. Sometimes clichés work best and this is one of those times ‘fo shizz’!
Much packing and not many hours later, I was getting mentally prepared. I was nervous, not quite sure why. But then again, Thoughts were speeding past my head in speeds I didn’t know existed.
Somewhere amidst all of that, I ended up in Mangalore today.
However, a traveler is about the journey as well as the destination, in my opinion. This story would be complete without a full blown account of the 19 hour bus ride! So here goes.
Day 0: Of backpacking and phone stealing backsides
Thursday the 14th saw me waiting at Andheri, with my parents in tow, waiting to see their “baby” off: / something I was warned I’d been picked on for at work! Only half an hour late, our bus showed up and suddenly the entire journey mapped out like a virtual projection in my head!
I had planned on making that bus ride my last night of luxury in terms of sleep, but life had other plans for me! Super loud movies deserved my attention! If you know me well enough, you will know that bus rides turn me into and emotional ball of Tian’ness. It was probably a good thing that Samir and I had separate seats (for his sake). Because, for some odd reason I felt streams of saline pouring out of my eyes! ‘IKNOWRIGHT’? WRONG. I’ve never been able to puzzle that one out. Inevitable, though it is.
After I was over being a weirdo (as if!), there was a two hour “I lost my phone” scare at around 1 30 am! After countless silent prayers, trying to sleep and eyeing potential phone stealers suspiciously (also checking out hottie in the aisle in front), aunty next to me turned in her sleep to reveal a blinking red light of the phone I’d “lost” peeping from under her bottom. Yes, Yes. I had to.
It was 3:30 am when that fiasco ended, so much for getting the longest sleep ever. I promise the morning had more stories that the bus ride. So, here we go
Day 1: Of food and families…and more food.
Touchdown Mangalore. Land of my forefathers, land I had never been to because I never thought I was missing out. Boy was I proved wrong!
After getting slightly duped by our rikshaw guy, we were greeted by our host, Winnie Lobo. Walking into the little Manglorean lanes was quite refreshing after being cooped up for 19 hours.
And then it all began. The Manglorean way of life, that is. That means lots of talking and LOTS of food.
We started off with a breakfast one scrumptious sannas (fermented rice cakes) with coconut chutney and tea to get us all prepped up for our long day!
Then we chalked out our host meeting plan for the day, and got set to conquer the task at hand. But not without some lunch, our host insisted. J
We, then set out to meet some pretty kickass families. Our leads in Mangalore were slimmer than the ones we have in the other places along the way so while we were at it, we made sure we soaked in the culture as much as we could.
Here’s a picture of Samir being local!
Many hospitable families with gorgeous houses(that you will soon see on the saffronstays website) later, we ended the day with some new-found friends and some delish kerela parothas and chicken curry! mmmhmm.
Best parts of the trip so far:
Every place has a dog.
Our hosts were AWESOME! So was the entire neighborhood that refused to let us leave Mangalore without a ‘small’ bite at their place.
Our last listing was such a nice experience.
Thanks to everyone we met, we stumbled upon a bonus location as well!
Stay tuned to see where we head off to tomorrow 😉
Good Night world.
About the author: Tianna Coelho is a Bombay born, multi-continent bred, Melbourne-shaped writer with a default wanderlust addiction and an affinity for fashion,passion,chocolate and cuddles! You can read about her quirky discoveries and misfortunes on www.quirkazoid.wordpress.com as she tries to live vicariously through creating, discovering and immortalizing everything along the way!
Have you ever found yourself travelling to a new place, staying in a hotel and then, thinking – Damn, I’m isolated from the real experience out there ? You find yourself eating hotel food, visiting locations in the brochure and it’s just like a freaking guided tour.
Any real traveller would know that discovering another place is not just about visiting tourist hotspots. It is about the people who live there. As a first time visitor, you don’t know the in-and-outs of the place. You have no idea of the best spots to eat. You aren’t aware of any underground culture. Everything is not on the internet!
So how can you really experience the culture of the place you visit? Simple, you get out from your hotel and stay with a local who can guide you.
This is what SaffronStays does.
SaffronStays creates a platform where a community of hosts and travellers can meet. This is what SaffronStays is focused on. We grow with the people we meet. Can you ever say you’ve met two people who are exactly the same? Everyone is unique and has an interesting tale to tell.
SaffronStays gets travellers and locals to stay together. As a traveller, you can experience how it is to live like an Indian. Your host will inform you of the best places to really check out. Don’t be surprised if you’ve never heard of them! Every location has their foodie streets, your host will provide information on which streets you just have to visit. Think of your host as your travel consultant!
And you know what the best part is? You save up on cash! Hosts won’t give you a 5 Star Hotel experience, but it will be priced reasonably. For a budgeted travel, this is fantastic news!
If you are a host, right now you’re thinking – “What’s in it for me?”
Well, if meeting a new, interesting person and helping a traveller out doesn’t interest you, how about money? If you have this spare room or apartment lying about, list it onSaffronStays.com. You can have travellers come over and stay at a price you think is reasonable. It’s a win-win!
So, whether you are traveller or a host, SaffronStays will give you an experience you are going to cherish for a long time.
