Dinner parties are hard work if you try to do all the catering yourself. And they are made more daunting by the need to “perform”, given Australians’ growing knowledge and expectations about what is good food. Apart from working out a “modern” menu and doing the actual cooking, much time is also taken up doing the shopping, setting the table …
India – Mumbai
Continued from Goa Many cities have an iconic feature. For Mumbai, perhaps it’s the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel. It became famous worldwide because of the terrorist attack of 2008. There are few other features to rival it. The new international airport has a gorgeous interior. However, on the way in from the airport the traveller will notice the extensive slums …
India – Goa
Continued from Kerala Cuisine Goa was one of the destinations we had all wanted to visit at some stage in our lives, and so once the whole itinerary was finalised we sent out the announcement: “We have a Goa!”. We spent three nights there, staying at the Taj Holiday Village. It was perfect for us with its extensive grounds, a …
India – Kerala Food
Continued from Kerala Waters Kerala is the most southerly western state of India and its coastline is part of the fabled Malabar Coast. It has its own cuisine, with influences from traders and settlers from Arab, Mediterranean and European countries dating back thousands of years, along with their religious influences including Christian and Jewish. With the arrival of Vasco da …
India – Kerala Reflections
Continued from Colombo Kerala is the most southerly western state of India. Three fifths the size of Tasmania in area, it has over sixty times the population, with 34 million people! Its coastline is part of the fabled Malabar Coast. The coast south of Kochi is low-lying, with extensive areas of freshwater and saltwater rivers, canals, lakes and lagoons. For …
Sri Lanka – Colombo
Continued from Galle Colombo has the typical features of large Asian cities: the traffic, street sellers mixed in between grand buildings, the smells, the throngs on the sidewalks… Estimates of the number of people vary but it seems there are around 2 million in the greater Colombo area. The Sri Lankan capital has its fair share of religious and memorial …
Sri Lanka – Galle and the Southern Coast
Continued from Central Highlands From Ella, we descended the highlands to the southern plains, stopping for coconut water refreshments and a visit to an elephant orphanage (some just a few months old; could there be a cuter experience?). The role of Buddhism is ever-present, though Hinduism, Christianity and Islam are well-represented. “Old Galle” is enclosed by the Portuguese-Dutch fort dating …
Sri Lanka – Central Highlands
Continued from Spices and Kandy From Kandy you can take a train trip into the central highlands of Sri Lanka. It lasts two to four hours depending on how far you intend to travel. The area is surprisingly densely populated with the train stopping at several major towns. The train trip is largely for commuters and locals, but of course …
Sri Lanka – Spices & Kandy
Continued from Sri Lanka – Northern Monuments Kandy is hilly, with slopes covered by vivid green palms and other tropical plants. The town central feature is the lake. However, the botanical gardens are the must-see sight, with thousands of visitors including school children in uniform and families picnicking along with international visitors. During our tour we wanted to stay in …
Sri Lanka – Northern Monuments
Continued from Sri Lanka – Negombo Much of the ancient history of Sri Lanka is concentrated in the north, in particular at Anuradhapura, Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa and Dambulla. Some of the sites date from the 3rd century BC, with astounding quality and sophistication in the construction and carvings. Buddism dominates the monuments and that may explain the ethereal atmosphere as …