Is Summer Really Fun?

National Geographic March issue was themed as "Summer is Fun". But question is Is Summer Really Fun?

I kind of do not agree with the entire theme due to the Scorching Heat and disturbing Sweat. The entire fun of travelling places is ruined by the heat waves and makes one feel tired more than they are supposed to be. But when it comes to taking a break in the Hills or going to a calm and quite area relaxing in the Pool and doing nothing it is great.

Even if you are not feeling like travelling to places over a weekend, spending the entire day in the Resorts makes more sense than staying at home with lots of power cuts. Resorts are a good business during the Summer and offer attractive packages as well to attract the crowd.

My Favorite obviously would be the Pool with all the water-slides and Rain Dance. Of the entire lot present in Hyderabad, I favour Alankrita due to eco-friendly environment with lots of shade to get relief from the heat and the multi-cusine restaurants. One can have a refreshing Aurvedic Kerala message. Resorts like Leonia or Pragati offer a variety of watersports as well.

Wave Pool at Mount Opera

India being a country with diverse climates, has places where weather is pleasant even in the summers. Those become the top destination for travelers during this time of the year. Kashmir being one of the most common places. I would say Sikkim comes next in the list. There are other places like Arunachal Pradesh and places of Uttarakhand etc as well.

Me @ Kardungla Pass

Overall, I would say "Summer is Fun" statement is situation. What do you think?

Please feel free to post your views.

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Barbecuing in Hyderabad

Have been to several Barbecues in Hyderabad like Bar-B-Q Nation, 36 Chhattees, Sigree, Sizzling Grillz, The Great Indian Kabab factory etc, but after I visited AB's - Absolute Barbecues, I can definitely say that this is the best in the lot.

Thankfully I was on time to avoid the rush and got a direct entry with no waitlist. :) The staff provided me with a sofa near the corner of the floor and explained the different varieties. Observed that there were quite a few new items which was different from other places. There was a WISH GRILL which offered different varieties of meat like Quail, Rabbit, Emu, Octopus etc. You can have this cooked as per your wish and hence the term. We preferred to keep the Wish grill for our next visit and went ahead with the rest of the stuff.

Among the veg starters, I liked the Mexican Grilled Veg the most, followed by American Cheesy Potato. Singapuri Tangdi was good but a bit spicy. Hotel staff informed us that normally the food is medium spicy and if we wish we can order for less spicy ones as well. They were kind enough to offer my wife another less spicy piece. My favorite in Non-Veg was the Grilled Fish.

Had lots of Prawn and Hariyali Chicken as well, but frankly I did not like the Hariyali chicken that much compared to the other items. I would rather suggest the authorities to have a different variety of chicken instead, but that is again my personal opinion.

For Spice lovers, there is AWESOME TWOSOME - Spicy Chilli and Garlic sauce which you can spray over the baked prawns or chicken to spice up your taste with lots of ufff... and aaahs...

After the starters, we were so full that we did not head towards the main course. I took a little bit of soup while my wife choose to refrain from that too. There is a live ice-cream counter which serves with you custom mix. Among the sweets I love Firni the most. There was another item called Indrani which is uncommon in the lot. There were also a variety of truffles along with Gulab Jamun.

There is a bar counter at the corner though we restricted ourselves with the complimentary mocktails. We ordered for Aam Paana but the staff mentioned that this is not that good. They suggested to the other choices. We went ahead with Virgin Mojito and another drink (don't recollect the name). Pint Beer is also served as complimentary drink.

Loved the table decors too especially the quotes on the paper mats.

With the wish to taste the WISH GRILL signing off for now...

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My Travel Wish List

Some one rightly said, “It takes as much energy to wish as it does to plan.” Ever since I thought of writing my travel wishlist, I am finding it increasing difficult to get a list which is achievable. Nevertheless, I have put together something which has come to my mind.

1. Visit all the States in India at least once.
2. Visit all the Beaches of India and decide the best.
3. Do a Road Trip across various places of India.
4. Cover God's Own Country - Kerala at length and breadth.
5. Get a Spa done at a Ayurveda Spa Village in Kerala.
6. Get drenched by elephant's trunk.
7. Visit Himachal Pradesh from the other way round - From Shimla to Manali via Kunzum and Rohtang Pass
8. Take a Ride In a Hot Air Balloon.
9. Trip to Europe covering Switzerland, Germany, Italy, France and England.
10. Visit 50 countries during my lifetime.
11. Climb the tallest building of the world.
12. Climb the tallest twin tower - Petronous Twin Towers.
13. Enjoying all the adventurous rides in Universal Studio, Orlando.
14. Write a book on all my experiences of Travel and have it published.
15. Go for a photographic tour to a Jungle.
16. Staying at the heart of a Jungle.
17. Camping in the Himalayas.
18. Travel on the fastest train in the world.
19. Visit Manasarovar Lake.
20. Trek to Vaishno Devi.
21. Drive past the World's Highest Motorable Pass - Khardung-La
22. Float in the Dead Sea
23. Walk on the Great Wall of China
24. Enjoy 'Maid of the Mist' and 'Cave of the Winds' at Niagara
25. Visit the top UNESCO World Heritage Sites
26. Go to Antarctica for a expedition.
27. Trek to Everest Base Camp.

I would think that the last 2 in this list might be difficult to achieve, but what does it take to keep this as my dream. Never know some day the Dream might come true as well.

Below is a saying of Dalai Lama which I also strongly believe.

Note: I will keep striking through as and when I achieve the list.

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