Cooking is believed to be an art in India which is a custom that is handed down from many generations from mothers to their daughters and so on. Until the introduction of cook books, most of the types of cookery instructions were practical and oral. As some of the items such as rice, flour and dal were literally measured and few important spices or masalas, as it is known in India were being added as flavoring ingredients according to the instructions. Different areas of India offer their own specialties along with their own flavors, aroma and delicacy.

This countries vast basin of spices prepared from its wealth of tropical herbs usually serves as garnishing and comprise of preservative and medicinal properties. Diverse range of Indian cuisine can actually stun even a connoisseur. This is why a culinary trip to India can literally change the method a person sees the world.

SPICES

For most of the people who have just started to cook Indian cuisines, the thought of working with odd spices can appear rather overwhelming. However, actually, there are some of the spices that will be relatively common such as cinnamons and cloves and perhaps ginger, paprika and chilies. Some of the cooks interested in Indian cooking may soon recognize and understand easily to work confidently with different types of spices.

It is always to be remembered that when cooking spices, they must be fresh as possible. Spices can be purchased from various stores however if a person intends to use these spices rarely, purchase just a small amount at a time. It is even important to keep all the spices in air tight jars in order to keep them fresh. Whenever, using these spices, a person has to remember that these spices need to be cooked very well in order to produce their rich unique flavors.

It is imprudent to add additional spices at the end of cooking the dish for changing the exact taste of the cuisine. Actually, these spices may taste raw and may also conflict with the flavors of the spices that are already cooked.

THINGS THAT WE DO

On this lavish culinary trip to India, you can visit some of the finest restaurants in India. You can also get a chance to attend cooking classes at country estate or schools. You may even get a chance to visit a typical Indian Home Kitchen and even a visit at the local market where you can purchase different types of spices. This trip to India has actually become well known far and wide across the world and is believed on par with Lebanese, Thai, Chinese, Greek, Mexican and other International Cuisines.

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Goa-magical, mystical, beautiful and enchanting and many more; there aren’t enough words to describe the charm of Goa. It actually casts a spell on the visitor and one feels like staying here for eternity. Such is the beauty of Goa, the travelers’ paradise. Goa is a superb amalgamation of history, culture, nature, wildlife, sea, sun and beaches and much more. It is the hottest and topmost tourist destination of the world. Goa has something for all types of tourists. It is the South Asia’s holiday capital. Goa is visited by nearly 21/2 million travelers each year.

Goa is a small state on the western coast of India. It used to be a Portuguese colony before independence. Goa has an interesting mix of the east-west cultures and lovely beaches. Portuguese architecture and culture is still prevalent in Goa. Most of the European travelers take to Goa as an entrance to India. Many of the artists among them settle down here to let their creative juices flow in gay abandon. Goa attracts travelers with various purposes- hippies, charter tourists, pilgrims, medical treatments and business. Goa’s present has been shaped by its Portuguese occupation for about four and half centuries.

Goa state has two districts-North Goa and South Goa. These two states comprise eleven sub-districts of Bardez, Bicholim, Pernem, Ponda, Sattari, Tiswadi, Canacona, Marmugao, Quepem, Salcette and Sanguem. Panaji is the capital city of Goa. It is a charming and attractive city. The other famous Goan cities are Margaon, Mapusa, Vasco Da Gama, Ponda and Old Goa. Goa is also full of quaint and scenic villages along the coastline. Goa has an international airport and hence is easily accessible by planes. The tourists can also take the train to reach Goa. One can make use of buses too to come to Goa. Goa can be explored by way of rented bikes and jeeps or the local buses. The tourist facilities of Goa are of the highest international standards and you can get the best of accommodations including youth hostels, cottages, budget lodges, medium range hotels and five star luxurious hotels.

Goa is world renowned for its excellent beaches, ancient temples, impressive churches and carnival. The tourists can visit the Naval Air Museum to take a look at the interesting and informative exhibits. Anjuna Beach is a must see for all. It is situated near Chapora Fort and has the impressive Albuquerque Mansion with magnificent architecture. Palolem Beach is another attractive beach located in South Goa. The rocks and islands off the shore are very scenic and this beach has good options for eating. The other notable beaches of Goa include Pantem Beach, Vagator Beach, Mandrem Beach, Morjim and Avsim Beaches, Sinquerim, Candolim, Benaulim, Colva, Baga Beach and Calangute Beach.

The tourists can pursue a host of pleasurable activities in Goa, like swimming, relaxing, trekking, hiking, nature watching, wildlife sightseeing, diving, surfing and parasailing and so on. The tourists must try out the Goan delicacies and wines too while holidaying in Goa. Goan cuisine is world famous. You can indulge in shopping and buy the local handicrafts and products like cashew-nuts and jewelry etc. The word Goa is synonymous with fun, enjoyments and excitement and the tourists will thoroughly love their Goan experience.

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Kuala Lumpur-Happening Tourist Destination

The tourists have a beautiful and enchanting holiday experience lined up in Kuala Lumpur, the charming capital city of Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur is a large city with umpteen tourist attractions in the form of interesting sights, high class restaurants, happening nightlife and hotels of international standards. The literal meaning of Kuala Lumpur in Malay language is muddy estuary. The inconsequential sleepy place has transformed itself into a busy metropolis in a period of just hundred and fifty years only. The travellers are discovering the alluring facets of this beautiful city by way of cheapest 5 star hotels of the world, excellent shopping avenues and delicious cuisine in addition to many more.

It is surprising to see different lifestyles juxtaposed in the same city- the street hawkers standing and vending on the streets along with the unruly traffic just besides the tallest building of the world, the Petronas Towers. Kuala Lumpur stands on the banks of the Klang and Gombak rivers and it was originally founded as a mining town in 1857. The city has seen phenomenal growth since then and has flourished and bloomed into a compelling and vibrant Asian city. Kuala Lumpur is huge in size with many districts and areas including the City Center, Golden Triangle, Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Brickfields, Bangsar, Midvalley, Damansara, Hartamas, Ampang, Northern Suburbs and Southern Suburbs.

Reaching Kuala Lumpur

The City of Kuala Lumpur has an admirable character with high tolerance levels reflected in its cosmopolitan population comprising of people of various ethnicities like the Malays, Indians Chinese and Europeans, all co-existing in perfect harmony. Kuala Lumpur has lovely tropical climate with warm days, stormy afternoons and cool and balmy evenings. Kuala Lumpur has an international airport, KLIA, which is well served by flights from all over the world. Kuala Lumpur is easily accessible by planes, buses, trains and boats. The public transportation system of Kuala Lumpur is well developed and the tourists are surely going to have a pleasant experience while traversing the city.

The tourists can make use of the rapid transit system, Light Rail Transit, to get around the sprawling city of Kuala Lumpur. The city shuttle buses are also convenient and fairly cheap for exploring the city. You can take taxis also to get around the city as they are quite affordable. The adventurous traveller can take to walking across the busy streets. The travellers can enjoy the city at its own pace and one must walk leisurely through the streets, shopping, seeing and eating and enjoying a combined experience.

Tourist Attractions of Kuala Lumpur

Majority tourist attractions of Kuala Lumpur are concentrated in the city center and the tourists must see the Dataran Merdeka or Independence Square, where Malaysia was declared independent on August 31, 1957. The other famous tourist attractions over here are the National Mosque, Sultan Abdul Samad Building and Kuala Lumpur Railway Station. The other must see places in Kuala Lumpur are the Lake Gardens and National Museum. Make a trip to the Petronas Towers, tallest building in the world. Other tourist attractions include Chinatown, Golden Traingle, Aquaria KLCC, Pineapple Hill, Batu Caves and National Zoo. The tourists can have a gala time shopping and eating in Kuala Lumpur.

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Manila is an interesting tourist destination with many attractions. You must surely take a trip to Manila to experience a beautiful vacation. Manila is the capital city of Philippines. It is situated on Luzon Island in the west coast. The city was ravaged during the WWII. Earlier, it was considered to be Asia’s most beautiful city. Today, the city of Manila has rebuilt itself wonderfully and recovered from its past. Modern Manila is a cosmopolitan city, highly developed with good touristic infrastructure. The most striking features of Manila are its glorious history, interesting mix of various cultures, numerous tourist attractions and beautiful nature. The tourists are sure to have one of the most memorable times of their lives in Manila.

Manila comprises of sixteen territorial districts. Though Manila is distraught with all the problems of a developing city, like the traffic jams, poverty and pollution, it should not deter the travelers who are looking for adventures. The city is such a warm and exciting place that all other problems are overshadowed. The tourists have much to explore in this lovely city. Manila has many advantages like widely spoken English language, cheap prices and good amount of sunshine. In addition, the people of Manila are friendly and hospitable, so the tourists are sure to have a good time.

Manila was founded as a settlement on Pasig River’s banks. Manila’s name originates from Maynilad, meaning a mangrove plant called Nilad, which was predominant in this area. Before the arrival of the westerners in the sixteenth century, Maynilad was inhabited by Hindus, Buddhists and Muslims. Manila has a tropical climate with two main seasons, namely the dry and wet season. The common languages spoken in Manila are Filipino and English.

Manila has 3 international airports and hence it is easily accessible by planes. You can take taxis, buses or jeepneys from the airport to reach the hotels or different accommodations in Manila. You can travel between various islands by air planes or boats and ferries. Inter island bus travel is also possible. The main places of tourist interest in Manila are situated along Manila Bay. Intramuros has the ruins of fortifications of Manila’s old Spanish settlement. It also houses many noteworthy museums and the renowned church, Manila Cathedral. Manila Hotel is a historic hotel with majestic building, just nearby Intramuros.

Luneta or Rizal Park is must see for all the tourists visiting Manila, as it is a prime area with famous museums, bayside restaurants, planetarium and an open air theater. It is named after Jose Rizal, Philippines’ national hero who was executed here. Rizal Park is a popular picnic spot. Baywalk is a lovely park next to Manila Bay. The Chinatown of Manila is world’s largest Chinatown and the tourists can treat themselves to delicious Chinese cuisine and exotic goods.

Manila has excellent churches including the San Augustin Church, Las Pinas and San Sebastian Cathedral. The tourists must not miss the museums like Ayala Museum, National Museum of the Filipino People, Casa Manila, Bahay Chinoy, Museum of Filipino Political History and San Augustin Museum. You can enjoy many cultural events, theatrical performances, cinema and spas in Manila.

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Pune- the cultural capital of Maharashtra, India has over the years progressed and transformed from Pensioner’s Paradise to a happening educational city where students flock to complete their undergraduate and post-graduate studies in different disciplines like science, economics, botany, law, management and arts. Pune with its moderate climate has been a hit even with the foreigners as they love the hospitality offered to them by the people. Pune has a rich cultural background and history.

IT Boom

Pune is on the fast-track of success and there has been an extreme IT sector boom and hence, an influx of technical minds is flooding the city. Many corporate firms dealing in software development have established their bases here and hence, it remains to be a hot favorite amongst the highly intelligent and qualified men too.

Infrastructure of the City

Be it the transport facilities, road network or the retail market, Pune is incessantly developing and many of the close-by areas are also being enclosed in its boundaries. Real estate has also developed rapidly and many nationals are settling in the city due to its posh environs and good amenities. City houses a number of multiplex theatres and shopping malls and of course, the street markets also stand to entertain the tourists.

Travelling to the city is extremely easy as it has a domestic airport and you can easily land at Mumbai and take a taxi to the city. Its rich cultural backdrop blended with it’s modern finish makes this city a perfect tourist destination.

Following are a few of the tourist attractions in Pune that cannot be missed when you are touring around the city.

Shaniwar Wada

This grand mansion or a mini-fort was the home of the Peshwas. Bajirao was the man behind the foundation. Anyhow, the mansion was destroyed by a fire and it has been rebuilt and the walls have been fortified. You can come and take a look at the light and sound show that plays to narrate the history of the Marathas and Peshwas. Its main door is called the Dilli Darwaja. This fort was built in the year 1736 and destroyed in the year 1827. Today, you are able to see the remains of the outer fort walls, a nagarkhana and a lotus pond.

Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum

This beautiful museum houses many artifacts and curios of various antique items like musical instruments, ornamental doors and windows, weapons, combs, utensils and betel nut cutters . You must watch this renowned museum.
Osho Ashram

The Rajneesh Osho Ashram is a prominent landmark of Pune and most of the international travelers visit Pune especially to see the Osho Ashram. One can get familiar with the teachings of Osho and various meditation techniques. You must also see the Nala Park in the vicinity of the Ashram. This is a well designed Japanese garden on the banks of wastewater canal.

Other Places of Tourist Interest

You must see the Aga Khan Palace, Saras Baug, The Empress Botanical Gardens, Jewish Synagogue, Film and Television Institute of India, Pashan Lake and Shinde’s Chhatri while in Pune.

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Between Delhi’s crushing crowds and Mumbai’s glamour and glitz—not to mention the countless temples and castles—there’s no shortage of exotic attractions for travelers in India. But a growing number of visitors are spending less time at the Taj Mahal, and are instead seeking out the medical and spiritual benefits of traditional Ayurvedic treatment at the high-end spas popping up all over India.

Ayurveda, which literally means “knowledge of life,” originated in South India more than 5,000 years ago and is considered a longevity science in the subcontinent. In simple (and possibly overly brief) terms, Ayurveda says the body consists of three main aspects: vata, pitta and kapha. These can come out of alignment due to pollution, stress, disease and even just the strain of everyday life. The goal of an Ayurvedic practitioner, then, is to rebalance to this system—thereby bringing the subject back to his or her “true self.”

More of this story here.

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Present Day Situation of Myanmar

Myanmar is a Southeast Asian nation. It is slightly dangerous presently to visit Myanmar due to the strict military regime. However, it is slowly opening up to the tourists and the numbers of tourists are rising steadily. Some areas of Lower and Upper Myanmar are closed to tourists owing to the civil war of the past. Most of the coastal resorts have recently been opened for tourists and flights of round trip on Sundays are operated by Myanmar Travel and Tours to Sandoway and Napali beaches in the dry season. Myanmar was devastated by the Tsunami in the year 2004.

Geography

The country of Myanmar is diamond in shape and its bordering countries are China, Laos, Thailand, India and Bangladesh. The Irrawaddy River passes in the middle of Myanmar and spreads out forming a delta on the southern coast. Yangon is situated on one of the numerous mouths of Irrawaddy River’s tributaries. The Irrawaddy basin is located towards the northern area of the delta and this basin along with central Myanmar is protected by a mountain range in the shape of a horse shoe. These mountains rise to a height of about 3,000m and produce varied climates. The Arakan, Naga and Chin Mountains along with the Patkai Hills are on the west. On the northern side, lie the Kachin Hills. The Shan Plateau lies to the east and extends up to the coastal ranges of Tenasserim. Central Myanmar is famed for its irrigated farming. Majority of the area is covered by dense tropical and rain forests.

Places to be Seen in Myanmar

Yangon is the capital city of Myanmar and has numerous Buddhist temples, open air bazaars, food stalls and colonial architecture. The most magnificent temple of Myanmar is the Golden Pagoda of Shwedragon and it is nearly 2,500 years old. The other famous temples are Botataung Pagoda, Sule Pagoda and Maha Pashan Guha.

The Naga-Yone enclosure in vicinity of Myinkaba is quite an interesting place to see. Here, you get to see the figure of Buddha entwined and guarded by a large cobra. The tourists must see the Golden Rock Pagoda and Pegu’s Shwemawdaw Pagoda.

Pagan is the most significant historical area of Myanmar. You can view this place best at sunrise or sunset. It had nearly over 13,000 pagodas during the golden regime of the 11 famous kings. Now, only about 3,000 pagodas remain and you can get an insight into the ancient glory by seeing the museum and market in Pagan village. See the lacquer ware workshops and the lovely temples of the Bagan and Pagan area. The famous temples of this region include Shwegugyi Temple, Gawdawpalin Temple and Thatbyinnyu Temple.

Mandalay is an ancient royal city and you get to see many stupas, palaces, pagodas and temples. Do visit the craft markets and see the workshops of stone carving and gold leaf arts. Mandalay Palace is a magnificent structure and you can see exquisite Burmese and Buddhist arts.

Activities to Pursue in Myanmar

You can seek fun and thrills in many nature based activities like rock climbing, walking, boating, trekking and safaris. The tourists can also join the cultural festivities.

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Singapore was founded as a trading colony by the British in 1819. Today, it has grown tremendously and is one of the most wealthiest and prosperous countries of the world. Modern Singapore is an affluent nation with a mixture of Malay, Chinese and Indian population along with other people like the Japanese, Indonesians, Burmese, Europeans, Americans and other fellow Asians. All this blend of various cultures makes it one of the most varied Asian centers. Singapore enjoys a lovely tropical climate and has all the benefits of an excellent tourism infrastructure, tasty cuisine, bustling nightlife and excellent shopping opportunities. Singapore is a great stopover destination for tourists traveling to Asia.

The various districts of Singapore include Civil District, Orchard Road, Bugis and Kampong Glam, Chinatown, Little India, Jurong, Woodlands, Newton, Novena, Balestier, Toa Payoh, Sentosa and East Coast. Majority of the nationalities do not require an entry visa to Singapore. The drug laws of Singapore are very stringent and are applicable to foreigners as well. Carrying and getting in firearms and explosives require proper permission and permits. Singapore can be easily reached by air. Singapore has excellent connections to all the important cities of the world. The major air carrier is Singapore Airlines along with SilkAir, its regional subsidiary. The other airlines are Jetstar Asia and Tiger Airways.

Singapore can be reached by road and water as well. The public transport facility in the country is of an extremely high order and taxis are the best way to get around as they are fairly cheap and comfortable. The honeymooners can buy ez-link farecard that comes in handy for use in the city buses as well as MRT trains and you will get a discount on the transport services. The Singapore Tourist Pass is also very useful. The honeymooners can cruise along the Singapore River in the bumboats that are specially designed for the tourists.

The honeymooners can have a perfect relaxing getaway on the untouched Southern Islands that will allow you to indulge in lagoon swimming. Enjoy the charming rural life at Pulau Ubin, a tiny island on the northeastern coast. You can enjoy a unique shopping experience at the Orchard Road, where there are numerous shopping malls stretching for miles. The places of tourist interest in Singapore include Fantasy Island, St. John’s Island, Jurong Bird Park, Botanic Gardens, Bukit Timah Reserve and National Orchid Garden and many more. If you are the adventurous type, then you must try out camping, mountain biking and scuba diving. Honeymoon packages are available to suit all pockets and you can enjoy luxurious as well as budget accommodations as per your preference and finances.

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Varieties of Indian Cuisines

Basically, the Indian cuisine can be divided into two types – vegetarian and non-vegetarian. Majority of the Indian population follows a vegetarian diet. The cuisine can further be categorized into North Indian, South Indian, and Western and North Eastern cuisines as per the major regions of the country. Indian cuisine has also been influenced by the different rules and regimes like the Mughal rule, Persian rule and so on. The various Indian cuisines as per the states are Kashmiri, Punjabi, Gujarati, Maharashtrian, Rajasthani, Bengali, Assamese, Goan, Keralite, Oriya, Bihari, Kannada, and Madrasi and so on. Every state has got its own specialties. The other famous Indian cuisines are Muglai, Konkani, Chettinad and so on.

Indian cuisine is treated as a science and art. Cuisine plays a very significant role in the Indian lifestyle. All the food products are used as per their nutritive and medicinal properties and values. The food also varies as per the seasons, special occasions and festivals. The food is prepared in the most scientific, methodical and hygienic manner. The cuisine is said to have nourishing as well as curative powers and believed to affect the body, mind and soul.

Culinary Vacations in India

You can travel to various places in India to learn the finer aspects of Indian cooking. Kashmir Wazwaan cuisine is very famous for its non vegetarian delicacies. It is influenced by the Afghani style of cooking. The meat is cooked in milk cream and fat and seasoned lightly with aromatic spices like fennel, Kashmiri chillies and cardamoms and so on. Rogan Josh is a renowned meat recipe of Kashmir. Dum Aloo is a famous vegetarian dish.

Punjab is famous for its wheat production and milk products. The Punjabi savories include Chole Bhature, Rajma Chaawal, Makke di Roti, Sarson da Saag and sweet meats like milk cake, malai barfi etc. You can travel to Rajasthan and see the royal lifestyles and cooking in the heritage hotels. Get a taste of the real Rajasthani cuisine like Dal Baati, Choorma etc. Coastal cooking in India is also unique with ample use of coconut, turmeric, curry leaves and other spices. You can travel to the backwaters in Kerala and learn to cook the delicious seafood specialties. The culinary vacationer can see the spice trade and markets in Kerala. Special cookery classes are held and you will learn the traditional cooking from master chefs. You are bound to get a first hand experience on the various cooking styles by observing the entire process from close quarters.

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Mayura is an attractive floating palace built in the year 1714 that belonged to the Balinese Kingdom. Narmada Summer Palace is yet another place of interest as it was once the palace of the Balinese King Anal Agung Gede Ngurah that was built in the year 1805. Bertais Market is not to be missed as it is a daily market place and the trading center where one can purchase vegetables, spices, fish, rice, fresh fruits and artifacts. Then there is Lingsar which is an exceptional sacred temple of Moslem and Hindu belief who are worshipped together in one place. This temple was built in the year 1714.

Tete Batu is a mountain resort which is located just below the Rinjani Mountain and is an ideal place to stop for refreshments. Getup Village is a small village of blacksmiths, these people produce farming requirements for the island like traditional weapons, knives, horseshoes and hand ploughs. Loyok and Kutaraja are situated in the east of this island and are well known for its rattan handicrafts and bamboos. This is the place where one can find basket boxes, bags and other products. These bags and basket boxes are beautiful and of great quality. In the Kutaraja area one can find a small industry where they manufacturer knives, axes, metal works, hoes and crowbars.

Besides the above mentioned destinations, Lombok also has a National Park named Gunung Rinjani National Park. This park also forms the biggest volcanic peak named Mount Rinjani which is one of the most interesting places in this region. Mount Rinjani is an active volcano island where the volcano rises to 12,224 feet or 3,726 meters high. This is also the third biggest volcano in Indonesia. In the year 1847, this island had to experience the first historical eruption. There after in the years 1994, 1995 and 1995 the eruption had formed a small cone in the center of the lava that flowed and entered the Segara Anak Crater Lake.

The lowlands of this region are highly cultivated as crops like rice, cotton, tobacco, cinnamon, coffee, soybeans and vanilla are cultivated in this area. This volcano is revered as a sacred place and abode for deities by the people of Lombok, Balinese and Sasak alike. The lake of Segara Anak has become the destination for several pilgrims that place their offerings in the water and have a holy bath. The people of this region believe that by having a dip in this lake all the diseases are washed away in the hot spring of this lake.

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