Photo credit: Axwel

“Are We There yet!”: Airport traveling tips

Vacations are nice when you get to your destination, but it seems that some people forget to mention how frustrating it is just to get to “paradise”. No worries though, drop your briefcase and get ready for a ride.

• Book a reserved parking spot at the airport if flying to your destination, or book a shuttle service if you live within commuting distance. Booking online can offer savings on the price offered by your tour operator or vacation booking agent. If you reserve the parking, then from the parking zone to the airport check in is usually only a five or ten minute ride by shuttle bus.

• Leave for the airport in plenty of time to allow for traffic delays, breakdowns or toilet stops, especially for the kids. My experience tells me to allow an extra thirty minutes for every hour the journey should take. Believe me it is better to arrive three hours ahead of check in than five minutes after the gate has closed. Be prepared for the unexpected, and the unexpected doesn’t usually happen.

• Use taxis or a specialist company for transport to and from the airport. These companies are specialists, have loads of experience and you do not have the stress of driving or parking, just get on board at home, and get out at the entrance to the airport. (If you travel using this method, don’t forget to count the kids heads, we don’t want a home alone scenario arising).

• Make use of any airport baggage trolleys or a portering service if one is available. A porter will cost a few dollars, but do you REALLY feel like pushing two piled up baggage trolleys the usually long distance from airport entrance to check in. These guys and gals are professionals, and make it look easy, no struggling like you or me.

• Also, do not to forget airport security is very tight, and time consuming. Follow the rules and instructions given by the security personnel and it will be a breeze. Try not to forget these guys are doing a very important and stressful job, ensuring the safety of ALL passengers and aircrew alike.

Follow those simple suggestions and it should be plain sailing (or flying) but as well as that, remember to separate any traveler’s checks and money between the two adults (assuming you are a nuclear family) and keep checking you have everything you need to get on that plane, especially if your journey is broken up into smaller journeys by cars, buses or taxis etc. One lost or forgotten passport or visa can ruin the vacation for everyone

This is a guest post by Maria Freeman who is a self-appointed world traveler and professional hostel guest. After freeing herself from a fate worse than death (i.e. desk job) she left San Francisco to go see the world. She has spent 6 weeks backpacking through Southeast Asia; she also traveled for 3 months in Europe, and went to 7 countries, 26 cities, received 2 marriage proposals and tried to speak 5 1/2 languages. For any backpacking trip, she brings only 5 outfits, 2 pairs of shoes, 3 pairs of underwear, but never leaves home without her multi-socket hairdryer.

Metro Manila Photo credit: shaun

Malls in Metro Manila

With summers hotter than ever thanks to global warming, the cool, air conditioned malls provide refreshing respite. Going to the mall is not all about shopping. It has replaced Luneta Park for strolling, exercising, and taking the family out for the weekend. It has replaced the old town squares where people went to hear music and buy food from nearby stalls, sit on benches and whisper among themselves. So if you are in Manila, leave your briefcases in the office for the day and check out some of the greatest shopping this city has to offer.

At the malls you can see famous foreign musicians for free, watch a fireworks display, and view art and photo exhibitions. Bands play and old people do aerobics. There are indoor playgrounds and water fountains. All the malls have the same stores, so first I will list the stores to look at in the malls, then list down the distinctive qualities of our top malls.

SHOPS

Surplus Shop: You can find a Surplus Shop in every SM Mall, but sizes tend to be small. For large sizes, go to Surplus Plus in Alabang Town Center. Surplus shops have export overruns of brands like Liz Claiborne, DKNY, Anne Klein, Gap, et al.

For good local designer clothes there is Maldita, Bayo, CMG, People Are People, Bench, HerBench, Nothing But Water, Kamiseta, Plains & Prints, Top Shop, Folded and Hung, Tubbies (for large sizes). For shoes try Celine’s, Capezio, Janylyn and Via Venetto. For knickknacks there are Dream Catcher and Papelmelroti.

Where to Eat

There are also a lot of good places to eat. For Filipino food the staples are Aristocrat and Max Fried Chicken both of which have been around since world war II. There is also Bangus, Dencio’s, and Gerry’s Grill. Jollibee is the Philippine’s answer to Mcdonald’s. For a good pub experience there is San Mig. For affordable pastas and sweets there is Delifrance. A good local coffee shop is Figaro.

THE BEST MALLS

In Manila

The Mall of Asia is Asia’s biggest mall, owned by Shoe Mart and built with an Olympic sized skating rink because at one time the Philippines hoped to host the Olympic games. There is this amazing bridge which leads to Manila Bay and as you walk along the bridge there is this wonderful frame which captures the sunset perfectly as though you were looking through a picture window. The bridge leads to Manila Bay which at night comes alive with so many choices of eating stalls and bands here and there. But even in the Mall of Asia itself the nightlife is pretty amazing with courtyards of restaurants and music and people everywhere. All events that matter happen in this mall and in its adjoining convention center.

In Makati

The Fort: Just off Makati’s edge is the Fort. I love the fort. At Serendra there are lovely restaurants of varied cuisines. It is also a very pleasant walking experience. An adjoining mall on one side has upscale shops. The garden walkways lead to posh boutiques. Further down is Market Market with affordable buys.

Greenbelt Mall is a must. Socialites, actors and actresses go to posh shops, restaurants and clubs in the new wing. Have a pizza at DiMark’s, listen to music or watch a stand up comedian at Merck’s, or club hop.

Glorietta Shopping Mall: Beside the uber posh Shangrilah hotel and near Manila Peninsula, Glorietta has everything including crowds of people. Well, if you like everything you won’t be disappointed.

Rockwell Power Plant Mall: This place reminds me of Washington DC’s Pentagon Mall. Very upscale, a place for only the wealthy. There are some good vintage stores, and stores and products that are exclusive to Rockwell like Gwen Stefani’s Harajuku Lovers line.

Heading South

Alabang Town Center: Go to Rustan’s for quality local designs. Great Filipiniana is found here and lovely clothes by top local designers. There are also top foreign brands like DKNY, etc. ATC also has two flea markets with Korean and good local buys.

Festival Supermall: NOW they have pearls, so if Greenhills is too far for you, try going here. The basement jewelry stalls also can make jewelry to your design for as little as P100 (US $2) while you wait. There is also a good modern Filipiniana area.

Pasig City:

Tiendesitas: This pet friendly mall has good local food, clothes, accessories, antiques, handicrafts and furniture. You can also experience riding a calesa through the complex.

San Juan:

Greenhills: This is where foreigners go to buy pearls. There are some 2000 stores here.

Shangri-la Mall: This is a lovely mall. The Repertory Theatre is here. It is also adjacent to the Shangrila EDSA hotel. The art plaza and old antique shops are great.

This is a guest post by Mona Gonzalez who writes for Briefcases Direct, a website that offers luxury briefcases direct from the manufacturer. She is a veteran writer of some 30 years in her country, the Philippines and has covered a range of topics from business to lifestyle and travel. Mona grew up travelling and studying at schools in Europe, the United States and Asia as the daughter of a diplomat. She later settled again in the Philippines with her husband, daughter, and three dogs.

Photo credit goes to: Sharkie

Discover the Secrets of Togo!

Tucked into the Gold Coast of West Africa is the Vermont-sized country called Togo. This “slice of African life” is the perfect place for the adventure-seeker searching for the REAL Africa.  So put down your purses and briefcases and prepare to unlock a few of the secrets of Togo!

After passing through airport customs, taxi procurement could be a traveler’s first lesson in bargaining.  Be sure to ask within the airport what the going rate to your accommodations should be.  Taxi trips within most of the capital city of Lome should incur a standard rate, with increases only for the outer-most limits of the city.

The Grande Marche (market) is the focal point of business in Lome.  Any household product and most foods are for sale somewhere within the multi-level structure.  Butchered meat and fresh fish, smoked fish and livestock, flowers, freshly baked bread, vegetables, spices and minerals for cooking abound on the ground floor.  Local fabric and imported cloth as well as items for fetishes occupy the second level, and (mostly) second-hand clothing and shoes are on the third floor.  Portions of the market operate every day, but Market Day is always Saturday.

Lome’s beautiful beachfront is lined with palms and small juke-box bars.  Though the climate is tropical, swimming in the Gulf of Guinea is not recommended due to a very strong undertow.  Evening visits to the beach should be avoided since petty crime in the area is a problem.

Visitors may also wish to visit Togo’s National Museum, the Voodoo Market, Lake Togo, the University of Lome, the 2 Fevrier Hotel – the city’s tallest building, and the artisan’s village of Togoville.

Independent travel northward in the country sometimes requires a lot of patience!  Most locals consider “time” a luxuriously slow commodity. Tourists may desire to rent a vehicle with a local driver.  Taxis travel at all hours up and down the single major highway reaching from Lome to Burkina Faso (formerly Upper Volta), its neighbor to the north.  The cheapest (and most uncomfortable) form of travel is the “bache” – a small, foreign-made pickup truck with a wooden frame built over the truck bed.  Passengers ride under the frame sitting on narrow wooden benches, while all the baggage (anything from live animals to motorcycles) is tied on the top of the frame.

Other cities and climates to visit within diversified Togo include:

*Kpalime, northwest of Lome, a beautiful city in the hills with Mt. Agou nearby.

*Kloto is famous for its craft center where locals create colorful batiks which depict scenes from African life.

*Atakpame, a major travel hub, located about one-quarter of the way up the country.  A paved road carries tourists west on a winding mountain drive, arriving in Badou – a center of the cocoa trade.  Taxi drivers know the “cascade” and will drive visitors the short distance to the village of Akloa.  Leave the taxi where the road curves into Tomegbe, and find a child or young adult to guide you to the waterfall.  The few francs you pay are well-worth the hike up the mountain to the crystal-clear waters falling into a pool where you may take a refreshing swim.  Some people profess that these are healing waters.  Along the trail through the cocoa grove forest, you will see colorful birds and butterflies, and remarkable insects.

*Lama Kara in the north is the home of the Kabye people.  Fresh-water fishing, fields of yams, cotton, kapok, and peanuts provide a living.  This region is more arid and less densely populated.  Not far away in Sara Kawa, a monument marks the spot where former President Eyedema’s airplane crashed; he escaped unharmed.

*Keran National Park and Wildlife Reserve is in Naboulgou and is a popular focal point for tourists.  Guided tours are available for viewing elephants, buffalo, antelope, monkeys, squirrels, and less frequently, lions and panthers.  There is a hotel located near the park.  Two other wildlife and nature reserves, Kamassi and Koue, are located near the border with Ghana in the Fazao Mountains west of Sotouboua.

Always observe what is happening around you.  Traditions and customary life abound.  Watch the women grinding corn or making foufou from plantains; buy some roasted corn or peanuts from the children on the street.  Enjoy the freshly-baked bread in the market.  This is all part of daily life in Togo.

At any time a visitor may stumble into a village where a ceremonial wedding dance or funeral is ongoing.  The colorful traditions are not to be ignored, though it is wise to ask permission before intruding.  The village chief is likely to invite you into his home for a drink of the local brew or the bottled Togolese beer. Don’t forget to pour a few drops onto his dirt floor to honor the ancestors!

This is a guest post by Tania Kidd who writes for Briefcases Direct, a website that offers luxury briefcases direct from the manufacturer.  She is a former high school English teacher who has published her own dog-breed magazine for ten years.  She served as a U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer in Togo, West Africa, and has also traveled in Europe and Mexico.  She makes her home in So. California.

Rome... Photo credit: Lin Biddle

Have just about 24 Hours or Less in Rome? Maria tells you how to make the best of your visit…

Perhaps you’re a business traveler in town for an important meeting or maybe a wayward traveler just pass through – but you only have 24 hours or less in this ancient city and don’t know where to go. While Rome certainly wasn’t built in one day, you may find there are still many things you can see in Eternal City. So whether you travel with a leather briefcase or a rucksack, you’ll find that Rome has many sites to see, places to go and lots of new experiences!
Morning:

Why not stop at any café and go for a real Italian breakfast? Grab an espresso and a cornetto (their version of the croissant) and do it like the locals – stand at the bar while chatting with the bartender (or smile and nod, if your Italian isn’t up to par) – this is a great way to start the day and cheaper than sitting at a table where you’ll be charged a coperto (cover fee)!

It’s best to start at the Vatican City and viewing the vast Piazza San Pietro (St. Peter’s Square). If you’re there on a Wednesday, you may be luck enough to get a glimpse of the Pope. Entering the St. Peter’s Basilica is free, so the lines may be long. It’s worth it, especially since you’ll be able to glimpse Michaelangelo’s masterpiece the Pieta, which depicts Mary holding Jesus in her arms after the crucifixion. If you have a bit more time, a visit to the Sistine Chapel to see the ceiling fresco is a must!

Midday:

If the morning’s activities made you hungry, then stop by a typical Italian pizzeria – the light and crispy dough, topped with fresh tomatoes, basil and cheese will be forever embedded in your memory and never make you want to eat another Domino’s or Pizza Hut pie.

Walk, bike or take the Metro to Rome’s most colossal monument – the Colosseum. Over 2000 years old, this ancient engineering wonder seated over 50,000 spectators who came to watch such sights as dramas, animal hunts, battle recreations, sea battles and, of course, gladiator matches. Today, most of this structure still stands and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Rome.

Now, it’s time for something a little more “modern” (compared to 70 BC, anything, even from 1629, seems modern.) Another of Rome’s top tourist spot is the Trevi Fountain, a massive water fountain, filled with columns, tritons and seahorses in a wild parade. Make sure you toss in a coin to ensure your return to Rome, then make your way to the Spanish Steps, which, ironically enough, were built by funds from the French. Sit on the steps with a cool drink as you sit and watch tourists rush around.

Rome's fountain..... Photo credit: Lin Biddle

Afternoon:

If it’s still light, take a peek inside the Pantheon to look at the large dome, which has an occulus (opening) to the sky. The Pantheon was built as a temple to the gods, then later turned into a church, and even a tomb (Raphael and composer Corelli are interred here.) Dozens of restaurants, cafes, shops and gelaterias turn the area into one of the liveliest in the city – sit at an outdoor café table and enjoy an apertif, some fresh pasta, and dig into some rich tiramisu as you celebrate your, albeit brief, stay in this wonderful city.

This is a guest post by Maria Freeman who writes for Briefcases Direct, a website that offers luxury briefcases and a unique rolling briefcase selection direct from the manufacturer. She is a freelance writer and self-appointed world traveler who left San Francisco to travel the world, starting in Asia and made her way through Western Europe in 3 months. Maria is based in Manila, Philippines and spends more than half of every year seeking out new adventures, great food and the best bargain shopping in the world.

Lefkada town by night Photo credit: Graham Green

My beautiful Lefkada

Close and lock the office, pack your <a href=”http://www.briefcasesdirect.com/”>briefcase</a> away, because you are coming away on vacation to my wonderful and ancient Greek island of Lefkada. It is not easy to miss the masts of all the yachts and catamarans berthed alongside the many jetties in the marina of Lefkada town. In the winter, sitting at a table having lunch in one of the many harbor front taverns, or sitting in one of the cafes, sipping a strong Greek coffee, being lulled by the sound of the rigging ropes tap tap tapping against the masts in the wind, it is easy to daydream oneself back to summer, remembering those carefree halcyon days, sailing the crystal clear waters of the Ionian sea.

Summer is when my island comes alive, with tourists visiting from all corners of the world; from Australia, Canada, the USA and Europe, to mention just a few. Lefkada has a bustling economy in the winter, even though we only have a population of about twenty thousand, but come the summer, the roads are crowded, kids and families laze on the beaches and swim in the sea, and the taverns, coffee shops and bars do a roaring trade.

Engremi beach in Lefkada Photo credit: Graham Green

Sailing, along with the typically lazy beach vacations are the backbone of tourism here, with the calm, sparkling clear waters of the Ionian Sea, and myriad small ports and island ports calling to visitors in their yachts, probably not unlike the Sirens of ancient Greek mythology.

Sailing is a wonderfully stress free vacation, just the sound of the wind in the sails and the water rushing round the hull as you cut through the wave to your next destination. Maybe it will be famed Ithaki, legendary home of Odysseus, or perhaps you will skirt round Skorpios, the private island owned by the Onassis family.

Dolphins and sea turtles (Caretta Caretta) are abundant in these waters so always have the camera at the ready; it is not unusual to see schools of young dolphins showing off to each other, leaping from the water with the utmost agility and grace.

The beaches here on Lefkada are like chalk and cheese, from one side of the island to the other, with shallow calm waters on the east, ideal for yachting and all manner of boating, to the west, dominated by steep cliffs and almost inaccessible beaches, with crystal clear waters that shimmer an exquisite turquoise in the sunlight.

Maybe you are a “culture vulture” and enjoy exploring old buildings and studying the history of a place when you are there. Here in Lefkada, you are spoilt for choice, with ancient ruins, not so ancient monasteries, and a town that has small narrow streets and alleys, with little gems hidden around every corner.

My wife and l live in Lefkada. We are semi retired, love our cycling in the winter when the roads are quiet, and enjoy the odd coffee or three in our favorite taverns in town when I take a break from the writing. I say town, it is really a very large village. Coming here four years ago gave me the opportunity to write, and for Deb to put her feet up. Our children and grandchildren are far away, so when they visit, we make as much fuss of the girls as we can, all four of them.

So now, maybe I have painted a wonderful canvas for you. Open invitations extends to all those that want to step in and discover our islands secrets. The best thing about living here has to be the wonderful peace and calm that is daily life, but above all, when the tourists leave after summer is over, and the roads become quiet again, we get our island back for ourselves.

This is a guest post by Graham Green

Simonstown Harbour Photo credit: Andrew Massyn

A Holiday In South Africa? An Unforgettable Experience!

South Africa is truly the perfect holiday destination for the whole family. As you arrive, you will immediately notice how friendly the people of South Africa are. What a way to begin a perfect vacation in a country that has everything to offer! Whether you decide to have a holiday filled with adventure, plenty of vibrant nightlife, and great shopping, in one of the larger cities, or opt for a quieter holiday in one of the smaller areas of South Africa, you will be assured of a holiday to remember for the rest of your life. So pack your briefcases and get ready for the experience of a lifetime!

Clifton and Camps Bay in Cape Town are the places to be if you want to rub shoulders with millionaires. Here is where you can soak up the sun on beautiful white sandy beaches as you watch the beautiful people partying on their yachts in the bay. Further along the coast is Hout Bay, where you can enjoy a day at the famous World of Birds, or perhaps enjoy a meal at one of the many fabulous restaurants – any seafood you order here is almost guaranteed to be fresh from the ocean! A little further along you get Fish Hoek and then Simonstown, where the SA Navy has its base. Also, taking a walk along the main road of this little village is an experience in itself, with the really quaint little shops, tea rooms, and restaurants. A short distance from here is where you’ll find Gordon’s Bay – a little coastal village with great beaches, restaurants, and other activities to keep you busy.
Also along this coastline of South Africa, you will come across the beautiful Tsitsikamma Forest that has much to offer the visitor. Apart from outdoor activities such as hiking, boat trips, fishing, and caves to explore, you can also enjoy the unique canopy tours that are available in the forest itself. This involves gliding 30 meters above the forest floor, on ten slides, to ten different platforms, where you can survey the lush greenery below. Really a great experience!

Still higher up the coast is Jeffreys Bay, home of the perfect wave, and an absolute delight to surfers and sun worshippers alike. Not only is this area world famous for the surfing opportunities it offers, but also the variety of near-perfect shells that are washed up on the shore daily. Be sure to visit the amazing shell museum in the town! Dolphin sightings are a daily occurrence and even the whales love Jefferys Bay – they come back every year to calve, between May and October!

Canal Wall Mall in Cape Town, South Africa Photo credit: Andrew Massyn

Going inland, you will experience a totally different side of South Africa, The Karroo, South Africa’s huge central plateau that is considered to be the heart of the country. From dramatic rugged mountain ranges, to dry open plains, this is where you will experience the timelessness of Africa.

Of course, everywhere in South Africa, you will find fabulous restaurants, superb accommodation to suit all budgets, and really great shopping opportunities.

This is a guest post by Lynette who writes for briefcases and is really fortunate to live in the Western Cape, South Africa, with her two dogs and two cats.

Earth Hour 2010 - 27th March (8:30 pm)

Now who is not accustomed to unpredictable weather these days? Extreme winters and summers, unexpected showers or heat waves; catastrophes like tsunamis, earth quakes and hurricanes are now more regular in the news than before. “Global warming”, “Climatic changes”, “Monsoon delay”,…etc. are terms that have become household discussion points. Yet how many of us consciously try to do something about it? Nothing earth shattering, but something as small as switching off the non essential lights and appliances or switching of the television when you are not in the room??

Earth Hour in the year 2009 was a global event organized by WWF (World Wide Fund) and was supported in a big way with over 4,000 cities in 88 countries coming forward and pledging their support as a common cause towards sustainable development.

It’s that time of the year again, when we all need to stand up and take charge. Earth Hour is being observed on 27 March, 2010 between 8:30 – 9:30 pm (local time) worldwide. Earth Hour is an initiative to create global awareness on climate changes. On this day all we need to do is switch off all lights & electric appliances at 8:30 pm and show our support.

Well, me thinks, that Earth Hour is to shake everybody up from their comfort zone of ‘all is well’ when somewhere in our hearts we all know, it isn’t. We have somehow gotten used to taking things for granted. One power failure and our life gets disrupted. Maybe we should ask our ancestors who spent their lives by lighting candles & petromax lights!

My plea to all is that Earth Hour shouldn’t be an initiative that you undertake once a year!! It should be something which you will carry forward through the year. All we need to do is get conscious of the deteriorating environment and do our small bit towards sustainable development.

Few other things we can do are

# Walk whenever we can – something which is good for health also..:)
# Car pools – very much a doable thing for city dwellers
# Ride a bicycle – once a while atleast!
# Unplug appliances when not in use – for they consume power as well
# Use energy saving appliances at home and work places
# Replace bulbs with Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs)
# Plant a sapling – and take care of it later also!

A personal effort on all these fronts coupled with an enthusiastic family to support this endeavor will be the best way to support this movement. So on a personal front educate your near & dear, encourage your kids and more than anything get conscious yourself and you are on the way to being an environmentally friendly person!!

Well, don’t we all wish that we are at anytime aware of all offers ? Here I have Elizabeth sharing her insights on finding a flight deal while flying out from United States…

6 Ways to Find a Flight Deal
Heading down to the airport can be rather expensive in today’s world.  With excessive baggage, food fees, and everything else, the airlines want to charge you for everything.  So, how can you spot a deal, and save on your airline flight?  I’ve found that the tips that I’m about to tell you work best from those that fly out of the United States, but your results may vary.  Let’s take a look at 6 ways to cut down on your expenses.
Start by bringing a carry on: Never check in your bags anymore, unless you have to.  Many major airlines are charging $25, and more per bag just to have it checked in.  The sad thing is that it’s going to be going both ways.  For example, as of 2010, Delta is charging $25 one way for each bag, per passenger.  That’s $50 round trip!  Jam as much as you can into a carry on, and avoid these pesky charges.
Use comparison engines: Sites like Kayak are amazing when it comes to finding the best deal.  Simply input where you want to go, and when, and Kayak will provide you a calendar with the cheapest days possible for the month.  You’re going to find that by flying on a Tuesday, or Wednesday, you’re going to save the most money.
Be flexible: I already mentioned it, but Tuesday, and Wednesday are going to be your best days to fly.  What you’re going to want to do is keep your week opened.  You don’t want to fly on a weekend, because those days tend to be the most money, and you definitely don’t want to fly during the holidays.
Pick a smaller airport: If you live in a metropolitan area, you’re probably going to choose your major airport hub.  What you should do next time is try your local, smaller airport.  They will have fewer flights, but the prices are generally cheaper.  You’re going to deal with less people, and the flights won’t be as crowded.

Consider a package:  Like any vacation, you’re going to need a rental car, hotel, and more.  If you plan on getting these all at once, you may want to look at travel vacation packages.  You can save up to 75% by booking everything at once through travel agent based websites such as Priceline, and others.
Be a loyal passenger: If you fly a lot, you may want to join the airline’s frequent flyer program.  Most of the time they are free, but what you’re going to find out, is that the more you fly, the more miles you’re going to build up.  This is great for those that are looking to get free flights for every 25,000 miles+ flown.  To top it off, consider an airline miles credit card and you can save even more!
By being smart and comparing prices, you’re going to find that it’s not too hard to find a good deal.  If you don’t care what airline you fly, or what airport you fly out of, you truly can find a great deal.

This is a guest post written by Elizabeth Cutten.  Elizabeth writes, and manages FindAirlineCards, a travel blog that showcases travel tips, how to save money, and anything else travel related.

Shah Rukh Khan toh hain …hazaaron mein akela…

Circa 2020
Location: Mehboob Studios (it will still be around then, I guess!)
Film: “Wake up Sudhakar”

-A middle aged Ranbir Kapoor’s getting ready to play a 21 year old wayward youth, not knowing what it means to be a proper ‘Mumbaikar’…Ranbir Kapoor is in deep discussion with his director…which goes something like this…Ranbir Kapoor: “We can’t say this dialogue, has this been cleared by MNS? Can my character be called ‘Raj?’ Did we check with all the Thackerays??

Back to the present….which is tense…So despite the fact that there seems to be no perceptible threat to the Hindi film industry at large, its time that the Hindi film

fraternity stands up for their own…Especially when certain politically motivated individuals mix some comments to their own political agendas which could lead to a situation which could spiral into something akin to ‘dictatorship’… to a point where directors, writers and producers will have to line up to meet the ‘powers’ that be to get a ‘creative license’ which would permit them to make stories that would first meet the requirements of the ‘Sena(s)… So a scenario in the future, where film scripts will have to first go through the ‘Thackeray(s)’ of the city to meet their reel fate, is very much on the cards…

So yes SRK made a comment, yes he had an opinion, and yes we can react to it and yes…we may like or may not adhere to his views. And yes…others can say whatever they want to. But to resort to threats to damage property, to threaten that if someone holds a particular point of view then they deserve to be ‘dealt with’. Well its time for people to speak up…especially a fraternity which prides itself to call it an ‘industry’…if not now, then forever they will have to hold their
silence. A tightly gagged silence.

Of course it’s not yet calamity, its not as if they have destroyed theatres…well…they have not done it …’yet’. And perhaps it’s for this ‘yet’ that the industry needs to stand up for. Today ‘they’ will want you to be punished for ‘having favorable opinions towards a country’; tomorrow it could be anything…from growing a beard to wearing a mini skirt. So is Shah Rukh Khan being isolated for being what he is a ‘Khan’… a Muslim…or is he being isolated because the industry itself is scared enough of taking a stance against a body that prides itself on ‘goondaism’? Whatever it is…perhaps its time the Industry stopped changing Bombay to Mumbai to satisfy a few individuals…perhaps its time to know that sometimes its ok to say that ‘yes the film is about the 1993 riots’, if someone has a problem let them take the legal route…not the laathi route! Perhaps its time to tell a few individuals that Mumbai ‘kisike baap ki jagir nahi hain…it’s for every Indian and belongs to every Indian…who can have their own views and also have the basic democratic right to voice it, if they want to!

This is a guest post by Varsha Ranjit. Varsha a journo by profession,pseudo mallu, (as pseudo as they come!), a Puneri by birth, mumbaite through her six year stay in the bustling metropolis, and is currently discovering the ‘joys’ of marriage in the chaos thats become Bengaluru!

A chance for all you shutterbugs to get noticed and win exciting prizes! In yet another creative initiative, Kerala Tourism has announced its Shoot and Tweet contest.

image: Kerala Tourism

Now most of us would have heard or seen in the news the images of Rajdhani Express bearing a tagline – Chalo Kerala (in Hindi) and Go Kerala (in English). Through this unique and the biggest ever branding initiative (in India) done by Kerala Tourism images of Kerala will be carried in its colorful glory across ten states in India.

Flagging off Rajdhani Express Painted with Kerala Images image: Kerala Tourism

Wrapped in vinyl with images of all that Kerala offers, the premier coaches of Rajdhani Express will be traveling through Delhi NCR, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, Karnataka and Kerala.

Now what is the Shoot & Tweet contest all about?

Kerala Tourism decided to take the above offline initiative to the web with this super simple contest. In two simple steps, it is possible for any netizen to win exciting prizes and gift from the Kerala Tourism department. All you need to do is take photograph of Kerala Tourism branded Rajdhani Express and upload it on the Internet – on Flickr, Facebook, blog etc and post the link on your twitter account with hashtags #gokerala to @KeralaTourism. This contest is open for twitter users in India only.

So get set with your camera and follow the two simple steps. And if you the lucky winner you will be contacted by Kerala Tourism through Twitter.

All the best!

Kerala also known as God’s Own Country, has been listed amongst the top ten places to see in the world. That is the splendor of this state located on the south western tip of India. Undoubtedly Kerala is one state which has to offer something for everyone besides peace and tranquility. From serene backwaters to stunning beaches to mesmerizing mountains to sprawling wild life sanctuaries Kerala is your one stop destination to your dream vacation  So…Go Kerala!