16. Bandelier National Monument is in Los Alamos, New Mexico. Los Alamos is famous for its national laboratory where the first Atom bomb was designed. Bandelier National Monument has ruins of ancient Anasazi cliff houses and houses of Pueblo People. Plan to spend a whole day there and take trails to see some wonderful excavated sites, rock paintings and Petroglyphs. People have reported bear sightings there, so be careful while taking trails.

Bandelier National Monument Pic: Rishi Menon

17. There are several ladders like this placed in various sites. Apparently, the cliff-dwelling Native Indians who lived in  Bandelier in ancient times used these kind of ladders to reach the mesa tops and their homes. It is fun to climb these ladders and check out the cave holes.

Bandelier Pic: Rishi Menon

18. Carlsbad Caverns is a national park in South New Mexico. The caverns have several rooms inside named after the formations and mysteries. The most famous is the Big Room which can be seen taking a 1-mile self guided walking tour. The Big room is considered as the largest known underground chamber in the Western Hemisphere. To reach underground caverns one can either take the elevator to the Big room or take a hike down the natural entrance which is a 750 ft descend. To do the natural entrance hike, one has to be in good shape since it can get quite strenuous, but the hike is worth it since it takes you through some stunning sights and you can also see Mexican Free-Tailed Bats.

Carlsbad Caverns Pic: Rishi Menon

19. White Sands National Monument is in Alamogordo, New Mexico. It has beautiful white sands dunes and visitors can either walk around or go sand boarding. A Sand board is a big round plastic tray on which one can slide down the dunes and this can be picked up from the visitor center. They also offer sunset strolls conducted by a ranger which is very informative. Sunset is also the best time to take beautiful pictures, just watch out for lizards and kit fox.

White Sands Dune Pic: Rishi Menon

20. Roswell is a city in South New Mexico which became famous after the alleged UFO crash in 1947. Alien bodies were known to be discovered at the crash site , but it is still a mystery. No one knows if it is true. There is a museum dedicated to the UFO and the aliens and they have newspaper clippings and witness recounts to prove it was true. Worth a visit.

Roswell Pic: Rishi Menon

11. New Mexico, known as the Land of Enchantment is endowed with Southwestern Charm. These hanging arrangements of dried chilies are called Chili Ristras and is an iconic New Mexican tradition.

Ristras Pic: Rishi Menon

12. Very large Array also known as VLA lies fifty miles West of Socorro city in New Mexico. There are 27 radio antennas arranged in Y-shape . They offer self guided tours. Make sure you are prepared for the weather since it tends to get very windy and storms are frequent. We were caught in one and had to run like crazy to get shelter. We also saw several jack rabbits hopping around.

Socorro Very Large Array Pic: Rishi Menon

13. Golden is a city that lies on the scenic Turquoise Trail from Santa Fe to Albuquerque. While driving between these two cities, Turquoise trail is the best route to take since it takes you through beautiful towns including Madrid which became famous after the movie “Wild Hogs” was shot there. The cafe used in the movie is still there, now it is used as a souvenir store. This town also has Native American art work and hand made leather goods stores.

Golden Pic: Rishi Menon

14. Sandia Peak is in Albuquerque and lies at almost 11,000 ft high. This peak is a heaven for skiers and snowboarders. To reach there, one has to travel the world’s longest tramway and the sight en route is breathtaking. We went there in December and the temperature up there was -18F (-27C). There is a cafe at the peak and I highly recommend having the Nachos which comes topped with Chile con queso & black beans with a side of guacamole, sour cream & salsa.

Sandia Peak Pic: Rishi Menon

15. Albuquerque old town is a very charming part of the city with a beautiful church called “San Felipe de Neri Church”, Plaza with Native American jewelry stores and artworks. Albuquerque also has Petroglyph National monument which has several trails to see the sights.

Albuquerque Old Town Church Pic: Rishi Menon

This guest post by Rishi Menon and Suchi Ravindran Menon is continuation to part 1

6. Loretto Chapel in Santa Fe is famous for its Mysterious Staircase. The chapel was built between 1873 and 1878 and it has many stories regarding the mysterious staircase, one being it was built by St. Joseph himself.

Santa Fe Loretto Chapel Pic: Rishi Menon

7. Cathedral Basilica of St Francis of Assisi in Santa Fe is one of the major attractions in Santa Fe. It has a beautiful architecture and the store inside sell authentic New Mexican Christian gifts. We picked up colorful New Mexican themed cross for our Catholic friends.

Cathedral Basilica of St Francis of Assisi Pic: Rishi Menon

8. Santa Fe has amazing art galleries and studios and the best place to shop is Canyon road. It was snowing when we went there and that gave the whole place such a magical look. Near Canyon road there is a Chocolate house called Kakawa where they serve amazing hot chocolate drinks and sell chocolates. They offer free  samples to taste to help you decide.

Canyon Road Pic: Rishi Menon

9. San Miguel church in Santa Fe is the oldest church in United States. We were stunned by the simplicity of the church which made it so alluring. It is walking distance from the Plaza.

San Miguel Church Pic: Rishi Menon

10. Santa Fe State Capitol has one of the most number of artworks we have ever seen in any state capitols in the US. The paintings, sculptures everything is just stunning. The most famous art work is a Bison head which is made up of paper and other banal materials.

Santa fe Capitol Pic: Rishi Menon

to be continued…

Explore New Mexico through the lenses of Rishi Menon and narration by his better half Suchi Ravindran Menon.  Suchi tells us in detail – what to do, what to see, what to buy and most importantly what to eat while in New Mexico   Enjoy!

1. The Taos Pueblos is an ancient Native American community located in Taos in North New Mexico. People live there in adobe style houses with no electricity or  running water. It is quite an experience to go there and learn about their culture. We were there during Christmas eve and thus were able to see several ceremonies like the Christmas Eve ‘Procession of the Virgin’ and  the ‘Matachines’ dance also known as the Deer dance. There are stores inside the community which sell handmade Native American jewelry and traditional Indian articles like Dream catchers, Medicine wheels, etc. Also, if you visiting Taos Pueblos, definitely try their “Fry bread” with powdered sugar or cinnamon, it is just amazing.

Taos Pueblo Pic: Rishi Menon

2. The Rio Grande Gorge Bridge is an interesting bridge over the Rio Grande gorge and is one of the tourist spots on the “Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway” that passes through Taos. This scenic byway takes you through beautiful towns, ski resorts like “Red River” and stunning scenery. When in Taos, try some local New Mexican cuisine at the ‘Orlando’s New Mexican Cafe’. I had a lip smacking Frito Pie with green and red chile sauce. You can also try the Green Chile Stew, which is another regional favorite.

Rio De Grande Pic: Rishi Menon

3. The St. Francis of Assisi church is in Ranchos De Taos in North New Mexico. It is considered one of the most photographed churches in the southwest. It is built in old Spanish colonial style with adobe structures. A tip for photographers, the best time to get beautiful light on the front side of the church is during sunset and backside is during sunrise.

Saint Francis Church Pic: Rishi Menon

4. Taos is a town in North New Mexico which has houses and stores in adobe style architecture. Taos Plaza and Ledoux street are two places where you can get New Mexican souvenirs, Native American artifacts and traditional artifacts. Visit Ledoux street in the mornings to get good photos of the adobe style structures.

Taos Pic: Rishi Menon

5. Santa Fe is the capital of New Mexico. Santa Fe downtown is full of beautiful adobe style chapels, stores, restaurants and hotels. This is Hotel Loretto and the lit brown paper lanterns lined around the structure are called Farolitos.

Santa Fe Adobe Architechture Pic: Rishi Menon

More from Rishi and Suchi about New Mexico in coming few days….

The Lighthouse Pic: Raghuram S Godavarthi

One visit to the cliff behind the lighthouse – at the westernmost edge of the town convinced me this was far greater reward, and inevitably, my feet found their way there every evening, in the hope of catching a sunset.

A Long Awaited Sunset Pic: Raghuram S Godavarthi

I spent all of five evenings at the cliff, waiting for two to three hours every day for the clouds to part and reveal a dipping sun. But it wasn’t until the final evening that the Sun delivered a parting glimpseand broke through the clouds so very briefly before lapsing into its repose.

For the traveler curious about religion and customs, Dwarka can serve up a good sample, with most local tour operators also offering guided tours of nearby temples, including that on the island of Bet Dwarka, which, according to popular myth again, is a must-visit for those visiting the main temple in Dwarka. For those not so inclined to visiting holy places, Dwarka can offer a halt on a coastal trip. In 2005, it was still in large part a stranger to the technological trappings of the metropolitan cities. Being relatively outside of the regular tourist circuit, Dwarka could still combine rusticity without being in a completely non-urban setting. One can, if so willing, climb up the spiral staircase and get a bird’s eye view of the city, and can thus mentally map out the walks that will aid the exploration of the city.

A Giant Shiva Idol at a Nearby Temple Pic: Raghuram S Godavarthi

The sea-facing cliff offers a perfect spot for meditating upon the mysterious forces that are contained in nature, and watching and tasting the salty foam-covered waves smash tirelessly against the rock only adds a sense perception to the experience. If you are curious about geographical features, right behind the temple is the mouth of the river Gomati, and a rocky embankment serves to create a waterway that visitors to the temple can access without fear of high waves.

The Temple of Radhaji Pic: Raghuram S Godavarthi

Back then, we lived in New Delhi, over a thousand kilometers from Dwarka. We traveled first to Ahmedabad, where my family had lived during my infancy, so this layover was also a trip down the proverbial memory lane. From there we traveled to Jamnagar, a port city generally acknowledged as the easiest place to find transport to Dwarka. Travelers have better options today with the road and rail transport developing and reaching into further and further pockets of semi-urban/rural India. I would highly recommend staying at the Gujarat Tourism Development Cottage, although I must confess my information might be slightly out of date on this count. I do remember that the cook delighted in serving us unlimited quantities of incredibly tasty vegetarian food!

This is the concluding part of the guest post by Raghuram S Godavarthi. Raghu regularly blogs at Bencilo.

In this guest post Raghuram S Godavarthi ruminates over his 6 year old trip to the city of Dwarka in Gujarat.

Raghu likes to describe himself as ‘A Bohemian-in-the-making who was once an engineer and now works as a wordsmith’. He regularly blogs at Bencilo.

Dwarka: A Glimpse of India Ancient, India Amazing

The Embankment on the Sea Pic: Raghuram S Godavarthi

Dwarka, a tiny seaside town perched almost on the western tip of India, lies almost beyond the imagination of the ordinary Indian. And yet, this religious hotspot is where history, myth and religion collide to form a most fluid legend that runs a single thread through Indian history – starting from the semi-mythical Mahabharata era. Among the various stories that are told about Dwarka is the one that talks of the modern city being the seventh built on that shore – the other six having been “swallowed” by the sea.  To today’s tourists however, there is Dwarka – a symbolic pilgrimage town of the same name as the ancient kingdom ruled by one of Hinduism’s most cherished God: Krishna.

Temple of Dwarkadheesh Pic: Raghuram S Godavarthi

Befittingly, the Temple of Dwarkadheesh – meaning Lord of Dwarka -is this town’s focal point, and from what I saw, the life of the townspeople revolves around the rituals of the temple. My only visit to Dwarka happened in August 2005, and was a long overdue pilgrimage for my parents. For the reluctantly religious me, it was a chance to visit the western coast of India, an opportunity to see the sun set on the Arabian Sea.

The crescent coast Pic: Raghuram S Godavarthi

The city of Dwarka, according to one account, was a kingdom dredged out of the ocean, another suggests it was underwater. The gentle crescent shore that this town hugs has the Dwarkadheesh temple at one end, practically marking a vertex of the town. At the other end of the crescent is another towering edifice, albeit a modern one – a lighthouse. It is not a long walk between the two ends, and walking is the best way to discover the quaint features of this sleepy town. We had a tentative plan of spending two days in Dwarka before heading eastwards towards the other religious destination on that shore – Somnath. However, the hospitality (read the food) at the Gujarat Tourism cottage ensured we spent nearly a week there. I spent fifteen minutes on the official beach of the town to discover that it was more a hotspot for ablutions than for tourism.

Gujarat Tourism Cottage Pic: Raghuram S Godavarthi

To be contd….

Majorca Pic: http://www.flickr.com/photos/fluffystuff11/6136150660/sizes/l/in/photostream/

The largest of the Balearic Islands, Majorca, welcomed its first charter plane back in 1950 at a small, regional airstrip. These days Majorca boasts an international airport and welcomes over 10 million visitors every year, a number that dwarves the local populace of just 750,000, half of whom live in the capital.

Majorca is the archetype of resort holiday heaven, with guaranteed sunshine, the beautiful warmth of the Mediterranean Sea and wonderful beaches. Majorca has a little bit of everything, making it a great place to visit. The capital, Palma, is a charming city on the south side of the island, set in bay which is famous for its remarkable sunsets. There’s not a great deal to see in the city itself, but the atmosphere is fantastic and there are loads of good bars and restaurants.

Most of the good beaches on the island are to be found on the north or eastern coasts, and thus this is the place where most resorts are also found. Despite the massive tourist trade, however, there is the odd quiet, secluded beach with no one on it, although you may have to travel a little bit to find it.

Head to the northwest coast and you’ll find yourself in the mountains of the Serra de Tramuntana range. The Tramuntana is host to one of the highest mountains in Spain, Puig Major. The mountain is a little taller than the highest peaks in the UK and offers an astonishing view of the island and of the azure seas of the Mediterranean.

The northwest region is also characterised by its small, quaint villages set amongst olive groves and citrus trees. If you fancy getting away from the hustle and bustle a little bit, this is the place to do, and you won’t have to go far to feel like you’re in a completely different world.

Last of all, there’s the southwest coast, which is referred to by the locals as the “part outside” because it’s just round the corner from the huge bay where the capital is found. The southwest coast is sparsely populated, and with a rugged coastline and steep plunging cliffs, it’s not ideal for sun seekers. However, if you fancy a little bit of a coastal walk, the paths are remarkable.

Majorca is a beautiful place to visit, and there’s so much to see and do that isn’t just the beach – although it has to be said that the beaches alone are a good enough reason to visit. Just watch out for the peak season when finding your stretch of sand can be a little challenging!

This is a guest post by Mr. Q, a quizmaster by profession, an avid traveler and adventurous foodie…

An elephant experience in Pattaya, Thailand…

One of the major attractions when you land in Pattaya is the visit to the Nong Nooch Village.

Butterfly Park in Nong Nooch Village Pic: Mr. Q

Nong Nooch Village Pic: Mr. Q

A few kms from Pattaya city centre, around 20 minutes travel time away is this lovely landscaped arena full of palms, orchids, flowers& beautifully laid out gardens. The main garden is a huge layout, of almost 6 football fields size, if not bigger, with lots of Temples, Palms & crafted bushes. The layout is magnificent and reminds one of the grandeur that the “Land of the White Elephants” had in the days of the Kings. Its spectacular layout is a visual treat, which all botanists will treasure for a long, long time. The flowers & the millions of colours that one can catch as you walk about is a sheer delight. Ornamental plants & flowers from across the globe are also grown in the village and their orchid collection is also a huge attraction.

Tigers at Nong Nooch Village

Inside the village, there is a mini zoo with Tigers & Chimpanzees. A small railway track with tunnels & waterfalls also add to the excitement of the children& adults alike. One can pat a Tiger & take a photo with them too…:)

Cultural show at the main hall in Nong Nooch Village Pic: Mr. Q

In the main hall of the village, four times a day, a 45 min cultural show is put up by the local artists. In this show, the various dance forms from four parts of Thailand are showcased. There are glimpses of various sports including Muay Thai (the thai style boxing), Drum medley, War enactments & Elephants in war also. This short but sweet show gives you an overall feel of this beautiful nation.

The main attraction of the Nong Nooch village are the Elephants. You can find dozens of them, feeding & lazing around, while another set of them are taking tourists around for a ride! The mahouts are very friendly people and allow all to play with these giants. Small stalls also sell bananas, which you can buy & feed them.

Elephant show at Nong Nooch Village Pic: Mr. Q

Elephant show at Nong Nooch Village Pic: Mr. Q

Four times in a day, the Elephants put up their own show, which is a must see item for anyone visiting Pattaya. Twice in the morning & twice in the evening, with the final evening show starting at 4.00pm, these gentle animals weave a magic of their own.

Elephant playing basketball at Nong Nooch Village Pic: Mr. Q

Nong Nooch Village Pic: Mr. Q

Elephant on a bike at Nong Nooch Village Pic: Mr. Q

They play basketball, football, throw darts, cycle around, offer a massage to any guest (who has the guts to lie down!!), do coordinated dances, walk over human beings,  march in an army style, and what not!! They lift guests up & pose for photographs as well as spray a few people with water also. But the topping on the cake is when three of them take to paint brushes & easel & paint T Shirts!! It’s a wonderful sight & eye popping one too, for the finished painting can hold its own anywhere in the world. One can buy these paintings, which are certified by the village with their seal & the name of the elephant who had drawn the painting!! (Our home carries one such painting now)

Elephants painting at Nong Nooch Village Pic: Mr. Q

There is a butterfly park also within the village, where you can see butterflies from across the globe in their various colours flitting away in serene surroundings.

On the whole, one can spend a full day in this village peacefully…:)

If there was ever a good reason to get some travel guides, shopping in Thailand would be a good reason. Thailand – Bangkok & Pattaya, has so many shops, markets, malls and stores that it can be hard to decide just where to start. Since it can be difficult to decide where to go and what to watch out for while shopping, it will be helpful to prepare yourself by researching and getting some helpful tips. Here are some tips for those who are getting ready to take on the shopping in Thailand:

•    Jewellery :  Thailand is a jewellery hub, but it is also home to many jewellery scams and con men. You can get real quality jewelry for lower prices, but you have to be on your guard for the scams. Be alert and aware of people who pose as government representatives and promises of gems and deals that are too-good-to-be-true. Be smart about where you buy jewellery and don’t be afraid to ask questions. There are also many high quality gold shops in Thailand and the prices of the gold fluctuate each day. Those buying diamonds / diamond jewellery must insist on certification.

MBK Pic Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jason_weemin/3027533144/

•    Malls: There are many different types of malls in Thailand; from the Siam Paragon megamall, to MBK mall. The Siam Paragon is where many well-to-do people spend time looking around at the bookstores, restaurants, Cineplex and Ocean World Aquarium. The MBK mall is a well known tourist mall because of its affordable prices. The MBK mall has 2,000 plus shops and a very large food court. There is also the Platinum Fashion Mall, the Central Chidlom, the Gaysorn, the Emporium, and the Pantip Plaza.

Sushi stall - Night Market, Kad Suan Kaew Pic Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/avlxyz/3454979245/

•    After Dark Shopping:  Thailand is open for shopping at anytime. Bangkok has many after dark shops like Patpong Market, Nana Market and Khao San Road to keep you busy even after everyone else has gone to sleep.

•    Street Shopping: Thailand is also famous for its street shopping. Places like the Prachan Pier, Maharat Road, Wat Pho, and Thammasat University all offer shopping experiences right on the street and sidewalk. If you are a haggling master, then street shopping is a must because the street shop regulars love to haggle. Khao San Road is another good street shopping place as well as a famous backpacker strip.

•    Markets: The Chatuchak market, one of the many Bangkok, Thailand markets, is a huge marketplace with an unbelievable variety of wares. Many of the markets in Thailand allow and encourage haggling. There are also flower, fresh produce, and food markets.

Madison Hewerdine is an author who likes to write a visitors guide for traveling and has a passion for painting.

In this post Anjana share her exploits at the resort while Avinash contributes through his beautiful shots. Btw Avinash happens to be the official photographer of our gang of friends Thanks guys for sharing this….

Vythiri Resort Pic Credit: Avinash Krishnan

If Kerala is Gods Own Country, then Vythiri in Wayanad district is the abode of the Gods!! Think of the cleanest air that you can breathe, think of the untouched forests that one can reach, think of the most wonderful green that you can dream of and you get an idea of what Vythiri is all about. Hopefully…:)

We were on the lookout for a holiday where we could just relax and recharge our batteries and a friend happened to mention the Vythiri resort in Vythiri, Wayanad. On the online space it seemed exactly what we were looking for, and on the whole it just was as it was to be in real life!!
Wayanad is in the north eastern part of Kerala, and its topography is characterized by rugged terrain, wild deep forests, and beautiful valleys. It is one of the last bastions of the tribal presence in Kerala. Vythiri is situated at the very beginning of the district when you approach from Kozhikode, 66km away. After a slightly arduous, yet visually stunning drive through the hairpin bends, Vythiri welcomes you to the district of Wayanad.

We had a slight problem with our car and so our departure from Kozhikode was delayed. Inspite of this the Vythiri resort staff were quite accommodating about our late check in and even offered us a late lunch when we arrived at the resort at 3:30 pm.

Vythiri Resort Pic Credit: Avinash Krishnan

The first thing that struck me when I got out of the car was the absolute sense of calm that washed over me. Bye-bye travel weariness, Hello new found calmness! The reception at the Vythiri resort is quite quaint with a huge uncut log of wood as a bench and also a water body with big ugly fishes swimming around in it. I could hear the faint hum of a generator which incidentally powers the entire resort. Other than that there are no artificial sounds. The resort was designed to be completely eco friendly with minimum changes incorporated to the surrounding forest, and by forest I’m talking about thick wild jungle. Our rooms were tastefully done in a minimalistic style and there are no air conditioners or televisions in the room. I was quite thrilled about the later, since I wanted my daughters to realize that they could unwind even without the idiot box. Our room which was on stilts (to discourage creepy crawlies) looked out onto a gurgling stream which flowed through the resort. Oh, what bliss! I just wanted to sit there and gaze and gaze into the flowing water.

Important revelation for me – the jungle is not silent!! There was the gurgling of the stream, the chattering of monkeys, the cicadas’ concert and a whole lot of other sounds (which I couldn’t classify!!). The cottages were on one side of the stream while the restaurant and common room were on the other. So each meal was preceded by a walk on a hanging bridge which would promptly start swaying from side to side as soon as we set foot on it. My husband provided a lot of entertainment when each time he would try to modify his walk to minimize the swaying. I’m not sure about any decrease in the degree of swaying but his walk was hilarious !

Vythiri Resort Pic Credit: Avinash Krishnan

Another aspect about this holiday which I loved was the amount of time we spent together as a family. Since there were not many distractions for us we played games like basketball, badminton, caroms and table tennis at the resort. I had never touched a carom board since my kiddy days and my children were quite thrilled that they beat me often!! Who said there is no pleasure in loosing??

Needless to say, we didn’t stir out of the resort for the whole of our stay!! Though for those who want some more action, there are quite a number of attractions around Vythiri. There’s the Soojipara Falls (38kms away) which is a three tiered waterfall where you can do some rock climbing. The Banasura Sagar Dam (30kms away) is the second largest earth dam in Asia and its ideal for trekking and speed boating. The Pookote lake (4kms away) is a natural freshwater lake with a stunning view. With Vythiri as the base you can visit the Kuruva islands (60kms), Muthanga Sanctuary (55 kms) and many more scenic places.

The kids were not too happy initially when they realized that there was no television and there was the threat of mutiny in the ranks! However a peaceful night’s sleep and being woken by the Whistling Thrush (no idea what its scientific name is) really got them in the mood. Our 3 days at Vythiriwere spent in exploring the resort, eating gargantuan meals, playing outdoor games, swimming in the pool with a very interesting audience of monkeys looking on (the real ones for a change!!)and trying to spot as many different birds and trees that we could.

Well, all good things must come to an end, or so they say.  The kids were so unhappy to leave the place that we have promised to bring them back. I was happy that my daughters could know first hand about our ecology and how insignificant we are when compared to the majesty of Nature. So we left with heavy hearts and promises to come back, but totally rejuvenated for the grind that life is……:)