I can’t wait to walk down the Aisle…

That is,the airport Aisle. (sorry for the clickbait)

Who needs a chapel when you have the luxury of running to your gate because you woke up late  want to get there nice and early. Getting that smooth boarding pass printed out and then instagramming it (without personal details of course because GDPR) for everyone to see that you’re on a Emirates First Class flight to Dubai…or a Ryanair Super Economy to Prague (a flight is a flight, everyone should be jel).

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via GIPHY

 

 

I need that pre flight Corona (the beer, to clarify) and a Full English breakfast. I need to stop salivating because damn, could really use them right now. I haven’t been abroad in just over a year and if you check my internet history it’s full of Skyscanner searches and travel blogs. I have no holidays booked at the moment but that doesn’t stop me bookmarking people’s Instagram posts to my folder aptly named ‘Wanderlust’, original I know. It doesn’t help that London is cold and dreary at the moment and waking up in complete darkness doesn’t help at all. I’m envisaging my next holiday to be an all inclusive at the beach kinda holibae where all I do is sip cocktails and complain about the heat while basking in it anyway.

I don’t know when my next trip will be but I am miserable and need a holiday asap. I kinda wanna wait until things get better or we get a vaccine or both. My mental health is a bit of a sorry state at the moment and I really think even a few days in a new city just lapping up that holiday glow is needed.

via GIPHY

via GIPHY

Are you going on holiday or have you already been? Let me know in the comments!

Pearl Palace Hotel Review

It was my first experience staying in a heritage hotel and the Pearl Palace in Jaipur, Rajesthan was the perfect choice. But what is a ‘heritage’ hotel, you ask? It can be defined as accomodation which has traditional architecture and has distinctive qualities which mirror the area’s way of life. *Boujie for cheap has entered the chat*

The artwork in this heritage hotel was breathtaking. There were statues and stonework recreating the multicultural aspects of India and it’s faiths. The bedrooms were themed and sported different colours, represented a diverse range of vibrant arts and were the perfect combination of luxury and tradition.

Check out how stunning the hotel is

Look at that artwork tho, damn. I felt like a princess entering my own palace. The staff were lovely and attentive. But the food. Two words: Aloo Paratha. Add a coffee and I was set up for the day. The sister hotel Pearl Palace is two blocks away and has a rooftop restaurant called The Peacock Rooftop Restaurant. I didn’t get a chance to dine there but some of the dishes featured sounded amazing; Paneer Butter Masala, Paneer Tikka etc. (If there was an award for how much Paneer a person could eat in a day, I would have won it by now).

I just loved the whole interior of the hotel and how it was Travelodge prices; it definitely gives British hotels a run for their money. Check it out: http://pearlpalaceheritage.com/. We paid  £191 for three nights (two rooms) which is a bargain.

 

 

 

My Cornwall Staycation

Hey everyone!

I’ve been absent for a while dealing with some life stuff but I am back now and ready to commence on these blog posts gathering dust in my drafts.

I took a staycation in mid August to lovely Cornwall staying in a lovely enormous cottage with my family. It was in a secluded farm area called Launceston and was about a hour away from central Cornwall. We were there for 7 days and then spent 3 days in Lizard Point. Here are some daytrips and activities you can do that are of course, socially distanced adventures.

 

1. Glastonbury

W stopped off at Glastonbury to grab some lunch on the drive to Cornwall. Glastonbury has such a lovely assortment of colourful alternative shops and I was happy to have look around and grab some pretty items. If you need some sage, saris and sandlewood incense, look no further. I did some shopping and was happy to report that it really helped to keep me zen.

2. Tresmoor 

The cottage we had rented was located in Tresmoor, a village near Launceston, North Cornwall. The cottage really aligned with my vision of being a literary darling in a cottage writing her memoirs blog. Oak beds, ensuite bathrooms and a games room complete with a dartboard and a pool table. There’s not much to do near but Launceston is only 6 miles from here. I took a walk around the village and drank in the countryside views.

3. The Eden Project

A trip to Cornwall wouldn’t be complete without visiting The Eden Project. Two biodomes containing exotic plants from all over the world cannot be missed. Some areas of the project are closed off and mask wearing is encouraged to ensure health and safety. Give your senses a hit of this tropical wonderland.

 

4. Padstow

I visited Padstow on a wet and windy day so it wasn’t as fun as it could have been been but it’s still worth a visit if you’re in town. Take a walk along the coast and around Padstow town. I was only here for a few hours before we had to take cover before the rain hit but check this website out for a few more ideas if you’re here for a full day. https://www.cornwalls.co.uk/top_ten/padstow.htm

 

5. St Ives

Boujie meets beach babe. St Ives has the most beautiful, picteresque beach location with actual sand (not that sharp pebbly rubbish the UK seem to prefer). Deep blue and green seas and some great views, It’s the perfect place to take a nice walk, indulge in some selfies, grab some tea and scones and sit by the sand and daydream. We ate at Mermaid Alley, this really cute restaurant in Penzance.  If you stop by there, don’t forget the specialty glittery cocktail they have. The Notting Hill of Cornwall, St Ives is not to be missed.

 

6. Widemouth Bay

Up at the crack of dawn (7 AM) for physical activity? When its surfing, I make exceptions. I really recommend trying out surfing or if you’re a watersports virgin (I said what I said) even if you’re a seasoned surfer and want to catch some waves in the UK. What’s surfing like?  It’s a mission getting into your wetsuit and not as glamorous as it seems in American 2000’s media. I stayed on my board for a maximum of 3 seconds. But it’s fun and really rewarding. Turns out pretending you’re surfing in California doesn’t make it stop raining in the UK but at least the waves were rough enough

7. St Michael’s Mount

St Michael’s Mount is an island with a medieval church and castle. I didn’t pay entry to see it but I’m definitely bookmarking it as something I have to do next time. Tickets are available to purchase here: https://www.stmichaelsmount.co.uk/plan-your-visit/opening-days-times

So UK travel wouldn’t have been my first option but with Coronairus, I didn’t really have a choice. It’s made me appreciate the UK more and make the most of staycations. Travelling is definitely more of  state of mind than a place. It’s no Ibiza but Cornwall really is such a exquisite location.

 

The Fujishan Mishima Tokyu Hotel Opening Review

Visiting Japan has been a lifelong dream (that still needs to be fulfilled) and I was excited to be invited to the virtual opening party of a new hotel, the Fujisan Mishima Tokyu Hotel in the Shizuoka prefecture. The hotel group was founded in 2001 and has since expanded to 46 urban sites over 12,400 guestrooms. In 2015, five Tokyu brands split into 3: Tokyu Hotel, Excel Hotel Tokyu and Tokyu Rei Hotel to offer three types of hospitality. The opening party started with a myth busting video about Japan. Many people view Japan as too crowded, difficult, not for me etc.. Japan has over 230 registered traditional crafts and contains one of the oldest ceramic traditions. It also has the most hot springs, natural sources, ski resorts and Michelin star restaurants in the world. Japan exceeds expectations and there is something for everyone, whether you’re a foodie, nature lover or so much more. The Fujisan Mishima is located just 45 minutes away from Tokyo. Shizuoka is famous for having the most green tea production in Japan, plenty of bikes for tourists and containing many shrines and temples for those that are looking to immerse themselves in culture on their holiday. The Mishima Shrine is a must-see. The gendered open air baths are the hotel’s top attraction boasting magnificent views of Shizuoka and an amazing place to unwind in. I was given a first look at the hotel via Zoom which is a first for a hotel opening party. The luxurious lobby offers guests a warm welcome (complete with antibacterial hand gel!). The 14^th floor had stunning designs and contained a spectacular open- air bath. This was accompanied with fabulous views of Mount Fuji. I also got a look at the restaurant on the 13^th floor which was clean and polished. The restaurant offers traditional Japanese food and the speciality dish was BBQ cooked in front of the guest and excellent paired with Sake/whisky/beer. Western style meals are also served here so there is something for everyone

Restaurant

Rooms

The suites are substantial and have plenty of space. They also come equipped with flat screen TV’s and monumental bathrooms. The rooms are designed to exhibit beautiful views of Mount Fuji.

Twin Superior

The Family rooms have pink and green hues, representing the cherry blossoms of Japan along with the greenery of Shizuoka. There are traditional Japanese rooms and also Western rooms complete with Katame flooring.

Complete with an Old Japanese style table setting, the rooms combine luxury with an infusion of traditional Japanese culture. After experiencing the virtual opening party for the Fujisan Mishima, I’m extremely excited about potentially coming to view it in the flesh after I finally do embark on my long awaited mission to explore Japan. Check it out here.

Things I Can’t Wait to Experience After Lockdown

Life During Lockdown

A few months ago everything seemed to change for almost everyone. Our regular lifestyle, schedules and lives in general were changed as we went into lockdown. Although the changes have been made for safety reasons there are still things that we really miss that we wish we could still experience. Pooja, a fellow blogger and I were talking about this and decided to write a post about what we miss most and what we are excited to experience after this lockdown/pandemic is over. The first four are mine and the last four are hers. We hope you enjoy reading the post as much as we did writing it!

Pub Dates

Underrated but I miss cheap and cheerful pub dates where you meet up with friends and get a pint (overpriced if you’re in London, of course) and talk and anything and everything. Bonus point if there’s a pub garden because who doesn’t love a bit of Sun and Sangria. Pub culture is just easy, laid back and chilled which is needed after a long stint of lockdown

Beauty Treatments

There’s a strong chance my eyebrow lady will not recognise me the next time I see her. Or she’ll be speechless when she realises that lockdown pressure culminated in me trying to do my own eyebrows which resulted in a slight disaster. Suffice to say, give me the works (after it is safe, of course). A Mani, Pedi and a facial. Stat.

Food, Glorious, Food

My eyes are definitely going to be bigger than my stomach when all the restaurants open up again. Lockdown has reminded me that I need to be expanding my culinary bucket list and there is are variety of feasts that any foodie can appreciate.

Staycations

International travel is going to be difficult in the foreseeable future as borders will likely stay closed until it is safe to travel. I definitely want to explore more of the UK and see gems like Cornwall and even partake in a road trip to Scotland.

Hugs

I am not someone who is super into hugging or really showing a lot of affection in general but as they say- you don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone. I can’t wait to hug my friends and family and just be around them without worrying about wearing a mask, washing my hands or anything like that.

Travelling

I am really looking forward to travelling a lot more as soon as all this is over and it is safe to travel to other countries again. I even have an entire list of all the places I want to see ready!

Just Chilling

I cannot wait to be able to go out to just relax. Whether it’s to a restaurant, movie, coffee shop or just walking around downtown. I know that I can do that right now but I can’t wait till I can do that without having to put on a mask and avoid other people and keep a distance. Just being able to relax is something I am definitely looking forward to.

Taking the bus

I know a lot of people have a problem with taking the bus or don’t particularly enjoy the experience of taking the bus. I always did though- I thought it was peaceful and I particularly enjoyed longer bus rides because they gave me time to think and reflect. I haven’t taken the bus since the pandemic and honestly I kind of miss it.

What are you looking forward to once normal life resumes?

I collaborated with Pooja G on this post. She is an awesome, helpful blogger and it was lovely to collaborate with her! Check out her blog and her Instagram and Twitter

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Things I learnt when I travelled to India for the first time

In the summer of 2018, I travelled to India for the first time with my family. As a British born Indian girl I was excited to discover my roots and explore my heritage. I wrote an article about my experiences on Gal-Dem so give it a read!

But what did I learn about the specifics of the Indian way of life which is a contrast to the British Indian way of life? Visiting my family in India really solidified this. I decided to write a blog post about it!

1. It’s common for people to eat on the floor at mealtimes. Sitting cross legged with a plate of bateta shaak ( potato curry) on my plate, eye level with my family I found myself eating more mindfully, really taking in the taste and visual imagery of the food. As I was balancing food on my lap, I couldn’t really eat and scroll brainlessly through my phone at the same time
2. Even though I’m Indian, I found there was a stark contrast to the way I was viewed by Indian natives. It was obvious I was a tourist from everything to the way I dressed to the way I spoke (more on that in the next post). Relatives would often ask me if I spoke Gujarati (my mother tongue) and I would hear workers talk about me thinking I couldn’t understand them.
3. The blunt inequality was made blindly obvious to the amount of adult and child beggars on the streets. It forced me to appreciate the fact that I had a roof over my head and food and I that I was travelling India as a tourist, able to visit restaurants and stay in hotels.
4. Family and culture share different vibes to the UK. The relationship between caste and marriage is a significant value in Indian culture whereas in the UK, it is more overlooked.
5. The driving in India is WHACK. Constant speeding, hanging on for dear life and cows in the way! There are no rules.
6. In parts of India, it is the norm to dress modestly, no miniskirts and keep shoulders covered. People will stare.
7. Navigating the markets is a strength. Big contrast to Camden. People’s persuasion will be dialed up to a 100 and you will have to put your bargaining skills to the test.
8. If you think Indian food in the UK is good you’ve underestimated how unbelievably Peng and beautiful the food is in India. I developed a serious addiction to Aloo Parathas at breakfast with Indian tea and don’t get me started on the Paneer.

If you enjoyed my post, read my article on Gal-Dem for a deeper discussion on how I reclaimed my roots:  https://gal-dem.com/wanderthirst-reclaiming-my-roots-in-india/

Let me know what you think in the comments x

Twitter: @Naveeshaaa

Instagram: @Naveeshaaa

Udaipur – Lakes and Luxury

The last stop of the Rajasthan part of the trip after Jodhpur and Jaipur was Udaipur, known as the City of Lakes.

Lake Pichola

 

An artificial lake which is perfect for boating trips and taking in the mesmerising scenery across Udaipur, Lake Pichola is well worth a visit. Lake Pichola also contains palaces, museums, temples and restaurants if you tire of checking out the stunning waters, (which you won’t obvs). The boating trip starts from Rameshwar Ghat and takes visitors to island Jagmandir where tourists can explore and feel like royalty. Check those quarters out!

 

Jagmandir

 

Checking out Jagmandir made me feel like I was a queen checking into my luxury retreat without a care in the world. Butlins, take note. The attraction has been converted into a small hotel with just seven hotel rooms but also a restaurant, bar and spa which is pefect if you’re craving a luxury holiday away from the perils of society in your own little island.

 

City Palace

Another magnificent palace? India is truly spoiling us. City Palace is also the largest palace in Rajesthan. The palace exhibits a blend of Rajasthani, Mughal, Chinese and European culture. Take a look at the beautifully designed women’s quarters Zenana Mahal which has been converted to a museum, perfect for curious people like me who want to gawp at what would have been my home if I’d been a rich Rajesthani Princess.

 

 

 Jagdish Temple

Jagdish Temple was a beautiful mandir situated outside the royal palace. I loved seeing the beautiful temples in India which were a world away from the ones in my hometown. The temple is mainly devoted to Lord Vishnu, the Hindu God who is the preserver of the Universe.

 

 

Jodhpur – Exploring the ‘blue’ city

My next stop after Jaipur was of course, Jodhpur, likened to the being the ‘blue’ city in contrast to Jaipur’s pink paradise. Full of beautiful scenery, more magnificent architecture and colours, I was excited to see it.

The main stop on my Jodhpur Jaunt was architectural beauty, Mehrangr Fort. The fort is 410 feet above the city and boasts terrific views. It also contains a road leading to the city which is great if you want to do your exploring on foot.The fort divides up several palaces which are a must-see such as Moti Mahal, Phool Mahal, Sheesh Mahal, Zenana Dude, Takht Vilas, Jhanki Mahal.There are also two temples. From paintings to palanquins, Mehrangr Fort is showcases the wonderful scenery of Northwestern India as well as a majestic palace. The fort and museum also contains pieces of heritage art includng costumes, carvings and decoarations.

Unfortunately, we didn’t get to see as much in Jodhpur due to time constraints, but on my next visit I will journey to sights such as Bal Samand Lake, Mandore Garden, Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park and Kaylana Lake.

 

 

 

Jaipur – Exploring ‘the pink city’

I must apologise for the backlog of India posts that I haven’t uploaded but quarantine has given me the chance to finally update these and post it!

Known historically as ‘The Pink City’, Jaipur exceeds expectations to become a terracotta paradise.  But why is it called ‘The Pink City?’. The Maharaja of Jaipur sought to impress Prince Albert during his trip to India in 1876. This included building lavish buildings and gardens as well as repainting the city pink in order to create an atmosphere of hospitality. To this day, the pink colour scheme remains.

My exploration started with arriving at the Pearl Palace guesthouse which blew my mind. A heritage hotel, it combines traditional indian architecture and art for a truly authentic experience.

 

Amer Fort

My first stop was the Amer Fort. Mughal architecture, lavish marble walls and an opulent courtyard, I couldn’t wait to get a slice of Rajesthan history. It also contains Sheesh Mahal, an ornate display of mirrors. I was in awe of how beautiful the fort was and the courtyard gardens were nothing to sneeze at either. The stunning backdrop was a pretty picture of Indian countryside.

Usually, when I want to build something beautiful I stick to decorating my Christmas tree but it looks like palaces have always been in style as India is full of them! Mosaic patterned walls, sculptured mirrors, no wonder so many people flock to see this important piece of Jaipur’s history. The palace is divided into four different levels with different attractions such as the Diwan-i-aam (Hall of Public Audience), the Diwan-i-kaas (Hall of Private Audience), Sheesh Mahal (Palace of Mirrors) and the Sukh Niwas where winds blow over waterfalls to create a cool climate.

There is also two light shows every evening. One is in Hindi which starts at 8 and the English one is at 7.30. There are also puppet shows and a classical dance program which can be located in Sukh Mahal.

 

 

 

Bapu Bazar

If you want to go shopping for gifts/specialty items and traditional wear then look no further than Bapu Bazaar. Famed for being the place to sharpen tourists’ bargaining skills, Bapu Bazar is a delight with a plethora of items which appeals to all sorts of people. I picked up some colourful trousers which unfortunately reminds me of this meme*:

 

*Substitute for India.

But I didn’t care because they were pretty and cheap! I also took the time to stock up on Lehengas as it had been way too long since I’d bought new ones. Colourful Bangarees and jewellery were also selling fast and I took this opportunity to pick up some.

 

 

Chocki Dhani

Authentic Rajasthani culture? Cultural performances? Great food? The Chocki Dhani village enticed us because it was a chance to see a glimpse of the ‘real’ India and satisfy my urge to delve into my roots. Chocki Dhani is an ethnic resort and model village attracts both tourists and locals, not only for their promising attractions but also the culinary experience with an extravagant open air buffet restaurant.

Walking inside after paying the entrance fee, I was lost on what to check out first. I opted for a puppet show where a man was using a wooden control bar and string to move a few cute doll figurines who were decked out in traditional Indian wear including little minature cloth saris.

 

In the village there were different performances going on. We stopped to check out two Indian girls in gagra cholis (traditional skirt and top with intricate designs and colours) who were dancing energetically. A man was providing the background music by using a tabla (classical drums). There was so much spirit and passion I stopped to watch.

There were other dance performances going on. One in particular was enjoyable because one of the girls tried to coax audience members into showing off their moves too! Eventually, one woman did come up and dance proving that positive energy is contagious.

Another performance which I coudn’t tear my eyes from showed a young woman dancing on glass!

There was lots to do and see at Chocki Dhani. From the unconventional art of palm reading to a merry-go-round to games for kids. After seeing the many attractions, we settled down to eat at the candlelit buffet dinner. There was so much to choose from. You could have Rajasthani cuisine or more Western cuisine as there was a pasta bar. My favourite was the pani puri which came served with different chutneys and dips that I had about 13. No regrets!

Overall, my experience visiting Chocki Dhani was amazing and I loved that so much Indian culture was showcased here.

 

 

 

Raj Mandir

For the ultimate cinematic experience, I strongly recommend a visit to the grand Raj Mandir, a luxurious cinema in Jaipur. With two staircases and a magnificent foyer. Odeon, take some notes. It is worth noting the cinema exclusively shows movies in Hindi without subtitles. I am not fluent in Hindi but can understand it to an extent, (before anyone calls me a coconut, my mother tongue is Gujarati) so I was looking forward to testing my language skills.

 

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Miami: Where to get ‘litty’

Ok so you’ve satisfied your tastebuds but where can you quench your alcohol deprived thirst? Here are some reccommendations:

Bacon Bitch

• The first bar I visited when I reached Miami. Burger place by day, speakeasy by night. Bacon Bitch transforms into cool retro bar ‘Shhh…’
• Arrive in a small, understated bar, go through a bookcase with a secret button and order some drinks that come wrapped up for that authentic secret bar vibe
• Graffitti, luminous neon walls and happy hour…what’s not to love?

 

 

Liv

• Ok so you’re in Miami but where was the glamorous lifestyle you were promised? Right here in Liv of course!
• I started my night by predrinking in Catalina Hotel and Beach club as part of a deal that included wristband entry and free drinks
• Word of warning: when ordering a mixed drink specify how much alcohol you want. I ordered a double vodka lemonade, took one sip and nearly died because they’d added the same amount of alcohol and mixer
• After having our fill of drinks, our group were transported to the club with a limo – the Miami lifestyle has its perks!
• We arrived in the club in good time and realised it was the ultimate boujie nightclub experience – 22,000 square feet of dancefloor, a lavish stage and VIP access. Did I also mention that Tory Lanes was performing?
• Apart from the prices which nearly made me cry (36$ for a double mixer and spirit), I partied like a princess

 

Cleveland Hotel

• We visited this decadent hotel on Ocean Drive on our last night, wanting something chilled and fun
• There was a salsa dancing night on and I was eager to learn something new without my two left feet messing up
• 3 bars, a nightclub and live music lounge outdoors, this exotic location offers an alternative night out to dancing in a sweaty filled club

Wet Willies

• Their signature drink choice of a frozen Daiquiri will keep you wanting more and more – the limit does not exist, welcome to brain freeze
• Wet Willies have become such a popular franchise they even sell their own merch
• Food, drink and a view of Ocean Drive…a great lowkey place to relax

 

Studio 23

• If rap, afrobeats, hip-hop and bashment is your thing then this club is the perfect place for you to get ‘litty’
• A premium lounge with the hottest names in the buisiness with artists like Summer Walker,
• The club is quite small so if you don’t mind being squeezed in like sardines, this one is for you

American Social

• Happy hour and American cuisine after a hard day on the scooters? Count me in
• Sports bar that is perfect for a lowkey pint yet highkey dining experience
• Craft brews and cocktails

Señor Frogs

• Impressive drinks menu with an “All You Can Drink” for $50
• Bar to club experience on the cheap
• Fun, Multicoloured booze guaranteed to turn your tongue into a rainbow

After a vibe check of Miami’s drinking scene I can confirm that it is indeed, ‘litty’.