May 20, 2018 : Namaste! | Gozo cabs journey across India

May 20, 2018April 16, 2019

How to reach Hampi

Hampi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located on the banks of the river Tungabhadra. It homes the ruins of the Vijayanagara Empire, which is believed to have existed during the 14th century.

Set amidst paddy and banana plantation, Hampi is an important tourist destination especially for the folks having an interest in history, art, and culture. If you are planning a trip to Hampi and seeking travel options to reach this amazing site, here are some suggestions.

Reaching Hampi via airways

There is no direct airport at Hampi. The nearest airport to Hampi is the Hubli domestic airport, which is at a distance of about 144 kilometers. You can easily get a taxi from Hubli airport to reach Hampi.

Alternatively, you can land at the Sambra airport located at Belgaum district of Karnataka, which is about 216 kilometers away. Hampi is an important tourist spot and hence the taxi operators readily take a trip here for one-way travel.

Reaching Hampi via railways

If you are planning to reach Hampi by trains, then you can halt at either of these two stations- Hospet station or Kariganur railway station. Both the stations are within 12 kilometers radius from Hampi.

From these stations, you can grab a private taxi or local rickshaw to reach your stay/ destination.

Reaching Hampi via road

There are regular buses from major cities of India to Hampi. Also, the road network is well connected, so you can also opt for self-driving or riding a private cab to reach Hampi. Hampi has a moderate climate during winter and monsoon and hot summer. You can plan your trip keeping the weather in mind for a comfortable journey and sightseeing.

Please note, the natives mostly speak Kannada, the regional language of Karnataka, hence you might feel it a bit difficult to communicate while using public transportation.

Useful Links-

Hampi: One day trip planner

5 amazing getaways from Hampi

What is special about the Hampi group of monuments

May 20, 2018December 3, 2018

Gangtok: A food tour

The people of Gangtok and entire Sikkim are avid rice eaters. The traditional food habit is greatly inspired by the Nepali and Tibetan cuisine. Most of the dishes prepared here are soupy. The locals use slow cooking method for preparing dishes, which enhances the nutritional value of the food.

Thukpa

Thukpa is a popular Tibetan dish. It is a hot noodle soup made from meat. You can also get the vegetarian and eggitarian version of this dish. Though it sounds like a starter dish, yet it is fulfilling and sufficient for an average meal.

Here is Aditya Bal’s take on the traditional Thukpa recipe.

Wonton

It is a pork soup. In Sikkim, wonton is prepared by combining pork, green chili, green onion, and ginger and cooking them in chicken or vegetable stock.

Thenthuk

It is a noodle soup inspired by Tibetan cuisine. The broth is prepared from onion, ginger, garlic, and other vegetables present in the region. Soy-sauce is also integral to this dish. The noodles are added to the dish, one the soup starts to boil.

Gundruk

It is one of the few vegetarian dishes prepared in the region. It is mostly cooked during the winter season when the vegetation blooms. Gundruk is a soup made from radish, mustard leaves, and cauliflower.

Sha Phaley or Meat Patty

Sha Phaley is another popular dish of Gangtok. In this dish, bread is stuffed with seasoned beef and cabbage and cooked over firewood. It is the Sikkimese take on the Meat Patty dish of the country.

Phagshapa

This dish has a distinct flavor and it is not found in other parts of India, except some northeastern provinces. In this dish, pork fat is stewed with radish and green chili. Except for salt, no other spices are added in the basic traditional version of this dish.

How about renting a car in Gangtok for the entire trip and enjoying sightseeing and food trail?

Useful Links-

4 places to definitely visit on one day Gangtok trip

5 quick getaways from Gangtok

Gangtok: A cultural tour

Easy options to reach Gangtok

May 20, 2018June 1, 2018

These things you can shop at Srinagar while spending less

Srinagar, as is a paradise on earth, so is a shopper’s stop. Looking at the colorful and embroidered textiles, one cannot just stop themselves from buying them. Adding to the wonder, the traditional clothing, which is available in Srinagar are reasonably priced and worth shopping.

In the subsequent section, we suggest the exclusive items to buy from Srinagar.

Pashmina shawls

The Kashmiri shawls, especially the pashmina shawls are famous worldwide for their smooth texture and the warmth they induce. An interesting fact about the Pashmina shawl is it can pass through a finger ring.

The material is so smooth that you can actually feel the silky texture and feel the palm slip on it. You can buy them at JK Government Emporium, opposite Dal Lake. It is a government-owned shop and you will find genuine and affordable products here.

Crewel embroidered clothing

Crewel embroidery is a type of surface embroidery using wool. It is a thousand-year-old technique, still in use. In Srinagar, you can find rugs, baggy tops, bottoms, bags, etc with this embroidery. We suggest investing in the clothing with this embroidery as they never go out of fashion and makes one stand out in the crowd.

Walnut wood handicrafts

Statues and miniatures made from walnut wood is also a unique takeaway from Srinagar. Again JK Government Emporium is a good place to buy reasonably priced walnut wood handicrafts in Srinagar.

Carpets

Kashmiri carpets are handmade and are long-lasting. Once you buy and they last for years without fading or wearing. The Kashmir Shawl museum, near Dal Lake, is a great place to find the authentic Kashmiri carpets.

Kangri

Kangri is a woven basket with an earthen pot inside. It is a utility in Kashmir but for travelers, it can be a wonderful souvenir.

You can find these items in and around Dal Lake. You can also rent a car in Srinagar for the entire day and enjoy hassle-free shopping and sightseeing.

Useful links-

Find a quick way to reach Srinagar

Exploring Srinagar in one day

5 places near Srinagar that will keep you awestruck

Fall in love with these amazing food of Srinagar

Gozocabs take on festivals of Srinagar

Srinagar: These pictures say it all