Australia..! Info and details !

Another trip done. Another place explored. Time for another blog post.

My aim is to provide maximum tips/information which i term it as "vishesh tippani" :) 

So, fasten your seat belts.. keep tripadvisor/makemytrip tabs open..  apathkalin dwar/emergency exit from this blog can be found in the X symbol on the tab bar..
This is your captain, ANU, from the flight deck.
The journey till Australia - the continent-country with huge land mass & potpourri of various ethnicities- shall take us 4+8 hours, excluding airport wait time! We shall be touring the cities of Sydney, Gold Coast and Melbourne... Lets discover Down under :)


Passport... check!
Bags packed.... check!
Flights and hotels bookings... check!
Daydreams about a new experience... check!
Tripadvisor devoured.. check!

Visa... OMG! uncheck!

 Our dreams were swinging like a pendulum, owing to the "your visa application is under process at the Australian High Commission, New Delhi"!

It was 5 hours for our flight to take off from hyderabad, when we received the most anticipated e-mail in our inboxes. Visa has been granted! This was thanks to the immense pressure from the Maruti Suzuki officials who ensured all dealers made it to the Sydney Conference!

I want to advise everyone applying for an Australian Visa, "please read the offer document carefully before applying"...! The processing time seems to be highest in this consulate. Make sure you have read all about the documents ( example: IT returns, bank statements, itinery copy etc) needed and the category which you are entitled for.  Apply for it with ample time in hand. 

Imagine losing your money, time and excitement!

Planning your itinery will be a huge task.. There is so much data available online, making you feel everything is a must to do thing. Prioritise the things which appeals to your vacation goals. Example: Yarra valley wine tours will be sounding exotic but if you are not a wine lover, then its futile.
Inter city domestic flights are reasonably priced and Virgin Australia flights are super comfortable.

Currency requirements are to be considered while budgeting. Australian Dollars (AUD) are easily available in India. Rs. 48.90-50 is the best rate which we got, i.e. 1 AUD = 48.90 INR. Safety blanket overseas are US dollars and credit/debit cards. Its better to have sufficient back up, just in case.

Australia is pretty expensive if you convert into INRs. Beer is cheaper than bottled water. Public transport is cheaper than taxis. Shopping @ direct factory malls are cheaper than Indian prices.

Walking shoes and weather appropriate clothing are a must while planning this trip. There is lot of walking involved due to the fact that transportation is expensive and maximum places require you to walk! Jackets, sweaters and thermals will be your best friends in april-june time..!

Restaurants close by 10-30 - 11 pm and few bars are open till 12-1 am ! Indian restaurants are available everywhere. Vegetarians may have difficulty on the whole. So, carry haldiram bhujia, thepla and knick knacks like i did.. jaan bach gayi! Tap water is drinkable in the country, keep a bottle handy for refilling!

Every australian will greet you with "how'ya doing mate / hows your day", the positivity and friendliness will make you feel super good.

Sydney

After a super tiring journey, we landed on the soil of the vibrant metropolis!
inching our way towards the city centre, many skyscrapers greeted us.. You shall have a fleeting thought, whats so special? all cities like hong kong, dubai, bangkok will look the same. True, yet different.

Its convenient to stay near to the main transportation hubs like Central railway station and Circular Quay. Recommended hotels are four seasons, shangri la, mercure, hyatt etc.

The ferries and light rail (trams) are unique mode of transportation here. It is advisable to buy OPAL travel cards and keep recharging it. They are required to be "tapped on and off" while boarding and alighting from your desired transportation. The cost of travel is almost 1 dollar less as compared to paper tickets.  Ask around or google for the routes and use them. Its fun,quicker and cheaper!

We took a Ferry from circular quay till Manly Beach. Ferries are spacious, very clean, time punctual, convenient and cool.

Manly Beach is a beautiful place just outside Sydney, 30 min by ferry. Stroll around the souvenir stores, walk on the beautiful sandy beach or just savour the freshly brewed beer.  Perfect for half day outing.

Circular Quay provides the perfect glimpse of the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. Recommended highly is a ferry ride for watching these iconic landmarks glide past.

Darling Harbour is the most beautiful spot to just chill.. cute birds fly around, many bars/cafes to satiate your gastronomy cravings, checking out majestic yachts docked by the side, feeling the nip in the air, indulge in people watching.

If you are a chocolate lover, then the Lindt Cafe is the temple you need to worship in. Lip smacking pastries and coffee!

Madame Tussaads wax museum is located here along with the Sea life aquarium and Wildlife zoo.
Advisable to buy tickets which grants access to all three. Saves money!
Indians represented at the wax museum are Gandhiji and Sachin Tendulkar. Australian celebrities have more prominence in the museum. A short visit of half hour is recommended.

The Sea Life Aquarium enthrals you by its variety of exhibits. Expect lot of walking in this area. Overhead aquarium is the coolest thing i have experienced.. you can watch stingrays and sharks along with beautiful fishes swim above you! Penguins are also exhibited here, waddling around in their area. they are simply cute.

The Wildlife zoo is kinda okayish. Koalas, Kangaroo and a huge alligator are star attractions. A quick walk is suggested through.

Maritime Museum is a free exhibit. A real navy ship is anchored, making your curiosity happier!

Chanced upon a 18th century ship, towards one end of darling harbour, entry to this exhibit was AUD 5 per head. Amazement floods your senses when you stand on the deck and crane your neck while viewing the high mast sails.. hollywood movie scenes flash in front of your eyes and you are transported back in history. The quality of timber used is phenomenal.. this is highly recommended!

Opera Bar is the best sit out for a quiet drink with your travel companions. Situated just below the opera house overlooking the harbour bridge. Loved the atmosphere!

Sydney Cricket Ground has a capacity of 46,000 seats. Its magnificent! Take a guided tour through its grounds and memorabilia, if you are a cricket fan.


Gold Coast

1 hour and 10 min is the flight duration from Sydney to Gold Coast. I thought it was australia's goa :)
Surfers Paradise is the most happening area, with affordable accommodation.

The public transport is yet again very good here. Buses run on time and at frequent intervals till the amusements parks.

The beach is alluring with its waves and glistening sand. Summer is the best time to see surfers display their skills,riding mighty on the waves. Flea Market functions on alternate days, showcasing very interesting souvenirs, cakes, talents etc.

Cavill avenue is the perfect area for bar hopping. Sin City is the famous club with opens at 10 pm and closes at 5 am!! If you aint a bar bird, then just stroll down the lane soaking the vibrancy in the air. Indulge your taste buds in a variety of cuisines and ice creams.

A host of amusements parks provide various kinds of entertainment here. Would highly suggest to buy a 3 in 1 park pass. saves lot of money on the whole.

Movie world is a warner bros promoted park featuring live parade, roller coasters, carnival games and much more. perfect for a half day outing. If you are a batman fan, then this place will delight you to no end!

Dream world is supposed to be the biggest amusement park in the southern hemisphere, or so it claims. I felt it was kind of anti climax, since i had more fun and fantasy type feeling in movie world.
Mind boggling roller coasters are for the adrenaline junkies. One ride featured travelling straight up on a 20 storied tower and then plunging down at a high speed.. gave me creeper jeepers!
This park consists of animal park section, kids section and the roller coasters of various intensities spread around. The Tiger Island show is MUST do!

Sea World's dolphin show is the cutest thing you can ever see... 4 dolphins show you amazing circus type tricks! The roller coaster here is amazing!! Buy souvenirs/merchandise from sea world since they are cheaper in comparison with movie and dream world !


Melbourne

Trams, bicycles and cars/buses co exist peacefully in their dedicated lanes on the narrow roads of Melbourne. A free tram zone runs along the popular stops for sight seeing. Its convenient to hop on and hop off trams. This city is a true potpourri of various ethnicities. Indian community holds a major chunk of population,followed by chinese. 

Sight seeing in melbourne can be done easily by booking a half day city tour package. The tours pick you from your hotel/pickup point specified, and cover the entire city with 4 hours. They show you the Shrine of Remembrance ( a war memorial dedicated to the first world war martyrs, styled in the form of inca temples), the various sports stadiums, Captain cook cottage, fitzroy gardens and so on. 
The buses are clean with informative drivers-cum-guide. Only hitch being, the pick up  will be at 7am!

Whether you are a gambler or not, visiting crown casino is a must! Just spend some time here, watching people play, their emotions, the electric atmosphere and indulge in some hide and seek with your luck. Many interesting versions of popular games are available along with thousands of slot machines! The dealers are helpful in making you understand the game. It is a massive casino, spread over 2-3 levels and floor size is equivalent to perhaps 4 football fields. Only water is complimentary. unlike other casinos where beverages and some snacks are on the house, crown features many restaurants and bars inside to order and pay !

The Great Ocean Road drive will feature at topmost position in your memories. Driving alongside blue turquoise coloured waters, stopping for snacks/tea in the tiny villages enroute, clicking 10000000 of awesome pictures and feel the breeze tantalise your senses. 
Many people prefer to rent a car for the drive. You can also sign up for tours in a small vehicle. 20-24 people in a mini bus with a guide-cum-driver. Go west tours are highly professional.

12 apostles landmark falls along this route. Its truly a natural wonder. try the helicopter ride for a super time!

 

Phew!!! my 14 day journey is summarised in this blog post. Hopefully it will be helpful in planning your trip. 

Love,
Anu 

Shillong,Guwahati, Cherrapunjee - Gems of the 7 sister states

An uncommon path always holds the intrigue and possibility of a great adventure. The idea of exploring new cuisines, topography, culture, language gives the required adrenaline rush!

How about venturing into a land steeped with culture, nature's bounty and pilgrimage?

This is my humble attempt in chronicling my travel to the North Eastern states, hoping it would entice you to experience these on your own.


North Eastern states comprises of the 7 sisters -- Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland -- and the himalayan state of Sikkim. Nature has bestowed its best blessings on these sisters.

Lush greenery greets you right from the moment you step out of the airport and follows you like vodafone, wherever you go.

The topography of the place makes you dizzy and elated at the same time.. The curvy roads definitely calls for a bout of motion sickness but the feeling of breathing in pure air and the weather conditions makes it tolerable.

Gateway to this land of natural beauty is Guwahati, one of the largest growing cities. The connectivity to the airport is excellent. Many flights are direct from New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata or connected via Kolkata.

Guwahati 

Guwahati is home to the Kamakhya Temple, which is a shakti peeth revered by the Hindu customs.

The female reproductive organ is the main deity here. The temple closes for 3 days in a year when the goddess is supposed to be menstruating. The deity is actually in the form of a vagina, which is usually decked up in flowers when you visit. One has to walk down in a crypt, below the main dome, for the darshan.

Normal queue for darshan takes minimum 3-5 hours whereas Rs.500 ticket facilitates the same in 1.5-2 hours.

The legend of the temple traces back to the time where Goddess Sati sacrificed herself in the yagna fire, conducted by her father- Daksha Prajapati. She was appalled by the disrespect shown to her husband by her father , which made her step into the auspicious fire.

Lord Shiva retrieved her body from the flames, after his massive forces destroyed everyone present. He then held her body and danced the Tandav- Destruction dance. Lord Vishnu who was mighty concerned, disambulated her body by the help of his Sudarshan Chakra.

Various bodily parts scattered all over the Earth. Her vagina fell here and thus has been revered in the form of a shakti peeth (strong and powerful place of worship)


Shillong 

Termed as the "Scotland of the East" due to its topographical similarity to Scotland. 
The rolling hills, The flora and fauna spouting out of everywhere,  the enriched tribal culture etc makes it an interesting getaway,

Its a 3 hour drive from Guwahati which has curvaceous roads and hills. You can shop for local cane products and taste the local khasi cuisine. The temperature is simply cool and pleasant.. The massive traffic jams are the only hitch in this place. 

Its like Venice but on hills.. super curvaceous city. Amazement at the construction on difficult terrain is sure. 

There are many picturesque spots to be visited. Elephant falls is one of the gems found after a 20 min drive from the city centre. Elders can slowly and comfortably walk till the waterfall area. 

Elephant Falls

Umiam lake should be the next stop for clicking pictures,savouring hot tea and gorge on freshly roasted corn on cobs. 

Umiam Lake

Khasi woman selling corn on cob!

The Don Bosco cultural centre is a 7 storied museum which provides in-depth knowledge about the 7 sister states. Each floor is dedicated to various aspects of the people living here. Worth spending 1 hour here. Also, the terrace features a Sky walk which gives the bird's eye view of Shillong city. 

Shillong boasts of quirky cafes and restaurants, making your taste buds very vey happy.

One such place is City Hut Dhaba, situated in police bazar. Quirky Decor -- Usage of huge cutleries as wall decor, keeping food grains in small sacks as counter deco, ducks in its waterfalls etc.-- and Dal Makhani to die for. The waiting time for tables will be worth it. 

Dylan's Cafe is the coolest place to hang out in town. Its dedicated to the legendary singer. Record discs welcomes you and encourages you to leave your mark by the form of ceiling art. Yes, you can show your creativity on the armstrong tiles. The food is lip smacking good!

Dylan's Cafe

Shillong cafe is the perfect watering hole. You can indulge in a round of pool/billiards and take the bottoms' up! 

Ri Kynjai is the upscale resort situated on the umiam lake. The name means "serenity by the lake" in the local Khasi language, and trust me, it is true! 

Beautifully made out of wood and cane products, the resort is the perfect getaway with family to bond and chill while soaking the nature's beauty. 

A small pathway makes the trek till the lake easy. The rooms are massive (base category) for the pricing. However, the food is kinda below average.

The Spa is a must do! 

Cherrapunjee

Dubbed as the "wettest place on the planet". 

Had only read about this place in my geography text book in school and now, standing on the place was a great adrenaline kick. You actually feel on top of the world. 

Clouds play hide and seek and the weather tends to be unpredictable.. It is advisable to carry an umbrella.

The 7 sisters waterfall is a delight to behold! The monsoon time brings out the beauty in its full glory. 

The Mawsmai caves feature stalactites and stalagmites ( icicle- shaped formation that hangs front he ceiling of a cave and protrude from the floor of the cave. It is produced by precipitating minerals from water dripping through the cave's ceiling). 

Mawsmai Cave

Venturing inside is strictly not for elders and claustrophobic people. However just viewing the entrance is good enough to admire mother nature's charm.

Its a 2 hour drive from shillong. You will be amazed at the condition of the roads, so smooth. 

Seven Sisters Waterfall

Guess, i have provided sufficient information and motivation for you to head east. Additional bonuses include, hogging piping hot hill station wali maggi, innumerable photo opportunities and to try something new. 

Thanks for reading, 

Lotsa love, 

Seeking a new adventure now....

Anu 

Gokarna, Murdeshwara and Idgunji. Devotion by the Sea!

Admiring the sunset's hues with clear sand beneath your feet and intense happiness and peace within yourself! Doesn't it sound amazing and stress free?? Break out of reverie, grab those back packs and keys to your car along with wallet and drive away on a scenic road which leads you to spirituality and peace....

A vivid memory streaked past when my parents mentioned the pilgrimage trip to Idagunji, Gokarna and Murdeshwara. I was nostalgic with the prior trips taken with family and relatives. The adrenaline of driving through lush greenery and curvaceous ghat section was overwhelming. Immediately, i confirmed the plan and went along... Presenting you, the Gems of Coastal Karnataka..

 

Idagunji

A huge Kaman (entrance) on the left side of the state highway, proudly proclaims the tiny hamlet of idagunji with its resident deity, Lord Ganesha.

The legend of this temple is a simple story of the fulfilment of devotee's prayers by the generous lord. 

 On the onset of kali yuga , sages feared the unknown evils which would be associated with the era and hence performed severe austerities in order to negate it. However, many obstacles besieged this quest, rendering it incomplete. 

Celestial sage Narada, tried to reinstate  this penance by convincing mother Parvati to send her son, Lord Ganesha to the designated spot and give his blessings. But, was refuted by mother parvati owing to the dangerous nature of the place (it had many elephants and other wild animals). 

Narada then set out to lure the lord himself by making him eat a special kind of laddu made by 5 elements, specific to that region, named as PANCHAKHADYA.

Lord Ganesha loved it so much that he requested for more. Narada being very crafty, mentioned that only if he stood over the puja site and blessed it for eternity, he would get more of them. 

Thus, the Lord consented to reside over there provided the laddu being offered as prasadam everyday!!  The chief priest of the temple chuckled and recited this story to us and proudly showed us the magical prasadam which will be offered everyday till eternity!

The diety is a swayambhu (self generated/self made) which dates back to almost 4th century BC and is in the standing position with 2 hands. This sets it apart in legend and in devotion. Also, it is a form of bal ganesh/ child ganesh. The charm of the deity instantly makes your heart fill with awe, devotion and positivity.

Every wish made surely gets fulfilled here.

How to reach there and accommodation:

The nearest big railway station is Hubli. It is a 4 hour drive from there. Idagunji falls in honnavar district and is just 17 kms away from the sea side town of murdeshwara.
Accommodation is available at honnavar ( 14 kms ) or at murdeshwara (17 kms) away.


Gokarna

4 beautiful and serene beaches along with a centuries old shiva temple (which is supposedly the atmalinga of the Lord) is what makes gokarna a auspicious place and a getaway spot. Gokarna means the cow's ear and has a interesting legend associated. 

This is the current hippie/foreigner destination in karnataka. You will find lots of foreign tourists on a bliss holiday.  The market place has interesting knickknacks,such as- leather bags, trinkets, beach wear, junk jewellery etc, for purchase. 

The lore recounts a tale featuring Ravana, King of Lanka and Lord Ganesha. 

Ravana was a staunch devotee of Lord Shiva and once, was granted a atmalinga (self statue)  by the god himself. The only condition was that he wasn't supposed to place it on any ground before he reached Lanka and installed it on the designated spot. 

Other Gods panicked and approached Ganesha to prevent it from reaching Lanka. They feared the might of Ravana might increase even further. 
Lord Ganesha appeared in front of Ravana as a cowherd and magically transformed the sky,from noon to dusk. 

Ravana always worshipped Shiva at sunset and thus was perplexed what to do now?. He spotted the cowherd and requested him to hold the atmalinga  till he returns back after a bath in the river.  He strongly cautioned him not to keep in on the ground under any situation. 

The cowherd promised him, he will yell ravana's name once before keeping it down. Cunningly, he gave a soft call and kept it down. When Ravana found out what transpired, he was mighty furious and tried to move the atmalinga by using his full force. 

Few fragments of it, dislodged and flew away to a place wherein a temple dedicated to the fragments still stands. It is called Murdeshwara. 


How to reach and accommodation : 

Gokarna is almost 3 hours drive from hubli. this is the nearest airport as well. 

Konkan railways runs a train from mumbai to gokarna station. for other places, kindly google. It's advisable to drive through the beautiful countryside. The accommodation ranges from top notch 5 star resort of swaswara, medium ranged resorts like sanskruthi and modestly priced namaste cafe and home stay. 

Would highly recommend visiting namaste cafe. Perfect place to enjoy a cup of coffee/ beer while viewing the sunset. BLISS! 

Murdeshwara





















The presiding deity, Lord Shiva, makes his presence felt from afar. His gigantic sculpture looms over the small temple town of murdeshwara. 

On the shore of the Arabian Sea, you will find families enjoying in the waves on the beach after offering their prayers in the temple. The temple's legend has been mentioned above. The temple has a huge courtyard featuring other gods as well. 

Gopuram, the traditional south indian temple door, is a massive 18 floor structure, which lends supreme aura and character to the temple. You can travel to the 18th floor by paying the lift charges of Rs.10/-
The beautiful view of the sea and the shiva idol arrests your attention and makes you lunge for your cameras and mobile phones.

There is a museum of statues beneath the shiva sculpture which tells a mythological story. 

How to reach and accommodation: 

RNS residency is the best option here. Rooms are decently priced and the view from them are phenomenal. One night stay is highly recommended here.. Soak in the moonlight sprayed across the sea and gaze at the beautiful stars! 

Hope you liked my post about my sojourn. Do write to me about what you liked, disliked and suggestions. Also, advise if i should keep writing more on travel topic.. 

Love, 
Anu