Fujairah - A weekend Getaway

A long weekend was around the corner and nothing but a relaxing holiday was all we could think of. Recently I had heard from a couple of people of that Fujairah seemed to be a nice place to spend a couple of days incase one wanted to get away from the hustle and bustle of Dubai. We immediately went to take help from our trusted hotel booking websites (Booking.com and Hotels.com). Thankfully, Booking.com gave us a perfect deal and we spent the two days in engulfed in the mountainous terrain. If you are visiting the UAE anytime soon then do spend a day or two here.

Reasons to visit Fujairah:

• Fujairah is the only city that has a coastline which is different from the other emirates in the UAE. It has a coastline along the Persian gulf. As you drive towards Snoopy Island from Fujairah you will be able to catch a glimpse of Oman from the bridge. It reminded me of a dialogue from one of my favourite films, "Being in two places at the same time"

• The Hajjar mountains that create the beautiful scenery on the way to Fujairah from Dubai is breathtaking. They are a never ending and transport you to a different period. I remembered the "Alchemist" as we drove away. You could sometimes be lucky enough to spot camels here. We did so !

• Bull Fighting is another major reason why you cannot just stop yourself from visiting this place. This isn't gory and ruthless like the ones that happen in Spain. Each bull is allowed to fight with it's opponent for a minute and the one that manager to push the other one out of the circle is declared as the winner. This takes place every Friday between 4.00pm to 6.00pm
• Snorkeling and Scuba diving is available on the beaches in Fujairah. 

    MASAFI MARKET

• Masafi Friday Market: Just like an oasis soothes the thirst of desert travellers, the Masafi Friday Market is a treat for people interested in earthenware, plants and carpets. A market set in the desert along the edges of a huge road is worth a visit. Even though this place is called a friday market, it is open on all the days of the week. 

FORTS IN FUJAIRAH

• Forts - Fujairah has a number of forts built inside and on the outskirts of the city. If you wish to delve into heritage, this is a place where you will find it.
• Quieter roads, good food, relaxed life! If that is something you wish for a weekend then Fujairah is a must see. 

A Fujairah "3 Day Itinerary"

Day	Itinerary
Day 1	Drive from Dubai to Fujairah(takes about 2 hours to reach by car) From Fujairah drive to Wadi Wurrayah(The Wadi Wurrayah Wild life sanctuary is closed now as of October 2015), you can drive to the dam close by.  From Wadi Wurrayah, drive to Snoopy Island which is on the way towards Dibba. You can carry some beach wear as this is a place where you would want to jump into the waters and take a swim On the way back to Fujairah, visit the Al Badiyah Mosque.
Day 2	Take a drive to Masafi Village and have a feel of the local villages in the middle east, desert roads and small houses which are rare to find.  Drive to the Masafi Friday Market and empty your wallets by buying some earthenware pots or plants. Do not forget to drink the water from a king cocunut. It is extremely refreshing. On the way to Fujairah, visit the Al Bithnah Fort. It is a 200 year old fort which was later used as an army base camp. Visit this fort after 4.00 pm or before 12.00 pm or else you may find the entrance closed.  Come back to Fujairah and drive to the Fujairah Museum and Fujairah Fort. Climb to the top of the fort and enjoy a view of the Sheikh Zayed Mosque. (I personally loved the view of the mosque. It is closed for non-muslims. This mosque is different in it's architecture from the Grand mosque in Abu Dhabi.) Have some lunch :) and drive to Corniche to witness the Bull Fight.  Spend the evening in enjoying the waters near Corniche.
Day 3	Drive to Dibba and spend a day there. We spent some time in Fujairah Heritage village where there used to be hot water springs seen. Unfortunately, these springs are no longer visible.

If you liked my travel Itinerary and wish to get one prepared for your travel do write to me!

A day in Kochi

Covering your eyes with a blanket of green,

As far as the eyes can perceive,

Mellowing down the tiredness with a sheen,

Where water forgets to dry,

Where Trees grow faster than people,

Where bliss is a gift you cannot miss,

For me, this is God's own Kochi.

On the way to Fort Kochi  +Cynthia Vincent 

With a scent of mud and mild droplets of rain for the entire year round, Kochi is a place that will enthrall you with every breath that you take. Water, land, green, boats and rain are a common state of affair for the people living here. But, for a Mumbaite like me, it was bliss.

A crazy traveler that I am, my husband and I visited Kochi in the end of August to attend the wedding reception of a friend of ours. The wedding was supposed to be held in the evening, so we decided to tour around Kochi in the morning. As usual, I had made a list of places that I wanted to visit.

We hired a cab which took us around. We reached Kochi by around 8.30 in the morning and we were welcomed by a few spells of rain. The airport, being situated in the outskirts gave us an opportunity to take a small tour around Kochi till we could reach Fort Kochi.

Cherai Beach +Cynthia Vincent

There were not apartments or tall buildings in this part of Kochi. It was new for people like us. We found separate bungalows that were massive in size. We longed to have a peep inside these homes and have a look at how huge homes looked like. Every house had a name for it. At the entrance of every home, there were trees. Greenery was not something you would long for once you are in this city. Greenery is a birthright.

Cherai Beach +Cynthia Vincent

Our first stop was Cherai Beach. The weather was gloomy and windy, perfect for a romantic getaway. Calm and serene as it looked, Cherai Beach had very few visitors at that part of the day. We walked on along the pathway that was built adjoining the beach. As we walked towards the end of the pathway, from nowhere we could hear sounds of thunder. Suddenly it started raining. It wasn’t mild. It rained like cats and dogs and we had to rush back to the cab.

Near Fort Kochi +Cynthia Vincent 

We continued our tour and came across a number of tiny bridges above the backwaters. There was something else that caught my eye, it was the Chinese Fishing nets. This was something I had never seen before. I wished to ask the driver to stop for some time so that I could take a closer look at these nets. He asked me to wait for a while. Seldom did I know why he had said that.

Chinese Fishing Net +Cynthia Vincent

Our next stop was Fort Kochi. We enjoyed a jolly ferry ride before we reached the Fort Kochi. As we walked past the coast we found many Chinese Fishing nets. They were a treat to the eye. It was one of a kind that I had never seen elsewhere. Walking in between a cloud of trees and with tiny drops of rain that wet your cheeks every now and then was a memorable experience.

We visited the church where Vasco Da Gama was buried. And headed back to the cab.

Our stomachs churned hinting that it was time for some mouthwatering water. We stopped at “Dal Roti”, a restaurant that was styled in an ancient manner. We chose to eat “Stuffed Prawn Paratha” that was just finger licking. Anytime, you visit Kochi don’t forget to visit this place and taste this delicacy, if you are a non-vegetarian.

St. Francis Xavier Church  +Cynthia Vincent 

Outside the church +Cynthia Vincent 

Cochin, the English counterpart of Kochi was blessed with a Dutch’s Palace in Mattacherry, which was further away from Fort Kochi. We found a lot of valuable things in this museum which included the first coins in India. This museum should be recognized in a larger scale.

Tired that we were by the end of the day, we have just enough time to get dressed and attend the wedding reception. Cochin was marvelous and undoubtedly, I would want to visit it again.

Dutch's Palace +Cynthia Vincent 

What about you? Let me know.

Linking this post to Write Tribe's Write A Review – Rediscovering Your Blogging Groove Day 3

9 tips for a better travel

Lately, travelling excites me. Well, whom does it not? Ever since, I was a kid, I have always loved visiting new places, learning new cultures and meeting new people. Travelling is all about making memories all over the world. As Anita Desai says, "Wherever you go becomes a part of you somehow". If you have planned a travel once in your life, there is a taste that you get addicted to. It's a healthy drug that gushes into your senses and cannot leave till you have visited every corner of the world. 

I do not believe in paying extra money for a tour package where some agency tells me about how I should travel and the places I should visit. For me, travel begins right from the day I start thinking about it to the booking of the places to stay as well preparing my own itinerary. My 10 days honeymoon trip to Italy was an excellent experience of how I managed and planned my travel. 

I have been waiting to share my plan from a long time. So here I am giving you few tips for a better travel.

1. Plan ahead: Planning your travel 4 to 5 months earlier not only saves you a  huge    

    amount of money but gives you ample amount of time to relax and plan for an amazing travel. You     can get fabulous offers on your flight tickets and offers from websites like Booking and Hotels for     your stay. 

2. Make a list of places: Websites like Tripadvisor and Cox and Kings 

    provide you with readymade travel itineraries. You can pick up any of them and start making a list     of all the places you wish to see. 

3. Do not crumple: While making a list of the places to visit in a particular city     

   that you are travelling to, do not crumple your travel. You do not have to visit every place that    

   Tom, Dick or Harry visited. Pick up the places that interest you. Have a look at the pictures of such 

   places on  Google and then make a choice. It’s always good to spend your money and time in    

   places that I interest you than wasting your time in visiting a place that makes you feel sad. 

4. Get to know your choices:If you are interested in art then make a list of the museums that you cannot miss in a particular place that you are visiting. Keep a checklist of all the historic places of interest. If you are a person who loves adventure, then add that to your checklist. You choice  

 is something that is very important. 

5. Dial a friend: It’s always good to call up a friend who has visited that place earlier. He/she can give you some insights that you can never find even on the internet. 

6. Know the culture: There is a famous saying which goes like this, “When in Rome do as Romans do”. It’s always good to have a brief overview about the culture and some ideas about the place you are visiting. You never know when it could come handy. 

7. Know what you pay: There are websites that provide you the cost of common items like Milk, water, bread, alcohol or a sumptuous meal. It’s always good to have a look at it rather than be cheated. 

8. Manage your time: While preparing your itinerary always keep track of the amount of time you are going to spend at every place. Make a timetable and try your best to follow it.

9. Last but not the least: The last Item in the checklist is to keep your money at different places. For example, separate your money and keep some in your wallet, some in your bag and some in a secret pocket in your dress. This comes handy especially when you are in an international travel where access to that currency is difficult. 

The 9 tips mentioned above are tested and verified. You can blindly follow them and I bet you will have the travel of your lifetime. 

Let me know If I could add anything more to this list and also your feedback!

Linking the post to Write a List – Rediscovering Your Blogging Groove Day 1

The Peace-d place !! #Happy

Yesterday was Sunday and the best part of it was that I spent it in the city I love the most, "Pune". It's where my parents live and also the place where I lived most of my life in. 

There is such a nostalgic feeling when I go to this city. I feel warm. I feel subtle. I feel complete right from the time I step my foot into the city. There is an aura that engulfs me and brings back all the memories.

But there is something more beautiful about this place. It's the home where I grew up. Specifically, the BALCONY. The hall in our house has an attached balcony and this is that one place that has actually seen me grow over the years.

It has seen me cry, it has seen me shout in happiness and it has seen me stand quietly and ponder. There have been times I have stood there doing nothing at all.

I remember sleeping in the balcony with my brother as a kid during the summer seasons. It was mesmerizing to watch the stars twinkling above. 

Whenever my relatives were home, we would play Antakshari(Sing song game) while sitting in the balcony.

There were times I would walk up and down in my balcony before my exams. It has seen my memorizing just days before the semesters. I have seen the sun go down literally everyday by standing here.  There has never been the need to go to a hill station to watch the sunset.

When I was completing my very first novella (Which is due to be published soon), this was my shelter during the early mornings and the late nights. It was my secluded place that had so much of positivity in it.

It was at this very place where I had spoken to my husband over the phone for the very first time. Our conversation had last for around 90 minutes. To this day, this has been a mystery.

Even today, whenever I go home, this is that place that defines “Peace” for me. Whenever, I visit my parents, I stand in the balcony for some time. It rejuvenates me and energizes me.

Which is that one place where you find solace and peace? I would love to know. 

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Pisa - Tour to Italy

On the 6th day of our travel to Italy we set out on a half day tour to Pisa. We boarded a train from Florence's Santa Maria Novella Station and reached Pisa. The railway station at Pisa was extremely small as compared to Florence or Rome. Pisa was quiet. It brought us back to an atmosphere where people live in a city to serve the tourists who came by. We found a fountain outside the Pisa Centrale Station and clicked a map of Pisa which was laid outside on a board.

After seeing the board we realised that Pisa was not only known for the Leaning Tower, but there were a lot of places that a tourist could visit. Owing to the short duration, we decided to stick to our earlier plan of visiting the Leaning tower and the Cathedral close to it.
                                    


As we walked straight out of the station, a road led us to the Tower. This road surprised us, we found shops of all the famous brands. And that was when I realised that this place is no less than a huge city. My perceptions had changed. I grabbed a Gelato that cost me just 1.5 Euros (cheapest gelato I had eaten in Italy) Don't go on the cost, the Gelato was stupendously a treat to my taste buds.

Just like, the other city's in Italy Pisa too had piazza's(parks) with monuments of famous people raised high. Walking ahead we found a bridge, which reminded us of Florence. It looked exactly similar to the bridge near Vassari Corridor. We followed the road and reached a corner where we had to turn left. There were beautiful houses on both the sides of this small road. Every house had a grill door at the entrance and a small pathway filled with flowering plants. I felt as though I was taken back in time.

                                               

We kept walking not knowing where the street was leading us to. My husband and I were lost in taking photos of street which had a different story to tell. We presumed that it contained elderly people who stayed since ages in such homes. I began building stories when something white in colour in the shape of a window captured my attention. I felt that it was slanting in position. I walked two more steps ahead to get a better view. I could see some more of this structure. It took me sometime to realise that in front of me stood the massive structure in white marble and it was extremely marvellous and majestic.


I couldn't take my eyes off it. It was a hundred times beyond what I had imagined. Truly it was a wonder of the world. I walked around it for a while.
                                       

Next to it was the Piazza dei Miracoli where there was a blanket of greenery. We collected our tickets to visit the Camposanto which is a burial ground of the martyrs from the world war.

                                                                                                                

This was a different structure with a green meadow in the center covered on all the four sides with marble doors.

                                     

Our next stop was the giant Baptistry which was very different from the one we had seen in Florence(About which I will be writing in my next post).


Last but not the least we spent time in the Cathedral of Pisa entitled to Santa Maria Assunta(St. Mary of Assumption). This church was unique, it had a pulpit in the centre with its pillars raised on lions.

                                     

Our journey back to Florence took an hour and I must tell you that the view of the Leaning tower will always be something that left an indelible impression in my mind.