Advertisement
Published: November 12th 2018
Edit Blog Post
Getting to India for the first time might have been long overdue, but that was no excuse to skip on a plan of action which was destined to take in a cross-section of what the nation entailed. The trip started in Goa state, more specifically Baga beach, and the very location where Goan nightlife is at its most complete, largely thanks to the crop of nightspots which line Tito's lane, the location of Tito's nightclub, India's most namechecked nightspot. Goa has clearly evolved from a hippie hang-out, to a resort where Indian nationals rub shoulders with the influx of foreign tourists eager to sample the throbbing pulse of clubland, and the commercial trappings which run alongside it. Goa is now the kind of resort where one separate hub of activity meshes into another, but in order to see more of the whole picture, it is beneficial to explore the best of what Goa state has to offer, preferably with a hired driver, where a tailor-made route can be worked into the mix. Nodes of the itinerary were the temples of Ponda town, the churches of Old Goa (legacy of Portuguese rule), Mapusa market, and the state capital of Panaji, also known
as Panjim, where some kind of order is restored thanks to a few vital pieces of much-needed urban planning. Elsewhere, the charms of one of the area's numerous spice plantations and Miramar beach manifested themselves, and revealed a few peculiarities exclusive to Goa, such as the only casinos located on Indian soil, along with relics of a Portuguese colonial era dotted here and there. Three full days, and this stay in Goa had elapsed, so a bus bound for Vasco da Gama town (location of the airport) was the gateway to Hyderabad, the next leg of the Indian episode. Hyderabad is a fine example of Indian economic growth, and more than hints at the 7-ish% annual economic growth rate which India is currently experiencing, largely due to the fact that the city is, along with Bangalore, one of India's two IT cities which are giving rise to a new breed of tech-savvy entrepreneurs all eager to play their bit part in the ongoing Indian IT boom. Hyderabad has a crop of attractions all of its own which warrants a stay here a wholly worthwhile inclusion to any Indian itinerary, and the charms of Chowmahalla palace (unique for its style and
elegance) served to put this visitor in the picture when it came to well-preserved stately-looking vestiges of an era when buildings of this ilk began to appear. Building of the palace began in the late 18th century and over the decades a synthesis of many architectural styles and influences emerged. The palace consists of two courtyards as well as he grand Khilwat (the Dharbar Hall), fountains and gardens. The palace originally covered 45 acres (180,000 m
2), but only 12 acres (49,000 m
2) remain today, with a fine collection of vintage cars to boot. If that doesn't hit the spot, then be sure to drop by Golkonda fort, which was first built by the Kakatiyas part of their western defenses along the lines of the Kondapalli fort. The city and the fortress were built on a granite hill that is 120 meters (390 ft) high, surrounded by massive battlements. The fort was rebuilt and strengthened by Rani Rudrama Devi and her successor Prataparuda. Finally, Shri Jagannath temple in the well-to-do area of Banjara Hills was the last impressive sight encountered on a whirlwind tour of Hyderabad, and the short ride back to the hotel in Secunderabad along the banks of Hussain
Sagar lake made it all apparent how underrated Hyderabad is, especially in the context of more familiar Indian cities. If it is a fulfilling theme park experience which you seek, then look no further than Ramoji Film Park, the world's largest film set neatly transformed into a theme park where attractions, shows and more besides form part of a day tour package. The most educational part of the tour happens to be a 3-stage demonstration of how visuals combine with sound to create a feature-length movie, and the very layout of the itinerary and all it entails make full use of the film set theme and the glory of film-making. Back in Hyderabad, it was time to sample what is billed the world's greatest biryani at a commuter junction area known as Paradise Circle, from which the 'Paradise' chain of biryani restaurants takes its name. The food sampled even in just 2 of the 6 locations on this Indian tour led me to believe that a visit to India almost automatically comes coupled with gourmet dining experiences, even if the prices don't always suggest that great meals occupy the higher price bracket!
Advertisement
Tot: 0.283s; Tpl: 0.01s; cc: 12; qc: 49; dbt: 0.0477s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.1mb