Adventure Travel In India

It’s only in India, a country full of adventure, joy and fun.

Kettuvallam

High adventure for the unadventurous. If all you want from a holiday is to lie back in a sweet waterborne room, and watch the blue sky, green trees, as other people scurry around to ensure your comfort, get thee onto a houseboat. It may be the kerala cliché, but it really is lovely. These ‘kettuvallams’are outfitted as one-or two-bedroom, self-contained units. They’ll come with a crew of three; one person to take you through the winding green backwaters, a second to cook you glorious Malayali food, and a third to spoil you in all the ways left. www.aonetrip.com

Dozens of houseboat operators work in the Alleppey area. They charge $125 to $250 for a one-bed-room houseboat, but it can get cheaper.

Starspotting, Mumbai

If it’s stars you want to see, make a holiday of it in Mumbal. The skies are clear, the weather cool, the elusive stars of Bollywood more easily sighted. The best way is to visit a film studio. Film city in Goregaon. Try also kamalistan in Andheri East or R.K. films & Studios in Chembur. The historically- minded can visit Ranjit Studios in Dader, Mehboob Studios in Bandra or Watson’s Hotel in Kala Ghoda, where the city’s first screening was held.


Mylapore Day, Chennai

A day in Mylapore these days amounts to more than just nostalgia. Mylapore was the heart of city before the city was born, way before Chennai was Madras. But tradition is not ossified here-no ‘heritage walks’, plenty of Internet kiosks and supermarkets. At about 6am, go to the Kapileeswarar temple and soak in the magic of a freshly washed temple. Then make your way to Leo’s for coffee. Thus fortified, you can empty your wallet on kanjeevarams from Radha Silks behind the temple. Stop at the Mylapore Fine Arts Club on Oliver Road, and visit Barkath’s near Kutchery Road for ittar. Visit Chennai for a day in Mylapore; it’s not outrageous, it’s essential.
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Ramzan Food, Hyderabad

If you observe the rituals of food associated with Ramzan, you can’t be faulted for thinking that all that fasting is merely foreplay to get into the serious business of breaking it. Come Ramzan eateries mushroom on street corners. For a fine biryani, head straight to the Charminar area. The Hyderabadi ‘potli-ka-masala’ nehari comprises an eclectic concoction of herbs, spices and condiments, all tied up in a muslin cloth and dropped into the simmering soup.

Purani Delhi Weekend

Ever spent a night in Chandni Chowk? Forsake the jaded comforts of South Delhi for some real atmosphere. Shahjahanabad is full of hotesl.On Sunday visit the Darya Ganj Book Market.Maybe a beer at Chor Bizarre and to Jama masjid,Jain bird hospital,Sis Ganj Gurudwara and Red Fort.