Best of IndiaHIMALAYA TREKKING
Walk in the clouds
The first time anyone saw Nanda devi-which at 7,816m is the highest mountain in the Indian himalaya outside Sikkim-form colose was 1934 when two British explorers, Eric Shipton and H.W. Tilman. Accompanied by three sherpas, found a way to its base. They inched their way through the precipitous gorge of the Rishi Ganga, Tributary of Dhauli Ganga in Uttaranchal's Chamoli district. And at the end of their arduous journey. They were astonished to find themselves in vast amphitheater of grassland its gentle slopes a stark contrast to the vertical cliffs that had hindered their way at every step. Their exploration still ranks as one of the finest ever. It takes eight to nine days of strenuous walk to reach the sanctuary-the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve. Everything that goes with trekking must be carried and although there is a rudimentary trail, traversing the Rishi Ganga gorge is still a Herculean task. The route appears to defy logic as it ascends cliffs, cuts across pastures, skirts birch forests and alternates between steep ascents and abrupt desencts. All around the way lie the summits of a protective ring of mountains with glacial rivers tumbling into the Rishi Ganga. and fianlly an inner gorge which can be brutal and sepctacular. The sanctury has been closed to regular trekking since 1982; however. organised treks are premited up to Dibrughetta.
SWIMMING IN GANGA
On a Float and a prayer
The trouble with out-of-body experiences is that everyone thinks they've had one. Truth is, only five every 100 people actually experience one, usually those with strong spiritual beliefs, while under the influence of psychedelic drugs or an obsession with the paranormal. I qualify for none of the above, so I'll attribute mine to a near-death experience while indulgin in an exrtreme sport where the spirit was willing but the body certainly not. Body surfing down the Ganga is not for the faint-hearted though it looks deceptively easy. Shivpuri, above Rishikesh, is where it happens, with rafting down the river as an initiation rite. After some hairy moments while negotiating a series of rapids, the body surfing routine seems like a cakewalk, p
lacid and inviting. But that can be dangerously misleading. Your life jacket is meant to keep you afloat when you slide off the raft but the shock of encountering the freezing water is the first warning the is going to be one rocky ride, literally. The second waring arrives when you realise that the placid surface conceals a powerful undertow, not to mention any number of hidden rocks and whirlpools. Even with your feet pointing downstream and the life jacket keeping your head above water, it's pretty much of a lottery since the current can suddenly drang you off course and you quickly find yourself on the rocks. That isn't as bad as getting sucked into a whirlpool which can be the most frightening experience of your life, or what's left of it. The rush of adrenaline and naked terror is a potent mixture, and there are moments when body and soul seem detached from each other. Your life rests in the hands of one man; the expedition leader on the raft. I am not a religious man but i learn the power of prayer that day since I lived to write the tale
lacid and inviting. But that can be dangerously misleading. Your life jacket is meant to keep you afloat when you slide off the raft but the shock of encountering the freezing water is the first warning the is going to be one rocky ride, literally. The second waring arrives when you realise that the placid surface conceals a powerful undertow, not to mention any number of hidden rocks and whirlpools. Even with your feet pointing downstream and the life jacket keeping your head above water, it's pretty much of a lottery since the current can suddenly drang you off course and you quickly find yourself on the rocks. That isn't as bad as getting sucked into a whirlpool which can be the most frightening experience of your life, or what's left of it. The rush of adrenaline and naked terror is a potent mixture, and there are moments when body and soul seem detached from each other. Your life rests in the hands of one man; the expedition leader on the raft. I am not a religious man but i learn the power of prayer that day since I lived to write the taleLAKSHADWEEP
Shark Tales
After the crazy chaos of the fashion week in April I wanted to go to a place where I could get some relief and rejuvenation but with a little bit of adventure thrown in. I had snorkeling in Andamans before but wanted to fry the peace quiet of Lakshadweep this time around. Needless to say, it was simply spectacular and unlike any thing I had ever experienced. The pristine blue colour of the ocean just overwhelms you as you circle over Lakshadweep. We took intense scuba diving lessons for three days to prepare ourselves for our deep sea diving. Imagine going mid-ocean and being dropped 60feet under water with hysterical fishes floating around you it was no joke. But i must say that we could only do it because the safety standards at the scuba diving institute was just impeccable. Since we went just a little before the monsoon. the water was a little rough. I got a chance to swim with sharks circling around me. Other water bodies like lobsters, eels and crabs also floated around me. As the Lakshadweep island are the only atolls in the Indian waters, its oceanic location keeps it unperturbed by tourist. This is why the unique coral reefs remain pristine without much interference from civilization. Lakshadeep's raw charm was just so intoxicating that I cannot wait to back their again
Spa treatment at Himalaya
Nowadays, any hotel worth its five stars has to have a Spa, Usually an addtion to the pool area. The USP of Ananda is that the spa is the main experience, which is why it's called a "destination spa". So why is a massage here any better than at the myriad spas that have sprouted across the country? For one, as Nicky Hilton famously said about the three esse
ntials for a great hotel: " Location, location, location". Situated on a ridge in the Himalayan foothills surrounded by 100 acres of virgin forest overlooking Rishikesh Valley, the 21,000 sqft spa, among the largest in India, is what attracts most guest to this pristine hideaway. If the fresh mountain air, spa menu and ourtdoor yoga sessions are not enough to rejuvenate body, mind and spirit, then Ananda's signature message-the " Abhyanga"-a traditional kerala creation using natural herb oils and other exotic potions, is your short cut to therapy heaven. Tow men work your body using rhythmic strokes that penetrate deep into your skin leaving you feeling you have just had best sex of your life. Like the ad says, this massage reaches part of the body that other don't. Ananda specializes in combining ancient Indian and western.
ntials for a great hotel: " Location, location, location". Situated on a ridge in the Himalayan foothills surrounded by 100 acres of virgin forest overlooking Rishikesh Valley, the 21,000 sqft spa, among the largest in India, is what attracts most guest to this pristine hideaway. If the fresh mountain air, spa menu and ourtdoor yoga sessions are not enough to rejuvenate body, mind and spirit, then Ananda's signature message-the " Abhyanga"-a traditional kerala creation using natural herb oils and other exotic potions, is your short cut to therapy heaven. Tow men work your body using rhythmic strokes that penetrate deep into your skin leaving you feeling you have just had best sex of your life. Like the ad says, this massage reaches part of the body that other don't. Ananda specializes in combining ancient Indian and western.Kovalam Beach, Kerala
Singin' in the Rain
Late May in Kerala-and wveryone's on the edge. It's that time of the year when the monsoon, with its two wet dripping arms, embraces a hot, humid Indian sucontinent. And if you want ringside seats to watch weather at its theatrical best-there is no beach like the Kovalam beach. The sea sways an angry beast. Great lumbering swells hoist from the surface; whitecaps sketch nervously across the chaotic waves and then foram out like spilled champagne on fine sand. The evening breeze blow its bugle and palm trees flap afound like curtains. There is an expectant hush, a stillness in the air.Wayanad-Kerala
Lord of the Jungle
Want to wake up on a misty dawn touching the coluds or brushing shoulders with those chirping birds? It's quite an out-of-the-world experience at amazing Green Magic Tre
e House perched 80 feet above the ground level on a century-old gaing banyan tree, 4,000 feet above the sea level. And the view below? An exquisite expanse of dense, virgin, tropical evergreen forests all round. A four hour drive from the nearest airport calicut (70 Km), Meandering through misty high ranges and acres of cofee and spice plantations, the tree house are at jungle park resort, Vythiri, Wayanad. The wooden house, built by Wayanad's adivasi craftsman much in line with their original abodes, have used only eco-friendly, localy available materials. But it is not less comfortable, each house has two bedrooms, carpeted verandahs, bathrooms with fulsh toilets, wash basins, running water shower etc. But sorry, no TV, music system or telephone. Vintage burricanes fuelled by kerosene and solar energy light up the night
e House perched 80 feet above the ground level on a century-old gaing banyan tree, 4,000 feet above the sea level. And the view below? An exquisite expanse of dense, virgin, tropical evergreen forests all round. A four hour drive from the nearest airport calicut (70 Km), Meandering through misty high ranges and acres of cofee and spice plantations, the tree house are at jungle park resort, Vythiri, Wayanad. The wooden house, built by Wayanad's adivasi craftsman much in line with their original abodes, have used only eco-friendly, localy available materials. But it is not less comfortable, each house has two bedrooms, carpeted verandahs, bathrooms with fulsh toilets, wash basins, running water shower etc. But sorry, no TV, music system or telephone. Vintage burricanes fuelled by kerosene and solar energy light up the night