Exploring Lakshadweep

A perfect trip would be one which would not only be wonderful for exploring but also perfect to your pocket. Recently me and my hubby were planning for some budget trip and came across Lakshadweep. A place as wonderful as Andaman and Nicobar and Maldives, but yet at comparitively lesser cost. I started working on this trip.
Lakshadweep which means hundred thousand islands, forms the smallest Union Territory of India. Main Islands are Kavaratti, Kalpeni, Minicoy, Kadmat, Agatti and Bangaram. 


A beach at Kavaratti, Lakshadweep(photo credit wikipedia)

Our journey would be, by train from Mumbai to Cochin, Cruise journey to and from Cochin to islands of Lakshadweep, and by air from Cochin to Mumbai. There are tourist packages which offer tour of all the Islands, but we would prefer to explore ourselves.



MV Amindivi 001(Photo credit wikipedia)

We would take the cruise from Cochin to Kavaratti, we would go for a home stay at local residence, which would help us understand their tradition and culture better. Visit Jamnath, Mohidden and Urja mosques, which belongs to 17th century.



Urja Mosque(photo credit official Lakshawdeep site)

And Museum which houses multi coloured species of fishes, small shark, sea cucumbers, octopus, schools of fishes and anemonnes. Spend the evening along the snow white coral sands, tasting the Malabar cuisines. Next morning scuba diving and snorkelling at Chicken neck point and have a ride in the glass bottom boat to have a tour of rich marine life and extraordinary corals.



Coral(photo credit Lakshadweep Tourism)

Visit Agatti Island, which offers blue lagoons, coral reefs and swaying palms and have a sea excursion to neighbouring uninhabited islands Parali, Thinnakara and Kalpitty. And back to Kavaratti.

Take ferry to Minicoy the next day, Minicoy too has mesmerizing sceneries and serene spots. Visit Juma Masjid and Light house, which was built by British in 1885. Surrounded by blue waters, its an important centre for tuna canning, tuna fishing, colourful boats. And this is the only Island which is open for foreign tourist.



Light house in Minicoy

Travel to Kalpeni, visit Juma Mosque, watch Parichakkali and Kolkali dance shows. Visit one of its Islands Pitti, which is a bird sanctury and attracts thousands of Terns including brown noddy, lesser crested tern and greater crested tern. Pitti is also an important breeding place for sea turtles.  

Folk dance(photo credit Lakshadweep Tourism)

Take cruise back from Kalpeni to Cochin. And our flight to Mumbai from Cochin.

This is a Virtual Tour created as an entry for the contest Creating Happy Travellers by Indiblogger, sponsored by Yatra.com

Meteora - "In the heavens above"

One of my cousin's has made her carrier in Airline industry. Recently, she has moved to Europe as she got an offer from one of the leading European Airline company. She has been exploring most of Europe now, recently she visited Meteora in Greece and she was so excited to share her experience with me, have a look at the place,  

Cliffs(photo credit Wikipedia)

Meteora, which means 'in the heavens above', literally turns out to be a heaven on earth. Studies say these pinnacles were formed 60 millions years ago. Weathering and earthquakes then shaped them into their present shape. The earth movements pushed the seabed upwards, creating a high plateau and causing manu faulty lines to appear in the thick layers of sandstone. There are six Eastern Orthodox Monasteries built on these natural rock pillars.

Photo credit Wikipedia

View of one of the monastries(photo credit wikipedia)

These Monastries were created to serve monks and nuns following the teachings of Greek Orthodox Church. Out of these six monasteries Holy Monastery of St. Stephen and Monastery of Rousanou are inhabited by nuns. Meteora is included in UNESCO World Heritage List. Nearest airport is Volos airport, in Nea Anchialos, which is well connected to other Europian countries. From Volos, you can take train, bus or taxi to Meteora.

The nearest village is Kastraki, image a night stay at one of those local houses made of stone and embellished with roofs of clay tiles and taste some home made yoghurts, honey, sweets from fruits. Many villages also offer walnuts, oregano, herbal tea, honey and feta cheese. Also its said people of this place have special love for flowers. You can find flowers in all house yards.

This would be my Happy Travel with my hubby, a visit to the holy Monastries, a stay at those cozy stone houses, tasting the home made yummillicious food.

This is an entry for the contest Creating Happy Travellers by Indiblogger, sponsored by Yatra.com

St Thomas Cathedral

St Thomas Cathedral on Veer Nariman Road was the first Anglican Church in Mumbai. The church was completed in 1718, and under went several renovations to get its present structure.

Its said that the nearby Churchgate station gets its name from this church. One of the gates in the Fort which East India Company built to protect their settlement was the entrance to the St Thomas Church. Hence, the whole area towards the West of this church is called Churchgate.

The church was built to Neo-classical and Neo-Gothic styles with white facade. The interior of the cathedral mirror the interior of the St Thomas Cathedral in Ireland. The interior is delicately lined with Plaster of Paris, polished brass, stained glass, arche windows and memorials dedicated to late British parishioners.

The Cathedral was selected for UNESCO Asia-Pacific heritage conservation award 2004.