My Airbnb Wishlist!!!

My long-awaited trip is happening next week, am off to Rann of Kutch on 11th. Lot of culture, tradition and food to be experienced and shared on the blog. Meanwhile I am already planning a trip for the year to come. Planning north of India, for somewhere in March of next year, during my kiddo's vacation.

Here is my virtual trip I have been planning, its Mumbai - Chandigarh - Shimla - Kullu/Manali - Dharamshala - Dalhousie - Amritsar - Mumbai. Just next to the travel plans, is the accommodation. Just when I was looking out for the accommodation, I came across Airbnb.

Airbnb is a marketplace to list, discover, and book unique accommodations around the world — online. Whether an apartment for a night, a castle for a week, or a villa for a month, Airbnb connects people to unique travel experiences, at any price point, in more than 34,000 cities and 190+ countries. 

Travelling with a kid in really not a easy task, you need to take care of so many things, like using the kitchen at the stay, hot water supply for 24 hours and so much. Considering my big list of wants at the place, here I shortlisted few of the accommodations, I would like to stay at. 

Chandigarh: My first halt of the trip would be at Chandigarh, I chose this home stay Castle Casa Service Aprtment. This home stay at top floor of a spanish style Villa, is centrally located near the Rock Garden and  Sukhna Lake. Being very close to the tourist attractions, it would be a perfect place to stay at, and explore the city at ease.

Shimla: The best part of visiting a hill station is the picturesque views and the awesome weather. Look at the view of the serene valley of Shimla city, through the large glazed windows of the bedroom of Aura of the picturesque hills,  isn't it awesome. This 1BHK apartment has all the basic amenities and a perfect place for a family, with a kid to stay at.

Kullu: KANGRA Cottage made in pure traditional & ancient Kathkunia style (dry stacking of stone & wood without cement), with mud plastered walls from inside blending perfectly with deodar wood work, beautifully carved teak furniture, handmade tussle silk curtains, traditional brass fittings make a perfect blend of aesthetics and class. The cottages with mini bar, mini fridges, study, separate dressing, fully furnished and equipped toilets and personal lawns. The picture speaks it all, isn't it a perfect place to enjoy the snows.

Dalhousie: The next halt is at Dalhousie, just 24km from the Mini Switzerland of India, Khajjiar, Hotel Monal at Dalhousie will be my choice for a night's halt. Though it isn't a luxurious place, the stay is easily accessible.

Amritsar: For the stay in Amritsar, this home stay seemed a better choice. Very well connected to important places, just 2km from Railway station and 6km from International airport, and close to most of the tourist attractions. So it would be my choice, to explore the city and its culture.

So go explore Airbnb site and make your next stay memorable.

WIN WIN!!

Sign up with Airbnb(through the link) and get a credit of Rs.1,544($25) for your next stay!!! 

PS: Its a virtual tour and part of blogging campaign "Airbnb WishList" by Indiblogger and Airbnb.

Bana, a wild stretch amidst civilization!!

As my dad was stuck with some urgent work, one of my cousins took me, my mom and my daughter to the tour of Hoysala temples. Just when we were heading back to Hassan after Mosale, he told us about this place Bana, which is a small wild stretch, which has lots of peacocks. My daughter, after hearing peacocks wanted to visit. 

An anthill on our way

Bana/vana(forest in kannada), not sure if this is the actual name of the place or its just called bana, pointing the forest. On Hassan - Mysore road, just as you reach Mosale Hosahalli village, take a left turn, which crosses the railway track. After crossing the railway track take the first right. Drive through, ask for direction with local, as there is no driving direction anywhere. You cross two or three villages, then there is a board to take a right turn(to a temple, which is in that wild region). After driving half a kilometer, you enter the wild and hear peacock's calls, which is just a surprise stretch of wild, amidst the civilization. 

 

Just as we passed a small water channel, we found a peacock at a very long distance.

As you drive through, there is a temple, am not sure about the temple, as there was no board and there was nobody to even open the temple doors, but we found lot of peacock feathers out there. We were told by the locals that there are more than 500 peacocks around that area. 

 

While driving back, again we were stopped by peacock's call, we could make out it was somewhere very close, but by the time we could spot it, it escaped and this was the best I could click.

 We spotted this beautiful bird too, I couldn't find its identity(updated: its a dove), and lot of beehives.

Bana is around 19km from Hassan. You can reach Mosale hosahalli by any KSRTC bus playing between Hassan and Mysore. From Mosale Hosahalli, Bana is around 5km, for which you can take an auto from Hosahalli. 

You can easily combine the visit to this place, along with the visit to Mosale, Nageshwara Temple.

Himalaya Herbals enters Guinness Book of World Records

Date: 29 November, 2014

Venue: Jashoda Rang Mandir Grounds, Near NMIMS, Vile Parle, Mumbai

Website: http://www.himalayaherbals.com

Its a proud moment for anybody to be part of a Guinness Book of World Records, event. As part of Media, few of we bloggers were invited by Himalaya Herbals, when they set a record for conducting the maximum number of facials.

Beauty expert, Veena Desai moderating the event

I reached Jashoda Rang Mandir in Vile Parle by 11:45, registered at the media registration counter and entered the venue. The podium was all set in bright greens, with Himalaya logo and the Himalaya Pure Skin Neem Facial kit at the backdrop and huge cut-outs of Himalaya Facial kit(Purifying Neem Face Wash, Neem Scrub and Neem Pack). And 286 students from various colleges of Mumbai were in salon chairs, getting a complete facial - starting with cleansing, toning and moisturizing routine followed by a Purifying Neem facial, done by 286 professional beauty experts from Mumbai.

286 college students getting facial done simultaneously

Beauty Expert, Veena Desai on the podium moderated the activity and interacted with the audience explaining the step-by-step facial routine. She also shared interesting tips on skin care and demonstrated the process of cleaning, toning and moisturizing.

Bollywood Actress Shraddha Kapoor and Mr. Rajesh Krishnamurthy, Business Head - Consumer Products Division, The Himalaya Drug Company, with the Certificate of Guinness Book of World Records

The record of 286 facials was certified at Shri Rang Mandir Grounds by Guinness Adjudicator, Ms. Fortuna Burke. On the occasion, Mr. Rajesh Krishnamurthy, Business Head - Consumer Products Division, The Himalaya Drug Company shared, it was proud moment for Himalaya to be recognized by Guinness Book of Records, and it was their responsibility as a leading brand to create awareness for healthy skin and help young girls and boys address common skin problems.

Then was the moment, everybody in the gathering were eagerly waiting for. Bollywood actress Shraddha Kapoor, made her entry, congratulated the brand for the achievement and interacted with students and guests. 

As part of media, we had lunch and were given a goodies bag of Himalaya Herbals winter regimen products and Pure Neem Facial kit. 

About Himalaya Pure Neem Facial Kit: 

 

Pack Contents:

• Purifying Neem Face Wash 50ml
• Purifying Neem Scrub 50g
• Purifying Neem Pack 50g

Actual Price Rs. 195/- Sale Price Rs. 175/-

Himalaya Purifying Neem Face Wash, is a soap free herbal formulation that gently removes impurities and prevents pimples. Neem, well-known for its antibacterial properties, kills problem-causing bacteria and turmeric effectively controls acne and pimples. 

Himalaya Purifying Neem Scrub, works with a dual exfoliation and purifying action. Neem, well-known for its purifying and antibacterial properties, kills problem causing bacteria, combined with exfoliating Apricot granules, it gently scrubs away blackheads, dead skin cells and embedded impurities, leaving skin soft, clear, refreshed and problem free.

Himalaya Purifying Neem Pack, helps regulate excess oil secretion, cleans clogged pores and prevents the recurrence of pimples. Neem, well-known for its purifying and antibacterial properties, helps in controlling acne and pimples and their recurrence. Combined with Turmeric, it helps remove acne causing bacteria. Fuller's Earth(Multani Mitti) cools and soothes the skin, improving skin texture and leaving with clear, problem-free skin.