100 journeys before i die : 60-51

the last entry completed the list from 100 to 61, with a score of 11 on 40. Now, for 60-51.


60. full moon over bhedaghat 

along a stretch of the narmada in madhya pradesh, you'll find the river lined by marble cliffs, plunge across the dhuandhar falls (the smoky falls) and play host to the ancient chausath yogini temple (a cult of the 64 priestesses legend). on a full moon night, the marble rocks gleam, while a raft flows down placidly along the river.


where to stay: jabalpur is the nearest spot to find a decent (but not luxurious) bed. the unimaginatively named narmada jackson is sposedly a heritage property.


59. buy original bastar metalware

while naxalites rule by the bullet and the state by inefficiencey, bastar and dantewara remain pristine and virgin forested lands, full of wildlife, spectacular waterfalls, deep caves and interesting indigenous tribal populations, that we now know through their crude but (personally speaking) beautiful metal figurines. time to give dilli haat a miss and head to the original.


where to stay : not much to choose from, but a couple of palaces have been converted into hotels, not great, but decent enough and they promise to organize safaris and tours with ease. check out kanker palace and kawardha palace.


58. gamelan concert in bali 

another personal irk (but this is my blog). gamelan is similar to a xylophone, but more exotic sounding. its a sort of orchestral performance, and the instrument is considered sacred. often accompanied by dances and puppet theatres. although its a huge attraction in itself, its basically an excuse to visit bali, the promised land of paddy terraces, pristine beaches and luxurious resorts.


where to stay : plenty, as bali will leave you scratching your head with choices galore. beachside hotels include the four seasons at jimbaran bay, the oberoi and bulgari resort. hinterland properties around ubud include uma ubud and four seasons at sayan.


57. see a bengal tiger in the sundarbans

if you haven't read 'the hungry tide' by amitav ghosh, please do. its not a literary achievement, but its very descriptive of the seductive beauty of the sundarbans - miles and miles of knotted rivers, lush mangrove forests, sleepy villages, noisy ferries and the elusive bengal tiger. also, a cyclone or two.


where to stay : sundarban tiger camp is the only 'star rated luxury camp' in west bengal, along with a range of river cruises that vary from comfy to garage dump.


56. study egyptian architecture 

doesn't really need any explanation.


where to stay : loads, considering this is a whole country to talk about. the nile cruiser option is attractive, with the oberoi running two - philae and zahra. also, the oberoi mena house is in view of the giza pyramids while the property at red sea is on the beachfront. the four seasons has two hotels in mystical cairo, one in alexandria and another one on the red sea at sharm el sheikh.


55. smoke a cuban cigar in havana 

cuban cigars apart, havana is in a colonial limbo - unabashed latin sexiness meets the magic of the carribean (cheesy, but seemingly true). imagine dilapidated colonial facades, sartorialist-like streets, vintage cars and you can also try out original mojitos to boot! 


where to stay : havana has quite a few heritage properties, the saratoga being a good looking and well praised choice.


54. cross a root bridge in meghalaya 

the root bridge is just an excuse for the journey. coming to the wettest part of the country, ambling through its glen like hills, meeting its exotic peoples, hearing the lively music-band scene, gazing out at misty waterfalls and lakes, being awed by sacred groves, and finally, crossing a natural bridge of overhanging roots.


where to stay : ri kynjai is located next to the pretty umiam lake, between shillong and cherrapunji, and is a very comfy arrangement of good looking cottages.


53. be pampered in maldives 

pretty little coral islands in the crystal clear sea topped by luxurious resorts and pamper-ful spas? i'm game.


where to stay : plenty. pick from two four seasons, huvafen fushi, soneva gili, taj exotica, one and only reethi rah...


52. get lost in the medina of marrakech 

marrakech - of the riads (courtyard mansions), the oases, the buzzing marketplace, the winding streets, the cul-de-sacs, the minarets, the carpets, the horse buggies, the moorish arches, the cous-cous... one middle eastern romance waiting to be discovered over and over again.


where to stay : again, plenty. amanjena banks on aman charm, but la mamounia is the definitive grande dame, more so after a long and exhaustive renovation.


51. ramble through luang prabang  

luang prabang? a world-heritage town on the mekong, mixing french with the indochinese. think og vintage cars, bustling markets, meditative monks, gold leaf pagodas, hidden waterfalls, forested hills, et al.


where to stay : luang prabang is waking up to the discerning tourist and offers some great choices - la residence phou vao, the apsara, three nagas, and most importantly, amantaka.