Sikkim - Greens..White & Gravel Beauty.. (Part 1 - GANGTOK)

April with its public holidays + good weather in Sikkim..  it was just meant to be.
(This post is a part of the 2 part blog on Sikkim. For part 2 - North Sikkim, please follow this link
http://traveldazzle.blogspot.in/2014/06/sikkim-greenswhite-gravel-beauty-part-2.html)

Day 0: When Day 1 became Day 0
We go to Mumbai airport sleepy at 5 am.. loitering around the boarding area to keep awake.. stand in line for Boarding.. & just before we reach the counter..Screen change.. BOARDING CLOSED !! ..wht !!..how..why !! now wht !!! there went the sleep..

 'Sir ..we have another flight in  sometime , u can try for tht'..

& that ensured running outside the airport to reserve new tickets.. running inside to get baggage..
Was a Saturday.. few combinations to suit our connecting flight timing ..
 no tickets available.. Oh !! this was so not meant to be :(

Booked tickets for the next day.. Got the bags..informed change of plans to the local travels at Sikkim..hopped into a cab for the only appropriate thing that could be done... Some yummy South Indian Breakfast at Manis, Matunga (Mumbai)..

Tucked in some nice breakfast..complete with filter coffee.. 
off started the first day of vacation at home..lazy day with food being delivered.. syncing the ipod & other such imp stuff :)

Day 1: Mumbai-Gangtok :

Day Trip from #London- #Windsor Castle, #Bath, #Stonehenge

Day trip from London - Windsor Castle - Bath - Stonehenge

Where we had kept most of our London trip pretty flexible to wander about at our own pace, we opted for a tour with Golden tours to visit Windsor castle, Bath & Stonehenge. One can visit Windsor by train too. But before you plan your visit to Windsor Castle, its best to check the official website to ensure that the castle will be open for visitors on the day you wish to visit.

What luck, we were blessed with bright blue skies ... while London was cold & damp… we started the tour with a pick up at 7:30 a.m.

First stop : Windsor Castle

An English Castle.. still used by the Royal Family . Did you know Windsor Castle  is the oldest and biggest occupied castle in the world?

U.K - # Lake District - The beautiful U.K countryside... with mesmerising landscapes ...

 I hadn't really heard of Lake district before this trip. We were on a two week vacation to U.K in Sep'13. Having covered London, Edinburgh & Giants Causeway in Northern Ireland , Lake district as suggested by friends, was the last stop before heading home from London.

& what a stop it was…mesmerising !! twists & turns with gorgeous landscapes strewn about.

Velvety Hills

#Desaru : Weekend getaway from Singapore

We had just applied for Malaysian visa & there popped a deal in my inbox.. 2days 1night stay at Lotus resort, Desaru... got the visa in two days..
 ..I do believe in signs as per convenience  :).. & so I booked the deal for that weekend..

Nothing to expect. . Just an impromptu plan to relax together..

Lotus Resort

6 days in # BALI,Indonesia - Arts, Culture, Peace !!

We planned a trip to Bali to bring in my birthday in 2012. It was a six day trip, with my inlaws joining us for last 4 days. 

Bali to me is a mix of Goa & Kerala (whatever little I've seen of these two places ) Vibrant yet lazy, a fabulous coastline like Goa, fantastic temple architecture & green fields like Kerala.

Sculpture depicting a scene from Mahabharata

With its varied landscapes, artistic talent & deeply spiritual culture Bali has something to offer to a wide range of visitors. Bali is among the top destinations for couples, I'd strongly recommend Bali for family reunions/holidays as well... 

#New Zealand - Paradise on Earth

We went to South Island of  New Zealand in September 2011 on our honeymoon. 

South Island of New Zealand has the best of the whole worlds scenery in one accessible place. From the breathtaking Alpine scenery to glimpses of the Pacific coast, Huge shimmery blue lakes, Glaciers, Glacier hot pools, Gorgeous stretches of grasslands, Wine growing regions, once in a lifetime Whale watching encounters..Its all here !! 

Add to that, its the place for adventure seekers - Bungee jumping, Sky diving, hang gliding, hiking kayaking and many more activities …!!

 

Vibrant colours of  Nature -Cherry Blossoms  & 'Kea' Bird

Our ten day trip covered the South Island- #Christchurch -#Mt Cook- #Queenstown-#Milford Sound- #Franz Joseph- #Greymouth-Christchurch- #Kaikoura (Whale watching) & back to Christchurch .