The city of high-rises #TheCityDiaries

Popular as the vacation spot of United Arab Emirates, Dubai is a scintillating city of high-rises and shopping malls. Transformed from a desert destination to the city of dazzling lights, people from all around the world visit Dubai for its sales, bargains, and fun experience it offers to family.

A few friends have recently moved to Dubai or travelled to the city to witness its famous glory. And yes, I do have postcards from the place which my sister’s best friend got for me. (I LOVE POSTCARDS!)

Famous for attractions such as the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building) and larger-than-life shopping malls, Dubai has many cultural highlights and glamorous add-ons to offer. Take a stroll around the city and you will realise that Dubai has more to offer than what meets the eye.

Best time to visit Dubai: October – April (i.e. 2 months away. Start planning!)

There are more than 400 flights available to Dubai on Cleartrip, among which 30 are non-stop. There are frequent flights from India for Dubai from Mum/Delhi. If you ask me which airline to pick from the many, I would go with Etihad. Why? Because my friends always refer it as the best! Its accolades go beyond the air.

Let’s dig in a little about the famous attractions which attract tourists from all around the world:

Burj Khalifa

Burj Khalifa is Dubai's landmark building, which is 829.8 m high and the tallest building in the world. The building provides a bird-eye view of the city’s skyline and is simply stunning, imagine a 360-degree view out across the skyscrapers with the desert on one side and the ocean on the other. Fascinating? That it is. 

Night-time visits are particularly popular with photographers due to Dubai's famous city-lights panoramas.

Dubai Museum

Housed in the Al-Fahidi Fort, which was built in 1787 to defend Dubai Creek, is the famous Dubai Museum. In its history, the fort served as a residence for the ruling family, seat of government, garrison, and prison. 

Restored in 1971 (and again extensively in 1995), it is now the city's premier museum.

Bastakia (Old Dubai)

Built in the late 19th century to be the home of wealthy Persian merchants, Bastakia is the home to Old Dubai.  

Lined with distinct Arabian architecture, narrow lanes speak the history of Dubai.

Dubai Aquarium

Dubai Aquarium houses 140 species of sea life and is one of the city’s top tourist attractions. If you enter the Underwater Zoo, you can walk through the aquarium tunnels. 

To keep the entire family happy, the Aquarium also offers Cage snorkelling and shark diving activities.

Dubai Mall

Dubai Mall is the city's premier mall that provides entry to the Burj Khalifa as well as the Dubai Aquarium. Looking for more entertainment options? The mall also has an ice-skating rink, gaming zone, and a cinema complex. 

It is famous for the annual Dubai Shopping Festival in January and February and the Dubai Summer Surprises Festival in July and August.

Jumeirah Beach

Dubai is blessed with long stretches and golden sands. The strip of sandy white beach is the most famous among all in Dubai – Jumeirah Beach. 

The beach has excellent facilities with plenty of sun loungers, restaurants, beautiful hotels, and water-sport operators offering jet skiing.

After reading this wanderlust-worthy list of attractions in Dubai, I am sure you are planning to visit the city. Make sure you include the following list of Dos’ and Don’ts in your list:

• Drinking: Drinking or being drunk in public is not tolerated in Dubai. The legal drinking age is 21. 
• Public displays of affection: Holding hands, kissing or getting cosy with your partner can get you arrested or lead to imprisonment. 
• Homosexuality: Homosexual acts are illegal and subjectable to severe punishment.
• Swimwear: Wearing bathers outside the beach is against Dubai's decent laws and swimsuits in general should be modest. Nudity at beaches is illegal.
• Clothing: Woman's clothing may be considered indecent if it is tight, transparent, above the knee or shows her stomach, shoulders or back. Men should wear T-shirts at all times and short shorts can attract the wrong kind of attention.
• Conversation: It is illegal to "harass" women - this includes unwanted conversation and prolonged stares or eye contact.
• Photos: Taking photographs of people, particularly women, without permission is illegal and can lead to arrest or fine.
• Drugs: The UAE laws on drugs are extremely strict and include death penalty or life imprisonment.

Have a safe and amazing trip! Don’t forget to send me some postcards from your travels.

Until we meet again,
Keep the Wanderlust ON!
@WanderlustGirl_

Disclaimer: All the pictures have been sourced from google.

Pushkar Resorts - Monsoon Getaway #PR

Can you listen to the pitter-patter of the Monsoon? My favorite season of the year is here and nothing can make me more happy!

For those who love this season, love the fact that it makes you move out of the hustle bustle of the city to a quiet serene environment. What if I say that this Monsoon, you can spend midst an Oasis?

Pushkar’s foremost luxury property, Pushkar Resorts is nestled amidst the picturesque Aravallis. Sprawling over 15 acres of lush landscaped gardens, it’s a modern day oasis in the ancient city.

The natural setting of the resort creates a seamless flow between the outdoors and indoors, with lush green landscaping, small water bodies and birdcall. The resort houses 4 clusters of 40 cottages with private sit out areas. The rooms are divided into three categories – Standard, Deluxe & superior. The standard room is designed with orange and white walls, the interiors of the rooms exude minimalistic elegance.

• What: Pushkar Resorts Monsoon Gladness
• Where: Motisar Road, Village Ganhera, Pushkar, Rajasthan 
• How to get there: Jaipur International Airport 120 km | Ajmer Railway Station 17 km | Marwar Bus Stand 5 km
• DEAL: Book one room and get the second room complimentary.
• Validity: upto August 31, 2015

For Reservation: + 91 9910029109; +91-11-26494531/32; reservations@sewara.com

Love, WanderlustGirl_

When was the last time you did something for the first time?

Living in the past is a waste of time, and when you move forward and embrace change, you #StartANewLife!

I remember taking up this job which made it mandatory that I go for training in Delhi. My mother was not at all happy. Dad left the decision on me. And then, I moved out of the city for good 2 months, traveled alone to the city I never liked until then. I left back a few things, nonetheless, I gained more. Moreover, I got to travel, see new places and make new friends!

Change is good, no matter what time it comes. You may not like it but it is necessary. There was a time when I kept pushing dates and months to start my own blog. And then, one fine day we got an assignment in college - Start a blog of your own! Well, just the start/push I wanted, and I got it. This was almost 3 years back. Blogging opened a new facet of life. Made me independent, more open, understand what works and what doesn't when it comes to writing, triggered the creative channel and made me happy!

With blogging, I have met new people. That old undying urge to travel and see new places has got a fresh breathe of life. Result? I have decided to travel to at least 3 places every year. Because, when you travel, you open all the new horizons, you open yourself to challenges, you explore & embrace new things, perfect way to #StartANewLife with a new destination every now and then. After all, who loves monotony? Not me!

So, when was the last time you did something new? Something adventurous? Went against what you have been doing all along?

If not yet, do now!

Ask yourself these questions:

• When did you actually do what your first impulse, or that persistent feeling is asking you to do?
• When will you move out of that cloud created around you? Or is that a bubble?
• Why not test your boundaries and realise what you are capable of?
• If you always underestimate yourself and fear change, you will never know how brilliant the life can be!

Take a step ahead and #StartANewLife!

• Move out and explore.
• Meet new people and cuddle experiences.
• Let go off the past, the grudges.
• Learn from failures.
• Appreciate the loved ones' in your life, every single day. For they, make you who you are.
• Seek inspiration and learn new things.
• Never shy away from change, for it will help you open up all the new facets of life.

Just like Housing.com.

Watch the video and you might just realise that, if not now, it will never be!

Open your eyes and you might just find something beautiful around the corner, waiting for you!

The Ultimate Cricketing Holiday!

Things we do for the love of Cricket! From waking up at ungodly hours to distributing sweets when our country wins the cup, we have done it all.

Cricket is one sport we Indians are truly passionate about. Over the years, my love for this sport has grown and the passion lives on. And it’s not just Cricket which makes my heart beat but the love to explore places Cricket is associated with. What do you think of this combination? Unbeatable right?

Why not talk about some of the best cricket travel destinations around you? And since, the world cup battle is happening in Australia, why not start from that?

One cannot talk about Cricket without Melbourne. One of the most important tourist attraction in Australia, MCG is one of the greatest cricketing grounds in the world. Built in 1853, it is home to the first test match ever played in the cricket world in the year 1877 between Australia and England. 

Melbourne Cricket Ground

Known to be the most populous city in Australia, Melbourne is referred to as the cultural capital of Australia. Frequent contender of the most liveable city in the world, Melbourne is known for its culture, coffee, colours and contrast.

Another attraction in Australia is Sydney. And with Sydney comes the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground. The city of the Opera House and Harbour, where one cannot miss to watch sunset aboard a luxury yacht sipping champagne and enjoying a delightful meal. 

Sydney Cricket Ground

90 minutes away from Sydney is the Blue Mountains, known for a beautiful overnight stay midst the Three Sisters, Wentworth Falls and the Scenic Skywalk. SCG’s vision is, “To celebrate sport, create history, enhance entertainment and share the experience”, and trust me, an experience which one cannot resist sharing.

I won’t do justice to this article if Lord’s is not talked about. Call it a pilgrimage for us cricket lovers, in London, touted to be the home of cricket, Lord’s was established in 1814. It is not Rocket science to tell you all that London is one of the most famous tourist attraction across the globe, and cricket is a part of the city since ages. 

Lord's, London

Tell me one cricket lover who wouldn’t remember watching Saurav Ganguly twirling his jersey at Lord’s. If you visit London, do not miss out on Lord’s at any cost!

Coming onto India, you haven’t really watched a cricket match if you haven’t watched it in an Indian stadium. The cheer, the passion, the atmosphere, the claps, enthral, is to die for! Something which no other stadium in the world can match upto. There’s Eden Gardens (Kolkata) & Wankhede Stadium (Mumbai) in India worth visiting and watching a match in. 

Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai

Eden Gardens, Kolkata

A treasure of cricket history, if one is all about Dada, Saurav Ganguly, the other is about little Master, Sachin Tendulkar. And who would debate if I say, “India is the place to visit, no matter what time of the year, for its diverse culture, tradition and breathtaking destinations.”

Few days back we saw a match, neck-to-neck performances between two top teams in this World Cup. I am talking about the match between Australia and New Zealand where the latter won by 1 wicket! Quite an interesting face-off I would say. The match took place in an equally interesting destination called Auckland. Venue – Eden Park, Auckland is known for the Sky tower, which offers an unbelievable 360-degree view of the whole city. 

Eden Park, Auckland

Auckland is the most populous area in New Zealand, another destination this World Cup. Another must-visit, is the Auckland Bridge Climb, over the Auckland Harbour Bridge on custom-engineered walkways that provide a safe but exhilarating experience. What’s more? If you are interested in Volcanoes, visit the One Tree Hill. Set amongst the green slopes of Cornwall Park, it is one of Auckland’s largest and most culturally significant volcanoes in Auckland.

I simply cannot finish this article without mentioning the cricket destination which is as beautiful as the sport itself. Watching cricket in legendary stadiums like Newlands and the Wanderers (there’s wanderlust in the name itself!), sight-seeing awaits you with Cape Peninsula and Table Mountain, Wonderful Safaris and beautiful gardens.  South Africa is a definite in my ‘bucket list’ destination! One cannot simply forget the 2003 finals, am I right or am I right?

Before I see off you all, why don't you tell me your favorite cricket holiday destinations across the globe?

Till then,

Have a superb WC15 time,

Wanderlust Girl

This post is a part of Blogger Dream Team.

Weekend Getaways for Mumbaikars!

Life without traveling is a sin. Don’t be rude to yourself and please move out from the hustle bustle of your chaotic life every now and then. To make your planning easy for the long weekends, here am I listing down ‘5 Must Weekend Getaways for Mumbaikars’. Say hello to serendipity and Go, travel! 

Highlight: 2015 has amazing list of weekends and if you manage to do a little strategic thinking (read, sick leaves) you have a whopping 58 days of travel! Now read on...

#1 BRT - Karnala/Vasind/Kolad/SH92

Ring in 2015 Camping with BRT!

This one's my personal favorite! :) Start the first day of the New Year on a fresh, natural note. Enjoy the last starry night of the new year in the privacy of your tent and you could wake up to catch the first rays of 2015 in a serene natural setting. There is no better way to start the New Year with a resolution to have a FANTASTIC 2015! Yes, all this at the Big Red Tent!

What's more? You get to spend the evening around the warm glow of a campfire while enjoying the an earthy coal flavored barbecue meal. And for those seeking some adventure, they have rafting and kayaking, and short treks at dawn of 2015 to catch the first sunrise! 

Each of their campgrounds also have their own unique touch,from releasing lanterns into the sky or releasing diyas into the river with a new year resolution to mark this special day. 

Note: I have been to BRT Karnala a couple of times, it is bliss!

#2 Malshej Ghat

Source: Purple leaf Holidays

One among the best drives out of Mumbai is 150 kms away to Malshej Ghat. Unadulterated charm of nature is what attracts tourists to this place.

How to go?

• Drive via NH222; 3 hours’ drive via Thane and Kalyan in the direction of Ahmednagar.
• Train: Hop on a Central line Local to Kalyan, get down and take a ST Bus for Ahmednagar, which takes about 2 hours to reach Malshej.

Safety tip: If you are driving to Malshej Ghat, make sure that the tyres and brakes are in good condition. Also, stay away from cliff sides while sightseeing.

#3 Kolad

Source: Places near pune

No sign of modern technology to haunt you here. A perfect antidote to the hustle bustle of Mumbai. Go River Rafting, Camping and enjoy the Tamhini waterfalls. A refreshing break awaits you at Kolad, 120 kms approx. from Mumbai. Either drive, take a MSRTC bus or train. In case you are driving, Kolad is on the NH17 on way to Goa.

#4 Bhandardhara

I did a weekend trip to Sula Vineyards and Bhandardhara a year back in college. Fell in love with the serenity of this place.

 

The view of Pravara River from the MTDC Resort, Bhandardhara. You can go boating or just sit down by the river and enjoy the calm beauty.

A travel secret, with less places to stay but a long list of options to lose yourself in nature; that’s Bhandardhara. I got a chance to visit this scenic beauty in the winters of 2013 (Mumbai winters, pun intended). Don't forget to visit the Umbrella waterfalls, beauty indeed!

• Bhandardhara is a 40 km drive ahead of Igatpuri, and 180 km from Mumbai.
• You have Maharashtra state transport buses from Dadar or private buses from Nashik. 
• You can even take a train to Nashik and hire a private vehicle for Bhandardhara.

Watch out for: Mount Kalsubai – Maharashtra’s highest peak. It is doable, just don’t forget your hiking shoe.

#5 Diveagar, Shrivardhan and Harihareshwar

Source: http://shrivardhankatta.com/

Spectacular sunsets by the beach and a drive to uplift your soul; Divegar, Shrivardhan and Harihareshwar is a perfect trifecta of Raigad. MSRTC offers regular buses to Shrivardhan from Mumbai Central. Divergar is 20 kms from Shrivardhan.

• Soul uplifting break, a photogenic paradise.
• Watch out for: Bankot Fort – a Maratha’s fort.

If you are planning to go to Lonavala with a big group of friends or family; one can stay at Manasi Bungalow. I have been planning to visit this myself soon. They open for NYE bookings. The villa can accommodate 45 people comfortably (Just imagine the New Year party fun!).

These are just some of the places one can head for an amazing weekend out of Mumbai. Please feel free to add to this list. I am sure there's:

• Panchagani
• Murud Janjira
• Mahabaleshwar
• Lavasa
• Della Adventure and more to be added to this list!

Be ready to explore, travel & dream more, always! :)

See you on the other side.
Wanderlust Girl

Product Review: Neutrogena's Ultra Sheer Dry-touch Sunblock

Powerful. Water-Resistant. Ultra Light

Our Ultra Sheer® sunscreen comes in four water-resistant, PABA-free and
non-comedogenic forms. So whatever your occasion may be, you can find the
sun protection that’s perfect for you.

I bought this product a month back to add to my travel kit for summer. After using it for almost a month, here goes my review! :) 

Personal experience

I loved the product. The soothing feel it leaves on your skin is amazing, especially in this heat. 

• Light in texture and easily absorb-able.
• It doesn't give a greasy feeling or leaves a white patch on the skin.
• No burning sensation after applying. 
• The texture of the sun block is soft and smooth with a creamy consistency.

Pros

• Oil free and PABA free.
• Water proof and sweat proof.
• The product is ideal for oily skin however it will just go well with Dry skin too.
• SPF 50 provides high levels of both UVA (PA +++) and UVB protection
• The sunblock is really light textured, leaving a smooth finish to the skin. It doesn't leave the skin asking for moisture
• Dermatologist tested.

Cons

The price of 175/- Rs for 30ml is a little too much. But since the product faired well on my skin, I might re-buy unless I get a better substitute in terms of pricing.

Final Verdict: It really worked well on my dry to moderate oily skin which is often prone to breakouts as the cream didn't mess up with them anymore.

I would recommend it for people who are often out in the sun working all day or are prone to sunlight especially during afternoons. Its a really good buy this summer!

Rating - 4.5/5

Kuala Lumpur - The Irresistible Dream Destination

Remember the innumerable beautiful TVCs of “Malaysia: Truly Asia”? The tone is still fresh in my mind. I still remember running to my TV room to witness the beauty of hundreds of islands and rainforests, the Borneo culture which as old as time, the shopping galore, The Kinabulu National Park (World Heritage Site), the amazing food and the beautiful capital – Kuala Lumpur in those few seconds of advertisement.

There is a place. Like no place on Earth. A land full of wonder, mystery, and? Well, I am not really trying to quote “Alice in Wonderland” here; but as once a novelist said; if you have never been to Malaysia, you haven’t seen the world. So here I am, dreaming of visiting truly Asia and its beautiful capital – Kuala Lumpur.

After doing all the research about this dream destination and making an In-future Itinerary for my trip; there are 5 places/things which make this city so irresistible. Let’s have a look, shall we?

1) The Shopping Paradise
The first thing every girl looks for in a ‘city’ is the place where she can shop unlimited and without burning a hole/(s) in her purse. Shopping in Kuala Lumpur is one of travel's greatest pleasures! Kuala Lumpur alone has 66 shopping malls and it is the retail and fashion hub for Malaysia. Goods are available in every price bracket.

Apart from going to those malls, I will definitely head to - The Petaling Street (Chinatown) in Kuala Lumpur. A place like Mumbai - where the hustling and bustling never comes to an end. Be it day or night, visitors keep coming to this place to get some really good bargains on things sold here. It is a place where the hustling and bustling never comes to an end. You’ll find almost everything from clothes to electronics to souvenirs and even fabrics. Other than cheap and affordable stuff, Petaling Street is renowned for selling imitation goods like handbags, wallets, watches and shoes from brands like Adidas, Louis Vuitton, Calvin Klein, Nike, etc. (That gives me a mixed feeling. However, more on a happy side :P). You will also find some of the best street food of KL on this street, so when the girls go shopping guys can have a good pet-pooja.

2) Petronas Towers

Take a bird’s eye view of this majestic city from Petronas Towers. Whether its day or night; these towers are a major attraction and can never be singled out from anybody’s trip plan. The 88-storey huge twin towers are illuminated beautifully at night and offer a fantastic overview of KL and an uninterrupted, no breaks – 360 degree view of the Malaysian Capital. The architectural beauty of this significant building is sure to add meaning to your KL tour.

With uncountable places and things to do in Kuala Lumpur, you need more than a few days to take in all the sights and sounds in this remarkable city.

3) Batu Caves

When I asked my colleague who has been to KL once, the place she remembered the most was – Batu Caves. A Hindu religious place, one of Kuala Lumpur’s most frequented tourist attractions; Batu Caves is a limestone hill comprising three main caves and a few smaller ones. Said to be more than 400 million years old, the visitors can scale 272 steps to access the caves and visit the temple. Many Hindu devotees come down to these caves to perform religious rites during Thaipusam.

4) Aquaria KLCC

The 5000sqft Aquaria KLCC is said to be largest aquarium in the world. Home to over 150 species of marine life, its star attractions include scary tiger sharks, lethal sea snakes, blue rays, bright coral fish, seahorses and more. Sure to be a sight!

5) KL Sentral and Brickfield – mini India

What happens when you find home away from home? Isn’t it the most blessed feeling ever? I guess; that’s what this place means to many Indians who live there in Malaysia. KL Sentral, also known as Mini India is a home.

Offcourse, an itineay doesn’t end with 4-6 places to visit. There are always add-ons to it, just like I have for you right now :)

What not to miss at KL other than my top 5 –

• Sri Mahamariamman - This intricately detailed South Indian temple is Malaysia’s oldest functioning Hindu temple, dating back to 1873.

• Orchid Park (Taman Orchid) - This Park has over 3,000 species that include 800 unique to Malaysia. The orchids are serious business for the Malays, as are all forms of gardening. (I love flowers!)
• Spend a day at Sunway Lagoon Theme Park
• Get lost in the natural gems of KL in FRIM Forest Reserve and do the Canopy walk! 

I hope I could do a little justice to write about this majestic dream destination on earth. The day I visit Kuala Lumpur; my travel diary will read, “She knew that she had, like Alice, landed in Wonderland”.

***

Have a safe and super happy travel with Air Asia. Make use of “World’s Best Online Travel Fair” with Air Asia and have an amazing time in truly asia :) 

This post is a part of AirAsia “Dream Asian Destination” Blogger Contest powered by Ripple Links.