Although not the largest city in Asia, Hong Kong is certainly one of the most densely populated with over seven million inhabitants crammed into just 440 square miles. They call it a “vertical city,” not so much because of the lushly forested backdrop of mountains, but because of its number of sky-scrapers that soar to ever more dizzying heights. It
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After the tranquility of the Himalayas, the urban energy of Mumbai is a sharp contrast. So, too is the delightful winter weather in Mumbai – almost Mediterranean – warm and breezy. The last two days in Mumbai went by in a flash, but I felt like I saw and did so much. We walked across the street, chartered a boat
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Alas, it was time to say goodbye to the Himalayas, which looked quite regal in the pinkish hues of the early morning light, the birds singing outside my window and the wellness regime of Ananda in favor of India’s version of the Big Apple: Mumbai. Formerly known as Bombay, today it is home to more than 22 million residents and
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Truth be known, although I’ve had plenty of spa treatments, I’ve never actually been to a destination spa so part of me was wondering just WHAT was I going to do all day?? The day began with “Morning Stretches,” a class that is open to all guests but for whatever reason, it was only me and my two friends who
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This was our second day in a row with a pre-dawn wake up call – today for our 7 AM train from Amritsar to Hardiwar – the idea being that this was easier than flying back to Delhi and changing planes to get to our next destination. It was cold and dark in the station and I longed for a
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A short 50 minute flight northwest took us to Amritsar in the state of Punjab. It is best known for housing the Sikh community’s holiest shrine, The Golden Temple, located in the heart of the city. Just as Muslims are obliged to make the pilgrimage to Mecca, Sikhs should visit the Golden Temple at least once in their lifetime. The
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The 65-degree temperature and abundant sunshine was a welcome treat after the chill of Srinagar. We headed straight to the Lodi Gardens Restaurant and enjoyed lunch in a shady spot outdoors. Its international café-style menu appealed to us and we dined on grilled prawns, asparagus risotto, garlic bread and green salads. This is an oasis in which you can easily
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Today, we had several special treats in store – Muza was taking us to visit a few weavers, from whom they source exquisite goods for their textile stores. They mostly work with cashmere which is painstakingly woven on hand-hewn looms tucked up in the eaves of barns in country villages – an unlikely atelier for master-craftsmen! Having seen the elegant
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Our hopes for a clear sky were dashed by the gray early morning haze. Chef Shadab whipped up a fantastic egg white omelet with asparagus, green chilies and cheese and we launched for our day. The first stop was a shrine to the city’s patron Sufi saint, Shah Makhdum Sahib, and it is believed that if you come here and
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A one hour, 15 minute flight took us 450 miles due north of Delhi to Srinagar, the summer capital city of the Jammu-Kashmir state (often referred to as “J&K”). We feasted our eyes on a spectacular view of the Himalayas peeking out of the clouds for the last 25 minutes of the flight on both sides of the aircraft. Kashmir
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