“Believed to be one of the most challenging river-rafting experiences in the world, riding the great white waters of River Zanskar in Ladakh is a heady cocktail of thrill, skill and pumping adrenaline,” says Ranjan Pal. Ladakh. A land of incomparable beauty – stark yet stunning. I have marvelled at this region’s craggy peaks, multi-hued…
When asked as to why he wanted to summit Mt. Everest, mountaineer George Mallory famously said “Because it is there!”. For those of us who lack the resources, and perhaps the bravado, to climb to the highest point on earth, a trek to Everest Base Camp is the next best option.
Skiing is offered at several locations across all Himalayan states but for the serious enthusiast, only a handful of resorts are worth considering.
Once a seat of power, the Iranian city is an epitome of architectural and artistic elegance. Once the seat of the great Persian Empire and long considered to be Iran’s most beautiful city with its stunning collection of historic architecture, tree-lined boulevards, flower gardens and parks, Isfahan is a fascinating place to visit. Shah…
Guest Blog by Mallika Pal Stereotyped for its tartan and haggis, Scotland holds the crown jewels of British wilderness, whiskey and if you’re lucky, weather To visit Scotland is to delight in a series of oxymorons – from the rugged elegance of the Highland silhouette, to the humble patriotism of Princes street and the illuminated…
SAROJ AND ME WITH MAN MANDIR PALACE IN THE BACKGROUND Dominating the town of Gwalior is its magnificent fort built atop a solitary outcrop of the Vindhyas. Since its construction in the eighth century AD, the fort has had many masters, with practically every ruler of India laying siege to it. Over the centuries, the…
AT THE ICONIC ROBERT MONDAVI VINEYARDS Several years ago I took a course at the West Coast campus of the CIA in America. No it wasn’t what you are thinking, no cloak-and-dagger stuff – the CIA was the Culinary Institute of America and the course was an Introduction to Californian Wines J J Now I…
The silver Mustang arrowed its way across the flat desert scrubland. All around was a blinding brightness as the rays of the afternoon sun beat mercilessly down. The way ahead gave no indication of what lay just over the horizon. The giant chasm of the Grand Canyon carved out by a single river, the Colorado,…
Guest Blog by Tarini Pal Last month, I was lucky enough to watch a former frontman of one of the most critically acclaimed and influential groups in the history of rock music perform live in Pasadena: Roger Waters of Pink Floyd.
