Cast away - The Mini Minicoy! Laccadive Islands aka Lakshadweep

Minicoy Island?

Minicoy is a part of Lakshadweep Islands of the Indian sub-continent. Lakshadweep Islands have more than 15 uninhabited islands. Minicoy is one of the few inhabited ones and of those a few that allow foreign tourists. Transportation to Minicoy is through sea, nearest airport is Cochin. Only Agatti has a civilian air base while others have aircrafts/helipads for Defence purpose only.

Compact with one shopping place, a couple of mosques, a school and a hospital, Minicoy has a tropical savanna climate throughout the year.

Hospital here, offers service free of cost to the islanders. All of them are home owners, no tenants. A 100% Islam following population with a high literacy rate, way higher than mainland India, about ~84%. Every home is internet lit and almost every home has a mariner on duty. If a man has to marry a woman from this island, he has to provide a certificate from their local hospital that he hasn't contracted AIDS! Guy when married, lives in his mom's or wife's home, a matrilineal society. Remarriages of women and men are equally accepted and alcohol is a big no-no here, no liquor shops, no bar.

'Maldives is so close that you can just swim across!' That's what a local would tell you. But, commutation across was banned as early as 1956. Maldives is just around 200 or so kilometers away and people at Minicoy have close cultural ties with this island nation. Mahl(a dialect of Malayalam) and Dhivehi are widely spoken, like in Maldives.

Is Minicoy an attractive tourist location?
Well, that depends on your view. It is a very-very small place. Holds a population of about ~10,000, like 10 streets of a metro city put together. Rich coconut tree plantation, water sports with glass-floored boat, kayaks, scuba-diving and a decent sea-side resort are all that you will see. But that's pretty much other island destinations can also offer, isn't it? Here, it is just smaller in scale. Tourist spots include an age-old light house and a Juma Masjid.

You can include Kadmat, Kalpeni, Kavaretti, Agatti along with the Mini-Minicoy alias Maliku. All of them own awesome-fresh underwater life. Make sure to experience the helicopter ride from Agatti to Kavaretti. No luxury resorts/spa/nightlife and no, I do not guarantee an exotic holiday, but definitely a nice private one, it would be. 

India-Japan - An exchange of culture. 日本への旅.

I visited Tokyo and a prefecture in Japan for a cultural exchange program of students and youths. I was joined by 6 others from various parts of Tamilnadu and 120 others from all-over India. We were separated into 6 small groups. 8.5 hours journey from Delhi to Tokyo and the time just flew. We landed at the Narita International airport. Time difference is 3.5 hours and I had to tune my time forward!:) Tokyo, the capital city of Japan holds 10% of Japan’s population and you will never feel it is crowded. I was too excited that I kept clicking pictures of lorries, trucks and even ordinary buildings for the first few hours! :)

Hospitality is the first thing that pats you in Japan. People are polite beyond words, self-dependent, responsible and are pure workaholics. Japan has its own rules. Private transportation includes cycles and cars. Virtually no bikes!! Well-connected public transports include trains, buses and taxis. I found no one obese and people are very health conscious. Roads are pollution-free and everything is too much clean ;) It was supposed to be summer and the temperature recorded just 24 degrees Celsius! Buddhism and Christianity exist but Japan has its own ways of praying like thanking the farmers and parents before and after every meal! And not to forget, the city is busy all day but there is no noise! :o

Japan is divided into 47 prefectures such as Hyogo, Hiroshima, Ibaraki, Hokkaido, Niigata, Miyazaki etc., I visited Hyogo and Kobe, port city. The ride in the Shinkansen (bullet train) was superb, swift, punctual and comfortable. We managed to click snaps of Mount Fuji (worshipped by Japanese people as God). It is the tallest mountain covered with snow streaks and it is beautiful! While Tokyo was buildings, Kobe was the country side. The bay with no waves and mountains at the background stun you instantly! Getting on top of the port tower and looking at the entire city from that height makes you feel like God!

 

Food! They eat everything and they eat it raw!!!! And yes, Japanese people have the longest lifespan  Beef is too expensive and too tasty (heard so ;)). Cows are bathed in Sake (Japanese wine) and are fed apples!! Sushi, tempura and udong are the three Japanese delicacies that I personally tasted, purely vegetarian specially made by my host mother on my insistence :)

 

Home-stay was a part of my ten day program when each one of us had to live separately with a Japanese family for three days and two nights. There were five members in my family excluding two pups Den and Dick (Golden retrievers!). Youngsters in Japan are more into learning English and American culture and that includes my 18 year host sister too :) My host family lived in a remote place near Osaka named Mikishi. We had to change 3 trains to reach there from Kobe. Mikishi was too quiet and serene. Since it was a cultural exchange program I had to take note of the cultural similarities and differences between India and Japan. They also celebrate Diwali under the name Hanabi (Only sparkles. No crackers, no noise).

 

As for the dress, it is western everywhere. Kimono is their traditional dress which is worn only on special occasions and the summer kimono is called yukata. People mostly take bath in the night (not in the morning! :p), they eat very less but healthy food (fruits, fish and yogurt included in every meal), give importance to cleanliness (like using a hot napkin before every meal to wipe hands, wearing separate pair of slippers for outdoor, indoor and bathroom), too much importance to punctuality and work, less importance to relaxation and enjoyment, eat with chop-sticks and they give respect to everything in existence! 

And yes that's our Super Star Rajanikanth in Japan! A movie poster of Arunachalam in a local restaurant made my day!

 Technological advancement is put to best use! “Mottainai” is their motto which means “waste nothing” and they recycle everything. This includes space, food, water and garbage. All buildings are closely spaced and are built with wood and earthquake resistant rubber material which absorbs the effect of the quake. Environment is given godly respect.

Despite sky-scrapers scaling the skies, you see greenery everywhere in Japan. Cost of living is quite high, money is equally distributed and people are rich. And their ability to rebound is amazing! Be it the second world-war or the earthquakes, Japanese’ spirit soars high! Except for their robotic life and their superstitions (13th floor was missing in the two major hotels I stayed ;)) everything is positive in Japan!! My little heart still lives in Mikishi! :);)

Gangtok, Sikkim - 'Small is beautiful'

Capital of the Indian state of Sikkim. A hill station and a famous Buddhist Pilgrimage site. There is more!

I spent 7 days and 6 nights on the foothills of the Himalayas! The Nepalis, Bhutias, Lepchas & the Tibetans term Gangtok as “The abode of Gods!”. Gangtok literally means ‘Hilltop’ located approximately 5500 feet above sea level. Well-maintained roads, pavements & tourist locations and well-connected taxi services add to the already existing attractions of Gangtok. Indian Government spends lavishly for the development of the North-Eastern states and it clearly is reflected in Gangtok where children are offered free education and complimentary uniforms too! I found no beggars on the streets! (Not even one!!). 

Temperature in the place during summer is completely bearable and during winter is completely unbearable! Moving in & around Gangtok can be either through walk or a taxi. You will find drug rehabilitation centres and hoardings for the prevention of AIDS in every alternative building! Hindi and Nepali are widely spoken.


Natula! ‘The Natula pass’ is the border between India and Tibet and you will need to obtain prior permission to visit the place. Two passport size photographs & photo identity cards are required for the process. It is a 4 hour drive from Gangtok . It is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Mid-may is the time our soldiers reach the Natula border and they have to stay there for two and a half years!!! The exclamation is because of the climate! May17th noon (peak summer) I was there and the temperature recorded -2 degree Celsius! Imagine in winter! Soft and tidy snow, amazing scenery, hot buns and the coffee shop named 14,000 are the highlights of the place. The Natula pass is located 14,350 feet (approx) above sea level! (omg! I was there!). There are a lot of shops that offer fur-coats and boots to enable you withstand the temperature of the Natula.

The view of Tsmogo Lake is breathtaking!! Yak there, takes us around the lake for sirf 350 bucks and it is worth the ride!
I happened to meet the little monks in a Buddhist monastery. They are supposed to eat raw fruits & vegetables and survive without sweaters, shawls & their parents for months together! I met a granny in Ganeshtok temple wearing a typical Tibetan dress and I wanted to take a snap of her. Guess what?! She told me she can pose only if I give her 500 bucks!! Unethically, I had to take a long shot of her without her knowledge!

 

Unique bright-coloured flowers are found all over Gangtok. M.G.Marg (Mahatma Gandhi Marg) is the central shopping zone of Gangtok and it is a “spit-free, litter-free" zone which for its successful maintenance deserves a big round of applause. Aritar Lake is another fascinating location and not many people know the place. A day or two spent in the DOK bungalow there can be a chilling experience! The Banjhakri falls are not to be forgotten.

 

Altogether, snow-perched peaks, ultimate & unmatched scenery, foggy & sweet-smelling streets, dark fresh-water lakes, orchid nurseries and cute kids make you feel like you live in a fairyland!

                       

Nearest airport is Bagdodra. Gangtok is a 4 hour drive from there with the Teesta River accompanying you all along. Pre-paid and post-paid taxis are available right from the airport. Nearest railway station is New Jalpaiguri. The drive to Gangtok through Siliguri is quite amusing exclusively because of the funny and interesting hoardings and sign-boards that read:

“IF YOU SLEEP, YOUR FAMILY WILL WEEP”,
“WELCOME TO SERENE SULTRY SIKKIM”,
“DRIVE LIKE HELL AND YOU WILL BE THERE”,
“ANYTIME IS SAFETY TIME” etc. 

Give yourself a Pondy break!

Puducherry, formerly known as Pondicherry is a Union Territory of India formed out of four exclaves of former French India- Pondichery, Yanam, Mahe and Karaikkal. Union territory is named after Pondicherry, the largest district of the four.

People are cool and they love their place, most of them speak fluent Tamil and French.

Pondy – as we fondly call it, Pondicherry offers something new and fresh every time I give a visit. I never get bored of this place. It might be because of my 'jaunty' uncle's family living in Pondy but then the place by itself has an aura of peace and happiness.

Yes the place is very small, no rules on road – What can you actually do in Pondicherry?

No, I am not going to list down all the beaches, temples, churches and parks(along with their history, no.) in Pondy. Only a few that you cannot afford to miss.

One day trip to Pondy / Two days trip to pondy / Sightseeing in Pondy /Leisure trip to Pondy.

Here are top 5 – (You can cover all the 5 within two days. Can be done in one day if you skip to go inside Auroville).

1. A visit to Manakula vinayagar temple and Aurobindo ashram. Both are only half a street apart. Ashram is a mausoleum – Samadhi of The Mother and Shri Aurobindo. It also serves as a place of meditation and a spiritual center for many Indian and foreign nationals.
   Ashram timing- 8 am to 12 noon; 2pm to 6pm. Children below 3 years are not allowed inside.
   Phone : 91-413-233604Email : bureaucentral@sriaurobindoashram.org
    
   

   

   
   
2. A road trip to Auroville. Auroville society and the MatriMandir, designed by French architect Roger Anger, is a concentration/meditation center for people seeking divine consciousness. Most of the residents are foreigners. This place takes half your day. The Auroville Visitors Centre (Ph: 0413 – 2622239), Call them up for advance booking. Cover Auro beach en-route.

 

3. An evening in the Promenade beach. Do not skip to stroll along statues, light house, Bharathi park and to snack on Le Cafe when you are here. 

4. Ariyankuppam boating. (Chunnambar). A very serene place I would say, you can reach the shore of the paradise beach with a 20-minute boat ride. This small island has resorts with tree houses and multi-cuisine restaurants. You can plan to spend a day or two here. Timing - 9 am to 5pm.

5. A movie and a day of shopping on the Goubert and Sunday markets. Shopping experience in Auroshree, Kalki, Casablanca have been good for me. For more options please check this list – http://meeranjali.com/Pondicherry_information/Pondicherry_Shopping.html.  

All places in Pondy are only a maximum of 12-15 kms apart. You can combine places according to your convenience and place of stay to prepare your own itinerary.

If the above list is done and you still have time, try these off-beat places too- 

1. Arikamedu – Archeological site that has structures reflecting Roman settlements and again you have a 20 minute boat ride to give you a view of Veerampattinam beach. Photographers take a note.

2. Ananda Rangapillai House- Home of a Dubash who served during the French East India Company days. Known for its hybrid French and Indian style architecture.

3. Puducherry Science center and Planetarium – The Science Park in Lawspet has various sections like demonstration corner, kids corner, marine and others. The Puducherry Science Centre and Planetarium is open from 10:00 am to 5:30 pm on all days except Mondays and National Holidays.
 

4. Tasmai Art Gallery - The gallery timing are: 3 to 7 p.m. daily except on Mondays.
Mornings by appointment only. They have an art shop where you can buy crafted items.

5. Botanical Gardens – Located in South Boulevard near old bus stand, this park has toy trains, dancing fountains, aquarium and a Japanese rock. Rides, food and beverages are chargeable. Timing- 9:00am – 8:00pm.

 

6. Ousteri Lake – This man-made lake also called Osudu is located 10 kms from Pondy. Boat-rides are available. Timings – 9 AM to 5PM.

 

Good Restaurants in Pondy - Click here.

Where to stay in Pondy?

Promenade, LePondy, Ocean spray resorts are good. Personally recommend Kailash resort next to Le Pondy. Click here - Kailash Resort to visit their website. Very well maintained, calm, pre-French styled place, nominal, good food and friendly staff. Do not confuse this with the one on ECR.

Next time I visit Pondy dear Pondy, probably I will have more options to update here :)

Pic courtesy: Pondytourism