PARTYING SHOT 20pushkarlele.com/pdf/Travalogue-Going_Dutch.pdf · The ongoing Rann Utsav at Kutch...
1
W henever I travel abroad for concerts, I make it a point to take some time out for sight-seeing, my recent concert tour to Netherlands and Belgium being no exception to this. As I had concerts in Antwerp, Utrecht, Amsterdam, Den Haag and Massmechelen, all in a week, I decid- ed to stay back for another week and explore the beautiful metropolis of Amsterdam. My brief visit there last summer had already captivated me and I was really looking forward to discover it at a more leisurely pace. Luckily, I had a friend with whom I could pile on for a couple of days. Amsterdam is like Venice founded on and still today fo- cussed around water and waterways with 165 canals and 1,281 quaint bridges criss- crossing the unique and typical Dutch archi- tecture. My first stop was at Dam Square, the token heart of the city. The imposing Royal Palace, which dates back to 1655 lends an imperial aura. Looming prominent- ly in front is the National Monument, a symbol of freedom from tyranny, flanked by human figures and regal lions. The area around the dam is a shop- per’s paradise and one is tru- ly spoilt for choice. The Magna Plaza, a striking build- ing of great allure was a for- mer head post office, now con- verted into a high-end mall. I rounded off my day with a lovely dinner with friends on the top floor of the stately build- ing of De Bijenkorf. The next day I headed to Tropenmuseum, which is one of Europe’s leading ethnographic muse- ums. After spending a couple of hours watching their current exhibit called ‘Death Matters’, I gorged on some fresh French fries with mayonnaise sauce, a typical Dutch snack. A walk in the adjoining Oosterpark helped burn some of those sinful calories. What caught my attention was the various kinds of bicycles people were riding, so comfortably. With more than 50 (including museums on Vodka and Marijuana!!), I had to choose the ones I wanted to visit. The one I could not miss was the Anne Frank House on Prinsengracht which attracts many visitors who wish to see the rooms where the Jew- ish family hid from the Nazis and where the teenage Anne wrote her fa- mous diary during the Second World War. The Van Gogh Museum too is worth a visit and houses the largest collection of paintings by Vincent van Gogh. A visit to the Coster Diamonds museum enlightened me about the process of polishing a rough diamond into a sparkling gem. Four centuries of craftsmanship has given Amster- dam the world-wide fame as a dia- mond centre. Throughout the ages, Amsterdam has continued to be a melting pot of cultures and religions, co-exist- ing and inspiring each other in harmony. This history is what under- pins the characteristic and much-admired at- mosphere of liberali- ty which I found there. As Amster- dam is a surprising- ly compact city and well- serviced by ex- cellent public transportation in the form of buses, trams, metro and ferry boats, one does not waste time travelling from one place to the other. As I couldn’t resist the urge to ‘go-Dutch’, I decided to take a two-hour city tour on a bicycle. With a ticket of 20 euros including bicycle rent and a cheerful guide who took our group around ex- plaining Dutch history, it was pure fun. Weaving in and out of traffic, cy- clists in Amsterdam defy classifica- tion. You’ll see all types of people on bikes — everyone from businessmen in three-piece suits to grandmothers and musicians packing their instru- ments. I rounded my day with a lovely Surinamese dinner followed by watching The Artist in an old theatre called Rialto, a 1930s relic. The next day was spent in exploring the flower market and in visiting my friend in the well-funded University of Amster- dam. The following day, I decided to ex- plore the lovely countryside of Netherlands and set off with my friend to Delft, world famous for Delft- ware blue pottery. After a comfortable two-hour train journey, we reached the idyllic village and were awestruck by its picture perfect beauty. It being a Sunday morning, there was no one on the roads adding to its surreal charm. After a hot cup of coffee, we took a leisurely walk around soaking in the stillness. I decided to spend a major part of my last day in the public library in Amsterdam called The Bibliotheek, near the science museum Nemo. With a never- ending collection of books, newspapers, magazines, journals, DVDs and various other media, one can spend an entire lifetime in this mammoth library. A lovely Indone- sian dinner with friends was the per- fect end to my Amsterdam vacation. GOING Dutch Classical vocalist Pushkar Lele explores the Netherlands, including the beautiful metropolis of Amsterdam during his recent concert tour Thailand therapy Shreya Badola It is almost a yearly ritual for model-turned-TV anchor Natasha Suri to jaunt off on a vacation with her close set of friends to celebrate New Year. “This time we thought of going to some place in Asia, so Thailand sprang up as the best option,” says Natasha, who was all the more thrilled since she had not been to the place before. It was a good, week-long va- cation for Natasha who was there with eight of her close friends. “It was the first time that I visited Thailand, even though I had been planning to go there for the last so many years. Somehow it never happened. And you won’t believe this — I had to cancel my tickets to Thai- land some five times!” she adds. Natasha says that she had heard a lot about the body massages in Thailand and being a complete spa person, she couldn’t have re- sisted going for them. “My friends had sung such prais- es about them, and trust me, it’s all so worth the praises,” exclaims the model, who swears by the shell therapy and aroma therapy that she went for. “I am so super lazy, I love to laze around and get pampered in spas,” she laughs. A complete shopaholic, Natasha couldn’t resist shopping in Thailand even though she feels that “Thai- land ain’t as good a place to shop”. She says, “I’d any day prefer shopping in New York or London, but just the com- pulsive shopper in me led me to pick some dresses.” Natasha also loves to collect artifacts and she picked many of them as souvenirs. Since she had a lot of time in hand, she even decided to dedicate one day each to shopping, spa therapies, in- dulging in sporty activities and chilling by the beach side. And guess what was the quirkiest thing she did. “I ate a snail,” she laughs. “Trust me, it wasn’t as bad as was the thought of it. But I wouldn’t put that in my mouth again!” [email protected] Glam girl Natasha Suri shares her experience in Thailand The ongoing Rann Utsav at Kutch in Gujarat is a popular cultural event among the masses. The an- nual festival is the plethora of var- ied hues, profusion of design, su- perfluity of culture, cornu- copia of music and dance, all together in the arid lands of Kutch. The Utsav creates a mosaic of exquis- iteness, which reflects the identity and spirit of the re- gion. During the full moon night of the winters amid the awe-inspiring and con- trasting landscape each year, a three-day festive extrava- ganza brimming with hospi- tality and traditional flavour is hosted. This carnival is organised at various locales within Kutch, introducing the vis- itor to the indigenous and ethnical cul- ture of the people. Semi-parched Grass- lands of the Banni hosts the most mag- nificent display of vernacular architec- ture, as the exhibition platform for the varied range of arts and crafts of the re- gion. Also, there will be an array of folk music and dance performances in the moonlit landscape. The colourful fairs held near the banks of a lake and the organised tour around Kutch is an ideal occasion to be part of the region and experience the zeal and uniqueness of the people through a celebration of life. Celebrating Rann Utsav BUZZZZ Clockwise from top: Pushkar Lele in Amsterdam; the National Monument, which is flanked by human figures and regal lions, is a symbol of freedom from tyranny; the vocalist enjoys a bike ride BHANDARDARA: Imagine lush green hills, brisk waterfalls and serene lakes. You get it all and more at this quiet hill station, tucked away within nature’s lap. Climb up to see the Ratangad and Harishchandragad fort, follow the trails that lead to Ajoba and Ghan- chakkar peaks, or try conquer the high- est peak in Maharashtra, Mount Kalsubai (1646 m). And once at the sum- mit, don’t miss out on the panoramic view of the Sahyadris. Bhandardara is 185 kms from Mumbai and is easily ac- cessible by road. The nearest railway station is Igatpuri, where you could board a state transport bus or take auto rickshaws to reach your resort. JAWHAR: Known as ‘Mahabaleshwar of Thane district’, Jawhar is famous for its rich cultural heritage. Home to the Warli tribes, one of the tribal kingdoms in Maharashtra, Jawhar remains un- touched by modern concretisation. Vis- it Dadara Kopra Falls, Jai Vilas, the palace of the tribal kings, the Hanu- man and Sunset Points and the Shirpa- mal, where Shivaji chose to camp on his way to Surat. You could drive down or take state transport buses. MATHERAN: Hop onto a toy train and enjoy the stunning hilly view. There’s not much to do in this quiet, car-free hill station other than just lazing around, taking early morning walks or riding a horse for fun. Visit Hart Point after dark, to get a breathtaking glimpse of the lights of a buzzing Mum- bai. Remnants of the old world charm of the British and Parsi homes abound all the way up to the Charlotte Lake. The bazaars here have on offer leather articles, hats, chappals and chikki! Take state transport buses that ply from Mumbai and Pune to Neral for a toy train ride to this sleepy town on hill top. PANCHGANI: What better than sitting relaxed, enjoying a glass of strawberry slush, taking in the foggy prettiness of Panchgani, known for its raspberry and strawberry farms! For a pictur- esque setting, visit Table Land, a flat large expanse of laterite rock that is also the second longest mountain plateau in Asia. Caves including the Devil’s Kitchen are visible from here. A must-visit is Sydney Point, situated on a hillock facing the Krishna Valley. Don’t forget to take a trip to Mapro Gar- den for filling your goodie bags with jams, jellies, syrups and squashes! CHIKHALDARA HILLS: There is much more to this place than just the breathtakingly beautiful hills. The name itself holds a rich heritage that dates back to the Mahabharata. This is the place where Bheema, one of the Pandavas, killed the villainous Keecha- ka and it hence came to be known as Keechakadara, which of course, over the years has transpired and been col- loquialised into Chikaldara — making it more befitting in the local lingo. TORANMAL: This marvel of a place is sure to get you high. Literally! Tucked away in the Satpuda Mountains at an altitude of 1461 m, Toranmal is one of the most peaceful places on earth. And when you are tired of plain lazing, you could visit the beautiful Yashwant Lake, Seetha Khali, or any of the charming temples of olden days. KHANDALA, LONAVALA: Just three hours away from the chaotic city, Khan- dala and Lonavala come in as the most convenient and closest weekend get- aways for Mumbaikars. Well known for their scrumptious and countless vari- ties of chikki, both Khandala and Lon- avala also hold some beautiful must-see sights. The sporty ones can indulge in trekking and other adventure sports. — Compiled by Jayeeta Mazumder and Shreya Badola WINTER VACATIONING Take a weekend off and head to these hill stations to enjoy the nippy weather to the hilt 20 epaper.dnaindia.com Pune, Thursday, January 12, 2012 PARTYING SHOT
Transcript of PARTYING SHOT 20pushkarlele.com/pdf/Travalogue-Going_Dutch.pdf · The ongoing Rann Utsav at Kutch...
Whenever I travelabroad for concerts, Imake it a point totake some time outfor sight-seeing, my
recent concert tour to Netherlandsand Belgium being no exception tothis. As I had concerts in Antwerp,Utrecht, Amsterdam, Den Haag andMassmechelen, all in a week, I decid-ed to stay back for another week andexplore the beautiful metropolis ofAmsterdam.
My brief visit there last summerhad already captivated me and I wasreally looking forward to discover it ata more leisurely pace. Luckily,I had a friend withwhom I could pileon for a couple ofdays.
Amsterdam islike Venice foundedon and still today fo-cussed around waterand waterways with165 canals and 1,281quaint bridges criss-crossing the uniqueand typical Dutch archi-tecture. My first stopwas at Dam Square, thetoken heart of the city.The imposing RoyalPalace, which dates backto 1655 lends an imperialaura. Looming prominent-ly in front is the NationalMonument, a symbol offreedom from tyranny,flanked by human figuresand regal lions. The areaaround the dam is a shop-per’s paradise and one is tru-ly spoilt for choice. TheMagna Plaza, a striking build-ing of great allure was a for-mer head post office, now con-verted into a high-end mall. Irounded off my day with alovely dinner with friends onthe top floor of the stately build-ing of De Bijenkorf.
The next day I headed toTropenmuseum, which is one ofEurope’s leading ethnographic muse-ums. After spending a couple of hourswatching their current exhibit called‘Death Matters’, I gorged on somefresh French fries with mayonnaisesauce, a typical Dutch snack. A walkin the adjoining Oosterpark helpedburn some of those sinful calories.What caught my attention was thevarious kinds of bicycles people wereriding, so comfortably. With morethan 50 (including museums on Vodkaand Marijuana!!), I had to choose theones I wanted to visit. The one I couldnot miss was the Anne Frank House
on Prinsengrachtwhich attracts many visitors who
wish to see the rooms where the Jew-ish family hid from the Nazis andwhere the teenage Anne wrote her fa-mous diary during the Second WorldWar. The Van Gogh Museum too isworth a visit and houses the largestcollection of paintings by Vincent vanGogh. A visit to the Coster Diamondsmuseum enlightened me about theprocess of polishing a rough diamondinto a sparkling gem. Four centuriesof craftsmanship has given Amster-dam the world-wide fame as a dia-mond centre.
Throughout the ages, Amsterdam
has continued to be amelting pot of culturesand religions, co-exist-ing and inspiring eachother in harmony. Thishistory is what under-pins the characteristicand much-admired at-mosphere of liberali-ty which I foundthere. As Amster-dam is a surprising-ly compact city andwell- serviced by ex-cellent publictransportation inthe form of buses,trams, metro andferry boats, onedoes not wastetime travellingfrom one place tothe other. As Icouldn’t resist
the urge to ‘go-Dutch’,I decided to take a two-hour city touron a bicycle. With a ticket of 20 eurosincluding bicycle rent and a cheerfulguide who took our group around ex-plaining Dutch history, it was purefun.
Weaving in and out of traffic, cy-clists in Amsterdam defy classifica-tion. You’ll see all types of people onbikes — everyone from businessmenin three-piece suits to grandmothersand musicians packing their instru-ments. I rounded my day with a lovelySurinamese dinner followed bywatching The Artist in an old theatrecalled Rialto, a 1930s relic. The nextday was spent in exploring the flowermarket and in visiting my friend in
the well-funded University of Amster-dam.
The following day, I decided to ex-plore the lovely countryside ofNetherlands and set off with myfriend to Delft, world famous for Delft-ware blue pottery. After a comfortabletwo-hour train journey, we reachedthe idyllic village and were awestruckby its picture perfect beauty. It being aSunday morning, there was no one onthe roads adding to its surreal charm.After a hot cup of coffee, we took aleisurely walk around soaking in thestillness.
I decided to spend a major part ofmy last day in the public library inAmsterdam called The Bibliotheek,near the science museum Nemo. Witha never- ending collection of books,newspapers, magazines, journals,DVDs and various other media, onecan spend an entire lifetime in thismammoth library. A lovely Indone-sian dinner with friends was the per-fect end to my Amsterdam vacation.
GOINGDutch
Classical vocalist Pushkar Lele explores theNetherlands, including the beautiful metropolis ofAmsterdam during his recent concert tour Thailand therapy
Shreya Badola
It is almost a yearly ritualfor model-turned-TV anchorNatasha Suri to jaunt off ona vacation with her close setof friends to celebrate NewYear. “This time we thoughtof going to some place inAsia, so Thailand sprang upas the best option,” saysNatasha, who was all themore thrilled since she hadnot been to the place before.It was a good, week-long va-cation for Natasha who wasthere with eight of her closefriends. “It was the first timethat I visited Thailand, eventhough I had been planningto go there for the last somany years. Somehow itnever happened. And youwon’t believe this — I had tocancel my tickets to Thai-land some five times!” sheadds.
Natasha says that shehad heard a lot about thebody massages in Thailandand being a complete spaperson, she couldn’t have re-sisted going for them. “Myfriends had sung such prais-es about them, and trust me,it’s all so worth the praises,”exclaims the model, who
swears by the shell therapyand aroma therapy that shewent for. “I am so super lazy,I love to laze around and getpampered in spas,” shelaughs.
A complete shopaholic,
Natasha couldn’t resistshopping in Thailand eventhough she feels that “Thai-land ain’t as good a place toshop”. She says, “I’d any dayprefer shopping in New Yorkor London, but just the com-pulsive shopper in me ledme to pick some dresses.”Natasha also loves to collectartifacts and she pickedmany of them as souvenirs.Since she had a lot of time inhand, she even decided todedicate one day each toshopping, spa therapies, in-dulging in sporty activitiesand chilling by the beachside.
And guess what was thequirkiest thing she did. “Iate a snail,” she laughs.“Trust me, it wasn’t as badas was the thought of it. ButI wouldn’t put that in mymouth again!”
Glam girlNNaattaasshhaa SSuurriishares herexperience inThailand
The ongoing Rann Utsav at Kutchin Gujarat is a popular culturalevent among the masses. The an-nual festival is the plethora of var-ied hues, profusion of design, su-
perfluity of culture, cornu-copia of music and dance,all together in the aridlands of Kutch. The Utsavcreates a mosaic of exquis-iteness, which reflects theidentity and spirit of the re-gion. During the full moonnight of the winters amidthe awe-inspiring and con-trasting landscape each year,a three-day festive extrava-ganza brimming with hospi-tality and traditional flavouris hosted.
This carnival is organised at variouslocales within Kutch, introducing the vis-itor to the indigenous and ethnical cul-ture of the people. Semi-parched Grass-lands of the Banni hosts the most mag-nificent display of vernacular architec-
ture, as the exhibition platform for thevaried range of arts and crafts of the re-gion. Also, there will be an array of folkmusic and dance performances in themoonlit
landscape. The colourful fairsheld near the banks of a lake and the organised tour around Kutch isan ideal occasion to be part of the regionand experience the zeal and uniquenessof the people through a celebration of life.
Celebrating Rann Utsav
BU
ZZ
ZZ
Clockwise from top: PushkarLele in Amsterdam; the National Monument, whichis flanked by human figuresand regal lions, is a symbolof freedom from tyranny; thevocalist enjoys a bike ride
BHANDARDARA: Imagine lush greenhills, brisk waterfalls and serene lakes.You get it all and more at this quiet hillstation, tucked away within nature’slap. Climb up to see the Ratangad andHarishchandragad fort, follow thetrails that lead to Ajoba and Ghan-chakkar peaks, or try conquer the high-est peak in Maharashtra, MountKalsubai (1646 m). And once at the sum-mit, don’t miss out on the panoramicview of the Sahyadris. Bhandardara is185 kms from Mumbai and is easily ac-cessible by road. The nearest railwaystation is Igatpuri, where you couldboard a state transport bus or take autorickshaws to reach your resort.
JAWHAR: Known as ‘Mahabaleshwarof Thane district’, Jawhar is famous forits rich cultural heritage. Home to theWarli tribes, one of the tribal kingdomsin Maharashtra, Jawhar remains un-touched by modern concretisation. Vis-it Dadara Kopra Falls, Jai Vilas, thepalace of the tribal kings, the Hanu-man and Sunset Points and the Shirpa-mal, where Shivaji chose to camp onhis way to Surat. You could drive downor take state transport buses.
MATHERAN: Hop onto a toy train andenjoy the stunning hilly view. There’snot much to do in this quiet, car-freehill station other than just lazingaround, taking early morning walks orriding a horse for fun. Visit Hart Pointafter dark, to get a breathtakingglimpse of the lights of a buzzing Mum-bai. Remnants of the old world charmof the British and Parsi homes aboundall the way up to the Charlotte Lake.The bazaars here have on offer leatherarticles, hats, chappals and chikki! Takestate transport buses that ply fromMumbai and Pune to Neral for a toytrain ride to this sleepy town on hilltop.
PANCHGANI: What better than sittingrelaxed, enjoying a glass of strawberryslush, taking in the foggy prettiness ofPanchgani, known for its raspberryand strawberry farms! For a pictur-esque setting, visit Table Land, a flatlarge expanse of laterite rock that isalso the second longest mountainplateau in Asia. Caves including theDevil’s Kitchen are visible from here. Amust-visit is Sydney Point, situated ona hillock facing the Krishna Valley.
Don’t forget to take a trip to Mapro Gar-den for filling your goodie bags withjams, jellies, syrups and squashes!
CHIKHALDARA HILLS: There ismuch more to this place than just thebreathtakingly beautiful hills. Thename itself holds a rich heritage thatdates back to the Mahabharata. This isthe place where Bheema, one of the
Pandavas, killed the villainous Keecha-ka and it hence came to be known asKeechakadara, which of course, overthe years has transpired and been col-loquialised into Chikaldara — makingit more befitting in the local lingo.
TORANMAL: This marvel of a place issure to get you high. Literally! Tuckedaway in the Satpuda Mountains at an
altitude of 1461 m, Toranmal is one ofthe most peaceful places on earth. Andwhen you are tired of plain lazing, youcould visit the beautiful YashwantLake, Seetha Khali, or any of thecharming temples of olden days.
KHANDALA, LONAVALA: Just threehours away from the chaotic city, Khan-dala and Lonavala come in as the mostconvenient and closest weekend get-aways for Mumbaikars. Well known fortheir scrumptious and countless vari-ties of chikki, both Khandala and Lon-avala also hold some beautiful must-seesights. The sporty ones can indulge intrekking and other adventure sports.
— Compiled by Jayeeta Mazumder and
Shreya Badola
WINTER VACATIONING
Take a weekend off and head to these hill stations to enjoy the nippy weather to the hilt
20epaper.dnaindia.com
Pune, Thursday, January 12, 2012PARTYING SHOT
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