THE CLOUD FOREST

The Cloud Forest in Singapore is another place you must visit. You usually get a combined ticket for the Flower Dome and The Cloud Forest in Gardens by the Bay. While the whole set up is artificial, the greenery still draws you to it.

There are various levels, around six if I recollect correctly. You’re welcomed by a towering waterfall that drenches a curtain of plants, orchids and a variety of other flowers. It’s mighty height ensures that a little water splashes over you if you go closer. Again, it is temperature controlled, so it is slightly more chilly inside.

Nature doing its magic yet again!

So here is what I did on my second day in Singapore.

When you’re on vacation, you make it a point to wake up late. No hassles, no deadlines and best of all, no work. Well, at least as of now. So we woke up well past 9. H’s aunt and grandmom has whipped up some delicious cheese and capsicum sandwiches for breakfast. We ended the meal with their signature hot cup of tea. After lazying around, we decided to plan our day. Finally we decided to visit this breathtaking place called Gardens by the bay. We left after a sumptious meal prepared by sweet old granny whose enthusiasm and energy is quite inspiring. 

Of good flights & warm welcomes

We took the direct Air India flight to Singapore. It leaves at a comfortable time and wasn’t too early in the morning. That is a big blessing since most other flights going abroad are at odd hours.

The flight was rather peaceful. The crew were sweet and greeted us with ‘Happy Holi’ messages. They were a smiling lot, always willing to help. The food was delicious. The last international flight I went on I was teeribky disappointed because they didn’t offer us a good vegetarian meal despite booking it in advance. This time they’d given us a choice of three juices – Apple, Orange or Tomato. I chose Orange. And the platter was a good mix with rice, dal and a tomato-garlic curry. It was piping hot and that made it even more palatable. There was a bun, sundal and a special sweet for holi too. Though I couldn’t eat the last three since I was too full after the rice. Still regretting leaving the sweet on the plate. 

SINGAPORE IT IS!

I’m going to start documenting my travels with my present trip. Let’s see how far I can stick to my travelogue dream and faithfully post a piece a day. So I’m away at Singapore with my sister,U, and her husband, H. Yes, it’s one among the list of many firsts.

It’s also my first time to Singapore and fortunately it’s a long vacation (well, no vacation is long enough but I think this one is long enough in one place). I’m excited to explore the country and see what it has to offer. There is a to-do list as usual. But I’m more the lazy kind when it comes to making plans. U and H have done all the internet browsing on the places to visit. I did a little bit of browsing but not too much.

Our hosts are family so it makes it a lot easier. They’re a lovely bunch – extremely sweet and hospitable.

I hope to make a few doodles as well and put them up along with the photographs I take.

So stay tuned for updates and hopefully, my visit can help you plan your stay here!

A HAPPY NEW YEAR NOTE FROM ME!

Hello everyone!

Happy New Year! 🙂

2016 has been a busy year. I rarely got time to post content only for my blog except in the last few months. But this year, I promise to be more regular. Many of you have written to me saying that my content is thought-provoking and worth a read. There is no greater joy than having my readers write to me with positive feedback.

So to ensure that all of you have a little something from me more often, I have downloaded the WordPress app. I can now upload snippets and short travel encounters. It makes traveloguing a lot easier too.

I’ll be beginning with some tit-bits from my 2.5 week-long Euro-trip in 2016. What I did, where I went, who I met, what I ate (or rather managed to) and my experiences. If you’re planning a trip there, I hope my travel journeys will be of help to you to avoid the mistakes I made and at the same time, relish the pleasures like I did.

Hope you have an amazing year ahead! Keep reading 🙂 A big thank you for your support 🙂

PS: All the photographs on my blog are my own. They are protected by copyright. Please do not download them for any purpose. It is strictly prohibited.

 

FREE BIRD & HOMELY TIMES

Day #1: Blissful moments

I have been yearning for some ‘me’ time for ages. At home, there is always something or the other going on and the little calmness you get is perhaps only when you poop or shower. So, this travel was solely to give me the ‘alone’ time and family time. Not that I don’t spend enough time with family, but conversations get mundane when you discuss only work and news – which is essentially work again in my case. A breath of fresh air was needed where we went back to giggling at old times, poking fun at little things and doing typical ‘Maithreya’ family stuff. (My big, darling sister is missed, I must confess)

OF HOBBIES & PUNCTURES

Day #1: Chennai to Yelagiri

Cause it is holiday time!

We left from Chennai on Tuesday. And my imaginative half of the brain knew that I wouldn’t let it work in peace till the last minute on Monday night and well, in that case, I must say it knew best. I churned out an article for the paper at jet-speed, relatively at least, since I was in the mood for vacation and I hadn’t packed yet. I then returned home after a meal outside, and started packing.

A BIT OF ME IN THE HILLS

A personalised post has been long pending and it has been almost a year since I got down to writing something that was close to my heart. Perhaps, a newsroom does that to you? You write so frequently that when you need to pen down your thoughts in your diary, your brain just says, “Give it a break,will you?” and you obediently follow.