Day before yesterday, second saturday, 8th August, 2009 is a joyful day in my life. Yes,the day we went on a picnic through the misty mountain ranges of Idukki District. My fourteen friends from the Office where I am working started off at 7.30 am. from Ettumanoor. I boarded the bus at Thelliyamattom, my village town. On entering the vehicle I surveyed my friends. I was disappointed in the unhappy absence of my friends Blase, Paul Varghese and Thomachan, though it was not unexpected. In the early morning itself many of my friends were at the high pitch of enthusiasm. As for us it was a day of complete oblivion, without stress. (more…)

After a few days lounging by the pool or on the beach in Taba or Taba Heights. Even the most chilled out amongst us will start to consider exploring further afield. After all it would be shame to visit a country such as Egypt, so steeped in history and culture, and not venture outside the hotel grounds.
There are some fantastic places to visit from Taba and Taba Heights such as Petra or Jerusalem, but one of lesser known places of interest is St Catherines Monastery.
Why visit St Catherines Monastery? One reason is because not only is this place a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of the oldest Christian sites in the world.But this area in the Sinai Desert is where one of the most epic stories of the Holy Bible occurred.
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On the southern banks of the Mandovi River, lies Panaji or Panjim – the capital city of Goa. Literally meaning ‘the land that does not flood’, Panaji is built around a church facing a prominent square. This Portuguese town is popular for a number of ancient beautiful churches and some of the excellent Portuguese Baroque style buildings and enchanting old villas.

When it comes to the fascinating sites of the city, Dona Paula tops the chart. The true beauty of the place lies in the meeting point of Goa’s two splendid rivers. Moreover, the Arabian Sea serves as the secluded bay of Dona Paula with a fine view of the Marmagao Harbour.

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Colourful kites, smart parades, delectable barbecues, children waving flags and fireworks bursting in air. The long Independence Day weekend is tailor-made for a quintessential all-Indian summer getaway, as destinations around the country woo families with events that celebrate all that’s kesariya, white, and green. The options for fun are as varied as the colours in those fireworks: head to a city for big parades and a splash of culture, sprawl on a blanket under the starry sky, or experience a little bit of both. Here’s a sampling of some top packages for families this Independence Day weekend to some of the most-sought after destinations in the picturesque state of Uttarakhand.

The Fort Unchagaon

The Fort Unchagaon stands majestically in village Unchagaon. Just about an hour’s drive from the bustling town of Bulandshahar in UP, it is a mere 110 kms from New Delhi. Unchagaon is very close to river Ganges. The particular stretch is very famous for Dolphins. The present Raja Surendra Pal Singh inherited this early 19th century fort at the age of ten. The young heir took personal interest in the maintenance and preservation of this ancestral residence. This palace was renovated under his guidance and thus is evident the influence of early 20th century blend of Indian and colonial architecture. Being the private domicile of a prince, the décor is authentically aristocratic. As the years rolled by, all modern amenities were added to the old palace making it much loved weekend getaway for many close friends and relatives of the family. Under the management of Leisure Hotels, the fort-turned-resort offers double rooms and suites along with numerous activities & recreational games.

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