Mumbai

Staycations

Colaba – One of the Best Areas to stay in Mumbai

October 4, 2017

Mumbai being the commercial capital of India can be a little overwhelming at to the uninitiated, especially when it comes to deciding on where to stay in Mumbai. The vast metropolis of Mumbai has an equally wide range of options on offer when it comes to accommodation. One has the option to book 5 star Hotels in Mumbai or settle for a more modest option. Depending on the budget, needs, and requirements one can zero in on the accommodation option that meets ones needs. One of the best areas to stay in Mumbai is undoubtedly Colaba, an area that is rich in history and culture that goes back to the times of the British Raj and beyond. Colaba is a colourful and stylish area that pulsates with vibrancy and is the meeting point of the contemporary and the historical. The magnificent and towering presence of the Gateway of India with an endearing promenade, classic theatres like Regal that have been milestones in the history of Bollywood Cinema, iconic restaurants like the Leopold, tempting shopping arcades, heritage buildings, all of this combine to make Colaba a happening destination in Mumbai. What can be a better experience than to directly step out of your hotel into the magical world of Colaba. Here are a few stay options in the Colaba vicinity. The Taj Mahal Palace If you want to experience Mumbai in true grandeur reminiscent of the royal era, then head out to the Taj Mahal Palace which stands like a jewel on the tip of Mumbai, overlooking the Arabian Sea. Waking up in the morning and getting breathtaking views of the Gateway of India and the Arabian Sea as you push the curtains aside would surely rank as on of the best travel memories and stay with you for long. The …

Staycations

Amitabh Bachchan’s Favourite Sampan Restaurant

February 20, 2017

Mumbai might have many Chinese restaurants serving authentic platters, but Sampan stands out ahead of the crowd being a Bollywood favourite for decades. While Amitabh Bachchan’s favourite pick from the menu is Mushroom on Toast, Quantico lady Priyanka always opts for Chicken Pepper Chili while dining at this pool & Juhu beach front facing restaurant. So what is it about Sampan that really ticks with these world-trotting celebrities? I had the honour of finding that out when Novotel Juhu hosted me for a lunch break at this iconic restaurant. Head Chef Penpa Tseri had designed a special menu, presenting some of his finest works and I will not deny the fact that each dish stood out impeccably! Beautifully designed interiors, reflecting the culture of China, a simple walk-in at Samapan Novotel Juhu ensures that you’ll be served nothing but authentic Chinese food. The restaurant has a whooping 10 page menu, but I was to dine on Chef’s special spread. To start with, I picked up Novotel’s Signature drink – NOVOTEL PUNCH, which was a concoction of Orange juice, Pineapple juice, Mango juice, Grenadine and fresh cream. The drink was quite refreshing for a lazy warm Mumbai afternoon. Based on my preference of meats, Chef Penpa created 4 starter menu which was a blend of seafood and chicken. Before my starters arrived, I was offered a cup of searing hot Jasmine Tea which acts as a palette cleanser to prepare you for your journey of Chinese flavours. The first on the starters menu was Mandarin Chicken which was sliced chicken in soya sauce, tossed with bell peppers and with a zing of crushed black pepper for course flavours. The chicken was succulent, soya sauce in harmony and the salty-spicy combination of black pepper anted up the taste manifolds. Next up on the …

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Bohemian Rhapsody in Mumbai – OOTD

March 15, 2016

If you happen to be in Mumbai during the ‘winter season’ (and you belong to a colder region like Delhi) then all you need to do on your visit is soak up the warmth of the sun, put on some anti-tan lotion and feel boho! That’s exactly what I did in the month of January, when I was flown down to Mumbai to attend the launch of OPPO F1 smartphone. Post the media event, I took a mini break to experience the hospitality of The Resort and to bask in the glory of a beautiful beach. The Resort is situated in front of the Aksa Beach, which is quaint and much cleaner as opposed to the super-crowded beach life of Southern Mumbai (note : Juhu Beach & Bandstand). Now beachwear in India is a little different from the western world. We don’t get to flaunt a bikini (Mumbai is not eligible for even a sarong) and so the beachwear comes down to the breezy silhouettes in light fabrics. Forever21 in India is filled with a section that only speaks about bohemian flavours. Right from the earthy colour palette, fringe décors to the tribal embroidery and prints; one can find a variety of summer-friendly designs at F21. This Georgette midi dress in crisp white with minimal thread work is apt to keep the sweat away and makes one feel at leisure. So to keep up with my Bohemian spirit, I thought of doing an OOTD post and pose for the camera right on the Aksa Beach. Usually I either wrap up my hair in a bun, but for this added boho flavour, I decided to braid down my tresses in fine gypsy style. Now the look works apt in case you have long tresses, a beach to hit and don’t want the …

Staycations

Vistara Airlines – My Travel Experience

March 2, 2016

Gone are the days when travelling by flight meant shelling out a big chunk of your hard earned money. With plenty of airlines and a complex network of flight schedules operating nationally, aircraft as a mode of travel has come down to a more pocket friendly option in the current times. I have been travelling all my life and still find myself being all excited about boarding a train or an airplane, every single time! But one thing that has degraded over time is the food quality of the airlines. No matter how much you pay for your ticket, the food quality remains average with no scope of improvement whatsoever. Their have been times when I have picked up a slice of pizza or some sandwiches before boarding a flight, only to avoid the kind of tasteless food that they serve in-flight. Now Vistara is comparatively a newer airline group that many of my travel friends haven’t experienced yet. So when I got my ticket from Mumbai – Delhi booked on this airline, I tried asking around my friends about their experience with it. Being a foodie and a blogger, I tend to ‘review’ almost everything. Well, you’ll be happy to know that this airline actually turned out to be a great experience for me and I absolutely wish to return again for some more of their hospitality. First things first, they have ample leg space, which is a big concern for tall people like myself (I am 5’11) so this came in as a welcome sign indeed! Now most of us are aware of the usual service of ‘regular water’ in cups in other airlines. Vistara maintained their niche of hospitality by welcoming everyone on board with some packed water bottles. With no hopes of getting a proper dinner, …

Staycations

The Resort Mumbai – Hotel Review

February 22, 2016

While many people consider Mumbai as an extremely busy and noisy city, the land of Bollywood has an otherwise peaceful side to it as well. Over the years, I have visited/stayed in Mumbai many times, but have never experienced a more relaxed and serene part of Mumbai till now. If you’ve been following me on Instagram, you’ll know that I recently visited Mumbai to attend an event and soak under the Mumbai’s winter sun. And while I was at it, The Resort Mumbai’s team invited me over to conclude my travel on a ‘vacation mode’.

Closeup Diamond Attraction – {Mumbai Travel Diaries}

July 14, 2014

Brushing your teeth twice, weekly floss routines and what not. So much to keep our teeth healthy and munch strong (talk about a non-vegetarian foodie, eh!). Even after taking care of these basic routines, many of us still lack those shiny bright teeth that commercials usually show. I keep annoying my dentist friend to tell me a home remedie for those sparkle white teeth and all he has to say is ‘Visit a dentist!’. Not that I am afraid of visiting a dentist, but such appointments don’t buzz in so easily in our overloaded busy lives. Now it shouldn’t bother me much to have white teeth, but at times pulling up a smile with pale teeth does come in as a disappointment. Don’t forget the creepy close up shots. Yikes! Well, many ‘toothpastes’ have come (and gone) in the market that came to give you white teeth with regular usage. Closeup too has come up with a whitening toothpaste. But what’s so special about this toothpaste? Well, it too gives you white teeth with regular usage instantly. Yep! You heard me right. Instant whitening toothpaste. So when I was invited to experience the first of it’s kind (In India) instant whitening toothpaste in Mumbai, I had to give in my weekend to live it all up. I along with my fellow bloggers Komal, Nitika, Ritu, Lisha, Bharti & Supriya were flown down to Mumbai for a weekend full of fun and smiles. The launch party was held at Bunglow 9, Bandra. Special Vodka shots were prepared, keeping in mind the color of the evening – Blue The toothpaste was launched in a much groovy and ‘electric’ way.. sans the hoo-la-hoo of boring speeches. To prove the authenticity of this product, the organizers had arranged testing tables for us to try …

Staycations

Travel Diaries – BeBeautiful Workshop, Mumbai

October 29, 2013

Who said that ‘Great conversations start over great coffee’?? Hell no! Great conversations can start over anywhere, even when it’s 5a.m. outside the city airport. Well, atleast I wasn’t keeping any hopes on that. To give you a broader perspective, here is the summary…. While Delhi was buzzing over the recently concluded Wills Lifestyle Fashion Week, amidst the crazy schedules, I got an invitation, which usually might piss anyone off. Reason? Well, the invite was for a workshop to be held in Mumbai, while I reside in Delhi. Like always, I had to politely decline the invite, stating my current location. To which, they replied, with an equally polite smile, that this trip will be fully sponsored. YAY! (Dil mai ladoo phoota? Yesss!) As the days closed by, I learnt that few more bloggers will be flown down from Delhii, among which I got in touch with Ritu from The Indian Beauty , who introduced me to Deeptima from Beauty Unleash with Deeptima . I started my trip with anxiety and a hope that I will *meet* new people, only if I knew that much more is what I will get out of this mini trip. Let me take you through a ‘Picture Diary’, like I always do, to share the fun, friendship and love I felt in these two days. DEL – BOM The early morning flight plan. BEBEAUTIFUL WORKSHOP The google team member, happily addressing queries. Bumpy from 120mediacollective team 120mediacollective team explaining the right videography skills. Hello! Video testing 1-2-3. The insights of a youtube channel. Ambika Anand Clint Fernandes The always cheerful Dolon from PoutPretty Our setup for an instant youtube shoot. Beauties at work. THE NOM NOMS Desserts for lunch, during Bebeautiful workshop. The dinner desserts. Diwali already? Cuteness eh? Did I just own a Louis Vuitton myself? …