An Unforgettable Experience in Vegas – The $1300 Story!

A trip to Las Vegas can be truly exhilarating! Right from casinos and night clubs to themed hotels and fashion boutiques, this ‘Entertainment Capital of the World’ has loads to offer. To escape from the monotonous everyday life, we planned a trip to Vegas during the week before the Thanksgiving.  We arranged 4 cars to accommodate a total of 15 members. Once we were all set for the trip, excitement engulfed us completely. The Friday morning was blissful and we took leave at 8 AM so as to reach the destination on time and enjoy the nightlife of Vegas.

Although the long car drive was tiresome, we got our energy levels boosted up as we entered the Vegas downtown. Packed with numerous tourists, the busy streets of Vegas looked absolutely stunning with its high-rise themed hotels, casinos, nightclubs and more twinkling with lights and festive decorations. After checking into the Stratosphere, one of the highly-acclaimed hotels in Vegas, we quickly refreshed ourselves and set out to explore the city’s best.

We strolled down the streets and covered two popular hotels – The Bellagio and The Venetian. The wearisome long drive and walk made us famished, so we decided to take a break for dinner before hitting the casinos. The burgers and sandwiches that we had during the day travel made us crave for Indian food. At last, we found one in the Riviera. In a hurry, we parked the four cars in the Mc Donald car parking area opposite the Riviera and headed towards the Indian restaurant for some lip-smacking food. Grilled chicken, tandoori naan, malai kofta, Goan fish curry and more made our mouths water even as we looked into the menu. We took a leisurely hour to finish our meals.

As we made our way to the car park, a surprise awaited us! “Where are our cars?” was everyone’s reaction when we found that all our cars went missing with no trace. For a moment we stood dumbstruck. It was only when we took a closer look at the car park area that we noticed a small placard bearing a message - car parking only for Mc Donald customers. Affixed above the placard was a small surveillance camera. When we enquired about the same to one of the Mc Donald’s employees, he said our cars might have been towed as we didn’t buy anything from their restaurant. One of my friends dialed the number given by the Mc D employee and got the address where our cars have been towed to.  

The four car owners hurried to that particular address to get the cars back leaving us behind. Meanwhile, we spent time in the Circus Circus, but had no mood to enjoy the fun-filled activities happening there. We knew that the authorities who towed our cars would impose fine, but only when the four returned that we got to know how heavily we were penalized. The fine imposed on each car was $325! We would never have thought to spend that much even in Casinos. However, each one of us took it sportively and continued with our trip normally. It was an unforgettable experience for me and my friends. The fun part was the four car owners got a chance to travel in a limousine to get back our cars. It made the experience even more memorable. And, that was the $1300 story! 

A small message to the readers - You should be all eyes and ears when you are visiting a busy city like Las Vegas!

What happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas!!!

Venice in Vegas!

Me and my husband posing in the Venetian with Gondoliers at the backdrop!

Venice in Italy has always been a hot favorite among the newlyweds planning for their honeymoons. However, only a few get lucky enough to make this dream come true. Here is good news for those who cannot afford to go to Italy. Not just in Venice! You can get the typical Venetian experience even in Las Vegas. Guess how? Las Vegas is renowned not only for night clubs and casinos, but also for outstanding themed hotels like ‘The Venetian Resort Hotel Casino’.

The architectural excellence will make your jaw drop even as you enter the foyer of this one-of-a-kind hotel. The ceilings are exceptionally designed to depict nighttime moon and stars during daytime and vice versa. With a broad spectrum of showrooms to shop and restaurants to cater different tastes, The Venetian has loads to offer to impress your ladylove.

The most spectacular replication of this hotel is undeniably the Grand Canal! A gondola ride through this canal would give you the absolute feeling of being in Venice. In addition, replicas of popular Venetian landmarks, such as Piazzetta di San Marco, Rialto Bridge, St. Mark’s Campanile, and Piazza San Marco add to the glam of this hotel resort. If you are an avid Dan Brown fan, then you will get to witness some of the eminent Italian landmarks, depicted in his novels, without leaving the U.S. 

Exuding sparks of luxury, the Venetian offers its customers with lavishly-designed suites that provide a comfortable stay. What more does one need? Newlywed husbands out there, sweep your wives off their feet by taking them to this lovely resort in Vegas! 

My Very First Overseas Trip to the US

It was a cool Thursday night! The first thing that my husband told me as soon as he came from work was ‘we are leaving to the US in three days.’ At that point, I really didn't know how to react. I felt really happy for moving to a new place with loads of things to explore and at the same time felt sad for leaving my family and friends.

The next three days, everything in my house looked haywire. Right from my dad and mom to my brother and husband, everyone was in the hustle and bustle of packing things for our trip. Being a typical south Indian, I cannot survive on American food. So, my mom packed all kinds of masalas, rice, dhal and more that would last at least for two months. My luggage was oozing out with food items and cooking utensils rather than clothes. After checking the weight of each luggage until it showed 23 kg or less, we settled down and thought of relaxing a bit but it was already 7.00 PM. Our flight was scheduled at 1.00 AM, however we had to check in at 11.00 PM. Therefore, me and my husband took a quick bath and got ready for the trip.

Once we reached the airport, a sense of melancholy engulfed me on the thought of leaving my parents and my brother. I fought my tears back but finally broke out when we were about to bid goodbye to my parents and in-laws. My mom cried seeing me cry and it caught the attention of the passersby, but who cares. At last, we checked in and thankfully our luggage didn't surpass the limit. At a distance, I caught the sight of my parents and brother who were waiting in the visitor’s area and eagerly watching us going through the check-in process. After the luggage check-in process, we joined the hand luggage checking queue. Right from that moment till my turn of checking approached, I was madly waving goodbye to my mom who was reciprocating the same from the visitor’s area. Many people gave us second glances, but we didn't mind. That’s the kind of bond which a mother and daughter shares and the emotion cannot be explained in words.

Colorful Beaches of the World!

Beaches are undoubtedly the perfect getaways for those who are worn out by their everyday stress. From kids to adults, everyone loves to bury their feet in gushing effervescent tides to refresh their senses. Even newly weds who plan for their honeymoon have beaches as their prime choice. Besides appearing the usual blue (reflecting the sky’s color of course), there are beaches around the world, which exude stunning colors. If you are not aware of the existence of such colorful beaches, then this blog is a must-read for you,

• Pleasant Pink: Sands Beach, Bahamas: Women who have a special liking for the color pink will simply fall in love with this wonderful beach situated in the Harbor Island, Bahamas. Guys out there! If you wish to impress your ladylove on special occasions like Valentine’s Day, wedding anniversary and more, then this beach would be the best bet.

Sands Beach, Bahamas

• Black Beauty: Punaluu Beach, Hawaii: Right from celebrities to common men, everyone likes black. The Punaluu Beach in Hawaii is one of the rarest nature’s creations, which flaunts striking black sand granules. The scene is breathtaking as the contrasting black sand and blue waves come into contact. 

Punaluu Beach, Hawaii

• Crimson Tide: Panjin Red Beach, China: Planning for a romantic getaway? The Panjin Red Beach makes a great choice. Emanating blazing red color, this exquisite beach is sure to sweep your woman off her feet! Autumn would be the best time to visit this beach in china. You will also get to taste some of the best noodles, one of China's popular food!

Panjin Red Beach, China

• Purple Delight: Pfeiffer Beach, California: Sometimes, nature’s wonders can go beyond our imaginations! The Pfeiffer Beach in California stands proof to this statement. By radiating the most soothing purple color, this beach looks truly enticing.

Pfeiffer Beach, California

• Divine Green: Papakolea Beach, Hawaii: No color can appear as divine as green! Imagine a beach looking so divine and pleasant in lovely green. There is one in Hawaii – the Papakolea Beach. It is not because of the natural planktons that the beach appears green but it is due to the rare green sand getting its color from a mineral called Olivine. This beach makes a great tourist spot for Honeymooners! 

Papakolea Beach, Hawaii

• Pristine White: Hyams Beach, Australia: The most serene color in the world is undoubtedly white. You will get to witness the most beautiful white beach when you visit Australia. Listed in the Guinness Book of Records for having the world’s whitest sands, the Hyama Beach looks heavenly.  Pay a visit to this beach simply to soothe your senses!

Hyams Beach, Australia

Outdoor Halloween Parties for a Spine-chilling Experience!

October is a glorious month in which a broad spectrum of festivals is celebrated all over the world. However, Halloween is considered the most-awaited festival in the lot. It is one festival that is celebrated by people from different ethnicities with no bounds. While strutting down the streets in spooky costumes and visiting every house asking for treats is one way of enjoyment, hosting Halloween parties is another way that adds fun. Here are some tips that will let you host a successful Halloween party at your house,

Decide: Once you have planned to host a Halloween party, the first thing you ought to do is decide upon a perfect place in your house. Indoor parties can be fun! However, nothing can be as exciting as hosting a Halloween party in your patio or backyard, especially on an eerie night. 

Decorate: The next thing you have to concentrate is on the decoration part. Shop for the spookiest things, which will mark the significance of the festival. Some of them include pumpkins, bats, skulls, skeletons, bugs, scarecrows and anything that will one’s blood run cold. You can consider adding your creativity to these things with paints and art stuff to make them more intimidating.

Demonstrate: The final step is to demonstrate your thoughts and create a bloodcurdling scene in your backyard or patio. To make the scene more fear-provoking, you can add a cemetery-like set made out of foam or cardboards. Give an animated look to the surrounding trees by sticking cardboard cut-outs of scarecrows and bats in each and every branch. Once the decoration part is done, make sure you place enough lights to emphasize every single detail. Play some spine-tingling music when guests gather around and offer weird food items as a final touch.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!! SPOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOKY!!!

World's most Astonishing Luxury Hotels!

Do you know what makes one’s vacation more special, especially when they spend it in their dream destination? It is undoubtedly the luxury hotels with inimitable architectural value and incomparable amenities, which offer an unforgettable stay. In order to lure picky tourists and honeymoon couples who look for something out of the ordinary, architects around the world aimed at designing their luxury hotels with an atypical approach and many succeeded in doing so! Let’s now take a look at some of the world’s most astonishing luxury hotels that stand unique with its architectural excellence,

The Mirrorcube, Sweden: The one-of-a-kind architectural design of this tree hotel is sure to make everyone’s jaw drop in awe! The cube is built upon on a gigantic tree trunk and is covered with one-way mirrors on all the sides to reflect the surroundings. Ideal for nature lovers, this hotel can accommodate a couple at a time. A perfect getaway for honeymooners!!!

Marina Bay Sands, Singapore: Have you ever dreamt of sailing in a ship that cruises through the sky? If yes, then plan a vacation to Singapore and stay at the Marina Bay sands to make your dream come true. The most beguiling part about this hotel is its rooftop swimming pool, which has a vanishing edge to give swimmers a thrilling experience.

Marmara Antalya, Turkey: A luxury hotel at Turkey lets its guests enjoy diverse landscape views while staying at the same suite. Guess how? It floats in a pool of 478 tons of water and keeps revolving continuously to change the scenic view of the overlooking Mediterranean Sea and Taurus mountains from time to time.

Hotel de Vrouwe van Stavoren, Netherlands: Staying and sleeping in a wine casket may sound absolutely weird to everyone. However, Hotel de Vrouwe in Netherlands has implemented this weird idea, attracting numerous tourists from all over the world. Though these wine caskets were completely remodeled, they still seem to exude the aroma of once-stored Beaujolais wine. 

  

Jules Underwater Hotel, Florida: Celebrated as the world’s first underwater hotel, Jules lets you explore the underwater habitats while enjoying a lovely stay. You can never afford to miss staying at this hotel when you visit Florida.

ICEHOTEL, Sweden: Can you imagine a luxury hotel that takes a different shape every year? Well, there is one in Sweden named as the ICEHOTEL. Made from tons and tons of snow and ice, this hotel gives you the feeling of staying at Polar Regions. Every year, during the month of November, the hotel rooms, bars and chapels are rebuilt with a different design by a group of experienced architects.

India's Popular Bungee Jumping Spots!

In recent times, the fame of adventure sports like river rafting has gone several notches up, attracting young men and women. Bungee jumping is one adventure sport, which will make adrenaline rush through your body, ultimately giving you a spine-tingling experience! The thrill of free-falling from an unbelievable height is sure to drive anyone crazy besides adventure lovers. Many people in India think that there is barely any place in the country that organizes bungee jumping and travel abroad to fulfill their desires. This blog will prove that view wrong! Here are the most popular bungee jumping spots in India,

Bangalore: Experience the thrill of jumping from an 80-feet high jumping pad stationed at Kanteerva stadium set up by Ozone Adventures. This exciting adventure sport is also organized every year by Xtreme Sports in Palace Grounds where the crane is set up at a height of 150 feet.       

Rishikesh: If you are someone who has the nerve to jump from a height that is more than 150 feet, then head to Rishikesh. Located in Mohanchatti, the bungee jumping station is set up at an unbelievable height of 270 feet.

Goa: Gravity Zone, a popular adventure sports club, has stationed an 83-feet high bungee jumping crane at Baga beach. If you are planning for a vacation to Goa, then don’t miss this adventure.

Delhi: India’s capital city has loads to offer for adventure enthusiasts! An 130-feet high mobile crane has been set up at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium by Wanderlust Travels to encourage bungee jumpers.

5 Bizarre Food Festivals Spanning the Globe!

For many of us, cooking may not seem as interesting as eating! People consume food not only to stay fit and healthy, but to experience the inexplicable pleasure of eating by losing themselves in its taste and flavor. They don’t simply ‘Like’ the food, but ‘Love’ the food and that’s the reason why many countries in the world host food festivals now and then just for the love of food. Among them, there are some bizarre ones, which will take you by surprise. Let’s take a look at them,

Spam Jam, Hawaii: Hawaii, popular for its stunning beaches, is the largest consumer of spam (canned meat) in the world, has taken it to a whole new level by hosting this fest every year. From cheesecake and ice-cream to ravioli and French fries, everything is made out of spam and kept for display, attracting people from all over the world. 

La Tomatina, Spain: To take part in this festival, you need not be a passionate eater! All you have to do is throw tomatoes on anyone you stumble upon. The fun involved can never be described in words. 

Potato Days, Minnesota: Love wrestling? Then you will definitely love the Potato Days festival! This two-day fest lets you experience the joy of wrestling in a huge pile of mashed potatoes.

Abbeville's Giant Omelette Celebration, Louisiana: A giant omelette is prepared using more than 5000 eggs in a massive skillet by top chefs from across the world. When you take part in this fest, you not only get to witness the giant omlette preparation, but also treat your eyes and ears with Tobasco dance and French-Cajun music.

Bugfest, North Carolina: Got a taste for entomophagy dishes? Then, pay a visit to Café Insecta, which exhibits some of the weirdest dishes (containing creepy, crawly insects, bugs and more).

Top 4 River Rafting Destinations in India!

Nowadays, youngsters expect something extraordinary when it comes to planning a vacation. They decide upon a tourist destination only if it offers recreational, adventurous sporting activities like bungee jumping and more apart from featuring the usual sightseeing places. Recently, water sports, especially river rafting has gained great popularity among teenagers. India is one country where you can find numerous river rafting places. Scroll below to learn the most popular ones and a few safety tips,

Ganges River, Rishikesh:  Adventure is something everyone wishes to experience at least once in their lifetime. On that note, this top river rafting destination lets you experience the best adventurous trip you’ve ever had. The choices are plenty when it comes to choosing river rapids. Choose from the most thrilling rapids, which include Roller Coaster, Double Trouble, and Golf Course.

Tip 1: Based on the rafting difficulty, this water sports is classified into 6 grades. Choose from the grades as per your capability. It is not advisable for beginners to choose grades 5 or 6.

Indus River, Ladakh: Rafting in the Indus River amidst picturesque cliffs and snow-covered peaks will give you a completely unique experience. The water levels rise to its maximum in the late August, so now is the time for you to plan a trip.

Tip 2: Make sure that you are rightly equipped with all kinds of rafting gear, including wetsuit, gloves, life jackets, safety river gear knots.

Brahmaputra River, Tuting: For ultimate rafting action, choose Brahmaputra, which wildly flows from Tuting to Pasighat. With grade-4 rating, this river has loads to offer for experienced rafters, making their expedition unforgettable.

Tip 3: It is advisable that you carry all your personal stuffs like cell phones, wallets, camera and more in a tightly sealed, water-resistant plastic bag. If you wish to capture live action, then carry a video camera, which is impact- and water-resistant.

Tons River, Gharwal: With river rapids as high as grade 5, Tons River is cited as one of the most challenging river rafting destinations in India. Though it has grade 3 and 4 river rapids for amateurs, the river is best suited for expert river rafters. 

Tip 4: To keep your vision clear in extreme conditions, wear a durable prescription eyewear that comes with head straps. You can opt for polarized lenses, which will help eliminate the glare of the water surface.

Cherrapunji – Get Ready for a wild Ride in Rain!

Rainfall is one of the widely celebrated nature’s creations, which never fails to capture everyone’s hearts! Who wouldn’t love getting drenched in nature’s showers with their beloved on a fine, romantic evening? Obviously everyone loves! Most people avoid planning getaways during the monsoon season. However, in the view of the rain lovers, landscapes, mountains, beaches, trees, and flowers look exceptionally exquisite during monsoons. What would be the best gift for nature lovers other than a tourist spot that receives rainfall throughout the year and features some of the most exotic places? Cherrapunji in India is one such place that has loads to offer for rain-loving travel maniacs,

Cherrapunji cliffs stand at an average height of 4869 ft, which makes it receive the highest rainfall all round the year. No wonder this hot spot is recognized as the second wettest place in the world. The Double Decker Living Root Bridge, a remarkable artwork by nature, needs a special mention. Trekking to this wondrous spot would be truly adventurous! Besides, Cherrapunji has loads to offer right from rivercanyoning to kayaking! Get ready for a wild ride in rain at the meghalayan hotspot - cherrapunji!

Exotic Honeymoon Spots you should never Miss!

Choosing the most exotic honeymoon spot to surprise your lady love is definitely a herculean task. Your friends and family members may bombard you with numerous ideas, however zeroing in on one requires a lot of thinking. Though there is a broad spectrum of honeymoon destinations spanning the globe, only a few stand out, attracting newlywed couples. Here are some of the most exotic honeymoon spots that you should never miss in your lifetime,

Venice, Italy – Romance the Romance!

From beguiling bridges to captivating canals and celebrated churches to lovely landscapes, Venice has lots to offer. Exuding romance in every nook and corner, this floating city is a must-visit for honeymooners! Immerse in the beauty of byzantine architecture depicted by the Basilica of San Marco. The beauty of the Rialto Bridge and Bridge of Sighs has no words to explain. Sightseeing at these spots on a fine evening with your spouse will be truly romantic. By exploring the pizzerias, you will get to enjoy some of the best pizzas you have ever tasted . Above all, you can never afford to miss the world-famous Gondola ride! Share sweet nothings with your loved ones while nestling in the plush cushion seat of the boat and enjoying picturesque views.

Lucerne, Switzerland - A Dream City for Honeymooners!

Everybody dreams of visiting Switzerland at least once in their lifetime. Don’t let go your dream a dream! If you wish to have an unforgettable honeymoon experience, then look no further than Switzerland – The Land of Luxury. Lucerne, one of the Swiss’s romantic getaways is definitely a wonderful place for honeymoon couples. It lets you enjoy sightseeing the lake to the fullest through steamship cruise and exhilarating train rides. You can also explore the panoramic mountains through cableways. Not just that! There are still more romantic places to ponder! 

Hawaii, U.S.A – A Romantic Paradise for Newlyweds!

Islands, islands and islands are what you will see in Hawaii, no matter whichever direction you turn! Mind-blowing waterfalls in Hilo and Hamakua Heritage Corridor, striking sightseeing spots at Pololu and Waipio Valley lookouts, and astonishing lava tubes and trails of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park have endless things to add spark to your romance! Never the less, you can also enjoy a game of golf and have fun swimming with your beloved in the crystal-clear beaches. Hawaiian clothing is unique, so don’t forget to click some shots by wearing those dresses!

Now, stop dreaming about these three exotic honeymoon destinations and start planning a trip to one of them! Wish you have a great honeymoon!