March 27, 2018

My TripAdvisor Review No.292: The Grapevine, Mahabaleshwar.

Hidden Gem of a Restaurant.

We did not know this place existed till we read about it on Tripadvisor. Most of the stand-alone restaurants of this hill station are on the main market road, which is a walking plaza. Grapevine is located on Masjid Road just behind the walking plaza road, just opposite Fountain Village Hotel. We got parking on the road since it was a weekday, but otherwise it is better to park in the paid parking lot near the main market, from where it is a five minute walk.

Grapevine is a very cosy restaurant on three levels, including a mezzanine floor and a basement. The smaller 4 seater wrought iron tables are at the basement and ground floor level, and a 10 seater table on the mezzanine. We were greeted by the bartender as we entered. The menu mainly has a number of Parsi dishes like dhansak, patra ni macchi, salli boti mutton, as well as pastas, bugers and pizzas. Though it is an excellent restaurant for the die-hard non vegetarian, one can also have a good choice of veg food too. Prices were reasonable considering the quality and quantity of the food.

We visited Grapevine on two occasions on our last trip to Mahabaleshwar. Once we tried their Bar-b-q chicken with Mediterranean cheese toast, and both were excellent. Another time we had the Pasta Napolitane and Garlic toast. They serve cocktails and mocktails too, but we had a simple fresh lime soda to go with the food. The service is very courteous. In fact the owner, Mr Raiomand Irani himself came down to make sure we were enjoying the meal.

We would definitely love to visit again on our next trip to Mahabaleshwar, and try Raiomand's Parsi food.
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

March 25, 2018

My TripAdvisor Review No.291: Little Italy, Mahabaleshwar.

Overpriced Alfresco Dining.

We decided to try out ‘Little Italy’, but regretted the decision. Luckily it was a cool spring evening in March and we did not need air-conditioning. Their seating is all outdoors, or in the veranda of the heritage bungalow where they are located, very near the market place of Mahabaleshwar.

First off, we were left with no choice but to buy a bottle of mineral water costing Rs.55, because according to the waiter, their purifier was not working properly. Mocktails were overpriced at not less than Rs.200 a drink. In their all vegetarian menu the average price of the dishes were about Rs.600, which was only enough to satisfy one person. The menu had an assortment of Salads, Pastas, Pizzas and some Mexican dishes.

We ordered a ‘Cannelloni Alla Florentina’, a baked dish which consisted of tubes of pasta filled with cheese, spinach, mozzarella, basil and tomato sauce. It was chewy and tasty, but quite overpriced at Rs.590. Service was very slow.

There is parking space for about 5 cars in the compound, and the open-air ambience of the place is quite good, especially in the evenings. We enjoyed our Italian dish, but went down to the market to supplement it with a strawberry milkshake with ice-cream after dinner.
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

March 23, 2018

My TripAdvisor Review No.290: Agastya Lake, Badami.

Beautiful Lake between the Caves and the Bhutnatha Temple

We got a bird’s eye view of the Agastya Lake when we climbed the hill where the cave temples are located. The waters looked very calm and serene in the early morning light when we visited the caves.

We also decided to visit the Bhutnatha Temple in the evening, and got another mesmerising view of the lake from the banks. There were steps leading down to the lake, like a bathing ghat. We sat on the steps for a while as the sun was setting, and enjoyed another aspect of its beauty.

The lake water is considered to be holy and have some healing powers. But we found the water to be murky and greenish in colour, so we did not risk taking a dip in it.

The approach to the lake is through some narrow roads of Badami town. We parked our car near the main road and found our way to the Badami Museum. The lake is about a 150 metres walk from the museum.

The views of the surrounding hills and the Bhutnatha temples and the caves on the opposite cliff against the setting sun make for a magical experience. Not many people visit this place, so it is very calm and quiet. It is very soothing to sit by the lake and meditate for a while.
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

March 13, 2018

My TripAdvisor Review No.289: Bhuthanatha Temple, Badami.

Beautiful Lakeside Temples.

The Bhuthanatha Temple is another major attraction of Badami, situated on the eastern shore of the Agastya Lake, across from the Cave Temples. One can get a bird’s eye view of the cluster of these temples from the hill where the caves are located, and the view is indeed beautiful.

To get closer to the temples, however, we had to walk through a maze of narrow lanes of Badami town, after parking our car somewhere near the main road. One can also take a rickshaw to the temples, but it would be almost impossible to take your car up close, unless it is a Mini or a Nano.

We first reached the Badami Museum but it had already closed at 5.30 pm. The temples were another 10 minute walk from the museum. The view of the temples and the lake looked mesmerising in the light of the setting sun.

We first saw the Mallikarjuna temple, which lies northeast of the lake. A gardener caretaker showed us around. We were not required to take off our shoes. The bigger cluster of temples on the east side of the lake is the Bhuthanatha temple. There is a Shiva linga inside and a Nandi bull in front. On one side of the doorway is stands Goddess Ganga and on the other side is Yamuna.

Both the temples are dedicated to Lord Shiva and built in sandstone by the Chalukya rulers of Badami, the Bhuthanata temple around the 7th century and the Mallikarjuna around the 11th century so they are at least a thousand years old.

After paying our respects to Lord Shiva and the master craftsmen of the temples we sat for a while on the stone banks of the serene Agastya Tirtha Lake and enjoyed watching the serene sunset.
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

March 11, 2018

My TripAdvisor Review No.288: Badami Cave Temples, Karnataka.

Exquisite Sandstone Carvings.

The Badami cave temples are definitely worth a visit. They form part of the Hampi – Badami – Pattadakkal – Aihole old temple and monument circuit in North Karnataka, between Bagalkot and Hospet. They may be in an old and ruined condition, but simply cannot be ignored because of the beauty and mastery of architects and sculptors who built them in a bygone era.

The approach road to the caves is through a very narrow uphill road passing through some slums of Badami town, but there is a good pay-and-park adjacent to the caves. The caves are open from 6 am to 6 pm. We went early at 7 am and avoided the crowds and the mid-day heat. Indians have to pay an entry fee of Rs.15 per head. We had to climb some steps to reach the caves. People with knee or leg problems may find it difficult as the steps are steep, but not too many, and one can do it slowly. Beware of the monkeys around.

The Badami caves date back to between the 6th to 8th centuries when they were carved out of the almond (badami) coloured sandstone cliffs. They are among the oldest Hindu cave temples in India.

There are four main caves close to each other. Cave 1 is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The carvings on the walls and ceilings are still in very good condition. There are relief sculptures of Vamana and Ardhanari–Shiva on the side walls and a ceiling sculpture of coiled Snake-King Nagaraja.

Cave 2 is similar in structure to Cave 1, but dedicated to Lord Vishnu, with a lot of carvings and reliefs of Lord Brahma, Vishnu, Vamana, Varaha, Durga and Kartikeya.

Cave 3 is dedicated to both Shiva and Vishnu and has giant carvings of Trivikarma, Anantasayana, Vasudeva, Varaha, Narasimha and Harihara. The Harihara carving shows half Shiva and half Vishnu fused into one.

Cave 4 is dedicated to the Jain Tirthanakaras and has carvings of Lord Mahavira, Bahubali and Parshvanathas and some other Tirthankaras.

A detailed description of each cave is displayed outside the individual cave at the site. Guides can also be hired at the site and their charges range from Rs.400 to 600, but may not be necessary if you read up before you visit.

After visiting the caves we admired the beauty of the surrounding scenery of the Agastya Lake and the Bhoothnatha temple below, which looked very striking from the height.
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

March 10, 2018

My TripAdvisor Review No.287: Hotel Mayura Chalukya Badami, Karnataka.

Decent Hotel With Some Old World Charm.

This Government run KSTDC hotel is located just before entering the main town of Badami, and hence it is a bit detached from the hustle, bustle, dust and grime of the town. The grounds are surrounded by old trees and beautifully manicured lawns. Monkeys and squirrels can be seen scampering around, and add to the rustic charm of the place. Parking is available outside the gates in an open plot under some large shady trees.

We had booked a semi-deluxe ac room online. It was a cosy room with a king size bed, side table, a comfy armchair, a luggage rack, a half cupboard with some hangers, a big CRT TV and an LG split ac. The bathroom was as big as our room, with a large boiler, wash basin with mirror, and a commode with a heath faucet. Service was good and the room was cleaned daily by the housekeeping staff. There were some nice paintings on the walls of each room and in the corridors.

The restaurant was good, though it was open to the general public as well, many of whom come to enjoy a beer in the afternoon. The food taste was average. Breakfast was limited to idlis, poha and upma. Restaurant service was not that great.

The hotel is located about 1.5 km from the Badami cave temples. After the temple visits it was nice to come back and relax in the ac room as it would become hot as the day wore on, even in February. Free wi-fi was available at the reception and restaurant. The hotel garden was a pleasant place for an evening stroll and watching the monkeys gamboling around. A huge colony of bats, from a big tree nearby, would start swirling around at dusk. All this added to the charm of this hotel in Badami, which is one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites in India.
  • Stayed: February 2018, travelled as a couple
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

March 1, 2018

My TripAdvisor Review No.286: Beijing Bites, Mantri Square, Bengaluru.

Tasty Chinese Food at the Mall.

We visited the Mantri Square Mall in Bengaluru for some shopping and to see a movie in Inox multiplex. After shopping and before the movie we decided to try out ‘Beijing Bites’ for a quick Chinese food meal for dinner.

We ordered their ‘Triple Schezwan Fried Rice’, ‘American Chop Suey’, and ‘Veg Hakka Noodles’. All three dishes were ready in about 10 minutes and were quite tasty. The rice was a bit dry and required some gravy from the Chop Suey dish, but otherwise the taste was quite good. We enjoyed our quick but satisfying meal.
    • Value
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

My TripAdvisor Review No.285: Mantri Square Mall, Bengaluru.

Centrally located Mall with a Metro Station.

Mantri Square is one of the biggest malls in Bengaluru, centrally located in the Malleswaram area of the city. It has shops of some of the best known brands of clothes, footwear, jewellery, electronics, and more. There is also a multiplex and a food court. You can shop to your heart’s content, eat till your belly is full, and then go watch a movie to digest everything. In short you can enjoy a whole day in the mall.

We went there last evening for some shopping and then had some Chinese food at ‘Beijing Bites’ before seeing a movie at the Inox multiplex.

We took our car and found the area in front of the mall very congested. The traffic was crawling and we had some difficulty in maneuvering to the mall entrance. The parking charges were exorbitant at Rs.50 for the first 2 hours for a car, and increasing at the rate of Rs.20 per hour. They have a 2 tier parking system and can accommodate quite a number of vehicles.

In fact, it is better to go by the Metro rail as the mall has a metro station just next to it.
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

January 29, 2018

My TripAdvisor Review No.284: Phoenix Mall, Pune.

Shopping Therapy.

Phoenix Mall is probably the biggest mall in Pune in terms of area and footfalls. There are outlets of all the major Indian and International brands for clothes, shoes, jewellery, leather goods, watches, cosmetics and many more. Besides there are many restaurants and pubs as well as a multiplex run by PVR, screening all the current Bollywood and Hollywood movies. There are some gaming galleries too, where kids can enjoy themselves while the parents shop till they drop.

We visited the mall located on the Nagar Road Highway, near Viman Nagar, during the Christmas week. The mall had a very festive look with decorations, buntings, and a huge Christmas tree. It is best to visit during festivities, including Diwali and Holi, as they arrange entertainment programs and the glam and glitter perks up our moods and make us happier. After a bout of shopping we visited the Food Court and satisfied our bellies too.

The only drawback of visiting Phoenix mall is the difficulty in parking. The parking lot is deep underground, and we had to go round in a never-ending spiral to find a place. Add to that the steep charges for parking, especially during weekends.
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

January 20, 2018

My TripAdvisor Review No.283: Girijatmaka Temple, Lenyadri, Junnar, Maharashtra.

Lord Ganesh Temple in a Cave.

The Girijatmaka Ganpati temple is located in the Lenyadri Caves about 5 km from Junnar. It is one of the eight Ashtavinayaks and the devotees visit it as the 6th temple in the sequence of eight. It is also known as Girijatmaj, which means son of Girija or Parvati Devi.

Since it is inside a cave we had to climb up a series of more than 300 steps to reach the caves. The idol is carved out of the back wall of the cave number 8, in a line of about 10 other ancient Buddhist caves. ‘Palki’ (palanquin) services are available for the old and unfit who are unable to climb up by themselves.

We had to pay a vehicle entry fee of Rs.10, and another Rs.20 for parking. We also had to pay a darshan fee of Rs.5 each before starting the climb. There are many small restaurants and stalls where you can buy offerings and flowers, as well as fresh grapes and ‘kishmish’ (dried grapes). The grapes are grown in the nearby farms and are absolutely fresh.

The cave temple was very nice and we got a feel of the divine presence of Lord Ganesh. We also got excellent views of the landscape and the Kukadi River from the top.

The Girijatmaka Temple and the Buddhist caves at Lenyadri is definitely worth a visit.
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

January 19, 2018

My TripAdvisor Review No.282: Pimpalgaon Joga Dam, Malshej, Maharashtra.

Serene Lake Near Malshej Ghat.

This is a very big lake with serene waters near Malshej Ghat on the Kalyan - Ahmednagar Highway (NH-61). We happened to pass this lake while driving from Otur to Malshej Ghat. We first crossed a bridge near Junnar across the backwaters of the lake and then we saw the huge expanse of water on the right side as we were driving towards Malsej.

There is a lovely backdrop of the hills of the Sahyadris in the background, and the shimmering waters of the lake in the foreground. The sight is beautiful to behold. When we went there were no clouds, but I am sure it will look heavenly in the rainy season, with the monsoon clouds hovering above the hills.

We stopped at the resort ‘Saj By The Lake’ for lunch, which has got good rooms bordering the lake and dam. We were told that sometimes migratory flamingos stop by for nesting in the lake during the winter, but there were none at the time we visited.
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

January 16, 2018

My TripAdvisor Review No.281: Manikdoh Dam, Junnar, Maharashtra.

Scenic View of Lake and Dam.

We drove down to the Manikdoh Lake and Dam after visiting the Lenyadri Caves near Junnar. The dam is located about 11 km from Lenyadri and the road passes through a couple of villages en route. The road is reasonably good but narrow in places.

Entry to the dam is not permitted, so we drove beyond the dam up the hillside encircling the dam. On the way we passed the Wildlife SOS Leopard Rescue Centre. The gates of the Rescue Centre are closed to the public unless one has got special permission from the Forest Department in Junnar.

The dam is constructed on the Kukadi River which flows near Junnar and Ozar in the Ghod basin in Pune district. It is surrounded by the Sahyadri mountain ranges of Maharashtra.

There is not much else to see besides the backwaters of the dam, and you can enter the Leopard Rescue Centre only if you have the required permission. It can be skipped if you are short of time.
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

January 14, 2018

My TripAdvisor Review No.280: MTDC Malshej Ghat Resort, Khubi, Maharashtra.

Location, Location, Location!

The best thing about the MTDC Malshej Ghat Resort is its location. It is situated at the edge of a plateau overlooking the valley which drops down to the Konkan region near Kalyan and the Arabian Sea. On three sides there are high mountains of the Western Ghats which cause the monsoon clouds to rise up the hill slopes and create huge waterfalls during the months from June to September. Hence, the peak season when people visit this resort is from June to December.

We visited the resort in January and got a 30% discount on the peak season room tariff. We stayed in a Valley View Cottage room, which has an excellent view of the valley and the surrounding hills. The resort is well spread out with good walking paths and a children’s playground. There is a specially constructed 1 km long walkway on the plateau just outside the campus, which affords excellent views from the edge of the cliff as you walk along the barricade.

Our Valley View Cottage room was quite spacious and well furnished. There was a nice balcony with cane chairs to sit out and admire the mountain scenery. There was an LCD TV with a satellite connection, and a mini fridge, a large two door cupboard with dressing table and chair, a coffee table with two chairs and a sofa which could be converted to an extra bed. The bathroom had a large boiler, health faucet and clean towels, with complimentary soap and shampoo sachets. Room service was prompt and efficient, and the intercom was working.

The restaurant service though, was not as good as it could have been. Many of the dishes mentioned on the menu were not available. There was no tandoor, and no dosas available for breakfast. The taste of the food was just average. We had no choice but to sample their fare as there are no other restaurants nearby.

Apart from the mountain views and a nearby lake, the Pimpalgaon Joga Lake, there are not many other sight-seeing spots nearby. The Shivneri Fort, Lenyadri Caves, Ozar Ganpati Temple and Manikdoh Dam are at a distance of 20 to 40 km away.

This resort is a good place to just relax and rejuvenate for a couple of days, and enjoy the views.
Room Tip: Valley View Cottages have the best views and are very spacious.
See more room tips
  • Stayed: January 2018, travelled as a couple
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

January 13, 2018

My TripAdvisor Review No.279: Malshej Ghat, Khubi, Maharashtra.

Scenic View Point, Best Visited in Monsoons.

We visited Malshej Ghat for the second time, but this time in the month of January. There were no waterfalls and the hillsides were all dry, but it was still worth a visit. We could get out of our car and explore the viewing point which is well paved with a pathway and a small bridge and located near the tunnel. It is about 130 km from Pune, on the Ahmednagar – Kalyan highway (NH-61). We travelled to Narayangaon and turned left to visit Ozar Ganpati first, then via Otur on NH-61 to Malshej. One can even turn left at Alephata on the Pune – Nashik highway (NH-60), to avoid the rough road from Ozar to Otur.

Of course, most people come to Malshej Ghat in the rainy season between June and September to enjoy the numerous waterfalls splashing down from the steep hillsides, and watch the dense clouds ascending from the Arabian Sea up the Western Ghats, of which Malshej Ghat is a part. Nevertheless we enjoyed the scenery of the mountains in the cool climate, and with less crowds milling around. There were a few hand carts serving freshly baked corn on the cob, or a hot bowl of noodles.

Malshej Ghat is just a scenic point on the highway between two major cities, hence there are just 2 decent hotels nearby to stay overnight, the MTDC resort , and 'Saj By the Lake' near the Pimpalgaon Joga Dam about 5 km towards Junnar.
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

January 10, 2018

My TripAdvisor Review No.278: Wildernest Nature Resort, Chorla.

Forest Haven.

Wildernest is located at the cusp of three Indian states, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Goa. It can be approached either from Belgaum in Karnataka, or from Goa, on the scenic Chorla Ghat road. From the entrance gate we were taken to our rooms in a dilapidated jeep, holding on tight to our seats. One of the staff, all dressed in jungle jackets and shorts, took us to our cottage and then showed us around the property. He welcomed us with a glass of chilled ‘kokum’ juice.

Wildernest Nature Resort is in a class of its own. The rooms are luxurious not in the physical sense, but because you are so close to wondrous luxuries of nature. There is no TV, but you are woken up by the song of the Malabar whistling thrush. You witness the real life film of a waterfall on the cliff opposite your open veranda, and wild monkeys prancing about in the trees outside. There is no wi-fi, but the songs of the Barbets and the Sunbirds play all day long. Neither is the room air conditioned, nor is there a fridge or coffee maker. In fact, you are discouraged from eating anything in your room as it attracts pests and insects. There is no room service and you have to walk to the restaurant ‘Randhan’ for all meals.

The package at Wildernest included all meals, prepared from farm fresh ingredients in the local Konkani and Goan styles. It included morning tea, buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner, and evening tea and snacks. The food was very wholesome and delicious. On one occasion we had barbequed snacks for dinner.

There is a bar besides the restaurant where drinks are available on chargeable basis.

The activities like bird watching and trekking to a waterfall in the morning, to the sunset point in the evening, and an evening entertainment programme are all included in the package. One evening we witnessed some local songs and dances, and saw a film on wildlife the next evening. The bird watching guide took us around the property pointing out different species of birds. We even saw a green vine snake on one occasion. The treks were very strenuous as we had to clamber over stones and boulders in the forest to reach the waterfall. The sunset trek was quite an uphill climb and I was out of breath by the time we reached the top. Please do not attempt the treks if you are not fit or have small kids with you, even though there is always a guide to accompany you.

There is a beautiful infinity pool overlooking the hills. The pool is surrounded on three sides by the jungles, with some deck chairs to lounge and sunbathe. There is a man made waterfall on one side. The water is reasonably clean, and clean towels are available in the changing room.

We stayed in one of the Valley View Cottages overlooking the valley and waterfall. They also have Forest View Cottages surrounded by tall trees and forests, which is preferred by the hard core nature lovers and bird watching enthusiasts. The path and steps leading to the rooms can get quite dark after sunset, so do remember to carry a torch with you when you go for dinner to the restaurant.

We were at Wildernest for 4 nights and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves even though we were cut off from the ‘civilised’ world. Sometimes we would just sit in the machans and wait for the birds, or lie in a hammock gazing at the stars at night. It was a complete digital detox, and we returned to our humdrum existence totally refreshed with lovely green memories.
  • Stayed: December 2017, travelled with friends
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC