by Aman Sharma

Design trends which are popular….but not useful.

1- Open shelves- This is really popular concept which is being used in our homes today.  This design looks very good and stylish in the pictures but it might not be the right choice for you. Open units are much better than open shelves. Open shelves shall not be given in the area where you work manually most of the time like the chopping or mixing area in kitchen because if you mistakenly touch anything than chances are every other thing on the shelf might also fall down. This can also result in damaging of the expensive glasses which are mostly put on these shelves. Open units/cabinets are a far better option because they provide more space and ease of use. But if you have an open shelf than put a bar (1/2 inch thick wooden or steel) in front of it, so when you want to take out something other things don’t fall down.

2-Cool colors- Cool colors are trending, but do you know the color of the walls also plays a key role in controlling the room temperature. If you live in a place which is less hot than cool colors can depress you. You can keep aside the white and grey if you are bored from them. Try using Red, Orange or Yellow these bright colors are suitable for any weather and will also enlighten the space if painted correctly.

3-Corner couch- The use of ‘L’ shaped or the corner couches has increased in the recent times. People tend to buy this just because everyone is loving them, but will it really look nice at your place? Rethink about it. The ‘L’ shape or corner couch only look good when they are placed at a corner of the house and not in the center of your living or drawing room. This will only result in filling of the space. If possible try to opt for long and simple couches which are more comfortable while sitting. Keep this bigger furniture items at a distance of few inches from the wall. This bigger couches will be perfect when you have a group of friends or family at your place.

4-Plain white wall- Light color walls have been in trend since the beginning of the design era. White, Ivory or Grey these color walls can be found in every house or commercial place. This might suit you if you are minimalist. But if you want a cozy space than you will get bore of this easily in few days and will start decorating the walls with paintings or any other hanging items, and slowly-slowly the wall will convert into an art gallery. But if you really want that ‘Scandinavian’ look than you can invest in a big and bright piece of art for your wall. This can result in converting of your plain dull wall to an accent wall.

5- Long Curtains- Curtains are the energy boosters for any interior. Floor length curtains are trending today. The main reason for choosing floor length curtain is they make an illusion of more space in the homes. Well if they have a pro than it also has a con at the same time, Floor length curtains may stuck in your feet while walking close to them. They also touch the floor so they get really dirty after a short of period time. Either you need to keep floor very clean or keep washing them again and again. But if you can’t manage it try keeping curtains a few inch high from the floor.

6- Exposed wearing- Exposed wiring trend has increased overtime, Now in bedrooms or work spaces people are preferring for exposed wiring than the switch boards in the wall. There various types of switch and sockets available in the market which are being used. These are not safe firstly and secondly if you are providing exposed wiring, there must be proper ventilation in the room. However you should never be giving exposed wiring in kitchen and bathrooms.

7- Vintage look- Vintage look is still inn. But most people today confuse the vintage look with the short term trend. If you have the furniture or any other items which have a history than these are always special. Don’t buy poor quality and cheap items in the name of vintage piece because these are only temporary and get out of style soon.

8- Stone tiles- So this one is a point that I notice during my recent visit to a house. Various types of tiles made up of stone are really in trend these days. These are being excessively used in bathrooms, kitchen, living rooms etc. But using them too much in a continuity may result in a dull interior and your place might look like a Stone Age museum. Use various types of tiles and textures over different areas. If you don’t want various textures try some different colors at-least.

9- Kitchen appliance display- No matter how expensive your microwave or oven is, it can’t stand up to its cost until it is placed at a right place. Appliances put on a kitchen counter only consumes space and make your kitchen look like a restaurant kitchen. Modular kitchens has removed this burden form the counters as there are so many options for storage including a tall unit specially designed for your micro and oven.

These were some the latest interior trends which if not used properly or according to your place might become a blunder for you rather than being decorative or making your easier than before. I hope you all liked above mentioned points and it might help you if you are thinking to renovate your house or a room or any commercial place.

Thank you.

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by Aman Sharma

Unseen beaches of Goa.

Goa is one of the most chattered and visited tourist attraction in India without any doubts. It is extremely famous between all the age groups and is visited by large number of tourists every year.  From last some time it has become the most liked place to celebrate New Year and Christmas, and not these two but it is considered as the perfect spot to celebrate. Various parties and other carnivals are organized here throughout the year including- Sunburn. Whenever someone plans to explore beaches, happening places, nightlife, enjoy or relax, Goa is considered as the prefect spot for all of it. Despite of thousands of people visiting Goa every year, there is a large part of Goa that has not been well known by the people especially the beaches. In this article I will write down about five beaches to explore on your next Goa visit.

1- Miramar Beach– This one is not so hidden and is visited by people but just. This beach is just 3 kilometers from Panaji. The silky sand, Palm trees and a clear Ocean in front of you. These factors will stole your heart for sure. The surroundings will left you amaze and will make a space in your heart for the lifetime. This beach is also known as ‘Golden Beach’ because of its golden-brown sand color. This beach is lined up with shops and local eateries when there is an event nearby.

2- Mobor Beach– People who want to seek adventure, Mobor beach is considered as a perfect place for them. The way to this beach goes through a highly dense forest. In between the route tourists can play or do various adventurous activities such as Skiing, Water surfing, Jet Ski, Banana- Bump ride etc.

3- Vagator Beach– It is located near Mapusa road and at distance of 22 kilometers from Panaji. Vagator Beach has dramatic red cliffs looking down on the shore and two fresh water springs within a stone’s throw of the sea. But Vagator has little by way of seaside accommodation. There is also a 500 year old Portuguese fort nearby. Though it is mostly visited by western bag packers but however it is also becoming popular to Indian tourists now. This beach is also known as ‘Big or Little Vagator’.

4- Morjim Beach– Morjim is a Census Town in Pernem, Goa, India; it is situated on the northern bank of the Chapora River estuary. It is home to a variety of birds and is a nesting site for Olive ridley sea turtles. The village has become known as “Little Russia” because of the concentration of Russian immigrants living there. The beach offers you and high and low wave tides which is why it is also considered a favorable place for kite surfing.

5- Betalbatim Beach– This is considered as one of the most beautiful beaches of Goa. It is also known as the ‘Sunset beach of Goa’ because of it mesmerizing sunset view. This beach is more peaceful and cleaner than all of other beaches. The advantage of the beach is that it has a vast coastline. Morning risers can take total advantage for a long run or walk on the beach. There are few bakeries which serve local breakfast and bakery food. This beach is apt for family picnics or if you want to spend good time by yourself under the tree or at one of the shacks. On weekends, you will also see locals playing football.

Travelers generally choose this area for a long duration of stay, as it offers affordable home stay and it also has few resorts close to the beach.

by Aman Sharma

Mirror won’t be the same.

Decorating the mirror is not a new concept but obviously it’s a loved concept. From ages people especially women love to re-decor the small household items, especially the mirrors. With time to time there have been ever changing designs to re-decor your simple home mirror. From Retro to modern looks they have sorted it all to design the mirror. Earlier mirror was seen only in the dressing room or where you usually get dressed up and in your bathrooms, but now it also works as a style label for your home. If you are also having a mirror which you want to re-decor than this article will fit all of your needs. I have picked the best yet the easy designs for a perfect mirror that you and everyone who visit your place will love.

1-Mirror with flowers- This has always been the favorite when it comes to design a mirror for the home. The mirror and flowers on its border create a harmonious and positive atmosphere indoors. To make this just paste the dry leaves or flowers on the border of the mirror, fabric flowers will also work. To paste properly paste a layer of thin cloth on the mirror and then paste your flowers and leaves. This type of mirrors can be used in your living/lobby area and also on dressing table.

2-Rope- This is one of the classical designs which were used very much few years back. This is the perfect way if you want a hanging mirror. To do this simply roll a rope around the mirror and create a small loop at the mirror head to hang it. Use a thick rope instead of using a thin rope because if we use thin rope we have to create a number of turns around it and thus it will lose its original look. If you a home based on classical design then this will add a glitter to your home. But even they work very well with any type of homes. This can be used next to your stairs, as this design is used for small mirrors generally so use them in way where it creates a style statement than a proper looking mirror.

3-Pom-Pom – Children absolutely love this type of mirrors as they are more colorful and playful too. These type of mirrors can be used in children’s room as it looks more colorful and create a joyful vibe. Wrap a layer of pom-pom around the mirror, we can use pom-pom of various colors or can match them with the color of theme you have done in your home.

4-Stones & Shell- This type of mirrors come under modern concept of art and are excessively used in homes, Hotels, café and offices. To make this simply cut a cardboard piece according to the shape and size of the mirror. Place the mirror in the center of the cardboard cutting and apply a layer of the glue or whatever solution you are using and then start applying the stones and shells on cardboard. This may take some time but the end product is so much beautiful and you will thank yourself later for making this. This types of mirror can be either used on entrance consoles or bathrooms.

5-Beads- Cut slightly a large piece of cardboard then the mirror and start pasting your favorite beads on it. You can use sort of beads which you like or can pick a theme color to make it. This type of mirrors can be used anywhere especially if you have a plain wall hang this mirror on it. It will become a focus of that wall and will also work as a form of abstract art.

6-Lace- It is used if we want to have a luxury or the royal look on the mirror. As lace comes in so much designs you will access a lot of options in this. To make it just use a wider lace around the mirror and paste it. This mirrors can be used in your bedrooms or at the entrance consoles.

I hope this was beneficiary if you were looking to re-decor your mirrors. Have your own idea? Please be kind to share it in the comment box below. Any suggestions are welcome. Thank you for reading. Follow us to become a part of this new reading family.

by Aman Sharma

Uncoding the bathroom

Bathroom is simply defined as a room with a bathtub/shower and usually with a basin and a toilet seat, but bathroom is not just about this only anymore. In a poll of about 2500 people including men, women and youngsters they have accepted the fact on an average they spent 30 minutes of their day in the bathroom. So the bathroom has not just remained a place to go, freshen yourself and come out but now people sit there scrolling through the internet, going through the world on their phones and so much more. On a note it is accepted by about 70% of people that there ability of thinking increases in the bathrooms compared to normal work space. So it has become equally important to design them well too. In houses bathrooms now work as a style statement. In this article I will try to write down the basic principles used in designing a bathroom. Bathrooms should be a quiet and hygienic place and must be designed accordingly. If you are designing one for home than you should considering making a mood board for it. Usually a mood board is where you write the main element i.e. is bathroom in this case and around it you write all the things that come in your mind by thinking of that particular word, than select the words you are most attracted and paste their pictures on a sheet. In this way you will get a clear picture for what your thoughts are on how your bathroom should be.

Illustration of a mood board

Before designing of the bathroom it is mainly divided into four parts to get most of the bathroom that are-

  • Dry area- that is your Wash basin area
  • Semi wet area- that is the WC/Toilet seat area
  • Wet area- that is the bath area
  • Slopes- Bathroom’s floor is made in a way that it is a little slant so that if water get collected so it automatically slides down to the drainage point.

This are the basic principles that are used in structuring of a bathroom. Below is a small brief about this areas.

1-Dry area or the ‘Basin’ area- This area is considered as the soul of your bathroom area. The first part of the area that catches the attention of the person. Wash basin must be placed just at the entrance of the bathroom. This is the area which can be and is mostly designed to the fullest. This area can be filled with a lot of design elements, big looking mirrors, cove lights and so much more. This area has to be kept dry. Although you have wash basin here where you will wash your hands and face a lot of times in a day. So the area should be designed in such a manner that water don’t spill everywhere. The height must be at correct level (standard at 36” from floor level) so it provides you ease of use. Wall mounted basins are new in trend but still counter top basins are preferred more till date. A small mat or rug can be place on the floor near the basin area. Though people decorate it very much by filling it up with different products but to get best of it try to keep the minimal stuff on the counter, keep liquid soaps in a bottle hanged on the wall. Use vanity under the basins to store more of the stuff as they will also work a design statement for your bathrooms as well as a storage option too. Below are some the bathroom basin area designs. Don’t fill up too much here as it will make it look tidy and later will create various issues like cleaning and maintaining it.

2- Semi wet area- The WC/ Toilet seat area is known as the semi wet area of the bathroom. This area must be hidden or designed in such a way that it is not visible directly when you enter the bathroom. The position of the wc should also be maintained so you don’t feel tidy or uncomfortable while using it. In smaller bathrooms wall mounted wc can be used to save more space.

3- Wet area- The bathing area is known as the wet area. It is advised to create its floor a little slant than the normal floor level so that the water don’t get collected there. If possible try to divide the wet and semi wet area, particularly it is done by giving glass shower enclosures. Shower enclosures are trending these days but demand a proportionate of space also which is mostly not available in regular bathroom sizes. So to overcome this either you can create a partition wall between the two or keep the wet area floor a little lower than the rest of the floor of bathroom. Another thing to keep in mind is that the wet area and semi wet area must be constructed near to each other than being in the opposing directions. Below are two ways to separate the wet and dry areas.

4- Slope- As described above, the bathroom floor is constructed in such a way that it is a little slanted towards the wet area so that water can easily travel out through the drain point.

These were the four main basic principles on which a bathroom design is based upon. These things are essential for a bathroom to function to its full efficiency. Once the plan is made according this, than you can move to next step that is designing of the bathroom. Planning with this rule will automatically result in better outcome of the design no matter what you choose to apply there.

While designing the bathroom watch out for these things also-

  • Proper ventilation of air and the placement of the exhaust to clear out humidity in there.
  • Minimum space required in bath and wc area so that you can move your elbow and legs freely without hitting anything.
  • Use matt or rustic flooring in the bathroom to avoid slipping.
  • To avoid termite or water damage on wall apply tiles till the ceiling. One it will protect your vanity and other items from problem and it will also work as a style element for the walls.

by Aman Sharma

Travelling out, Where to stay Hotel or Home stays?

Hotels are considered good for tourists while the home stays are perfect option for the traveler. If you are thinking of heading for travelling and you are stuck which hotel to choose according to your budget. This article is for you, below I will write down why you should consider home stays over hotels if you are a frequent traveler.

What is a Home stay?

When a home is converted into a Hotel it is than considered as Home stay. The people who are travelling for the first time should definitely consider home stay as a good option because they are more comfortable, less crowded than hotels. But also they have some rules too. Home stays room service are also more personalized than hotels because of a few number of people staying there, while in hotels a few number of staff have to look on a large number of tourists.

The Proper authentic local food.

Home stay food menu is also 100% local authentic food. You can order the local food within the home stay. The food is like home and also is healthier than you might eat somewhere outside. The local ‘zaika’ (taste) can be found in the food.

In some home stays travelers can go in kitchen to see how their food is being cooked and also can help in cooking their own food. In most Home stays you can get a cook for the whole day and make him cook according to your wish.

Peace of mind.

Travelling is often done to explore and get out of the buzzing and stressed life of the city. For this Home stays have always been the best option. They are Medium sized and that’s why maximum of 10 people can stay at a time. You can also spend quality time with your family here.

Security.

If you are traveling solo and are looking for a secure place to stay than choose home stays, there you not only meet the families that might give you a handy advice but sometimes they also provide you with a car for your local travelling.

Easy on Budget.

Home stays are always a pocket friendly option. Home stays provide you with a lot more than only personal services. You can get into pool anytime or cook for yourself even at midnight, just like your own house. Sometimes Home stay even outshine hotels because services provided here are sometimes also not available in the hotels also. In addition to it, if you want a different experience choose home stay over hotels.

Special activities.

If you are staying in home stay all focus is kept on your comforts. They keep a close eye on you likes and dislikes while you stay there. Normally Hosts are very friendly and they keep arranging the activities according to your interest. The activities may vary from place to place for ex. – Coffee plantation in Coorg, Polo match in Rajasthan, exploring local villages and farms, picnic etc.

Your Home stay, Your Rules.

Staying in home stays doesn’t mean you will be bounded by the rules. With all the facilities available they also provide you the full freedom to enjoy the vacation the way you want.

Helping others while travelling.

What if you could help others while travelling, Doesn’t it sounds great? Homestays are run by the local families of the area so that they can earn their bread. These people construct their homes according the needs of the traveler and look after their every need while they stay. We help them in a way when we stay at their home stays.

WISHING YOU A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR FULL OF HAPPINESS, GOOD HEALTH AND TRAVEL. 2020

by Aman Sharma

This is your career. Choose Wisely!

Last few days of the month, holidays and Christmas week and New Year on the Verge. So much happiness, enthusiasm and smiles all around us. Pretty good scenes. Everyone will be enjoying every bit of the moment but after a few days life will come back to its normal pace. I don’t want to lower your enthusiasm or hinder your enjoyable time but just wanted to write about a topic that will surely be on the mind of students who just entered into high schools or passed out from the colleges/Universities. The word ‘Career’ will start trending for the youngsters. It’s just a simple word but defines your whole life. The word does not mean to simply land in a job and start earning money to pay your bills, clear debts or buy new clothes etc. this can’t be done throughout your life but it simply means doing something you love and converting your passion into income. So for the ones who are going to high school will be choosing various streams. Remember that this can prove to be a turning point to shape your career ahead. If you are not clear what to be always take advice and then opt which you find yourself suitable in. It is the period of time when most of us are not clear about our careers, what we really want to be. So it is common that most of us can make a mistake here by choosing the stream by coming in the influence of others. Be decisive in choosing the right one. And the ones who passed out from the colleges have already chosen a particular subject in which they want to advance. Sometimes it can also be misleading in terms that a person might have studied something but wants to do something else now. It is quite common these days. Happened with myself too. With the everyday changing world the concept of studying has not been limited anymore. Earlier the concept of going to college was to obtain a degree, land in a successful job and live a simple and happy life. While today this has totally changed Normal is boring today. There are hundreds and hundreds of options to choose from. No Career is small or big today but most important is your vision regarding what you want to become. From an Artist to a billion dollar company’s CEO you could be anything you want to. Specific courses has been designed to achieve specific positions. So most important part is what you really want to become? Take your time, don’t come under pressure to take one of the most important steps of your life.

Whom to Listen?

When choosing the career which mostly other people try to decide for you, there is a lot of advice that you get. So you might wonder whom to listen? A  Professional from the field you want to opt for, your parents, relatives, friends etc. It totally depends in which position you are- If you are you totally clear regarding one particular field than you have crossed half the path, any advice from a professional of the similar industry will be perk on it. But if you don’t have a single idea of what to do next in life like me and most of us, than get beneficial advice from as much people as you can. Get it from parents, friends, relatives or anyone, but at the same time listen to your heart too. Every one of us a secret artist, listen to that it will be much-much beneficial for you in future. After sometime you will sitting on the sack of advice offered to you, see if you can get something of it but the fact is as you will listen to more and more advice, the artist inside you will get more and more clear what really is made for you or what you are made for. Don’t just do something because everyone said that it is good for you. Follow your Beat.

Be patient-

Whether you are about to join high school or graduated from university or college. During this time you are most likely to be burdened with parents pressure, your personal ambitions or getting a placement for what you joined the college. The students who are just going to high school will be stuck in choosing the stream which others (Family, society and friends) think is correct for you. Be patient in choosing the right stream for you. When you pass out from college there will be a chaos created around you with new decisions/advice/ opportunities forced upon you but don’t let this things dominate you. Relax your mind, be patient and decisive in choosing the right decision for you because this decision will entitle your whole life. Get advice from where you can, search for your related topics its pros and cons, find and accept your likes and dislikes, flaws and then whatever decision you make will be right for you. Give yourself time, don’t hurry up too much.

Family/ Friends/ Society Pressure-

The pressure of the above mentioned things can rise to a certain level when choosing a career for ourselves. Although the final thought should be of the person who has to choose it but these things don’t come so easily. Your parents and your thoughts can be going two separate ways but still you don’t want to hurt them by going against their will. You also thinks of the relatives who will firing questions at you as soon as you choose a career for yourself, and also you have to live in the society for obvious. You get afraid to choose a career which is not considered highly payable or so in the eyes of society. But just sit back and relax for a moment, just think that all these factors or people who are questioning your decision or criticizing it- Are they going to live your life? The answer is simply No. They will talk about you for a day, a week or a month but eventually will not care once you start reaching new height in your respective field. ‘They say our fate is written, but God gives us some opportunities to choose the things while we live’ and career is one of that things. Choose wisely, Live happily.

If you overcome all these factors I bet you will eventually have the right decision in front of you. Feel free to choose what you think is going to make the best of you in the coming years. You just need to give some time to yourself and even your parents to make sure that this will be best for you. Our parents always pray best of ourselves but in everyday changing concepts they might need some time to fit in themselves and have a mutual understanding with you. Always remember this was only for choosing the right career, wherever you join whatever you did you will have to start from scratch. The tools you learned will just help you get a position but reaching new height will take a lot of efforts. What they taught us at schools or colleges- Life will not be that easy and also not that boring at the same time.

After you have entered a company or started what you always wanted to do, Keep these few points in mind-

  • Be a Better version of Yourself
  • Stick to a task until you become a pro in it. (Keep practicing it, fail- Do again- Success)
  • Every day will be a new opportunity.
  • You will have to Grind, Struggle and work hard to reach the position where you really belong- TOP.
  • Do it with your full heart.
  • Accept your fears and flaws and try to overcome them.
  • There will be days when you want to quit, stop working and just stay in your bed. Don’t worry these things are normal, If it happens just keep your work aside, Relax your mind and start again.
by Aman Sharma

Amritsar- The Golden City

Amritsar is truly the golden city of the Punjab state. The City is most famous for the ‘Golden Temple’ and secondly also for its food. It is safe to say that it is a food paradise. You can find every single food item that you wish for, from its very small street corners to the big bazaars the city is full with the lazeez zaikas. No one in Amritsar can starve because of food. The Golden Temple serves the meal for around 75,000 to 1,00,000 people everyday. Yes, you read that numbers right. So how can anyone deny to go to a place like this. So this Friday me and my 2 friends decided to go to Amritsar. It was the Saturday morning when we decided to leave. I packed my things prior to the day of leaving so I can get out on time, but like every time there is always tit and bit of things that I forget to pack. It was 11 in the morning by the time we started our journey, as we had to stay that day in Amritsar only so there was no hurry. We get the car fueled up and shifted to the main highway. It was a clear bright sunny day with a cool breeze flowing. We were going around 80km/hr and suddenly one of the tires of the car got a cut I don’t know from where, but we had to change it. We pulled up the car a side on the highway and changed the tire. After 15 minutes we were again ready to go now. (Tip- Always carry a spare wheel with you when going out of the city). Another 30 minutes of drive and we stopped at a roadside dhaba to have some Tea and biscuits.

 After filling our stomachs a little we were back on the road and at exactly 2:40pm we reached Amritsar. We first went To Baba Deep Singh ji Gurudwara. I have only come to Amritsar once before when I was around 4 or 5 years old, so everything I was going to see today had to be first time. We entered the gurudwara and it was such a nice place. We sat there for 15 minutes and went to eat langar in the gurudwara. The food there was really tasty. We came out and started looking for a room for our stay at night. What I had seen in pictures, Amritsar was more beautiful than that. We searched a few hotels on the google map and decided to book one which was near the golden temple. The market near the golden temple was absolutely amazing, more of a downtown of the city. We booked our room and relaxed ourselves for the next 20 minutes. We got freshen up and then decided to to go to the Golden Temple. It was now 4:30. We started walking towards the golden temple, as we were getting closer to it, it was getting big and looking more beautiful.  I had its glimpse around the corners of the road and I couldn’t wait to go inside. We reached the golden temple and I was simply impressed by looking at it. Every other person you saw there was in a great enthusiasm, happy and cheerful. We stood in the queue and after 2 hours we were outside the golden temple.

It was simply a great and wonderful experience and getting to know the Lord’s Teachings. While in the queue they have a hanged a few led screen on which they display the shaloks of the Gurbani, It was so inspiring and felt so wonderful reading those proverbs. We came out and headed straight to the local market. I love exploring the local area whenever I go out somewhere and moreover I know that the market was full with the amazing street food so how could I miss it. We explored around for 15 minutes when we came to one of the corner stalls named Amritsari special champ. Every eatery shop had this written on them- Amritsari Special, just maybe to attract the tourists. So we ordered Haryali and Achaari champ. We came to this shop after asking a few people where to get the best champ, so most of them suggested us this shop. Nearby was a stall of the Chinese food and we also ordered the spring roll. We punjabi’s love eating food and this place is a heaven to a foodie, doesn’t matter which part of the world you belong too. Our order came after 5 minutes and it was really amazing, champ was roasted well served with the onions and medium spicy chutney(Ketchup) sprinkled with a pinch of chaat masala. It tasted delicious and spring roll also came by the time I had the first bite of the champ. Spring rolls were also good, the golden brown color of the spring roll served with the ketchup and singaporian salad. It is fried noodles mixed with chopped vegetables. The food was delicious as we have heard from everyone who eats here.

Haryali and achari champ (above), Spring rolls (Bottom)

After the food we felt like we might not be able to have any other thing until tomorrow, but we had to have something more as we discussed before coming here. How can we only stop here, so we had a walk down the street and after 20 minutes we went to another local market, it was know as stall market or the locals pronounce it as ‘Rehdi market’. There were around 20 stalls selling different types of food, from Indian dishes to the Chinese and much more. Everywhere you see was food around. The market was filled with the locals and the tourists buying their favorite dishes. We sat on a table and looked at the menu of 5-6 stalls at the same time and bought a few items including pav bhaji , momos etc. I know it sounds a lot of food but trust me it’s almost impossible for one to stop after looking at this delicious food. We than came out after eating and again the food was outstanding.

Delcious Pav bhaji in the stall market.

We had spicy food so now we were looking for some sweet desserts. We than started moving towards the Market near Golden temple, we have asked some locals so they guided us to the shop. It was in a small street near the Golden temple and it served various sweets, kadhai milk and jaledbis. As it was getting dark and temperature was also falling down, so we ordered kadhai milk and jalebis. Hot milk and sweet jalebis, what else work better as a sweet dish on a cold winter night?

Kadhayi milk along with Sweet and Crunchy jalebi’s

So we came out of the street and had another walk round the street looking at some local shops and buying a little stuff for the home back before we head back to our hotel. We reached our room by 11’o clock at night and slept as soon as we laid on the bed. It was a good day. I set up the alarm for 7’o clock to wake up next morning as we had to reach home on time. The alarm went off at 7 next morning and I woke up on time and got freshen up and changed my clothes till 7:50. We planned last night that we’ll go to nearby place for a short round trip, but they wanted to sleep so I had to go on my own. I went out of my room at 8 and firstly I went to jallianwala bagh as it was just few steps away from our hotel. I went in there had a round of it, but I couldn’t see much because the whole place was covered as it was going under construction. So I came out and started moving towards the local bazaars (market), I was mainly looking for the food that we will have for our breakfast. I come across with lots of good options.

A classical designed building in between the market.

Clicked a few pictures on my way back and at 10 we checked out from our hotel and started moving towards where we will have our breakfast. We went there but the seats were full, but luckily as soon we went there a table just got empty and we grabbed that table. We ordered ourselves Gobhi naan. I have heard that this place serves one of the best naan in Amritsar. Our ordered came, a one piece of Gobhi naan with a thick slice of butter on it along with Cholay (Chickpeas) and salad accompanied by pickle. The naan was crispy and was roasted perfectly in the tandoor. It was amazingly delicious and I couldn’t stop myself from ordering more. We Ended our breakfast by ordering a glass of lassi.

Gobhi naan

After 20 minutes we were ready to move out of the city, put our luggage in the car and we were now on the move. We planned to stop at Jalandhar haveli for a cup of tea or so, It was around 80 kilometers from here. We reached there after a 2 hour drive and drink a cup of tea- absolutely amazing and we were again on the highway driving back home. So this was our day and half in Amritsar and it was really amazing. Hope you also liked it and please can you guys write me down where should I Travel next?

by Aman Sharma

Before you Travel.

‘Travel’- by only listening to this word we all feel so much energized and adventurous. By only thinking about travel there are thousands of thoughts running in our mind- where we will be going, how to go, stay etc. And as the holiday season is almost on the corner, so it is obvious that many people might be or might already have planned where they are heading to. Before going on the vacation there are several things to do and packing stuff which is quite obvious. But most of the times we forget to pack the small but yet the most important items back at our homes. In the excitement of the travelling we pack the things that are not required or the clothes that are not comfortable. In this blog, I will write down about some of the things to watch out for while going on a vacation so that you can enjoy and relax there without any bother.

Comfortable jeans- Wearing tight fitting jeans during travelling can invite a lot of problems, it makes difficult for you to sit steady for a long period of time and moreover it also hinders in the flow of blood in your legs. Leather pants should also be avoided, they might look good but would create a issue in long run. Also try to avoid ripped jeans if you are going for a trek in the forest or similar areas. Try to wear loose or comfortable jeans during travelling.

High heels- During travelling it is natural that at some point you may need to walk at a quick pace or even run. Heels make it difficult to walk or run on uneven grounds. So try to wear the flat shoes or sandals, floaters etc. Wear comfortable sports shoes if you are going on uneven surfaces. If you are going to place where you need to wear and remove shoes again and again try wearing sneakers without lace.

Plain White- I absolutely love plain white cloths and I love to take white cloths during my travel. But this always cost me so much to make them white again after travelling. They get dirt so quickly even by touching them. So I would suggest to not to take plain white clothes along with you when going for a travel, but if you still want to wear white you can opt for printed white clothes. That’s my substitute for the travel purposes.

Big bags- Don’t carry your big/trolley bags with you. They will only become burden to carry around especially if you are travelling solo. Try to carry Travel Backpacks and cross-body bags. They also have a good space for the necessary items and also are easy and comfortable to carry through the journey.

Strong perfumes/Deodorants- Some people love to use strong perfumes everyday but trust me they only smell good on occasions. Don’t apply strong perfumes during the travelling because it might create a problem for your fellow passengers. Moreover some people are allergic to the strong smell of perfumes. Go with a regular one. We should take care of ourselves and also our fellow travelers, or at least they shouldn’t be bothered by us.

Contact lens- Avoid wearing contact lenses on the journeys. Wearing spectacles are much more easy and comfortable during long travelling period. You might also find it difficult to wear lenses outdoor at the time of howling wind or sand storm etc.

Heavy jewelry-Big earrings, Heavy necklace etc. are some things you should never be wearing on a vacation or travelling. This might create issue for yourself, it might be difficult to keep them in a safe place or you will always have to look for it. There is always a possibility of getting robbed. Try avoiding this things for a peaceful and relaxing vacation. 

by Aman Sharma

Okinawa, Japan- A perfect place spend your days off

As the year is coming to an end so why not end with a smile and cheers to new beginnings. This is the time when you have a plenty of holidays to recharge yourself before taking on new challenges in the coming year. If you were planning a trip abroad, than this might be for you. Recently I was going through different destinations to go and I found this one really interesting, close to nature and value for money. This is none other than the Okinawa, Japan. Let’s get to know about it.

Okinawa is a Japanese prefecture comprising more than 160 islands in the East China Sea between Taiwan and Japan’s mainland. It’s known for its tropical climate, broad beaches and coral reefs, as well as World War II sites. On the largest island (also named Okinawa) is Okinawa Prefectural Peace Memorial Museum, commemorating a massive 1945 Allied invasion, and Churaumi Aquarium, home to whale sharks and manta rays.

Beach life of Okinawa-

Tropical beaches of Okinawa attract tourists from around the world every year. Japan is a land of culture and is also famous for its architecture and has lots of tourist attractions. But Okinawa has a separate fan base. As soon as you keep your first feet on land you will feel like you have landed in heaven. Sitting on the attractive beaches alongside the blue ocean with your better half, family, friends etc. would be great experience for the lifetime. It absolutely relaxes your mind and soul.

Flower valley-

Okinawa is also famous for some rare species of colorful flowers that grows here throughout the year. These flowers can also be found alongside the beaches. Sunshine falling on the white glittering sand enhances the beauty of these flowers and also your travel leisure.

Aquarium-

Churaumi Aquarium is situated in the in Okinawa city. It was considered as the largest aquarium till 2005 before Georgia Aquarium. Tourists can visit this amazing aquarium and can see a lot of species of the fish and so on.

Top attractions for the tourists-

Okinawa consists of 160 small-big attractive beaches. From which Miyakojima, Ishigaki and Onna are few beaches where you will feel more relaxed.

Hiking and canoeing are some of the activities you can experience here. Apart from this you can simply look around and find out a lot of birds of different species.

If you love Scuba diving, than this place is a bonus for you. Miyako  island is famous for scuba diving.

Shuri castle and City gate are also two historic monuments to watch out for.

How to Reach-

You can get a flight from New Delhi to Okinawa. On average it may cost you upto 60k. (The prices and routes are entitled according to Indian timings and currency. Please check your local listening before booking.)

Where to stay-

Okinawa have many luxurious hotels. On an average you will get a well maintained room between 3k to 15k. Sea beach resorts are also a good option to stay.

by Aman Sharma

Home Mandir designs

It doesn’t matter how big or small is your Pooja room, it can be a small shelf or a big room. Whatever the size is but it must look attractive and also be positive at the same time, so that when you worship there you should feel peace and joyful. Your Pooja room is most holy part of your house, so it must be taken care of. In some houses they built a separate space for Pooja rooms but it is not possible to do this in every house, so if you don’t have a large space for Pooja room you can still built one that is attractive and spiritual too.

1- Converting a table into Pooja room- Usually in small homes, they worship the lord by placing their idols on a wooden table or hang a wooden box on the wall. By making a few changes you can convert your table into your new Pooja room. You can also use your old table for this. For this keep your table in front of the wall you want to use. Try that the color of the table matches the interior color, don’t use too vibrant or dull colors. For the wall backdrop you can use a textured wall paper or paint it. If you want more- Try hanging the temple bells on the walls. This will do it.

2- Dividing the room- This works best when you have a slider in between the balcony and the room. If you have the same situation than use a divider to divide the room in two parts. Keep a passage enough for the walkway. Hang curtains on the passage side to stop the unwanted light to come in.  You can keep the Pooja area open so it gets light most of the time.

3- Converting the closet- Have a closet that you know don’t use? You can convert that into your next Worship space. If your almirah is big and have shelves in it, you can use the upper shelves as a Pooja space and use the lower shelves as a storage space for the mandir. It also works in small closets too.

4- Mdf cuttings for Pooja room- If you already have a Pooja room but want to re-décor it, you can go for mdf cutting in the mandir. These are also cost friendly and provides an elegant look to the Pooja space. To make it more Attractive, you can apply wallpaper at the background wall. Try to choose some royal texture or pattern wallpapers.

5- Use partition walls or sliders- If you want to have a mandir in the particular room than you can go for it by using partition wall or sliders. There are various designs trending in partition wall these days. These will not only provide you the space for Pooja room, but the room will also stand out with this design. You can also re-décor the ceiling and floor.