Morocco

 Have u ever been to a place that you only visited – but then decided to make it your home like British singer Raisa Kelly did ? Morocco’s the kind of place you visit once—and immediately know you’ll be back. There’s plenty to make your heart beat fast: It might be the way Marrakech, the Red City, glows as the sun rises, or how picturesque it is to watch magicians and storytellers move in knots through Jemaa el-Fna Square as that same sun sets. The thrill of haggling for rugs and dinnerware and copper trinkets inside Fez's maze-like medina could do it. Or perhaps it’s that Blue of Chefchaouen, We are hooked on feeling like you've escaped to somewhere completely different, where you sleep inside opulent riads, venture into the desert, admire mounds of spices at the markets that you know would never be cooked in your  home or those gorgeous Atlas Mountains and the Rif Mountains that you can endlessly admire while travelling through the country. Then you realize—you’re not even that far away. You can get to this Arab-Berber country, on the tip of Africa, in the time it takes to get to New York owing to all the Flight Connections through Eastern Africa. And all of the sudden, coming back doesn’t seem like such a stretch after all.

Landing in Casablanca is your only choice when coming from India – and I would totally give Casablanca a miss. However there are a few things to see when you land. Casablanca's stunning Art Deco buildings could make it the Miami of Morocco. The city has long been overshadowed as a destination by  the medieval splendours of Fez and the hip and exoticness of Marrakech. However, Casablanca is totally modern. We spent 24 hours in Casablanca and would recommend Strolling Mohammed V and visit the towering Mosque of Hassan II. At night we went to a Hip Resto Lounge – Le Cabestan and people watching has never been more amazing. The Glitterati of Casablanca parading in their Aston Martins and Lamberginis  - the women of Morocco are gorgeous and dress to impress.

The next day was a long journey. Starting from Casablanca , then a quick visit to Rabat and finishing the day at Chefchaouen. Although Rabat has a thousand-year history, it became a major city only in the 20th century when the French moved the administrative capital from Fès to Rabat. Since then it has become a distinguished, elegant and modern city. It is the closest city to Casablanca where one may feel the historical grandeur and cultural diversity of Morocco. The Kasbah Oudaya looks like a simmered down version of Santorini . Today, the Kasbah remains a popular free tourist attraction within Rabat, offering scenic views of the waterfront of Rabat, the Bou Regreg river, neighboring Salé, and the Atlantic Ocean. It is mostly occupied as a residential neighborhood, known for its distinct blue and white walls. An unoccupied site adjacent to the Kasbah is used as one of the concert venues for the annual Mawazine music festival in Rabat.

While Planning a trip – I’m always looking for the path less taken – and If you follow  Instagram the way I do and the way nobody should be wasting their time ;)—I ended up going down a total “geo-tag rabbit hole," . While considering all the big names like Marrakech, Fez, Casablanca. I'd never heard of Chefchaouen and was so intrigued by this little town painted entirely in blue. I have a thing for blue hues, so it was a kind of a match made in heaven.  Tucked high in Morocco’s Rif Mountains, the all-blue town of Chefchaouen is a calming as opposed from the overwhelming frenzy of Marrakech and Fez. Once in the Medina, Painted in a palette of mesmerizing blue hues, Chefchaouen's offers a thousand photo opportunities, we literally spent the next hour against every blue wall – each more stunning than the previous one.

Travel approximately four hours to Volubilis the site of the best preserved Roman ruins in Morocco. Dating primarily from the 2nd and 3rd centuries, Volubilis was one of the Roman Empire’s most remote outposts.

Then to Fès, the oldest of Morocco’s Imperial Cities and the kingdom’s spiritual center, Fès is central to the Islamic world. Founded around 790 by Moulay Idriss I, many mosques and mederas  were constructed in Fès. Considered by scholars to be the last true example of a typical medieval Arab town, Fès is under the strict building code supervision of UNESCO. Its labyrinth of alleyways opens to craft workshops, vast leather tanneries and richly ornamented monuments.

Through Wilderness , narrow gorges and bare hills – the route to the great Sahara Desert is amazing. The journey as beautiful as the destination.  The Anti-Atlas stood out against slate-coloured skies, Here and there, where the valleys widened, there was a sudden greening as meagre water courses allowed palms and olives and figs to grow in carpets of grass. The Sahara takes charge of the landscape soon after. we left the paved road for desert tracks, passing a small caravan of nomads resting beneath thorn trees while their camels lazed beside them. The plains stretched away to unfathomable distances. It was impossible to say if a range of low hills was one mile or a hundred miles away. Mirages began to appear, glistening lakes, floating trees, permanently out of reach.  After an hour on camel back on the golden sand dunes, riding like smooth humpbacked whales in a flat sea. Suddenly, the Jannat Luxury Desert camp appreared out of nowhere … Porters materialised like desert genies to unload our bags.  My tent lay in one of their hollows. The size of a small chalet, it was Saharan chic: Berber rugs, wrought-iron lanterns, a double bed covered with piles of cushions, a palette of neutral colours. There was a bathroom attached with a clever water system to allow for desert showers, and a rather nifty chemical loo. In the world of Saharan travel, I was obviously in club class.

We spent than evening with Berber Music meeting Gujrati Garba Folk way into the night. At night we asked our driver where he was going to sleep – he said on the sand – we thought he was joking – we joked with him that we will sleep on the desert sand too – before we knew it we were iterally sleeping under the stars – they pulled the mattress out on the cold sand – we passed out looking at a carpet of stars  - it was the first time in my life I saw not one but countless shooting stars. and enjoyed "Moon-Rising"

The next day we went through hundreds of Nomad crossings, rose valleys and two-tone kasbahs: even on paper, the Dadès Valley stretches the imagination. From the daunting High Atlas to the north to the rugged range in the south, the valley is dotted with oases and mudbrick palaces that give the region its fairy-tale nickname – Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs. Some of the best views are only glimpsed when travelling, along hidden livestock tracks between the Dadès and Todra Gorges and nomad routes across the Saghro.

 

We arrived in Marrakech our last destination - Prepare for your senses to be slapped. Marrakesh's  sights and sounds will dazzle, frazzle and enchant. Put on your babouches (leather slippers) and dive right in. Marrakesh is a city steeped in ancient artistry that continues to thrive, kept alive by the modern craftspeople of the souqs and the contemporary art and design scene of the Ville Nouvelle.

 

Bahia Palace and the Dar Si Said are a riot of tilework and intricate floral painted wood ceilings.

DON’T MISS Le JARDIN SECRET.

The foundations of this historic riad are more than 400 years old, and it was once owned by powerful qaid (local chief) . Here, though, it's not the building but the traditional Islamic garden that is so special. Fed by a restored original khettara (underground irrigation system), the gardens are set up as a living museum to demonstrate the ancient waterworks.

I wouldn’t even miss the Jardin Majorelle and the Yves Saint Laurent Museum. I was blown away and truly inspired by Jardin Majorelle. This twelve-acre botanical garden and artist's landscape garden took expatriate French artist Jacques Majorelle forty years to create. I love places with so much history and creativity. The color combinations are magical.

 

The Yves Saint Laurent museum, opened in 2017, showcases finely selected collections of haute couture clothing and accessories that span 40 years of creative work by legendary French fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent. The aesthetically warped and wefted building resembles woven fabric and holds a 150-seat auditorium, research library, bookstore and terrace cafe serving light snacks.

The core of the museum is the Yves Saint Laurent Hall, a permanent display of his sketches, rotating haute-couture fashions and color-themed accessories. The backdrop is entirely black – a key color in YSL's designs – creating a cavernous cocoon pierced only by audiovisuals of the designer's catwalk shows and recordings of him speaking.

Vegeterian Food was sparse in the first half of the trip where we were going through smaller towns - As great as Moroccan food can be, it is a tough country for restaurants: Cheesy belly dancing and insipid tagine are everywhere, and a dearth of quality ingredients doesn’t help. But some surprising hits are hidden in the medina, and hotels are upping their offers in big city like Marrakech, with sophisticated, damn-that’s-legit Italian fine dining rooms like La Mamounia or the Royal Mansoor. And if I have to mention – I was so happy to see finally an Indian restaurant – far from Indian aesthetics – The Oberoi Marackech has an Indian restaurant set overlooking an Olive Groove – Gone are the days of those oily samosas you ate because you were just happy to have found Indian food in the first place. With lip smacking kebabs and the oberoi hospitality to match … Indian restaurants abroad have finally arrived.

 

Morocco is a country full of stories, that has, over the centuries, woven its ties to sub-Saharan Africa, Europe and the wider Middle East into whole cloth. Its mixed Arab and Berber population forms a strong national identity, but an increasingly youthful one, taking the best of its traditions and weaving the pattern anew – from the countryside to the city, from the call to prayer from the mosque to the beat of local hip hop. Morocco has a hundred faces and sounds, all ready to welcome the traveller looking for spice and adventure. It was safe for our group of 5 girls – we were on the road for 10 days covering almost 1500 kms – but the journeys were well worth it. I already know I’m going to be in Morocco again.

 

 

 

 

 

Cambodia - A collision of the Ancient and the Modern World

While traveling for 10 days in Cambodia, we felt like we were constantly smiling. There is a certain sense of calmness which is almost second nature to the locals. The children, with grins on their faces, waved and shouted, “Hello! Hello! What’s your name?”. It wasn’t just the children who were adorable. We passed grown men, giggling and playing friendly tricks on each other on a regular basis.But there’s another side to Cambodia. A raw and very real side that is unavoidable. Cambodia is a country that has been ravaged by Khmer Rouge regime that wiped out nearly two-fifths of the country’s population and instilled fear into the survivors.

Today, you'll see people with missing limbs in the streets – a very real effect of the millions of landmines that were planted in the country’s rural area. And the Khmer Rouge's distaste for intellect has left a mark on the citizens' perception of education. But despite the heartbreaking history, Cambodia is flourishing in many ways. People almost seem to ignore their country’s painful past and are inexplicably joyful. And the tourism industry in Cambodia is growing rapidly.

We Started our tour in the capital city of Phonm Penh. This surprisingly contemporary metropolis is made of two extremes – there is an abundance of sleek cafes and modern charm, but is also a place with a deep and painful history.On our first day we visited Tonle Bati – an ancient temple by the lake. We instantly started drawing comparions and were astonished to see how closely the Jain – Buddist Culture it represented.

We later hung out by our Hotel Pool – you got to enjoy the Victorian charm of the Raffles Hotel. In the evening we walked around the Victory Monument, a nice stroll where locals hang out together under the lit up trees. Just what us as toddler parents wanted. Enough exploration to grow as people and enough relaxation to have a renewed sense of vigour to tackle the big upcoming task of becoming TWIN parents. We prefer action pact on some days and others where we are simply hanging.

Visit to Phnom Penh is not complete without a visit to the famous Elephant Bar, an institution in the city and where the famous Raffles afternoon tea is served. The bar has one of Asia’s largest selection of gin with over 30 different gins. Their signature cocktail is the Femme Fatale, first concocted for Jacqueline Kennedy during her visit to Cambodia in 1967.

Mali’s is a restaurant popular with tourists seeking to taste Khmer cuisine. A wonderful restaurant in the middle of Phonm Pehn. Amazing tropical feel, friendly staff that helped us manoevur Vegeterian Food, and the food itself was so fresh and flavourful, especially the Amok , a local dish. . We enjoyed their traditional and Site created cocktails.

The following day we Continued exploring and visited the Royal Palace which is close to the popular riverside promenade. There is a small museum which also displays local clothing and a few hand made homeware in lines with the Indus Valley Civilization.

All around the palace , there are scenes from the Ramayana - which are painted in the most intricate fashion. Only all the characters depicted more Asian features than those that we see in India.

That afternoon we also visited the tragic past of Cambodia.

In 1975 to 1979 about two-fifths of the country was brutally slaughtered by an organization that overthrew the government called the Khmer Rouge. They attempted to create a society based solely on extreme work in rural areas. City people were transported to the fields to labor in brutal conditions. Even more horrific, if you had a high school education, wore glasses or had soft hands, you were brought to the killing fields where you had only one fate.

Not learning about the Khmer Rouge while in Cambodia is like not learning about the Nazis while in Germany. It's part of their history and awareness should be spread so something like this will never happen again. There are killing fields all throughout Cambodia, but the one near Phnom Penh is the most well-known and is easily accessible. The killing fields has an audio tour that exceeded our expectations. It told the complete story of the area with different audio points to follow along.

After the heaviness of the killing fields, continue on to the S21 Genocide Museum. S21 was a school before 1975, but Khmer Rouge transformed it into a prison camp where they tortured and interrogated nearly 9,000 people before transporting them to the Killing Field where they all met the same fate.

That evening, the only things that was gpoing to list the heaviness of our heart was a warm pizza and cold white wine. A bustling kerbside eatery just like you'd find in Italy, Piccola De Luigi's certainly has a claim to making some of the best pizza in Phnom Penh. After dark, reservations are recommended.

For our last evening, we chose the Sora Sky Bar in the Rosewood Hotel. Perched on the 37th floor on a spacious cantilevered terrace, Sora undoubtedly boasts the best views of the capital – it is the highest building after all. High tables dot the space, private pergolas housing soft seating that cater to groups sprinkle the edge of the deck, and a large bar forms the centerpiece. 

We took an early morning flight to Sihounkville and then a hotel speed boat to Koh Rong.

There's hardly any online presence of hotels on Koh Russey because the electricity is limited and therefore limited internet. With the help of our Travel Agent – Faro Holidays, we found this exquisite boutique hotel – Alila Villa. With the bed facing the sunset and the beach shack just a few steps away – we were in the lap of luxury.

It only helped that the Executive Chef came to meet us on our very first day – and understood our dietary restrictions – after which breakfast lunch and dinners were simply a treat. We did not order anything from the menu while we were staying there. Leaving it to the chef was the best decision we made. Every Meal was a treat in itself !

The 3 days on the island we simply enjoyed going from the pool to the ocean and enjoyed the bottomless Cocktails – It was simply heaven. In between all the snoozing under the shady palm trees – I took the Kayak out at sea.

We met other honeymooners and lovers and some of the best conversations one can hope to have are over good meals. We did not venture out of the hotel – this R & R, Imagine waking up to the sound of the tide crashing on the shore as you stare out your bungalow onto your own secluded beach on your private side of the island.

Leaving this island was no easy feat – but I was simply excited by the fact that I was going to tick of yet another thing off my Bucket List – “ANGKOR WAT”

We flew to Siem Reap and spent the rest of the afternoon visiting the Tonle Sap. The floating villages at Tonle Sap Lake have become something of an interest for tourists visiting Siem Reap. The fascination with people who live in floating houses, travel to floating schools and eat at floating restaurants is quite an attraction for the many visitors that come to Cambodia

As well as the floating villages, there are also stilted villages along the banks of Tonle Sap Lake, where houses and buildings rest on tall, thin stilts that keep the occupants dry during the wet season, with giant ladders to reach the lower levels during the dry season.

In Siem Reap we stayed at the Park Hotel, which is literally 200 mtrs from Pub Street - which is the epicenter of all things touristy. we spent the rest of the evening enjoying the Happy Hours and an infinity Pool.

A note on sunrise at Ankor Wat: Let’s just say that sunrise at Angkor Wat is one of those tourist attractions that may leave you disappointed. We heard how hectic it can get, and we really wanted to see the temples at our own pace. I’ll say this: if you aren’t too bothered to get to Angkor Wat at sunrise, you may be better off skipping it. It can be straight-up annoying to be surrounded by such a massive crowd with selfie sticks and people who know no personal space.

We even heard of a fight break out as people were trying to get a prime spot. That said, if you feel the need to go to Angkor Wat at sunrise, GO. We didnt – no shame. It's a Bucket List item Just know that those tranquil pictures you see are deceiving. It will be madness. Yes, even if you arrive super-duper early. Caution: Angkor Wat will always be packed with people no matter what time of day you go. Leave early to get ahead of the hundreds of people doing the same route you are. That way you will be ahead of the pack and exploring empty temples through the day.

Explore the preserved bas-relief on each of the outer walls. If you have time, head up to the third level for an incredible panoramic view of the temple and surrounding areas. However, be prepared for up to a 45-minute wait in the scorching sun as there is only limited space.

Bayon Temple is one of our favorites. There are hundreds of cheeky smiling Buddha faces built into the temple, and because you're there early, the sun will slowly creep down brightening each face one by one.

One of the more well known temples is Ta Phrom Temple. Commonly called the "Tomb Raider" temple, this one is especially crowded. Nature has reclaimed this temple with enormous teak wood trees towering over walls and fallen bricks. Go there in the afternoon and you may be the only few people.It's amazing to see how nature can take over a places after centuries of time.

Once you had enough temples for the day (trust us, you’ll get to that point), head back to your hotel and take a much-needed nap. Then it’s time to hit the town. There are plenty of restaurants to choose from in Siem Reap. Pub Street has a galore of International cuisine. None that are super fancy - but are really pocket friendly. WE dined at Elia Greek Restaurant.

And also enjoyed some Margaretias and a meal the following day at Viva - the burrittos are to die for ! After that meal - there is not much you can do. So we literally just walked over to the next Massage parlour and enjoyed the 7th one hour massage of the trip ! By the time the trip ended - wehad had 10 massages - in the 10 days that we were out of home. GUILTY AS CHARGED.

Be sure to see the free Ansana dance at Temple Bar. The show starts a little after 7 p.m., but get there around 6:30 p.m. to get a good table. Their jugs of beer are decently priced and the cocktails are fun.

The next day, Get picked up by your tuk tuk driver at a much more reasonable hour (8 a.m. or 9 a.m.) and head off toward Bantaey Srei. Considered by many to be the jewel in the crown of Angkorian art, Banteay Srei is cut from stone of a pinkish hue and includes some of the finest stone carving anywhere on Earth. Banteay Srei means ‘Citadel of the Women’, and it is said that it must have been built by a woman, as the elaborate carvings are supposedly too fine for the hand of a man. Banteay Srei is one of the few temples around Angkor to be commissioned not by a king but by a brahman. 

During the sad history of Cambodia, the Khmer Rouge did more than take lives. They nearly destroyed an entire culture, including any artistic expression. The Phare Circus is an organization that is reviving the arts that was nearly destroyed. They provide an education for the poor children of Cambodia and give them the opportunity to learn acting and high-flying tricks by joining the Phare Circus – how cool is that? The students are enthusiastic and put on a great (and interactive!) show.

Tip: There is limited seating so be sure to book at least a day before.  Note: The Phare Circus has relocated and it is a bit of a way outside of town. You will need to hire a tuk tuk driver to take you there, wait for you during the show and bring you back.

The following day, we went to what is Considered by Khmers to be the most sacred mountain in Cambodia, Phnom Kulen . It is a popular place of pilgrimage on weekends and during festivals. It played a significant role in the history of the Khmer empire, as it was from here in AD 802 that Jayavarman II proclaimed himself a devaraja (god-king), giving birth to the Cambodian kingdom. Attractions include a giant reclining Buddha, hundreds of lingas carved in the riverbed, an impressive waterfall and some remote temples.

From the entrance a sealed road winds its way through some spectacular jungle scenery, emerging on the plateau after a 12km ascent. The road eventually splits: the left fork leads to the picnic spot, waterfall and ruins of a 9th-century temple. Take your swimming gear if you are all for Picnics and waterfalls - but consider this as ok to miss if you have been to Lonavala one too many times. The waterfall is an attractive spot and was featured in Lara Croft: Tomb Raider. However, it could be much more beautiful were it not for all the litter left here by families picnicking at the weekend.

The right fork continues over a bridge (you'll find the riverbed carvings around here) to the base of Wat Preah Ang Thom, which sits at the summit of the mountain and houses the large reclining Buddha carved into the sandstone boulder upon which it is built. This is the focal point of a pilgrimage for Khmer people, so it is important to take off your shoes and any head covering before climbing the stairs to the sanctuary. These days the views from the 487m peak are partially obstructed by foliage run amok.

A spectacularly carved riverbed, Kbal Spean is set deep in the jungle to the northeast of Angkor. More commonly referred to in English as the ‘River of a Thousand Lingas’, the name actually means ‘bridgehead’, a reference to the natural rock bridge here. Lingas (phallic symbols) have been elaborately carved into the riverbed, and images of Hindu deities are dotted about the area. It was ‘discovered’ in 1969, when ethnologist Jean Boulbet was shown the area by a hermit.

There is an impressive carving of Vishnu on the upper section of the river, followed by a series of carvings at the bridgehead itself, some of which were hacked off in the past few years, but have since been replaced by excellent replicas. This area is now roped off to protect the carvings from further damage. Following the river down, there are several more impressive carvings of Vishnu, and Shiva with his consort Uma, and further downstream hundreds of lingas appear on the riverbed. At the top of the waterfall are many animal images, including a cow and a frog, and a path winds around the boulders to a wooden staircase leading down to the base of the falls.

Just as Angkor is more than its wat, so too is Cambodia more than its temples, and its urban areas can surprise with their sophistication. Chaotic yet charismatic capital Phnom Penh is a revitalised city earning plaudits for its sumptuous riverside setting, cultural renaissance, and wining-and-dining scene. Second city Siem Reap, with cosmopolitan cafes and a diverse nightlife, is as much a destination as the nearby iconic temples. 

My recommendation : Take a return fly via Bangkok - shop your hearts content and you will have the whole package - Travel, Spa-Retreat + Shopping !

Iceland - The Land of Ice and Fire

Iceland is a country that is becoming an increasingly popular destination for people who are looking for different and diverse experiences. This summer my parents and us siblings decided to go Iceland.  Getting to Iceland is the tough part. Mumbai – New Delhi-Helsinki-Reykjavik on FinAir was 17 hrs. But we decided to take the leap – and we were rewarded. Iceland typically is a 10 day trip. But If you don’t have 10 days to drive the Ring Road around the island, Here is my recommendation for a 6 days Itenary. Since we were travelling with my parents – who don’t like to move around with bags, we took the road trip off the table. We stationed ourselves in the suburbs of Reykjavik – Kopvour. Icelandic Apartments is 200mtrs from Route 1 – just outside the city – so it cuts drive time by 40 mins each time you are headed towards the natural wonders and in the evenings you can drive in less than 8 mins and be in the middle of city for your dinner and night out.

In Iceland you drive on the right side of the road – and if you ask me that’s not the tough bit – the toughest part is to see an open road for miles and not being able to speed above 90 kms/hr. ( I may have been the only one who has seen a cop in Iceland and paid a speeding ticket !! ) But hiring a 4x4 is the smartest way to see Iceland otherwise. One of Europe’s most magical and unforgettable spots; Iceland is the ultimate road trip destination. Public transportation isn’t practical in Iceland, so you’ll need to make sure you make solid plans. Consider driving yourself because it maximizes your options and gives you the most flexibility. You can stop wherever you want for as long as you want – like in our case – we had the luxury loving parents – the I want to try street food type brother, the art scene check out sister, the I want to walk back and forth the DC Plane Wreck and Snorkel too all in one day Husband. The Ring Road, or Route 1, is the prime Icelandic route, and along with a few essential detours ( ready one too many that we took ), it will show you the best of my favorite Nordic country. July and August are the best summer-time to visit because you’ll have ample sunshine and fairly good weather.

On the Day we landed into Reykjavik we got there at two different times in 2 groups. My Brother, Kunal and I reached first. We picked up our Car from Blue Cars Rental and headed straight out for dinner. We went to the old harbor area- It’s hard to resist to wander around within it’s charming villages. There they have little boats rugging next to old, colorful sheds from what used to be fishermans cureing shops that have been turned into trinket shops, restaurants and other growing businesses. It’s nice to walk around by the sea with a view of Mount Esja far in the back. We ate at Flatey Pizza and then walked over the Valdi’s for an ice cream. Would highly recommend both. If time permits – they also have a 4 hour Food Walk Tour that we were slightly late to get into.

Day 1

The Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon is around a 370km drive (around 5.5 hours) from the capital city of Reykjavik. Situated about halfway between the southern towns of Vik and Höfn. We stopped for lunch at Vik at TheSoup Company. It’s a small family owned restaurant that serves amazing soups and vegan wraps. When we reached Vik – we almost were ready to come back home  - Jokulsarlon  probably isn’t really a suitable destination for a day-trip out of the capital but we did it anyway. We decided to do this on Day 1 and just tick it off the bucket list – because we knew we would just get very lazy otherwise and never make it there.

The beauty of the lagoon is undeniable and makes the long drive here totally worth it, but there is also a certain irony as its existence which should also serve as a reminder of the catastrophic effects of global warming and the damage we have done to our planet. Most alarming is that the less than a century old glacial lagoon has become Iceland’s deepest lake with a current depth of around 248 meters - all of which used to be composed of ice.

The icebergs that float around in the lagoon are chunks of the glacier that have broken off due to rising temperatures. Those huge chunks of ice that float around in the lagoon are often more than a thousand years old and once they’ve broken off from the iceberg more or less float around in the lagoon for around five years before they are eventually small enough to float out to sea.We took the boat trip on the glacier – which gets you closer to some really beautiful formations. Another feature of the mixture of fresh and salt water is that it transforms the icebergs into either a milky shade of white or into a bright blue colour.

The bright blue icebergs in particular which appear almost diamond-like become even more beautiful once the icebergs become small enough to float out to sea through the river mouth. Once they float out to sea they’re often pushed back into the shore which has created an additional attraction that has become known as the Diamond Beach.

The drive there and back to Reyjkavik left us extremely tired. Pushed us to the brink – I was speeding at a 130 kms/hr and got caught and had to use my Gujju Charm to negotiate the speeding ticket. It worked !! We finally stopped at Sudur-Vik for some Wood Fired Pizza…. Had we not been so tired and the speeding ticket hadn’t marred our spirit – I would have definitely enjoyed the Pizza a whole lot more !!

Day 2:
We organized ourselves a whole lot better for Day 2 ! We decided on a plan and tried our best to stick to it. We started early and drove straight on Route 1 headed direction Vik again. You get the most beautiful view from a vantage point at DYRHOALEY Light house. You will see a beautiful Black Sand Beach Coast - Nicknamed the ‘Land of Ice and Fire’, Iceland is known more for its geo-thermal hot springs and spas than it is for beaches, but you might be surprised to learn that Iceland is home to one of the top-ten (non tropical) beaches in the world! Just don’t expect to go for a swim. Southern Iceland’s ‘Black Sand Beach’, known to locals as Reynisfjara is one of the country’s top attractions and for good reason - It is one of the prettiest beaches you’ll ever have the luck of visiting.

Black Sand? The “sand” that you’ll find on the beach is actually more similar to fine rocks and pebbles than the finely grained sand that you are used to on other beaches. The supply of this special black sand however is constantly being replenished thanks to the volatility of Katla which is in a constant state of activity.

Sólheimasandur Plane Crash

This 40-year-old weather-beaten aircraft has become one of Iceland’s most dramatic photography spots  thanks to a love song “Gerua” featuring Shahrukh and Kajol and ofcourse due to its remote location on a desolate black sand beach. Personally – I did not see the hype – to me it looks like a scene out of some post-apocalyptic zombie movie! The wings & tail are missing, it’s full of holes, and the crumbling fuselage is covered with wind-blown black sand. Once you park your car in the parking lot and pass through the small gate, you’ll see a yellow sign that indicates the track. This beach road is packed down pretty well, (more gravel than sand). We walked out to the plane from the main road which is about 4km long since we missed the only shuttle bus which is approximately every 45 mins. We took some quick photos and got onto a bus coming back – its steep 1500 Kronas for a one way ride per person for the journey back.

We then decided to drive back to the Black Sand Beach – because we found only that one restaurant offering Vegan Food in that area. So if you decide to follow this itenary – do the DC Plane Wreck first. We went to the Black Beach Restaurant – Find my review on Trip Advisor here ! We were pleasantly surprised to find so many Vegeterian Options here – including an Icelandic Version of Cholay Rice ;)

Iceland is home to a countless number of waterfalls with each one of them unique in its own way. The common feature of all of them is that they are a testament to the beauty of our planet’s natural environment and are one of the many reasons why so many people have been attracted to Iceland in recent years. One of the most popular and highly visited of those is the beautiful cascading Seljalandsfoss falls in the south of the country. At sixty meters in height, it is one of the highest waterfalls in the country but arguably its most attractive feature (and one that makes it so popular with tourists and photographers alike) is that you can easily view it from the front and from the cave behind!

Visitors who don’t mind getting wet can even take turns walking down to water-level at the rear of the waterfall to get those all-important travel shots. Once you’ve walked around the perimeter of the waterfall, you’ll probably want to take some photos of it from the front. Visiting Seljalandsfoss doesn’t particularly require a lot of time but depending on the amount of tourists you could get stuck waiting in line on the path to the rear of the falls. It is well worth the wait though. You’re going to need a raincoat, or something to protect yourself from the cold mist. The waterfall is quite high, so it produces quite a bit of mist both in the front and in the cave behind.

Skógafoss is a waterfall situated on the Skógá River in the south of Iceland at the cliffs of the former coastline. The Skógafoss is one of the biggest waterfalls in the country with a width of 15 metres (49 feet) and a drop of 60 m (200 ft). It is said, due to the amount of spray the waterfall consistently produces, a single or double rainbow is normally visible on sunny days. When standing at the base of Skogafoss, you will really feel your own humanity as you face off against this giant of nature, as you can see in the pics from below. Skogafoss tosses over millions of gallons of water and has been doing so for thousands and thousands of years. Seeing Skogafoss Waterfall in person is an extremely exhilarating experience. The waterfall was a location for the filming of the Marvel Studios film Thor: The Dark World.

That evening, it was with great anticipation that I finally dined at Sumac, on Reykjavik's main shopping street, Laugavegur. In the middle of the restaurant there's an open kitchen where you can observe the chefs working the grill and preparing dishes. It makes for a bustling, steamy, aromatic and interesting atmosphere, and you can also even sit on the counter of this open kitchen to either enjoy cocktails or eat. Go there for your delicious hummus and muhammara (a dip made with almonds and red peppers), crispy falafel and plump, juicy green olives enjoyed with freshly baked flatbread.

Day 3

The Golden Circle
Without stopping, the Golden Circle route can take as little as 3.5 hours to drive, but we spent about 10 hours on the road capturing a lot of photos and didn’t feel too rushed. While there are countless stopping points along the Golden Circle, here are a few of the most popular destinations that we chose to stop at along our drive!

Thingvellir National Park

Thingvellir National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site and has played a major part in Iceland’s history. You can find lakes, waterfalls, natural formations, and most exciting to Kunal and Rishi, the Silfra Fissure! The Silfra Fissure is one of the most incredible dive destinations on earth, so it was an absolute must. Silfra is the only place in the world where you can dive between continental plates. The water is also nearly freezing (2°C – 4°C year round) as it comes from the Langjökull glacier.

It was raining and it was so cold – so the boys decided to do this on their own. And my parents and my sister and I decided to visit Öxarárfoss Waterfall. 

One of the reasons why Thingvellir is so important to the Icelandic people is because the first ‘Icelandic Parliament’, known as the “Althingi” was formed there sometime in the 9th century. In terms of national pride, this is pretty much the place where Icelandic identity finds its origins and is recognized as the oldest continuously existing national parliament in the world. In order to provide water service to the ancient parliament, the Öxará river was diverted in its direction which in turn created the waterfall as the direction of the river now forced the water over a cliff in the Rift Valley.

While not a large waterfall, visitors are able to get quite close to the river and it is quite easy to take nice photos of the area which has made it an important stop along the Golden Circle. And yes, I know I haven’t mentioned it yet, but those with a keen eye will know that this area was featured in the popular Game of Thrones.

Right where you get off – there is an unmarked Café with a Black Roof where we had Lunch. Hot Pizza and a Thai Soup of the day saved our day. Nothing too fantastic – but your basic food on the go.

Strokkur Geysir
Geyser’s are essentially a rare geological phenomenon that are found only in a few locations around the Earth - To make an analogy, geysers are like natural “teapots” which boil and build up immense heat and pressure before they eventually burst with steam. The sight of that steam and hot water bursting out of the earth in such a spectacular fashion is a natural event that has fascinated people for probably as long as humans have existed. Currently the most active geyser in the park is known as “Strokkur” which erupts every five-to-ten minutes each of which reaching heights of anywhere between twenty to forty meters.

Gullfoss
The majestic Gullfoss waterfall, located in southwest Iceland’s Hvítá River Canyon, is one of the largest and most powerful waterfalls in Iceland. There are various view-points set up around waterfall for people to take photos as well as a well-developed and (more importantly) safe walking trail that allows people to get as close to the falls as possible.

Most of the shots that you will have seen of the waterfall will have been taken from a viewpoint near the lower parking lot where we took this photo from. This area is where you can get the widest view of the falls and are also safest from the mist. This will not show up on your GPS – we just got really lucky with a small sign on the road leading upto the main Parking lot.

Kerid Crater
Iceland is currently home to around 130 active (and inactive) volcanoes which directly contribute to the constantly changing nature of the country’s natural environment. In 2010 for example, the relatively small eruption at Eyjafjallajökull caused massive disruptions to air travel around Europe and North America thanks to the tons of volcanic ash that it spewed for a period of six days.

 What happens though when a volcanic eruption is too powerful?  In some cases a powerful eruption has the ability to completely collapse all the land around it forming a circular volcanic crater known to geologists as a caldera. Iceland is home to quite a few of these craters, especially in the Western Volcanic Zone, and a few of them have become popular tourist attractions. Most notable of those is ‘Crater Kerið’ in Southern Iceland which now serves as a popular destination for tourists along the Golden Circle route to see first-hand the awesome power of the Earth’s destructive capabilities.

This evening – we were in the typical big group dilemma. I wanted to eat a nice Warm Fine Dine Meal and my brother wanted to eat street food – tacos etc. In such situations we highly recommend to go to a food truck park – but its indoors; called Hlemmur Mathöll in downtown Reykjavik. SKAL is a fine dine restraunt with the best Goat Cheese and crackers and an amazing Ceriliac Main Course that blew my mind. Flatey from Day 1 also has an outlet here. Together with Fuego – a Taco Truck that Rishi wanted to go to. The entire dinner party was a feast for us all. 

Day 4
Using combinations of geothermal energy, naturally purified water and artificial light, Icelandic farmers have been mimicking bright, balmy spring days by using greenhouses. One such enterprising farm is Friðheimar, which specializes in growing cucumber and herbs, but tomatoes are truly their thing. Friðheimar’s current owners Knútur and Helena bought it in 1995 with a dream of combining two passions – horses and horticulture. Over the last 20 years they’ve grown the farm incredibly, installing huge new greenhouse buildings (enabling them to grow tomatoes, cucumber and herbs year-round), a restaurant and store, and an equestrian centre with a 20-horse stable. Visitors have been coming in their droves since their restaurant operation began in 2011 and this is the perfect place to stop-off for lunch on a self-drive Golden Circle tour.

Naturally, the tomato soup is the star here and big potfuls of the stuff are decanted into the large soup kettles almost every ten minutes it seemed! Lots of fresh bread of different varieties and toppings is cut and left nearby, so it’s a wonderful help-yourself buffet type operation. You can also order one or two daily specials from the kitchen: on our day there was a delicious sounding ricotta-stuffed pasta and also a flatbread pizza option. On each table sits condiments that you can personalize and tweak the flavour of your dish (most often the soup, it’s their bestseller). So if you enjoy a spoon of soured cream through yours, a liberal addition of cucumber salsa or some freshly-cut basil using the herb scissors provided, you can be their guest.

The drinks and desserts are, of course, tomato-based too! We honestly gorged so much on the soup and bread . We topped it with tomato ice-cream and a green tomato and apple pie. The community spirit amongst the Friðheimar staff and the atmosphere that’s been created here doesn’t feel like an intense farmland production, it feels like you’re sitting down to home-cooked food in a farming family’s dining room (just with about 100 other guests, too!)

Note: Pre-booking is recommended, as it is a popular stop-off by coach tours, but if you have patience and you’re in plenty of time, the lovely team will find you a table!

Langjokull Glacier
A few days ago if u asked my Mum if she wanted to go snowmobiling on top of Langjökull glacier she would have said no way !  But she is the sort of person who takes on any challenge and when each one of us said we wanted our own mobile – she had no choice but to ride one herself. To put things in perspective – We are the sorts who never go on a rollercoaster, But we drive over the speed limit, and  we can’t even think about parachuting without getting nauseous. In short: We are Demi-chickens. So going on a snowmobile tour is something I imagined I would never do, and definitely something I thought I could never enjoy. I was wrong. And this is already the second time I am enjoying it. The Last one we did when we were in Lebanon in Faraya.

Blue Lagoon
By the time we came back towards Reykjavik – it was almost 830 pm and we were contemplating whether of not to go to the Blue Lagoon this late. It’s safe to say that visiting the Blue Lagoon in Iceland is on just about everyone’s bucket list. It’s milky blue water and otherworldly appearance is like something out of a dream. But before my trip to Iceland, I had read plenty of articles about the Blue Lagoon and there were a couple of common themes: it’s expensive and it will ruin your hair and go there either early or late in the day.

I must admit I did not find it expensive – if anything they give you your moneys worth. It is true it will ruin your hair – I mean I have already enjoyed 2 hair spas in the month in which I have been back. And we entered the lagoon at around 10pm and stayed there until close of day at midnight – the sun had just set – thanks to the summer day light – it was just the perfect relaxing thing to do after our hectic 4 days of Iceland. The Blue Lagoon is now a Geothermal Spa (with water temperature around 37-40°C or 98-104°F) and is run like most other day spas you find around the world. There is accommodation, as well as saunas, restaurants & cafes, lockers, showers, etc.

The geothermal water features three active ingredients: Silica, Algae & Minerals.While it looks blue, the water is actually white. If you pour it into a transparent cup, it will have a milky white color. The sun simply makes it look blue! I recommend opting for the standard package (€55 – prices vary as per the time of the day). You get your own towel, locker, and access to the Lagoon, saunas and showers, silica mud mask, and a drink free. I definitely made the most of my visit and stayed for about 2 hours.

Day 5
Downtown Reykjavik

It was really the first day we slept in and woke up really late on this trip... all that road travel sure does get to you. We Decided to have a late breakfast and met with the Free Walking Tour Lady for our Downtown Reykjavik Tour. We walked by Hallgrimskirkja – which is the iconic Church that rises above the smaller buildings of downtown. 

 Icelanders are creative people and Reykjavik has a big focus on design. Most buildings are made of concrete so have become a blank canvas for street art. You’ll find it all around the city – from tiny hidden sketches to colourful murals covering the whole side of a building. The artists are usually commissioned or get permission from the property owner so it’s more art than graffiti.

Reykjavik’s a great place for shopping too, with not many chains and lots of unique boutiques. Head to the main Laugavegur shopping street for cool clothing and home wares. Some of the top gifts to take home are lopapeysa (cozy Icelandic woolen jumpers) and lava rock jewelry.

After walking in the cold for about 2 hours, she left us at the Pond behind city hall. It's the perfect setting, benches to sit on - books with stories that travellers had written left behind, ducks swimming , children running around...We took a few photos and were ready to sit at just about at cafe or deli that we walked by - and we took a chance on this quaint cafe. I would practically move into the Bergsson Mathus if I had one near me. It mixes up slightly kitsch Parisian deli-style decor with Nordic touches. There are artworks covering the walls and the bar is lined with shelves of colour-coded tin cans – what’s vintage not to love?

The food’s good too, with small side plates and local specialities and homemade cakes. It’s a really cosy place where you can hide out on a wintery afternoon and read the papers, buy a book or borrow a board game.  

Rishi had decided yet again to venture on his own and go for that all famous Hot Dog Stand , yes they have a vegan version of it too and then meet us by the music concert hall. Since opening in 2011 Harpa Concert Hall has been a dramatic new addition to the city’s waterfront and has rapidly become one of the most famous Reykjavik attractions. The building is made up of three-dimensional glass panels which use the same hexagonal shape as Iceland’s basalt rocks.

It sparkles with light reflected from the sea and sky by day, and is lit by colourful lights by night. The concert hall is home to the Icelandic Symphony Orchestra but even if you can’t get to a performance it’s worth wandering around and checking out the architecture. There’s a bar, restaurant and gift shop, and a terrace with views out to the harbour and mountains.

After this hectic trip - it was time to unwind and we drove around the new harbour lined with massive Nordic Cruise Ships. We drove past the smaller bylanes and saw some pretty houses facing the sea and then indulged in retail therapy. I wouldnt particularly shop shop in an Iceland Mall. They have the high street brands and a few local shops - not priced competitvely. 

We later went to Gandhi Restraunt for a nice round up hot meal of Paneer Tikka Masala and Garlic Naan. Like every Indian - we licked our plates clean post 6 days of eating Vegan and Deli and Homestyle ... u get this emotion only if you are an Indian National. 

Despite all our differences , a trip with the siblings - the jokes you make on your parents, the eyes you roll at each other - the patience it takes to endure all this - makes it unique. But those early morning cuddles that you get from your dad , and the hot breakfast your mom makes you at the apartment are just what dreams are made off. Although we did leave Samara behind with my mum in law , I missed her so much. I cannot say she missed me - she has the best Grand Parents ever , i count my blessing twice when I think of my In Laws. But to see my parents navigate 3 kids ( 4 if you count Kunal ) , I know what I have coming for me !!! Expanding the brood is going to ensure we never have a dull moment :)