Serene Waters, Goa

We generally plan our trips way in advance. Somehow this year our Goa trip was very last minute. We made the booking only a week before our date of travel. It was a long weekend for Republic day and obviously everything in Goa was booked or was sky-rocket expensive. We were very disheartened and were sure that we would not get any decent accommodation within our budget. But it's Goa nobody stays in the hotel and especially not if you are awake. 

We decided we will take anything available and at any distance from the beaches. We started the online search for resorts, hotels or home-stays in Goa and we stumbled on Serene Waters. The photos, reviews seemed too good for the cost for which we were getting the room. We were sure that with the price that we are paying for the room (including breakfast) in this peak season, there would definitely be some catch or the hotel would not turnout to be what it looks in the picture. We anyways talked to the owner and after convincing ourselves that there is nothing fishy we booked a room. 

We had decided to drive to Goa from Pune. As I mentioned that it was long weekend and we were very sure that we would get too much traffic and hence we started our journey at 4.30 am in the morning. Yet, as expected, it see

The whole drive is full of scenic views.

med that the whole of the state was travelling to Goa and we did get decent traffic. The drive from Pune to Goa is almost 6-7 hours and is very scenic especially in the rainy season. 

We were in touch with the owner of the resort earlier and he was kind enough to check around our lunch time where we have reached and by what time we will check in. He had to fly out of the city and hence he gave us number of one of his staff and his wife which was very thoughtful as we had to co-ordinate with them for direction etc. 

We reached the hotel somewhere between 3 to 4 PM. We were lost in the city for sometime which added to our travel time. When we reached the street where Serene Waters is located, we felt that our fear has come true. The street is very narrow. Though we had confirmed with the owner before hand that there is ample parking space, we were not sure there was enough space to drive the car inside. We anyways kept on going on and there it was in front of us - the Serene Waters. 

The moment I entered the resort I was amazed by the simplicity and yet the enchanting beauty of the place. First of all it was quiet.

The room that we stayed in and a small garden right outside.

I know I love going to Goa but I am not a rock music kind of person. (Don't die of laughter if I tell you I am a teetotaler!!) I am more of a "listening to the waves" person and peace matters to me even if I am in Goa 😎. Anyways back to the resort. The resort has enough of parking space and 2-3 cars were already parked. We gave the keys of the car to the staff so that they can move the vehicle as required.

A pair out of the many that they have.

The room was decent with AC, a bed for a kid (for those of you who have kids), clean bedsheets, towels and very importantly a clean washroom. The resort is full of different kind of flowering and non-flowering plants in addition to different kind of pets. They have a pair of ducks, loads of love-birds, exotic parrots, a lab and a fish as well!! 

We had fortunately got the room facing the backwaters. Right outside our room was the garden, a swimming pool (and we forgot to carry swimming costume!!) and a small wall beyond which was the stretch of calm backwater and greeneries. 

No swimming without swimming costume!! 

We were given welcome drink. We also had some snax. While we were redeeming our starved selves, the staff helped us with renting of scooty. We left for north Goa and were supremely happy with our decision to rent scooty because honestly the traffic near the beach was crazy and we would have been stuck for hours if we drove by car. After enjoying the sunset and strolling for hours at the beach, we were back at the resort.

We decided to have dinner at the resort and it proved to be completely right. The lady of the house herself helped us with what should we order. If we had not tried the food at Serene Waters, we would have missed a great part of this experience. Everything that we ordered (and the way it was served) was simple and authentic. No excessive oil, salt or spices. Everything was in balance and yet you would want to have just one more bite ☺.

The owner was really nice to approach us during dinner and ask for the feedback and provide us with tips on the places that we can visit in old Goa, which is only 2-3 kms from Serene Waters. We discovered a new side of Goa while spending time at the resort in the evening with just the sound of water and the awesome food.

We were too tired and we called it an early night. Next morning we were up early as we wanted to be done with the breakfast and head to south Goa. There were loads of option to choose from for both vegetarians and non-vegetarians in the breakfast. Again the food was equally good and while I wanted to watch how much I am eating I ended up over-eating for the sheer taste of all that was served. We stayed in Serene Waters for 3 nights ensuring that we always get the home cooked dinner at the resort.

The backwaters!!

We always travel to new places every now and then. Almost all the long weekends are out of home for us. The experience of living at Serene Waters was very different and something that I didn't expect in Goa. Though everything was simple and within budget, the whole experience made me feel as if I had a very luxurious stay in some 7 star hotel.

The Mughal Cemetery

Humanyu’s Tomb, New Delhi

Brief History: While we all get amazed by the beauty of the Taj Mahal and proudly recognize it a token of love of an emperor, there lies a place in heart of New Delhi which represents the sentiments of an empress but in a much lighter tone. Humany’s Tomb was commissioned by his first wife Bega Begaum nine years after his death at the cost of Rs. 1.5 million at that time.

However, after his death, Humayun's body was first buried in his palace in Purana Quila at Delhi. It was later taken to Punjab due to the fear that other kings might damage the tomb. It was later ensured by Akbar himself that his father’s tomb is completed and the body is finally shifted to Humany’s Tomb as it stands today. It is amazing to note the history of the tomb. After the decline of the Mughal empire, the garden around the tomb was used to grow vegetables!! Even at the time of independence it was used as a major refugee camp with thousands of people living in the garden and the tomb itself which lead to further degradation of the monument. Unfortunately it remained one of the least visited places and for quiet sometime it didn’t even appear in any list of tourist places by the government due to its condition. 

The tomb was declared world heritage by UNESCO in 1993 which marked the change in fortune of this monument. The Aga Khan Trust in collaboration with Archaeological Survey of India took the work of restoration of the place with a detailed research and excavation process. The restoration has been a long and continuous process.

The tomb is not only the final adobe for Humanyu but there are over 100 gravestones and multiple small tombs in the premises including tomb of Isha khan an Afgan noble in Sher Shah Suri’s court.

How to reach: The tomb is located opposite Dargah Nizammudin. The nearest metro station is JLN.

Timings and charges: Its open on all days and last entry is around 6 PM. The entry fee for Indians is Rs. 10. No still photography charges. This means that unless you are with a crew for shooting film, all the other cameras are eligible for free entry including DSLRs.  

Kingdom of Dreams

KINGDOM OF DREAMS

KOD is one of the most famous live entertainment destinations in Gurgaon (Sector 29). My initial attention to the destination was drawn by a piece about KOD that aired on NatGeo recently and especially the fact that the King Khan is the official brand ambassador of KOD. Its a joint venture of Wizcraft International Entertainment and Apra Group of Companies.

Perhaps keeping the mood of people during the weekend in mind the owners have decided to open the place at 1 PM. So even if you are travelling from another end of the city, you may simply laze around till late morning, have breakfast and still reach the destination right at the opening time. I was travelling from Noida and needless to say that Metro is the best option. KOD is walkable from IFCO CHAWK metro station but if you are new and want to avoid any hassle you may take an auto (The quotation fare will start from Rs. 50 or higher but distance does not even call for a fare of Rs. 20. So your negotiation skills are really at test).

KOD has two sections: Nautanki Mahal and Culture Gully. 

Nautanki Mahal is the section for live play and the entry fee is exorbitant especially on the weekends. 

The Culture Gully is the section for food, shopping and live cultural dance (at regular intervals). The tickets are available online as well. For weekends the entrance fee for Culture Gully is Rs. 600 per person. This entrance amount has to be spent in Culture Gully on the same day for food or shopping.

Since Nautanki Mahal was dramatically too expensive we concentrated on the Culture Gully only. Culture Gully has been given the look of a street filled with tables, chairs and some place to walk and it gives a feeling as if you are walking, eating and shopping on road. The roof is sky colored with clouds painted on it so whatever be the time, you are somehow lured to think that it’s still a pleasant evening and you have plenty of time to spend inside. I cannot even count how many stalls are there but they have successfully entrapped the fascination of every visitor by offering everything at the same place i.e. Maharastra’s vada pav, South Indian dosas, north Indian delicacies, chinese, IIFA lounge, shopping plaza with clothes, bags, jewellery and many more souvenirs that you may buy. The place is over-priced but there is no point in budgeting the things because however much you eat you would not be able to spend the money solely on food as the quantity is good. Especially if you are in a group of 4-5 people, the amount that you are supposed to spend is around Rs. 2400-3000. We had lunch, snax, tea, dinner and all the probable in between meals but we could not spend more than Rs. 2000. So the last thousand was dedicated for shopping. I won’t advocate the taste, I have had better food in Delhi (or at the authentic place of their genesis such as “vada pav”). At regular intervals, troops will perform cultural dance for you mostly Indian forms but we witnessed a tribal dance as well.

All and all it’s a good weekend hangout destination with loads of opportunity to click photographs. So just gear up and enjoy the place!!