Jawai

 I am writing my travel blog after a long time. I am writing about this place called Jawai (in Rajasthan) which is 312 kms from Ahmedabad and by car it takes around 6 hours to reach. In Jawai, leopards roam freely, and they coexist with the local herdsmen. We stayed at Jawai Leopard Safari Lodge. Sharing some of the pictures of our Jawai Leopard safari.

Leopards at Jawai

In Jawai, we also went to see the Jawai dam. Jawai Dam is a dam built across the river Jawai.

Jawai Dam

While going for leopard safari, the guide also took us to some beautiful viewpoints of the river Jawai. So, if you want to spend sometime away from hustle bustle of city then surely this is the place. In night, the sky view is also amazing. 

Jawai River

Jawai River

Bikaner

Bikaner is a city in the state of Rajasthan. We went to Bikaner from Jodhpur. The distance from Jodhpur to Bikaner is 249 kms. It takes 5 hours by road to reach Bikaner from Jodhpur. On our way to Bikaner, we went to the Karni Mata Temple (Also known as the Temple of Rats) at Deshnok. It is 600 years old temple. 

At Karni Mata Temple( Temple of Rats)

Karni Mata Temple

In Bikaner, we stayed at Narendra Bhavan. It was once a residence of the Maharaja of Bikaner - Narendra Singhji. 

Inside view of Narendra Bhavan

One of the attraction of Bikaner is the Laxmi Niwas Palace. It is not opened for everyone as it is a heritage hotel. But it is opened for the guests who are staying at Narendra Bhavan. So, we got the chance to see the beautiful palace of Bikaner -The Laxmi Niwas Palace. The movie Khoobsurat starring Sonam Kapoor was shot here.

The Laxmi Niwas Palace of Bikaner

Laxmi Niwas Palace

View from inside the Palace

The Garden of the Laxmi Niwas Palace

The another magnificient place in Bikaner is the Junagadh Fort. This fort is land fort. 

Panaromic View of the fort

Junagadh Fort 

Junagadh Fort

We also went to The National Research Centre on Camel. It is establish to promote research and development of the Camels. It is located 10 kms away from the Bikaner City.  We had Camel milk Ice-cream there. It was fun to see different breeds of Camels and their young ones.

Camel Calves

Camel Calves

The National Research on Equines is also there in Bikaner. We had a quick round of the whole area in the horse cart. 

Wellington - Mount Victoria

Mount Victoria is a 196 metre high summit to the east of central Wellington. To reach the summit one can take bus or trek from the Oriental bay.  We preferred bus.

Mt. Victoria

There is also a memorial of Richard Byrd,  the first aviator to fly to the South Pole.

Memorial of Richard Byrd

Memorial of Richard Byrd

Mt. Victoria

At Mt. Victoria

A Canon at Mt. Victoria

Mount Victoria's original Maori(native people of New Zealand) name is Tangi-te keo though Matairangi is also used.

Mt. Victoria

Mount Victoria gives a 360 degree view of the Wellington City. The views are stunning.

View of Oriental Parade from Mt. Victoria 

View of the runway from Mt. Victoria

Cook Strait

Stunning view

View of the Wellington City

Awesome View

Basin Reserve

Beautiful Wellington

View from Mt.Victoria

I was spellbound with the beauty of the nature.

New Zealand - Wellington

We were in Wellington- The capital city of New Zealand, for two months (March and April, 2017). So my latest blog is all about Wellington. Wellington is at the south-western tip of the North Island on Cook Strait. It is known as the WINDIEST CITY IN THE WORLD where the wind blows at an average speed of over 29km/hr. 

Wellington- Windiest City in the world

The airport of Wellington is bordered by Wellington harbour and Cook Strait to the north and south, respectively so landings at the airport are sometimes rough due to strong winds. 

View of the runway from Mount Victoria

Beautiful view of the runaway with Cook Strait in the South  and Wellington harbour in the North 

We were staying at an apartment which was quite near to the Cuba Street (famous for cafes, restaurant, bars and shops). I used to visit this street almost everyday because a small play area is located in the Cuba mall (pedestrian part of the street) and my little one loved playing there. 

Cuba Street

History of Cuba Street

Slide at Cuba Street

There is also a bucket fountain at the Cuba Mall. The bucket fountain is kinetic sculpture. It is designed in such a way that sometimes (on windy days) water splashes onto pedestrians and onlookers. 

Bucket Fountain

On 24th and 25th of March 2017, there was a street festival on Cuba Street known as Cubadupa. The whole street was closed for vehicles and on every street a stage was enacted. These two days were filled with good food, music and dance.

Street with beautiful paintings

Street decoration

Street painting

We also had a lot of fun. We went in the afternoon and saw a circus. There was also a big play area for kids. 

Circus

Circus

Circus

Play area for kiddos. Kids, parents and youngsters all enjoying.

Beautiful decoration

Street performance

Cuba street is the most lively street in Wellington.  

Tourist spots of Wellington will be covered in my next blog. 

South Goa

In October this year,  we went to explore South Goa. We stayed at Radisson Blu. The stay was fun.

Radisson Blu

Radisson Blu

Radisson Blu

Beautiful indeed!

The hotel is near the Cavelossim Beach. 

Way to Cavelossim Beach

Cavelossim Beach

Sunset at Cavelossim Beach 

We also went to explore the Varca Beach which is 15 minutes drive from Cavelossim Beach. Varca Beach is different from other beaches of Goa, as here, one can see some sea creatures. Some of them were dead. We saw  Star Fish, Jelly fish , Eel ,Crab and some small fishes. 

Starfish

Crab

Fish 

SeaShell

A dead Electric Eel

Jelly fish probably dead

Small fishes

The trip to South Goa was relaxing and rejuvenating. We had whale of a time in Radisson.