My Travel

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Air travel

International return fares (Rates Ex Mumbai, India in INR, 1 INR = US$46 approx., taxes extra).

New York - 29500
San Francisco/Los Angeles/Chicago - 31750
London/Paris/Frankfurt/Amsterdam/Cairo - 17750
Kaula Lumpur - 8950
Bangkok - 12500
Singapore/Muscat - 13500
Hong Kong - 19000
Dubai - 11500
Kuwait/Bahrain - 14500
Sydney/Melbourne - 26250
Auckland - 33250

www.rubytours.net

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Cheap domestic tickets from Air Deccan, Goair, Spicejet, Kingfisher, Jet Airways, Air India Express etc. You can book the ticket using credit cards or purchase directly from Airport counters.

www.cathaypacific.com
www.airdeccan.net
www.airindia.in
www.flykingfisher.com
www.goindigo.in
www.jetairways.com
www.spicejet.com

Delhi : 2561
Bangalore : 2666
Chennai : 3415
Kolkata : 4333
Ahmedabad : 2220
Udaipur : 2645
Cochin : 2250
Goa : 2205

AirDeccan flies daily from Mumbai to Cochin. Dep time : 1925 h, Fare : Rs 2250. Luggage 15 kg + 10 kg handbag permitted. Flying time : 1 hour 20 minutes. Only Rs 225 for infant flying with aparent.

In European mode of travel, meals is not included. In American plan has both accomodation and meals are included.

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Lol you realy travel alot.

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Ponmudi (600 m): The small hill resort of Ponmudi is 62 km from Thiruvananthapuram. It is a scenic drive through forest, tea estates and tiny villages. If you want to stay overnight, there is KTDC guest house (Double room Rs 450, cottage Rs 550). There are seven daily buses from Thiruvananthapuram (Rs 24, 2.5 h). The last bus leaves Ponmudi at 6 pm. Ponmudi top is 2.5 km from the bus stop (Ticket Rs 5). Those interested in trekking can walk down to Kallar (16 km). Pine trees are grown in and around Ponmudi.

The route to Ponmudi goes via rubber estates of Nedumangad and Vithura. The high range cultivates spices like pepper, clove, cardamom etc.

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Kovalam : It is Kerala's most popular beach side resort, 13 km from Thiruvananthapuram. Kovalam retains certain charm, with good beaches, a lush and peaceful palm and paddy setting, decent restaurants and a plethora of places to stay in all price ranges.

Kovalam consists of two coves (Lighthouse beach and Hawah beach) separated from less populated beaches north and south by rocky headlands.

Women are likely to grow tired of the parade of male Indian day trippers who stroll along the beach in the hope of glimpsing female flesh. Swim only between the flags, in the area patrolled by the lifeguards.

The Vizhinjam lighthouse can be visited (Ticket Rs 10). A one km walk on road takes one to the Vizhinjam beach.

KSRTC operates local buses between Thiruvananthapuram and Kovalam in every 20 minutes between 0530 to 2130 h (Rs 7, 30 minutes).

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Elephanta caves : The island is 9 km north east of the Gateway of India and is known as Gharapuri (Place of caves). The Portuguese renamed the island as Elephanta, because of a large stone elephant near the shore. This statue collapsed in 1814 and the British moved and reassembled the remaining pieces at Victoria Gardens, where it stands today. The Elephanta caves (Passenger tax : Rs 5, Admission Rs 10, closed on Mondays), are supposed to created between AD 450 and 750. The caves are a World Heritage monument by UNESCO.

The main cave has a number of sculpted panels, all relating to Lord Shiva. The most famous of the panels is the Trimurti - Brahma - Where the god is depicted as destroyer, preserver and creator.

There are also figures of Shiva dancing the Tandava, the marriage of Shiva and Parvati, Ravana Shaking Kailasha, Shiva killing the demon Andhaka, and one in which Shiva appears as Ardhanari, uniting both sexes in one body.

The small ASI museum has some informative pictorial panels on the origin of the caves and the Maharashtrian rock cut architecture.

Cave No 1 is a collection of 3 caves, each has a Shiv lingam. The main cave is spacious and has huge stone carved statues in partially damaged condition. The cave has a good array of carved square pillars. On the right side, there is a big water tank and a cave with a Shiv linga. On the left of the main cave, there is a medium size cave, in which a Shiv linga is enshrined. No puja is conducted here now a days inside the caves.

Four more caves are located on left side of the main cave. A 10 minute hill walk takes one to a huge Naval cannon (obsolete) at cannon hills (150 m ASL). Another cannon is nearby. There is a safe underground escape route from the both cannons.

How to reach : Launches are available to Elephanta caves from Gateway of India at Rs 100 return.

Spacious deluxe launches with roof top seats cost Rs 120 return (English speaking guide's service free). Boats depart from Apollo Bunder at every half an hour and takes one hour to reach the island. When the boat leaves the jetty, it gives a picturesque view of the Gateway of India and the Taj hotel.

On the left side is the Mumbai dockyard and the naval warship's area. Photography is prohibited around this area due to security reasons. The whitewashed fortress like Butcher island comes into view (a prison, now under navy). The cruise near the Ship channel gives one a chance to view
ships in close quarters. The route crosses a small island with ship refueling / fuel storage facility. The island with hills is the Elephanta. From the jetty, a 3 minute walk (mini train at Rs 10) takes one to the stairway leading upto the caves. The route is lined with handicraft stalls and patrolled by pesky monkeys. Palanquins are available for those who feel the need to be carried (Rs 150, oneway).

The island has two small villages, restaurants and a MTDC hotel for staying. The last boat to Mumbai is at 0530 pm (caves closes).

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Goa has beautiful beaches of international repute. The foreigners sunbathing and laying at beach beds in bikinis proclaims the truth. Colva beach near Madgaon and Calangute beach (14 km) near Panaji has bus service. Calangute is known as the Queen of Goa's beaches because of its scenic beauty.

Some Hindu temples in Madgaon, people conduct prayers by offering alcoholic drinks to deity. Goa has lots of Wine shops from where one can enjoy variety of drinks at cheap rates. Goa is popular for it's Feny, an alcoholic drink prepared from coconut and Cashew fruit brewing. It comes at Rs 30 per bottle. Evenings are time for drinking, dancing and partying. Streets are of drunkards, few will be lying on roadsides. With permit (Rs 10) one can carry up to 3 bottles to out of Goa. Cashew nuts are the other best buy item from Goa. Goa is famous for its cuisine (Fish curry).

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One can have South Goa and North Goa one day tours at Rs 120 each. Departure 0930 h, Arrival 1800 h. Conducted tour sucks !!. Hire a car or go by bus to Colva beach, Old Goa, Panaji, Calangute beach or to Vagator beach via Mapusa. Enjoy the beauty at your pace. Take your time to explore it in full.

Goa has a number of whitewashed churches, sun-kissed palm-fringed beaches, paddy fields, coconut-palm groves and crumbling forts guarding rocky capes make up the Goan landscapes. Markets are lively, colourful affairs and there are feasts and festivities throughout the year. Panaji is the state capital, while Old Goa has fascinating Cathedrals and churches. Mapusa is the market town (Friday market) near the main beaches - Vagator, Anjuna, Baga, Calangute and Candolim. The other popular beaches are Miramar, Dona Paula, Majorda.

The main railway station is at Madgaon. There are Panaji non stop buses from Madgaon Kadamba bus stand (Rs 19, 34 km). Accomodation on Madgaon is cheaper as it is way from the main tourist hotspots of Goa. Kadamba is the name of a popular dynasty which ruled Goa and the nearby areas centuries ago.

Goans are easy going people and majority are Roman Catholics. Late night parties are common sight near the beaches. Motorbikes can be hired for exploring Goa at your will. The best season to visit is from Oct to Feb, while the peak season is from mid Dec to late Jan. Christmas and New year are the main celebrations. Carnival (Mar) and other feasts, mainly St. Francis Xavier's, are having it's own distinction.

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Panaji is located at the mouth of river Mandovi and is a most pleasant state capital. Panaji has narrow streets, lined with tiled and painted buildings, shuttered windows and tiny overhanging balconies. It is a pleasure to walk beside the Mandovi river to state magician's statue, old secretariat, Church of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception, State museum, Archbishop's house, Chief Minister's house.

One can enjoy evening boat cruises from Santa Monica jetty near Mandovi river.

Church of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception : It is the main church of Panaji and was consecrated in 1541. The church has huge bells, golden painted altar, large seashell for holy water storage and display of Holy Bible to read etc.

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Goa state museum : The displays include Christian art, Hindu and Jain sculpture, bronzes and paintings from all over India. The museum is located near the Kadamba bus stand (Closed on Sat and Sun). The main exhibits include an elaborately carved table used in the Goa inquisition, and an antique pair of huge rotary lottery machine.

The main ancient Hindu temples of Goa are Shantadurga and Mangeushi. Both has whitewashed light stand (Deepmal) in front of the temple. The temples has huge chandeliers, silver covered doors and silver statues of deity.

Secretariat building : Dating from the 16 century, this handsome colonial building on one of Panaji's most traffic prone streets was originally the palace of the Muslim ruler Adil Shah before becoming the viceroy's official residence in 1759.

The bizarre statue of a man apparently about to strangle a woman is of Abbe Faria, a famous Goan hypnotist, and his assistant.

City's closest beach, Miramar is near the Secretariat.