FunderfulWorld

On our summer vacation to Uttarakhand, Dehradun was first on the itinerary.  We spent a few days exploring this city in the Garhwal region.

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Mindrolling Monastery. Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India

Start at the Heart

The Clock Tower, known as the Ghanta Ghar, is a popular landmark in the heart of Dehradun. Several major roads intersect at this location. If you are a shopping enthusiast, head to the Ghanta Ghar and walk to Paltan Bazaar, a busy market nearby. Or stroll along Rajpur Road, which is lined with numerous shops.

Junior was glued to the window of the Shatabdi Express as it chugged out of New Delhi Railway Station and proceeded toward its final destination, Dehradun. The capital of Uttarakhand.

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Window seat! Shatabdi Express, India.

While the summer sun shone harshly in Pune, we escaped to the cooler climes of the mountains. A long summer vacation in Uttarakhand. A much-awaited tryst with the mighty Himalayas.

Our first destination was Dehradun. Located in the Garhwal region of the state, the city is a gateway to the hills and the mountains beyond. To its east, the river Ganga finds her way to Rishikesh, Haridwar and beyond. To its west, the river Yamuna flows along. Dehradun, situated in the Doon Valley, boasts of numerous premier institutions and establishments such as the Indian Military Academy, the Forest Research Institute, and the Doon School. I had always wanted to visit this city. Perhaps I was drawn to its similarities with Pune.

From the hill station of Saputara to the seaside. We set off to Daman, a former Portuguese colony, along the coast of the Gulf of Khambhat.

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The Damanganga river meets the Arabian Sea. Daman, India

After more than four centuries of Portuguese rule, Daman passed into the hands of India in 1961. The Damanganga river divides the town into Moti Daman (Big Daman) and Nani Daman (Little Daman) just before it meets the blue waters of the Arabian Sea.  At the mouth of the Damanganga, the strong forts and the little fishing boats narrate the story of the seaside town. Visit the forts, catch up on history (on the Internet :)), and gaze out at the beautiful views all around.

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En route to Saputara, Gujarat.

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View from the ropeway. Saputara, Gujarat, India.

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Blue. Saputara Lake, Gujarat, India

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Tales of the Victorious and the Vanquished. Panhala Fort, Maharashtra.

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Fortifications. Panhala, Maharashtra.

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A Gorgeous Day. Prague, Czech Republic.

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Brahe and Kepler. Prague, Czech Republic.

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Strahovsky Monastery. Prague, Czech Republic.

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Strahovsky Monastery. Prague, Czech Republic.

After a busy day exploring the Old Town and the Jewish Quarter in Prague, we spent the evening by the riverside.

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Bridge across the River Vltava. Prague, Czech Republic.

An Evening by the River:

Our stroll along the banks of the Vltava had something for everyone. Junior was engaged in tram-spotting; “cute” red trams passed by every now and then, leaving him squealing with excitement. B was drawn to the architecture of the various buildings in the area; he clicked pictures of quirky buildings like the Dancing House. My gaze was fixed on the ferries creating little waves in the blue waters; the pretty scenes were straight out of a postcard.

A birthday celebration in Prague was a dream come true! I was on cloud nine, perhaps even ten. Of course, the idea instantly got a BIG stamp of approval (from me :)).

B, Junior, and I set off on a long weekend trip to the capital of the Czech Republic, eager to ring in my birthday in style.

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The Pretty Old Town Square. Prague, Czech Republic.

Although the Charles Bridge and the immense Prague Castle complex are its most well-known attractions, Prague is also home to other gems like the historical Jewish Quarter, the tranquil surroundings of the Strahov Monastery, and the picturesque neighborhood of Malá Strana or Lesser Town.

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Welcome to Dadra and Nagar Haveli. India.

Tucked neatly between the states of Maharashtra and Gujarat, Silvassa is the capital of the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli. The small town, formerly ruled by the Portuguese, is now an active industrial hub. This information was part of what I already knew about Silvassa. But there is much more to the area than just industries. Here’s what we discovered on a trip to Silvassa in December:

Flashback. Rewind. Memories.

For eleven years, the Pune Camp (or Cantonment) area was almost a second home to me. A neighborhood synonymous with school. With school friends who lived in the area. With Hindustan Bookstall for textbooks and Modern Bookstall for story books. With Budhani for wafers and Marzorin for sandwiches. With Shivaji Market and St. Xavier’s Church. With Indo-Foreign Stores, Wonderland, and Fashion Street…

Fast forward many years.

When I spotted a Heritage Walk in the Pune Camp Area on this year’s itinerary of the Pune Heritage Festival, I jumped at the opportunity to walk down memory lane. I registered for the event right away.