Our Modern Day Fairy Tale Romance at Bangalore Palace

So we were in Bangalore visiting our friends. Now we both have been to Bangalore when we were kids with our respective parents. Honestly, I as you all know am a history buff more for the royal palaces, forts and castles, what can I say I am a 90's biproduct so blame it all on the Fairy tales and Disney princesses but yeah I am a complete romantic by heart, well if you at it better add royal romantic at heart.

So the Bangalore palace was definitely on my list and all of them (hubby and friends) had no choice but to partake reluctantly in my sojourn to the Bengaluru royalty.

It was a beautiful day and we arrived with aplomb at our destination with clear blue skies and beautiful hues. 

Modern Day Princess 👸 - As soon as I got the first glimpse of this dreamy palace right from some fairy tale with its green climber clinging all over it romanticising the whole aura like that of Beauty and the Beast, Sleeping Beauty or Rapunzel .. and as I stood there dreamily fantasizing about my prince charming and our dreamy tale he broke the charm not with a kiss but with - "do you remember this baby ?" As many thoughts raced through my mind, many made up fairy tales about us and lot more left to imagination. ahem .. I tried to think ahhh for the first time is he in tandem of what I am thinking ? or perhaps am I dreaming actually and we are having some telepathy ? I just managed to get myself together saying to myself get back from riding your high horses to reality and was actually happy thinking he remembered my childhood snaps I had shown him of the trip with my parents. As I got happy and said yes baby! I do and was thinking how attentive he is towards me and was glowing in my own fairy tale glory. He goes like - " ya baby this was the palace AAMIR KHAN says to be his home in JO JEETA WAHI SIKANDER " - Sure it was, sure his kind of Bollywood fairy-tale.. There I stood jaw dropped in my head and managed with ughhh yes baby, with a loop sided smile while he glowed with his Casanova Aamir Khan movie ( some movie it really was ) Well that was our fairy tale to be precise modern day fairy tale at Bengalure Palace, well the Palace was really beautiful and was I drawn to its interior in my favorite colour yellow. We enjoyed the stories of the palace and gushed over the royalty, sat in the beautiful garden on a sunny day hand in hand chatting with our friends for a bit and like the best of fairy tales and romance be it vintage or modern day we got a light drizzle out of no where in November on a bright sunny day just to complete this crazy romance, 

Now that's what I call - Our Modern Day Crazy Fairy Tale

First time ever I saw a place dressed in my favourite colour Yellow. So bright and cheerful and so pretty all at the same time. it was like a breathe of fresh air and so vintage all at once.

I am a Vintage soul trapped in this modern world. 

xoxo

Bhakti

Check out the whole vlog on my YouTube channel  https://youtu.be/btkCZ5pUbc0

Mahabalipuram - Day Trip - Must do

Best Food in Nainital

Nainital Travel Vlog India / 24 hours in Nainital

Anniversary Celebrations - Camping on the Backwaters

Like most I have grown up on Famous Five series where the 5 travelled country sides camping and adventuring in nature. Throughout my childhood, all I wanted to do was that. Its so ironic that I had never ever camped in my life. That's a thing of the past now because that's what we treated our self with this Anniversary. Neither of us have ever camped, so we went camping for our anniversary and believe you me, it was the most rustic, rooted and awesome adventure of our life together.
Dreams do come true and mine did.
So after researching a lot, we decided to go through Tourbugs since it was our first time camping and we didn't want to risk anything. We were just a single couple and places around Maharashtra can be a bit risky if you don't know what you doing and where you camping. So it was a professional one for us. We were so happy with our decision later on because hands down this is the best camping experience. The camping site is the backwaters of Nira Deoghar Dam in Bhor around 95 kms away from Pune. They pride themselves for being India's Largest campsite ever. In a completely organic village, on a mountain plateau surrounded by water on all three sides. Its miles and miles of unspoilt nature. For around 30 kms there is no mobile range forget internet. Just connect with yourself and your loved ones. Connect with nature and that's what we love doing.
Loved it is all I can say- Because words are short to describe the awesome time we had.
We celebrated our anniversary over here. This was one of the best celebrations we had, it wont be exaggeration if we say we fell in love with place. Definitely left a bit of our self over there and carried back the place with us.
Don't believe me ... Check it out yourself then...

All excited

Pitstop at Hotel Sarthak at Nigudhgadh

Suggested by Mr Arvind the owner at Tourbugs.

This is a family run small place with amazing delicious food.

The mutton thali is their speciality.

The Kheema, spicy mutton fry and unlimited hot rassa with soft bhakris. I wish I was there now hogging on this feast. They are generous with the Mutton and at total vfm price. Tenderly cooked meat indeed a delicacy.

Finally the Camping site.

Bright yellow cheerful comfortable tent with clean and sufficient warm bedding.

Don't miss the personal touch of balloons by Arvind as part of our Anniversary celebrations.

Such a sweet gesture.

These things definitely make a difference.

Surreal Sunsets

Bonfire setting the mood for the night.

With an amazing Barbequed chicken and Paneer.

It was super juicy and tasty.

Can't forget the crispy hot onion pakoras and spicy chutney.

Night is set.

Freezing as it got - Bonfire to the rescue with unending songs on the guitar - magical.

and after we thought we couldn't eat anymore the desi gavran dinner with chicken curry, bhakri, thecha and lot of other yummy veggie preparations.. It was too good .. we ate till we burst ..

Night night

And slept peacefully.

Good Morning with hot cuppa and that sunlight.

After a quick breakfast of hot poha and a surprise anniversary cake again arranged by Arvind.

I am telling you he is an amazing host and takes the experience notches high.

We went for a small trail and then a picnic by the water.

Swimming in the open water

Time for rustic organic lunch. So good.

straight from the farm tastes divine in such natural setting ...

 and with that its an adieu from us.

The warm hospitality of Arvind the owner really made sure we were comfortable and had a good time all the time. We had definitely one of the best anniversary .. and this indeed was a memorable trip ... unforgettable one .. thanks Tourbugs ..
Definitely visiting again.
Would love to add they have clean and hygienic more than adequate washrooms and toilet facilities. The campsite is extremely clean and they leave no traces on nature after every camp. Their Rates are completely vfm for the facilities they provide.
You can check them out Tourbugs
They have presence on facebook as well as Instagram.
They are having an amazing new year camping experience if you want to leave the city behind and lose yourself in this magical place.

P.S this is no way is a sponsored post. Just sharing our experience with you people because we loved it. We fully paid for all the facilities used. The views are solely based on our experience.
You can check out the entire trip here .

xoxo
Bhakti

What is a STAYCATION?

staycation
steɪˈkeɪʃ(ə)n/
noun
informal

a holiday spent in one's home country rather than abroad, or one spent at home and involving day trips to local attractions.

The popularity of staycation is increasing and rather why not. I think staycations are very underrated.
Staycations are vacations with utmost comfort without stressing yourself giving you the leeway to do things as much or as less you want according to your liking. Giving you the complete rest and indulging you in utmost relaxation .. instead of going on vacations where you want to see it all and do it all without much chance to relax . One needs another vacation to just get over and relax all the tired muscles after all that sightseeing and activities back to back.
Staycation is the new league of vacation or not, just our age old vacations where we stayed at home and did as little or as much as we wanted or visited some relative to do the same.
So an old vacation wrapped in a new package - staycation - which is catching everyone's fancy and rightly so.
Especially staycations at neighbourhood / nearby hotels and resorts are very much in demand. Why not ? With amenities, comforts, pampering yourself to the hilt, good food, spa, without worry in the world, no agendas, fun activities that the hotel plans, yoga, nearby sights if you want to see that is and the works ....
In today's fast paced life where everyone is running a race against time .. staycation helps us to stop, unwind just relax and catch up with yourself or your loved ones ..
and in the end ....
some snippets of our staycation -

Just unwind

Indulge

Catch up on some reading

Feast away

Do what you like - hobbies, activities, spa - anything that makes you happy and that which you don't do in your daily routine.

Play your favourite games, take up a class or sport activity, dance, do yoga ... endless possibilities...

Be one with nature, hike , be a tourist in your own city...

Get loads of rest, catch up on movies, catch up with friends ....

Just Relax and do what your heart and body feel like.

Check out How We Do A Staycation

xoxo
Bhakti

Stay at Mercure Hotels Lavasa - Accor Hotels

Staycations are underrated - Don't you think ? We crave for vacations from this hectic life but dont have the luxury to take them often and then they are these magical mini vacations which you can have at your comfort nearby or at home anytime.
Well enjoying one such staycation amidst the hills in Lavasa at Mercure and I am taking you guys along with me. This place is located amidst the serene Sahyadri Hills.
Mercure Hotel is a small property by Accor Group. A mid range brand which has around 750 hotels in 51 countries.

Though this property is small it takes very good care of all the comforts and is equipped with all modern amenities.
The service is superb and the staff does deserve a huge shout out for their warm hospitality. They make you feel at home without being intrusive. Soft spoken, polite and good at their job - they really deserve a thumbs up.

We were booked in a standard room for a one night stay.
Upon arrival the formalities of checking in were swift and we were ushered to our room quickly.
First thing that impressed us was it was a cosy room with a pretty view.

The room had all the amenities like safe, toiletries, iron, hairdryer, hot kettle, mini bar, 24 hours in room dining, Wi-Fi, LCD and more.
The bed was comfortable and we just wanted to sleep like logs but we were ravenous, hence headed to their restaurant - Celebration.

Everywhere you look every place you go - the view truly takes your breath away.

I have to say after having three feasts over here - I hereby certify the food over here is nothing less than mindblowing.
It was a food coma that we were lulled into by the feasts that greeted us at every meal.

For Lunch we had had from top L - R clockwise.
Arak of tomato with golgappa shot.
This dish was so different and the rasam like tomato arak went so well with the golgappas. Must Try!

Smoked Murgh Lazeez kebab
As the name suggests a smoky tantalising flavour engulfs you with melt in your mouth juicy tender chicken. Mild flavours, this was my favourite from the lunch. Highly Recommended.

Dahi Ke Kebab
Another must try especially for the vegetarians - soft creamy Dahi mixed with paneer and a centre filled with cheese, mild flavour of green chillies. All this crispy fried and served with a spicy green chilli dip.

Baked Gosht Ki Tikki
This was again Mashallah Lazeez. The flavours were lovely and robust. The meat well cooked, minced blended with masala in a tikki and cheese on top.

For the main course we had Paneer Chilla with okra and potato
Palak Aur Mushroom ki Mail with Baingan Bharta

Patrani Macchi with Moilee Sauce  - exceptional, melt in the mouth fish, amazing flavours, highly recommended!
Himachali Tawa Murgh with Minted Cashew Curry.

Dessert was Chef's Special ;p

After this long elaborate lunch we desired a much needed long snooze and so we did and the bed just made it so much easier. Waking up to another elaborate feast, this time it was oriental and did they hit it off or what....

Crispy Corn Tempura
Fish Salt and Pepper - THE STAR OF THE NIGHT
Chicken Kentucky
Chicken salad with peanut dressing and oriental soup as if that was required.

You might just think that we are lunatics because inspite of all this we even requested for an Alfredo pasta.

The main course consisted of

Stir Fried Vegetable

Kung Pao Chicken -STAR

Fish Thai Curry - STAR

Veg Hakka Noodles

Burnt Garlic Rice

Everything was so good I just cant pick one. We ate till we dropped and then the Dessert arrived with its full aplomb.

Honey Noodles with Vanilla Ice cream drizzled with chocolate sauce with a side of Banana fritters, Toffee Apple with choco chips.

Need I say more. The table was quite for the next 3 minutes within which we demolished that entire plate and licked it clean - two happy puppies.

After that we really required some effort to get to our room like literally....

So we used the time to play some carom and let our food digest a bit followed by a movie marathon and we just fell asleep like that.

After eating so little and doing so much naturally morning meant another favourite meal of the day - BREAKFAST and oh boy we did break our fast in a royal way.

It was the weekend and they had an elaborate, vast and a yummy spread covering quite some cuisines. Must Try !

The weekend was spent in eat - sleep - chill REPEAT mode and we really got the much deserved break we required.
Before we knew it, it was time to head back home after an amazing and relaxing staycation which I think was more of foodathon (guilty - nahhhh )

Btw they also have tie ups with Spa facilities and offer an awesome discount ( well that's surely for the next visit ).

You guys can check out the videos below to know more about how our staycation was and what we did.

Until we meet again.

xoxo
Bhakti

Easy Pasta Recipe from the Chef at Mercure