Mahabalipuram - Day Trip - Must do

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

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

Romantiscizing in Blue

As my Instagram family must be knowing and would have seen my insta story and posts it was our wedding anniversary.
I am super Romantic and small loving gestures and little nothings sweep me off my feet.
A perfect fairy tale in everyday life is what keeps me going.
So in the same pursue we set off on our anniversary to chase my fairy tale dreams as  always.
With my prince charming by my side we embarked on our journey through mountains and valleys, through forests and trails.
We both are spontaneous people and love to go with the flow without any guidelines or time and this again like last year Wine trip was an unplanned spur of the moment decision. Which we really enjoyed.
So our Journey took us through winding roads

Straight to the magical Le Meridien Mahabaleshwar. This is such a gorgeous property. Its like an Old Victorian villa in the woods. Set in the forests you can just be mesmerised by mountains peaking from all sides and cool winds enveloping you being filtered by the tall trees carrying the fragrance of forest mist.
I could just sit here all day not doing anything but taking in the views.

For me romance means twirling in gowns, flowy drapes and rich hues.
I love maxi dresses and I think nothing is more romantic than twirling in them.
The colour royal blue is one of my favourites somehow I romanticize it - think Santorini ,,,, That's what blue dreams are made up of.

so here am I twirling and musing in blue...

Outfit Details

Blue maxi dress- courtesy Limeroad

Earrings- H & M

Neckpiece - Lifestyle

Footwear - Footin

Don't forget to check out the video for the glimpses of us being us in the beautiful Le Meridien Mahabaleshwar.

Hope you like it....

Let me know.

Until we meet again...

xoxo

Bhakti

LIMEROAD