A Venetian Experience with a Baby

I haven’t seen anything quite like Venice before – a city built on water, with such a gorgeous heritage. Beautiful views and water canals are everywhere and perhaps its lifeline. It’s also a great city to get completely lost in, wander through many a narrow streets, get mesmerised and smitten and charmed with what the city has to offer.

But should one go there with babies/ toddlers? Well, Venice is probably not such a baby friendly city given the way it is built. Bridges come at every few meters to connect you from one side of land to the other - which means if you have a baby in a pram, you have to carry them up the steps, down the steps, walk a little distance, and again go up and down – you get the drift?  There is no transportation on land.

But should that stop you from visiting this beauty. Probably not. If you go equipped with a baby carrier, which works a lot better, and/ or a very light pram, you are in for a comfortable time. However, if you have a toddler who doesn’t like to sit in their pram or walk, you may be in for some discomfort.

That said, I saw so many families with three and more young kids holidaying in the city. I believe that when you travel with lil ones, you have to be realistic in your expectations of what you can or not do on a holiday. If the frame of mind is in the right place, you will love Venice, with a baby, just as much as we did :D

Stay & kids’ essentials:
Since Venice is so full of bridges, when it comes to hotels, I would suggest you pick up something that is close to the water taxi stations. If you are traveling with a lot of luggage, you will be very thankful for this choice.

We stayed in Hotel Canal Grande, and as the name suggests, it was on the main water canal in Venice called the Grand Canal. I would definitely recommend this to anyone traveling with kids. The staff are very courteous and helpful, and I love them for offering me their kitchen to make fresh mashed up meals for my son. They also have a nice breakfast spread and serve the best coffee I had on my trip.

Hotel Canal Grande has two water taxi stations just steps away and is just opposite the Santa Lucia train station. If you are coming into Venice and/ or getting out via trains, there’s not too much of a walk with your bags to the hotel.

If you are from the subcontinent and the kid(s) are used to having Indian food, there’s an Indian restaurant, Ganesh Ji, just a few meters away from the hotel. It is the only Indian restaurant in Venice and serves delish food.

I traveled with enough stock of diapers and milk powder, but I did see the same along with baby food jars in pharmacies and local grocery stores. Fresh milk, yoghurt and fruits were easily available. We also had a fruit and vegetable market very close to the hotel.

Reminiscing a Rainy Day in Roma

The weather in Dubai today, or shall I say the absence of the sun during the day (:P), reminds me of the morning Rome welcomed us back from the cruise - a cloud laden sky followed by a day full of light rain. It was also my son’s first rendezvous with the downpour and what a lovely day it was :D

The way you see a city, interpret it, experience it, reminisce it, also depends on the weather among other things. I was lucky to see Rome with this overcast, and the joy of being in the city in this weather is a memory very close to my heart.

 
A very early morning shot from our cruise room as we get ready to dock in Rome
(Photo credit: Hubby, Manish)

  Cold coffee in a roadside cafe

A hot cuppa indoors

Cricket Branding Brightens Colombo

Or at least their airport :) I was mighty impressed with the Colombo International Airport and the cricket branding in and around the building. Sri Lanka will be one of the hosts of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 that begins on the 19 of this month.

 

What a joy it would be, to watch a World Cup match live, and cheer your team to victory! That said, I wonder how the Indian cities are looking – hope similar or way way better :P

Honeymooners’ Paradise - Maldives

As we walked into Male International Airport, I couldn’t help but notice the large number of newly wed Indian brides with mehendi and chudas and hubbys in tow, gearing up for their honeymoon :) After having spent a peaceful, heavenly few days in the country, I now know exactly why Maldives is considered to be a honeymooner’s paradise.

It’s one of those holidays that are made for you to only chill and relax and pamper yourself and spend ample time with each other in the glory of the sun, rain, skies and ocean views.

View from our ocean facing balcony - waking up to gorgeousness like this

We stayed at the Sun Island Resort, the biggest resort in Maldives, and our overall experience  was good, except a few glitches at the end. If you do plan to stay here, I would recommend you choose the recently refurbished superior beach bungalows or water villas. The resort has ample facilities to keep you entertained, outdoor rain showers that are a delight and come in every bungalow, with good vegetarian spread in their buffets. Sometimes chefs will also kindly oblige to prepare vegetarian varieties of select live cooking menu items :D Their spa as well was wonderful and I’m going to have to tell you a little about it in a separate post.

Water villas

 
Greenery and flora in abundance

String ray feeding, above and shark feeding, below, is a daily activity at the resort

  Sunset views

24-hour open coffee shop with complimentary wi-fi service

The resort grows and exports various kinds of lettuce

If you’re planning a Maldivian holiday, here’s a few things to note:

• Most citizens can get visas on arrival, however it’s best to confirm before you travel
• The US Dollar is widely used at resorts so don’t exchange to local currency
• A sea plane ride is recommended and far more comfortable over a boat transfer to the resort. Try and have your resort include this in the package deal ;D P.S. Check for baggage allowance on the sea plane
• Being an Islamic country, you cannot bring alcohol into Maldives
• Look for all inclusive packages

Of Discovering A Different Side of Muscat

I've spent a relatively long time in this city in a not so distant past - yet driving through Muscat today, I felt like I was seeing a different side of it altogether. The difference was the rains, the cloud laden sky, the wet roads and buildings, the rain washed greener than usual greenery - it was as if they'd breathed a new life in my hometown.

I'm sure the city has seen these rains before, this kind of beauty before, even when I was a part of it, however I seemed to have just discovered it today for some reason. It's probably got to do with getting away and coming back after all these years at a time when the sun isn't at its strongest, it's probably got to do with all the growing up that has happened between now and then, it's probably got to do with the way I comprehend light and colour in everything I see these days, perhaps.

Here's a glimpse of the magical moment I experienced this afternoon..

Cafe Connect

Looking back at my recent trip, I ask myself if a cafe can be a companion? Or for that matter streets, buildings, stores, walkways?

Sure they can be – when they are in discovery mode - as you spend time with them and get to know them a little everyday :) till you know them completely and then they return to being what they are – just cafes, just buildings :)

One such cafe in the Rua Tomas Viera side of Macau became my companion in those 10 days I spent in the quite side of the city. It stood out from the rest, a nice little spot, offering an English menu (a huge relief amidst everything Chinese) - one that was also nicely segregated into various sections including one for vegetarians and for its perfect cup of tea that made my heart so happy (a phrase borrowed from the hubby). 

I wish I had an image to share of this companion, Tan Heong San’s Honolulu Cafe, but I do have pictures of what I loved best there :) It’s called Tea (Pressure) on the menu.

As you can see it was a perfect blend of tea and milk served with lots of froth. 

The cafe, though, is very well known for providing a vast variety of fine coffees from over 20 countries around the world. Didn’t try any of their coffees, but if you’re a tea lover and are looking for that perfect cuppa away from home, then you simply cannot go wrong here.

Of A Macau Square

I have no clue what this square is called but discovered it one evening in Macau and it was like love at first sight. Such a beautiful amalgamation of rhythm and charm. Such an awesome place to come together and just be.

Competition Rules

Airfares to my hometown, Muscat, have reduced to as little as AED 209  one way inclusive of all taxes by Oman Air and includes a luxurious baggage allowance and over six flights a day to choose from when flying from Dubai.

And all this because a new low cost carrier has entered the market.

Awesome, so awesome.

Read all about it here.

You've never seen Melbourne like this

I read this line at a sales centre at Docklands in Mel and thought if I ever end up writing a post on this city, this would be my title :)

Melbourne was our first stop & how ironic that it will be my last post on Aussie land. Perhaps, I needed to be in solitude to write about this very special city.

It was given that I would have a good time here  since one of my soul mates resided in the city but S you made sure it was much more than that - it was re-living one of the most special bonds in my life, in the company of a friend I have known for years and in whose company I always come alive to be who I really am - there is no pretence, nothing to hide and S is fun infinitely multiplied :)

Thank you for being such a wonderful host. I miss you and love you loads as you already know :)

So back to Mel now, the city is full of art & culture, Asians and plenty of yummy Asian food. Here it's difficult to feel you're in Oz and not HK or Singapore :)

Mel is also known for the great ocean drive - supposedly one of the best drives in the world. The great ocean road leads you to the 12 apostles, marvelous stand alone limestone formations rising from the sea. When you see them you feel as though you've almost reached the end of the world. Stunning.

Without any more talk, let me take you through some pictorial highlights from our trip to Melbourne:

Sydney

Syyydddneyyyy - well what can I say, the moment you step into this city there is such incredible energy that you know you're in for a great time. And that is exactly what we had and so much more :)

We arrived to the city on a sunny Friday afternoon from Mel and were recommended to stay in the vicinity of Darling Harbour, which I can now recommend :). Oh Darling Harbour, but wait, there's more to say before we get to it.

May is Autumn there and I think it's probably the first time in my life I experienced what this season is about (As the gulf countries just have one season throughout the year)

Sydney was about the green and yellow leaves on trees, streets full of multi cuisine restaurants, cafés, bars, harbours, history, modernity, diversity, the awe-inspiring Harbour Bridge, the breathtaking architecture of the Opera House, the show board cruise and Darling Harbour.

Hubby and I thought we could spend days just at Darling soaking up the beauty of the city. You can shop, eat, catch a cruise, go sightseeing to the nearby aquarium, zoo, museums or the over rated AMP tower and oh gambling too - it is the truest one stop shopping, dining & entertainment destination.

I'll leave you with a couple of  Sydney moments from our trip, hoping they will either tempt you to visit or refresh memories of your visit to this scintillating city.

PS: This is by far one of The best Indian restaurants I've eaten at and you can't miss it if you're in Sydney. You'll looovvvee it

Hamilton Island, Australia

After my trip to Australia, we've been talking to many who have travelled there or want to, and the cities you often here are Melbourne, Sydney and Gold Coast. Now these three are brilliant, but there is an island in Queensland, which is marvelous, superb, fantastic :) and an island in the true sense of the word - not too big, loads of greenery, lots and lots of water and beaches and its called Hamilton Island.

I believe not too many people know about this gem and have it on their agenda but it is highly recommended and a MUST do when in Aussie land.

Hamilton Island is the largest inhabited island in the beautiful Whitsundays located just off the Queensland Coast. It has accommodations varying from hotels to villas and holiday apartments. The way to commute on the island is with a humble buggy.

Hamilton Island is also the closest to the awesome Great Barrier Reef, another MUST when Down Under. 

With ample of restaurants, activities, small little boutiques and very warm residents, you will truly feel like you are on a true holiday here.

   

Holiday Hangover

:) does something like this exist? I'm not sure, but I am experiencing just that at this very moment.

Can't really blame my emotions as two weeks is a good enough time to loose yourself. Especially given that I went to a place that had so much to offer and discover in the company of my love.

Well so as my post title says it I had an absolutely amazing time Down Under and hubby dear has aptly captured it in the picture below.

I was and am truly mesmerised by the beauty, the culture, the history, the progress and the people of  Australia.

I'll do a quick review of places I visited shortly once I settle down so if any of you do travel to these places in Aussie land, it might, might just come handy.