December 2015

Corporate

December 2015 • VOLUME 4 • ISSUE 12 • ` 50

Hogenakkal The Niagra of South India

Kaziranga

The Rhinoland

Catalonia

The Mediterranean Hub of Culture

December 2015 | Corporate Outbound 1

Contents

22 Other Stories

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Managing Editor: Anurag Gupta Marketing: Don Jose Creative: Raj Toppo Printed, Published & Owned by Anurag Gupta @ 348, Amarjyoti Layout, Domlur Bangalore - 560 071 Ph: +91 80 41224331 Email: corporateoutbound@gmail.com Printed at Cosmos Printers & Publishers, Wilson Garden, Bangalore - 560 027

Growth in Tiger Tourism in India by 230%

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tête-à-tête with Milind Soman

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Savour Corner

26 29

Christmas - MERRY go

round

The Kite Festival of Gujarat

10 16 Catalonia

The Mediterranean Hub of Culture

2 Corporate Outbound | December 2015

December 2015 | Corporate Outbound 3

Buzz Aviation

Air India to operate Delhi-Durgapur services

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ir India will commence its three flights a week from Durgapur to Delhi from December 2015.

The flight will take off from the Dum Dum airport at 13.00 hours. It will fly from Kolkata to Durgapur and from there reach Delhi at around 17:45 hours. From Delhi, the flight will take off at 18:15 hours and will reach Kolkata via Durgapur at 22:00 hours. It will reach Durgapur (from Delhi) at 20:45 hours.

Lucknow-Singapore Tiger Air flight

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ucknow joined the club of select few cities to have direct air connectivity to South East Asia with Singapore-based Tiger Airways’ direct flight operations between Lucknow and Singapore. The airlines will operate three flights per week between Lucknow and Singapore—on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. The flight will arrive from Singapore at 8pm and fly back at 9pm.

The state capital so far has direct air connectivity only to Saudi Arabia, Dubai and Oman.

Qatar Airways adds 13th Indian destination Nagpur to its network

Air India starts direct flight from Delhi to San Francisco

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atar Airways started daily flights to Nagpur in India on Tuesday, increasing the weekly flights operated by the airline to India. Qatar Airways is operating the flight with an Airbus A320, a narrowbody single aisle aircraft, with 144 seats. The Doha-based airline said it offers 12 business class and 132 economy class seats on the flight that takes just over four hours.

he return flight from San Francisco will depart at 10.30 am and will reach Delhi the next day (Thursday, Saturday and Monday) at 4.15 pm. The return flight from San Francisco will provide onward connections to cities like Bengaluru, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Kochi, Ahmedabad, Pune and Bhubaneswar. Passengers can enjoy nonstop entertainment, specially chosen food and best of the comfort.

Interestingly, Air India had been amongst the first airlines to start commercial operations from the Kazi Nazrul Islam Airport at Durgapur. The inaugural flight was operated by Alliance Air, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Air India, with a 48-seater ATR-42 aircraft.

AirAsia X to resume Delhi flights

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irAsia X will relaunch flights to Delhi in February 2016, four years after it suspended the service. The Malaysian low-cost carrier has confirmed that it will start operating four weekly direct flights between Kuala Lumpur and India’s capital on 3 February. Flights will depart KL every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at 1900, arriving in Delhi at 2200. The return services will leave Delhi at 2315, arriving back in KL at 0730 the next morning. The flight time is approximately five and a half hours.

4 Corporate Outbound | December 2015

December 2015 | Corporate Outbound 5

Buzz Hospitality

IHAR opens Niranta at Mumbai Airport

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HAR has opened the Niranta Airport Transit Hotel and Lounge for transit passengers at Terminal 2 of GVK Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport Mumbai offering world-class facilities with fine detailing for comfort. With its convenient location and pay-by-the-hour booking system, Niranta provides a time-saving option for passengers to relax in the lap of luxury with great value for money.

Niranta houses the only lounge-cum-bar and spa at Terminal 2 arrivals and guests can experience the best of ancient healing therapies with expertly administered foot reflexology and Asian spa treatments. Niranta also serves the business and work needs of travellers, with a spacious work area, a media hub and complimentary Wi-Fi for its guests.

6 Corporate Outbound | December 2015

Malkani Group opens 4-star boutique business hotel T24 Residency in Mumbai

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alkani Group opened their 4-star boutique business hotel, T24 Residency, in Mumbai. Situated on a stone’s throw from the T24 International terminal. The 9-storey property comprising 55 rooms is divided into 3 categories of Executive Rooms, Deluxe Rooms and Club Rooms. A spacious yoga centre, banquet and conference rooms with modern designs and a terrace swimming pool complement the needs and expectations of their patrons.

Among the services are free Wi-Fi access both within the hotel and in all hotel transportation, the Travellers Library, where guest can pick a book and even keep it with him, smart card access to all T24 Residency areas; boarding pass kiosks and luggage tags for an uninterrupted access to airport and flight; personalised and customised toiletries with a special menu to cater to your personal needs; complimentary ironing and closet services for frequent guests who want to leave back their luggage and travel light, etc.

Taj opens its Gateway in Pune

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he Indian Hotel Company Limited (IHCL) opened The Gateway Hotel in Hinjawadi, Pune’s popular IT business centre. The hotel hosts 150 rooms (including 6 suites) along with 5,500 square feet of banquet area and three restaurants. Hotel’s unique offering would be the availability of night conferences, considering the timing of the IT and BPO industry, a first in the city.

Treebo Hotels launches Alpha, a premium offering targeting corporate travellers

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reebo Hotels, a tech-enabled budget hotel brand based in Bengaluru, opened Treebo Alpha, an exclusive offering designed to cater to the needs of corporate travellers. The offering comes with benefits like free office pickup and drop, personal 4G dongles, complimentary laundry service, and free evening snack among others.

The company is currently clocking 900 room nights every day with 75% occupancy across hotels. With the launch of Treebo Alpha, it is looking to further grow its share in the business travel segment, which comprises about 40% of the budget travel and hospitality space.

December 2015 | Corporate Outbound 7

HolidayIQ Insights: 2015Growth in Tiger Tourism in India by 230%

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olidayIQ, India's largest travel community and holidays recommendation engine releases a report on the Growth in Tiger Tourism in India by 230% which reveals ‘Tiger Tourism’ is fast-growing.

Earlier in the year it was reported that India’s Tiger AURANGABAD population is up by a third. The rise, from 1,706 th Tigersthin 2011 to 2,226 in 2014 is definitely positive 15 ,news.

16 Ahead Aug 2015 of this travel season, a marked increase of 230% in number of holidays planned around tiger trails is seen when compared to last year. Interestingly Tiger Trails have grown in popularity across all traveller groups. Generally couple travelers accounted for close to 50% of most leisure holidays. Tiger trails are also popular with families and the share is - couple travelers accounting for 36%, family travelers 32% and group holidayers accounting for 28% of all tiger trails planned. There has also been significant increase in the usage of mobiles around holiday planning. The HolidayIQ offline guides feature, which allows users to store and download all information of their end-destination is extremely popular among wildlife enthusiasts as internet connectivity is a major issue in jungle destinations.

The recent initiative by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) to establish Tiger safaris in the buffer zones of tiger reserves is yet another interesting move which will celebrate the majestic animal sensitively and sensibly. It will also bring in revenue which can be used for the welfare of the endangered species.

Most visited Tiger Reserves in India are Bandipur National Park, Karnataka, Ranthambore, Rajasthan, Mudumalai (Masinagudi), Tamil Nadu, Sunderbans, West Bengal. Bangalore, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai and Pune are the top cities where Indian travellers are heading to for Tiger Tourism.

Amongst non-metro Coimbatore and Nagpur city travellers are heading for the same. On an average traveller from India reported spending of INR 15,500 on their Tiger Trail holidays in 2014. Looking at 2015 spend, this number increased to INR 17,686. Trip planning was initially done 36 days in advance. From 36 days in 2014, the number has decreased to 30 days in 2015.

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• Most visited tiger reserves in India include Bandipur National Park, Sunderbans National Park, Mudumalai National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary and Ranthambore National Park.

• Cities from where maximum number of Tiger trails are planned are Bangalore, Kolkata, Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Nagpur and Coimbatore • Tiger Tourism is popular among couple travelers, who account for 36% of all tiger trails planned, followed by family travelers (32%), group holidayers (28%) and single travelers (4%)

December 2015 | Corporate Outbound 9

Hogenakkal The Niagra of South India

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nyone staring at the huge falls of Hogenakkal is bound to get awe-stricken. The fierce falls, shooting location of numerous Bollywood as well as South Indian movies, stands as a sheer surprise to the eyes of the spectator.

Hogenakkal tiny but worth visiting destination, lies surrounded by the Melagiri Hills of Tamil Nadu & Karnataka border. The place is best for a day visit or even for one night trip. We opted to stay over, on hearing that the roar of the waterfall is heard in the night even in hotels nearby.

And so true it was!!!

We Started from Bangalore on a Saturday afternoon to avoid the morning hours’ traffic. Waterfalls can be reached via Hosur road from Bangalore. It is important to carry sufficient cash as Hogenakkal hardly has any ATM and transactions are mostly done in cash. After crossing Dharmapuri, which is approximately 46 kms to Hogenakkal the last leg of the journey was a tranquil ride with lush-green surroundings, rural and peaceful atmosphere, and the never-ending chirping of birds.

We realized we’ve reached near Hogenakkal, as the waterfalls’ sound reached our ears gradually.

We straight went to Hotel Tamil Nadu, managed

by Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation, where a room was already booked. It is advisable to make your bookings in advance. Hogenakkal, both from staying and eating point of view, does not offer luxury. This hotel has rooms to suit every traveller from double occupancy to family rooms. We relaxed and went for a stroll nearby as it was dark by then.

Next morning we booked a Coracle (a local round boat made of bamboo sticks) and headed the falls. Coracle is called 'Parisal' in local language.

Parisal is authentically an indigenous product, whose shape and features have not changed over thousands of years! The waterfalls can be best experienced by this boat-ride. The boat man took us for a real ride towards various banks and to a place where we could see the full view of breathtaking falls. The ride through the gorge gives you goose bumps and is totally a photographer’s delight. There is also a little bit of trekking while hopping from one river bank to the other.

time permits. Astonishingly huge rocks, endless greenery and the fiery waterfalls – Hogenakkal is indeed a fabulous weekend destination.

Accessibility: There is a bus service which connects falls via Hosur from Bangalore but Hogenakkal can best visited by car or a bike. It is a 3-hour-drive from Bangalore (170km), 5 ½ hours from Chennai (344km) and 2 hours (108km) from Salem.

Season: November to February is best. Summer is extremely hot and rainy season is better to avoid.

Stay: If planning for overnight stay, best option is Hotel Tamil Nadu by TTDC (very near to the Coracle booking centre).

Eat: Though packed savouries are available on road-side stalls (cool drinks, chips, biscuits etc.), food is available at Hotel Tamil Nadu. Locals sell fried fish with local taste near the falls area. Best option is to carry packed food in your car.

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Express Info Hotel Tamil Nadu: www.ttdconline.com Travel Tips: • If not going by own car, cabs can be booked for day-trips costing around Rs.3000 for the entire trip including permits and toll-charges.

• Carry trekking shoes / sneakers for the in-between-treks during Coracle-rides.

The Coracle-ride continues for unforgettable 3 to 4 hours. There is a small Hogenakkal Aquarium and a crocodile farm which can be visited if 10 Corporate Outbound | December 2015

December 2015 | Corporate Outbound 11

Marathon Tourism – tête-à-tête with Milind Soman

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trong, as he always is…

Motivated, as his fitness always keeps him… yes we are talking about Milind Soman, India’s very own Iron Man. Corporate Outbound reached up to him and what else could have been discussed with a man who completed the world’s toughest triathlon at the magical age of 50 - his views on the trendiest concept in travel industry - Marathon Tourism!

Marathon traditionally has been a big fund-raising opportunity for charity and in fact the largest funds raised through any kind of sporting activity – is through marathons. Runners come from different walks of life… they could be from corporate, from business, they can be people who stay at home like housewives but the profile is that they run, they care about themselves, they care about environment.

Marathon runners are socially very aware. So a person is not coming to a particular country to take pictures, he is observing – looking around – he is becoming interested in the local issues and maybe there will be an opportunity in future that he would be part of it.

Now that marathon pops up as a unique excuse to explore new countries and experiment new cuisines for the new breed of travelers, Milind Soman shared his views on the phenomenally growing activity.

It’s a new thing! Marathon is only 45 years old.

In 1970, only 300 people used to run the Boston Marathon, the oldest marathon of modern era… but today they receive around 2,50,000 applications but they can accommodate only 50, 000.

In just the last 45 years, marathon has become huge… it’s the fastest growing activity in the world.

Runners travelling to other countries are going to marathons just for running or visiting the destination for tourism in line with marathon?

Sports Tourism of late has also become quite popular. What would you say on that?

I guess it’s another reason to travel…and for a more meaningful visit rather than just going and taking pictures, just being a tourist. It provides a lot of people-connection in a way.

I think most of them! If you see, for example, the New York Marathon, I am sure there are lot of people who come from all over the world to run the marathon…I also ran there…out of 50,000 participants, 43,000 completed it. The percentage of people finishing the marathon is approximately 95%.

Countries like Laos, Myanmar etc are organizing marathons and attracting many foreign participants to raise funds for charity purposes. What are your views on this?

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“

“

How many of them actually reach the finishing line?

If you go to Wimbledon, you can’t play a match with Federer or Nadal, but in marathon you can run with Haile Gebrselassie – in the same marathon!

Yes, that is also very large. But is more for spectators and not for participating. Marathon is the only international sport where one can participate in the sport. And, it’s the only sport where you can run along with the world-champions. So, if you go to Wimbledon, you can’t play a match with Federer or Nadal, but in marathon you can run with Haile Gebrselassie – in the same marathon!

So, which all places you have visited and run marathons?

I only run one marathon in a year that is Mumbai Marathon – it’s in my city. I have also done Bangalore Marathon and the New York Marathon. But I don’t travel for that. It just happens!

Which is your favorite destination - in India and abroad?

Any place that you would like to go again?

I like France and Europe but then I also like Africa and South America, I like everything. In India, I like the Andamans and Northeast. I have not been to Nagaland, Mizoram, Tripura and Lakshadweep so I would like visit them.

What is your favourite cuisine - International and Indian?

International – I’d say Japanese and in Indian – Maharashtrian (laughs) because I love my mother’s cooking! Every state has great cuisines otherwise, if it was not my mother’s cooking then I’d say my favorite is Bengali – mostly the fish, the mutton – the non-vegetarian food they make, though they have a very good vegetarian cuisine as well.

You don’t eat sweets, is that right?

Of course I eat sweets (laughs). I don’t eat white (refined) sugar. In traditional cooking, sugar was never used it was jaggery. So where ever I travel, Chefs make traditional local desserts with jaggery for me which are amazing.

How was the Iron Man Challenge experience?

Iron Man experience was good after which I decided travel to the places that had Iron Man challenge. Iron man happens in exotic places.

Marathons generally happen in the heart of a city.

Next iron man I will do is in Mexico, next year in November. It’s interesting to travel to places like that, where you are swimming in the sea or in the lake, you are cycling around the hills or the countryside and you see the country a bit more but course it’s a bigger challenge.

Would you like to give any message for Indian marathoners?

Enjoy yourself. Have fun. Keep running!!

Well, generally I would say places where I have not been to. It has to be a new place to excite me.

Picture Courtesy: Flashbulbzz Photography, Bangalore December 2015 | Corporate Outbound 13

Chef Vipul, a Professional in Industry with over 11 years of experience in India and Abroad, specializes in South East Asian and Modern Continental Cuisine. Currently, he is inspiring and nurturing young chefs as a Chef Trainer at IHM PUSA New Delhi.

PUMPKIN PIE The pumpkin is a symbol of harvest time. And pumpkin pie is generally prepared for thanksgiving and Christmas. Pumpkin pie is a sweet dessert pie with a spiced, pumpkin-based custard filling.

The pie consists of a pumpkin-based custard, ranging in color from orange to brown, baked in a single pie shell, rarely with a top crust. The pie is generally flavored with cinnamon, powdered ginger, nutmeg, and cloves. Cardamom and vanilla are also sometimes used as batter spices. The spice mixture is called pumpkin pie spice.

INGREDIENTS • Flour – 250 gms • Salt- 10 gms • Shortening-80 gms • Pumpkin(cooked and mashed)-450 gms • Condensed milk-250 ml • Eggs- 2 no • Brown sugar-180 gms • Cinnamon powderpinch • Ginger- 20 gms • Nutmeg- 1 no

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METHOD • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).

• Prepare pie crust by mixing together the flour and salt. Cut shortening into flour; add cold water 1 tablespoon at a time (you may need only 3 tablespoons, or up to 4 tablespoons). Mix dough and repeat until dough is moist enough to hold together.

• With lightly floured, hands shape dough into a ball. On a lightly floured board roll dough out to about 1/8 inch thickness. With a sharp knife, cut dough 1 1/2 inch larger than the upside-down 8to 9-inch pie pan. Gently roll the dough around the rolling pin and transfer it right-side up onto the pie pan. Unroll, easing dough into the bottom of the pie pan.

• In a large bowl, beat pumpkin with evaporated milk, eggs, brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and salt with an electric mixer or immersion blender. Mix well. Pour into a prepared crust.

Bake 40 minutes or until when a knife is inserted comes out clean.

December 2015 | Corporate Outbound 15

Catalonia

The Mediterranean Hub of Culture

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December 2015 | Corporate Outbound 17

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here art meets architecture and festivities blend with serenity, Catalonia stands out-of-the-crowd, being very much a part of Spain and yet very distinct in nature.

The place with historical legacy dating back to the reigns of Carthaginians, Romans and Moors, is now an autonomous part in Spain comprising of four provinces – Barcelona, Tarragona, Lleida and Girona. With its own language, Catalan, and high growth in terms of industries as well as tourism and hospitality – Catalonia is undoubtedly an Outbound Traveler’s unique choice for a European vacation.

Sports lovers very well know FC Barcelona and a lot of them can recollect the excellently hosted 1992 Barcelona Olympics; for Art lovers – Catalonia is the city of Salvador Dali and those who have passion for World History and Heritage, this is where Antoni Gaudí, the renowned architect, built some his best creations.

Especially because of the growing city of Barcelona, which is the regional capital and second largest city in Spain after Madrid, and connected with all major cities around the globe – Catalonia is an unspoiled destination ready to be explored!

FESTIVITIES: The typical Mediterranean spirit of Catalonia presents a string of festivals round the year, 18 Corporate Outbound | December 2015

making the cities and towns into folkloric worlds of giants, human-towers, human-castles and large-head puppets.

Human Castles (Castellers): Tarragona, the region to the south of Barcelona, is the point of origin of this famous Human Castle tradition. It’s not impossible to even see more than a hundred people balance on one another’s shoulders to create great trembling towers up to nine storeys high, while the traditional Catalan musicians (Grallers) accompany. Euphoric applause of the amazed watchers adds to the excitement and creates an electric atmosphere.

Visitors to Barcelona can witness Castells (human towers), Falcons (human buildings), Gegants (giants), Bastoners (stick-dancers), Sardenas, Moxigangas etc. traditional dances - right near the Barcelona Cathedral. It is organized for the tourists every Saturday evening 5.30pm and provides a great opportunity for photo-shoot.

The Fire Run (Correfoc) or Devil’s Dance (Ball de Diables): This is one of the most stunning elements of Catalan festivals. It is a form of popular theatre wherein different prominent figures

recite small rhymed texts. ‘Sintesi of devils’ dance is a theatrical representation of the struggle of the Good against the Evil.

Folkloric Processions (Cercavila): Colourful dragons, giant figures as high as 12-feet, large-head dwarfs, fire dancers, spoken dances (originated from old-era theatre) and musicians create vibrant processions that wind their way in the Catalonia streets.

Dances: Cities, town and villages are on a blast during the local festivals when the various dance forms of Catalonia can be observed. Ball dels Gegants (the Dance of the Giants), the Ball de Gitanes (Gypsy Dance), Ball de Cercolets and Ball de Pastorets (Shepherds' dance), the Sardanes and Ball de Bastons (Stick Dance) – are a few of the most popular forms. For tourists best time to experience some of it like the stick-dance is on Saturday and Sundays in the Barcelona city itself.

ART, HERITAGE & HISTORY: Catalonia is home to some interesting museums, that includes – The Picasso Museum (located in Barcelona and houses around 3500 original pieces

by Pablo Picasso), Joan Miro Foundation (houses paintings and sculptures by Miro and located in Barcelona itself), Catalan National Art Museum (located close to Barcelona, at a place called Espanya; contains arts dating back to 11th century too) and Museum of the History of Catalonia (again, located at Barcelona city itself and ideal for history-lovers).

December 2015 | Corporate Outbound 19

Catalonia boasts of some grand UNESCO World Heritage sites - with architectural works by Antoni Gaudí and Domènech i Montaner. There are the archaeological site of Tarragona, Santa Maria de Poblet monastery and the Romanesque churches in Vall de Boí, among others.

GASTRONOMY: Catalonia is also a hotspot of gastronomic activities. Catalonia has over 19 food clubs, all of which bring together a host of culinary extravaganza for the tourists to enjoy, experiment and relish. Different cultures, diverse tastes and endless varieties of ingredients – makes it a foodie’s dream come true experience. Catalonian cuisine has been known to be one of the best and most innovative in the world. The cuisine is particularly special for its fresh ingredients and yes, they all are typically of Catalonia’s Mediterranean roots.

In 2015, Catalonia was awarded a total of 60 Michelin Stars. Other gastronomic accolades include El Celler de Can Roca in Girona, awarded the Best Restaurant in the World 2015 by Restaurant Magazine. The must-try thing for a food-lover, however, is to go for typical Catalonian dishes with some interesting twists!

Catalonia, in recent times, has come up with many matchless tourism opportunities for foodies that include Olive Oil Tourism, Catalan Cuisines Travels and Gastronomy Travels.

Overall, stuffed with so much, Catalonia is nothing less than a paradise for culture-lovers.

Express Info

Accessibility: All major cities are well-connected to Barcelona through air.

Barcelona beaches are all artificial! It was a typical port city; and only during 1992 Olympics, beaches for tourists were created on its 4.5km coastline.

Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, British Airways, Swiss, Emirates and Air France flies from New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad and Bangalore with travel duration of around 13 hours (1+ stops).

Season: Round-the-year. But July and August are the best time to witness the festivals.

Currency: 1 Euro = INR 71+ Visa: www.spain.visahq.in Information & Picture Courtesy: Charson Advisory Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai.

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December 2015 | Corporate Outbound 21

The Rhinoland

Kaziranga

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ver the years, we have visited many wildlife sanctuaries in India including Nagarhole, Corbett, Kanha, Gir, Pin, Binsar, Sundarnbans, but we never ventured out to any forest in the north eastern part of our country. So this time when we finally decided to go to north-eastern part of India for our summer vacation, Kaziranga was on the top of our list.

Kaziranga, the Eastern Himalaya bio-diversity hotspot, lies south of river Brahmaputra in Assam and is considered to be the home of Great Indian One-horned Rhinoceroses. As per last counting there were more than 1500 rhinos in Kaziranga which is spread over 430sq km. Though Kaziranga is famous for its One-horned Rhinos, it is also home to Asiatic Water Buffalos, Swamp Deer, elephants, gaur, sambar, wild boar and hog deer and not to forget tigers. As per last tiger Census, Kaziranga was the home of 116 tigers. As per an official statistics, Kaziranga also has 1,432 Asiatic Water Buffalos, 468 Eastern Swamp Deer, 1,048 Asiatic Elephants and 478 species of bird species.

On the third day of our journey we were on our way to Kaziranga.

From our experience of hits and misses that we had in our pursuit of tigers and lions in other Indian forests, everybody in the team had a question in their mind whether we can see Rhinos or not. As we were approaching the national park we had our first encounter with Rhinos which were almost half a kilometer away from us. Everybody was excited. Later we realized that unlike a tiger reserve where the sighting of India's national animal is often a matter of chance, a visit to this national park in Golaghat and Nagaon districts of this northeastern state is certain to offer more than a glimpse of the one-horned rhinoceros, dwelling in its natural habitat.

Somenath Nag is a travel enthusiast & passionate in watching birds and clicking them. He is based out of Bangalore and is Digital Innovation & Transformation Leader at an IT firm.

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December 2015 | Corporate Outbound 23

Picture Courtesy: Somenath Nag and Suryadeepto Nag

Despite the presence of the tall elephant grass, we could spot more than 60 of these odd-toed ungulates during the course of two jeep safaris some as near as a couple of meters away. Apart from this we could see many deer, elephants and birds.

Trekking and hiking are prohibited so as not to disturb the animals, but one can climb atop one of the several observation towers at Sohola, Mihimukh, Kathpara, Foliamari and Harmoti for sightings.

Wildlife safari tour, including bird-watching, is the main tourist activity in Kaziranga. Guided tours by elephant or jeep are available. Safaris start as early as 5.30am for tiger-sighting and also observing other animals like rhino, buffalo, panthers, deer etc. Thousands of bird species can also be better viewed at that point of time. The other safari timing is the afternoon hours from 3pm. Safaris generally continue for an hour to an hour and half.

The park area is circumscribed by the Brahmaputra River and includes numerous small waterbodies inside it. The other border of the park, to the south, has Karbi Anglong Hills.

The park’s history goes back to 1905, when the “Kaziranga Proposed Reserve Forest” was established. With time, it changed from a "Reserve Forest" in 1908 to "Kaziranga Game Sanctuary" in 1916 and "Kaziranga Wildlife Sanctuary" in 1950, 24 Corporate Outbound | December 2015

followed by the designation of “National Park” 1974. In 1985, Kaziranga was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Accessibility

By Air: Guwahati airport is well connected with all the major cities in India. One can fly to Guwahati (180 km) or to Jorhat (100 km). Taxis are easily available at the airport, which takes 4 hours to reach Kaziranga from Guwahati, and 2 ½ hours from Jorhat.

By Rail: Nearest rail head is at Jakhalabandha, 40 KM away. But Guwahati railway station is the ideal station to get down at. It has direct train connection with all the major cities of mainland India.

Taxis can be hired there itself and Kaziranga is just a 4-hour-drive away.

Stay

Wild Grass Lodge is located right outside the park.

Iora Resort is a newly built resort off the National Highway 37 that runs through the park. Jupuri Ghar is another resort located very near to the booking office. Bonhabi Resort is another resort that is hardly a one-minute-walk from the main gate of the park. On the bank of Diphlu River, there is one more resort named Diphlu River Lodge. Assam Government also runs a resort named Aranya Resort, 3 km from the gate of the park.

osts alone h a g n a ir Kaz the ed irds of two-th eat one-horn r g 's world ros. rhinoce

Express Info Season: The Park is open on all the days from 1 November till 30 April each year Travel Tips: Visitors can even cruise through the Coast of Brahmaputra River, along the park, on boats available therein Further Information: www.assamtourism.gov.in www.assamtourismonline.com

December 2015 | Corporate Outbound 25

Christmas

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London

MERRY go round

he best part of the year is always the year-end, or shall we say - when the New Year begins! Well, that’s when Christmas comes and the joy continues till the beginning of New Year. Almost the whole world lights up with celebrations.

While almost every city displays lightings and offer celebrations, variety of gourmet and events, there are certain places which are among the best places you can fly down to, and enjoy the festive period.

Singapore Sparkling nights, Christmas feast, mechanised reindeers to fairy tales castles to shopping to street performances to fire works to dance parties you will find it there!!!

Christmas on A Great Street at Orchard Road is lit into sparkling fairy land making it magical for every shutterbug’s dream come true with millions of dazzling lights dripping from decorated trees. Unstoppable street performances, promotions for shopping exciting events, giant Christmas tree, wintry wonderland will make not only kids but also adults speechless. Visit sparkling Gardens by the Bay to frolic snowfall in Universal Studios to fireworks at VivoCity to wine and dine with splendid fireworks at Clarke Quay to a stroll at Singapore River for festive treats and gourmet grub. Experience Siloso Beach Party with big dance floor, great tunes and floating lanterns.

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London stands as unarguably one of the finest places to celebrate Christmas, compared to any other destination. The British love Christmas and buying presents, which is why there are plenty of options to shop in London during Christmas. Walking the city’s central streets, filled with wrappedup warm, excited and busy shoppers and enjoying the spectacular lights of Oxford Street - is one of the unique experiences of spending your holiday in the British capital.

The iconic Trafalgar Square huge Christmas tree is a must-see, which is an annual gift from Norway (A modern tradition of sending it as a token of gratitude for support during the WWII). Britain also has a few matchless Christmas traditions like - pulling Christmas crackers or attending traditional Christmas pantomimes. Something you shouldn’t miss is the institutional Queen’s Speech broadcast at 3 p.m. every Christmas Day. And yes, if the famous Yorkshire puddings and Turkey is not on your plate, what else can make the Christmas special, when in London!

Sydney There are number of events, activities and celebrations in this Australian city over Christmas. Each year, the famous Family Christmas Concerts are held with a massive night of music and entertainment at Martin Place, Rushcutters Bay, Alexandria, Hyde Park, Roseberry and Surry Hills in Sydney. Martin Place also showcases the enormous sparkling Christmas tree. The city and the surrounding places are lit up using projections, with Sydney’s favorite choirs singing in the City Centre.

Sydney Town Hall lights up in a kaleidoscope of color. Each night Sydney Town Hall transforms into a mass of festive color as light projections move about the splendid building.

December 2015 | Corporate Outbound 27

‘Uttarayan’ -

The Kite Festival of Gujarat Hong Kong Indulge yourself in Winter Fest with Christmas festivity at Central before basking in the joyful spirit in whole of Hongkong. Christmas-themed events at top attractions, special shopping offers and festive gourmet fuel your excitements, leading all the way up to the Hong Kong Pulse 3D Light Show and a spectacular New Year countdown. Place to eat, shop and Merry!!! Poinsettias flowers and Nativity scenes decorated homes, churches and public places, as well as big red and gold letters from the Chinese alphabet on decorated streamers and paper chains are the main attractions. The display of lights and fireworks up till the skyscrapers and buildings are really magnificent.

Goa Yes!! Goa is one of the best places during Christmas to be in. Portuguese flavors, whitewashed churches, firecrackers, bells and carolers will make your holiday perfect as a scene from a Bollywood film. A Christmas season in Goa is something one cherishes all their life.

People come from all over the world all the way to enjoy the mass trance parties all over - Vagator, Ashwem, Anjuna and Morjim. The beaches are great, decent dinners with wine, the lively party atmosphere and the weather is at its best.

In Goa, one can enjoy authentic Greek, Italian, Japanese or Fusion gourmet.

Loud music, dance and revelry, clubbed with sumptuous dishes mark the festivities of Christmas in Goa. All this makes Goa - definitely the most popular destination in India for Christmas.

28 Corporate Outbound | December 2015

Picture Courtesy: Singapore tourism, VisitBritain.com, Sydney.com, Hong Kong Tourism

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rowded roof-tops, sumptuous Gujarati delicacies and fun-filled battle between kite-fliers – ‘Uttarayan’ is celebrated in Gujarat on the auspicious day of Makar Sankranti. The day marks the transition of the sun into the zodiac sign of Makara Raashi (Capricorn) on its celestial path.

Since 1989, the city of Ahmedabad has hosted the International Kite Festival as part of the official celebration of Uttarayan, bringing master kite makers and flyers from all over the world to demonstrate their unique creations and wow the crowds with highly unusual kites. Designing and making of astonishingly creative and colorful kites are seen on the streets of Ahmedabad in Patang Bazaar (meaning kite-market). The whole week preceding Uttarayan, the market is kept open round-the-clock for kiteenthusiasts to stock up. Almost all types of kite varieties, seen elsewhere in the world, fly above the Sardar Patel Stadium in Ahmedabad. The nights see the illuminated box kites, known as ‘Tukkals’, released in the dark and creating a glow-dotted sky. This gives the people of Ahmedabad the change to see the unusual kites brought by the visitors some of which are truly works of art.

Cuisine and Crafts display are also enjoyed by the participants and spectators. Visitors come from around India for the celebration, many Gujaratis who live outside the state choose this time to make their trip home, and international visitors have come from countless countries, including Japan, Italy, the UK, Canada, Brazil, Indonesia, Australia, the USA, Malaysia, Singapore, France, China, and many more.In 2016, the kite festival is going to be held from 8th to 14th January, 2016.

Ahmedabad has a Kite Museum, one of the very few of its kind in the world, located at Paldi area in the city.

Picture Courtesy: Tourism Corporation of Gujarat

For further information, visit: www.gujarattourism.com December 2015 | Corporate Outbound 29

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