March 2016

Corporate

March 2016 • VOLUME 5 • ISSUE 3 • ` 50

OFFBEAT MAHARASHTRA : The Konkan Belt

DANDELI

– The Weekend Jungle Getaway

Ko Chang – The Elephant Island

March 2016 | Corporate Outbound 1

Contents

22 Other Stories

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

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Aviation News

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Hospitality News

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Railway Minister proposes promotion of Tiger Tourism circuit packages

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Offbeat Maharashtra : The Konkan Belt

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FUNtastic Fiesta

28

What Women Want?

Cover Pic: Sathodi waterfall, Dandeli, Karnataka Picture Courtesy: Anju K.P

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08 Ko Chang – The Elephant Island 2 Corporate Outbound | March 2016

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Buzz

Aviation

Rajkot th 19 , 20 , 21 Aug 2016

Indore rd 21 , 22 , 23 Oct 2016

Mangalore 18th, 19th, 20th Nov 2016

Madurai 16th, 17th, 18th Dec 2016

th

th

Nagpur th th th 27 , 28 , 29 Jan 2017 Air India to launch night flight between Kolkata & Port Blair

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ir India has launched regular weekly flights on the Kolkata – Port Blair route. The charter flight AI 3707 will depart from Kolkata at 2100 hours and is scheduled to arrive at Port Blair at 2300 hours. The return flight AI3708 will leave Port Blair at 2340 hours and will land back in Kolkata at 0125 hours. Air India, in fact, had pioneered night landing operations in Port Blair, by carrying out Safety Risks Assessment through a test flight to check the viability of the night operations to Port Blair. This move of Air India to operate a charter flight for the Andaman and Nicobar administration would benefit the Islanders by improving their connectivity to and from the mainland.

Air Odisha to start flight to Raipur

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fter a month of successful intra-state flight operations, local carrier Air Odisha has decided to run a flight to Raipur, the capital of neighbouring Chhattisgarh. The carrier has given a proposal to the government requesting permission for the Raipur operations. Airlines have discussed the interstate operation to Raipur with the government.

They have agreed to provide a subsidy to Air Odisha on the basis of nautical miles covered by the carrier in a month.

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Ethiopian Airlines to start twice daily services to Delhi

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st

nd

Vijayawada th th th 24 , 25 , 26 Feb 2017

Bhubaneshwar 24 , 25th, 26th Mar 2017 th

thiopian Airlines announced the l start of twice daily flights to Delhi with the latest B737-800 New Generation Sky Interior aircraft. Travellers will be able to make an immediate connection to cities like Hargeisa, Khartoum, Nairobi and some Southern African flights.

Jet Airways expands its operations to Bangkok

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et Airways is expanding its operations to Bangkok with the launch of new daily flights from its hubs in Mumbai and Delhi. With effect from March 27, 2016, Jet Airways will launch a third daily frequency from Mumbai to Bangkok, making it the airline with the maximum number of daily frequencies between the two cities. Jet Airways will also launch a second daily service from Delhi to Bangkok from March 27, 2016, offering greater choice to guests travelling between the two capital cities.Jet Airways will deploy Boeing 737-800 aircraft on the new services.

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Buzz

Railway Minister proposes promotion of Tiger Tourism circuit packages

Hospitality

Courtyard by Marriott Raipur opens

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ocated in the capital city of Chhattisgarh, Courtyard by Marriott Raipur is the 14th property for the brand in India. The hotel has the largest guest suite in the city, at 699 square feet. The rates for the deluxe rooms start at Rs. 5500 per night, while the Courtyard Suite is priced at Rs. 13000 per night. Each of the 96 rooms and 12 suites feature high-speed wireless internet; LED TVs; a well-appointed work area with comfort lighting and ergonomic chairs, an iPod docking station; and a coffee machine. The suites offer visual alarms and notification devices for the door and phones. The property has a relaxing Spa, with two well-appointed therapy rooms to provide soothing spa treatments, affording guests much needed relaxation after a long day.

The hotel is an ideal venue for corporate and social events.

The 425-square-metre ballroom can be divided into two function space to suit events of various sizes. The hotel also offers state-of-the-art meeting facilities set against a perfect backdrop to host world class corporate events and large weddings.

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IRCTC partners with OYO Rooms to influence its hotel-booking page

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ontinuing its recent streak of partnering with innovative start-up ventures, the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) Ltd has tied up with hotel booking platform, OYO Rooms. OYO Rooms will power the IRCTC hotel-booking page, offering their inventory and promise of standardised amenities to Rail passengers. With this tie-up IRCTC customers will have ready access to OYO’s inventory of predictable, standardised and affordable hotel accommodation. IRCTC-OYO Rooms will offer nearly 45,000 hotel rooms in over 170 cities in India. The IRCTC portal witnesses 5 to 5.5 lakhs bookings per day on an average. Also, OYO Rooms recently crossed one million check-ins across its network.

Lords Inn opens in Jammu with 33-rooms

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ords Hotel & Resorts announced the launch of its new property Lords Inn Jammu. The property, with 33 rooms and suites, offers room rates starting from Rs 6,500 for base category to Rs 9,000 for suite. Jammu is referred to as the winter capital of Jammu & Kashmir and therefore a major business hub of the state. Also, because of its strategic location it acts as a base for those on pilgrimage to Vaishno Devi and other religious tours. Though Jammu has good number of hotels, but quality mid hotel segment is underrepresented here and that is where Lords Inn Hotel would fill in the gap. The hotel facilities include 33 well furnished rooms including suites, business centre with Wi-Fi facility, in-house laundry, a banquet with a capacity for 50 pax.

L-R: Manoj Sharma, Minister of State for Railways,Government of India & Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu, Minister of Railways, Government of India

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he Railway Budget for 2016-17 presented

by Union Railway Minister, Suresh Prabhu proposed promotion of complete packages through rail connecting wildlife circuit Kanha, Pench and Bandhavgarh in order to generate awareness “about the national animal”, tiger. Another proposal that came from the Railway Minister was intention to commence tourist circuit trains in partnership with the states.

Reiterating the government’s agenda to push spiritual and pilgrim travel in the country, the Rail Budget proposed a dedicated train – Aastha – connecting important pilgrim centres. As part of improving the passenger amenities at major pilgrim destinations and railway stations associated with them, the Railway Minister proposed provisions for passenger amenities and beautification at Ajmer, Amritsar, Bihar Sharif, Chengannur, Dwarka, Gaya, Hariwar, Mathura, Nagapattinam, Nanded, Nasik, Pali, Parasnath, Puri, Tirupati, Vailankanni, Varanasi and Vasco. As part of improving the customer interface and other facilitations, the Budget proposed more automatic ticket vending machines, as well as e-ticketing facility to foreign nationals having foreign debit/credit cards; bar coded tickets, scanners and access control on a pilot basis.

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Ko Chang

– The Elephant Island

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n island of lovely sandy beaches, coral reefs, tranquil fishing villages and many beautiful waterfalls is worth a visit.

The island of Ko Chang is a tropical marine national park is the Thailand’s new tourist heaven. Its hinterland consists of over 70% virgin rainforest and is the best preserved tourist holiday destination in Thailand. Situated to the east of the country in the province of Trat on the Cambodian border, it's Thailand's second largest island after Phuket. With its chain of white sandy coves and beaches, pristine rain forests and abundance of wildlife and marine life, coral reefs, high mountain peaks, several scenic waterfalls, a rich variety of cuisine and great nightlife, Ko Chang is one of Thailand's most sought-after holiday destinations.

From breathtaking mountains to calm beaches to traditional fishing villages to neon nightlife this Thai island which is sometimes called the “Beast of the East” and sometimes the "Elephant Island" truly has something for everyone. With no less than 50 offshore isles, Koh Chang boasts the finest red gems, sweet Rakam fruits, indigenous dogs, the historic Koh Chang Naval engagement, and is the eastern-most province in Thailand.

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Ko Chang (Elephant Island) is Thailand’s second largest island and the primary destination for those visiting Ko Chang Marine National Park, which includes dozens of unspoiled islands. Now serviced by an airport just 15 minutes from the ferry terminal in Trat, Ko Chang is more easily accessible than ever before. Drawn to Ko Chang’s pristine beaches and sparkling water, more well-to-do Thai and international travelers have been discovering Ko Chang and numerous luxury spas and resorts have sprung up to cater to them.

Nonetheless, the island is still a dream destination for budget travelers and families, with a wide variety of affordable accommodation options and numerous gorgeous and tranquil beaches surrounded by crystal clear water. In addition to natural beauty, the island is also home to a wide range of wildlife, including native birds, snakes, deer, and even a number of elephants. Koh Chang, the largest island in the Koh Chang Marine National Park, is a beach lover and nature enthusiasts dream come true. While recent development has led to the opening of some nightlife on the island.

How to Reach

Access to the island is via Bangkok Airways service to Trat or buses that connect to shuttle service to the ferry docks at Laem Ngop near Trat.

By Bus: Buses directly to Center point Pier in Laem Ngop, Trat depart from the Ekkamai Eastern Bus Terminal in Bangkok at 745 am and 945 pm. The journey takes approximately five hours. Return service departs Laem Ngop at 2 and 4 pm.

In addition, there are 1st class and 2nd bus class services from both the Ekkamai Eastern Bus Terminal and the Mo Chit Northern Bus Terminal that connect Bangkok with the provincial capital of Trat, from which visitors must take a 30 minute songtaew to the port at Laem Ngop, where the boats depart to Koh Chang.

By Air: As the owner of the airport in the provincial capital of Trat, Bangkok Airways is the sole air carrier for service to Trat and Koh Chang. There are two flights a day from Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport to Trat. One should be aware that even after the roughly one hour flight from Bangkok to Trat, visitors must still get a 30 minute transfer to the ferry pier at Laem Ngop and take a 45 minute ferry to Koh Chang.

Where to stay

Most of the Koh Chang hotel and guesthouse options are located on the beaches along the west coast of the island, namely Haad Sai Khao (White Sands), Klong Prao, Kai Bae, Bailan, Lonely Beach, and Bang Bao towns and beaches.

There are a wide variety of accommodation options to choose from, including budget beach bungalows, luxury spa resorts and apartments. If you drive, you can hire motorbikes, jeeps and cars to take you to any of the beaches along the coastal roads and, in the evening, there are plenty of restaurants, live music bars and nightclubs to choose from to spice up your holiday. The majority of tourists stay at Hat Sai Khao, Hat Kai Muk, Hat Ta Nam, and Laem Bang Bao, all of which are linked by a single road running down the west coast.

Things to Do

As one of the premier tourist destinations in Thailand, 10 Corporate Outbound | March 2016

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Koh Chang has innumerable attractions, ensuring that visitors with any interest will find something to keep them entertained on their Koh Chang holiday. Off the sand, activities include snorkelling and diving trips to nearby coral reefs, jungle treks to waterfalls and mountain peaks, elephant rides and motor biking adventures to the stunning southeast coast. As for activities, Ko Chang and the nearby islands that make up the national park are great for snorkeling, diving, camping, and jungle hiking.

Food & Drink

Similar to most other Thai beach destinations, Koh Chang has a variety of dining options for visitors, though prices may be slightly higher as the relatively remote location requires restaurants to pay a bit more for their supplies.

While most resorts will serve a variety of Thai and international dishes and frequently host beachside seafood barbeques, there are a number of international restaurants serving fairly authentic Indian, Italian, and other foreign cuisines, particularly around (Haad Sai Khao) White Sand Beach. If you are looking to sample something specific to Koh Chang, you can look out for Koh Chang wine, which may not be top shelf, but comes in a variety of flavors, including mangosteen and pineapple.

For those looking to learn some Thai cooking skills, try a cooking class at the Blue Lagoon in Khlong Phrao.

Shopping

Shopping isn’t the prime attraction on Koh Chang, but there are souvenir shops selling standard goods: some handicrafts, t-shirts, tailored clothing, and sarongs. Some beaches have a few boutique shops and there are many vendors selling goods along the beach: don’t worry about finding them, they’ll find you. For daily sundries, there are 7-11 stores on the island, mostly along the main roads in the bigger beach towns.

Express Info Currency – 1 THB= 1.90 INR Visa- Visa is on arrival for Indian Passport holders. You can get your visa done here too at Rs. 2000 for single entry tourist.

Accessibility – Ko Chang can be reached via Bangkok. From Bangkok nearest airport to Ko Chang is Trat which is of 1 hour flight. From Trat the island is 45 minutes ride by ferry. Return flight fare from Bangkok to Trat is approximately `13500.

Chang" The name "Koh t Island", but means "Elephan e from it did not com ally living on elephants actu t from the the island, bu island that shape of the g elephant havin resembles an a bath.

Picture & information Courtesy- Tourism authority of Thailand, Mumbai office.

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Picture Courtesy- Anju K.P

DANDELI – The Weekend Jungle Getaway

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or adventure aficionados, the North Karnataka jungle destination – ‘Dandeli’ provides a perfect weekend jungle getaway. Situated at an elevation of 1551 feet above sea-level, it receives good rainfall in the backdrop of Western Ghats. This is basically why it is so green and also vibrant with a rich eco system of flora and fauna. From white-water rafting in Kali River to mountain biking in the hilly terrains to even spotting tigers as well as bird-watching - Dandeli has it all!

Moreover, a stay in tree houses can give icing on the cake, for nature-lovers.

Dandeli has amazingly dense forests, added to it are activities and fun options for the visitors of course! The jungle destination indeed offers a wide range of reasons to visit. Obviously one would have his own ‘agenda’ for the trip, but then – we have to keep in mind that not all the activities are accessible throughout the year. This is why we must know of the right time to visit Dandeli.

JANUARY-FEBRUARY-MARCH: The best time for bird-watching

While availability of most activities is entirely dependent on climate, bird watching is somewhat different. Apart from the weather, there are always other factors that play a major part in how good is your experience going to be. Bird-watching and also photography is among top hobbies in India. There is nothing like capturing the avian life in the background of the setting sun or green splash of jungles.

But if you are unaware of bird behavior, getting amazing captures can be challenging. Yes, birds too have a schedule! It can be when they go out to pick worms and insects to feed themselves or the off-springs early in the morning or deep down the day before sunsets. Sunning, the sun-bath activity of birds happen during the noon, and they can be clicked doing cute acrobatics under the sun. When it is hot in the day, it’s time to find them near water bodies or waterfalls, as that’s when they

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elieved to name is b logical Dandeli’s he mytho t m o fr n (Bambe take alli Aranya v a d n a D nya’ forest ‘Dandakara r o ) st re boo Fo

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drink water and can provide amazing moments to click.

APRIL-MAY-JUNE: Time to see wildlife

Dandeli is a natural habitat for wildlife, including tigers, leopards, black panthers, elephants, gaur, deer, antelopes, and bears. It is the second largest wildlife sanctuary in Karnataka and was designated as a tiger reserve in 2007. The jungle is also home to several varieties of reptiles and almost 300 varieties of birds.

Summer in Dandeli is the best season for wildlife enthusiasts.

Weather is pleasant but dry. This means the creatures are forced to venture out into the few spots that have abundance of water. Perfect for wildlife photography! The skies are clear most of the time allowing for better visibility. Mosquitoes which can be quite an irritation during your wildlife spotting are remarkably less during these months too, which is a boon at this phase of the year.

JULY-AUGUST-SEPTEMBER: Adventure-time

So, come this season and there will be the rains. High pouring would make the greenery become darker and the water would flex its muscles to challenge you in your raft. Yes, it’s time for white-water-rafting at Dandeli. Don’t confine yourself to the four walls of your home during the rains.

Rains are an amazing fest to your eyes. Better to get out of your monsoon slumber and set course to Dandeli. There are several adventures that await visitors, like - Rappelling, Trekking, Monsoon Camping, Monsoon Cycling and Coracle Rides, besides Rafting.

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OCTOBER-NOVEMBER-DECEMBER: Best for family-trips

If you want a quiet-calm-cool Dandeli, to spend some time with family, visit in this period as the winter would be approaching and the atmosphere is good for several light activities like Zorbing, Natural Jacuzzi, Coracle Ride etc. Enjoy with family, while some rare birds make visit to the area during October and November too. Clear skies, cool temperatures and light breeze – all of these will definitely give a pleasant welcome to you at this picturesque jungle destination!

Express Info

Accessibility:

Anyone coming by air can have options of flying to Dabolim at Goa(135km), Hubli (110km) or Belgaum (75km). Then a cab can be taken to reach Dandeli.

By rail, Londa junction (15km) is the closest and is connected to Bangalore, Mumbai, Mangalore and other prominent cities. By road, one can even drive to reach Dandeli from Goa (131km), Mangalore (372km), Bangalore (466km) or Mumbai (581km).

Stay:

Bison River Resort, Hornbill River Resort and Kali Adventure Camp are decent properties with facilities like safaris and guides, apart from other activities.

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OFFBEAT MAHARASHTRA:

The Konkan Belt

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o, it’s not the UNESCO world heritage caves of Ajanta-Ellora, neither Megacity Mumbai, and not even the hill stations of Mahabaleshwar-Panchgani, in Maharasthra there is this truly unmatched coastline with unspoiled beaches and historic temples dotting them - and excellent roads connecting all of those! History blends with extraordinary scenic beauty, as the legendary Shivaji’s forts, never conquered by even the British – stand still and welcome you. This offbeat Maharashtra can completely change the image and impression of a traveler, exploring the mighty state’s diverse tourist attractions.

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Some farsighted mason must have had taken the imprint of Warrior King Shivaji’s hand & foot on Sindhu Durg fort, which are the only imprints of Shivaji - found as on today

BEACHES:

The most beautiful beach among all, in coastal Maharashtra, is the Tarkarli Beach in Malvan. Malvan is a town with some more beaches as well, but the specialty of this beach is that it’s amazingly long, un-crowded and most interestingly having crystal clear water, which is generally found in faraway island beaches like Lakshadweep or Andamans. You can even see the sea creatures and sea bed inside the water, just with your naked eyes – not something like snorkeling is really required!

Also, other beaches are there to relax and spend quality time, which include – Wayangani, Aronda, Shiroda, Sagartirtha, Sagareshwar, Kondura, Khawne, Nivte, Bhogwe, Devbag, Achara, Kalethar, Chivla, Sarjekot, Kolamb, Sadewadi, Aadbandar, Munge, Hindale, Tambaldeg, Kunkeshwar, Girye, Mitmumbari, Padavane and Vijaydurg. Surfing, Scuba Diving, Parasailing etc. are some of the popular activities available for water sports enthusiasts. Malvan indeed stands as a less explored beach that can give a holidayer his or her peace of mind – being a refreshing destination.

Strolling at the backsides of the beaches, in the Malvani villages can also be a soothing experience, as the peaceful villages have fishermen as the main residents and the quietness of the area is lovely. Malvani dishes are the ones you shouldn’t miss at any cost! Kombdi Vade, Malvani Fish-Curry, Mori Masala, Malvani Mutton-Curry and more specifically Solkadhi (a drink made from coconut milk and Kokam) are some of the items available in the restaurants which your taste buds must experience!

One more popular beach is Konkan Maharashtra is Ganapati Pule. This beach is one of the most spectacular beaches along the Konkan Coast - an idyllic gateway that attracts peace-seekers, beach lovers, and pilgrims alike.

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FORTS:

The district of Sindhudurg is named after the Sindhu Durg fort. The fort is a pride of Maharashtra, as it carries the tale of the invincible Chhatrapati Shivaji, the Great Maratha Emperor of this region. Knowing that it was important to defend his kingdom not only on land but also from the threats from the naval armies, Shivaji built this strong fort in a short span of two and a half years. And this fort stands tall after almost three hundred and fifty years, to tell a tale of Shivaji’s chief architect, Hiroji Indulkar – who designed and gave shape to it.

There are as many as 52 watch towers in Sindhu Durg. A huge rampart surrounds the fort which is spread on 48 acres of area. In certain places the height of the rampart is 20 to 22 feet while it even rises to 40 feet at some places. There is a huge idol of Lord Hanuman carved just inside the main entry door. There are three sweet water wells named the Dudhbav, Darshbav and Sakharbave and even there are two small ponds inside the fort too.

Apart from the majestic fort Sindhu Durg, there are other forts with many more war stories of the bygone days, not that huge as Sindhu Durg. These include – Pargad, Manohargad, Shivgad, Rangnagad, Sadanandgad, Yashwantgad, Siddhgad, Bharatgad, Ramgad, Nivati, Sarjekot, Rajkot, Vijaydurg and Devgad (‘durg’ and ‘gad’ - both meaning fort). In Ganapati Pule, there is Jaigad fort, which is not very big and worth clicking in your camera. However, there is a lighthouse in Ganapati Pule, from which, the view is terrific. So, instead of taking clicks from fort, climb on top of the lighthouse and capture the shots.

TEMPLES:

Swayambhu Ganapati Temple in Ganpati Pule is an important pilgrimage centre. The temple is known for its unique

idol of Lord Ganpati and its magnificent temple structure.

The temple is at the foot of a hillock. Most pilgrims take a 'pradakshina' (full-circle walk done around temples) around the hill instead of just the temple. One more temple at Ganapati Pule is Lakshmi Keshav Temple. With wooden arches, silent surroundings and a very clean temple-vicinity, this one indeed is a place to pray.

In Sindhudurg, the famous temples are Lajkshmi Narayan Temple and Kunkeshwar temple – among others.

BACKWATERS & WATERFALLS:

Coastal Maharashtra doesn’t stop only at sea beaches; it offers beautiful backwater locations for a soothing boat trip around too. Mochemad, Reddi, Karli, Kolamb, Kalawal, Achara and Wadater are some mesmerizing beauties. The one at Devgad too is an eye-candy as one can gaze from up on the hill to get an extraordinary view of the backwaters.

Among waterfalls, Amboli - at an altitude of 690 m - is the last mountain resort before the coastal highlands settle, with a sigh, to form flat beaches. Every year more than 50,000 tourists visit this place. In rainy season you will see beautiful waterfalls here. The sunset point, the origin of Hiranyakeshi river, Nagartas fall, Narayangad, Mahadergad, Kawalesad are some major points worth visiting. This waterfall is located at Sawantwadi (34km from Sindhudurg).

Express Info Accessibility: Best travelled - by road. From Mumbai, one can drive and reach Sindhudurg (504km) or Ganapati Pule (332km). From Bangalore too, one can plan as that can offer a good driving experience or even bike ride to – Sindhudurg (540km) or Ganapati Pule (765km).

Nearest airports are Dabolim, Goa (98km) & Sambre Airport, Belgaum (92km) from Sindhudurg.

Also, buses a connect Ganapati Pule as well as Sindhudurg, from major cities of Maharashtra, Goa and Karnataka. The Konkan Railway has a railway station at Sindhudurg, but only few trains stop there.

Season: October - February.

Travel Tips: To witness a huge extravaganza, one can visit Ganapati Pule – in September during the Ganesh Chaturthi Festival

Picture Courtesy- Maharashtra Tourism Development Corp. Ltd

Napne, Vyaghreshwar and Savdav are three other waterfalls really worth visiting.

Besides, Dhamapur and Moti Lake are two beautiful lakes at Sindhudurg. Tilari Dam at Dodamarg (the southernmost tip of Sindhudurg) is one more place tourists love to visit for its calm ambiance and beautiful views.

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Method: • • • • • • • • 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.

Deseed, finely chop the jackfruits and transfer them into a cooking vessel.

Cook the chopped jackfruits with half a cup of water until they are almost cooked.

Add in jaggery when they are almost cooked and mix well. Adjust the amount of jaggery you add according to your taste.

Grind grated coconut, rice grains with one cup of water into a smooth paste.

Strain the coconut milk and add it to the cooking jackfruit pieces.

Add cardamom powder and mix well.

Let the payasam simmer for few minutes until the jackfruit cooks through.

Remove off heat and serve hot .

TIPS: •

Jackfruit Payasam (Ponsa payasu) Jackfruit payasam is a treat to jackfruit lovers. It's thick in consistency, sweet and delicious! It tastes just of ripe jackfruits and coconut. Coconut milk forms the base for the payasam.

Jaggery is used as the sweetner. Rice grains/rice flour is used to make the payasam thick and cardamom adds an amazing flavour to this payasam.

Konkani cuisine comes from konkan region of Maharashtra and Goa, and some northern parts of West Karnataka. Although it is an independent cuisine, it overlaps Maharashtrian cuisine and Goan cuisine.This cuisine uses coconut liberally in various forms such as grated, dry grated, fried, coconut paste and coconut milk.

•

• •

The sweeter the jackfruit you use to make ponsa payasu, the better it is. The lesser the jaggery you would have to add in that case. The more jaggery you add, the more watery the payasam gets.

You can also add chopped cashew pieces, fried in ghee to the payasam for some crunch, with every spoonful of payasam.

On adding rice grains/rice flour the payasam thickens with time, therefore check consistency accordingly.

And fruit coulis can be served to add more flavor to the dish.

Ponsa payasu as it's called in Konkani, is an amazing dessert.

Ponasu means jackfruit in Konkani. It's also called gharai in Konkani.

INGREDIENTS

• • • • • •

Sugar :70 gms Ripe jackfruits: ½ kg Powdered jaggery: 250 gm Grated coconut: 100 gm Rice : 20 gms Cardamom powder: 50 gms

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FUNtastic Fiestas SIMHASTHA KUMBH MELA– Ujjain 22 Apr - 21 May

COOPER'S HILL CHEESE-ROLLING - Brockworth, England -May 30

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umbh Mela is a mass Hindu pilgrimages of faith in which Hindus gather to bathe in a sacred river. It is the world's largest religious gathering. Kumbh Mela is one of the most sacred Hindu festival that is celebrated in four places in India- namely Nasik, Ujjain, Hawidwar and Allahabad. The celebrations of Kumbh Mela takes place every four years.The next Khumbh Mela will be held in Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh.The Ujjain Kumbh Mela is also referred to as the ‘Simhastha Kumbha Mela’. Saints from all across go to Ujjain for the shahi snan. The dip in the river is believed to get rid of all sins of a person. After the holy bath, pilgrims visit the temple to offer prayers and bow in front of their deity. They pray to Lord Mahakalesvara . Ujjain has been a source of inspiration to ancient Indian sages, poets, dramatists, social commentators and scholars since times immemorial. The city has also nurtured cultural, literary, Vedic and educational institutions

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A

spirited gathering of people who chase a wheel of cheese down a 295-foot hill in the English countryside. An international field of daredevils from all over the world competes during the event. There are typically five downhill races; four for men, one for women, with one uphill component as well. For Racers, the race has morphed into a launch pad for his project and documentary film, one In a Million, inspiring others to chase their dreams. On a practical level, you don’t ever really get the cheese: it gets a head start. Once it takes off, it flies down that hill and typically eclipses everyone to bounce over the finish line—a chalk mark in the grass.

SUNFEST- West Palm Beach, Florida, United States- 27Apr - 1 May

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lorida's largest waterfront music and art festival witness more than 175,000 fans. The lineup is a smorgasbord: 50s rock, country, R&B, pop, reggae, jazz and metal bands cross chords here. SunFest stretches about a half-mile from north to south, with a stage at either end, plus one in the middle. Bands play at the three venues simultaneously, so you'll have to make some choices about what to see, as it can take a while to maneuver through the site. More than 140 artists from around the country sell original paintings, ceramics, sculptures, wood carvings, jewelry and other works. Thirty-plus food vendors waft their wares from the waterfront's edge, heaping coconut shrimp, jerk chicken, conch fritters, smoked barbeque and alligator bites onto fest-goers' plates. Along the waterfront is the place to be for the event's final night with whopping fireworks display that rockets up and shimmers out over the channel.

TULIP FESTIVAL- Srinagar 12 April – 14 April

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ulip festival is one of the most popular flower festivals in India. The festival is a great way to capture the flowering tulips of Kashmir as Srinagar has Asia's largest tulip garden.

The Tulip Festival displays a large variety of tulips.

Large number of tourists comes to the venue to catch the sight of these beautiful tulips. The festivals also feature a number of cultural programs, sale of local handicrafts, Kashmiri folk songs and other forms of arts. On visiting this festival, you will also be able to taste traditional cultural Kashmiri cuisine.

The Tulip Festival is held in Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden in Srinagar, Kashmir. Located in the foothills of Zabarwan range, it overlooks the Dal Lake and offers a breathtaking sight.

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SONGKRAN – Thailand- 12-20 April 2016

T

he New Year Songkran Festival with unique activities and festivities pays tribute to the role of water in Thai culture and society. For centuries, the Songkran Festival has been observed as a symbol of hospitality, love and the importance of maintaining strong relationships within families, communities, and society as a whole. Timed to coincide with the Aries period on the astrological chart, the auspicious occasion is intended to help people cool off from the mid-summer heat, show respect to family elders and receive their blessings and pray for near and dear ones who have passed away. Sand pagodas are built as a way of making merit, young people and children enjoy water fights. It is a special cleaning day held in homes, towns and villages nationwide.

Picture Courtesy- Tourism Authority of Thailand, Mumbai office.

26 Corporate Outbound | March 2016

March 2016 | Corporate Outbound 27

Better Access to Remote Destinations Woman travelling are seeking the rare experiences and 61 % feel the necessity for better accessibility to remote destinations. While they are heading out on multiple weekend getaways throughout the year, exploring and discovering possibilities for adventure activity holidays around the city.

More interest is seen in off-beat destinations where women travellers are exploring pop culture tourism/jet-setting and other experience led activities.

What

Women

Want?

Recently HolidayIQ conducted a survey investigating Women Traveller’s expectations and insights on Indian tourism and has created India’s first crowd sourced Women Traveller Declaration, titled “What Women Want” presented though a report.

The concept of What Woman Want was to derive key findings and insights from the community on what makes one truly happy as a Women Traveller and what does the Indian Women Traveller wish for. The survey saw more than 20,000 participants from over 30 Indian cities and towns. Some of the questions as part of the survey were central based questions like better safer accommodation options, better transport and expressways, safe solo travel and better accessibility to off-beat destinations amongst others.

Safe Solo Travel Solo women travel is increasing and so are group, family and couple holidays planned by women.

Women travelling alone in India has increased with a share of 29% of holidays planned as compared to 18% the previous year. As solo road trips is seen gaining momentum with more and more women travelling, 72% woman demand safe solo travel. The top destinations that are most preferred by solo woman travelers for road trips in Bangalore include Coorg, Chikmaglur, Kabini, Mysore and Nandi Hills.

Safe Accommodation options Hotels and resorts continue to be the popular choice as a holiday accommodation option accounting for over 60% of trips planned. However, in the last 18-24 months there is an interest in alternate accommodation options such as homestays, experiential resorts, camps, serviced, apartments, jungle lodges and the like.. On. Concerns about safety or accessibility are unfounded because one can read reviews of an accommodation option by other travellers who have been to that hotel/homestay a while ago. 18% demand safe accommodation options.

28 Corporate Outbound | March 2016

Clean Buses and Trains India direly needs a toilet revolution if it needs to bring in revenue from tourism. Of the 2.4 billion people in the world who have no toilets, India accounts for nearly 600m. Those who have travelled the country will understand the fuss about toilets in India too well. Where more is the need of the hour, it was noted that women travellers are increasingly turning away from train journeys as compared to last year due to the hygiene aspects. 55% of Women Travelers want Clean Buses and Trains.

More Women Tourist Guides Today, age is no longer considered a stigma and women of all ages are feeling more confident about travelling. As destinations such as Kerala, Goa, Pondicherry, Manali, Auli, Shimla, Corbett, Bandipur, Coorg are favorites among women travellers; it is imperative to have more women tourist guides. 49% of Women Travelers demand more women tourist guides.

Interestingly from the booking patterns on HolidayIQ it was witnessed that the holidays planned by women is of a 17% higher budget than holidays planned by men.

Wifi Hubs The proliferation of smartphones, better internet penetration and arrival of a plethora of travel apps has created a new era in travel. Today travellers expect to be able to use their mobile devices to access travel-related information, to smooth their journey and enhance their experience while on the move. Top 3 uses for wi-fi is Travel research, Maps / Navigation and access to social media. On the HolidayIQ app, for every photo reviews submitted via a desktop, 8 are submitted via the app and today 47% Woman travellers demand for Wi-Fi hubs as women turn to internet and apps more than people for Holiday advice.

Women Taxi Drivers Indians are starting to take their holidays seriously, in a large part due to mobile apps. As easy-to-use on-demand and sharing economy apps make getting around and staying in new cities convenient, 45% of Women Travelers want Women Taxi Drivers.

Women Only Buses and Trains With more Indian woman travelling and while they share their travel experiences of conquering all parts of India, safety and security are a prime concern while planning any kind of holiday. As woman trips continue to gain momentum in 2016 and the average trip length has also increased to be 5 - 7 days’ 28% woman travellers demand woman only transport.

March 2016 | Corporate Outbound 29

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