Vistara Issue

PROMOTION

THE
HEART
OF THE
MATTER

For NEETA LULLA,milestones are not
static,and one must always move
forward.But at one’s own pace

For champions of their craft, rush of having to tell stories through aspect of her work. But she’s always
finding and recognising fabric took over, and there was no done it her own way. She was famous
their calling comes in one of turning back. “From a very early age, I for bringing her daughter Nishka—a
two ways: the passion stopped following any norm. Instead, designer in her own right—to her
was always present, and was I focussed on doing my own thing, studio as a young mother, and she
seen in every venture creating a style statement of my own. does the same with her grand-
they embarked upon; or, it I use that same formula today, and it’s daughter. Neeta knows better than
was a fortunate accident. something that keeps me going.” most that people try to put you in a

Neeta Lulla falls in the latter category. But when you enter the world of
Her creations have graced runways, costuming, balancing a statement
regaled as costumes on the screen, piece with historical accuracy takes
and been worn at elegant soirées of a special kind of process, and the
world leaders. She’s also famous for lessons Neeta has learnt during this
adding the touch of authenticity to journey have cemented her place as
period dramas, Panipat being the one of India’s go-to costumers for
most recent example. period films. What started out as a
hobby grew into an almost patented
“I was told that I had to follow process. It’s intensive, to say the
something, and I took up tailoring least, and there’s also the added
because I thought, ‘What’s better responsibility of having to inform
than new clothes?’” From there, the audiences about a specific culture.

Neeta, for her part, has grown to
integrate exhaustive research in every

48 / / APRIL 2020

certain box, and her life has been all personality of the wearer. “It’s most Watch Neeta Lulla talk about her
about breaking out, about having her important for me to create an outfit journey in an exclusive video on
own journey. that the bride can use later in life,” she airvistara.com/magazine
says, and believes an outfit must have
And she believes that every longevity to stay relevant.
individual should have their own
milestones, their own trajectory. Her Why? Because like a person, its
other forte, bridalwear, represents journey never really ends. For Neeta,
this. She first aims to capture the it’s all about driving forward.

airvistara.com/magazine / 49

# T R E N D I N G VINTAGE

ALWAYS IN STYLE

A look at the uniforms worn by flight attendants through decades reveals how
they have managed to remain timeless when it comes to style and perfection

1934 1940s Spectator pumps and 1946
light uniforms were the
The Swissair flight Most early flight go-to forAmerican WhenAir India
attendant uniforms attendant uniforms Airlinesʼstewardesses introduced air
featured traditional comprised long in the late ʼ40s. hostesses in 1946,
silhouettes in plain sleeves, skirts, and—of they wore sharp
colours,often with course—the Late 1940s tailored European
added accents like stewardess cap. dresses,with jaunty
hats and pantyhose. angled caps.

1965 1960s 1958 1950s

Stewardesses of Femininity and Scandinavian flight An ultra-
Braniff International glamour reigned attendants wore traditional style
Airways wore exotic in the ’60s, with sleek, tea-length was common for
smocks with space elegant bou ants, sets, and many airlines.
helmets and boots in pillbox hats, and accessorised with The style was
the mid-1960s. funky mod looks hats and gloves. heavily influenced
making waves. by military and
1970s nurse uniforms
1968 of the time.
Sky-high hemlines
Southwest Airlinesʼ were complemented 1971
flight attendants by fantastic head
inTexas wore an scarves in the early Southwest Airlines
array of feminine ’70s—a departure debuted bright
silhouettes from structured style. uniforms with tall
favoured during the white go-go boots
turn of the decade. for stewardesses
at the beginning of
the ʼ70s.

50 / / APRIL 2020

1987 1990s VISTARA GETS
A RETRO
Air France flight attendants Even at high altitudes,
went for functionality with one could not escape MAKEOVER
a summer uniform dress by the oversized ties,
Louis Féraud complete with shoulder pads and To celebrate 150 years
shoulder pads. boxy blazers that were of the Tata group, Vistara
popular in the ’90s.
1980s did some recreating.
1990 The #Retrojet—as the
Asian airlines featured Airbus A320neo was
the traditional dress Delta flight attendants called—took flight in
and fabrics of their rocked thick navy suits 2018 with a crew clad
respective countries in adorned with large bows
their female flight and ties,ringing in the in a matching retro
attendants’ uniforms. ʼ90s in true ʼ80s style. uniform, the inspiration

1977 2000s for which was drawn
from the golden days
BritishAirways embraced a Couture designers of aviation of the 1950s
more elegant ʼ70s style collaborated on and ʼ60s. Complete
for their uniforms with fashion-forward with pale pink and lilac
trench coats,pinstripes, uniform collections blousons and skirts,
and classic pumps. for major airlines. accessories included
berets, white pumps and
2014 vanity bags. Each look
was designed to still
Vistara partnered with
Abraham &Thakore to remain functional.
develop their famous
1973 aubergine and gold
dress,with a dash of
In 1973,Air Indiaʼs new ad freshness brought alive
campaign was the by aqua accents.
beginning of an updated
appeal given to the air
hostess persona.

2017 Find out more about
Vistara’s special Retrojet at
DesignerZac Posen brought airvistara.com/magazine
rich purples,bright reds,
and the classic navy to airvistara.com/magazine / 51
Deltaʼs high style uniforms.

Customer Care AVENTOS HK top
1800 266 6667 (toll free) Beautifully functional!
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Small in dimension with a minimalist design – AVENTOS HK top
impresses at first glance. Assembly is also optimised: lift mechanisms
can be used symmetrically and are positioned close to the cabinet
top panel. The opening angle stop is integrated into the mechanism.

www.blum.com/aventoshktop1

DESTINATION
BECAUSE EVERY JOURNEY NEEDS ONE

MUST SEE

RIDE THE THRILL TRANSIT PAMPERING
Resorts World Sentosa,
Singapore One&Only The Palm
This 1,236-acre island is
home to Universal Studios, a Only in Dubai for a stopover? Thatʼs good for you, because One&Only has
fun aquarium and a high-end
golf club... not to mention the a special deal for stopover trips, which includes a desert safari and a
vibrant casino.
rwsentosa.com full-body massage at the famous Guerlain Spa. They can also organise

WALK THROUGH HISTORY personal transfers from the airport.
Louvre, Abu Dhabi oneandonlyresorts.com/the-palm
The Furusiyya: The Art Of
Chivalry Between East &
West exhibition takes you back
in time with 130 rare artefacts
and knightly narratives.
www.louvreabudhabi.ae

EXPERIENCE LUXURY
Grand Hyatt Erawan,
Bangkok
Take in opulence at its best,
with oversized bathtubs and
blissful spa cottages.
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THE LONDON PUB CRAWL: UNDERGROUND EDITION

VICTORIA

Stick KINGʼS CROSS EUSTON WARREN STREET OXFORD CIRCUS
to the
Victoria The Betjeman Arms The Doric Arch Prince of Wales Artesian
Line Feathers
for this Head to their terrace for Try real ale, with rail This one is for
one... Quirky and fun.
a good look at the city. memorabilia around you. cocktail connoisseurs.

airvistara.com/magazine / 53

D E S T I N A T I O N ITINERARY

LONDON
We’ve created this three-day roadmap
of London, Vistara's latest destination, 1
home to some of the world’s best
museums, restaurants, and the unseen

DAY GET PAMPERED TUCK IN Georgian arbour with
You’re lying in The House It’s a five-minute walk to expansive views across the
1 of Elemis in Mayfair, 5 Social, a new restaurant heath—it’s one of London’s
getting one of the spa’s that’s come from Michelin- best little secrets. The
touted speed services. You starred Jason Atherton, construction of this slice
need the rejuvenation after where the menu changes of respite began in 1905 at
flying through the night, to according to seasonal the instruction of wealthy
get your circulation up to produce. To stick to the philanthropist Lord
speed—you need the rest of self-care attitude adopted Leverhulme, who craved
the day to keep exploring. in the beginning of the a spot to host his lavish
After you feel yourself day (you’d just landed, you Edwardian parties.
again, it’s just about noon deserve to indulge), you
and time to sample the opt for their vegan offering; SUDS UP
acclaimed gastronomy that a chicory and juniper From there, you make
everyone talks about. warm root vegetable salad. your way over to Flask
Revived inside and out, Walk, a pedestrian-only
FROM TOP you begin to yearn for the alleyway. The quirky shops
1. The Keith Fawkes greenery and old-time entice you, and these are
warmth of London. purchases you’ll keep
bookshop offers forever, especially the novel
SEE SOME GREEN you found at Keith Fawkes’
unique selections; A 20-minute cab ride takes bookshop. It’s been a long
2. The famous Flask you to The Hill Garden & day, so after a fish dinner
Pergola, where you wander (and drinks) at Spaniard’s
Walk; 3. 5 Social is through the beautiful Inn, you call it a night.

one of the trendiest
new spots; 4. The Hill

Garden & Pergola

is sublime

2 3 4
54 / / APRIL 2020

Let your feet
wander, your eyes marvel and

your soul ignite

in Thailand

Tourism Authority of Thailand creative@thinkstrawberries

New Delhi: Mumbai:

T: +91 11 4674 1111 T: +91 22 2202 0264/ 65

E: [email protected] E: [email protected]

www.facebook.com/tatnewdelhi | www.tourismthailand.in

1

SOMETHING TO EXPLORE contemporary art collection FROM TOP DAY
Head to the 1,000-year- from the likes of Henri 1. The Borough Market
old Borough Market. It’s Matisse, Piet Mondrian is full of exciting culinary 2
right at the foot of London and Andy Warhol is finds; 2. Exciting works
Bridge, so you get to exemplary. There are more PUB OUT
knock that off your list as than 60,000 works on from Warhol help the
well. Entering the market constant rotation, all of Tate Modern shine Hit these
engulfs your senses and you which can be viewed for no watering holes
spend a good 10 minutes admission charge. You leave 2
trying to decipher the with a new appreciation ANCHOR
various smells and sights. for art. Finding out that miraculously some tickets BANKSIDE
Shakespeare’s Globe is left (ideally, you’d have Go early to get a
GET A SNACK right in the vicinity makes booked them beforehand). seat by the river.
A hotspot for tourists and you want to stoke that The midnight matinee is
locals alike, the market’s artistic fire a little longer, so nothing short of magical. THE MARKET
always busy—you interact you head over there. Now, you call it a night. PORTER
with the farmers who host
their own stalls and learn SAMPLE THE GRUB #FlyTheNewFeeling An old favourite,
more about the locality, You decide to have Vistara offers direct flights to London and with a super
while sampling some of the dinner at Kin+Deum from New Delhi and Mumbai selection of ales.
freshest items. From there, to sample their modern
a brisk walk takes you to reinterpretation of Thai THE SHEAF
the iconic Tate Modern. cuisine, accompanied with Perfect for
some delectable cocktails. sportheads
WADE THROUGH ART What’s not to love? and craft ale
No tour of London is aficionados.
complete without a trip WATCH A SHOW
to one of the most-visited There’s a midnight
galleries in the world. performance taking place at
Although the imposing the Globe, when the city is
building is an attraction asleep and you’re about to
in itself, the modern and call it a night. But, there are

56 / / APRIL 2020

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D E S T I N A T I O N ITINERARY

DAY

3

1

LONDON BY OPEN WITH BREAKFAST BACK FOR DRINKS FROM TOP
THE SEA After some croissants You end your trip back to 1. Ronnie Scott’s, a
for brunch at the iconic where your day started, in popular jazz bar; 2. The
If you want to spend your Maison Bertaux, you get Soho at Ronnie Scott’s. owner of Maison Bertaux,
third day at the beach,hop an idea of the seedy history Opened by British the lovely Michele; 3. The
of Soho, and walk through saxophonist Ronnie Scott Victoria & Albert Museum
on the train to Brighton the neighbourhood to see in 1959, this nightspot has
the various hangouts. become a legendary jazz 2
CHANNELYOUR INNER and blues institution. Over
CHILD STROLL IN HISTORY the years, it has hosted 3
Close by is the Victoria some of the greatest and
Hit the BrightonToy Model & Albert Museum, quite most influential names,
Museum to spark off possibly one of the world’s including Ella Fitzgerald,
nostalgia.Leave with most important. You Miles Davis and Dave
fun souvenirs. wonder at the collection Brubeck. You sit back with
of objects spanning more your drink, swaying to the
PEER INTO THE PIER than 5,000 years, ranging tunes, and stop thinking
Having seen its share of from furniture and for a while. More? Head
wars,the Brighton Palace ceramics to posters and to Brighton...
Pier’s past is intense.Now, fashion. Examples include
arcades and rides abound... a 3D-printed gun, the
finest collection of Italian
GO FISH Renaissance sculptures
Once the heart of a fishing outside Italy, and of course,
town,The Lanes is now a Tipu’s Tiger, a surreal piece
of Indian furniture.
quirky amalgam of
shopping,dining and
pulsating nightlife.

58 / / APRIL 2020



D E S T I N A T I O N SINGAPORE

SINGAPORE MAKANAN, THE MALAY WORD FOR ʻFOODʼ,
always inspires a passionate conversation
IN36 in Singapore. The way Germans talk
about football and Indians talk about
Dıshes Bollywood stars, Singaporeans talk
about food. All you need to do is ask this
To celebrate the island nationʼs diverse culture, innocent question in a gathering: “Where
weʼve curated the ultimate list of dishes for you do you get the best chicken rice?”
to get a taste of Singapore
Be prepared, it may take a round of
Iced Milo to calm everyone down.

Chicken rice, chilli crab, kaya toast...
the real taste of Singapore lies as much in
the usual suspects, as it does in innovative
dishes found everywhere from hawker
centres to upscale restaurants. Here are
36 dishes that we think capture all the
wonderful flavours, talents and passion
this city has for food.

Favourites

1 BAK KUT TEH

A slow-cooked pork rib/spare rib broth
underlined with rich flavours of pepper,
garlic, star anise and herbs.

BEST PLACES TO TRY IT AT
Ya Hua Bak Kut Teh 7 Keppel Road, PSA
Tanjong Pagar Complex (closed on Monday);
Ng Ah Sio Pork Ribs Soup 208 Rangoon
Road, Hong Building (closed on Monday)

2 CHAR KWAY TEOW

Char Kway Teow is another signature
Singaporean noodle dish made with flat
rice noodles and a sweet dark sauce.

BEST CHAR KWAY TEOW STALLS
Hill Street Char Kway Teow Blk 16 Bedok
South Road, #01-187, Bedok South Road
Market & Food Centre;
Outram Park Fried Kway Teow Mee
Blk 531A Upper Cross Street, #02-17, Hong Lim
Food Centre

60 / / APRIL 2020

3 POPIAH ROLLS Fiery 12 MILO DINOSAUR, GODZILLA,

The round Popiah skin is a thin paper- 6 TUNA MURTABAK T REX…
like wheat crepe. A sweet sauce called The iced chocolate and malt-powdered
hoisin is lathered on the laid out flat skin, uses a dough that is drink is made hot, cooled with ice, and
thereupon fillings are added. stu ed with minced lamb, topped o with a spoon of Milo powder.
eggs, and onions, or tuna
BEST POPIAH STALLS and sambal. BEST MILO STALLS
Glory Catering 139 East Coast Road; Nana Teh Tarik 65 Killiney Road;
Jit It Thai San Popiah Blk 449 Clementi 7 ROAST DUCK Al Almeen Eating House 2 - 4 Cheong Chin
Avenue 3; Qi Ji 109 North Bridge Road, #01-17, Nam Road;
Funan T Mall NOODLE SOUP gets its Rasa Istimewa Waterfront Restaurant 6A
avours from the sweet Admiralty Rd
4 CARROT CAKE
and savoury duck, with all 13 ROJAK
The Singapore Fried Carrot Cake is its fatty meat.
made with eggs, preserved radish (chai Singapore Chinese/Malay Rojak is a
poh), and white radish flour cake, which 8 FISH CAKE is minced mixture of dough fritters, bean sprouts,
resembles a ‘white carrot’ and that’s how beancurd pu s, radish, pineapple,
the name comes about. sh meat pounded till it cucumber and roasted peanuts, mixed
is springy. together with a black, fermented prawn
BEST FRIED CARROT CAKE STALLS paste sauce. Chilli is optional.
Carrot Cake 20 Kensington Park Road, Chomp 9 CHINESE SEAFOOD
Chomp Food Centre (closed on alternate BEST ROJAK STALLS
Tuesdays); Fu Ming Carrot Cake Blk 85 OMELETTE uses shrimp, Al Mahboob Indian Rojak Blk 506, Tampines
Redhill Lane, Redhill Food Centre salmon, or just any kind Ave 4, #01-361;
of seafood. Toa Payoh Rojak Blk 51 Old Airport Road, #01-
5 ROTI PRATA 108, Old Airport Road Food Centre
10 OTAK OTAK is a
Roti Prata is of Indian origin, has a Malay 14 CANTONESE COMFORT
name, and is eaten by the Chinese! grilled cake made of
mashed sh mixed with CLASSICS
BEST PRATA STALLS coconut milk, chilli, and Whether it’s the dim sum or steamed rice
Thasevi Famous Jalan Kayu Prata some spices. with scallion oil, or roasted chicken with
Restaurant 237 & 239 Jalan Kayu; special spicy sauce, stewed beef tendon in
Casuarina Curry Restaurant 138 11 PEPPER/ black pepper, you’ll leave happy.
Casuarina Rd
CHILLI CRAB Crystal Jade Kitchen 6 Scotts Road
Chef Han Li Guang’s
incredibly elegant, airvistara.com/magazine / 61
modernist takes on
Singapore’s favourite
dishes are a feast for the
senses. Chilli crab, for
instance, is presented as a
beach scene on a plate.

FOR THE ORIGINAL
Long Beach Seafood Blk
1018 East Coast Parkway;
Crab Party 98 Yio Chu
Kang Road;
Ban Leong Wah Hoe
Seafood 122 Casuarina
Road

15 GYOZA AT THE GYOZA BAR Festive & Modern
Family
The upper level of Ramen Matsuri at 23 PORK BELLY
Boat Quay contains the little-known 19 YUMMY YU SHENG ROLL AT IZY
Gyoza Bar, reminding us that some
of the best foods are found at obscure This raw fish salad is no ordinary salad, A deceptively simple
spots. 7A North Canal Road but an auspicious one that is most but mind-blowing snack
commonly eaten during Chinese New Year. of thinly sliced meat
16 WANTAN MEE Rest of the year, you can try it at Zhen wrapped around a
Zhen Porridge. generous slice of fresh
The Singapore wonton noodles young ginger.
was probably influenced by Hong Kong 20 STEAMBOAT Izy, 27 Club St
cuisine, now a Singaporean classic dish.
Try a luxe version of this family-style 24 SINGAPORE
BEST WANTON MEE STALLS meal at the Hotpot Kingdom, Marina RAMEN
Fei Fei Wantan Mee 62 Joo Chiat Place Bay Sands. Their soup bases are a result
of long hours of simmering and super A Noodle Story was
17 CHICKEN RICE fresh ingredients. B1-01B, Galleria Level, The opened a couple of years
ago by two Shatec-trained
Known as Hainanese Chicken rice, Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands ‘hawkerpreneurs’ who use
this is one of Singapore’s most well- modern European kitchen
known and celebrated dishes. 21 TEOCHEW PORRIDGE techniques to make
Singaporean dishes. Stall
BEST CHICKEN RICE STALLS Teochew porridge is like an introduction number: #01-39, Amoy
Boon Tong Kee 401 Balestier Road course to their cuisine, noted for the fresh Street Hawker Centre
seafood and cooking methods such as
18 BAK KWA braising and steaming. Find it at Teochew 25 FOIE GRAS
porridge stalls like Teo Heng. WITH YUZU AT
What it is: Sweet-salty sheets of IKYU
barbecued pork jerky, traditionally sold 22 CEREAL PRAWNS
around Chinese New Year (but now, Their impressive foie
you can get it all through). Have it at Red House Seafood. Fried in gras is marinated with
butter, topped with fried curry leaves and saikyo miso and then pan-
chilli padi, the prawns are coated in a seared, so it has a lovely
batter of oats that turn crisp when fried. caramelised crust but is
still rare within.
3C, River Valley Road, Clarke Quay
26 FRENCH
TOAST WITH RUM
SABAYON

This dessert—crafted
from in-house brioche—
boasts a brown brûléed
top that is unparalleled.
The quenelle of vanilla ice-
cream served alongside
creates a fantastic hot-
cold contrast too.
Fordham & Grand, 43
Craig Rd

62 / / APRIL 2020

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D E S T I N A T I O N SINGAPORE

Adventurous Coffee 34 RICKSHAW NOODLES

27 BUAH KELUAK FRIED RICE Shop It’s a hearty dish of yellow Hokkien
noodles in pork and anchovy broth
Immigrant’s Bar on Joo Chiat is manned Classics that’s usually sold by hawkers on
by Damian D’Silva, a well-known chef trishaws. However, it’s becoming more
and champion of local cuisine. While 30 BARBECUED mainstream now.
it is a gastrobar, the bar bites are far STINGRAY WITH
from typical and the dishes are bursting SAMBAL is stingray BEST NOODLES STALLS
with local and heritage flavours. The coated in a sauce and The Fullerton Bay Hotel 80 Cellyer Quay; Teo
sambal buah keluak fried rice is an easy grilled for a smoky avour. Heng Porridge Stall Hong Lim Food Centre,
favourite. 467, Joo Chiat Road 531A Upper Cross Street Dover Co ee Hub
31 CHUI KUEH is a dense
28 TAU HUAY rice cake topped with 35 BUBBLE TEA
preserved vegetables.
Tau Huay is a Chinese dessert made with One of the world’s best places to try this
beancurd tofu that is sweetened with sugar 32 FISH BALL SOUP is Taiwanese invention is Singapore. Bubble
syrup. The traditional type is very soft, served piping hot with a tea shops are sprinkled all over the city.
slightly grainy and soaks in syrup to be side of chillis.
eaten together. BEST BUBBLE TEA STALLS
33 HONG KONG STYLE Artease Café Orchard Cineleisure, 8 Grange
BEST TAU HUAY STALLS WONTON NOODLE Rd #01-03; Koi Cafe 190A Toa Payoh Central
Rochor Original Beancurd 2 Short Street, SOUP has a seafood #01-562
Singapore 188211; Lao Ban Soya Beancurd broth, thin egg noodles,
(gelatine type) Old Airport Road Hawker and wontons with pork and 36 SINGAPORE LAKSA
Centre, 51 Old Airport Road shrimp lling.
Violet Oon is Singapore’s answer to Julia
29 FISH HEAD BEE HOON Child teaching Singaporeans how to cook
Peranakan food. You can find and savour
Fish soup bee hoon’s broth is made the delectable orginal at Violet Oon’s
from fish or pork bones that are boiled Kitchen, 881 Bukit Timah Road.
for several hours, and some stalls
might add evaporated milk for a fuller FOR THE ORIGINAL
taste. Variants include adding XO 328 Katong Laksa 51/53 East Coast Road,
cognac or brandy. Singapore 428770; Sungei Road Laksa Blk
27 Jalan Berseh, #01-100 Singapore 200027;
OUR PICK Janggut Laksa 1 Queensway, Queensway
Holland Village XO Fish Head Bee Hoon Shopping Centre, #01-59, Singapore.
Restaurant Blk 19A Dover Crescent #01-05,
Dover Co ee Hub

#FlyTheNewFeeling
To dive into the culinary world of Singapore,
come on board. Vistara operates daily flights
between India and Singapore

64 / / APRIL 2020



D E S T I N A T I O N HERITAGE

AN ARCHITECTURAL
CONSTRUCT

Every city has a story to tell,and architecture is that living
book.Two millennia of history lie in our monuments,which

stand as sentinels of our collective culture

GWALIOR
At the heart of Gwalior is the Gwalior Fort built by Raja Man
Singh Tomar. The kunds, the 84-pillared step well, the Saas-

Bahu temple and the 9th-century Teli ka Mandir represent the

Hindu architectural style. The Jehangir Mahal and Shah Jahan

Mahal are beautiful examples of Mughal architecture.

66 / / APRIL 2020

KHAJURAHO CHANDERI
The 9th- to 12th-century temples The town is composed of a
of Khajuraho, which are listed labyrinth of lanes full of archaeological
on the UNESCO World Heritage remains that bear testimony to its
Site list, are evidence of the eventful past. The imposing building
exceptional architectural prowess of Koshak Mahal was built in 1445
that existed during the reign of as a victory monument. The elegant
the powerful Chandela dynasty. Shehzadi Ka Rauza is built on a
The 85 beautiful temples were 12-foot-high platform. The Purana
built in the North Indian ‘Nagara’ Madarsa, built in 1450, is actually a
style of architecture. tomb for a teacher.

BHIMBETKA
The rock paintings in the
caves have numerous layers
belonging to various epochs of
time, ranging from the Upper
Paleolithic and Mesolithic Ages
to the protohistoric, early historic
and medieval periods. Executed
mainly in red and white, they
cover themes from everyday life
of those times.

SANCHI
Sanchi is the site of a great Buddhist

stupa listed on the UNESCO
World Heritage list. It is famous
throughout the world for its stupas,
monasteries, temples and pillars,
which date back to the 3rd century
BCE till the 12th century BCE.

ORCHHA
One of the oldest historical monuments in the fort complex, the
Raj Mahal is famous for its chhatris (cenotaphs) and exquisite
murals on the interiors. The Jahangir Mahal is considered the
best piece of architecture in Orchha, the Rai Praveen Mahal
being another palace of significance. The town has some
noteworthy temples like the Ram Raja Temple, the Chaturbhuj
temple and the Lakshmi Narayan temple.

airvistara.com/magazine / 67

D E S T I N A T I O N HERITAGE Hagia Sophia,
Istanbul (Turkey)
ON THE Built as a cathedral in 360 CE, Hagia
INTERNATIONAL Sophia, which means ‘sacred wisdom,’
was converted into a mosque in 1453 and
FRONT finally a museum in 1935. This structure
is one of the greatest masterpieces of
Istanbul. It is famous for its dome and

mosaic work.

The Colosseum, Rome (Italy)
A great work of Roman architecture, the Colosseum is the largest
amphitheatre in the world. It was built in 70-80 CE and this concrete
architectural marvel could house nearly 50,000 to 80,000 people,
all of whom gathered to witness gladiators fighting, and other
games. Having braved harsh weather conditions and wars, the major
part of the Colosseum still stands tall.

ACROPOLIS, GREECE THE PYRAMIDS, EGYPT THE PANTHEON, ROME AL KHAZNEH, JORDAN
Acropolis is an ancient The Pyramid of Djoser, the The Pantheon in Rome is a Known as the Treasury at
citadel that is home to many oldest of the Pyramids, is true architectural wonder. Petra and carved out of rose-
magnificent architectural estimated to have been built A glimpse of it will transport coloured stone, this amazing
beauties. These buildings are around the year 2630 BCE. you back to the Roman architectural feat is one of the
nearly 2,500 years old, and Experts are yet to decipher empire itself. The Pantheon most ornate structures in the
structures like the Temple how the ancient Egyptians is one of Rome’s most iconic world. The intricate work has
of Athena Nike and the built these using nothing but landmarks and a paradigmatic remained completely intact
Parthenon can be visited here. physical strength. demonstration of design. through the years.

For more built-up heritage and architectural ideas, head to airvistara.com/magazine

68 / / APRIL 2020

Puits avec des escaliers
(Kumbhalgarh Fort)



EXPERIENCE
CREATE YOUR OWN MEMORIES & MILESTONES WITH TRAVEL
MUST TRY

The chef ’s tasting menu at Scuba diving in the Andamans
Mirazur in Menton
In the French Riviera town of Whether youʼre a beginner or a pro, Havelock in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands still
Menton is Mirazur, a three- offers the perfect diving adventure. Wade through the colourful corals as many schools
hatted restaurant. Try the of fish swim past you. We recommend you base your trip at Fortune Resort Bay Island
chefʼs tasting menu, which (fortunehotels.in), which overlooks the sea and the lighthouse nearby.
includes curated meals and
wine-pairings. THE EXPERIENTIAL FACE-OFF
mirazur.fr/reservations

The Negroni at the Atlas Elephant safari in Kaziranga Spa at Ananda In The Himalayas
in Singapore
Home to one of the worldʼs IS GETTING THERE EASY?
most remarkable collections
of gin, this bar is located Fly Vistara to Guwahati, then drive 200 km Fly Vistara to Dehradun, then drive 40 km
inside the Parkview Square
building. It serves brilliant CAN I GET CLOSE TO NATURE?
classic cocktails.
atlasbar.sg Youʼre in the middle of a wildlife sanctuary Yes, itʼs surrounded by the forest

WILL I GET A CHANCE TO RELAX?

You can, but you wonʼt want to Thatʼs the idea, it is a fabulous retreat

IS IT FAMILY-FRIENDLY?

Absolutely, kids will love the adventure Itʼs more of a personal wellness experience

airvistara.com/magazine / 71

E X P E R I E N C E NATURE

Walking ALL MY LIFE IʼVE BEEN A WALKING PERSON. TO THIS DAY,
Through I have neither owned nor operated a car, bus, tractor,
The airplane, motorcycle, truck or a steamroller. Forced to make
Clouds a choice, I would as soon drive a steamroller because of its
With slow but solid progress and unhurried finality—and also
because other vehicles would never try hustling steamrollers
RUSKIN off the road.

BOND For a brief period in my early teens, I had a cycle, until
I rode into a bullock cart and ruined my new cycle. The
Aliterary visionary,Ruskin Bond is bullocks panicked and ran away with the cart while the
one of the finest writers,and his furious cart driver gave me a lecture on road sense. I have
pioneering impact has been felt never bumped into a bullock cart while walking.
across generations
My earliest memories are of a place called Jamnagar, a
small port on the west coast of India, where my father was
an English tutor to several princes and princesses. This was
where my walking really began, because Jamnagar was full
of spacious palaces, lawns and gardens. By the time I was
four, I was exploring much of this territory on my own,
with the result that I encountered my first snake. Instead
of striking me dead as snakes are supposed to do, it allowed
me to pass. Living as it did so close to the ground, and
sensitive to every footfall, it must have known instinctively
that I presented no threat, that I was just another small
creature discovering the use of his legs. Envious of the
snake’s swift gliding movements, I went indoors and tried
crawling about on my belly. But I wasn’t good at it. Legs
were better.

My father’s schoolroom and our own residence were
located in the grounds of one of the older palaces of the
then-princely state, which was full of turrets, stairways and
mysterious dark passages. Right on top of the building, I
discovered a glass-covered room, each pane of glass stained
with a different colour. This room fascinated me as I could,
by turn, look through the panes at a green or rose-pink or
orange or deep indigo world. It was nice to be able to decide
for myself what colour the world should be!

72 / / APRIL 2020

My father took his duties seriously and taught me to thought processes, it also results in my picking up odd
read and write long before I started attending a regular
school. However, it would be true to say that I first learned objects—coins, keys, broken bangles, marbles, pens, bits of
to read upside down. Why? Because I would sit on a
stool in front of the three princesses, watching them read crockery, pretty stones, feathers, ladybirds and seashells!
and write... and so the view I had of their books was an
upside-down view. To be more truthful, I still read that way Not to speak of old nails and horseshoes. Looking at my
occasionally—especially when a book becomes boring.
collection of the miscellaneous objects that I’ve picked
There was no boredom in the palace grounds, of course.
We were in the middle of a veritable jungle of a garden. up on my walks, my friends are
An old disused well was the home of countless pigeons,
their gentle cooing by day a contrast to the shrill cries of convinced that I must be using 10
the ‘brain-fever bird’ or the hawk-cuckoo at night. “How a metal detector or a magnifying
very hot it’s getting!” the bird seemed to say. And then, in a glass. But the only thing I do is that min
rising crescendo, “We feel it! We feel it! We feel it!” I keep my nose to the ground, like a
bloodhound does.
Walking along a nearby beach, collecting seashells, I got
into the habit of staring hard at the ground, a habit which Occasionally, of course, this habit
has remained with me to this day. Apart from helping my results in my walking some way past

my destination (if I have one), and SCIENCE

why not? It simply means discovering CONFIRMS THAT
a new and different destination. Or WALKING FOR
new sights and sounds that I may
not have experienced, had I ended JUST 10 MINUTES
CAN MAKE YOU
HAPPIER

airvistara.com/magazine / 73

E X P E R I E N C E NATURE

if it grows in an unusual place such as a crack in a wall

or rooftop, or in a yard full of junk—where once I found

a rosebush blooming on the roof of an old, abandoned

Ford saloon. I like to think that I invented the

zigzag walk. Tired of walking in straight lines,

The or on roads that led directly to a destination,

adventure I took to going off at tangents—taking
is not in the sudden unfamiliar turnings, wandering down
arriving. alleyways, following cart tracks or paths
It’s the through fields instead of the main roads.
on-the-way
I saw much more than I would normally
have seen. Here a temple, there a mosque.

experience. Now an old church, a railway siding. I follow
the railway line... here would be a pond full
Don’t of buffaloes, there a peacock preening itself
choose under a tamarind tree. And now, I’m in a field
what you of mustard. Soon, I’m walking along a canal
shall see, bank, and the canal leads me back into the
give the town. And I follow the line of the mango trees

my walk exactly where it was supposed to end. world a until I’m back home.

And I’m not looking at the ground all the time. chance The adventure is not the expected, it’s the
Sensitive like the snake to approaching footfalls, to see you surprise. It’s like drawing lines from star to
I look up from time to time to take note of star in the night sky, not forgetting too many

the faces of passers-by, just in case they have dim, shy, out-of-the-way stars that are full of

something interesting to say. possibilities. The first turning to the left, the next to the

A bird singing in a bush or tree has my immediate right! I am still on my zigzag way, pursuing the diagonal

attention, so does any familiar flower or plant, particularly between reason and the heart.

#FlyTheNewFeeling
Vistara operates daily flights from Delhi to Dehradun, Uttarakhand

TRAIL DREAMS

Walking these unique treks will show you a whole new world

Gosaikunda Nizarapar Trek Kuari PassTrek
Pass Trek Guwahati Dehradun
Kathmandu
Just a few kilometres Perfect for families,
If you want a trek away from the main this trek is like an
that tests your limits city of Assam, the induction to the
and rewards you with a view, look no winding route offers stunning and Himalayas. Along with mystical
further. This route takes you to the lush green vistas. Get to the top, and forests, you’ll get to see the
alpine lake, and, if you’re lucky, you the bonus is a stellar view of majestic peaks from the first
may spot a red panda! the cityscape. day itself.

74 / / APRIL 2020



E X P E R I E N C E GENERATIONS

The Time
Capsule

How much of a difference can 20 years
make in travel? A father and son find out

by BRIG. DARSHAN KHULLAR & AJAYKHULLAR

1 2

Ajay Khullar LEH 2017 LEH 1987

is the acclaimed IF WE ARE FORTUNATE, WE WILL LIVE ON AS A STORY. I HAD THE GOOD FORTUNE
author of The Book This is the story of a man, as much as of a place. in 1987 to be the leader of the
of Love (2019) and High in the mountains, after traversing treacherous successful joint Indo-British
passes, you come to Leh, the largest town in the Army Expedition to one of the
The Nothing recently created Union Territory of Ladakh. most challenging mountains,
Man (2011) Saser Kangri 1, in the Eastern
In 2017, I went to Leh, on a direct flight from Karakoram region of Ladakh.
Delhi, seeking him, who was seeking himself. His All expeditions to this area have
name was Hubert Kriegel, then a 68-year-old to first reach Leh either by road
former NYC businessman who had come out of from Srinagar (and now also
retirement and shunned ‘old age’ to ride around the Manali) or by air. The expedition
world. Funny, brave and without a negative bone in spent nearly three weeks in and
his body, this was his 11th year on the road, and he around Leh to both acclimatise
had ridden into town on his Ural motorcycle like and await the opening of the
Khardungla—one of the highest
motorable passes in the world
at 18,000 ft.—which would take
us through the Nubra Valley
and onwards to our tryst with
the mountain. These were
memorable and unforgettable
days spent in the land of the
uncomplicated and cheerful
people practising Buddhism in
beatific surroundings in more
than one sense.

The IAF IL 76 Aircraft
arrived promptly at 0600
hours on April 7 at the Palam
Technical Area. I had a terrible
hangover from the previous
night’s farewell party and was

76 / / APRIL 2020

FROM LEFT:
1. Biking across

the ice in

Leh, Ladakh;
2.The Spituk

Monastery is

perched upon a

hilltop;
3.Amonk at the

monastery;
4. Hubert

Kriegel in his

Ural motorcycle

3

silently hoping that there all blending splendidly with 4
would be bad weather over the natural surroundings.
Ladakh and the flight would The high winds have, over a rockstar. Here, everyone and his cousin is a biker,
be called off. There was bad the centuries, created a and the Manali-to-Ladakh journey is a mandatory
weather, but for the IAF it’s sculptured landscape that pilgrimage for the two-wheeled traveller. No one
got to be really bad to cancel. would baffle great artists. notices ‘another’ bike on the road.
We were flying over heavily
cloud-laden Himalayas. After Leh Bazaar is quite a Heads turned, girls smiled, men too, as we glided
an hour, the aircraft broke modest one located on both through the streets of Leh. I was purely a sidekick in
through the clouds to emerge sides of the street leading Hubert’s sidecar. I spent a week plus, interviewing
over the exotic Leh Valley. to the royal palace. Enroute, and travelling around Ladakh with Hubert. I saw
At 1130 hours we landed at one can visit the legendary the region through his eyes. The wonder at the
the rudimentary Leh Airfield, General Zorawar Singh’s natural beauty, the smile of the passing locals,
overlooked by the picturesque fort. There is the Hotel Ibex, the convenience (creature comforts) and the
Spituk Monastery. a relatively modern building disappointments a large town offers (some traffic,
owned by Colonel Rinchen relatively high prices)…
The main structure of (retired), one of the most
Ladakh consists of three decorated officers of the Leh is not an inaccessible mountainous haven, if
mountain ranges: Zanskar, Indian Army having been that’s what you seek. It is a beautiful town that has
the Ladakh Range and the awarded the Maha Vir Chakra
Eastern Karakoram, and the (MVC) and bar for his daring
valley systems of Rivers Indus, feats both in the 1965 and
Shyok and Nubra. The country 1971 wars with Pakistan.
around is arid, with few
people coming here to study In Ladakh, you would
the flora and fauna, instead
preferring the experience and Adistinguished mountaineer,Brig. Darshan Khullar has led over
ambience of the Buddhist 12 expeditions to the Himalayas.He was the leader of the Indian Everest
monasteries that abound in Expedition 1984,which had the distinction of having Bachendri Pal
the area. Surprisingly though, reaching the summit of Everest.He is a Padma Shri and the recipient of
the wild life is quite prolific. the Arjuna Award
What makes the journey
truly exotic is the countless
stupas, chortens, mani walls
and hoary monasteries
perched mostly upon hill tops,

airvistara.com/magazine / 77

E X P E R I E N C E GENERATIONS

Stay Here often be greeted with the word
‘jullay’. It means ‘welcome’ and
Hotel Singge Palace ‘how are you’ all rolled into one. In
offers a view of the the evenings, we would often go
Himalayas from your and watch a robust game of polo
bedroom window. played by the locals mounted on
singgepalaceladakh. sturdy ponies.
com
Five days in the area around
Stay at a Mongolian- Leh had the team sufficiently
style yurt cottage in acclimatised and spiritually
satiated, having visited the
Ladakh Sarai. numerous gompas. With
ladakhsarai.com Khardungla still closed on
account of heavy snow, we
Gomang Boutique decided to undertake a seven-
Hotel is a quaint day trek up the Stok Valley to the
boutique stay. 16,500-ft Rumbakla and back to
Leh. The area turned out to be
gomanghotelleh.com rich in wildlife and the trek was
invigorating as we wound our way
up and down the snow-covered
terrain of brown and crumbling
earth and rock. Once we had
crossed Stok village, which is
famous for the Queen’s Palace,
the signs of wildlife became
1 distinct. We frequently saw
herds of bharals (Tibetan Blue
Sheep) traversing the slopes
above us. Ibex were sometimes
seen grazing with the bharals.
Roger Antolik, the expedition
photographer, even managed to
photograph a family of four snow
leopards, a first in the Himalayas.
A few lucky members sighted
the Red Fox, and a lynx paid a
nocturnal visit to our kitchen.

The trek turned out to be just
what our expedition needed.
With buoyant energies, we
awaited the day we could cross
the Khardungla. We would be
returning after two months
of some really challenging
mountaineering. When the
summer would arrive, it would
have brought with it relative
greenery, apricot trees in full
blossom, and we would be able
to establish our hopefully well-
2 deserved camp at Fayang.

78 / / APRIL 2020

3 grown into an important landmark in momos and thukpa, Himalayan hotpots
the Indian Himalayas. At the height of and world cuisines.
FROM LEFT: 11,500 ft., it is the gateway for high-
1.Aglimpse into life altitude expeditions and is surrounded From budget travellers to hardy bikers
in Leh in 1989; by famous, picturesque lakes such as and itinerary-bound family vacationers,
2.Travelling to Pangong Tso, Tso Moriri, Tso Kar and Ladakh has a place for everyone.
Rumbak on the the Nubra desert, all of which are within
narrow trail; an easy driving distance. No one can tell you what you should
3.Making some or should not seek from a destination. As
furry friends while It is the starkness of the landscape, I said, I was seeking a story in Ladakh.
traversing the the ethereal beauty of the mountains, the And my story was seeking a story of
expansive thrill of the drive or the climb, that mark his own. Ladakh was a long halt in
landscape Ladakh’s place on the world tourism map. his journey around the world. Hubert
had told me that he “wasn’t going to
#FlyTheNewFeeling From simple guesthouses, where go back into retirement”. He never did.
Vistara flies weekly to Leh you will find shelter for a few hundred Though I do not know the exact details
rupees, to plush family resorts and of his passing, he went as he told me he
palace hotels, the hospitality scene here would—“while on the road”.
has boomed in the last two decades.
At every turn are cafes serving humble Ladakh is now a part of Hubert’s
story, as he is a part of Ladakh’s.

airvistara.com/magazine / 79

E X P E R I E N C E AVIATION

DREAM A
LITTLE DREAM

Vistaraʼs new 787-9 Dreamliner recently took its maiden flight from
Boeingʼs vast Seattle manufacturing plant to its new home in India

by SIMON CLAYS

Simon Clays has been fascinated
with airplanes since the time he
could barely walk.Heʼs been
writing on avionics for a decade

80 / / APRIL 2020

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP
Vistaraʼs newly launched
Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner;
a gourmet spread; relaxed
and plush settings;
Business Class seats with
sleek and comfortable
accessories for its guests

Scan this QR code to @vistara @airvistara @airvistara airvistara.com/magazine / 81
access the Vistara app

E X P E R I E N C E AVIATION

AT FIRST GLANCE, SEATTLE IS A FAIRLY UNASSUMING

SEATS TO SUIT ALL destination. Perched within kissing distance of its

BUSINESS CLASS Canadian cousin Vancouver, it’s the North West frontier
Arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration with a
100 percent lie-flat bed—even the armrest city of the United States of America. Way too high in
depresses into the bed to give more width.
Seats come equipped with a whopping latitude to bag a real share of California’s nirvana climate
18-inch touchscreen in-seatTV.
and 80 miles south and shy of truly being able to call itself
PREMIUM ECONOMY
Not so long back,this leather seat would a ski destination; you could say Seattle is stuck between a
be categorised Business standard with its
7-inch recline and extendable calf and foot rock and a hard place. Here’s what ultimately sets Seattle
rest.The cabin features 21 seats each with
a 13-inch high-def entertainment monitor. apart and gets you thinking as to why some of the US’s

ECONOMY tech big guns made a beeline for the city: For one, it’s
Configured in a 3-3-3 arrangement,this
section with 248 seats makes up the bulk surrounded from all sides by some of the most amazing
of the cabin.This allows maximum leg
room by minimising the space utilised for national parks with the impressive Mount Rainier within
the seat pocket and bendable headrests.
half an hour’s drive. Enjoy a lot of fresh air and a whole lot
Take a tour of the Dreamliner on airvistara.com/magazine
of ocean. And, if you’re a seafood fan, Seattle will spoil you.

I’m here to visit Boeing and meet Vistara’s latest

addition to its fleet, the 787-9 Dreamliner. They make

them here in Seattle, just outside the city at their

Everett facility, which just so happens to be the biggest

manufacturing building in the world. It needs to be; this

is where the last remaining Jumbo 747s are

Stay Here put together and where the new 777 MAX is
currently having its finishing touches applied.

The Four Seasons This is a big gig for Vistara. A game changer
Seattleʼs best luxury for their fleet and operation. They are excited.
hotel near the Seattle But then, we, as Indian consumers, should be,
too. The airline that has emerged in the last five
Art Museum. years as heir apparent to the crown of ‘number
fourseasons.com one in the country’ is upping its game.

Fairmont Olympic The Dreamliner I’m stood in front of at
Hotel The most 6am on a foggy morning will eventually (after

opulent and traditional it has gotten up to speed on domestic Indian

Seattle hotel. routes) blaze new frontiers for Vistara. Word is

fairmont.com that a central European route or a Far Eastern

InnAtThe Market destination will be the airline’s first foray into
Seattleʼs premier the heady world of long-haul.
boutique hotel.
innatthemarket.com Let’s be clear, this is no gamble. These
are merely the first baby steps to test their
operational waters with a strategy to up

capacity and routes. Vistara has orders for six

more of the roughly 300-passenger-capacity

super jet, pencilled in over the next few years.

The gravity of Vistara’s application to this next giant

leap is probably best summed up when I see a pandit and

his conch shell-blowing sidekick emerge from the runway

mist. The plane seems even more regal with a framed

picture of Lord Ganesha propped under its nose wheel.

There are proud smiles when Vistara’s CEO Leslie Thng

cracks a coconut on the tarmac. The omens are good.

82 / / APRIL 2020

SEATTLE: PLANE CRAZY

If youʼre sleepless in Seattle, then a visit to the cityʼs Museum of Flight is a must-do. Itʼs a display of aeronautical history with
hundreds of iconic planes at your fingertips. Here are just a few of the highlights

ACTIVE SERVICE SPECIFICATIONS DIDYOU KNOW

BLACKBIRD SR-71 With speeds in Long-range, This big bird could
The worldʼs fastest plane excess of Mach 4.5, high-altitude, outrun the most
ever.We mean ever. it was the fastest Mach 3+ strategic sophisticated
air breathing reconnaissance of missiles.
manned aircraft. aircraft.

This 15-acre BOEING B-29 The B-29 had A99-feet long It played a big part
campus includes SUPERFORTRESS many new,unique bomber powered inWW2,given that
over 160 air and Along-range heavy bomber. features, including by four it was the only
spacecrafts, the guns that could 2,200-horsepower bomber capable of
original Boeing acually be fired by Wright Duplex dropping the atom
Aircraft factory, flight remote control. Cyclone engines. bomb onJapan.
simulators, and dozens
of interactive exhibits AIRFORCE ONE The first jet- At a cruise speed This is the very
and family activities. The most important powered aircraft of Mach 0.84,its Boeing 707 that
historical airplane. ever built for the flight range was flew Presidents
The Aviation US President. 6,800 nmi (7,800 Kennedy, Nixon
Pavilion offers the mi,13,000 km). and Johnson
dramatic development around the world.
of large aircrafts in an
open-air gallery with
a cafe and childrenʼs
playground.

The conch fills the air again and we are ushered on overhauled system that sucks fresh air from outside rather
board. For those of you who have not flown any of the than recycling spent air from the cabin. This might not
Dreamliner variants, understand: this is an airplane mean much on the surface, but it’s proven that both sleep is
of great beauty and finesse. Its height and the way its improved and jet lag reduced by utilising this approach.
overhead luggage is stored create a great feeling of space
wherever you are in the cabin. Its carbon fibre fuselage When you’re alone on a plane of this capacity, you really
allow its windows to be some 25-30 percent bigger than are overcome by scale. Sans passengers and crew, the size of
rivals in its class—this might not sound like much to you, the plane is undeniable. Row after row of gleaming Vistara
but aboard, it matters. emblazoned seats trail to a vanishing point of the rear galley.
Then, I’m struck by the fact that very soon, within the hour,
The flight deck is a thing of science-fiction with pretty this plane is bound for India. It’s the first journey of many,
much everything controlled by LCD touchscreens. But, and the beginning of a new adventure for Vistara. It’s going
that’s for the pilots and plane geeks like me. What will home and so am I. It’s time to leave, there are pre-flight
matter to passengers is that the 787-9’s engines are as preparations to be made. But, before I do, I wish this new
quiet as church mice (admittedly, church mice that weigh addition to the fleet bon voyage and hope we get to meet
113 tons) and that the plane’s air conditioning is a totally again very soon, so I can be part of its new beginning.

airvistara.com/magazine / 83

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Das gute Licht.
Making grand statements.

E X P E R I E N C E MEDITATION

B R E AT H E

The great outdoors can do wonders for your health.
For a life-altering trip, head to one of these destinations

by ANGELA CARSON
airvistara.com/magazine / 85

E X P E R I E N C E MEDITATION Sedona, Arizona

Stay Here About 1,400 years ago, Sinagua Indians
inhabited this red-rock oasis. Today, it is a
Sedona haven for spiritual healing. This blooming
Hilton Sedona Resort, desert land, surrounded by Native
American ruins and mountains, has been
will help organise a place of transformation for years.
respite-seeking treks Why go there? For the powerful vortexes
that resonate with your own energy field,
during your stay. which is great for healing and uplifting.
hiltonsedonaresort.com What to do? Trek through the rock
country and discover your own
Colombo meditation spot there.
The Mövenpick Hotel When to go there? March to May is
can serve as your base recommended as there’s a pop of colour
in Colombo.Thanks to that shines through the rust, and the
weather is accommodating. Also, multiple
its proximity to the festivals are organised around this time in
beach and in-house the surrounding areas.
spa,there won’t be a

lack of holistic
experiences.
movenpick.com

Fa Hien Cave, Sri Lanka

Popularised as a destination
apt for slow travel, Sri Lanka
is the right choice if you want
to ease your pace and wander
through a village.
Why go there? It’s a wonder
that’s about 33,000 years old;
people have been meditating
there since then, so there has
to be something to it.
What to do? Relax your
senses and let your mind
reboot at this ancient,
spiritual site. Explore the
archaeological remains if you
have time—some excavations
pulled out human skulls!
When to go there?
December to March is the
best time to hide away in this
sacred cave.

#FlyTheNewFeeling
Vistara flies daily to Colombo, Sri Lanka

86 / / APRIL 2020



E X P E R I E N C E MEDITATION

Stay Here Bangkok, Thailand Tabo Caves, India

Bangkok In the town of Bangkok, the Wat Mahathat Journey to the desert mountains of
Anantara Riverside is the perfect place to start a soulful northern India and be awed by the beauty
Bangkok Resort is a meditative journey. of the Spiti Valley, especially Tabo.
Why go there? It’s one of the oldest Why go there? Tabo, about 250 km from
luxury option. Buddhist temples, and gives you a chance Manali, is home to the Tabo Monastery—
anantara.com to escape the pace of the city. the perfect space to meditate.
What to do? There are special guided What to do? Hike to the 1,000-year-old
Tabo meditation classes that are held at the Tabo Caves at the foothills of the Trans-
There are numerous temple, ensuring that you feel at ease. Himalayas, where you can place a mat
guest-houses available When to go there? Try and plan your and immerse yourself in the energy.
trip between the months of November to When to go there? March-June is usually
in the area. February, when the weather is good. when peak season begins.

County Donegal
Lough Eske Castle
Hotel is best for an

indulgent stay.
lougheskecastlehotel.com

County Donegal, Ireland

In Ireland, summer brings
endless days when you
can explore the scenic
surroundings under the
cloudless sky.
Why go there? It’s the least-
populated county, so enjoy the
ample amount of space that’s
available for you.
What to do? Wander through
clifftops at this rugged county,
or ferry out to one of the
forgotten island villages.
When to go there? Summer
time is best to see the sights.
If you want to stay in one of
the castles, winter is the most
reasonable time to book.

Expert spa reviews at airvistara.com/magazine

88 / / APRIL 2020



THE SPORTS EDGE

Fitness is a state of mind,but top-level performance
also needs the right tools

FITNESS LEVELS IN WOMEN’S CRICKET HAVE the fittest women cricketers in the country. Her
undergone considerable changes and Harmanpreet Kaur efforts to achieve supreme fitness levels haven’t
is leading the charge for a leaner, fitter Team India. gone unnoticed, though. Shikhar Dhawan
Women’s cricket was not always associated with fitness. deemed Kaur suitable for a fitness challenge,
But the advent of T20 has quickened the pace of the urging her to go through the challenging
game, demanding more physicality from players. routine on social media.

Female sportspersons around the world have begun to Kaur is active on various social media
realise that fitness is interlinked with performance. India’s platforms and has posted some of her work-
T20 skipper, Kaur has made a name for herself as one of out videos online. Her overall fitness regime is

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PROMOTION

“There are endurance and conditioning
sessions on the ground. I personally like
to run a lot and so I make sure I do that.
Along with that, I do gym circuit workouts
as per the schedule.”
- HARMANPREET KAUR

drafted by the Board of Control for Cricket in strength workouts,” Kaur says. She believes any
India’s (BCCI) trainers. “It has gym sessions, fitness routine should be engaging and well-
though not scheduled every day. Then there are balanced with different sets of drills. “For any
endurance and conditioning sessions on the input, I ask my trainer, if I need a change in
ground. I personally like to run a lot and make my routine, I go to my trainer. He guides us
sure that I follow it every day. Along with that, whenever we require any help. My schedule
I do gym circuit workouts as per the schedule includes a variety of things to keep me engaged.
handed out to me by fitness trainers,” says Kaur. One must not have the same fitness schedule.
Everyone should take out time for their body.”
Running and participating in recreational
sports is a part of her life. “For the last two- Every sportsperson looks up to someone in
three weeks we have had a very busy schedule. their quest for excellence. Kaur doesn’t drop
So, we hardly get a lot of time off. But I don’t any names about her fitness role model, but
leave running. That is always part of my certainly admires Virat Kohli.
routine. Along with that, I like to play football.
When I am not playing cricket, I make sure I Harmanpreet wears a custom-made R-Elan
play recreational sports, particularly football,” FeelFresh vest embedded with silver nano
Kaur reveals. particles. To know more about R-Elan’s
performance clothing, visit www.r-elan.com
Over-emphasis on fitness can lead to injuries
or burnouts, so it is necessary to maintain a
healthy balance between rest and training.
Kaur doesn’t worry about her workload,
insisting she is in safe hands. “Everything is
planned according to the available time. I make
sure I honour whatever hours are allotted to
my specific gym training and other fitness
activities. My life goes according to my alarm.
Everything is managed very well. I do whatever
the BCCI trainers advise me to. They give us
a schedule even if we are on rest. We get the
schedule and we follow it. The duration of
and instructions on the chart keep changing,
depending on how your body responds.”

Exercise regimes consist of different sets of
exertions. “I specifically work on hand exercises,
core fitness and circuit training. Mainly circuit
training is always given to me including

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E X P E R I E N C E INDIAN SAFARI

Hear
The Call
92 / / APRIL 2020

This summer, get a
glimpse of nature at

its rawest by
immersing yourself

in the wild

by VICTORIA BURROWS

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E X P E R I E N C E INDIAN SAFARI

1 23

WHEN YOU’RE OUT IN THE for a sight of the unique creature FROM LEFT: BEYOND THE
jungle, there’s nothing to focus with its bulging forehead and 1. Following the BORDERS
on except silence—because you’re short beak. While watching these track at the
waiting for it to break and finally gentle creatures arch in and out Satpura National Looking for more
see what’ve you travelled miles of water is a soothing experience, Park; 2. The Binsar adventures? These African
for, whether it’s one of the big the Bhitarkanika National Park forest is full of safaris are once-in-a-
cats or a rare fowl. (258 km away) offers a more exciting sightings; lifetime experiences
thrilling encounter: crocodiles. 3. The serene
But it’s also the time to see Home to the world’s second- Chilika Lake MEET THE BATWA TRIBE
what hasn’t changed; what’s largest mangrove ecosystem, the reflecting the The folks atVolcanoes Safaris
remained untouched by park is famed for its population sun’s rays (volcanoessafaris.com) give
modernisation. And the best of giant estuarine crocodiles you a chance to learn about one
part? You don’t even have to that can grow to 23 feet! Swosti #FlyTheNewFeeling of the oldest tribes inAfrica.
travel too far. India has some of Chilika Resort offers a luxury Vistara operates regular
the most glorious safari locations stay on the banks of the lake. You flights to Bhubaneswar in EAT WITH THE GIRAFFES
in the world, each offering a can also book a 12-day wildlife Odisha, and Dehradun In Nairobi’s Giraffe Manor
completely unique element. Here tour to Odisha with 365 Hops in Uttarakhand for (thesafaricollection.com), you
are some of the finest... to experience both. swostihotels. convenient access to these can interact with giraffes,if you
com; 365hops.com wildlife spots don’t mind a long neck near you.
THE CHILIKA LAKE SAFARI
Asia’s largest brackish water THE BINSAR TOUR LEND A HAND
lagoon, Chilika in Odisha, is Declared a sanctuary in 1988, Eco-tourism is great,and
home to the Irrawaddy dolphin. the Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary is groups like the Big 5Volunteer
Chilika Lake has emerged as spread over 45 kilometres in the (africanimpact.com) let you
the single largest habitat of the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand. help in the Greater KrugerArea.
endangered species. Hire a boat

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Stay at the
luxurious
Samode Safari
Lodge in the
Bandhavgarh
National Park

THE RIVER KABINI With an average altitude of including the white-winged
EXCURSION 2,400 metres, it is one of the last wood duck, white-backed
remaining patches of oak forests vulture, white-cheeked hill
Overcome your fear of giant in the Middle Himalayas. Most partridge, kalij pheasant and
creepy-crawlies and give spider- of the few thousand travellers rufous-necked hornbill. It is also
spotting a try. With the onset of who visit the sanctuary each the only forest that boasts of
year come for the 200 species seven wild cats: tigers, leopards,
monsoon, arachnids thrive in of birds, including forktails, clouded leopards, leopard
forests, especially along the River laughing thrushes, nuthatches cats, golden cats, jungle cats,
and parakeets. Hit the road and marbled cats. And in case
Kabini. Go on a night trail while from Pantnagar airport and this isn’t enough to get you
staying at Evolve Back, Kabini. drive for a little over four hours out there, out of 15 species of
to get to the sanctuary’s main non-human primates found in
evolveback.com entrance at Ayarpani. A handful India, seven are found in this
of boutique homestays within virgin rainforest. If you don’t
#FlyTheNewFeeling the premises offer memorable want to stay in one of the forest
To experience these safaris, check out Vistara’s stays in the wilderness. guesthouses (they are much
flights to Bengaluru, Dibrugarh and Khajuraho binsarwildlifesanctuary.com; closer), you have options in the
marybuddenestate.in towns of Digboi and Tinsukia.

THE DEHING PATKAI EXPERIENCE THE BANDHAVGARH EXPEDITION
The only wet tropical rainforest Its glorious meadows and

in the country, Dehing Patkai swathes of savannah grasslands

Wildlife Sanctuary in Assam, are ideal for spotting tigers, and

is home to many rare birds, its massive sprawl of 448 sq km,

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E X P E R I E N C E INDIAN SAFARI

The
Sunderbans
mangroves are
ideal for a
boat safari

THE AGUMBE adjoining the rugged Maikal sail through the many canals
Hill Range, ensures you will see and rivers here on a tiny wooden
EXPERIENCE plenty of wildlife. Bandhavgarh rowing boat, learning about
lies 483 km from Bhopal, and is the area’s biodiversity while on
Give the usual jungle safari and ideally placed for visits to another the look out for those sightings
birdwalk a miss, and volunteer at gem—Kanha National Park. The of a lifetime. The journey is
the Agumbe Rainforest Research wild terrain of Bandhavgarh once marked by the birdsongs of
Station (ARRS) in Karnataka for served as the private hunting 260-odd avian species. While
preserve for the Rewa royals and you’re here, sleep in a boat
a real tryst with the wild, while was famed for the rare white anchored in the middle of the
also helping conservationists tiger. Jeep and elephant safaris river. In fact, Vivada Sunderban
track and preserve the land. allow you to come face-to-face Cruises has an array of packages.
with 22 mammal species and the sunderbancruises.com
agumberainforest.org park’s immense avifaunal wealth.
Booking safaris ahead is always THE SATPURA TREK
#FlyTheNewFeeling advisable as permits per day are One of the most thrilling aspects
limited in the high season. Tree of exploring the virginal tracts
Vistara operates flights to Kolkata and hubs in House Hideaway Resort helps of Satpura National Park is that
Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh operate tours, and is, as the name it’s one of the few tiger reserves
describes, the perfect hideaway. that can be explored on foot.
treehousehideaway.com Tourists and pilgrims come
hand-in-hand here, thanks to
THE SUNDERBANS BOAT SAFARI the hallowed hubs of Dhoopgarh
Spread across 1,40,000 hectares, and Mahadeo. A trip here
the Sunderbans is the planet’s can be combined with visits
largest contiguous mangrove to the adjoining Bori Wildlife
system. Home to a wide range of Sanctuary and Pachmarhi
endangered species, including the Wildlife Sanctuary. Explore
Royal Bengal tiger, the reserve the park while staying at the
is a network of waterways, small eclectic Forsyth Lodge.
islands, and mudflats. You can forsythlodge.com

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