Alfresco Grand Cruise Guwahati review

      The Great river the Brahmaputra has huge essence in Assam and for the people from Assam. It's not just a river but lifeline of Assamese people, inspiration, love and most importantly the main water resource.

      If you want to see and know a city you must visit the river, whether the Seine in French or the Hudson in Newyork. This time when I visited Guwahati my brother suggested taking the Alfresco Grand Cruise, I instantly agreed and turned out to be the most amazing river cruise.

      As I mentioned earlier, the Brahmaputra has a huge significance in an Assamese life and so does in my life. I have seen the Brahmaputra since my birth, sometimes as flooded and the most destructive and sometimes as serene and placid. I have taken a few ferry rides as well but never a cruise.

      We book the cruise a few hours back and got the earliest cruise. Few minutes before the sun was about to set, our cruise started. We chose the middle deck as we had children with us. The live performance started with some popular Bollywood numbers.  We saw at a little distance some statue and when the ferry started to sail we got a good glimpse of the statue. Lights were lit and glittering Guwahati in the distance. The server came to take the order and here you have ordered the extra food which is not expensive for the cruise like this pretty affordable snacks. We had paneer pakora and chili paneer. I surely suggest paneer pakora as it was decadent and good for the kids, if they don't have to allergy. Other options available are veg pakora and chicken pakora. The bar had a beer and a few options of juices.

      We are lucky enough to have pleasant weather and came out to the deck and gazed the sweeping views of the enchanting Guwahati- homes, hills, temples, ferries crossing by and lush greenery in the distance.  Here I needed at least a bit of description of history and culture whether as a template or as audio. If someone is new to the city, have to make guesses that the actual things we are seeing.
I love the distance view of Kamakhya and other temples and a vast view of mighty Brahmaputra. A must take if you are visiting Guwahati. A surely romantic way of seeing the city is a clean and beautiful deck, Love the sitting arrangement as well. Get the glimpse of the city souk the serene beauty of breathtaking Brahmaputra. Don't miss the sunset how sun melts in the mighty Brahmaputra. Surreal.
         Alfresco Grand offers corporate parties, any other parties most importantly dinner cruise with Bihu performance. Next trip would be a dinner cruise for me in Bespoke Brahmaputra.
           

 

Tea County Dibrugarh Assam

      Tea county Dibrugarh, the taste and take of its own Tea County Dibrugarh tidy chic with multi cuisine restaurant offers Indian, Italian, Chinese, Thai and Continental. 

      A lovely and warm greeting adds so much and we got the exact same feeling when we entered tea County Dibrugarh.

An extensive and elaborate menu of tea County Dibrugarh is not an easy task to choose from for the 1st timer. 

      We started our day with the assorted vegetable platter. Literally, I did not expect that vegetable platter comes with such a vivid and varied array. Succulent green vegetable grill to perfection green kabab crispy on the outside and soft inside with hearty spinach, cheese stuffed grilled paneer delectable and delightful. 

      Then we had our main. As we are in Assam my kids missed their pasta. My little one had pasta with white cheesy sauce. Whipped and thick cheesy pasta can be an instant favorite for one who loves rich Italian food. Then my elder one got Indo-Chinese Hakka noodles and chilly chicken. My expected a bit more effort and innovation as the Appetizer raised the bar. 

      Then us adults had Malai Kofta, yet again it met our expectations sulky Luxurious gravy with generous amounts of heavy cream added the extra dose of deliciousness. We couple the malai kofta with veg pulao, the word perfect comes your way when you try these combinations. 

      My husband had Bengali fish curry, freshwater fish rightly marinated and perfectly fried, drenched in a spicy tomato based gravy yup you are in the kingdom of deliciousness. Couple of us got butter nan and vouched that it was delectable.

      We did not end our day with dessert but with the memory of good food and some utterly delicious good time. I will love to come back again soon. 

Flora fauna of Assam part 2

      Hello everyone, a big hello from Assam my homeland. After moving to the United States, this is the 1st time I have visited Assam in the summer. Honestly, it’s unbearably hot and humid. Thankfully, we get showers in between and that makes things a bit better. Yes, we live closest to the state where the height rainfall is recorded.  Rain makes everything fresh and new, the earth, trees, and flowers and even the hearts. Well, want to make it short and sweet and give you guys a visual delight of the flora and fauna of Assam in summer. Enjoy 💕.  Part 1 here

Summer and hand painted saree

      I have always been intrigued by saree, actually even before I have started wearing it. The six-yard literally spells magic upon me. I collected saree even before starting to wear it.
Summer in India is blazing and need to wear something light and feathery feel against the skin to be breathable. Indian cotton is not only known for its durability, comfort, and purity but also for the works on it, especially hand-painted ones. You know it's varied and versatile, every region in Indian has its own special paint - ajrakh, bandhani,kalamkari, block print, Madhubani to name a few. But, I don't know why I have never owned any cotton saree.

      Well, I am not a purist when it comes to wearing saree. I team my saree with crop tops, shirts, and whatnot. This one is clubbed with a white crop top, silver jewelry, a pink mojri (flat Indian ethnic shoes). I am sure you might have guessed this is the latest cotton saree addition to my wardrobe. How cool is this bicycle print on it? Do let me know your thoughts.

A basic maxi dress with a eastern twist

      East has always inspired the west when it comes to fashion. Indian intricate design and enthralling patterns were always adorned by the west. Eastern fashion has merged with the west this decade more than any other in the past, thanks to globalization and some of the major designer collaborations. Pioneer names like Sabyasachi for Pottery barn and  Christian Louboutin, Prabal Gurung for Jcrew and Target, Pankaj and Nidhi for Anthropology.  I was born in India and living in the USA for a couple of decades, my fashion has always switched and swiped between Indian verses western and mixed and matched with each other.

      This time for my daughter's recital, I wore this Apricot peach dress and teamed up with my already owned Indian designer accessories. I am sure, if you have read my blog, you obviously have spotted those accessories. I already wore a few times. That says how much these accessories are versatile. The peach-pink maxi dress is very basic and I wanted it to look edgy and wanted to add a bit of drama. So, added a Sabyasachi clutch and Suhani Pittie Earrings. Don't forget to spot the Kada, I wore it for the first time. Hair and make up is basic in jiffy mommy friendly.  Have a great weekend everyone.

A few simple tips for easy traveling

      A few simple tips and planning ahead can always make traveling easier. You can enjoy your traveling with more ease and hustle free. Here you go and how. Also check this one for the kids

1. Comfortable shoes - First and foremost good shoes can change the entire traveling game.  When it comes to traveling, I always choose a kind of shoes that are easy to wear and easy to remove. We all know the airport security procedures, if the shoes are not comfortable, it will take more time and could not only be annoying for you but for others as well.
2. A right bag - A good sized bag that can hold a few things and a bag with a zipper, so it can be closed entirely otherwise there are chances that you might lose a few things while getting it on and off the airplane cabin.
3. Packing early -  Starting to pack early can not only save the headache of forgetting stuff but also help with remembering things you might not remember at the last minute.
4. Pack according to the weather of the destination - It 's important to pack according to the season but it is also important to check the weather at the destination. I remember in peak summer in San Francisco, I was shivering and regretting not to have packed weather appropriate clothes.
5. A multi-country charger adapter - Not one charger can work in every country. Important to carry a multi-country charger.
6. Easy on accessories - Avoid large jewelry pieces, it might tangle or break.
7. Always hydrate - Don't forget to drink a lot of water in the flight, it will prevent you from dehydrating.

Newport, Rhode Island beyond a beach town

      We often search for serenity just to escape from the routine of monotonous life. Try to put myself into a serene scene, that's when I find myself in a  city like Newport. Neither hustle and bustle nor a sleepy town, but a lively town where you will find yourself alive. Being a beach city, to the contrary there is a sense of serenity and calmness that strings together. A little more than an hour drive from Boston and a little more than 3 hours from NYC it is my favorite escape when I want to unwind. In spite of a beach town, Newport is quite unique from what you would expect from a typical beach town.

What to see

1. Breakers and the neighborhood - Wander around the beguiling Breakers and the neighborhood. Greenery and exquisite architectural amuse. A seamless blend of luxury and natural beauty.

2. Cliff walk - Pristine and Pretty traces of Daffodils in Spring a picture perfect 3.5-mile walk to remember with the view gorgeous coastline and right behind the mansions.

3. Ocean drive - A drive with beautiful mansions

4. International Tennis Hall of Fame - Whether you are tennis buff or not, you wouldn't regret visiting and knowing the tennis hall of fame.



5. Beavertail Light House - Gorgeous ocean and a even gorgeous sunset, hit a quite peaceful town the Jamestown a few minutes from Newport.

Hidden Gem Greenwood Cemetery for cherry blossom in the NYC

      In the hustle and bustle and in the bustling corners of NYC the 1st time I visited the city, I wondered where the people in the city go for a quiet corner! Do the people have any place to escape where they want to enjoy nature or some quiet corner? Then I visited the central park, the greenery of the park was quite different and what bliss to come from the city of sky scrappers and to enter into the world of greenery.

       And a few weeks back when I visited the city, I discovered Greenwood cemetery. Tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the city, it was a great find to see the nature and spend some time alone or with family, lines of green trees, swiping view of the city, lakes, flowers, sculptures and what not. Most amazingly you can see the city showering in the pink cherry blossom. Greenwood cemetery could be your great destination to see the spring blossom and cherry blossom, not just a solace for your eyes but for your heart and mind. Enjoy the flowery walk.