Publisher & Editor-in-Chief

Ranvir Nayar
Editorial Director
Christine Nayagam
Editorial Advisor
Rajendra Shende
56
Communications Director Offbeat
June Mukherjee
Dresden, Saxony
Deputy Editor
Debasree Banerjee A Trip Down
Copy Editor Museum Lane
Varsha Singh
Editorial Team
Arachika Kapoor, Surbhi Kapila,
Shalini Dasgupta, Anne-Laure Chanteloup,
Smiti Nandi, Binita Punwani, Alexandre Clasens,
Gabrièle Brennen, Ingrid Davey, Karthik Davey,
Venkata Krishna, K V Priya, Nisha Jha,
Vasudevan Raghavachari, Laura Martinez-Rico,
Rathina Sankari, Sandeep Silas, Manjeet Singh,
Shikha D, Debanjali Biswas
Design
Priyankar Bhargava (Art Director),
Hitesh Mehta,Vinay Kamboj
Multimedia
Virat Garg, Rishabh Kapoor, Pratiyush Gulati
Web

Re-discovering Cultures
Manoj Upadhyay, Omprakash Kabira,
Alok Kumar Dubey, Aman Kanojiya
Photographers
Shashi Sahai, Sudharak Olwe,

Around the World

Priyankar Bhargava,Virat Garg
Aparna (Photo Coordinator)
Corporate Communications
(contact@mediaindia.eu)
Marc Seviran, Sameer Mohammad, Mohd Mofid
Sales & Marketing o an average Indian, China represents a mystic northern neighbour that
(sales@mediaindia.eu)
AGMs: Jasleen Kaur, Shilpi Sharma
New Delhi
Srishti Saxena, Jaudat Siddiqui, Chetan Pathak
Paris
Jordan Golabkan
T is best known by all sorts of products that one can find in the Indian
markets today and whose relations with India seem troubled from time
to time.Yet few Indians realise exactly how many of their compatriots are
headed to the discovery of this mystic land and they would be even more surprised
by the rapid growth in the Indian tourists’ traffic that China has been experiencing.
Even the more learned would stumble to name cities or regions in China
Head Office
32 rue Le Peletier, 75009, Paris
beyond Beijing and Shanghai and the Great Wall. But just as India is a very large,
Tel +33-952533704 diverse and ancient culture, China too is much more than the glitzy steel and glass
New Delhi towers that one can see in its mega-metros.
1226, DLF Tower-A, Jasola District Centre, Earlier we had brought you stories from Xi’an in the Shaanxi Province of central
Jasola, New Delhi - 110025 China and this time we traverse the mountains to bring you ancient stories from
Telefax +91-11-43534818
Kolkata the Henan province, believed to be the place where the great civilisation of China
703, 7th Floor, Shubham Building, 1 Rawdon Street, originated from thousands of years ago. From understanding the essence of Kung-
Park Street Area, Kolkata, West Bengal 700071 Fu and Tai Chi to exploring the history of the Shaolin Temples, from the wonder of
Tel +91-33-46038309 UNESCO World Cultural Heritage sites to the breathtaking landscape of the Yuntai
Mumbai
Mountains – this province in China is a hidden gem.
C-23, Usha Sadan, Near Colaba PO,
Mumbai - 400005 One of the several misconceptions that Indians have about China relates to
Tel +91-22-22151612 the lack of availability of vegetarian options in the cuisine. But even in an offbeat
Bengaluru place like Henan, a vegetarian can get their fill of delicious and authentic Chinese
Unit # L4-03, 3rd Floor, SKYWALK No. 5/1, cuisine. We collate the most useful information regarding the options suitable for
Assaye Road, Ulsoor, Bangalore – 560 042
Tel +91-9818437700
vegetarian and vegans.
Chennai Keeping up with the offbeat theme we also cover various volcanic routes, to
8/1 State Bank Street, Mount Road, Chennai-600002 keep things entertaining for adventure seekers. Treading even further into the
Tel/Fax +91-44-28455938 eccentric things to do, we head to the unusual museums of Saxony in Germany.
Staying on in Europe, through the Photo Feature, we showcase the idyllic villages
Published by
MEDIA INDIA GROUP of Cyprus, the tiny Mediterranean island nation, where we bring out the art de vivre
Website and ambience of the place.
http://mediaindia.eu/magazine/india-outbound/ Keeping things exotic, we travel to Finland to showcase how this snow covered
beauty can be an ideal backdrop for honeymooners who may wish to add a dollop
Capital: 20 000 euros
of adventure to their romantic getaway.
SIREN N: 453 030 371
Press Commission: 0708 K 84914 We bring to you the unique experiences of spirituality and serenity that Bhutan
ISSN: 1767-5952 has to offer in the east and the sense of awe of Sicily in the west. We also journey
Depot Legal: July 2018 to Switzerland for a chocolaty experience and visit Buenos Aires in Argentina for a
Date of publishing:Vol 10, No. 4, July 2018 more luxurious one.
Printed at: Alcasa advertisement & Marketing Pvt. Ltd. Traversing the old and new paths to bring you the most unique experiences
Plot No. D/134, Flat No. 81, Begumpur,
is the aim of this issue of India Outbound. So take a seat, relax and read on to plan
Malviya Nagar, New Delhi - 110017
your next off the beaten track journey.
 C O NTENT India Outbound July-August 2018

32 ENTERTAINMENT
10 Marvel Superheroes Descend
on Disneyland Paris

34 HERITAGE
Angkor Wat
A Genius of Khmer Art

36 5 PLACES TO GO
The Lava Trails
Treading the Treacherous

38 LIFESTYLE
Melt into the World of
Swiss Chocolates

42 HONEYMOON
10 COUNTRY FOCUS Find Love Amid Wilderness
Henan
Tracing the Origins of China 46 PHOTO FEATURE
Cyprus
Tian Xin, A Cultural Mosaic in the Mediterranean
Director – India
China National Tourist Office

Discovering China’s
46
Vegetarian Flavours

24 STRATEGY
Dr Abed Al Razzaq Arabiyat
Managing Director
Jordan Tourism Board

26 INSIGHT
Vasudha Sondhi
Managing Director
Outbound Marketing

28 EXPERIENCE
Bhutan
A Spiritual Abode 52 5 THINGS TO DO
Rotterdam, the Netherlands
30 PROMENADE The Country's New Cool Capital
Molten Shadows of Palermo
54 LUXURY

42 Buenos Aires
An Assorted Holiday

56 OFFBEAT
Dresden, Saxony
A Trip Down Museum Lane

60 TRAVEL ACCESSORIES
Fashionable Travel
Clubbing Style with Utility

64 TRENDS
Short-Haul International Trips
Quick Fix Vacations
TRAVEL & TOURISM BRIEF
Australia-Kolkata
Consulate to open after
30 years
Australia has decided to reopen its
consulate office in Kolkata, India
around 30 years after it exited the
city during the mid-1980s after
militant trade unionism had led to
closure of several corporate offices
and airlines.
The return of the consulate was
facilitated seeing an increase in the
number of tourists and students
travelling to Australia from West
Bengal and a change in the business
climate.
The consulate general’s office
in Kolkata will take the number of
Australian diplomatic posts in India to
four. The other Australia consulates
are in Mumbai and Chennai and
Australian high commissioner’s office
is in New Delhi.
Australia’s high commissioner
to India Harinder Sidhu said, “The
consulate general in Kolkata will
strengthen bilateral trade and
investment, particularly in the
mining and resources sectors. We
look forward to strengthening our
engagement with West Bengal and
adjoining states.”
“These announcements cement
Australia’s commitment to India as a
first tier partnership,” she added.
TAT launches app to promote family tourist privileges
In order to promote Thailand as a family
destination, the Tourism Authority
of Thailand (TAT) has launched an
application called ‘Family Fun Thailand’
targeting families, from Asia, especially
India.
The application includes several
deals and offers from business and
tourist attractions throughout Thailand
for those who are family tourists.
Soraya Homchuen, director, TAT said,
“Thailand has a wide variety of tourism
06 India Outbound July-August 2018
Ranveer Singh inaugurates
‘Ranveer on Tour’ in Switzerland
Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh
inaugurated a ‘Ranveer on Tour Train’,
which is in honour of his contribution
towards the increasing popularity
of Switzerland as the preferred
destination of Indian tourists. The
train is on the Golden Pass Line and
has been launched by Switzerland
Tourism and the Swiss Travel System.
Dazzled by this gesture, the actor
said in a statement, 'The ‘Ranveer
on Tour’ train is not just transport,
but an unforgettable journey that
takes you on a tour of Switzerland.
Looking through the huge panoramic
windows of the train is a feast
for the eyes as you drink in the
beautiful views of tall mountains,
green valleys and endless vineyards.
I still remember being completely
mesmerised on my first train ride last
summer and I hope all our esteemed
Portugal entices film producers
with revamped schemes
A group of international film productions
is heading to Portugal, attracted by its
unique light, landscapes and a rebuilt
23-30 pc cash-rebate scheme. Portugal
is competing with territories like UK,
Hungary and France by its 30 pc rebate
scheme and may also expand to their
levels. Upcoming productions include Ira
resources, attractions, activities,
infrastructure, hospitality and services
that are fit for all age groups, so our
country actually is a perfect destination
for families. Indians love to take short
family holidays and we intend to reach
out to them and showcase the family-
friendly side of Thailand through this
application.”
Exclusive deals up to 60 pc across
attractions like Flying Squirrels, Yoyo
Land, Upside Down Pattaya, Vanich
travellers enjoy this incredible ride as
much as I did.”
“The Indian market is fundamentally
important for Switzerland Tourism. In
2017, activities to promote Switzerland
in India resulted in a strong increase of
23.4 pc in overnights. Our campaign
with Ranveer Singh as our brand
ambassador has powerfully contributed
in this recent success,” said Martin
Nydegger, CEO of Switzerland Tourism,
at the inauguration.
Sachs’ A Family Vacation shot in Sintra
and produced by Saïd Ben Saïd and Luis
Urbano.
“The new scheme gives me greater
chances to work with directors such
as Ira Sachs, but for me, it is important
that the projects have an organic link
with the locations,” said Luis Urbano.
Portugal is referring itself as the
‘California of Europe’ due to its warm
climate, beaches, and long daylight
hours. It has a booming tourism
industry, start-up culture and high-
profile events such as the Web Summit.
Last year, Portugal experimented
with a 20-25 pc tax rebate scheme, a
minimum of EUR 1 million production
spend and supported four projects.
Farm, Phuket, Dolphins Bay Phuket,
Flying Squirrels in Chiang Mai are
being offered to tourists through this
application.

Palladium Hotel Group enlists Blue Square
Consultants as its Indian representative
Palladium Hotel, a leading Spanish hotel
chain has appointed Mumbai-based
Blue Square Consultants (BSC) as its
representative in India.
BSC will conceptualise, implement
and promote PR and sales strategies
for their Spanish properties in India -
Hard Rock Hotel Ibiza, Hard Rock Hotel
Tenerife and Ushuaïa Ibiza Beach Hotel in
Spain. Commenting on the appointment,
Sergio Zertuche, chief sales & marketing
officer, Palladium Hotel Group said,
“India is turning into a strong outbound
market in the world and is ranked
among our top 20. We are excited to
partner with Blue Square Consultants
Atlantis, The Palm launches the Wedding Lounge
World-class wedding destination
Atlantis, The Palm continues to enhance
its renowned credentials with the
launch of the exclusive Wedding Lounge
that will provide the ultimate haven for
couples to create their dream wedding.
Warner Bros World, Abu Dhabi to open in July
Warner Brothers World will open its
indoor theme park in Abu Dhabi to
welcome the public on July 25, 2018.
When the highly-anticipated Warner
Bros. World Abu Dhabi opens this
summer, it will feature six immersive
lands including DC’s Metropolis and
Gotham City, as well as Cartoon
Junction, Bedrock, Dynamite Gulch and
Warner Bros. Plaza.
Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak,
chairman of Miral Asset Management
said, “The launch of Warner Brothers
World, Abu Dhabi is yet another
milestone in the Emirate’s journey to
further enrich its tourism offering and
help establish it as one of the world’s
leading tourist destinations.”
“The park is another great addition
to Yas Island’s immersive experiences
and award-winning attractions,”
as it is a highly reputed organisation
with a strong foothold across different
cities in India. Owing to their successful
track record, we are confident that
their expertise will help us gain greater
visibility in the Indian market.”
Compared to 2016, there was an
increase in wedding bookings by 30 pc
in the year 2017.
Atlantis, The Palm is one of the
Middle East’s most iconic wedding
destinations, capable of hosting
celebrations of all sizes and styles.
Couples choosing this location to tie
their knot can be assured that their
wedding day will be extremely special,
with a dedicated planner on hand to
perfectly arrange every last detail of
their special day. Atlantis is not just
one destination, but it is a collection of
seven individual venues, each with its
own character.
he added. Mohamed Al Zabi, chief
executive, Miral stated that last year
they had achieved 27 million visitors,
and now with the launch of this
theme park, they are expecting a 10
pc increase in tourists arrival. The 1.65
million sq ft park promises to deliver
guests with captivating experiences,
bringing together some of the world’s
most iconic characters and stories under
one roof for the first time in the region.
TRAVEL & TOURISM BRIEF
Ski Dubai
celebrates more
than six years of snow
penguins
Majid Al Futtaim, the leading shopping
mall, retail and leisure pioneer across
the Middle East and North Africa is
celebrating more than six years of
snow penguins at Ski Dubai.
The feathery family of 10 King and
10 Gentoo Penguins arrived at their
new home in 2012 and since then
have proved extremely popular with
residents and tourists alike. Now with
a colony of 28 penguins, the habitat
highlights how Ski Dubai’s Snow
Penguin Breeding Programme has
gone from strength to strength over
the last five years, nearly tripling in size.
Sherif Hashem, senior marketing
manager at Ski Dubai said, “We
are delighted to be saying ‘Happy
Birthday’ to our much-loved snow
penguins. The Penguin Encounter
is an integral part of Ski Dubai’s
offering and continues to provide
many great moments for guests
every day. Over the past few years,
we’ve had over half a million guests
visit our beloved penguins, so I’m
sure they will want to celebrate this
moment with us.
Fun aside, we also have to
acknowledge that the success of the
Snow Penguin Breeding Programme
is really a testament to the hard
work of our Snow Penguin Team who
do great work day in, day out. We
have now built a solid foundation to
continue our work in this area, and
as we move forward we will strive
to further support a bigger, global
and multi-generational research
programme, benefitting penguin
colonies around the world.”
To celebrate the milestone,
Ski Dubai has released a mini-
documentary charting the journey of
the snow penguins since their arrival
in the UAE.
July-August 2018 India Outbound 07
TRAVEL & TOURISM BRIEF

Jazeera Airways commences direct flight between Mumbai and Kuwait

Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji
International Airport (CSIA) has
welcomed another international
airline, Kuwait’s Jazeera Airways,
which commences operations between
the Middle Eastern country Kuwait
and India’s financial capital,
Mumbai. The airline has
started operations to Mumbai
with seven flights a week,
onboard its dual-class Airbus
A320 aircraft.
Jazeera has become one of
the largest carriers into India
from Kuwait by commencing
operations to the CSIA. It will
now be able to offer guests far greater
reach and connectivity across a wider
network of destinations domestically
and abroad.
A growing Indian emigrant
population in Kuwait and strong trade
ties between India and Kuwait are
increasing demand for travel between
the two countries. Those travelling on
business between the two countries
will enjoy maximum benefits of this
expanded reach that Jazeera’s flights to
Mumbai will offer.

Cox & Kings launches Self-Drive 365

Self-Drive, a new trend of self-drive
holidays, powered by Cox & Kings is
all set to redefine travel. It aims to
encourage travellers to discover and
be a one-stop road trip planner while
offering a wide array of road-trips
within India and across the globe. The
self-drive brand will ensure a 24x7
support crew along with some cherry-
picked destinations, experiences,
facilities and an assortment of cars and
bikes that will never throw a spanner in
the works of a road-trip be it any part
of the world.
This new brand allows
customisation basis experiences,
terrains and several enticing activities.
Self-Drive 365 allows everyone to
choose their favourite route.
Debolin Sen, Business Head,
Self-Drive 365 said, “Self-drives are experienced expert panel, round-
fast gaining popularity in India with the-clock assistance, hassle-free
enthusiasts wanting to explore foreign paperwork and series of thematic
as well as domestic destinations routes, Self-Drive 365 is set to be
at their own pace and with their the pioneer of self-drive tours in the
favourite cars and bikes. With a highly country.”

Air India to increase New Delhi-Tel Aviv flight frequency to four times a week
Air India’s newly launched New
Delhi-Tel Aviv flight services received
an overwhelming response due
to which the national carrier has
announced an increase in frequency
on this sector, adding a fourth flight
a week, effective from July 14, 2018.
The airline will now fly on Saturday
in addition to Tuesday, Thursday and
Sunday every week on the 256-seater
Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
Speaking about the new development, Hassan Madah,
director, Israel Ministry of Tourism-India & Philippines said,
“We are pleased with Air India’s move to increase weekly
flight frequency in light of the significant
rise in tourist arrivals from India. The
outbound numbers to Israel have grown
exponentially in the last few years and
this introduction will help meet the
growing demands from India. India is
an important market for us and I am
delighted to say that it has been one of
the best performing markets in Asia with
a 31 pc growth last year over 2016 and 31
pc between January and May 2018 over
2017. The Ministry of Tourism has consistently worked towards
increasing flights and seat capacity into Israel and we are happy
to see our efforts yield positive results.”

MakeMyTrip ties up with Flipkart for travel bookings

MakeMyTrip has entered into an
agreement with Flipkart to allow
customers to book flight tickets and
other travel services directly through the
Flipkart app.
For now, this facility will only be
available for customers using the
Flipkart app on the Android platform.
The partnership will start with domestic
flight bookings in the next few weeks,
followed by hotels, bus and holiday
bookings, as announced by both the
companies in a statement.
The deal will help Flipkart Online
Services Pvt Ltd widen the gamut of
services it offers, and further its goal
of being “a one-stop destination for all
digital transactions online,” said Flipkart
chief executive Kalyan Krishnamurthy.
As far as customers are concerned,
they will get one more avenue to book has placed its engine allowing bookings
their flight tickets online. and online payments. There is a facility
Users need to navigate through the of cancellation and receiving funds
drop-down menu in the app, where MMT within the app itself.

08 India Outbound July-August 2018

 TRAVEL & TOURISM BRIEF

Twin Cities World Tourism Association to be founded at PATA Travel Mart 2018
The Pacific Asia Travel Association
(PATA) announced that the founding
of the Twin Cities World Tourism
Association (TCWTA) will take place
during PATA Travel Mart 2018 (PTM
2018) in Langkawi, Malaysia from
September 12-14, 2018.
PATA CEO Mario Hardy said, “PATA
assists destinations around the world
in the development of a responsible
and sustainable tourism industry and
it is only through cooperation and
mutually beneficial partnerships that
destinations can achieve such goals. The
Twin Cities World Tourism Association’s
mission in line with our activities and
PATA Travel Mart is the perfect occasion
to launch this initiative.”
The main aim of the Twin Cities
World Tourism Association is to
support and increase tourism and
travel between twin cities, support
and increase the exchange of ideas and
concepts related to tourism and travel
between sister cities, and enhance and
strengthen relations between twin
sisters through tourism and travel.

79th SKAL International Kolkata to host its

World Congress
Kenya will host
the 79th SKAL
World Congress
in Mombasa
from 17th-21st
October, 2018.
Kenya, which
is the heart of Africa, is blessed with a fantastic climate,
natural wildlife reserves, amazing scenery, mountains,
lakes and 600km of Indian Ocean coastline. It has a unique
beauty, enhanced only by its warm and friendly people.
Mombasa is Kenya’s oldest and largest Port City,
located on the coast, just south of the equator. Well known
explorers, Ibn Battuta and Zheng He visited here in 1331
and 1412 respectively. Formerly known as the ‘Island of
Mvita’, the name Manbaca was first heard in 1502. By the
1800s, it became Mombasa, led by phonetic derivations as
more explorers found their way here.
Modern day Mombasa city is a regional cultural and
economic hub and a city of great diversity and life. It is
known for its exotic mix of cultures, rich history, Island’s
pace of life, and a fantastic array of leisure offering for
all ages.
first SKAL National Congress Event
Kolkata will witness
its first SKAL National
Congress event
hosted by SKAL
Kolkata from August
17-19, 2018.
The event will
take place in Novotel
Kolkata Hotel and
Residences. SKAL Kolkata, one of the oldest clubs was formed
on April 30, 1954, is also one of the Active SKAL Clubs in India
having 150-plus members who are from top management of
some of the leading organisations of the tourism industry in
Kolkata constituting travel agents, tour operators, hotels,
airlines. Sanjeev Mehra, secretary, speaking on the occasion
said, “We want to create awareness to work together to
enhance our vision, maximise networking opportunities and
develop a responsible tourism industry. We want to focus our
efforts on the National Congress 2018 in Kolkata for which we
hope to welcome 600-750 members.”
The event will hold networking sessions and conferences
for the members. The objective of the club is to promote West
Bengal as a MICE and tourism destination.

Cape Town chosen as the convention destination by OTOAI

The Outbound Tour Operators
Association of India (OTOAI) has chosen
Cape Town city for its grand convention
to be held from August 11-14, 2018.
The convention will be followed by a
three-night post-convention tour for
the members.
The convention chairman Himanshu
Patil said, "We expect outbound
tourism from India to South Africa will
grow phenomenally after our event.
This is because our members tend to
push that particular destination after
having visited it. For instance, after
our convention in the Philippines, the
country witnessed a growth of about 37
pc. The convention committee is hoping
to get about 200-plus registrations for
this convention."
“It is interesting to note that 28,000
delegates from India travelled to
South Africa in 2017 for MICE. In the
MICE bucket, incentive travel is rapidly
gaining popularity amongst the Indian
travellers and 2017 saw a 73 pc increase
in the number of incentive-led travellers
to the country. The upcoming OTOAI
convention in South Africa would
help us further strengthen our B2B,”
commented Alpa Jani, trade relations
manager, South African Tourism - India
and South Asia.
The president of OTOAI (Outbound
Tour Operators Association of
India), Mahendra Vakharia shared his
observation by concluding, “Giving
our members from Tier II and III cities
an opportunity to see the beautiful
Rainbow Nation, South Africa and
experience a world-class product
suitable for tourism for their clients, I am
also looking forward to the opportunity
to let the members be updated and
informed by the experts about the
advantages of digitalisation and how as
an SME it can be leveraged by them to
scale their business in the coming years.”

July-August 2018 India Outbound 09

COUNTRY FOCUS

Henan
Tracing the Origins of

CHINA
China, also known as the ‘dragon nation’,
is well known for its large cities and tech-
friendly features. But its ancient civilisation
and natural beauty is as fascinating as its tall
skyscrapers. In the vast country, with over
5,000 years of recorded history, the roots of
this vibrant and diverse civilisation lie in the
eastern province of Henan, home to many
UNESCO World Heritage sites and incredible
landscapes.

Text & Photos: Christine Nayagam

10 India Outbound July-August 2018

COUNTRY FOCUS
COUNTRY FOCUS
n slow movements, an old lady lifts
I her arms and legs. Her grey hair and
wrinkle-covered face indicate that
she must be at least 75 years old.
However, her face reflects peace,
eyes appear focused, but she seems lost
in some other world. Despite the age,
she seems to be in perfect control over
her movements and without a single
hesitation she pulls and takes back
energy around her, creating harmony
between elements. She is practicing Tai
Chi, an ancient exercise combining the
mind, body and soul.
Like the old woman, one can find
many other Chinese citizens, of all
ages, practicing Tai Chi in parks, streets
or at their homes. Zen is indeed the
word I would remember from our trip
to Henan, a place believed to be the
birthplace of the essence of Chinese
culture: Kung Fu, Tai-Chi, acrobatics, etc.
China is also one of the few
countries in Asia that was not colonised
by the Europeans. As a consequence,
the country has retained its authentic
culture, architecture and overall
landscapes.
Modern & Huge
The first thing we notice as we set
foot in Zhengzhou, after a brief stop-
over in Guangzhou during our flight
from New Delhi, is how everything is
high-tech. Large LED screens welcome
us and all the airport processes, from
check-in to immigration and security
check, use new technologies to scan,
register and verify our identities, etc.
There is no paper, far fewer humans
and several robots and intelligent
machines doing the work here, making it
a uniquely seamless experience.
As we take the road towards our
hotel, the sense of modernity is joined
in by a sense of awe. Everything around
seems huge, from the roads to the
buildings – a sign that the city has
built its infrastructure keeping in mind
its growing population. “Zhengzhou
is amongst the fastest growing
cities of China. In just 10 years, it has
transformed into a hub for industries,
notably in the manufacturing, internet,
IT and new energy sectors,” explains
Caroline, our guide during the one week
trip to Henan.
12 India Outbound July-August 2018
It’s the beginning of summer in
Zhengzhou but it’s not too hot yet. We
are in Henan for a specific reason, to
attend the 2018 International Mayors’
Forum on Tourism, organised by the
Ministry of Tourism of the People’s
Republic of China. The two-day
conference was followed by a week-
long trip that allowed us to discover the
spiritual and natural wonders of this
seemingly modern-day wonder that
China has become.
The Story of Bodhidharma
We start our journey in Dengfeng, a
place best known for its Shaolin Temple
or Monastery and as the birth-place
for yet another Chinese martial art, the
Kung-Fu. Located about 90kms west of
Zhengzhou city, the Shaolin monastery
is reputed globally for its Zen Buddhism
and Kung-Fu training centre. The
immense popularity of Kung-Fu is easily
visible as soon as you enter the Shaolin
town. Streets are lined with a number
of academies where thousands of
children, mainly Chinese but also several
foreigners, learn Kung-Fu and practice it
in practically all the public spaces.
The words Shaolin Temple can be
loosely translated to ‘the temple in thick
forests of Shaoshi Mountain’. Not many
Indians or even others know about it, but
the Shaolin monastery has an intricate
link with India and it certainly made
me proud when I first learnt about this
connection. The temple was established
in 495 AD at the foot of the Songshan
Mountain by the then Emperor Xiaowen
of the Northern Wei dynasty. It had been
specially built to welcome an Indian
monk, Buddhabhadra or Bu Tuo, as the
From top to bottom: Chinese people of all ages practicing Tai
Chinese call him. Chi; Statue of Bodhidharma; The Shaolin Temple entrance;
Buddhabhadra was named the first Other statues in the temple

Abbot of the monastery and he devoted
himself to translating the Buddhist
scriptures and also preaching the
religion to his followers.
At the time that Buddhabhadra
was preaching Buddhism, thousands
of kilometres away, in southern India
lived an Indian prince, Bodhidharma,
who was the favourite of his father, the
King. However, Bodhidharma became
interested in spiritual matters and
renounced the world, became a monk
and began studying Buddhism with a
famous guru, Prajnatara.
Prajnatra told Bodhidharma
to go to China after his death and
the student followed the master’s
instructions. Thus, in 527 AD, 32 years
after Buddhabhadra had founded
the Shaolin temple, Bodhidharma
crossed into China through Guangdong
province. He traversed through the
country and reached the vicinity of the
Shaolin Temple, after having crossed
the Yangtze River by using the weeds
in the river as his support. Once he
reached the mountains near the temple,
Bodhidharma went inside a cave and
began meditating.
Soon, his fame spread to the Shaolin
Temple and monks from the temple
began visiting the cave, requesting him
to come to the temple and take charge
as the master. However, Bodhidharma
spent nine years meditating in the cave
COUNTRY FOCUS
before he moved to the monastery. your mind. The body follows.
As the new Abbot of the Shaolin The same evening, after the Kung Fu
monastery, Bodhidharma initiated the performance, we were treated to the
Chan Buddhism and Shaolin monastery Shaolin Zen Music ritual, which is truly
became the centre of this new form of one-of-its-kind in the world.
Buddhism. “Bodhidharma also began
training his followers in martial arts, Shaolin Zen Music Ritual
specifically Kung Fu, mainly to help The Shaolin Zen Music ritual boasts
the monks defend themselves against of several firsts in the world. It is
attacks by wild animals that roamed believed to have the world’s largest light
the jungles around the monastery”, system with over 2,800 lights controlled
adds Caroline. by computers and stretching all along
The setting of the monastery Mount Songshan, from the base to the
appears to be perfect for practicing summit, over 1,400m high. The stage of
martial arts. Shaolin is set in dense pine the show is also the biggest, covering an
forests with the backdrop of mountains area of five square kilometres.
and fresh air. Peace and calm reign The highlight of the show is the
here, allowing the mind to meditate world’s largest man-made moon, also
and the body to practice martial arts. controlled by computers, which rises
The practice and the show offered to from the forest in Mount Songshan.
us by the current students were quite The moon stretches over 20m across
impressive. Kung Fu, like most other in diameter in its full moon form. It is
martial arts is all about how you control amazing to see monks fly and tumble
TRAVEL TIPS
How to access your social media handles from mainland China
Before reaching China, many people warned us about the fact that we won’t be able to access
Facebook, WhatsApp etc. Indeed, the main western social media, such as Twitter, Instagram,
Facebook, Google+, are blocked by the Chinese government.
So concretely how can you continue to use them? Buying a Chinese SIM card won’t help,
you’ll get internet access and will be able to receive and make calls but social media won't be
accessible. Some people use VPNs or encrypted proxy severs but it’s not safe and it’s illegal.
The secret is simply to buy an international roaming plan on your mobile. Mine cost INR 2999
with Airtel and it gives 3GB Internet data, allows you to receive free incoming calls and to
make calls at a discounted price. It wasn’t too difficult to stay connected!
Left: A Chinese woman in traditional dress; Right: The Shaolin Zen Music Ritual
July-August 2018 India Outbound 13
COUNTRY FOCUS

2018 International Mayor’s Forum on Tourism (IMFT)

“IMFT is held every two years and it is a platform for high level dialogue
for international tourism and world tourist cities. The objectives of
the conference are not only to exchange best practices but also to
understand the role tourism can play in pushing sustainable urban
development. India is, of course, an integral part of the discussions here
and we have mayors from some Indian cities like Nagpur and Shimla
present at this event,” says Tian Xin, director of China National Tourist
Office (CNTO) in India.
In collaboration with United Nations World Tourism Organization
(UNWTO), the conference unveiled a report titled ‘The 21st Century
Maritime Silk Road: Tourism opportunities and Impacts’. The study
examines the possible implications of the 21st century maritime Silk
Road and its heritage to thematic tourism. The heritage sites that form
part of the maritime routes include those in China, India, Indonesia
and Sri Lanka. China aims to lead the project and develop new tourism
products and destinations in collaboration with these countries.
“This fifth edition of IMFT has been held in Henan, a region that has One important factor in the growth of Indian tourism to Henan will
rich cultural tourism resources and is developing towards global tourism. be the availability of Indian food or vegetarian food. “We had some
During your stay in China, you will feel the history and culture of Henan options for vegetarians in the Chinese cuisine, but we need more variety
and the diligence and wisdom of the people of Henan,” said Li Jinzao, and at some point Indians do miss the spices! I am pretty sure that
vice minister of Culture & Tourism of the People’s Republic of China, respective tourism organisations will take initiatives to overcome this in
while addressing the gathering at the opening ceremony. order to receive more Indian tourists,” noted Varun Walia, team leader
outbound holidays at yatra.com.
Indian Tourists in China “Mainland China has some more unexplored regions for Indian
“About 750,000 Indians visited China last year for tourism or business travellers, my personal favourites being Dali and Lijiang and we are
purposes whereas only 250,000 Chinese came to India. The outbound recommending these to our clients as well for a complete China
tourism from India to China is increasing. Indians usually go to Beijing, experience, beyond Beijing and Shanghai,” said Anil Kalsi, owner of
Shanghai, Xi'an and Guangzhou, but Henan and its unique history can be Ambe World Travels who already sends more than 300 tourists a year
of interest for Indians. We need to explore the routes and the options and sees the number increasing. “We could definitely send more,
accordingly,” says Prayesh Bandhuvar, head of outbound department at hopefully China will open the e-visa service to Indians as India gives to
Trance Holidays, a tour operator based in New Delhi. Chinese visitors,” he added.

from a height of 80m, just like in a slick
Hollywood production.
The set, music and the costumes,
all join hands to completely
mesmerise the viewers. In addition,
you can see real Shaolin Kung Fu in
this performance. In the spectacle,
hundreds of monks sing, chant and
pray under the instruction of the old
Abbot. The spectacle has five chapters,
each representing an element – water,
wood, air, light and the earth.
The tallest statues of Longmen Grottoes
Understanding Zen Buddhism
Next day, we head towards another
historical spot, the Longmen Grottoes
in Luoyang, listed as a UNESCO World
Cultural Heritage site. Stretched on both
the sides of the Yi River, the Grottoes
comprise over 2,300 caves, carved into
the steep limestone cliffs that stretch
for over a kilometre. There are over
110,000 Buddhist stone statues, over 60
stupas and 2,800 inscriptions carved on
steles. According to UNESCO, Luoyang
was the capital during the period of late
Northern Wei dynasty and early Tang
dynasty. The most intensive carving
happened between the end of 5th
century and up to mid-8th century AD.
The carving continued till early 10th
century, though.
As you walk around, you’ll notice
that most of them are missing the
heads, believed to have been stolen and
sold. Many of the missing pieces can be
seen in various western museums, just
as is the case with a number of Indian
artefacts.
“Longmen means ‘Dragon Gate’ and
indeed you’ll notice that the Chinese
language employs the word ‘long’
(dragon) to define many commonplace
objects like chairs and tables as they are
believed to be descendants of dragons,”
explains our guide Caroline.
The masterpiece of the Longmen
Grottoes is the Locana Buddha, the
biggest Buddha sculpture of the site,
which was sculpted in resemblance of
the only female emperor in the Chinese
history, Wu Zetian, a powerful Empress
who founded her own dynasty, the
Zhou dynasty.
After the Longmen Grottoes, we
moved on to Wen County in Jiaozuo to
see some more marvels, both man-
made and natural. Jiauzuo is on the

14 India Outbound July-August 2018

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banks of the famous Yellow River, also
known as the Sorrow of China due to its
frequent devastating floods. It is home
to several attractions such as the Taiping
Temple with its own grottoes as well as
a collection of ancient tombs. It is also
here that Tai-Chi was born.
We went on a quest to find the true
meaning of the Yin and the Yang. The
black and the white, the positive and the
negative that describe how seemingly
opposite or contrary forces may actually
be complementary, interconnected, and
interdependent.
We too have a similar concept and
belief in the Hindu philosophy but
what we discovered here is how the
Yin and the Yang are beautified by the
practice of Tai Chi, a Chinese martial art
that was born in the 13th century. It is
all about the flow of energy that brings
the equilibrium.
Scenic Landscapes of the Yuntai
Mountain
After a dip into the ancient history
of China, we go towards the mountains.
As old as the history of the country,
they emanate mystery and zen, which is
why it was the favourite retreat of a few
Chinese sages.
Overhanging Jiaozuo is the Yuntai
Mountain, covered in a lush green forest
and littered with waterfalls of different
sizes and volumes. But the first thing we
notice as we get there is how incredibly
clean it is, with proper dustbins
distributed everywhere, including in
the jungle. Another aspect is the total
tranquillity and silence that surrounds
you and allows you to enjoy the scenery
without any disturbance.
With about 240 sq km area, there
16 India Outbound July-August 2018
Left: Trekking at the Red
Rock Gorge in the Yuntai
Mountain; Right: The
Water Show in Puyang
is a lot to see here. A great place for
trekking, you can stay for up to three
days, exploring various paths and don’t
forget to experience the Yuntai glass
bridge. Hugging the mountainside and
crossing over gorges, the glass bridge
hangs over 1,100m of vertiginous drop,
which has become a major attraction
for travellers.
Yuntai is also home to a famous
natural park and is an all-season
destination. Depending on when you
reach here, you’ll discover new colours
and landscapes. If you are short of time,
you can opt for a two-hour trek at the
Red Rock Gorge. The slopes have unique
shapes; made by the different layers of
red rock formations. The well-indicated
narrow path, will lead you to incredible
waterfalls, natural rock bridges and a
view on the green mountains.
The nature is made of pine and maple
trees but also numerous flowers and
herbs that we have not seen before.
Many of them are believed to have
health benefits.
To see all that you’ll have to go 68m
down (you’ll have to climb back up as
well) and indeed the best view comes
after the hardest trek.
Chinese Acrobatics
Our journey ended with Puyang,
a town known for several historical
figures including military strategist Wu
Qi and statesman Shang Yang. Puyang
is also very famous for its acrobatics
and we watched one of its premier
acrobatic shows, the Water Show,
where various acrobats perform in or
around water. Puyang is also known as
the cradle of Chinese acrobatics. Having
watched the Water Show, we were left
with no doubts about the credibility of
this claim!
On the way back home, we took
out a day for shopping in Guangzhou
(known to be a famous manufacturing
& industrial centre). One day was clearly
not enough as the options are plenty! As
I pack my bag one last time, I remember
Henan, the beauty of the mountains
and mystic forests, the simplicity and
strength of its people, the healthy way
of life and of course the Zen Buddhism.
HENAN
Capital
Puyang
Cities Hebi
Zhengzhou
Sanmenxia
Shangqiu
HENAN Bozhou
Pingdingshan Bozhou
Zhumadian
Nanyang
Xinyang
How to Reach
There are direct flights to China from Delhi,
Mumbai, and Kolkata, operated by Cathay Pacific
Airways, Air China, China Southern Airline, Jet
Airways, etc. Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and
Kunming are the major entry cities. You can visit
China’s other destinations by domestic flights
or high-speed trains. The air journey is around
three to six hours.
COUNTRY FOCUS

“Hoping for the 144-hour

visa-free transit for Indians”
The India office of China Tourism has revamped its
strategy to become more focussed on promoting
Chinese history, culture and heritage to the Indian
travellers.

June Mukherjee
Tian Xin
Director – India
China National Tourist Office

What is your strategy this year to
promote China in India?
The main strategies this year to
promote China in India will include
joining the travel trade exhibitions
in India in various cities such as OTM,
SATTE and TTF, and connect with the
industry; invite Indian outbound tour
operators and travel agents to visit
various tourism events and festivals
through fam trips to China; advertise
China Tourism through various mediums
in the major cities in India; and find
new ways to promote China Tourism
to Indians. For the first time, we are
doing a photography competition
to involve travellers in promoting
extensive cultural exchange between
the two countries.
What are the tourist arrival numbers
in the last year and what increase do
you expect this year? Which Indian
and Xi’an are the most popular places
among Indians. Shanghai, Guangzhou
and Shenzhen are the three big cities
in China that attract more business
travellers from India. They are China’s
major commercial cities as well, which
also attract business tourists from
all over the world. The Indian leisure
tourists who are interested in China
are more willing to explore history and
culture especially to experience the
origins of Chinese Kung Fu, see the
Great Wall and the Terracotta Warriors
Museum, etc. Nowadays, we are also
getting Indian families who are opting
for China during school vacations.
Indians can expect to explore the
splendid civilisation, colourful natural
scenery and vitality of the modern cities
in China.
What should a first-time visitor
explore in the big Chinese cities?

With cities give you more tourists?

Over 800,000 Indian tourists have
In Beijing one has to see the Great
Wall, Palace Museum, Temple of Heaven,

deepening travelled to China during the last

financial year. We are expecting a year-
Summer Palace and the Olympic Park.
In Shanghai, the must-sees include

cultural on-year increase of at least 10 pc in

2018. New Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata
the Bund, Disneyland Park, City God
Temple, Huaihai Road and the Yuyuan

exchanges, give China more tourists because of

the direct flight connectivity to various
now there are Chinese cities.
more Indian Which Chinese cities are most
popular among Indians? Do you get
Garden. Someone coming to Kunming
for the first time, should not miss the
Stone Forest, Golden Temple, Yunnan
Nationalities Park and the Kunming
Luosiwan International Trade City.

restaurants more business travellers to the big

cities?
What about the food choices
available for Indians? Do you think it
in China Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou is a challenge?

18 India Outbound July-August 2018


1 2
Top Pick for a First Time Tourist to China
1. The Great Wall: Counted as one of
the greatest human accomplishments,
stretching for more than 10,000kms, the
Great Wall travels across nine provinces and
runs across numerous tourist attractions
along with impressive sceneries.
2. The Forbidden City: With a 5,000-year
history written all over, officially known as
the Imperial Palace Museum, the palace
city was home to 24 Emperors of the Ming
Dynasty between 1420 and 1911 and is
now visited by over eight million tourists
every year.
3. The Bund: The Bund is an incredible
4 5
Chinese food is different but it is
fantastic and has mouth-watering
flavours. Our cuisine is famous all over
the world. It is not difficult to find a
vegetarian restaurant in most of the
cities in China.
With the deepening of cultural
and tourism exchanges in Sino-India
relationship, more and more Indian
restaurants are now found in big cities
of China. Chinese food customised
in the Indian way is also available in
many places.
Is the language still a barrier? What
is being done to overcome that?
For group tourists, there isn’t any
language problem as when they travel
all over China, an English speaking
tour guide always accompanies them.
waterfront extravaganza on the west bank
of Huangpu River giving a glimpse of the
glorious architectural history on the one
hand and the modern skyscraper attractions
of the Shanghai city on other.
4. The Stone Forest: Located approximately
120km east of Kunming city, the nearest
international airport from India, the
limestone spires make up the ‘forest’ spring
from the earth creating the illusion of a
forest made of stone and is a rare thing
to see.
5. The Terracotta Army: One must not
leave China without seeing the Terracotta
Sometimes, even Indian regional
language speaking guides are available.
With the development of English
education in China, there are more
and more people who can now speak
English especially in the big cities.
There is still a barrier in small cities,
especially for the tourists who travel by
themselves. But now, many translation
apps are available for smart-phones,
which help foreign tourists while
communicating.
What are your plans to stay afloat
amidst stiff competition from
neighbours like Thailand, Malaysia
and Singapore?
China covers a large territory with
diverse landscapes. You can explore ice
and snow in north and tropical jungles
COUNTRY FOCUS
3
Warriors and Horses Museum, an astonishing
collection of around 6,000 life-size figures
of warriors, chariots and war-horses, dating
back more than two millennium, one of
the greatest archaeological find of the
20th century.
6. The Giant Pandas: Chengdu has the
cuddliest residents that China is famous
for - with a population of less than 1,000
in the wild and only found in the Sichuan,
Shaanxi and Gansu provinces, Giant Pandas
are strongly protected by the Chinese laws
only allowing tourists to do photo-ops under
certain controlled situations.
6
in the south, water towns in the east
and deserts in the west. The unique
history that dates back to centuries and
the strong culture are our advantages,
with which we are confident to attract
tourists from all over the world,
especially Indians.
Are you considering a relaxed Chinese
visa policy for the Indians to get more
short-stay tourists from India?
We hope that the 144-hour visa-
free transit policy can be implemented
for Indian tourists as well. This policy
is carried out in Shanghai, Jiangsu,
Zhejiang, Liaoning as well as in
Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei, to facilitate
international travellers to transit through
China for no more than 144 hours (6
days) without holding a visa.
July-August 2018 India Outbound 19
COUNTRY FOCUS

Discovering China’s Vegetarian Flavours

Widely known for its Peking duck, pork stir-fry and wontons, China is a bliss for
food lovers; however, this may not be the case for vegetarians and vegans.
Though there are vegetarian, vegan and Indian options in the country, they
come with their own set of challenges.

Arachika Kapoor

T
he dining table was set
with a bouquet of around
10-15 well-known Chinese
delicacies. “People in China
serve a lot of food before
their guests, as it is a way of showing
respect and welcoming people in the
country,” Eric Wang, a resident and
tourist guide in China tells our group of
eight people, as we begin to eat.
Of course, in a country where the
traditional phrase to greet people
translates to 'have you eaten yet?' (ni
chile ma), the lives of people are heavily
interconnected with food.
Though the dishes looked
appetising, only some of them were
edible for vegetarians. As we sat around
the big round table, with dishes being
served in the middle, our first meal in
Xi’an, Shaanxi Province in central China,
was quite a challenge.
After asking for a vegetarian
meal, amongst fruits, dry fruits
tossed in oil, noodles, rice and boiled
vegetables, we were served paomo - a
shredded flatbread soaked in mutton
broth. It was difficult to guess if the
diced pieces were soya or meat. To
complicate it further, we were not sure
if they understood when we asked for
a vegetarian meal or if we correctly
pronounced wo bu chi rou (I don’t
eat meat).
Being a vegetarian in China is peculiar
and it gets more complex when you try
to explain that you consider fish and even
eggs as non-vegetarian food items, which
the Chinese consider to be vegetarian.
The country is a major centre of
Buddhism and the founding state of
Taoism - two philosophies that promote

20 India Outbound July-August 2018


vegetarianism, and so because of the
growing vegetarian lifestyle in the
country, vegetarian food is available
all over... but it comes with its own
challenges.
At most Chinese eateries, tofu,
boiled vegetables and potatoes form
the basis for a vegetarian menu. But
because of the traditional cooking style,
even vegetarian dishes are fashioned
to match the flavours and aesthetics of
non-vegetarian items. This is why, most
people doubt if what is being served is
soya or meat.
A typical Chinese meal has two
divisions - noodles, rice or buns with
stir-fries, and boiled vegetables,
fish or meat. After rice, noodles and
meat, vegetables are an important
part of Chinese cuisine. The Chinese
consume vegetables including cabbage,
spinach, lettuce, cauliflower, and other
leafy greens, stir-fried with sauce or
vegetable oil, at almost every meal.
They also cook their food using a lot
of fresh vegetables like mushrooms
or bamboo.
There are options for vegetarians
in China, but what is difficult is
communication. You will rarely find
people who can converse in English –
though translator applications help,
and of course learning some useful
Chinese phrases and words. ‘Wo chi sù’
means ‘I am a vegetarian’ and generally
translates to Buddhist vegetarian food,
which means your food will be bland
and cooked without garlic and onions.
Fish sauce, oyster sauce, soy
sauce, vinegar, root garlic, and other
condiments are generously used in
dishes to offer distinct flavours and
aroma. So, even if you say that you don't
eat meat or seafood (wo bù chi ròu huò
China has a wide variety of local street snacks that are a good option for vegetarians
hai xian), you may still be served food
with oyster or fish sauce.
What and Where to Eat
It is hard to find a homely dish in a
foreign land, but one food that binds
many Asian nations together is rice.
Rice and noodles can be found
anywhere in China, which can be
combined with boiled green vegetables,
fruits, dry fruits, bean products and
vegetable oil for a complete vegetarian
meal. While some Indians may find
these vegetarian options bland, with
no salt or chilli, for others it might be
interesting, cooked with medicinal
herbs and created on the basis of
traditional Chinese medicines.
For pure vegetarian Chinese, stick
to the Buddhist places, especially
the restaurants near Buddhist
temples. Buddhist vegetarian dishes
often contain imitation meats made
from soya, so don’t hesitate if the
menu at Buddhist restaurants offer
‘beef noodles’.
China also has a wide variety of local
street snacks that make for a good
option for vegetarians. While the snacks
in south China are mainly prepared with
rice, those in the north are generally
made with flour. “We tried the spring
onion pancakes with youtiao (Chinese
fried doughnuts) made with milk, sugar,
salt and flour. Other interesting street
foods in China are the dried fruits and
nuts that were the staples of merchants
because they were easily preserved,”
says Suprabh, an Indian tourist and a
history lover, who visited central China
last year.
Spring onion pancakes look like
household Indian bread and are
generally consumed wrapped around
COUNTRY FOCUS
youtiao with a chilli sauce. Further,
international food chains including
McDonald’s, KFC and Pizza Hut,
amongst others, can be found across
the country.
Another on-the-go filler popular
amongst vegetarians in the country is
soymilk, which is often sold alongside
the spring onion pancakes. Sweet tofu
is another street snack - served with
sweet ginger syrup - either hot or cold,
sometimes with toppings including red
beans, lotus seeds or peanuts.
Vegetarian-Friendly Indian
Restaurants
For authentic Indian-style vegetarian
options, it is best to head to the Indian
restaurants in China. The Delhi Darbar
restaurant in Yanta District of Xi’an, with
Indian chefs and staff, is not very fancy
but serves delicious food. Amongst the
vegan and vegetarian options, their
kadhai paneer and kaali daal are not
to be missed. With Bollywood songs
playing in the background and authentic
Indian food on your platter, the
ambience takes you back home.
Ganges Indian Restaurant with
modern setting and vibrant design
elements is another place that brings
the Indian culinary culture to China.
With delicious food and affordable
prices, the restaurant serves vegan,
halal, vegetarian, Indian and Asian food
options in Xi'an, Shanghai and Beijing.
Shanghai and Beijing are home to
many other Indian restaurants, including
the Indian Kitchen in Chaoyang Qu;
Bollywood Indian Restaurant, Masala
Art; and Indian Kitchen in Shanghai Shi.
Other parts of China including Lhasa
and Guangzhou also host a few Indian
restaurants for tourists.
July-August 2018 India Outbound 21
COUNTRY FOCUS

Bok Choy and Shiitake

Mushroom Stir-Fry
Embrace fresh and sweet Chinese flavours
with an easy and healthy dish from China's
cuisine. This simple recipe makes for a healthy
vegetarian/vegan snack or side-dish.

V
egetable stir-fries are quick and easy vegetarian
and vegan Chinese side-dish options. The savoury
shiitake mushrooms, known as ‘fragrant mushrooms’
in the Chinese language, enhance the taste of other
ingredients, such as the fresh bok choy.
These mushrooms are thinner and denser than common
mushrooms and brown quickly without releasing much liquid
while cooking. Shiitake mushrooms have a meaty flavour that
adds to the taste of bok choy and marries well with toasted
sesame oil.
Rich in fibres and vitamin D, the combination of bok choy and
shiitake mushrooms can be enjoyed as a fresh salad, light soup
or with hearty noodles or rice.

INGREDIENTS
• 3-4 minced garlic cloves
• 1 cup sliced shiitake
mushrooms
• 2 teaspoons canola oil
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 chopped bok choy
• 5-6 sliced scallions (green
onions)
• 1/4 cup vegetable broth
• 2 teaspoons of minced/
grated fresh ginger
• 2 teaspoons sesame oil
• 2 tablespoons sesame
seeds

METHOD
1 Sautee the garlic and mushrooms in oil for three-five
minutes and then add soy sauce, bok choy and scallions.
Cook further for three-five minutes.

2 Reduce heat to medium-low and add vegetable broth

and ginger. Simmer for another three-five minutes.
3 Stir in the sesame oil and remove from heat.

4 Serve hot over rice or noodles, or just enjoy it as a

simple vegetable snack.

22 India Outbound July-August 2018

 14th International
Travel Expo
6 – 8 September 2018
HO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM

Your Gateway to Tourism in Asia

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS: REGISTER ONLINE

AS A BUYER TODAY!
• Over 300 International Brands & Companies Exhibiting
• Buyer-Seller Meeting Contact us for more information:
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• Networking Function www.itehcmc.com
• Seminars on Key Tourist Markets
• Pre & Post Show Tour for Hosted Buyer & Media ite.hcmc@informa.com
STRATEGY

“Jordan Trail chosen as one

of the best experiences”
With the ease of visa-on-arrival for Indians at all Jordan
border crossings, valid for a period of 30 days, Jordan Tourism
Board continues to package its unique experiences, along
with the Dead Sea, which is a must-visit when in Jordan.

June Mukherjee
Dr Abed Al Razzaq Arabiyat
Managing Director
Jordan Tourism Board

How has Jordan tourism grown in
India over the last few years?
The performance in the Indian
market in the past five years has been
great. We have witnessed a growth by
double digits every year. We conducted
an aggressive marketing campaign
targeting the tourists with several
consumer-based products, especially for
the Indians who love to visit Jordan.
Jordan is famous for Petra, the
Dead Sea, the baptism sites, and other
Christian sites in the country.
What promotional strategies
and activities helped you achieve
this result?
We diversified our sales and
marketing strategy by bringing
wedding planners to Jordan. We
conducted workshops with their
counterparts to introduce the Dead
Sea, the lowest point on Earth to be a
destination where wedding planners
came to explore if they could arrange
beautiful and unique weddings in the
Dead Sea. We also participated in a
lot of exhibitions, connected with the
industry, with tour operators, travel
agents, MICE operators and met with
Indian B2B counterparts resulting in
good numbers. In addition to that,
we had training programmes and
workshops for travel agents and tour
operators in various cities to introduce
the products from Jordan.
Other than Petra and the Dead Sea,
what new tourism products are you
trying to introduce to the Indians?
Jordan’s iconic landmarks include the
panoramic views from Mount Nebo, the
Rose Red city of Petra, the therapeutic
waters of the Dead Sea, Aqaba on the
Red Sea and Wadi Rum – a UNESCO
World Heritage Site, which are well-
visited throughout the year. Now we
are focussing on wellness tourism as
we have the largest natural spa 420
metres below the sea level. A lot of
spa treatment facilities are available
there along with many luxury hotels.
We are also introducing our adventure
activities to the Indian market. We
have recently launched the Jordan Trail
full of experiences that has now been
chosen as one of the 10 best experiences
in the world.
What MICE opportunities are you
looking at from India?
We have just launched a brand
new convention bureau and with
that we have succeeded to attract a
lot of international congresses and
conferences to Jordan. Having such
state-of-the-art facilities we can cater
to big events covering up to 5,000
participants at a time. Other than the
lucrative Indian weddings, we are
also looking at medical conferences,
annual conventions and incentive tours
from India.
What is the current state of
air connectivity between India
and Jordan?
We are working with Emirates, Fly
Dubai, Air Arabia and Etihad to bring
more tourists to Jordan. We used to fly
Royal Jordanian earlier and hopefully
will convince them to operate again.
Indians are very fond of their
own food even when they are
abroad. What options do Indians
have in Jordan?
Jordan has become one of those
countries where tourists look forward
to explore and experience gastronomy.
We are witnessing a growth in the
number of tourists that come just for
food tasting. We have a lot of delicious
dishes that Indians will like to taste.
For example, the mansaf, which is our
traditional dish, then we have ful, the
Jordanian hummus, and also our various
salads, etc. Of course, Jordanians love
Indian food, and that is why we have a
lot of Indian restaurants in Jordan - in
the major cities, country-side hotels, at
the food-streets, etc. So we are very well
prepared to cater to the taste buds of all
kinds of Indian foodies.
Bollywood is a very lucrative sector,
what is your strategy to attract the
Indian film industry?
We hosted a lot of Bollywood
producers in recent times through fam
trips. A lot of films and television series
have been shot in the past years in
Jordan. We are also working with the
European Film Commission to bring
more filming units to Jordan.
What is the immediate strategy for
the Indian market?
In a demand-driven approach, we are
introducing different experiences like
history, culture, religious, adventurous,
wellness, medical, etc. We are focussing
on online promotions as a major driver
for our marketing strategy.

24 India Outbound July-August 2018

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NSIGHT

“Anyone can open a

shop - that is the challenge”
India Outbound gets insights from the head of Outbound
Marketing, an organisation that manages portfolios of
many leading international hotels. The trend shows that at
any point of time, Indian outbound travellers pick value for
money over almost anything.
Vasudha Sondhi
Managing Director June Mukherjee
Outbound Marketing

What is the current scenario of
Indian outbound industry from the
perspective of hospitality?
India has now finally arrived as a
very important source market for most
international hotel chains and hotels. The
trend in bookings is changing very rapidly,
from booking with the agents, to tour
operators, to online and hotel websites –
the choices are multiple and diverse.
We look at a broad-based distribution.
For each of the brands for whom we
manage the sales, we identify the various
channels of distribution and handle
the sales accordingly. Since most of our
brands are first class or luxury, roughly
10 pc of our sales are through fixed
departure or tying up with various tour
operators. The biggest segments that
we can manage to influence are the MICE
and weddings’ segments. We also work
with corporate companies, not with the
intention of cutting out intermediaries
but more to drive-up end customer’s
demand and visibility. Uber-luxury hotels
still tend to shy away because their
customer bases are small and they don’t
generally come through intermediaries.
The sale for such products tends to be a
bit more complicated.
What are the latest trends Indians are
looking at when they select hotels
while going out of India?
Our experience says that the
destination is selected first and hotels
come second. It is very tough to
generalise the selections. We have every
type of segment travelling - right from
the budget to uber-luxury. I look at the
millennial travelling with friends and they
are happy to book with Airbnb and plan
the holiday themselves over the internet,
especially for Europe and the Americas.
The maximum sale is for 4-star/first class
hotels; however, Indians still want value
and ‘perceived’ better price.
What are these international hotel
chains doing to attract more Indian
customers?
The first part is to have a long-term
strategy for the market and to be
convinced of the Indian business. Most
hotels that are part of our sales portfolio
are very active on digital media and take
digital marketing very seriously. We are
also engaging with tour operators to
connect with their customers for brand
recall. Many of the brands we represent
do not have any hotels in India. Therefore,
to create a brand recall is very crucial.
We identify the cities within India that
would work for the brand within a three-
year time frame and approach it in a
phased manner.
The luxury properties can afford
extensive promotion, but what about
budget hotels? Tourists still need to
find information about them.
I don’t think so. The luxury and budget
hotels have entirely different source
markets and there is adequate business
potential for both. If the budget hotels
identify India as a source market, they
will make an effort to sell here. Naturally,
their activities and marketing will vary
accordingly. They would also depend on
online bookings.
When you plan to promote an
international hotel in India, what are
the key factors you look at?
For a business/leisure hotel, we would
look at the business potential from India
for the hotel or the chain. Although for
leisure, we would take on even an offbeat
location as we would promote the
destination along with the hotel.
How do you differentiate every
hotel’s brand promotion in India
when you have so many hotels as your
clients in the kitty?
It’s very simple. Each hotel has a
brand identity. It’s our undertaking to
fully understand their objectives and
deliver accordingly. There could be an
overlap in the objectives, but the value
proposition is different. As a company,
we allocate individual resources to each
of our brands to maintain their identity
and individuality. We do not share or pool
our resources.
What is the one big hurdle that
this industry is finding difficult to
overcome?
There is not just one big hurdle, there
are several challenges, like the shortage
of trained and skilled personnel or
small agencies moving digital platforms
and making a business case. From my
perspective a big challenge would be
the non-regulatory nature of the travel
industry – anyone can set up a shop.
This has compounded the already
fragmented nature of our agencies and
has made it a challenge for sellers like
us to identify the right agencies to work
with. Despite all these challenges, we
have to remain focussed to deliver high
returns to our clients.
EXPERIENCE

Bhutan
A Spiritual Abode
Spirituality paves and shines the boulevard of Bhutan, thus making it a place where
meditation can rejuvenate your mind, body and soul.

Varsha Singh

T
ravellers have plenty of
reasons for travelling,
some do it for business,
some want to explore new
lands and others just want
to take a break and go on a holiday.
However, there are few who go on a
meaningful journey to attain spirituality
in order to rediscover themselves.
Spiritual travellers make the journey to
experience a variety of faiths, traditions
and practices and to gain religious
understanding.
Spirituality is the quintessential
experience of Bhutan. The spiritual
values and culture in Bhutan - the land
of mystique - touches the zenith of
Buddhist flexibility. Monastery choir
and Buddhism prevail predominantly
in Bhutan but it never leads to the
growth of religious malpractice or intra-
religious degradation.
Bhutan is for those who seek solace,
rest and rejuvenation. Perhaps only
to preserve its uniqueness and to
maintain its peacefulness the kingdom
sat in isolation for years, only opening
its doors to visitors in the year 1974.
Religious principles have a strong
influence over life in this spiritual
kingdom. This might be the reason for
this country to be the happiest in Asia.
The Buddhism practiced here
pervades nearly every aspect of
the Bhutanese lifestyle. The place
is interspersed with thousands of
monuments and monasteries, dzongs,
stupas, red-robed monks praying in
temples and conducting rituals, and
clusters of prayer flags accumulated
on poles. People there have a belief
that animals can hear the sound of the
prayer flags dancing in the mountain
winds, and in the next life they are
reborn as human beings and have a

28 India Outbound July-August 2018

 EXPERIENCE

better life. These rituals by the locals

stand as a testament to the importance
of Buddhism in the Bhutanese life.

A Land of Monasteries
Bhutan is known for its monasteries,
fortresses (dzongs) and spectacular
landscapes that range from sub-tropical
plains to steep mountains and valleys.
The most popular is Taktsang Palphug
Monastery or more popularly known
as the Tiger’s Nest Monastery, which is
the most sacred pilgrimage site in the
Himalayan region.
It is said about Tiger’s Nest that
the Guru Rinpoche, one of the key
figures in Bhutan Buddhism, arrived
here on the back of a tigress and
meditated at this monastery and hence
it is called ‘Tiger’s Nest’. Guru Rinpoche
is believed to bring Buddhism to
Bhutan. This monastery is famous for its
incredible art, treasures, spirituality
and Buddhism.
“Taktsang Palphug Monastery - a
white building, with gold plated dome
and prayer wheels enchanted me with
its perfect architectural details and
above all the jaw dropping beauty
Above: People praying while walking around Memorial Chorten in Thimpu; Below: Tashichho Dzong
of the surrounding valley ignited my monastery in Thimpu
mind. Chagri Dorjeden Monastery,
also called Cheri Monastery in Thimpu, another renowned tourist destination in the rock as spiritual gifts to visitors
capital city of Bhutan lured me and in Bhutan. Clusters of colourful flags and pilgrims. There are innumerable
I was astonished to see the learning flutter in the wind where 108 memorial sacred places in Bhutan that are known
procedures of the monks through chortens or stupas known as ‘Druk to have a powerful influence with which
which they show the significance of Wangyal Chortens’ have been built to transform the visitors’ mind. They
absolute redemption and sacrificial by Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuk, the believe that a pilgrimage to a sacred
tendencies. Apart from these I explored eldest Queen Mother. site will transform the three doors-of
Tango monastery, Memorial Chorten, “The spiritualism of Bhutan is body, speech and mind. Pilgrims offer
which depicts the saga of Buddhism noteworthy. One can easily say about one stick of incense and a single butter
and the learning of Buddhist culture Bhutan's spiritualism as this country lamp at the sacred place because they
meticulously, which has definite and showcases its tourism by monasteries. believe that it is equal to the merit
differentiated values from all other One will surely fall in love with the of offering a thousand incense sticks
religions. Religious values and culture breathtaking landscape and rich or lamps in any ordinary place due to
are not dogmatic but it is astute and spiritualism that Bhutan owns,” says the positive energy left behind by the
astounding in the heavenly country of Agnibha Majumder, an avid traveller and enlightened masters.
Bhutan,” says Utsab Dey, a traveller a passionate photographer, who works “Bhutan is a place where one can
from Kolkata. in a leading travel group of Kolkata. seek solace, rest and recuperation.
Another famous attraction of the A place famous for medication and
mountainous kingdom to seek spiritual Sacred Sites peace retreats away from the hustle of
solace is Punakha Dzong. Located in Locals believe that many sacred a city life. The people in Bhutan lead a
western Bhutan, this place is often places in the region remain intact calm and simple lifestyle and are super
considered the most beautiful and most because of great Buddhist saints sensitive towards their religion. Religion
important Dzong in Bhutanese history. and sages who lived, meditated is a way of life here and they have
It is said to be the best architectural and transformed these places into happily imbibed this as a part of their
fortresses of the country. Dochula Pass, a spiritual haven by leaving spiritual daily duties,” says Dwaipayan Majumder,
located 10,000 feet above sea level is remnants such as foot or hand prints group head - fiction, Zee Sarthak.

July-August 2018 India Outbound 29

PROMENADE

Molten Shadows of Palermo

The quiet and shadowy lanes of Palermo in Sicily are ideal for strolling as
every twist and turn offers something new and vivid, which brings out the
authentic feeling of a Sicilian way of life.

Debanjali Biswas

I
am in Palermo, ungraciously biting
into some Cannoli. I put my journal
down and excitedly asked the
American with whom I was sharing
my table on this bustling Sicilian
morning, “What word connects a long-
tailed monkey, a frothy beverage and
an order of monks?” He was not in the
mood for word games. We both stared
out over Via Giuseppe Pitrè, a road
named after a renowned folklorist-
physician. I knew if we had walked on
this road, turned left and stopped in
front of a yellow building, we would
know the answer. It was Capuchin,
named after the Franciscan Order
of Friars Minor Capuchin – it lent its
name to a range of south and central
American monkeys and one of the
most popular drink in the world, the
cappuccino.
The building, where I later went in
the afternoon, had catacombs that
housed thousands of embalmed figures
of humans or mummies. This was
both a site of pilgrimage and macabre
wonder where fully costumed corpses
hang on the wall, some of their faces
peeling away and yet some wearing
laces and silks across centuries. The
astounding gallery were looked
after by the Capuchin friars since
16th century and tunnels resembled
the cluttered city streets above the
ground. That afternoon, I met death in
many shapes and skeletons, peering at
a void or possibly us. A man moaned,
most stopped talking completely, so
profound was the effect of such an
experience.
Later in the evening I strolled
into Pasticceria Capello for a cestino
con fragoline - a tart with cream and
strawberry and tried a settevelli – a
seven layered hazelnut cake. I decided
that was dinner. The shop near my
hostel was still open with locals sitting
on the sidewalk smoking cigarettes
and eating arancino. I sat well into
the summer night, an arancino filled
with ragu sauce, peas and mozzarella
clasped in my palms, thanking unseen
powers for the simple gift of food.
A Place of Empires
Palermo sits on the north shore of
Sicily where many empires rose and fell.
Greeks, Carthaginians, Phoenicians,
Romans, Normans, Moors, Spaniards,
and Italians influenced life, cuisine,
architecture and Palermo built more
new walls leaving behind ruins. A
unique example of Arab and Norman
architecture is the tiny church of San
Cataldo on Piazza Bellini, from 1160.
The bare stone interiors were never
decorated because the founder Maio of
Bari was assassinated. For many years,
the church served as a post office. The
three crimson domes on the top are
reminiscent of the Arab influence in
the region. In contrast, the church of La
Martorana next door founded by the
Greek admiral George of Antioch was
an amalgamation of Baroque, Byzantine
and Romanesque traditions; it belongs
to a diocese of Albanian communities of
Sicily and carries inscriptions in Arabic

30 India Outbound July-August 2018


on the pillars – a cohesion of styles!
The interior cupola gleams in gold and
colour with frescoes from Christian
iconography.
Of Puppets and Alleys
The day grew warmer and I walked
towards the old port or La Cala. Boats
and yachts were parked at the Marina,
looking like a painting against an
azure sky. A small lane behind the
Biblioteca led to one of the most
fascinating museums I have ever visited.
It was home to many performers from
Opera dei Pupi or puppets! I had
grown up with puppets in Kolkata
where my father and his friends
performed with my grandfather’s
puppet theatre. As I walked through
the corridors of the museum, I could
almost touch my childhood.
Sicilian marionettes were popular
among the working classes. Stories
were based on medieval literature
and the singing embedded in French
troubadour traditions, which were
performed in front of hand-painted,
intricate scenes. The research team of
the museum have painstakingly put
together information and gathered
marionettes not only from Palermo,
Catania and Napoli but also Vietnamese
water puppets, Burmese wire puppets,
shadow figures from India, and many
others from Congo, Mali, Japan and
Java. In one room, two scenes from two
operas have been strung up, as if a show
could begin any minute. On another
floor, rows of string marionettes hang
from the ceiling creating a labyrinth of
From left to right: Murals at the Cappella Palatina; Picturesque alleys; Vibrant local markets
Sicilian history lives
not only in churches
and palaces but in
grilled balconies and
layers of desserts
mermaids, monks, and warriors.
Stepping out I concluded I was
famished despite my mind being
nourished. Next to Villa Garibaldi there
were small restaurants where lunch
was being prepared. I waited for a
sfincione - made from softened pizza
dough, topped with caciocavallo cheese,
anchovies, chopped tomatoes and a
small schiacciata or squashed bread
packed with ground meat and flavoured
with fennel.
I took a long winding walk through
the alleys that went out of Via Vittorio
Emanuele. Buildings had a strange
symmetry to them crowded with
doors and windows. Billowing laundry
were hung out to dry, their swooshing
adding sound to the otherwise quiet
neighbourhoods. Occasionally children
ran past, or someone asked for money
and retreated. There were signs of
isolation and decay - the long shadows
reminded me of the grasp the Cosa
Nostra or the Sicilian Mafia had on
Palermo, and I knew the Mafiosi was not
completely gone.
My status as a postgraduate
researcher in the arts granted me a free
ticket to Cappella Palatina, a chapel in
the Norman King Roger’s palace. This
PROMENADE
was a large hall generously gilded in
gold - stones and ceramic stacked to
shape mosaics of saints, angels and
kings. This is what magnificence meant
in art, one whole room that was shaped
by Christian patrons and iconography
immersed in Fatimid, Mediterranean
and Byzantine techniques and chiselled
into place by Muslim artisans. It is a
three-nave longitudinal room divided
by granite columns; the vaulted roof
is carved in wood and painted. Each
saint on the walls is named and every
composition framed in ornamental
design. Under my feet colourful mosaic
were set in geometrical and floral
shapes. The motifs continued from
Christ’s life to warrior saints illustrating
the various protectors of the island
of Sicily.
Through the high Italian arches,
people hurry home. My rucksack
and I trudge towards the station to
board a bus to Catania. Behind me,
Palermo readies itself for the evening,
embracing its gilded past as well as
the shadows.
How to Reach
A connecting flight to Palermo can be taken from
international airports in major cities like Mumbai,
Delhi, Kolkata, Bengaluru or Ahemdabad.
Where to Stay
Palermo, being the capital of Sicily, has a number
of hotels and B&Bs to choose from. On the
luxurious side they have palaces turned to hotels
and various boutique hotels; for the budget-
friendly, they have many B&Bs that do not
compromise on style or views.
July-August 2018 India Outbound 31
ENTERTAINMENT
Marvel
Superheroes
Descend on
Disneyland Paris
In a bid to attract more tourists,
Disneyland Paris has unveiled a
new show ‘Marvel: Super Heroes
United’. The special spectacle
will be staged at Walt Disney
Studios Park, Paris from June 10
to September 30.
Christine Nayagam
T
hrills are never too far away
in an entertainment park,
especially one like Disneyland;
but even for regulars at
Disneyland Paris, the evening
of June 9 was a special one. For they,
along with over 150 leading media
and tourism influencers from around
the world, witnessed a spectacle with
leading superheroes – Captain America,
Iron Man, Spider-Man, Thor, Black Widow,
Star-Lord and Gamora – rappelling down
from a helicopter, making a grand entry
amongst the thousands of spectators,
who screamed with joy.
“This is the first time ever that we
have all Marvel superheroes united and
we are extremely happy to inaugurate
this at Disneyland Paris,” said Catherine
Powel, president of Disneyland Paris
Parks and Resort.
The opening of the summer show was
organised a few weeks after the release
of the latest Marvel Cinematic Universe
(MCU) franchise’s film, Avengers: Infinity
War, which shattered the box office
records around the world and even in
India. This is the first Hollywood film to
rake in over INR 2 billion in box offices in
India, which made India one of the top
five markets for the film.
“The Marvel stories and superheroes
attract all ages from a five-year-old to a
75-year-old. It is cutting across genders,
boundaries and age-groups. The movies
have certainly created a buzz and the
show comes at a timely moment," says
Ryan Gallego, senior project manager at
Marvel Themed Entertainment for Walt
32 India Outbound July-August 2018
Disney Parks and Resorts.
The 20-minute show at the Walt
Disney Studios’ theatre did not
disappoint action lovers. Every character
had its moment of glory where they
could demonstrate their superpowers.
The entire show revolves around ‘unity’
and fans cheered as they joined hands
to fight together against the enemy.
“It’s almost like watching a movie but
here the characters are real and the
special effects are making it feel like
we have really entered their world! I am
very fortunate to be here to witness the
premiere,” says Nitibha Kaul, ex-Big Boss
participant-turned-lifestyle-and-travel
influencer. Kaul and India Outbound were
the only two Indian influencers and
media present at the grand opening.
The entire area around the Grand
Theatre has been decorated with giant
statues of Incredible Hulk, Black Panther
and Iron Man. To make the experience
more interactive, two stages have been
added for live, open air performances.
The spectacle has been made even more
thrilling by Tony Stark’s revolutionary
invention, an ‘Arc Reactor’ that
generates green energy and a stage
that offers dancing sessions with the
Guardians of the Galaxy.
With over 320 million visits since
its creation in 1992, Disneyland Paris
is Europe’s leading tourist destination
and boasts two spectacular theme
parks (Disneyland Park and Walt Disney
Studios Park) and seven themed Disney
hotels. “It was quite surprising and
exciting to see so many Indians in the
park as compared to about just three
years ago when I first visited Disneyland
Paris with my family,” adds Kaul. Indians,
besides Chinese tourists, are a key focus
of several French and Parisian tourism
players, with a healthy double digit
growth in arrivals from India for over a
decade now.
“For any Indian family visiting Paris
or Europe, Disneyland is a mandatory
stop over. The experience is unlike any
other park, and the new marvel show
and themed attractions will certainly
attract more Indians as we have millions
of Marvel fans and it keeps growing,”
says Amit Kishore, co-founder of Think
Strawberries, a travel representation
company in India that promotes
Disneyland Paris in India.
Disneyland Paris is celebrating its
25th anniversary this year and the
Marvel show comes as part of a greater
project of extending the Walt Disney
Studio Park. The show at the grand
theatre is a seasonal event, but the
Marvel universe is meant to stay at
Disney.
“We will soon have a unique roller
coaster attraction related to Marvel
and our current New York Hotel that
welcomes park visitors will also be
renovated to become the first Marvel
Hotel in the world that showcases the
world of the Avengers, Spider-Man and
other superheroes. We are very excited
about the project and we hope that it
will start rolling out in 2021,” says Christi
Erwin-Donnan, communication director
at Disneyland Paris.
HERITAGE

Angkor Wat
A Genius of Khmer Art
The beautiful Angkor Wat temple is considered to be a symbolic
representation of Hindu cosmology. The place is a major site exemplifying
religious, cultural and symbolic values, and has rich architectural,
archaeological and artistic significance.

Varsha Singh

A
ngkor Wat, the largest
religious monument
in the world, is the
ultimate expression of
Khmer genius. It is one
of the most famous and important
archaeological sites in south-east Asia.
Roughly constructed between 1113 AD
and 1150 AD in Siem Reap, Cambodia,
the historical site is dedicated to the
Hindu God Vishnu. The monument was
built by King Suryavarman II as his state
temple and capital city. As the best-
preserved temple at the site, it is the
only one to have remained a significant
religious centre since its foundation
– first Hindu and then Buddhist.
The temple is at the top of the high
classical style of Khmer architecture.
The monument has become a symbol
of Cambodia and a national pride thus
appearing on its national flag. It is
also the country’s major attraction
for tourism.
The name Angkor Wat means ‘City
Temple’; Angkor is a vernacular form of
the word nokor, which comes from the
Sanskrit word nagar. Wat is the Khmer
form of the Pali word vatthu, meaning
‘temple grounds’, which was supposedly
added to the then capital city Angkor
when it became a Theravada Buddhist
monument, most likely in the 16th
century. After 1432 when the capital
moved to Phnom Penh, Angkor Wat was
cared for by Buddhist monks. The place
is the largest Hindu temple complex in
the world. Prior to this time the temple
was known as Preah Pisnulok (Vara
Vishnuloka in Sanskrit), after the title of
its founder.
Grandeur & Harmony
The Cambodia Tourism website
describes that the architecture in
Angkor Wat combines two basic plans
of Khmer temple architecture - the
temple mountain and the later galleried
temple, based on early south Indian
Hindu architecture. It is designed to
represent Mount Meru, home of devas

34 India Outbound July-August 2018


Left: An aerial view of Angkor Wat temple; Top right: Bayon Temple at Angkor Thom; Bottom right: No visit to Cambodia is complete without attending its
(gods), within a moat and an outer wall
that is 3.6 kilometres long are three
rectangular galleries, each raised above
the next. At the centre of the temple
stands a quincunx of towers. Unlike
most Angkorian temples, Angkor Wat
is oriented to the west; scholars are
divided as to the significance of this.
The temple is admired for the grandeur
and harmony of the architecture,
its extensive bas-reliefs, and for the
numerous devatas (gods) adorning
its walls.
“This is a temple that is not only
unique in its architecture but also its
vast history. The thing that caught my
eyes more that the temple was the
fact that it was built as a Vishnu temple
for Hindus and later transformed for
Buddhists, and thus has an architecture
that is a mixture of Hindu and Buddhist
styles. The temple was made 2,500
years ago with huge sandstone blocks
and the most surprising thing is that
back in those days the blocks were
brought on rafts all the way from
Phnom Kulen mountain to the temple
compound, which was 50km away,
down the Siem Reap river,” says Raktim
Roy, managing director of a travel
group based in Kolkata.
The tourists are often struck by its
imposing grandeur. This place holds a
special place for Hindu architecture as
there are 1,200 square metres of carved
bas-reliefs at Angkor Wat, representing
eight different Hindu stories.
The most important story
represented at Angkor Wat is the
samudra manthan (churning of ocean),
a story about the victory of good over
evil. In the story that is depicted on the
wall, 88 devas are fighting 92 asuras
(demons) in order to reclaim order and
power for the gods who have lost the
battle. Therefore to reclaim peace,
the elixir of immortality, amrit (nectar)
needs to be released from the Earth;
but the only way for the elixir to be
released is for the gods and demons
to first work together. Both sides are
aware that once the amrit is released
there will be a fierce battle to attain
it. Several events happen while the
samudra manthan (churning of ocean)
takes place, one being the birth of
apsaras (celestial maidens) who are
carved in relief throughout Angkor
Wat. Once the amrit is released, Indra (a
Vedic deity in Hinduism) descends from
heaven to catch it and save the world
from the destruction of the demons.
This story has been beautifully depicted
through the carvings at the cultural site.
“It has been an intense experience
visiting a place that we have always
read about in our history books. It is
definitely a must-visit, not only because
it is a UNESCO World Heritage site
but also to gaze at the awe-inspiring
HERITAGE
traditional dance - Apsara Khmer
architecture of the ruins of the temple,
which is magnificent; and also to be a
part of the enriching history and stories
that have been left behind and will
continue to stay as a legacy is a unique
experience,” adds Roy.
It is said of the architecture of
Angkor Wat that it is a miniature
replica of the universe in stone and
represents an earthly model of the
cosmic world. The central tower rises
from the monument, symbolising the
mythical mountain, Meru, situated at
the centre of the universe. The five
towers correspond to the peaks of
Meru and the outer wall corresponds
to the mountains at the edge of the
world, whereas the surrounding moat
represents the oceans beyond.
“The Angkor Wat temple located
in the Siem Reap province is the most
important archaeological site in
south-east Asia. Visitors also come
here for the experience of adventure
with activities like trekking, riding an
elephant and kayaking along the river
and also to have an experience with the
local community and the people living
in the jungles,” Thoura Lor, director of
Marketing and Promotion, Cambodia
Tourism, tells India Outbound.
Known for its rich cultural heritage
in the most captivating form, this
magnificent site lures the visitors with
its bucolic beauty.
July-August 2018 India Outbound 35
5 PLACES TO GO

The Lava Trails

Treading the Treacherous
While hiking and climbing may set your heart racing, a trip along the volcanic
trails makes for a bright red cherry on top of a challenging cake.

Shalini Dasgupta

1
Mount Maelifell
Iceland
Picture a perfectly conical volcano, lusciously green, sitting
majestically on a flat black ash desert. What tourists dub as a surreal
destination, the Maelifell Volcanic tour comes with other equally
fascinating activities. An iconic view is of the huge Mýrdalsjökull
glacier plunging into the black ashes of the Maelifellsandur along
foothills. Mýrdalsjökull is also famous for its glacier park. The
melting of the surrounding glaciers gives rise to small waterways
that crisscross this vast desert adding a vibrant aspect to this
landscape. Most tourists enjoy the journey to Mount Maelifell
Volcano in 4x4 super jeeps, which are specially modified for
the volcanic trail. Another interesting aspect of the trail is the
occurrence of hot springs. The naturally occurring hot springs are
relaxing as one overlooks the vastness of the natural extravaganza
and soaks in the calmness of the surroundings while enjoying a
time-lapse of clouds piercing through a clear sky.

36 India Outbound July-August 2018

 5 PLACES TO GO

2
Krakatoa
Indonesia
This popular volcanic island in Indonesia is located between the larger islands of Sumatra
and Java. The 1883 Krakatoa eruption was devastating and took several lives; and till
today, the active volcanoes of the island are considered to be one of the most dangerous,
thus spiking a boom in tourist interest. While the site itself is heralded for its beauty and
miniscule volcanic happenings, the surrounding rainbow reefs and pristine waters add
to the natural serenity. A visit to Krakatoa can be a day-trip or a two-day-one-night tour
depending on the schedule. Most tour operators also provide a direct pick-up facility from
Jakarta airport by car to take you to the meeting point - Carita Beach. Throughout the
trip, a guide is a must to show you around the destination. It takes about three-and-a-half-
hours from Jakarta to Carita Beach. For those making a quick visit, can hike the volcanic
mountain to reach the peak or snorkel around Rakata Island. Those opting for the more
flexible visit can additionally camp on Krakatoa for the evening and go for hiking later.

3
Mount Etna
Italy
This active volcano in the City of Catania is considered to be the highest active
volcano in Europe, its eruptions and lava flows have always spiked the interest of
scientists and the curiosity of visitors. It is especially popular as a summer destination
wherein hikers engage in visits to the active craters. In winters hikers can enjoy an
array of sports from ski mountaineering to trekking. Adventure junkies can also
enjoy biking in the terrains of Pista Alto Montana. Tourists opting for walking tours
climb along the trails of Etna Park, through forests and fruit orchards, up to higher
altitudes with views of lunar landscapes, centuries’ old lava flows, caves and active
fumaroles. In 2013 Mount Etna was recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site
for being “one of the most emblematic and active volcanoes in the world and the
most important in activity – since 2,700 years – in Europe”.

4
Kīlauea
United States of America
A volcano that was active as recent as May, Kīlauea is a shield volcano in the Hawaiian
Islands, and the most active of the five volcanoes that together form the island of
Hawaii. The Kilauea Volcano tour commences around afternoon, thus giving tourists a
perfectly glowing view of the volcano at sunset, earning it the nickname - The Twilight
Trail. One of the best options for touring the twilight trail is opting for the Kilauea Lava
Glow Tours. This tour starts off with a full afternoon of exploring Hawaii Volcanoes
National Park, highlights, including the Steam Vents, Nahuku Lava Tube, Devastation
Trail, Kilauea Iki Overlook and Jaggar Museum. One will be taken for a walk through
native rainforests, along crater rims and across cooled lava fields. Then, tourists are
taken to the edge of Kilauea Caldera, where they can see the dramatic glow from the
active lava lake within Halemaumau Crater at dusk. The red lava is not visible, but each
evening at dusk, the glow from the lake paints the crater walls and rising steam plume
in gorgeous shades of pink, orange and gold.

5
Piton de la Fournaise
Reunion Island
The red-hot lava emitting Piton de la Fournaise in Reunion Island is one of the major
attractions of this French territory in the heart of the Indian Ocean. Considered by scientists
as one of the most active volcanoes in the world, every year the volcanic trail witnesses
eager tourists trekking the island to view the waves crashing against the base to the summit
caressed by clouds. Owing to its modest height, hikers can cover the trail by foot and even
have professional photographers by their side to capture the myriad moments throughout
the course of the journey. However, tourists are no longer allowed to walk round the main
crater, known as Dolomieu, since its collapse in 2007 but the alternative routes are equally
breathtaking. One of the best walks is the inside of the Enclos Fouqué, the heart of the volcano
or around the outside. There are also routes starting close to the volcano’s forest path.

July-August 2018 India Outbound 37

LIFESTYLE

Chocolate is more than just a sweet temptation, it has been a part of the Swiss
culture for more than 200 years; this is evident from the many chocolate museums,
special tours and famous chocolate shops that you can visit in Switzerland.

Binita Punwani

T
he history of chocolates
in Switzerland dates
back to the 17th century.
Chocolates weren’t a
delicious confection then. It
was merely chewy and gravelly, slowly
becoming unpalatable.
It began in the region of Ticino,
located near Switzerland’s southern
border with Italy - the Swiss used their
transit position strategically for goods
passing through Europe to begin the
processing of chocolates. In the year
1875, Swiss chocolatier Daniel Peter
was the first one to add powdered
milk in the grainy solid chocolate,
creating milk chocolates, which is a
huge industry now. In 1879, Rodolphe
Lindt, came up with the process
of conching- a process of mixing
that is still relevant today in the
manufacturing of chocolates.
By the end of the 19th century, Frey
Brothers, Philippe Suchard, Jean Tobler
and a few others contributed in making
Switzerland the home of the world’s
richest and best chocolates.
A Worthy Souvenir
We all have relatives or friends who
visit Switzerland and always get the world
famous Swiss chocolates as a souvenir.
Not just that, there are a number

38 India Outbound July-August 2018

“ GLAMOROUS CABARET! “ “ A BREATHTAKING SHOW “

P A R I S T H R I L L S H E R E

Paris Merveilles
Created and directed by FRANCO DRAGONE
Avenue des Champs Elysées, Paris 8e - lido.fr
T. +33 (0)1 40 76 56 49 - tourisme@lido.fr
LIFESTYLE
There are numerous exhibitions, tours, and chocolate tasting events for chocolate lovers in Switzerland
The Most Famous Swiss Chocolates
Lindt & Sprüngli: One of the
most renowned chocolate brands
throughout the world, Lindt &
Sprüngli, or commonly known as
Lindt, has its company headquartered
in Kilchberg, Switzerland. Lindt
acquired American chocolatier
Ghirardelli in the year 1998 as a
wholly-owned subsidiary. It acquired
American candy maker Russel
Stover in the year 2014, whose
brands include Whitman’s chocolate.
Lindt has a chocolate exhibit at the
Jungfraujoch and a Lindt Chocolate
Experience at the Swiss Museum of
Transport in Luzern.
Cailler: The oldest chocolate
manufacturer in Switzerland, Cailler
is known as one of the world’s
finest chocolates. Frigor and Cailler
are its brands that are made in the
company’s factory in Broc. Cailler is
not widely exported, hence it is not
as famous as Lindt or Toblerone. It
is available on Amazon, but people
make it a point to buy it from
Switzerland, whenever they visit, to
get the different varieties. It is one of
the few brands of milk chocolate that
is made with slightly condensed milk,
instead of powdered milk.
Toblerone: Toblerone was created
by Theodor Tobler and Emil Baumann
of exhibitions, tours, and chocolate
tastings for visitors who love
chocolates. “Anything is good if it is
made of chocolate” - goes a famous
quote by British comedian Jo Brand.
40 India Outbound July-August 2018
There are factories that
one should not miss
in Bern, Switzerland in 1908. It is a and in some places you
distinctive triangular shaped milk
chocolate including nougat, almonds
can also make your
and honey. The word Toblerone is a own chocolates
combination of Tobler’s name with
the Italian word torrone (a type of
tempering, making ganache and other
nougat). Toblerone is one of the
things through chocolate workshops
most famous Swiss chocolates and is
held here.
exported to many countries.
“We recently visited Switzerland
Teuscher: The expert chocolatier
and experienced heaven on Earth. The
Dolf Teuscher created Teuscher
best part about the trip was our visit
in the Swiss Alps during the early
to the sweetest place on the paradise:
1940s. It is famous worldwide for
The Lindt Swiss chocolate heaven!
their widely distributed network of
The entire trip would have remained
stylish chocolate shops located in
incomplete if I had not brought back
New York, Abu Dhabi, Singapore,
the famous Swiss chocolates home.
Beverly Hills and over 20 locations
Not only does this shop sell chocolates
throughout the world; although, it
but also exhibits the chocolate-making
has only two stores in Switzerland,
process and history of Lindt in the
one in Zurich and one in Geneva. The
country of snow. Believe me when
highlight of Teuscher chocolates is
I say that we had the best taste of
that they are made using natural
chocolates and nothing beats Swiss
ingredients - no chemicals, additives,
chocolates after all,” says Riddhi Roy,
or preservatives.
operations manager in a Kolkata based
Frey: The best-selling and
Travel company.
acclaimed chocolate in Switzerland,
Switzerland has the world’s
Frey was started by the Frey
highest per capita rate of chocolate
brothers in the year 1887. It was
consumption, that is, 25.6 lbs per year.
later purchased in 1950 by the Swiss
One of the major sources of revenue
supermarket chain Migros. Frey
of the Swiss economy is the chocolate
claims to be the only major brand
industry that is an extremely important
of chocolate that is solely produced
sector in the food industry. The annual
within Switzerland.
revenue of chocolate production in
Switzerland is about USD 1.5 billion. The
Swiss produces about 180,000 tonnes
There are chocolate factories that of chocolate per year, of which, about
one should not miss when they visit 39 pc is sold in Switzerland, and the rest
Switzerland as there is a provision to 61 pc is sold all over the world.
create your own version of chocolates. If you are a chocolate lover,
Visitors get a chance to learn the art of Switzerland is the ideal place for you.
Be a pa of India's biggest travel show network.
2018. 2019.
BLTM Delhi 18 & 19 January
TTF Ahmedabad 07, 08 & 09 Sept. OTM Mumbai 23, 24 & 25 January
TTF Surat 14, 15 & 16 September TTF SUMMER* Ahmedabad 01, 02 & 03 February
TTF Pune 28, 29 & 30 September TTF SUMMER* Chennai 08, 09 & 10 February
TTF Mumbai 05, 06 & 07 October TTF SUMMER* Bengaluru 15, 16 & 17 February
TTF SUMMER* Kolkata 22, 23 & 24 February

*TTF SUMMER is our new line of shows focused on the huge summer holidays travel market.

To book your vantage stand write to us at contact@faiest.in

www.fotm.com - www.otm.co.in - www.bltm.co.in
HONEYMOON

Find Love Amid Wilderness

With its snow-covered trees, pink sunsets, picturesque hideouts and adorable
reindeers, Finland makes for an ideal ‘Do Not Disturb’
location for honeymooners.

Shikha D

42 India Outbound July-August 2018


E
very couple has their own
definition of romance -
something that sparks the
flame and sets the mood.
However, if you are looking
for an ideal balance of contrasting
experiences, instead of just relaxation
and downtime, Finland is the place for
you. Situated in the slightly overlooked
corner of Europe, bordering Sweden,
Norway and Russia, Finland is all about
otherworldly experiences that are
straight out of a dream. With endless
stretches of pristine white snow, colder
months in the country bring the need
to cuddle with your significant other
for warmth, giving you intimate, quality
time to bond with each other. During
the summer season, it's a completely
different picture altogether, painted
with all imaginable shades of green
and blue. The forested landscape is
dotted with patches of glittering water.
In fact, the lakes are so numerous that
they have earned Finland the nickname
‘the land of a thousand lakes’. Warmer
months are the perfect time to enjoy
vibrant cityscapes and electrifying
urban scenes; appreciate world-
renowned Finnish design, music, and
architecture; enjoy a beer at one of the
quirky bars in the capital city of Helsinki;
smell the fragrance of blooming
flowers; and pick freshest berries from
the forests.
From left to right: Admire the starry Arctic sky from your very own glass igloo; Experience a traditional Finnish sauna session with your partner; In Finland, enjoy
nature’s most spectacular light show - the Aurora Borealis
HONEYMOON
Here are some ways you can lose
yourself in the beauty of this ‘Jewel of
the North’ that inspires one and all to
find love amid unspoilt nature.
Sleep in a Glass Igloo
What can possibly be more romantic
than snuggling up with your partner in
the middle of the Finnish wilderness, all
comfortable, warm and toasty in your
private glass igloo, staring up at the
starry Arctic sky and the incredible reds,
greens, purples and blues of the Aurora
Borealis or Northern Lights? Located
in Finnish Lapland, a 15-minute drive
from the Kittilä airport, glass-ceilinged
Levin Iglut igloos rest on the fell slope
and are designed in such a way that
they won't frost over. Located at an
altitude of about 340 metres, these
domed igloos offer understated luxury
amid breathtaking, rugged landscapes.
Here, winter lasts for half the year and
you can often see the Northern Lights
on clear nights. At their restaurant
Aurora Sky, consider sampling some
Scandinavian flavours with a European
twist.
Tip: Though it's impossible to predict
if you will actually witness the Northern
Lights on a particular day, the bright,
entrancing lights of the Aurora are
typically visible on cold, cloudless days
during the winter months of November
to March. You can also try putting
July-August 2018 India Outbound 43
HONEYMOON
Clockwise from top left: Northern Lights appear on more than 200 nights a year in Finnish Lapland; Combat extreme winter temperatures with a cup of hot chocolate
along with toasted marshmallows; Go berry picking to uncover delicious, healthy forest treats; Reindeer Stew is a must have
your faith in a downloadable app that
promises to sound the alarm when the
lights spring into view.
Let Traditional Finnish Sauna
Rejuvenate You
As the outside temperatures
plummet below zero, leave your
inhibitions behind, strip-off, and sweat
it out in a dimly-lit, pine-clad room
together. Let the smoke softly envelope
your body and the pleasant fragrance of
birch transport your mind to the forest.
For Finns, the most quintessential
way to combat the frosty sub-zero
temperatures is the löyly (meaning the
steam that emanates when you throw
water on hot stones in a sauna).
Finland invented the sauna and,
surely, nobody does it better. Among
a population of 5.4 million, there are
3.3 million saunas; most houses in the
country have an in-built sauna. Here,
you can still find people who were born
in the sauna. This says how essential
sauna is to Finnish culture and national
identity. Your sauna session can be
followed by a joyous leap into an icy
lake. It might sound shocking but take
the plunge together. Quite simply, the
secret of dipping into icy water lies in
the feeling that surges through your
body once you get out of the water...
as soon as you’re back on dry land,
your circulation kicks in and your body
44 India Outbound July-August 2018
starts to warm up. Between steams,
crack open a bottle of cold beer, have
a wonderful conversation with your
partner, warm-up around a fireplace
or cover yourself with a fresh bunch
of birch leaves to soften your skin.
The idea is to leave feeling relaxed
and rejuvenated!
Tip: Located at Hernesaarenranta 4,
Helsinki, Löyly offers public saunas, a
traditional smoke sauna and a wood-
burning sauna - all under one roof. The
breathtaking seashore setting only adds
to the sauna bathing experience.
Befriend Huskies and Reindeers
The Arctic has a vast array of animal
species not found anywhere else on
Earth. When here, visit a local reindeer
farm where you can meet the young
owners who are happy to give you
a sneak-peak into the local life of
reindeer herders. The reindeers are
semi-domesticated and every animal
is owned by a herder. In northern
Lapland, reindeer husbandry is still a
major source of income for many. You
can feed the reindeers, pat them and
play with them before harnessing one
and letting it pull you through eerily
beautiful, snow-covered Lappish forest.
Looking for something a bit more
adventurous? Go dashing across
the fells with your team of huskies
who clearly adore running. Don't be
surprised to see these friendly dogs
wagging their tails and barking at you
enthusiastically. Yes, these sled dogs
are used to the Arctic outdoors and
are doing what they love to do the
most - going out on a mushing trip and
making a lot of noise before they get
going. You can steer your own sledge
and change drivers halfway through the
journey. As you ride on the 12kms silent,
snowy, remote route, make sure to take
a deep breath and take in the beautiful
surroundings. The experience will be
etched in your memory for a long time!
After experiencing the thrill, get
cosy by an open fire, sip on a glass of
comforting, hot berry juice or spend
some time playing with your huskies.
Situated right by the Arctic Circle,
the ‘official’ residence of Santa Claus,
Rovaniemi makes for a great base to
organise various activities and trips with
the Arctic animals. Moreover, it boasts
of an eclectic array of museums and
ample riverside shelters that can be
freely used to roast sausages over an
open fire or enjoy other outdoor snacks.
Dominated by Jätkänkynttilä Bridge, the
river landscape makes for an impressive
sight when illuminated at night.
When in Rovaniemi, what you truly
can't miss is meeting Santa; and for your
loved ones back home, you can also
send a mail stamped with the special
Arctic Circle postmark. Have it delivered

Left: The luxurious and comfortable interiors of glass-ceilinged Levin Iglut igloos; Right: Enjoy a reindeer
sleigh ride in a snowy forest to experience the Arctic wilderness
right away or just before Christmas!
Ski Through Silvery Forests
For many Finnish couples, escaping
to nature is the perfect way to relax
and celebrate their new life together.
So, why not do it their way? If you're
an active duo, think about kayaking,
canoeing, or hiking in one of the
national parks during summer months.
There are ample marked trails that
make it easy for inexperienced hikers
to explore parks, while the wilderness
areas are perfect for longer and more
demanding hikes. To appreciate nature,
spend a night in one of the huts and
you can observe bears and elks in their
very own surroundings, deep inside
the forest.
Winter has its own charm as snow
blankets the pines and lakes freeze
over. The best way to banish the frosty
sub-zero temperatures is to involve
yourself in physical exercise. With
ski runs that plunge into beautiful
woodlands encased in snow, the
European resort of Levi is no less than
a fantasy land you may have envisioned
through fables. You may need some
extra layers as soon as you step off
the plane on the icy runway at Kittilä
airport. The piste of Levi are a favourite
among hottest alpine stars as well as
amateur skiers and snowboarders as
they often feel like they can have the
slopes pretty much to themselves.
There's zero waiting time at the lifts,
miles of empty runs, boundless fresh
powder and spacious mountaintop
bars! Other ways to spend time amid
wilderness are snowmobiling, ice
fishing, snowshoeing, horse trekking
and ice karting.
When you are getting an opportunity
to breathe the cleanest air in the
inhabited world, you have to get out
and make the most of it. On sunny days,
the air visibly sparkles! Go around the
compact town centre for everything
from Lappish delicacies, music and
souvenirs to outdoor rental clothing
and equipment. You can also head to
King Crab House for delicious Arctic
seafood. Every fish and crab served
here is brought straight from the Arctic
Sea. Reindeer stew, seafood chowder
and freshly-baked, homemade bread
are the must-tries! Nili-Poro, popular
for its reindeer specialties, is another
favourite among locals and visitors.
Want to spend some time indoors?
Plan a visit to the Christmas-themed
Tonttula Elves Hideaway, your gateway
to the fairytale land and the world of
ancient beliefs. Try your hand at making
gingerbread and enjoy the therapeutic
smell of baking or relax in a 100-year-
old log sauna by the Ounasjoki River..
HONEYMOON
Seasons in Finland
For a great part of the year, Finland is covered
in frost and snow. The snow season begins
in November and lasts at least until May.
Summer roughly lasts from June to August.
Summer is the season of the midnight sun,
when the nights are bright. In Lapland, the sun
never sets for two months, from June to July.
Summer ends with autumnal reds, browns and
yellows that are especially beautiful on the
fells of Lapland.
Lapland in Finland
Lapland is Finland's sparsely-populated
northern-most region. It's known for its
untouched subarctic wilderness, ski resorts
and the magical Northern Lights. Also known
for its extremes – ‘night-less’ nights in the
summer, when the sun does not sink beneath
the horizon at all, and short days in the winter,
when the period of darkness prevails.
Capital
Cities Kolari
Kemijarvi
Rovaniemi
Oulu
FINLAND
Savonlinna
Helsinki
How to Reach
Finnair offers direct flights from New Delhi to
Helsinki-Vantaa international airport. Kittilä
airport is a 15-minute drive away from Levi's
mountain village. Helsinki-Kittilä flights run
all year round, almost daily during the winter
season.
Where to Stay
Looking for a luxury experience in the heart of
Finland? Hotel Kämp is the oldest and the first
luxury hotel in Finland. Since 1887, it has hosted
many prominent figures in Finnish culture,
science, and economy, as well as important
visitors from abroad. When here, experience
19th-century luxury in a historic setting and
browse through beautiful artwork that adorns
the hotel's rooms, hallways and lobbies.
July-August 2018 India Outbound 45
PHOTO FEATURE
 PHOTO FEATURE

Cyprus
A Cultural Mosaic
in the Mediterranean
Visiting a country, to a large extent, is about understanding its culture.
Live like the locals, eat like them and enjoy like them. With a large
rural and hilly area, Cyprus is indeed best discovered through its
villages. Here is a tour depicting the art de vivre and ambience of a
few villages on the island.

Text & Photos: Christine Nayagam

W
ith almost 10,000 years of
recorded history, Cyprus is
a small island situated at
the intersection of three
continents – Europe, Asia
and Africa. As a consequence it has played a
strategic role since the antiquity – notably for
commerce. Its prehistoric inhabitants were joined
3,500 years ago by the Mycenaean Greeks, who
introduced and established their civilisation, thus
permanently instilling the island’s Greek roots.
Many other cultures followed thereafter, including
that of the Egyptians, Romans, Ottomans and
British, who all left behind visible remnants of
their passage, and have created a mosaic of
different cultures.
With the Troodos Mountains in the background,
we head toward the villages of Lemesos. The
region is also known for its winemaking as
testified by the large vineyards. Several of its

July-August 2018 India Outbound 47

PHOTO FEATURE

1 2

4 5
Just like in India,
everywhere in
Cyprus you’ll
find a reference 6
to god
churches also figure on the UNESCO
World Heritage list and indeed most of
them are pretty well conserved.
Just like in India, everywhere in
Cyprus you’ll find a reference to god
in the form of a statue, a church, a
painting, etc. Greek Cypriots, who
represent the island’s largest ethno-
linguistic community, are mainly Eastern
Orthodox Christians. The Orthodox
Church is one of the three main
Christian groups, the other two being
the Roman Catholic and Protestant.
At a bend, in the village of

48 India Outbound July-August 2018

 PHOTO FEATURE

7 8

1. Baking with the locals wearing traditional attire in

Choirokoita village
2. The byzantine church of Ayios Nikolaus tis Segis is a
UNESCO World Heritage site
3. An old man sunbathing on the terrace of a café
4, 5, 6. The Orthodox Church is one of the three main
Christian groups
7. Pretty old routes in Choirokoita
8. Traditional breads baked in the village oven

July-August 2018 India Outbound 49

PHOTO FEATURE

If you want to
know a country
head towards
its villages
2 Choirokoitia, I was enchanted by
the unique Mediterranean style,
architecture and the art de vivre. The
houses and their gardens are pretty
and we also noticed that most of the
houses were not locked, displaying
a complete faith in their safety and
security.
Hanging on the doors of most of
the houses, we see braids of garlic,
pretty much like a decoration. Garlic is
believed to ward off demons and evil
spirits.
Often added at the entrance to
every house is the ‘Evil Eye’. The belief
was popular in ancient Greece and
Rome and is also commonly found in
Jewish, Islamic, Buddhist, Hindu and
Christian cultures. The idea is that if
you act in such a way that people begin

3 4

50 India Outbound July-August 2018

 PHOTO FEATURE

7
1. The houses are painted in vivid colours,
especially blue
2. Villages are handicraft hubs for textile, wood
and silver work
3. Braid of garlic on a door
4. The local barber shop
5 5. The rural way of life
6. An old machine used to make olive oil
7. Traditional cutlery made of silver
8 8. Old black and white portraits of villagers
9. Basketry made traditionally
10. Almost all villagers have ducks and chicken
at home

to envy you, their thoughts of envy will

bring about the ‘evil eye’ and begin to
bring misfortune into your life.
With their authentic local products,
9 these villages are the perfect place
to sample the local gastronomy. We
tried baking flaounes, the traditional
cheese-filled pastry prepared for Easter
by the Christian Orthodox. It is also a
traditional pastry consumed by Muslim
Turkish Cypriots during Ramadan.
The owner of the cafe says the
photograph is of his grandparents and
family - they are wearing traditional
dresses. People here live simple but
peaceful lives. Most of the villagers say
that they would never like to migrate to
10 cities for all the gold in the world.

July-August 2018 India Outbound 51

5 THINGS TO DO

ROTTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS

THE COUNTRY'S NEW COOL CAPITAL
Although Rotterdam is built on trade, it has great museums and art
galleries with many Dutch architectural gems that have enriched its
landscape. Being the second largest city of the Netherlands, it offers
a plethora of attractions in architecture, interesting parks and spaces,
art, shopping and food, making this large port city worth a trip.

Smiti Nandi

Landscape of Museums, Art & Trade and Transport

Architectural Delight

After the Second World War, the rebuilt modern

architectural gems of Rotterdam include
buildings with incredible cantilevers thrusting
out in all directions - like a game of architectural
misfits. The Wilhelminakade along river Meuse
is a famous pier in Rotterdam, which has the
latest sustainable techniques and designs. De
Rotterdam, a 44-storey building was awarded
the ‘best tall building in Europe’ in 2014.
Euromast, the highest tower in Rotterdam,
with its 100m height is great for abseiling.
Rotterdam’s city hall in Coolsingel expresses
the history of the port of Rotterdam through
several sculptures and images. The cube houses
with their 45-degree asymmetric, tilted, cube
roofs, which were designed by Piet Blom, make
for an interesting experience. The Boijmans
Van Beuningen Museum, one of the top art
museums, in Museumpark displays field of arts,
designs and a collection of drawings of Dutch
and European art.
Being the hub of trade and transport,
Rotterdam Transport Company runs buses,
trams, and metros. Rental taxis and bikes are
also an economical way to roam around the city.
One can travel for a day in EUR 7, EUR 10.50
for two days and EUR 14 for three days. Being
a port city, water based transports like taxis,
buses, and ferries offer quick services. On World
Port Days, September 7- 9, Rotterdammers
pay homage to their port, with boat parades,
fireworks, naval activities, ship tours,
demonstrations, exhibitions and celebrate at
trendy bars. Cruise Ship ‘De Rotterdam’ is the
‘Grande Dame’ of Rotterdam that signifies
Dutch craftsmanship and is the biggest
passenger ship that gives a complete tour of
Rotterdam. One can experience the authentic
real-life impression of life aboard ship by visiting
the bow, bridge, wheelhouse, sports decks,
cards room, radio room and captain’s cabin.

52 India Outbound July-August 2018

 5 THINGS TO DO

Dutch Tulips & Windmills

More than seven million tulip bulbs bloom in the months of

April and May at Keukenhof lies in Lisse, between Amsterdam
and the Hauge. The largest spring flower park has a
mesmerising collection of blooming tulips, daffodils, orchids,
hyacinths, roses, irises, lilies, etc. These 32 hectares of land is
also a great source of herbs. Rotterdam is also known for its
historic Dutch windmills. One of the most iconic attractions
in the Netherlands is a windmill in a polder. Kinderdijk, a
village east of Rotterdam has 19 mills that were built in 1740
having a complex water management system including dykes,
reservoirs and pumping stations.

Shop Till You Drop Food Safari in Rotterdam

Rotterdam offers great places to go

shopping - from high-end luxury goods to
local crafts and souvenirs. The Nieuwe Markt
and Meent are famous markets that start
close to Central Station and lead to the Dam
Square. It is occupied by shops dedicated
to clothing, sportswear, music and gift
shops. The Oude Binnenweg and Nieuwe
Binnenweg offer antiques, old record
stores, fashion boutiques, interior design
stores, cafés and restaurants. The streets
Van Oldenbarneveldtstraat and Witte de
Withstraat have shops like Van Dijk and
SHPPR that offer high-end fashion, while
the shopping mall De Bijenkorf provides
an exceptional shopping experience. The
Alexandrium is one of the best shopping
areas, while Blaak Markt is an excellent
street shopping site for clothes, food and
wonderful displays of flowers.
Rotterdam’s culinary scene is as diverse as the
city itself. Discover Spanish, French, Italian,
Chinese and even Surinamese cuisine at
Markthal, which is considered to be the holy
ground for food in Rotterdam. Markthal is
the first indoor food market in Holland with
impressive interiors, 96 fresh produce units, 15
food shops and eight restaurants. The market
attracts 4.5-7 million visitors a year. The recent
revival of farmers’ market Fenix Food Factory
in Katendrecht celebrates the efforts of local
producers of vegetables, cheese, cider, craft
beer, etc. One can enjoy artisanal food and drinks
like beer from Kaapse Brouwers, cheese from
Booij Kaasmakers, meat from Firma Bijten, bread
from Jordy’s Bakery and fruits and vegetables
from Rechtstreex. Witte de Withstraat, a big
outdoor café terrace, is one of Rotterdam’s
hottest restaurants that use local ingredients to
offer innovative dishes like tomato and cucumber
with roasted tomato foam.

July-August 2018 India Outbound 53

LUXURY
Buenos Aires
An Assorted
Holiday
French and Italian style buildings,
along with colourful streets set Buenos
Aires apart from any other metropolis
around the world. A tango session
at the end of street or a steak party
at another end, further hint at how
exotic and exciting this city really
is and how it can offer an assorted
holiday experience.
Surbhi Kapila
A
diverse country in terms
of landscapes, history,
culture, tradition,
food and modern
offerings, Argentina is an
assortment of a destination in South
America. Its capital Buenos Aires, the
first point of entry into the country,
has an authentic Latin vibe clubbed
with an upbeat rhythm, which flows
through this metropolitan, making it
perfect for various travellers.
Buenos Aires comprises of the
Province and the Autonomous City
of Buenos Aires. Its picture-perfect
old neighbourhoods are dotted
with romantic restaurants and the
city boasts of a thumping nightlife.
Cafes, bars, and nightclubs in a Latin
environment are a treat, catching the
fancies of tourists with eclectic tastes.
This huge capital is in fact known
for its wide cultural and recreational
offerings, which range from art hubs to
discos and pubs.
"Buenos Aires offers a majestic mix
of elements that will totally consume
you. From my first moment there I felt
an energy that charged me up. The
scenery, luxury hotels, gourmet meals
alongside tango performances, fine
wines and Argentina’s hospitality won
54 India Outbound July-August 2018
me over. Amid all the luxury offerings,
the city's heritage that is evident in
its beautiful architecture, added a
different charm," shares Medha Sampat,
director, Knack Marketing in Mumbai.
An à La Carte Place
"Your mind, your body and your
courage can take you to far off places
in Buenos Aires. Be bold, be innovative
and you will be able to create an
electrifying holiday experience,"
says Sampat. From cultural tours to
clubbing, the city's offerings are all
assorted after all.
For those on a cultural expedition,
Buenos Aires is home to the Teatro
Colon or the Colón Theatre, one of
the most well-known opera houses in
the world. Its history, acoustics and
architectural features share rank with
the likes of Teatro alla Scala in Milan,
the Paris Opera House, Vienna State
Opera, the Royal Opera House in
London, and the Metropolitan Opera
House in New York. It is a place you
can look forward to for a fancy and
glamorous evening. But if you are casual
in style, small experimental theatres -
most of them located on Corrientes
Avenue - are a great option. There are
over 280 theatres, more than in any
other city around the world, offering
everything from musicals to ballet and
comedy to circuses.
Part of the city's cultural and
modern offerings also include old
bookstores and new cultural centres;
museums and art galleries; handicraft
fairs and modern shopping centres;
historical coffee houses and bars
featuring tango and milonga shows;
discos and pubs with international
music; multi-cuisine restaurants;
casinos; and venues to witness the
most passionate of football games.
Most football fans throng to The
La Bombonera stadium. The stadium
is famous for its unusual ‘D’ shape and
steep sides, giving it great acoustics.
Of course, trips to stadiums to watch
matches can be very lively and exciting.
However, if you are not a sports
enthusiast and would rather spend a
day strolling and shopping about, head
to La Boca.
Buenos Aires' open-air ‘museum’,
the La Boca is famous for its brightly
coloured houses and tango. You can
stroll about the place on your own
or opt for a walking tour. La Boca
is an ideal place to visit during the
day and have lunch in the pleasant
surroundings. For a more thrilling and
 LUXURY

(Clockwise from left): The Congressional Plaza; Recoleta Cemetery; The D-shaped football stadium; People performing tango; San Telmo Market

eccentric experience however, head to tango lessons at some cafes, making for
Shopping: Whether it’s quality
the Recoleta Cemetery! a jolly start to one's evening. This can
leather goods, bargain antiques
As odd as it might come across, the be followed by grand dinners coupled
or souvenir football shirts, there is
Recoleta Cemetery is a popular tourist with Malbec or Bonarda wine at the
no shortage of shopping options
spot in Buenos Aires, attracting visitors tanguerías (tango houses). In Buenos
in Buenos Aires. San Telmo is the
from all over the world, who come here Aires, dinner is late and so is bedtime.
best for antiques, souvenirs and
to understand the local cultural norms After dinner (often ending after
vintage clothing and Palermo Soho
and photograph its architecturally midnight) people head out for a drink,
for the latest trends in fashion and
creative tombs! and then hit the nightclubs around
furniture design. Retiro is ideal
For those who would like to keep 3:00am.
for quality leather products while
it typically touristy, other than the Palermo is the city’s trendiest
Recoleta for high-end boutique
traditional and culturally significant gastronomic centre, but one can find
and malls. The other main shopping
spots, a glimpse of the various more traditional cafes and eateries
areas are: Florida Street and Santa
monuments can be an enticing and in the central neighbourhoods and
Fe Avenue, among others.
knowledgeable experience. San Telmo; with more high-end and
Quick getaways near Buenos
Tourists often head to La Casa contemporary options in Recoleta and
Aires: For a countryside experience,
Rosada or the Pink House. It is the Puerto Madero. Grilled steaks are a
visit the estancias - large cattle
executive mansion and office of the speciality and you can find parrilla or a
ranches. A famous town for such a
President of Argentina and is famous steakhouse in practically every corner.
visit is San Antonio de Arco, which is
for its Presidential balcony. Palacio del
around 120kms from Buenos Aires
Congreso, the Palace of the Argentine How to Reach
and can be reached by road within
National Congress is another political
two hours. You can travel via the Middle East or the
monument worth seeing. Built in a
About 25kms from Buenos European carriers. Direct flights from New
neoclassical style, largely made of white
Aires is Tigre, a laid-back city on an Delhi and Mumbai head to the capital city of
marble with elaborately furnished
island in the Paraná River Delta. Argentina.
interiors, it is crowned by a bronze
Its surrounding delta region is a Commute: Buenos Aires is designed in a grid
plated dome, now weathered down to a format or blocks, making it easy to get around
popular weekend getaway and can
green colour. and find one's way even on foot! Bicycle lanes
be easily reached by bus or train.
and pedestrian walkways in the city are a good
The town sits on an island created
Cafe and Culture option. The city has a large public transport
by several small streams and rivers.
It takes two to tango and for a real network of taxis and buses. Locally known as
All along the shoreline are signs
taste of the dance - a trip to Argentina bondis, buses are the cheapest way of getting
of water-related activities such as around Buenos Aires. The underground train
is a must. With this energetic dance
kayaking, wakeboarding, canoeing network subte is the oldest and the quickest way
form, the country has given perhaps
and sculling. People could visit to get around.
its most precious cultural asset to the
the naval museum, which has a
world. Regarded as one of the most
sensual dance forms, bustling with
collection of model ships, dine by Where to stay
the riverside, or rent a boat and
energy, tango can be enjoyed and even There are over 480 hotels ranging from B&Bs to
cruise the private canals.
learned by visitors. Tourists can take luxury hotels.

July-August 2018 India Outbound 55

OFFBEAT
 OFFBEAT

Dresden, Saxony
A Trip Down Museum Lane
Historically speaking, Saxony was perhaps one of the wealthiest states in
Germany before the Second World War, while Dresden was the richest city
and centre for art and culture. There are hundreds of museums in Dresden,
but during our visit we found that some of the museums were out of the
ordinary, which helped us understand Saxonians better.

Text & photos:

Nisha Jha & Vasudevan Raghavachari

W
e are not museum
people per se.
However, during our
100 days in Europe we
had our fair share of
museums. Hidden amongst them were
a few museums that are unique in their
own way and quite unusual.
Saxony, Germany, is often called,
amongst other things, the ‘museum
state’ and more lately the ‘state of the
arts’! There are hundreds of museums
catering to various types of arts, like
painting, sculptures, music and so on.
Fact of the matter is, visits to
these unique museums give you a
better understanding of the life and
culture of Saxonians, then and now,
than the usual museums.
Glashütte Original Watch Factory and
Museum
If Saxony had not gone the
communist way, the Swiss watch
companies would have faced a
tough competition from Glashütte,
a small town in Saxony where every
household was a watch factory - such
was the workmanship of Glashütte
watchmakers.
During the communist era, however,
the watch makers were forced to
produce low cost, assembly-like
watches for the masses and slowly
their quality, aesthetics and originality
suffered. Multiple companies were
merged to form a single entity to
further enforce common socialistic
objectives.
Only after unification in the early
nineties watchmaking was privatised.
And thus, Glashütte Original was born.
We were greeted with gongs
from a grand grandfather clock,
when we entered the museum that
looked like a mansion from outside
but used to be the school for
watchmakers. We were awed by
rooms after rooms, floors after floors
of watches and clocks of exquisite
designs right from their humble

July-August 2018 India Outbound 57

OFFBEAT
Clockwise from top left: The German Watch Museum; The Museum of Military History; Stasi Prison; Terra Mineralia Museum; The Nutcracker Toy Museum;
Ore Mountain Museum
beginning in 1843 to the current times.
Glashütte also started attracting
young apprentices to learn the skills
of watchmaking. In WW2 it was largely
unaffected until the end of war, when
it was bombed with extensive damage
to life and property. If not for the grit
of the people, the watchmaking here
would have been a thing of past. They
decided to manufacture every little
part here itself, thus controlling cost
and improving quality.
Our guide Seema Prakash says,
while we watch an expert watchmaker
at work, the Glashütte watches are now
regaining much of its lost glory and
the museum bears a testimony to the
difficult times. Even the watchmaking
school is very much operational.
The Nutcracker and the Toy Museum
& Seiffen
A nutcracker, the size of a cottage,
welcomes us with his large jaw ready
to crack open the largest of the
nuts when we enter the gates of
Nussknacker Museum (the nutcracker
museum) in the small town of
Neuhausen a few minutes from Seiffen.
Though huge, his expression is cheerful
58 India Outbound July-August 2018
Saxony, the ‘museum
state’ hosts hundreds
of museums catering
to arts like painting,
sculptures, music, etc.
bordering on comic.
The Seiffener Volkskunst (folk art) is
even more spectacular. Apart from the
ubiquitous nutcrackers of all sizes, there
is a plethora of other toys and figurines,
like the pyramids (with a fan on top),
smoker, angels, miners and the intricate
wood chip trees. The lively workshop
was full of artisans chipping, turning,
cutting and painting hundreds of toys
every day.
The Spielzeugmuseum or the toy
museum has over 5,000 exhibits, like
a toy replica of Noah’s Ark (with 300
animals), a carousel, doll houses and
so many other beautiful things. It is
said that Ore Mountain region or the
Erzgebirge, as it is called in Germany,
is the birthplace of the nutcracker
and other wooden toys. In particular,
the town of Seiffen looks like it is
celebrating Christmas all year-round.
Most houses are adorned with
the Seiffen wooden creation of the
angel and the miner, depicting the
local ethos.
Once upon a time there used to be
a thriving silver and tin mining industry
near the town of Seiffen. Seiffen also
had a rich Christmas tradition and the
miners used to create wooden toys
as hobby. In due course, around 400
years back, mining industry died but
the miners converted their hobby into
a profession of manufacturing wooden
toys as Christmas presents.
Ore Mountain Open Air Museum
Erzgebirgisches Freilicht museum,
as it is called in German, is an open sky
museum with a collection of replica
houses from the ore mountains region,
dating back to a couple of centuries.
There are houses of blacksmiths,
weavers, farmers with their
granaries and for each house there
is information on how they lived,
their tools of trade, vessels, etc.,
tracing the history of the region. In
some of the houses, there were live
artisans showing their skills. We again
saw wooden toy making in one of the

smaller wooden-shingled cottages.
There is also a small model showing
how hydro-power was used in many
of the farming activities. When
electricity became available, a small
sub-station was built on one of the
taller structures as well. Advent of
electricity ensured the development
progressed faster.
We would say we had a lot of fun
here getting in and out of cottages
and enjoying the fine weather outside
in the fields. The air had instantly
renewed our energy.
Freiberg Minerals and Crystals
Museum
As we went through the main gates
of Freudenstein Castle, in the mining
town of Freiberg, our respective jaws
would not close when we entered
the Terra Mineralia Museum. Room
after room was filled with the rarest
collection of gem stones, minerals and
meteorites of every imaginable colour
and shape and a few unimaginable
ones too. The collection is divided into
halls in terms of continents. Out of
the 3,500 plus exhibits over 1,400 are
from Asia.
This fascinating journey through
treasures of the Earth is made possible
because of the passion and drive of Dr
HC Erika Pohl-Ströher. While collecting
gems and minerals was her interest
during younger years, she took to
serious collecting for the last 60 years
or so and built up an inventory of
around 90,000 specimens. During her
time, she ensured that young minds
would get involved in this discovery
through various educational and
research programmes. Her collection
has been permanently loaned to the
state of Saxony.
Stasi Museum
This is indeed the memory of darkest
period of Germany after WW2. In an
unflattering cuboid building, not too far
from Elbe River was the State Security
Remand Prison, of the erstwhile
German Democratic Republic (GDR),
abbreviated to Stasi.
One of the primary activities of Stasi
was to spy on its own people by turning
citizens against other citizens, by
coercion, threats and so on. There were
Stasi officers posted in major factories
to report any underground activities.
Every apartment block had a Stasi
officer posing as a tenant and reporting
back the activities of the other tenants.
Any rebellion or protests were dealt
with covert and overt measures.
Stasi prison was used to hold the
citizens accused of the so-called
crime against the nation, which was
in reality a protest against German
communist party.
It is in exactly the same condition
as it was then, a grim reminder of that
period. All the records are exactly
as it was and anyone interested in
researching lost citizens are provided
help to find them. A look around the
holding prison, with the interrogation
room, judgment room and other areas
gave us goosebumps.
At the time of German unification,
there were more than 90,000
employees and 180,000 citizen
informants! At one point it was said that
there was one informer to 6.5 citizens.
Museum of Military History
This museum is different from other
OFFBEAT
war museums as it hardly eulogises war
and the military. There are no latest
missiles or tanks showing the might of
the German army. In fact, it is quite the
contrary. It has captured all the ills of
war and its impact on the people. Even
the building is slightly redesigned so
that you can now see a gigantic wedge
plunged into the building, denoting
how wars cast a permanent wedge into
the social fabric.
A word of advice: this museum is
huge and would take more than half
a day.
SAXONY
Museums
SAXONY
Stasi Museum Museum of Military History
Glashütte Museum
Freiberg Minerals & Crystals Museum
The Nutcracker & the Toy
Museum & Seiffen
Ore Mountain
Open Air Museum
How to Reach
The best way is to fly Lufthansa Airlines to
Frankfurt or Munich and then take a local flight
or train to Dresden, which could be a base for
further explorations.
Indians require the Schengen Visa from the
German Embassy or Consulate situated in major
Indian cities.
Where to Stay
Dresden offers accommodation options for all
budgets - from hostels to luxurious hotels.
Amedia Plaza in the heart of the old city of
Dresden is one of the best value for money
hotels, especially known for its location.
Radisson Blu and Hilton are other top hotels
that may be considered. Melia and Best Western
offer great mid-priced segment hotels.
July-August 2018 India Outbound 59
TRAVEL ACCESSORIES

Fashionable Travel
Clubbing Style with Utility
In an age when journals are maintained on Instagram/blogs and not in
notebooks, travelling well is associated with not just exotic locations but also
looking good in them. For a fashionable travel that does not compromise on
comfort, here are some items.
Surbhi Kapila

Convertible Bags
While travelling, packing all your
bags in a suitcase might not be
the best option as they might
occupy a lot of space. Having an all
purpose bag can be a great idea.
There are aplenty of international
brands selling convertible bags
online. Clever in design, they look
smart with leather and denim
being some materials they are
available in. You can convert a tote
into a backpack, a backpack into
a cross body and so on. So, log in
and find your perfect match!
Price: INR 1,200 onwards

Well-Stocked Toiletry Cases

Even though washrooms in
hotels come stocked with basic
toiletries, a number of essentials
are still required to maintain
one’s look and style. Sunscreens,
make-up and even fabric cleaners,
are the latest essentials. Not to
mention the fact that different
Multipurpose Apparel
climates require different types
It can get cold on to the road,
of products. Items like fabric
and of course in the flight. An
cleaners, satin solutions, crease
apparel that works as a cozy
removers, stain removers, etc.,
blanket and a stylish shawl
come in handy to maintain a
or poncho then becomes an
photo-worthy look. For these
essential. Hybrid apparels
reasons, a toiletry case that will
are an online fad, and an item
help you carry more products
of utility to look into. There
while also being organised, is
are also reversible dresses,
essential.
jackets, pants and even socks!
Price: INR 500 onwards
Price: INR 1,500 onwards

60 India Outbound July-August 2018

 TRAVEL ACCESSORIES

Shoe Organisers
Walking shoes for outdoors, slippers for
lounging, stilettos for parties, we are
only talking essential footwear here. A
fashionista might have a longer list. Carrying
and organising pairs of shoes can be a
problem while travelling but one cannot
afford to not have the right shoes for the
right outfits. An organiser comes in handy
while travelling or driving to distant places.
Price: INR 500 onwards

Walking Shoes
Shoes need to be comfortable but they
should definitely not be boring. Many
shoe brands are now offering some
of the most creative footwear, with
designs inspired from destinations to
art, among other things of interest.
Imagine a Caribbean inspired pair of
shoes with tropical settings printed
Slip Dresses and Slippers on it! However, if you'd rather go for
Easy, stylish and comfortable, a slip something plain yet happening and
dress is a must have. You can have one funky, try some trendy colours like
for the beach and one for a fancy, night millennial pink and cadmium yellow.
out. Doesn't matter what body type you
Price: INR 4,500 onwards
are, a slip dress is a good choice for a
holiday. Slippers for footwear are another
wearable item of solace, and if you're
hooked to the idea of being fancy along
with feeling at ease, faux fur slippers are
the trend to follow. They work well for
outdoors and even laidback lounging.
Price: INR 1,000 onwards

Eye Masks
Eye masks are highly
recommended for long
journeys. Your options could
range from a 3D eye mask to a
silk one, depending on whether
you are looking for utility or
style. A 3D mask doesn’t just
gives the comfort that ordinary
ones don't, it is also specially
designed to prevent dark-circles.
A silk eye mask on the other
hand lets one make a fashion
statement, even while sleeping!
Price: INR 500 onwards
Vintage Suitcases
For those who wish to travel in style, a
vintage style suitcase can be a requirement.
Although an actual old bag would not be a
feasible or durable idea, suitcases inspired
from old travelling styles is what we are
talking about. In metal and leather casings,
vintage inspired suitcases are in vogue.
Although a classic tan brown is unlikely to
go out of trend, designers have also come
up with other quirky and colourful options
to choose from.
Price: INR 2,000 onwards

July-August 2018 India Outbound 61

BOOK REVIEW
The Tao of Travel
Title: Atlas of an Anxious Man
Author: Christoph Ransmayr
Pages: 337
Price: INR 599
Publisher: Seagull Books
ISBN: 9780857426314
62 India Outbound July-August 2018
K V Priya
I
t is not uncommon for us to
fall back on travel guidebooks
that offer detailed information
required for travelling to certain
destinations. This is often followed
by other nitty-gritty pertaining to
lodging and dining options as well.
Then there are travelogues that
vividly describe vacation and travel
experiences.
However, there are a few
extraordinary writers for whom travel
is not just a holiday. They are the
ones who have taken travelogue to
higher realms of literature. Atlas of an
Anxious Man by Christoph Ransmayr
falls under this category.
Before we explore the book, it is
pertinent to mention that Ransmayr
was recently in the news when his
work, The Flying Mountain found a
place in the long list of Man Booker
International Prize this year. This
global prize celebrates the finest
works of translated fiction from
around the world.
Austrian writer, Ransmayr, who
writes in German, has several books
to his credit. Notable among them are
The Terrors of Ice and Darkness (1991)
and The Dog King (1997). He has won
several literary awards, including the
Franz Kafka Prize (1995) the Bertolt
Brecht Literature Prize (2004) the
Prix du Meilleur Livre Étranger (Best
Foreign Book Prize) (2015).
Spread over 70 chapters, the author
takes readers on an unforgettable
journey across the globe with each
piece. All the stories in the Atlas are
exclusively about places the author has
lived in or visited or travelled to, and
about the people he had met; people
who helped, protected, threatened,
rescued or loved him. The 337 pages
of the volume transport readers from
the shadows of Java’s volcanoes to the
rapids of rivers Mekong and Danube;
from the drift ice of the Arctic Circle to
the Himalayan passes, right on to the
disenchanted Islands of the Pacific.
Each episode begins with an
observation. For instance, in the
chapter about his visit to China,
he writes: “I saw a distant figure in
front of a tumbledown watchtower
on that almost 9,000 kilometres
defensive wall known in the land of
its makers, as Wanli Chang Cheng - the
‘unbelievably Long Wall’ - but which
the rest of mankind calls the Great
Wall of China,” or “I saw a stream
of hundreds and hundreds of silver
salmon against the currents through
barely ankle-deep river water one
radiant October day, in the Canadian
province of Ontario”.
Such a description in the opening
sentence of the chapter grips the
readers’ attention and holds it till the
end, engaging them in the places,
characters and emotions mentioned.
His observations are honest when
he meets a man studying songbirds
in China or when he describes the
bullfights of Spain or when he
explores the life and death of salmon
in Canada.
Crafted with the skill of a fine
short-story writer, each episode is
composed on a set of memories that
take him to far reaches, off the beaten
track, to locations accessed on foot, or
by bicycle, assorted boats, tour buses,
rental vehicles and more. He explores
history, lifts his telescope to the
heavens, and encounters politically
tense environments. Yet, no two
entries are the same.
There are more reasons than
one for the success of the literary
cartography of Atlas. The vivid
descriptions by the author - be it of
plants or insects, trees or stars or the
histories of places, have added spice
to the stories. More significantly,
Ransmayr’s translator, Simon Pare
- who translated the Flying Mountain-
has done a great job of translating
Atlas from German to English, in terms
of mood and treatment.
Introducing the book, Ransmayr
writes: “Stories do not occur; they are
told.” There hangs a tale for all of us.
TRENDS

Short-Haul
International Trips
Quick Fix Vacations
Owing to economic air
travel options, direct flights,
favourable visa policies and
more, Indians are now taking
short international trips instead
of travelling domestically.
Arachika Kapoor

E
" very year we wait for summers to
go on a family holiday. Last year we
travelled to Leh (Jammu & Kashmir),
but this time we wanted to make our
trip memorable as the holiday was
especially to celebrate my parents’ 25th wedding
anniversary. We started looking for packages and
in the process came across many international
destinations, and visiting them was almost as
economical as holidaying in India. So, we visited
Pattaya and Bangkok (Thailand) for a week,” says
Yuvan Kumar, a VFX student in New Delhi.
Known for its beaches, animal safaris, street
food and the famous marine world, Thailand is one

More and more Indians are travelling to international destinations in Asia for quick getaways – like Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Singapore, etc.

64 India Outbound July-August 2018


of the best pocket-friendly international
destinations from India. “Even after
the fact that THB 1 equals around
INR 2.15, the place is full of budget
accommodations, shopping places and
other experiences for Indians. Tuk-tuks
in Thailand are otherwise cheap but in
the tourist areas, they charge more than
double sometimes. So for us, metro was
the best way to commute,” he adds.
Floating markets, scuba diving and
water sports, Pattaya walking street,
and Thailand’s famous som tam (papaya
salad) are some attractions that
are worth an experience when in
the country.
As the sun shines brighter in India, a
trip to the mountains in the country is
one of the first things an average Indian
thinks of during the summer season.
However of late, more and more Indians
are taking their week-long breaks
outside the country, even if it is under
similar weather conditions owing to the
availability of budget accommodations,
discounted air travel, and other factors.
Other than Thailand, another such
place is Singapore. Here you can shop at
both local and international stores along
Orchard Road, or enjoy some musical
trees in Gardens by the Bay. According to
the latest Hotel Price Index (HPI), Indian
travellers are repeatedly travelling to
short-haul destinations in the Asia Pacific
region, especially to Singapore.
“The hawker centre in Chinatown
is the place to have a meal – it is both
delicious and budget-friendly. We could
buy a complete meal for a little more
than INR 1,000 for three people,” says
Shreya Joshi, who visited Singapore in
June this year.
For a shoestring traveller, the
Mustafa Centre is open 24 hours and
sells everything from groceries and
electronics to gold at good prices. From
its street food and the famous Marina
Bay Sands, to artificially built waterfalls
and flower gardens - Singapore has been
a famous holiday destination for Indians
looking for a quick trip.
Witnessing the rise in Indians
spending on short-haul foreign trips,
airlines are also looking at directly
connecting to these destinations. Low-
cost airline Indigo is working to include
24 international destinations over the
next 17 months. The new routes will
include 18 short-haul destinations in
South-East Asia, China and the Middle
East. Moreover, between March and
October this year, the airline will connect
Indian cities to destinations like Bhutan,
Hong Kong, Kuwait, Malaysia, Bahrain,
Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia (Riyadh) and
the UAE (Abu Dhabi).
Vistara too, is set to start its short-
haul international operations connecting
south Asian destinations and other Asian
destinations that are two-four hours
away followed by ones that are three-
five hours away.
Further, in comparison to flight fares
last year, average international fares
have dropped by around 19 pc. This, plus
additional discounts offered by travel
portals enable travellers
to plan outbound trips even on
smaller budgets.
Famous for being one of the best
backpacking destinations, Sri Lanka is
one such budget-friendly destination.
“We got a six-day package to Sri Lanka
from a travel agency in 2016. From
mountains and forests to beaches, you
can experience these different worlds
within just four hours,” says Gurmehar
Sodhi, a media graduate from New Delhi.
“It sure is light on the pocket.
Travelling on public transport is both fun
and cheap. But for people who can’t do
without Indian food, it’s a little tough.
There’s Sri Lankan food, seafood and
continental everywhere but not Indian,
even in hotels; at least in Kandy, Nuwara
Eliya and Bentota,” she adds.
Another ideal neighbour surrounded
by hilly villages and Buddhist prayer flags
is Nepal - one of the best budget-friendly
international trips for Indians with
the Indian Rupee dominating over the
Nepalese Rupee.
Hostels in places like Kathmandu start
from as low as INR 500 for one night
per person while a 4-star hotel would
also not cost too much – around INR
3,000/night on an average. Nagarkot,
Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Pokhara,
Chitwan National Park, and the gorge of
Seti River, are some of the attractions in
the country. Nepal is also the best bet
if you want cooler temperatures on
a budget.
For the love of shopping and amazing
TRENDS
Off the Beaten Path
Bhutan for Backpackers
Also known as the ‘land of the thunder
dragons’ Bhutan boasts of unexplored
monasteries and mountain views. Though
the country may seem expensive because
of the minimum tariff tourists have to
pay per day, this fee is all-inclusive –
accommodation, food, transport and an
official guide. The best way to experience
the country is either by foot or by road so
don’t forget to pack your walking shoes.
Timeless Charm of Vietnam
Round air trip to the country can cost as
low as INR 15,000 per person, only when
planned at least four months in advance.
Major cities like Hanoi, Nha Trang, Ho Chi
Minh and others host economic hostels,
dormitory rooms and hotels. The best
way to save time and money is to enjoy a
boat cruise besides visiting local markets,
islands and wildlife sanctuaries.
Culturally Diverse Indonesia
Apart from Bali, Indonesia is home to
other rich spectacles as well - Java,
Yogyakarta, Jakarta, Sumatra and more!
Enjoy the many spa treatments, water
sports, volcano trails, and indulge in the
local street food for as little as INR 150 per
meal. When in Indonesia, it is best to visit
selected cities as budget accommodation
can be limited and flying from one island
to another is expensive.
Enjoy Hong Kong’s Skyline
While Hong Kong is generally expensive,
it offers plenty of bargains - eat noodles
and dumplings at the food market for
less than INR 100 at the KwongWa Street,
hike on the Dragon’s back trail, or visit the
Hong Kong Museum of Art (free entry on
Wednesdays). Temple Street Night Market
is one of the best shopping areas – just
say ‘Tai Gwai la’ (it is too expensive), for a
better bargain.
street food, think Malaysia – one of
the major tourist hubs in South-East
Asia. Enjoy a meal along the Singapore
River, day tour to Elephant Orphanage
Sanctuary, visit the Batu Caves and
temple or the Petronas Towers – this
place has everything for each type of
traveller. Just learn some basic words
and phrases, and smile all the time while
visiting these neighbouring countries!
July-August 2018 India Outbound 65
 TRAVEL DIARY

Trails of Tranquillity
A
little less than a month ago I visited what is called
the 'beauty in the heart of Europe', thus ticking off
Switzerland from my bucket list. Surrounded by
beautiful lakes amidst the snow-capped Alps, this
country truly is a timeless beauty.
The broad roads and long tunnels carved out of mountains
made the journey all the more beautiful and it was satiating
to enjoy the breeze that blows across the face as we made
our way to a beautiful town called Engelberg, situated on the
foot of Mount Titlis.
There surely can be no better way to start a day than
to wake up to the sound of church bells and to the view of
the sun rising on the mountain top just from your room.
Just when I was content to my heart of seeing my dream not to exert ourselves because of the altitude difference. Not
destination, little did I know that I was yet to cover Jungfrau - only does the Jungfraujoch has a spectacular view but it also
the top of Europe. has much to see indoors as well.
Jungfraujoch is a glacial pass between the Jungfrau The excursions on the top can surely take your breath
mountain and the Monch mountain around the great Aletsch away. Here are some of the features to look out for:
glacier making it a UNESCO world natural heritage site. It • Sphinx terrace, which is a viewing platform of the
is the highest train station in Europe at 3,454 metres with largest glacier of Europe - the Aletsch glacier. The lift
surreal view and experiences of the alpine region. that takes tourists to the mesmerising view is
Our trip began as we boarded the cogwheel train from Switzerland’s fastest lift.
Grindelwald Grund, a popular railway station for tourists • Snow fun is where you can actually ski and do all sorts
wanting to reach Jungfraujoch to Kleine Scheidegg. On our of activities with snowboard, zip line or cable car on the
way to Kleine Scheidegg, we were treated to the view of the Altesch glacier.
snow-capped mountains of the alpine region from the wide • Alpine sensation presents light and music of the past and
windows of our train. As we arrived at Kleine Scheidegg, present journey of Jungfrau tourism and the efforts of
everything was covered in snow. constructing Jungfrau railways.
We finally boarded the Jungfrau train and began our final • Ice palace is the best experience I have ever had - even
ascent to Jungfraujoch. We were handed over Jungfrau the floors are made of ice, which were a little slippery
railway passports, which we can stamp and keep as a souvenir with the temperature in glacial ice cave around -2 degree
of setting foot on the highest point of Europe. As the train Celsius. The entire cave is carved out of ice from the
goes in the tunnel through the mountains, you can hear very mountains and so are all the animal figurines like eagles,
soft bells ringing in the train, and it goes very slowly so as to penguins, etc.
acclimatise the body to the height of the mountain and the • Glacier plateau is where you actually fall in love with the
difference in oxygen pressure. The train makes two stops on place and get to play with the snow. It is all the more
the way - one at Eiger (2,685m) and then at Eismeer (3,010m) exciting for people who hardly get to see snow. The
to take pictures through windows. snowfall came to us like a cherry on the cake.
After a 45-minute train journey we reach Jungfrau where
the snow crunches under the feet and it feels like a different Riddhi Roy, is a passionate traveller and Operations
world altogether. We had been advised to walk slowly and Manager in a Kolkata-based travel company

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