Gokarna is a small temple town in Coastal Karnataka with serene, idyllic beaches.
Here is a short guide to experience the languid beauty of Gokarna.
Take a stroll on the beach, watch your dog frolic in the sand and eat the waves!
Comb the beach for unique sea shells, marvel at your treasure, pack them away.
Stay in Eco-friendly huts that complement the untouched beauty of this fishing hamlet.
Spot the dolphins, watch the sunset, wish upon a star.
Lily and Hopie Stockman have brought together centuries-old textile printing techniques and modern Californian aesthete to create Block Shop Textiles.
Here is a peek into the beautiful process –
Lily and Hopie’s designs are hand carved onto Sisam wood blocks by master carvers in Bagru. The fabric is prepared for printing by being soaked in a bath of harda, a natural mordant from the myrobalan nut, which helps the natural dyes bind to the fibers of the fabric.
A master printer dips the wooden printing block in a dye tray, then stamps the block on the fabric with a hard pound of the fist. This will be repeated from left to right, aligning the blocks perfectly by eye from years of experience.
The printed fabric fashioned into scarves or pillows are hung from roofs in the communal drying field and left to fix in the sun for up to three days. They are then boiled in a large copper pot in a bath of alum and dried flowers for softness and colorfastness.
Shop their collection of scarves and pillows here.
Art of Nature is a colouring book containing vintage botanical prints.
It’s such an easy activity – all you need to do is add colour and the pages come alive. Each of the pages are perforated, so the best can always be preserved as framed art.
Be sure to take your copy along on your vacation!
YSL’s ‘Baby Doll’ Mascara is quite worthy of it’s cult status. A single stroke is enough to make your eyes appear bigger and give them a doe-like appearance. It’s so effective that at times this is all the make-up you will need.
Try it and let me know what you think!
Dine at Thalassa – Order greek wine and gaze at the beautiful expanse of ocean while you wait for the chef to prepare your ‘grilled fish for the day’.
Antiquing at ‘Casa Popular’ – Rummage through Casa Popular’s prized collection of old postcards and vintage stamps.
Climb a Hill at Vagator – Let the sweet smell of fresh grass fill your senses while you hike to the summit to see more of the beloved ocean.
Catch the Golden Light – Plonk yourself in the ocean and watch a magical sunset unfold.
Mysore, the erstwhile capital of Karnataka is a well-planned city with wide, clean roads, expansive gardens and stunning colonial architecture.
Places to see
Mysore Palace – The beauty of the illuminated Amba Vilas Palace in Dasara is beyond compare; All the beautiful streets of Mysore lead to the Palace and are decorated to form a capricious canopy of lights.
Kukkarahalli Lake – Located close to Mysore University, Kukkarahalli lake was created in 1864 by Krishnaraja Wadiyar to provide irrigation for land beyond the city. The lake is a treat for birdwatchers, over 176 birds migrate to the lake for a winter roost.
Place to stay
La Villa – Created by Patrice Avossa and Magoo Bourgoin, a former artist at Yves Saint Laurent, Paris – La Villa is an elegant bungalow in the midst of a well-loved garden and the place to stay when in Mysore.
Places to eat
The Old House – All the wood-fired oven pizzas on the menu are delicious and are a must-have. Watch the turtle swim in the pond while you wait for your pizza.
Just Gelato – The proprietors of the gelateria have learnt the craft in Italy and bring you rich, creamy, flavourful gelato in unique flavours. Do not forget to pack flaxseed chocolate brownies for the road.
Lalith Mahal Palace – The stunning baroque dining room is a treat to the senses, as is the delicious Dasara Thali. You can also partake in afternoon tea and explore the lovely garden.
The Green Hotel – The former Chittaranjan palace built for Mysore princesses is now a not-for-profit, eco-conscious hotel. The staff are wonderful and justly complement the understated charm. A wonderful place for breakfast, the rich aroma of freshly baked bread greets you as you walk in.
Places to shop
KSIC Mysore Silk – Resplendent Mysore silk sarees are woven with pure gold/silver and make wonderful keepsakes.
Oriental Arts – This antique store is a wonderful place to buy lithographs and fine china.
Would you like to know the unique essence of Mysore? Here is a hint.
It is also the perfect time to enjoy delicious and fiery Goan cuisine in traditional Goan establishments.
Places to Eat
The Best Beaches
Two Forts and a Church
Places to Shop
Don’t forget your sunscreen!
I visited the Jurong Bird Park and found it deserted, except for the beautiful birds and their caretakers. Enjoying the surprising calm and wary of the setting sun, I hurried along to take in as much as I could in the pouring rain.
Trudging along the rainforest, close to the spectacular 100-ft Jurong waterfall, I heard a voice saying ‘Hello’. I turned around and there was no one; I moved along even faster!
Then I noticed a beautiful black bird following my path; He would swoop ahead of me and I would hear a ‘Hello’.
I skeptically greeted him back and there it was again, a ‘Hello’ from the bird himself. Having made my acquaintance, he accompanied me around – hovering to match my pace, allowed me to feed him a papaya and even take his pictures while he peered curiously at me.
It was a magical afternoon and one I won’t forget too soon.
P.S. Thanks to David of Incidental Naturalist, I now know that my feathered friend is a ‘Hill Mynah’.
If you are interested to know more about the birds in the region, take a look at this beautifully illustrated guide – Birds of Southeast Asia.
Nyambura 