Goa Sightseeing

 

Great News! Goa Tourism recently launched for the first time Hop On Hop Off Goa Sightseeing Bus. HOHO bus has always been the best way to See the places in Goa and world over

We had the fortune to take the ride of these buses and hence today we are sharing our first hand experience of Goa Tour with these buses.

Basic Information about the buses 

There are 2 types of buses single decker and double decker.
Both the buses have open section to enjoy the open view experience. See the images below.

The buses come with WiFi, GPS, Audio Video Entertainment System

Places Covered:

Pick Up Points:

Experience the Awesome culinary delight Dilli-Ke-Pakwan with NDMC's  Food Festival 



So what are you waiting for! Scroll down to take a mesmerizing peak into the variety of Authentic Delhi food, ranging from Lip Smacking Street Food to Royal Biryanis.


The festival spans over seven delicious days from 23rd till the 30th December 2016.





Once again Dilli-Ke-Pakwan will showcase Delhi’s best street food from Chandni Chowk and restaurants, chefs, produce, growers, entertainers and musicians.


The #FoodFestival will be filled for the duration with exclusive fine dining experiences, plethora of trendy and stand-alone restaurants, market stalls offering food to buy and food to eat, fun & free events, and plenty of live entertainment.

Delhi is a good place to be in October this year. Diwali, the Festival of Lights, falls on the last weekend of the month. It is holiday season, having started with Dussehra and Durga Puja in the first week, schools are closed and people are in the mood for celebrations.


The date of Diwali changes each year as the day it is celebrated is calculated according to the position of the moon and the Hindu lunar calendar.This year, Diwali falls on Sunday October 30th.

The Diwali Celebrations kick off with Dhanteras on 28th October. It is a celebration dedicated to wealth. Lakshmi Puja is performed in the evening and people traditionally buy gold and silver and also new kitchen utensils on this day. Homes are cleaned and readied to welcome the Goddess of Wealth, the Goddess Lakshmi, into their homes. The entrance of the houses are decorated with flowers, diyas, rangolis and this year the Shubh Muhurat for Dhanteras Puja 2016 is 17:47 to 18:20 for duration of 33 minutes.



The next day is Choti Diwali (Little Diwali). Rangoli is created in doorways and courtyards, diyas are lit and people start bursting crackers from this day itself.

Diwali is celebrated all-over India.It is the ‘Festival of Lights’ and is celebrated joyously all-over the country. It is also the festival of wealth and prosperity. The legends behind the festival are many but common to all is the theme of Victory of Good over Evil. The most popular one is about the demon Narkasura who managed to acquire such awesome powers that he began to terrorize the three worlds. His defeat and death at the hands of Krishna is celebrated as Diwali.

The third and main day is Diwali. Diyas and candles are lit and fireworks are burst everywhere, giving Diwali its name the ‘Festival of Lights’. Families gather together and perform the Lakshmi Puja in the evening and exchange gifts and sweets.The Lakshmi-Ganesh puja is the most important ritual of the Diwali festival. This puja is performed in homes, shops and offices to seek the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi and the God Ganesha for wealth, prosperity and happiness. Many people start the new business year at Diwali.

Large firework displays are held which celebrate one of the legends of the ‘Ramayana’, the story of Rama and his wife Sita. The fireworks signify Rama’s return to his kingdom after being exiled for 14 years and defeating the evil demon King Ravana, who had kidnapped Sita.

Diwali is a celebration and explosion of light…colour… food and noise!

Leading up to Diwali there are fairs, food festivals, art exhibitions, cultural programmes, sightseeing tours happening in Delhi this October. Yesterday I explored Delhi via the HOHO Hop-on-Hop-off Bus Service. Today I am going to visit as many of these events as possible … it is a cultural bonanza I do not wish to miss! There is no better way to celebrate the festival than to be part of these wonderful gatherings that are full of light, happiness and fun. So, once again, carrying my camera and bottle of water I set off on my second day Tour of Delhi.  At this time of the year, I would recommend to dress in light comfortable clothes.

I have made a list of the events that seem the most attractive and ……The most convenient way aroundDelhi will be on the HOHO Hop-on-Hop-off Bus. These are a few that I plan to visit:

Morning Fiesta at the Hauz Khas Village, South Delhi.

Starting early in the morning, this was my first stop while waiting for the Walk to begin. Strolled around the beautiful fort (entry is free) and wandered around the lake, a very pretty and popular site. One can have a nice relaxing morning here, enjoy the ancient sight from Moghul times and wander through this area of hip and funky boutiques and lunch or dine at one of the fantastic restaurants.



This heritage walk takes one through the history of the HauzKhas… how FerozshahTughlaq saved it from encroachment, why it was chosen to be the site of the largest Islamic seminary in the 14th century and learn about the final resting place of Sultan Feroz Shah Tughlaq and other interesting information.

 Date:  27th October to 31st October 2016
Time: 7.30 a.m.
Location : HauzKhas Village, Block C 2, Ansari Nagar East, Sri Aurobindo Marg, Delhi, NCR    110016.
Tickets: Rs.2500/-

The Mega Dilli Mela

There is the DilliHaat Diwali Mela. There are plenty of options here, from apparel and imitation jewellery to curios for the home.  A wide variety of diyas, lanterns, handicrafts and decorative items make for great Diwali gifts. I will spend some time here as I will need to explore all the stalls!


Location: DilliHaat, Pitampura, Near T.V. Tower
Date: 26-27 October
Time: 10am onwards
Entry: Rs 20 for adults and Rs 10 for children

The Diwali Mela held by the Blind Relief Association is also now in full swing. This year, along with the pretty diyas and artsy fengshui items, there are handicrafts from Kutch, paper products and lots of unique home decor items on sale. The Diwali mela is also a hit for its food stalls that offer pan-Indian cuisines.
Location: Blind School Relief Association, Lal Bahadur Shastri Marg, Near Oberoi Hotel
Date/Time: 21 – 27 October; 10 am-8 pm
Entry: Free

Qutub Festival

The Archeological Survey of India has been dedicating a lot of effort in resurrecting this monument to its former glory. As a part of the revival process, there is a three day festival called the Qutub Festival that is being held in Delhi in October.



The Qutub Festival is held on the premises of the Qutab Minar complex. It is organized by Delhi Tourism. Artists and performers from different parts of the country gather to perform on the occasion. Qutub Minar is a festival to celebrate the splendor and magnificence of the Minar and showcase its past glory and majesty to the world.

One of the main focuses of the Qutub Festival is the attention it gets, both national and international. The cultural events and shows are held against the historical backdrop of the QutubMinar. There areperformances by folk musicians and classical musicians as a part of the celebrations. The three days of nonstop music and dance brings back to life this illuminated ancient structure. The Qutub Festival is organized jointly by the Delhi Tourism and Transport Development Corporation and the Sahitya Kala Parishad. There are also a number of regional food stalls that are set up at the premises serving the local cuisines of Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and the north eastern states.

EXHIBITION ‘Diwali Artmart’

This is a contemporary art fair being held at Palika Park, Connaught Place from22nd to 25th October 2016.



Time : 11:00 am - 8:00 pm Exhibition on View
Entry : Free
Venue : Palika Park, Connaught Place, New Delhi - 110001
Landmark : opposite Regal Cinema
Venue Info : Map | Nearest Metro Station - 'Rajiv Chowk' (Yellow Line and Blue Line)
Area : Connaught Place (CP)

Event Description : New Delhi Municipal Council in support with Studio 55 Art Gallery presents ‘Diwali Artmart’ a contemporary art fair.

Walk Back in history at Lodhi Gardens
Opposite MausamBhawan: Delhi

Lodhi Colony, South Delhi

The Lodhi Gardens is close to Connaught Place. On this Walk you will discover the city of Domes (Gumbad) and the emancipitation of the daughters of the Lodh’s who mastered both Sanskrit and Persian and made arrangements for the education of their slaves.Learn how the Lodhis purchased the starving city, why they exalted meritorious people even if they were prisoners and cracked down upon blind faith and official corruption. Explore the Supreme Court established by the Lodhis where all were assured of fair justice. How musician had to competeto sing in the royal court of theLodhis. The monuments covered in the Walk are the Tomb of SikandarLodhi, Sheesh Gumbad, Tomb of Mohammad Shah, Bara Gumbad and Mosque. A camera is a must! Carry water and dress light.



Location: Opposite MausamBhawan: Delhi,
Near Gate 1, Lodhi Road, Delhi, NCR 110003, India
Dates: 26th to 31st October 2016
Time: 5:30PM
Tickets: Rs.2500/-

Patangbazi (Kite flying) and Hi-Tea By Haveli Dharampura, Delhi

Fly kites at the rooftop of Haveli Dharampura along with Hi-tea. It is breathtakingly beautiful to look at the sky covered with colorful kites from the Haveli rooftop, especially when a cool breeze takes them higher.

Date: From Sun, 23 Oct 2016 + more dates
Time: 4:00p.m.
Tickets: Rs 1290

Phool Walon ki Sair

The PhoolWalonkiSair is a traditional fair, literally a festival of flower-sellers, which is held in Mehrauli in South Delhi, every year from September to October. During the festival, floral tributes are offered at the dargah of the Saint and the Yogmaya temple. There are performances by Kathak dancers, qawalis, kite –flying and wrestling. Fire dancers lead a large procession across the streets carrying flower pankhas made of palm leaves decorated with flowers.  The walk shares stories behind the festival. The walk is through the landmarks of Mehrauli village … one of which is an empty grave meant for the last Mughal Emperor!



Dates: 25/10/2016 to 03/11/2016
Time: 8.00 a.m.
Duration: 3 hours
Charges: Rs.500/-

Meeting Point: McDonalds, Chandni Chowk.
For Sherpa contact details after booking your tour, call or text +91-9643982934.

The heritage walk of Old Delhi and Chandni Chowk is to make travellers experience the cultural heart of Delhi, Chandni Chowk. a distinct cultural location every 10 meters. One goes through the largest wholesale market in India, passes religious sites, historical monuments and food joints that ace delicacies like DahiBhalla, AaloTikki, KuhladdLassi, Jalebi, Paranthas and sumptuous Mughlai food.

The Chandni Chowk heritage walk begins at the central point of the city, Red Fort.
You then embark on a religious immersion walk for about 300 meters where you will cross the religious institutions of Jains, Hindus, Sikhs, Muslims, and Christians all adjacent to each other representing India's religious harmony. you will move on to the famous Paranthewaali Galli and NatrajDahiBhallewala to try out their fried paranthas, aloo tikki, and dahibhalle.

You will then explore 2 prominent old-school Havelis in the region, one a poet's refuge and the other the largest Haveli of Old Delhi. Meandering through the lanes you will finally reach the Jama Masjid, India's largest mosque, and you will climb up to one of the minarets to get a bird's eye view of Old Delhi on this Old Delhi Heritage Walk. The tour culminates with some much needed Pet Pooja (A ceremony for the stomach!) as you devour renowned Mughlai cuisine. Thank you for your time and patience on this SeekSherpa Old Delhi Heritage Walk!

Suited for:
The tour is suited for people of all age groups and fields. Its a treat for photographers, history lovers, foodies and the renegades who wish to do Chandni Chowk unconventionally.

Notes:
- People in sleeveless clothes and shorts are not allowed inside Jama Masjid. The Masjid also doesnt allow women inside after sunset. The Minaret at the Masjid closes sometime before the sunset. Equally good food for vegetarians and non vegetarians at the Matia Mahal street. Galibki Haveli is only open till 6 PM.
- The travelers are advised to carry approximately INR 600 for the tour if they plan on trying all the delicacies. If a traveler wants to carry a professional camera/mobile phone camera inside Jama Masjid, then its a INR 300 charge that the authorities levy.

Inclusions
- Sherpa Fee

Host Info:
Sherpa Sidharth

Who is he?
He is pursuing my bachelors in English Literature from Hindu College, University of Delhi. Being an army man's son, he has lived in more than 8 cities and brought the myriad cultural knowledge to the fore during his Old Delhi walks.

Why him?
Nothing is better than travelling with a history lover and foodie who does it the untold way.

Languages spoken by Sherpa
English and Hindi
Food and Heritage Walk of Chandni Chowk

In Chandni Chowk, many call it the cultural heart of India, there is a cultural location every few yards. One passes through religious sites, historical monuments, and the largest wholesale market in India and food joints that serve up delicacies such as dahibhallas, parathas, lassi, jalebis and awesome Mughlai food!

The Chandni Chowk heritage walk which begins at the central point of the city, Red Fort, is an amazing experience and a treat for photographers, history lovers, foodies and bloggers!

Explore 2 prominent old-school Havelis in the region, one a poet's refuge and the other the largest Haveli of Old Delhi. Meandering through the lanes we finally reach the Jama Masjid, India's largest mosque and climb up to one of the minarets to get a bird's eye view of Old Delhi.

Experience a sound and light show like no other at the UNESCO World-Heritage-listed Red Fort and bear witness to the history of Delhi’s Mughal Empire. Some 300 years of history is showcased using special effects and colorful animation. Music and storytelling combine with this visual wonder creating an unique experience.

People in sleeveless clothes and shorts are not allowed inside Jama Masjid. The Masjid also doesnt allow women inside after sunset. The Minaret at the Masjid closes sometime before the sunset.

Location: Chandni Chowk, Central Delhi
Date: 28th October 2016
Time: 5.00 p.m.

In the evening I had planned to celebrate Diwali by visiting a local temple. Upon my arrival I saw the temple has been decorated with colorful lights and flowers, given as offerings for the deities by the locals who had offered their prayers at the temple today. Inside, the evening ‘Aarti’ was being performed by the temple priest. Later I found a lovely restaurant where sitting outside I could see the sky lighting up as the Nation came together to celebrate Diwali, the Festival of Light! On my way back all the buildings, homes, shops dazzlingly lit up with multi-colored fairy lights!

Whether your travel is for leisure or business purposes, Delhi is dotted with decent budget hotels for which you will get the best value for your money on accommodation. From themed hotels, budget hotels, boutique hotels and so on, Delhi has it all. Whether in Central Delhi or in South Delhi, HOHO bus stops in these places and hotels in these areas are easily accessible due to excellent metro connectivity wherever may be the place of your stay.

Themed Hotels in Delhi

1) Just opposite New Delhi railway station there is a hotel called 'Bloomrooms' which is one of the top few themed hotels of the city. The theme of the hotel is yellow shades and lines on a white background. This theme gives the hotel a beautiful appearance. Rooms though not very large are really fantastic. They are clean and have very comfortable beds. To get a good view it is advisable to select rooms on the top floors. A value for money hotel with nice and friendly staff deserves a high praise. The address is Arakashan road, opposite New Delhi railway station, New Delhi-110055.



2) Another reputed themed hotel is 'Shanti Home’. Situated not very far from the airport and just 5 minutes away from a metro station in a decent residential area' with pleasant and attentive staff this clean and beautifully decorated hotel is really a home away from home. This hotel has a rooftop restaurant which creates awesome dishes for breakfast, lunch and dinner. You can also enjoy excellent ayurvedic massages done in the hotel if you feel like having one. Bollywood themed rooms are available here which are pleasant, comfortable and competitively priced.



3) The 'Radisson Blu' hotel of Paschim vihar is another good themed hotel worth visiting. A lovely hotel, its color theme is beautifully done and is a huge draw. It has big rooms with all modern amenities and comfortable beds as well. The staff being helpful and attentive and a breakfast with wide choices make a stay here memorable. The hotel also has a great pool and spa and is clean. The theme and the look of the hotel is uniformly maintained which makes it an attractive destination for stay. It is there at District centre, Paschim Vihar, New Delhi-110063

Budget Hotels in Delhi

1) The first budget hotel that you can probably consider is called 'Metropolis Tourist Home' which is located in Paharganj and is a huge hit even with the foreigners. A 30 year old hotel it absolutely corroborates the fact that a budget hotel should cater to travelers on a shoe-string budget. Three types of rooms i.e. standard, deluxe and luxury are available and the well designed rooms have everything including LCD TVs, refrigerators and electronic lockers together with separate smoking areas and special balconies. The location is easily reachable through the HOHO route. It is located at Main Bazaar, Paharganj, New Delhi-110055.



2) Another good budget hotel is 'Hotel Malik Continental'. Just five kilometers away from the airport the hotel offers complimentary breakfast. It also arranges shuttle services to the airport as well as to the nearby shopping centers which are aplenty with Vasant Kunj's popular shopping malls only a short distance away. Services like travel ticket assistance, 24 hour help desk and currency exchange are offered as standard personalized services in this hotel. All rooms come with flat-screen TVs, mini bars and electric kettles and free Wi-Fi. It is located at Masoodpur main road, Vasantkunj New Delhi-110070.



3) The next hotel that we will look at is called 'Hotel Kabli'. This hotel built in 1947 has successfully kept its old world charm and architecture intact. You are offered all basic amenities like refrigerator, TV, air conditioning and internet connection in here. It is known for its big rooms, open verandah, gardens and open spaces. Services like car rental and 24-hour taxi are also offered. It is situated at Masjid roadf , Jangpura, New Delhi-110014. Again reaching the place through a HOHO bus route is no big deal.



4) The next frill free establishment meant for backpackers and budget travelers in our list is 'Hotel Sun International’. Located at Arakashan road, Paharganj New Delhi-110055 the hotel has 64 rooms on offer having 4 categories. They are Standard, budget, deluxe and family rooms. The usual amenities like air conditioner, TV, refrigerator and Wi-fi connectivity are all present. The hotel has a good multi cuisine restaurant in spite of many well known food joints being available in the vicinity.

Boutique Hotels in Delhi

1) Trying to find out boutique hotels we set our sight first on a hotel called 'The Rose’. This hotel emanates warmth and comfort from the word go. Loud Indian colors together with a lot of white which have been used here make the hotel and its rooms appear very bright. The rooms are spacious too and the construction makes it appear like a bungalow. All the three meals are offered in its in-house cafe and they are delicious. Services like free Wi-Fi in all rooms, luggage storage, 24 hour front desk facilities make the hotel a class of its own. You will find it at Hauz Khas village, Delhi-110016.

                                                            
2) Another boutique hotel in this chic neighborhood of Hauz Khas and located at Hauz Khas Enclave, New Delhi-110016 is 'Haveli Hauz Khas'. The small hotel is charming and intimate in its own way. A plethora of antique furnishings and generous doses of vibrant colors greet you inside, which instantly makes you feel the warmth and coziness of the place. The nice desk staffs will help you out with your day trips, car rentals etc. Indian, Chinese and regional dishes are available at the restaurant inside. Your request for in-room dining will also be pleasantly complied with. You can find an interconnected HOHO stop somewhere in the vicinity or through a mesh of efficient metro services available sightseeing can be planned.



3) Situated at Friend's colony (West) New Delhi-110065 you will encounter another lovely boutique hotel called 'Mantra Amaltas'. The hotel exhibits neutral colors and has spacious air-conditioned rooms together with wooden flooring.LCD TVs with satellite channels and coffee makers are available in the rooms. You will get complimentary American breakfast, a private dining room and in-room dining facilities here. The hotel is convenient for business travelers due to its proximity to commercial zones like Nehru place and Okhla industrial area. A place like this will obviously be accessible through HOHO's network combined with metro services needless to say.



A comfortable stay at any of the hotels and sightseeing with HOHO will definitely make your visit to Delhi highly enjoyable.