CONVERGENCE NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2016

Travel
LAS ALPUJARRAS,
GRANADA, SPAIN
Forget Barcelona and the crowd. Head
on over to the south of Spain to the
province of Granada which infamously
houses the Moorish fortress Alhambra.
However, we recommend a trip to
the lesser-known region within Sierra
Nevada’s southern slopes known as Las
Alpujarras. Green and fertile all year
round with melting snow from the Sierra
Nevada peaks, the landscape here is
dotted with olive groves, ecological
farms and Berber houses. Why should
you visit this place locked in time, except
for houses peppered with TV satellite
dishes? It’s small, steeped in culture and
history, has a population that is both
charming and humble and Lanjarón,
one of the biggest towns in the area
is famed for its natural spring water.
Looking into history, Las Alpujarras
was the last stronghold of the Moors
or Spanish Muslims, who sought refuge
in the region after the Reyes Católicos
(Catholic monarchs) conquered Granada
in 1492. Today, Berber influences remain,
evident in the narrow winding village
streets and the white houses made from
uncut stone. Apart from Lanjarón, the
villages of Pampaneira, Capileira and
Bubión are the most picturesque in
the region. The villages bustle with
artisanal crafts, chocolate shops, wine
bars and restaurants.
TAKE A DRIVE
ALONG YOUR OWN
INNER-STATE
MAHABALIPURAM,
TAMIL NADU, INDIA
Lose yourself in the history of the Pallava
rulers in this ancient city of
Mahabalipuram which portrays a slew
of pagodas, temples, rock carvings and
a giant boulder that defies gravity! Most
of the temples and rock carvings of this
place were built during the reigns of
Narasinha Varman I (AD 630-668) and
Narasinha Varman II (AD 700-728).
Though the initial kings of Pallava
dynasty were followers of Jainism, the
conversion of Mahendra Varman (AD
600-630) to Shaivism led most of the
monuments to be related with Shiva or
Vishnu. Places to visit include the Shore
Temple, a three-in-one abode of god
with a Vishnu temple sandwiched
between two Shiva temples, the Varaha
Cave, a small rock-cut hall which is a
faceted and finished gem with four
panels of the famous Pallava
doorkeepers known as dvarapalas. Also
not to be missed out is Lord Krishna’s
Butter Ball which is believed to be a
chunk of butter dropped by the gods.
The giant boulder appears to be frozen
on the hill it sits on and no one is quite
sure why.
Set your mind free, throw some
favourite CDs into the car,
pack a book for quick or long
reads later and really give yourself
the time to get into it, with no
smartphones or guilt nagging you
to short-circuit your thoughts.
However, no matter where you go,
pull off the road an hour before
hunger strikes to ask anyone on
the street or at the petrol station,
“Where’s a good place to eat
around here?” or stop at a grocer
to round up enough vegetables
and homemade goodies to save
yourself a trip to the supermarket
when you get home. When you
pull over at night, begin a journal,
not just of the day you’ve had but
the life you want. If it worked,
share your inner-journey car trip
with someone you trust and love.
If it didn’t, you need to change
the route!
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