Fah Thai Magazine July/August 2017

HAPPENINGS
INDIA
MUMBAI
HAPPENINGS
MALDIVES
July and August are monsoon months. City folk welcome the relief
from the summer heat, the end of season sales in July and music
celebrating the romance of the rains. This year, work on a new
metro is making it difficult to move around. But Mumbai never lets
anything stop her never-say-die spirit.
MONSOON GETAWAYS
The Sahyadri range of hills come alive in the rains. These are
the months when nature lovers leave the city on day trips to
enjoy the brief season of mists, waterfalls and freshly-washed
green meadows. You could go to villages famous for peacocks
or fireflies or hike to forts and Buddhist caves. If you have more
than a day, it is worth going to the Kaas plateau, which is covered
with carpets of rare flowers between August and September. You
could also stay at a heritage resort in the hill towns of Panchgani,
Matheran or Mahabaleshwar. morachichincholi.com; grassroutes.co.in;
prospect-hotel.com; the-verandah-in-the-forest.neemranahotels.com;
natureindiatour.blogspot.in
SPOTLIGHT
Surf’s Up
The name Four Seasons is
associated with comfort and
luxury. Add surfing to the mix
as a better way to make your
vacation an unforgettable
experience. Learn what a bottom
turn is and maybe execute one
in no time. Pro surfers from
Tropicsurf in Noosa, Australia
will guarantee a fun way to ride
the waves at the Four Seasons
Resort Maldives at Kuda Haraa’s
pristine shores. Various surf
courses are available, from
beginner level to Tropicsurf
“surfari” cruise which promises
a marvellous trip aboard the
luxurious Four Seasons Explorer.
fourseasons.com/maldiveskh
RAINY DAY FARE
Marine Drive, Juhu Beach and the Gateway
of India are the places to go for views of
waves, sometimes eighteen feet high,
lashing the sea walls. Intrepid residents
enjoy walks along the seafront and getting
soaked to the skin.
For the visitor, Soam, just off Marine
Drive is a good place for monsoon comfort
food, while you stay dry. They create a
seasonal menu with ginger tea and assorted
vegetable fritters, including pineapple or
raw mango dipped in chickpea batter. It is a
safe place to experiment with chaat which
are spicy street snacks.
Other Marine Drive restaurants where
you can enjoy a sundowner or a barbecue
while watching dramatic cloudscapes
are Intercontinental - The Dome,
Bayview at Marine Plaza and Pizza by
the Bay. Monsoon-themed food festivals
showcasing corn on the cob, many kinds of
tea and fried snacks (chai
and pakoras) are
usually arranged. The Sea Lounge at
Taj Mahal Hotel is unbeatable for its views
and old-world service. Sizzler festivals
featuring grilled food on steaming sizzler
plates are very popular at this time.
facebook.com/soamrestaurant;
ihg.com; hotelmarineplaza.com/bayview;
pizzabythebay.in; taj.tajhotels.com/en-in/
taj-mahal-palace-mumbai/restaurants/sealounge-restaurant
INDEPENDENCE DAY AT THE MUSEUM
The fifteenth of August is Independence Day and there’s no better
place to check out the origins of the city and its cultural past than a
little jewel box of a museum set in a garden. The 160 year-old
Bhau Daji Lad Museum (previously named the Victoria and Albert)
has a permanent collection of photographs, paintings, sculptures and
lithographs. There are always new events and exhibitions happening
in this newly renovated museum. Check out their calendar or
Facebook page on your travel dates to see what is on offer by
way of workshops, lectures, screenings and theatre performances.
bdlmuseum.org
YOGA BY THE OCEAN
Located on the unspoiled Thaa Atoll, Como Maalifushi boasts a superb natural landscape and
privacy that goes hand-in-hand with its visual feast. As an added bonus, the resort is also well
known for the Como Shambhala Retreat, an award-winning wellness and spa programme.
Trained and experienced experts manage Asian-based therapies, nutrition, exercise and yoga.
The best option, however, is the Como Shambhala Yoga as an ideal way to channel peace
and bring balance to the body and mind with the calming yet stunning view of the sea.
Personal instruction is also available for those who feel the need to explore the benefits of
this ancient discipline and learn beneficial poses. comohotels.com/maalifushi
SWIMMING WITH THE WHALE SHARK
LUX* South Ari Atoll is the answer for those searching for appealing
activities during their holidays. Located on the picturesque island of
Dhidhoofinolhu, LUX* South Ari Atoll offers various water sports and
land activities for adrenaline seeking lovers. Meanwhile, the resort
offers memorable experiences scuba diving at the resort’s 5-Star
PADI IDC Dive Centre. If luck has it, the whale shark – the biggest
fish in the world yet a gentle giant and 4-14 metres in length – may
appear to make the diving experience even more life-defining.
Also enjoy the magnificent marine underworld like the splendidly
colourful reef fish in their natural paradise. luxresorts.com/en/hotelmaldives/luxsouthariatoll
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