BEWITCHED BY HAMPI

Before arriving in India, Hampi had been on my bucket list for a while…but, I couldn’t tell you why. For some unknown reason, it was one of the few places I could name in India. Perhaps I’d heard wonderful whispers about Hampi without really taking them in. While I knew I wanted to visit this mysterious place, I didn’t have a clue what made it special. So, as Ben and I approached this tourist Mecca, I tucked into some research. Here are a few insights which caught my attention:

• Hampi, which means “champion”, is located within the infamous ruins of Vijayanagara, the former capital of the Vijayanagara Empire.
• The ruins are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Hampi formed one of the core areas of the Vijayanagara Empire from 1343 to 1565. It was chosen because of its strategic location, bounded by the torrential Tungabhadra River on one side and surrounded by defensible hills on its other three sides.
• Hampi continues to be a significant historical, architectural and religious site. It’s home to many notable Hindu temples, some of which are still active places of worship.
• The extant monuments of Vijayanagara (or Hampi) can be divided into Religious, Civil and Military buildings.
• While most of the monuments in Hampi are from the Vijayanagara period, a small proportion have been assigned to pre-Vijayanagara times. The first historical settlements in Hampi date back to 1CE!

While these insights were certainly fascinating, it wasn’t until Ben and I arrived in Hampi that we understood why it was a major pit stop on the traveller circuit. We were spellbound from the moment we laid eyes on the mars-like landscape. It was so different to anything we’d seen before – a sea of giant boulders perched precariously over miles of undulated terrain, their rusty hues offset by zesty green palm groves, banana plantations and paddy fields. A perfect azure sky, peppered with fluffy white Simpson’s clouds, enhanced the epic atmosphere. The forlorn ruins seemed scattered across Hampi’s dramatic scenery, their former beauty still glimmering through the harsh destruction of time.

Before long, Ben and I had lost ourselves to the ancient relics. With only a half day available to explore Hampi, we stuck to the area’s main attractions, including the Vittala Temple and its iconic stone chariot, market corridors and musical pillars. Wandering through the mammoth temple entrance, we were transported to a bygone era. It’s ornate walls oozed secrets from the past – the architecture was mesmerising.

As Ben and I wrapped up our time in Hampi and started our journey to Goa, we watched the legendary landscape fly past our car windows in distracted silence. It was amazing to see how millions of years of volcanic activity and erosion could result in a beautifully bewitching backdrop. If only we’d had time to linger a little longer.

REVIEW: BEGNAS LAKE RESORT

How would you describe it? Elegant, tranquil, picturesque, refreshing and impeccable.

Who’d love it? Couples and honeymooners, burnt-out corporates, creatives, and less budget-conscious hikers. It’s the perfect hideaway for those needing to recharge their batteries or enjoy a little privacy.

How were the rooms? They were perfectly plush, but in an understated way. Jumping into bed was like diving onto a soft, white marshmallow – sooooo comfy! The bathrooms were beautifully modern and spacious, with a free-standing bathtub awaiting lovers or weary-bodied travellers. The private balcony was the highlight for me – I was happy to ensconce myself in the outdoor reading chair and look out over Begnas Lake and the ice-capped Annapurna Mountains.

How was the food? Divine. It took a while to reach the table, but for good reason. The in-house chef obviously cared about the quality and presentation of his food. Everything that came out of the kitchen was delicious, hearty and vibrant. I especially loved the brioche style rolls and chocolate scrolls – I actually swore when I bit into them for the first time!

What was the vibe like? SO relaxing. Everything was just perfect. The grounds were masterfully manicured, the rooms were spacious and luxurious, the staff were attentive and friendly, the view was truly decadent…Begnas Lake Resort felt like heaven on earth. Tucked away from the hustle and bustle of central Pokhara, it was seriously peaceful and revitalising.

How was the service? Pretty faultless. The smiley staff were always happy to help…even when it came to carting our hefty bags up the brutal, never-ending staircase leading to the main road.

What were the highlights? The location and the view. It really is the perfect place to get away from it all – stress, chaos, urban junk, pollution, unhealthy distractions, demanding people etc. Located around 20-minutes away from central Pokhara, you feel completely removed from the hustle and bustle. The resort rests on the back of a lush hill, which has its toes in Begnas Lake and its eyes on the Himalayas. The closeness to nature is hard to beat. When the heat of the day kicks in, its a perfect chance to unleash your inner child and jump into the lake.

What’s different about the place? You can either arrive like a royal by boat or like an adventurer by forest track. Both options are pretty cool. The canoe ride is an unforgettable experience, as Begnas Lake is a beautiful sight to behold (especially with the Annapurna Mountains in the background). The trek down the mighty cobblestone staircase is also picturesque, with dense greenery surrounding you from every angle…though the climb back up is a little brutal!

How would you rate the overall experience? 9 out of 10 chocolate scrolls.

Resort Details:
Sundari Danda, Begnas Lake, Pokhara, Nepal
Tel: (+977-61) 560030, 560070, 693304
Email (sales office): begnasresort@fewamail.com.np
www.begnaslakeresort.com

SIMPLE ROOFTOP WORKOUT FOR HAPPY TRAVELLERS

I’m often asked what I miss most about home. Strangely enough, it’s the thing I resented most before I left home – routine. But, after four straight months of living out of a suitcase and travelling between cities, I’m craving structure. Why? Because it’s so much easier to foster a healthy lifestyle when you’re surroundings and schedule are stable.

Finding time and a safe space to exercise can be a serious challenge for travellers, especially in crowded cities (hitting the pavement in Mumbai while thousands of curious locals watch on isn’t an attractive option!). After a while, not getting your heart rate up can leave you feeling lethargic and downright miserable.

A few weeks ago, I found myself in that exact physical and mental space; unfit and unmotivated. So, I recruited my hyper-energetic husband and favourite workout apps to help me get my mojo back. Here’s how I maintain my basic fitness and inject a whole lot of positive energy into my travel life. I hope these tips help you feel happy and healthy, too!

#1. Find a secluded rooftop

Whenever I move into a new hotel, I ask the staff if I can use their open-air rooftop for my workouts. At sunrise and sunset, there’s no place I’d rather be. Hotel rooftops tend to have spectacular views of a city, especially if they’re located in the heart of the action. This means you can enjoy a private workout with an inspiring outlook and take awesome pics when you’re done.

#2. Get a skipping rope

Skipping is one of the best forms of exercise for travellers. Not only is it one of the most efficient cardio sports, burning a lot of calories in a short amount of time, it also improves your balance and tones your legs, arms and core. Plus, the equipment needed is uber portable – perfect for those of us with a little wanderlust. My hubby made me a skipping rope out of some spare chord we had in our Land Rover. If you’re not into DIY, you can buy one off eBAY for around $5.

#3. Download the right Apps

Two FREE apps have been my lifeline to health and well-being while travelling. The first is the internationally acclaimed 7-Minute Workout app. Not a day goes by when I can’t spend seven minutes on my own health. As long as I have a wall and step nearby, I have no excuses not to do a 7-Minute Workout. If I can’t access a rooftop, the exercises can be performed in my hotel room (using the bed for step ups and tricep dips).

I also love this app because it talks me through the whole circuit like a PT and forces me to keep up an energetic pace with its countdowns. When I started using this app, my posture and technique were pretty off. But, after watching the demo videos, I was able to go about things the right way and get the most out of my workouts.

My second favourite fitness app is Simply Yoga. I usually opt for the 20-minute workout but there are lots of options depending on how much time you can spare. Like the 7-Minute Workout, this app teaches you how to correct your posture and technique with video tutorials. It also helps you time your poses so your body reaps the maximum benefits from your yoga session.

#4. Workout!

For me, 100-200 jumps with a skipping rope, one round of the 7-Minute Workout plus and a 20-minute yoga session are enough to keep me feeling happy and healthy. I can handle 30 minutes of exercise a day. If you’re a fit freak of nature like my husband, tackle 2-3 sets of the 7-Minute Workout (see video below) along with the skipping and yoga. This will take around 45 minutes and leave you feeling truly spent.

HAPPY DAY 9 // WANDERING THE STREETS OF BANGKOK

I loved today. The past 24 hours have seen me hop from one hotel to another, and explore the high-energy streets of Bangkok in between. I believe there’s no better way to see this city than by foot. There’s so much going on, any other mode of transport moves too quickly to take the layers, stories and thrills in.

Before hitting the pavement and having all of my senses assaulted, I enjoyed a quick “holiday from my holiday”. Staying at Sathorn Grace was a welcome change from camping in Colonel Mustard. The rooftop pool was heaven – I bathed, baked and let my brain drift amongst the digital pages of a Grisham novel. It was my perfect escape.

Next, it was time to get lost in the urban jungle. I was free to roam the streets of Sathorn at my leisure and take pictures along the way. The chaos, grit and grime were mesmerising and strangely beautiful. I think I’d be happy living here for many years. My mind would thrive amongst the relentless stimulus. From the endless street food strips to the people living on the street, there’s so much to try and understand. It’s bloody fascinating!

Once the afternoon arrived, it was time to catch up with two beautiful strangers: Richard and Dennis. These design gurus founded the custom motorcycle brand “Half Caste Creations”. Needless to say, their bikes have made it on to my inspiration board. Fingers crossed that Law of Attraction stuff works. I need one of these babies in my life! If Steve Jobs had gone into motorcycles, he’d have put Richard and Dennis on his design team. The 90-minute, 10km journey to meet them was totally worthy the angst.

Finally, it was time live in the lap of luxury at the Shangri-La Hotel. Yeeeeooooow! The moment I walked under its crystal chandeliers, past the perfectly dressed staff, through to the regal reception desk, I knew my time here was going to be memorable. The staff welcomed Ben and me with traditional Thai wreaths. They were meticulously handcrafted so we could put them on our pillows and let the gentle aromas help us drift off to sleep. And, now it’s time to put them to the test. Somehow, I think I’m going to find my perfect pillow!

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ROOM WITH A VIEW

I kicked off my day with the usual ritual. Eyes shut tight; I puffed my pillow, rolled across the bed, stretched my sleepy limbs and then let out an epic unladylike yawn. As I opened my eyes to welcome the day, I had to do a double take. There, at the end of my marshmallow-soft bed, was the best view in Kuala Lumpur. Wow. I’d forgotten how beautiful it was.

Ben and I were staying at the Traders Hotel right in the heart of the city. A beacon of luxury, it sits smack bang in front of the Petronas Twin Towers like a mum watching over her precious twins. I felt as though I could literally reach out and hug them. It was hard not feel a bit buzzy and start jumping around the room like a teenager. The view was utterly ridiculous.

This got me thinking, why is it that so many people choose to stay at Traders Hotel because it has the best views in town? Why does a spectacular outlook make human beings feel so alive and happy?

I guess, for some, a room with a view gives them a sense of superior social status. They get to look down on the world from a literal pedestal and remove themselves from the masses. For me, though, it does the exact opposite. Gazing out at the world of activity before me, I feel more connected to the community. The lights, buildings, levels, streets, cars, people and urban drama…they make me feel like I’m not alone.

But, back on to our view of the Petronas Twin Towers more specifically. I loved it because it excited me about life’s possibilities and our capacity for innovation as humans. It’s hard to believe we can actually dream up something so mammoth, complex and beautiful and then turn it into architectural reality. How wonderful!

Finally, sitting nestled above the world, I loved our room with a view because it made me feel calm. The breathtaking outlook successfully distracted me from the stress and fatigue I felt at ground level. I was away from the hustle and bustle, I was relaxing amongst the clouds, but I was still able to watch the world below. Bliss.

So, thank you Traders Hotel for letting us stay a while and soak up your one-of-a-kind view. Much to our delight, it was practically perving on us from every part of the building.

To stay at Traders Hotel or find out more, click here.