Orissa Delights

Places to Stay

Toshali Sands, Puri

One of the very few resort style hotels in the state, spread across 30 acres of beautiful greenery and its own private beach. In one of its 50 cottages, you can sit on your private verandah and smell the roses in your exclusive garden.

By the Sea, Puri

Tel (06752) 250 571 -3

Z Hotel, Puri

The only hotel from Orissa to be featured in the Lonely Planet’s list of top Indian Hotels. With ornate décor, arched corridors and green lawns, this hotel is full of old world charm, and famous for its personalized service and superb food.

On Chakrateertha Road,

Tel (06572) 222 554

Forest Resthouse, Simlipal

In the deep recesses of the Simlipal forests this rest hosue may not offer five star luxuries, but its location more than makes up for it. Nestling amidst tall trees, the wonders of the Simlipal forest is at your doorstep here.

Contact the Field Director, Simlipal Tiger Reserve, Baripada.

Tel (06792) 252 593

Must Try Eats in Orissa

Dalma

Made out of pulses, various kinds of vegetables such as pumpkins, egg plant and cauliflower and spiced with ginger and panch phoron( special spice powder that is mix of aniseed, fenugreek, two types of cumin and mustard). Dalma is regularly eaten at typical Oriya households.

Try Dalma at Dalma, asimple small eatery in Old Bhubaneshwar.

Desserts

If you are the one with a sweet tooth, don’t miss these: Chhennapoda , a caramelized custard like preparation; Rasaballi made of milk.; Pithas, Pancakes made of coconuts, lentils and jaggery; Kalakand a grainy sweet made of condensed milk; the ubiquitous Rasagulla.

Widely available in Restaurants in the bigger cities.

Must Visit Places in Orrisa

Chandipur Beach

The only place that one can literally walk out to the sea and remain alive. Twice everyday, when the tide ebbs, it takes the sea away with it. The waters recede almost 5 kms from the beach, leaving behind a trail of shells, red starfish, driftwood and other small treasures… A Beachcomber’s Paradise.

16 Kms from Balasore in North Orissa.

Bhitar Kanitka

Of the many wildlife sanctuaries and botanical gardens in Orissa, perhaps the most scenic and interesting is Bhitar Kanitka, the second largest compact mangrove ecosystem in India. Actually a group of tiny islands formed by meandering creeks, this National Park extends over 600 Sq Kms. Known for its bio diversity in flora and fauna, it has more than 60 varieties of mangrove plants as well as wide variety of rare and endangered species which make for a stunning sight.

175 Kms from Bhubaneshwar via Bhadrak.

Magical Meghalaya

Special Places to Stay

Orchid Lake Resort, Umiam

Designed by Charles Correa, this resort offers both accommodation and water sports facilities. Set in peaceful surroundings and the Lam Nehru Park known for its aviary and orchid centre is right next door.

17 Kms from Shillong.

Tel (0364) 257 0258/0296

Tripura Castle Royal Heritage

Treat yourself to the first heritage hotel in the North east, situated over 9 acres of sprawling forest. Each room has wood interiors, a brass fireplace. Along with the regular 5 star amenities, check out the renowned Therapy Centre offering holistic and indigenous herbal treatments.

Cleve Colony, Shillong

Tel (0364) 250 1111/ 1149

Hotel Pinewood, Shillong

For the budget traveler, the state run Hotel Pinewood is a great choice. Wake up in the morning to the sound of gentle temple bells next door ; and take a short walk down the street to find yourself in the midst of a bustling bazaar that sells just about everything.

Rita Road, Shillong

Tel (0364) 222 3146/3116

Must Visits in Meghalaya

Krem Kotasati Umalawan Cave

Dark, spooky, damp but full of adventure. Ualawan in Lumshnong village is the largest of the state’s 1000 identified and recorded caves. It is also the largest cave in the entire sub-continent with a surveyed length of 21.5 Kms, which would keep any enthusiastic caver busy. It has 24 horizontal and vertical entrances, there are several dangerous and intresting passages, clausterphoia inducing crawls, tricky climb and even an 11 metre waterfall. Watch your steps.

60 Kms from Jowal.

Living Root Bridges

Nowhere else in the world will you see living tree roots pulled across rivers and streams to make bridges that are surprisingly strong. The Living Root Bridge at Tyrna Village near Laitkynsew is actually a whooping Double Decker bridge measuring 59 ft and 84 ft in length. To see it, you will need to go on a tough trek for about 90 minutes, but it will be worth the aching muscles you nurse later, for it is a wondrous sight. There are other such bridges in the area as well, some of which have taken more than a century to grow.

Slight Diversion form the Shillong- Cherrapunjee Route

Sikkim the Shangri-La

Places to Stay

Martam Village Resort

Fringed by a colorful tangle of flowering plants, the 14 thatched cottages in east Sikkim’s Martam Village Resort feature large picture windows that overlook the terraced valley and the sweep of the forested mountains. Rooms are airy with bamboo furnishings and tiled floors. Cosy restaurant and bar.

Martam is 5 Kms from Rumtek; about an hour’s drive from Gangtok.

Tel (03592) 203 314

Sonam Palgey

The best hotel in Lachung valley, primarily because of its dramatic location by a waterfall overlooking the valley. It offers 10 basic but pleasant and comfortable rooms, and the restaurant serves tasty local food.

www.Sonampalgey.com

Bamboo Resort

Set on 3 acres of paddy fields in the farming village of Sajong, just half hour from Gangtok. All 10 rooms are color themed according to the Feng Shui principles. And afford panoramic views of the Himalayas. The resort prides itself on its eco friendly policies, and the restaurant serves organic vegetables (including preparations containing orchids, ferns and nettles ). Or you coul tuck into ppizza from a wood –fired oven. Relax in the meditation room, rejuvenate yourself with a herbal bath or go biking or hiking.

www.bambooresort.com

Eats and Drinks

Chhang

No visit is complete without a tumbler of chhang, the popular local eer made of fermented millet. The potent brew is traditionally sipped through a bamboo pipe from a long bamboo container called TONGBA. Although chhang is the unofficial national drink, it is not “officially available”. Ask around discretely though, and you will find that every second stall stocks it.

Ningro

A fern that grows in the mountains, its tendrils are delicious when sautéed with chhurpi. A household staple, ningro chhurpi is not widely available in restaurants, but if you choose a home stay you can usually sample it.

Liqueurs

The liqueurs produced by the Sikkim Distilleries are delicious and make great gifts. Go for old favourites like Crème De Menthe, or try spicy innovations like Ginger and Cardamom.

Available at most large Liquor Stores.

Flower and Nettle Specialities

When spring comes to the hills and the flowers are in full bloom, Sikkimese cooks throw then in soup pots, stir fry them in woks or preserve them in pickle jars. Try the soup made of nettles, bamboo shoots and mushrooms, or go for soucha, a nettle dish, in which the leaves are minced with meat. To experience a bouquet of flowers, ask for barhey, a concoction of rice and pickled rhododendrons or orchids. For such dishes, best look at the small stalls in rural areas, such as the ones near Khecheolpari Lake in Yuksom. In Gangtok, the restaurant at the family run Hotel Netuk House is a good bet.

Hotel Netuk House, Tibet Road, Gangtok.

Tel (03592) 22374.

Blue Sheep Restaurant

MG Marg has a bunch of restaurants serving popular Sikkimese dishes. One of the best eateries here is the Blue Sheep, which serves Chinese style Sikkimese specialties. Start with the GYAKHO, a nutritious soup that, at its most royal can use up to 108 ingredients. Follow up with some crisp chili beef fry.

On MG Marg, above the Sikkim Tourist Information Centre.

Tel (03592) 229 028

Momos and Noodles

Of the countless places all over; the steaming momos and the convenient one dish meal thupka are irresistible and yummy.

Must Do Activities

Sikkim from the Air

Rise above the snowy peaks and find a vantage point in the sky. Thanks to Sikkim’s helicopter service, you can enjoy the spectacle of clouds floating in and out of trails, waterfalls plunging into bottomless valleys and close up views of the tallest mountains. Choose from circuits such as the 20 minutes flight over Gangtok, the 90 minute K2 Special and an hour long sweep over Western Sikkim.

Book thorugh the Sikkim Tourist Information Centre, Gangtok.

Tel (03592) 221 634.