Luxury unlimited at the LaLiT Golf & Spa Resort Goa

Luxury means different things to different people. For the connoisseur true luxury begins where the ordinary ends. So the decision of staying at the LaLiT Golf & Spa Resort Goa was prompted by the decision of staying in ultimate luxury.

When I landed at the Goa airport the tarmac was wet as there had been a slight drizzle. By the time I stepped out of the Airport the weather had cleared out. As part of my hotel booking at the The LaLiT Golf & Spa Resort Goa, I had got a complimentary pickup and drop from the airport.

So I sat into the car sent to pick me up by The LaLiT Golf & Spa Resort Goa and thus began my journey of a luxurious and comfortable stay at the LaLiT Golf & Spa Resort Goa.

When I entered the hotel premises it was a sprawling stretch of green as far as the eyes could see. I found well pruned and maintained golf course on one side and I noticed well trimmed shrub foliage used to create beautiful gardensaround the hotel resort structure.

I felt as if I had stepped into a regal estate. I passed through a small pond before the car stopped at the main portico.

I was given a ceremonious welcome with a garland. I was offered a

glass of cool Kokum juice as a welcome drink. It not only quenched my thirst but also

refreshed me.

By the time I finished my welcome drink the Check in in formalities had been

completed and a room had been allotted to me. Even my luggage had been delivered to

my room.

Entering my room I found it to be quite spacious and roomy. It had airconditioning and large windows covered by drapes. Removing the drapes let in the sunlight and my room was drenched in the golden glow of the sun rays that made my room seem even more brighter and lively.

On inspecting my room I noticed the beds to be very comfortable.There was a Tea

and coffee maker in the room and so was a mini bar.The use of Coffee and Tea

maker was free and the supplies were replenished on a daily basis.

The use of Mini bar and the packed snack was on a paid basis.

As part of my welcome gift I got a jar full of Banana Chips and Goa's famous salted cashews.

My room was so located that I could just be on my bed and enjoy the view of the outside from my room itself. However the luxury of staying at a beach resort gets that much more better if it has an exclusive beach to go with it.
I stepped out of my room and passed through a large sprawling garden and a lush

green lawn before I felt the soft beach sand beneath my feet. In front of me was a vast streach of Arabian sea streaching to as far as the eyes could see.

After all I was in South Goa at the luxurious resort The LaLiT Golf & Spa

Resort Goa. And what a sight and feel it was the sun was setting and it felt

like it is gently melting into the Arabian sea turing it into bright orange.

The cool breeze coming from the ocean felt so good. As I entered the waters the sand beneath my feet quivered and ticklishly massaged the sole of my feet. With not a soul around the entire beach was at my disposable.It was indeed an incredible feeling.

Since it would soon be quite dark I thought that I should not venture too deep into the waters as the waves were getting stronger with the passage of time. So Instead of the ocean I headed towards the swimming pool that had a few guests siting and lazing in the light of the setting sun. Others were swimming and having a good time in the pool. I swam a couple of laps and the pleasantly

cool water relieved me of all the stress and strain of travel or rather what was left of it.

However swimming made me very hungry and I headed to explore the food options.

For that evening I chose to eat at Canacona which is a 24 hour multi cuisine restaurant present within the resort and serves a variety of food options ranging from authentic à la carte Goan dishes to Indian, Oriental and Continental specialities. Additionally, there is breakfast, lunch and dinner buffet. The highlight of the restaurant is the open kitchen with a live pizza oven serving thin crust pizzas with choice of toppings.

 Another structure that I had noticed while going to the pool was the brightly lit structure next to the pool. It was called Gazebo

Located adjacent to the swimming pool. It was a Polynesian-themed sunken bar which I was told opens seasonally and it offered

sandwiches,

burgers,

hot dogs,

salads,

a range of mocktails and cocktails. Based on its perfect ambience and quick service I would give it a ten on ten.

I had a couple of friend who had come to meet me and we headed towards Veri Feni, the must go to place in the evenings. The ambience was bright and I noticed the place was decorated with paintings of famous cartoonist Mario Miranda, This place offers a variety of cocktails, wines, beers, spirits, liqueurs and cigars.

We had the option to play a game of pool or cards. If nothing else we could catch some live sporting action at the large TV there.

Next day I had booked my lunch at Sirocco. 

Sirocco is a great place to go for lunch and dinner as the master chef offers some delectable Mediterranean cuisine.

With a view of the Arabian Sea and the swimming pool the food tastes that much better.

A lot of People come to Goa to try their luck at the Casino. Staying at the LaLiT Golf & Spa Resort Goa I had the luxury of stepping out of my room and stepping right into the Casino that is present on the premises itself.

If Goan Cuisine is your thing then head towards Cortas as it serves authentic Goan cuisine. Another attraction of this place is that in the afternoon it offers “sun-downer cocktails” which one can enjoy while watching the sun go down and disappear from the horizon.

Next day after breakfast I headed to try my hand at a game of golf. Having a stay at a beach golf course has its advantages. Whenever you feel it is getting too hot you can take a dip into the pool or sit in shade at the beach and count the waves and watch the boats go by. The possibilities are endless

image credits:http://www.thelalit.com

“I am blogging about my luxury stay experience for an activity at BlogAdda in association with MakeMyTrip“

Luxury at its best at Vivanta By Taj Madikeri

Vivanta By Taj Madikeri is the best choice to stay when on a trip to Coorg. This upscale resort set in 73 hectares of rainforest. It lies 8 km from the 17th-century Madikeri Fort and 13 km from the scenic Abbey Falls.

This family-friendly Madikeri hotel is located in the mountains, 4.5 km from Gaddige Raja's Tomb, and within 10 km of Raja's Seat and Madikeri Fort.

Abbey Falls is 13.4 km away. Its one of the best luxury resorts in Coorg. After leading a Hectic and

stressful life this hotel is the perfect place to rediscover yourself.

To travel to and stay at the Vivanta by Taj – Madikeri, Coorg is akin to traveling to the bosom of a 180-acre rainforest and take in and soak in the glorious sights and sounds of raw, untamed natural environments. The hills of Coorg are alive with more than 250 species of plants.

The beauty of this hotel is is even though it is constructed amidst nature, not a single rock has been displaced. Viewing the Coorg style structures are the sure shot way to melt away stress.

The sight of sloping roofs, pillars, open-to-sky entrances and mundu mane – a central courtyard surrounded by rooms that open into it are built in a traditional architectural style that transports you to a different era. The spacious 850-square-foot rooms are fully loaded, with luxury and comfort.

These structures are steeped in heritage. Do you know why?

The Superior Charm room draws inspiration from Coorg style houses – the sloping roofs, pillars, open-to-sky entrances and mundu mane, which is the structural veil of kinle work used by prospective brides to check out eligible bachelors.

Be charmed by the large windows, which offer a spectacular view of the rain-forest and the valley below. The view makes the room look much larger. The Coorg life comes alive in the oil paintings that adorn the walls. The stylish, stone-clad bathrooms beckon with a bathtub and invigorating rain shower invite you to take a bath and unwind.

All the rooms in this category have

International direct dial facility,

A minibar, tea/coffee maker,

24-hour room service and television with satellite programmes.

The 1-bedroom villas offer balconies, fireplaces and plunge pools.

I found that I could do a number of things at the hotel Vivanta By Taj Madikeri.

Vivanta Conservatory – a conservatory that preserves and narrates the history, culture and arts of Coorg.

Fitness centre - Stay fit. Stay healthy.Personal trainers and instructors (available on request) are always

available.Equipped with Life Fitness circuit training and cardio machines. Free weights.

2,500-square-feet Pottery Studio has an artiste in residence as well as a Clay Station,where one can make own crafts with clay.

One of the top things to do in Coorg is definitely to relax. Pamper and rejuvenate in the luxury spa and enjoy the traditional wood-fired Gudda bath experience at the Jiva Grande Spa.

There is a 2,000 square feet Activity Centre with Xbox gaming, billiards table, virtual golf, PlayStation consoles and board games.

Temperature controlled Infinity pool.

There are 4 dining options including an international restaurant and a poolside grill, as well as a hip bar.

There is something for everyone at Vivanta by Taj – Madikeri. Come discover the luxury as I did.

 “I am blogging about my luxury stay experience for an activity at BlogAdda in association with MakeMyTrip“

Making the right choice for a healthy heart

To avoid heart disease in your future, the best way is take action now.Small lifestyle changes or 
#ChhoteKadam like being active,eating better and staying happy can make your heart up to 50% healthier. Even when you are in your late teens or into your 30s.
Eat Better: By Eating Better is a must for your heart's health.
One must adopt a healthy diet and active lifestyle habits. Follow a balanced diet that’s low in sugar, fat, sodium and refined grains.
When we are between 18-35, we think that heart disease affects people only later in life.To some extent its true but make sure to protect your heart now. You and your heart will be happy you did so. 
Young people in transition from adolescence to adulthood are very vulnerable to bad food habits.It is tempting to skip breakfast, order tasty salt-heavy takeout food or crunch potato chips while binge-watching your favorite TV show.  
It is true that the best way to start your day is to have a healthy breakfast.This is the time to say good-bye to some of your favorite foods and drinks that have zero nutritional value like sodas, sugary punches, sugary coffee drinks, many fast foods. Better choices are 100 percent fruit juice or water. 

The best heart-healthy choices are:

• Fruits, veggies
• Whole grains
• Fat-free, 1 percent fat and low-fat dairy products
• Lean meats and poultry without skin, prepared without added saturated and trans fat
• Fish (at least twice a week)
• Limiting sugary foods and beverages

In 30s, one is busy nurturing family and career. These responsibilities can be stressful and time-consuming as a result healthy eating  is ignored.

Eating healthy continues to be a way to prevent heart disease. Reducing sugar and increasing fiber, eat healthy snack options such as yogurt and fruit. Making better food choices

Stay Active. Staying Active is the best tonic for your heart. Find a physical activity that you enjoy on a regular basis.
20s are a great time to start a regular exercise routine. However any age is the right age to start exercising. There are many health benefits, including lower blood pressure and lower cholesterol, which helps keep your cardiovascular system in great condition. When you exercise, your body releases endorphin's, which is a stress-reducer. (Stress is a risk factor for heart disease.) Regular physical activity should include moderate or vigorous aerobic exercise, in addition to muscle-strengthening activities. 

 There are several things one can do to maintain the hearts health. You can make exercise a family affair by biking, hiking or playing sports. A morning at the park playing football or chasing a Frisbee is a fun way to spend a few hours.  This will ensure that you are happy thus keeping heart problems at an arms distance.

 Being Happy is very important for the heart's health. Often we ignore the fact that it can be therapeutic for the heart. Being happy releases the happy hormones in the body that increase the immunity of the body, lowers the stress  and aid the heart to stay and remain healthier. To remain healthy one must indulge oneself in the activities that one enjoys. It could be singing,dancing making sculptures or anything that gives you happiness.

  “I am joining the Saffolalife #ChhoteKadam initiative in association with BlogAdda and follow these small steps for a healthy heart.”

Stay Active.Eat Better.Be Happy Can Save Your Life

It is very important to keep the heart healthy and for this you need to take the #ChhoteKadam initiative of being active,eating the right food and being happy. This will keep our heart 50% healthier
Being Happy is the best remedy to beat stress.Do not under estimate the power of being happy as it can knock out stress which if not dealt with ca n lead to the following effects...

When you’re stressed your body releases adrenaline into your blood stream, causing your heart rate and blood pressure to go up temporarily. If you’re constantly under stress, your body doesn’t get the chance to rest because you’re always in high gear, and as a result, your artery walls become damaged.Stress makes you feel anxious, tense or depressed; random aches and pains appear out of nowhere; it can make you gain weight and lose sleep; it can even make you sick.We all can try some few things to be stress free.
Happiness increase your ability to face stressful situations without being affected, make the right decisions and come out of such situations with the minimal amount of  stress and effort. The biggest advantage of being happy is that you do not carry stress around. You can remain happy by always maintaining a positive frame of mind. Being happy is all about feeling good about yourself. You can achieve this by practicing yoga, indulging in activities that gives you happiness and enjoyment.

Staying Active is another important step to improve the health of the heart.
Exercise relieves mental and physical tension.Physically active adults have a lower risk of depression and function better mentally. Try walking, swimming, biking or another form of cardio every day.

Take out time for meditation, deep breathing, yoga.Go for a short walk. Whatever activity you find calming, find the time to do it every day for at least 15 minutes.

Try taking 30 to 60 minutes to step away from your desk and decompress.Find ways to decrease the demands made upon your self, if that means being less self critical or having a frank conversation with your superior about adjusting your workload.Try these small steps for better results.

 Eating Better is not just essential for your physical well being but also great for your heart

Track what you eat. A good way of tracking what you eat is to maintain a food diary.

Eat vegetables and fruits in every meal

Eat unrefined fiber-rich whole-grain foods

If you like fish then eat it twice a week

Cut back on added sugars and saturated fats

Do not over eat.
Supplement your meals with green Salads.

 Cut back on alcohol or caffeine.
 These small steps or #ChhoteKadam i.e. Staying Active,Eating Better and Being Happy are things that you need to do to make your heart healthier by up to 50%

“I am joining the Saffolalife #ChhoteKadam initiative in association with BlogAdda and follow these small steps for a healthy heart.”

Die Another Day

"My happy worlds were destroyed. My dreams died. I don't know how to dream anymore." This is exactly what every youth feels today sooner or later.
Our lives have become hectic. We work like machines. There is so much of stress and one does not know how to deal with it. The spirit of fighting back has died within us. All the parts of  http://www.storyofasuicide.com/ are very gripping.
The whole story of http://www.storyofasuicide.com/ is divided into 31 chapters.

The chapter Do you even care is very touching. We think that we can control other lives but the fact is we can’t. Why worry about things which we are not in our control.
Life is very precious and we have no right to end it. Yes but we can handle situations in a way which can bring a smile to others.

The best tip is one must offer help to others.

When you focus your attention to someone else's problems or

needs then you realize how blessed you are and in a way you will

have no time to worry about issues. We all take life and

its treasures and pleasures for granted. Nothing is forever. We should

spend maximum time with our loved ones. Sit together and communicate

face to face instead of phones or whatsapp. Talk about pleasant

things, about hope and happiness. Life is unpredictable so take it as

it comes. When things go out of control don’t stress or frustrate. If

today was a bad day then tomorrow will be better than today there is

always light at the end of a tunnel. We all go through phases in

life. The more you give in the more out of control you will feel. Take

life as an adventure. Learn from your mistakes and experiences. Our

experiences make us stronger. Stressful situations increase our

level of stress hormones so indulge in physical activity. Whenever

you are stressed go for a brisk walk in fresh air. Incorporate

physical activity on a regular basis as this also improves the quality of our sleep.

Never compromise on sleep.

Our body gets strength when we get enough sleep.

Try meditation, take a warm bath for relaxation.

Tell yourself you are the best and say confidently I can handle any situation in life. Nothing can defeat me. I deserve the best things in life.

 Don’t keep things within your self. Talk to your elders, trusted friends or professional counsellors for correct guidance.

Sharing your problem with others gives solutions.

Start writing a diary, pour your heart out in the diary this relieves the stress.

Manage your time so that you take out time for yourself.

Work is important so is your life so give time to yourself and loved ones. Stress can cause health problems or make health problems worse. Yoga is a great stress buster.

A Must Read http://www.storyofasuicide.com/

Queen of Hills Shimla Here We come

When your city swelters in the mid summer heat you start dreaming of taking a break to a beautiful and serene hill station. With such thoughts we have started making preparations to take a break from the grueling heat and escape to the pristine and green covered hill tops of Shimla. A hill station in the state of Himachal Pradesh. For long a visit to Shimla has been on our list of places to visit and now it seems that this dream would see the light of the day.

Since we are starting our journey from Mumbai we decided to fly down to Chandigarh so we searched the various Flight Schedules .

The other option was to book train tickets. Since the flight time is much less we searched and booked the early morning Domestic Airlines tickets as there were quite a few good deals going on. So we booked our return flight on the Mumbai Chandigarh Sector.

Now the question was how would we travel from Chandigarh to Shimla. We could go by road or take a train. We decided to travel from Chandigarh to Kalka by road and from there travel by the Small train to Shimla. This seemed to be the most interesting part of the journey. The distance between Kalka to Shimla is about 96 Kilometers. The hill train or the toy train as people call it covers this distance in 5-6 hours. The beauty of this part of the journey is that the train meanders through the hilly terrain as it climbs up and down the mountains passing through 103 tunnels. The toy train finds a place in the world heritage list of UNESCO. En route to Shimla this toy train passes through the stations of Dharampur, Solan, Kandaghat, Barog, Taradevi and Summer hill . At Barog it passes through the longest tunnel.

This would mean that by the time we reach Shimla it would be already evening so we would go straight to the hotel. Freshen up and go straight to the Mall road. The Mall road is the most happening place of Shimla and is always bustling with people both locals as well as the tourists. After dinner at one of the numerous restaurants at the Mall road we would enjoy the cool weather of Shimla strolling till late evening and then retire for the day. This would complete the itinerary for day 1

Day 2

We would start early and visit the famous Jakhoo hill. This is at a height of 8000 ft and is believed to be the highest peak of Shimla. It is a long trek enjoyed by nature lovers for its natural beauty. For the religiously inclined the steep climb is rewarded by the opportunity to visit the Jhakoo temple which has the 108 ft tall Hanuman idol. By the time we come back it would be mid day and we would have our lunch. Post lunch we would go to the Himalayan Nature Park .

In the evening we plan to visit The Scandal Point and the Ridge. This is a good place to take pictures and enjoy the sunrise and sunset.

Day 3

We would go Naldehra and Shaily Peak and enjoy the natural beauty.

This is a beautiful place to enjoy sunrise and sunset. One can also enjoy horse back rides through the rich and dense deodar trees. After a days picnic we would come back and head towards Chadwick falls and enjoy the waterfall.

Day 4

No visit to Shimla is complete without going to Kufri. The entire day would be spent here enjoying the nature and perhaps taking a horse ride.

Day 5 We would go to Chail and as my family has a number of cricket lovers we are bound to go and see the highest cricket pitch in the world.

Before we head back a visit to the lakkar bazar shimla is a must to buy souvenirs and other wooden handicrafts.

With so much fun in the lap of nature and bag full of gifts to be taken back home we would start our journey back home.

The all new Datsun redi-GO the car with a view

The all new Datsun redi-GO is here and I am so keen to take it for a test drive. Read on to find. 

What do I look for in a new car? The first thing that I look for is the view of the road and the surroundings while sitting in the driver seat. I hate cars where the driver has to crouch in his seat and use guesswork to estimate the road and distance from other traffic. A person driving a car is entitled to a good view of the road and the Datsun redi-GO does just that by providing the best in class view of the road. Thus making driving that much more pleasurable and with enhanced visibility of the road also increases security.

In addition the “Adaptive Electric Power Steering” is an added plus as it helps the driver  achieve High maneuverability at low speeds and stability at high speeds. This gives the person driving the car more control over the car and enhances the overall driving experience. 

The seats are so designed that they provide higher degree of bolstering support while cornering.

The occupants are safe as the steering wheel absorbs the impact force and protects the occupants due to the presence of Energy Absorbing Steering and Airbag.

The second thing I look for is the ease of driving and control. So I am attracted by the fact that the new Datsun redi-GO lets the driver turn the car in a 4.7m radius. Now for a person like me and many others who have little and small parking space this comes as great news.

This better feature gives me better car control and better utilization of spaces. The fact that the designers who have designed its air conditioning have taken extra care to ensure that 50 percent of the air gets to those sitting in the rear seats so it does not matter if you are sitting in the front or rear seats the air conditioning would work for you equally well. Datsun redi-GO comes fitted with a large 89 CC compressor and offers  a high cooling capacity,this keeps the car cool and comfortable in every weather. The design incorporates an aluminum assembly which enhances the efficiency of the air conditioning. 

Thirdly the looks and the styling of the new Datsun redi-GO makes it Chic, uber  and trendy drive of choice of the hip and the happening.

Its YUKAN DESIGN makes use of forward styling that one gets in crossover vehicles, this makes the Datsun redi-GO get extra brownie points with its wide robust stance and design that give plenty of roominess and a sporty look. Its sleek smooth silhouette and Lean & dynamic side character lines enhance its beauty and makes it a compelling reason to own this beauty.

D-CUT GRILLE that is a mark of high quality assurance associated with the brand Datsun, the gem-inspired chrome bezel and the subtle honeycomb pattern enhances its beauty as it elegantly holds and displays the Datsun badge.

Its elegant High Stance not only gives you a very good view from the inside of the car but it also makes it stand out in terms of design and looks.

Its daytime running lamps puts it in the class of those elegant and elite super luxury cars that flaunt these daytime running lamps. However these daytime running lamps makes the Datsun redi-GO a heart stealer.A car that I would like to take to parties, long drives and to office every day.

That is not all with the i-SAT ENGINE and a fuel efficiency of 25.17 kmpl the Datsun redi-GO is here to win hearts and rule the roads.

Want to test drive this beauty ? then download the Datsun India app to book your own Datsun redi-GO, today.You can also book India's first urban cross online, through Snapdeal - India’s leading e-commerce website, or by visiting your nearest Datsun dealership.

Fun. Freedom. Confidence. The ultimate Urban Cross - Datsun redi-GO - the capability of a crossover with the convenience of a hatchback.