Unique. Unusual. Unforgettable.
Satisfying
my wanderlust and the innate intrepid nature of an adventurer, I gave in to my
passion of exploration and the excitement of sampling new and delectable
cuisines. Traveling around to capture the essence of life and lifestyles, I
took off on a tour that was an unusual but perfectly chosen whim that was just
up my alley. Knowing my adventurous nature, it was just like me to choose a
journey that combined cuisines, cultures and curries!
With my
wanderlust for the unique and the unforgettable, my trip blended the
quintessence of travel and though a long one, it was filled to the brim with
lasting experiences for the explorer.
With
adventure flowing in my veins and anticipating the thrill of discovering exotic
cuisines and the perfect holiday destinations, Binoy Nazareth decided on a trip
to India. I was thrilled to travel through the vast and diverse terrain of an
exotic South Asian country which evolved over 5 millennia from the famous
Himalayan Mountains to the Indian Ocean coastline. Surrounded by an exciting
and exotic history, India is the second-most populous and the seventh-largest
country with over 1.2 billion people.
And
then…it was nostalgia time with a great trip to the Taj Mahal, Agra which is
about 3.5 hours from Delhi. Inspiring me with its love story, the Taj Mahal or
the Crown of the Palace spoke volumes with its passion. I was over-awed by the
Mughal architecture and its spectacular features which was illuminated with the
fact that this gesture of love was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site
in 1983. My journey through time began as I traversed the charisma and culture
with historic sites which ranged over the Red Fort, the Qutb Minar, Jama
Masjid, Humayun’s tomb and other wondrous sights of the city. Delhi took me on
a voyage of culinary discoveries where I went on a long yet delightful culinary
journey with the popular street food, Mughlai and Frontier cuisines.
Experiencing the Aromas of India
I looked
forward to visiting Mumbai where I grew up playing gully cricket, eating world
famous street food, indulging in Golgappes, Misal Pav, Dahi Misal and Pav
Bhaji. Binoy Nazareth went through a much-needed culinary travel, tasting the
delectable side of life with traditional Shahi Mughal dishes, Biryani, and
Butter Chicken and innumerable fabulous, spicy dishes in Mumbai.
Bringing back memories of adolescent days, I escaped
in to the landscape of ‘Mumbaiah’ cuisine and re-experienced delicious culinary
delights. Taste bud tickling spicy Chaat snacks such as Vada Pav, Bhelpuri,
Dahipuri, Panipuri, Sevpuri, Ragda Pattis, Kebabs, popular Mumbai
Sandwiches including other local favorites were a source of authentic gastronomic pleasures which recalled
memorable times. The Mumbai culinary
scenario has constantly filled my soul with scrumptious and robust fare as I
took off on a repertoire of Konkani coastal meals, South Indian meals and
snacks, seafood, Bori Mohalla cuisine, Mangalore meals, North Indian dishes,
Parsi food trails and other regional bests. My all-time favorite desserts were
Kulfi, ice golas and incredible mouth-watering sweet concoctions.
After
buying a few mementos for my friends back in the USA at the Bombay Bazaar, I
strolled down the Mumbai Marine Drive and watched the sunset throwing a
beautiful aura of light on the great architecture of the Taj Palace. My
enchanting and tasteful Mumbai diaries tripped on a delicious vegetarian
sojourn at the famous Ram Naik Sadya House in Matunga which served South Indian
Sadya or meals, flavored with coconut and authentic South Indian masalas, this
great must-taste meal took my palate on a diverse travel.
With
‘Khau’ meaning good dish and ‘Galli’ or small lane, the Mumbai street food goes
on a delectable journey with any number of food stalls displaying visual treats
with multiple vegetarian and non-vegetarian choices. The Khau Galli near
Churchgate served up the sweet life with sandwiches, Pav Bhaji, strawberry
juice, sugar cane juice, milkshakes and other great options for the sugar
addicts. And what can I say about the humble yet rich in flavors Bade Miya
behind the Taj Hotel which cooked up a storm with kebab and curry dishes which
was a treat for the weary adventurer? This was total bliss which added a
replete sense of fulfillment.
Relaxed
and rejuvenated with a laid-back mode, I touched down in Goa as she beckoned
with her lovely beaches, Goan concerts, incredible cuisine, sun, sea and sand.
Combined with a bohemian lifestyle and a carefree frame of mind, I set off to
enjoy the culture, the curries and the cuisines of Goa. Indulging in fish curry
and rice along with other local seafood fare, I ventured into Portuguese
flavors which involved Pork Vindaloo, Sorpotel, Calfreal and Beef Xacuti that
took the palate to a pinnacle of delicious heights. Robust and satisfying, Britos
in Calangute on the beach presented a charming environment with great seafood.
While the Ritz punctuated my culinary voyage with prawns in Goan masala, crab
cakes, pork vindaloo, chili pork and other supreme dishes, my flavorful journey
was quenched with the local brews comprising of cashew and coconut feni.
Peppers, Margoa sprinkled my encounters of the tasteful kind with traditional
Goan seafood classics and a few global dishes while I let my taste buds go on a
sweet journey with Bebinca and other local treats.
My diary
of travel notes was burgeoning by the time I reached home which created a
bubble of expectation and delight as I planned yet another exploration into the
myriad colored world of travel.
Enchant the Taste Buds on an Exotic Travel of the Senses with BinoyNazareth
