The Jungle Book: In Australia’s oldest rainforest

09/10/2015 0 Comments read Indigenous, Travel

By Neena Bhandari

Cairns (Queensland, Australia), 09.10.2015 (Khaleej Times): Nestled between the Coral Sea and the Great Dividing Range of mountains on a long narrow coastal strip is the city of Cairns, the gateway to two UNESCO World Heritage sites – the Great Barrier Reef and the oldest continually surviving tropical rainforest on earth.

This cosmopolitan city’s close proximity to Asia has made it an international tourist hub. It is worth a stopover either on the way in or out of Australia. The city centre lined with mangroves and mudflats, and the Esplanade, stretching along the city’s foreshore, have plenty to do for the young and old from children’s playgrounds to designated exercise and barbeques areas. The Esplanade Lagoon is a good place to cool off from the steamy heat of the Tropics.

From here, tours to the Reef and the Rainforest abound. One can choose from the itineraries on offer or custom make a tour to suit one’s needs. Most operators pick up and drop off from main hotels.

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Barossa – Sweet, Savoury, Sinful

01/11/2014 0 Comments read Travel

Fresh almond blossom and wild fennel meringue matches perfectly with Hentley Farm's Sticky Botrytis Riesling 2013. Photo Credit: © Neena Bhandari

By Neena Bhandari

Barossa (South Australia), (National Geographic Traveller India & Khaleej Times): South Australia has become a melting pot of culinary experiences from around the world, where chef’s inspired by the region’s rich heritage and strong traditions are serving up a smorgasbord of innovative dishes created from fresh seasonal produce with a very distinct local flavour.

The cuisine resonates with sensual local wines created by experimental winemakers, making this fourth largest Australian state a much sought after destination for passionate gastronomic travellers.

The state’s unique combination of soil, rainfall and climate has put it on the map alongside the Napa Valley, Tuscany and Bordeaux. It prides itself for its clean, green, fresh produce, which has encouraged a continual evolution of artisan producers, who are making new products by absorbing international influences and adapting to the local produce.

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Many more cruise liners come calling at Indian ports

05/04/2012 0 Comments read Travel

By Neena Bhandari

Sydney, 05.04.2012: In the days when journalists used Olivetti typewriters and bromides to make news pages, merchant navy ships making port calls at Mumbai were a major attraction. The narrow pavements of Colaba and Fort would be dotted with hawkers selling the `imported’ Australian Kraft Cheese, the Italian Ferrero Rocher chocolates, American Lacoste Tshirts and airline socks on wooden boxes transformed into tables for displaying wares.

Today, along with cargo ships, many of the world’s renowned cruise liners regularly make port calls along India’s lengthy coastline. Cruising is fast becoming the choice of Indian travellers to explore the world for its all-inclusive nature, relieving the stress of constant packing and unpacking, checking-in and checking out. On a cruise, one unpacks on day 1 and packs on the last day whether travelling for days, weeks or even months.

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