Meet South Africa - The Jungle

In the second of this three-part series documenting my travels through South Africa, I tell you what I learnt from my very first safari experience. 

'In the jungle

– the mighty jungle, the lion sleeps tonight. In the jungle

–the quiet jungle, the lion sleeps tonight.'

This song from The Lion King reverberated in my head as we set off on one chilly morning for my very first game drive on the last leg of our South Africa trip. I'd barely slept the night before out of excitement, and was up and awake before the crack of dawn, slathered in sunscreen and mosquito repellent, binoculars strung around my neck, and a nervous anticipation seated in my stomach. You see, I'd never been on a safari before and I was blessed that my very first time was going to be at South Africa's famed Kruger National Park. 

A South African vacation is incomplete without getting a taste of the jungle life, and there are plenty of smaller game reserves scattered across the country that offer the safari experience. However, Kruger is the largest, most popular, and offers plenty of options ranging from luxury lodges to government owned properties. No matter where you stay, you're guaranteed plenty of animal viewings – it's Africa after all! I was in the jungle for two days, went on three game drives, and here's what I learnt...

Unburden Your Health - A Resolution for 2019.

'What is this life, if full of care, We have no time to stand and stare.'

I cannot help but strongly agree with what the poet W.H. Davies says here. Our fast paced lives are indeed beginning to take a toll on our health. Extremely long work hours and erratic schedules leads to lack of exercise, irregular meal times and improper diet. Work stress and fatigue means that the individual is both physically and mentally at risk for a break down. Coupled with environmental hazards such as pollution around us and the chemicals we put in our bodies, we are literally sitting on a ticking time bomb waiting to explode!

Importance of early diagnosis
The old saying - Prevention is better than cure - holds true in today's world. It is a known fact that early detection of a health related condition leads to early intervention and in return a better prognosis for recovery. It is easier to nip a problem in the bud then try and eliminate it after it has grown into a fully bloomed problem. There are innumerable studies that emphasize on the importance of early identification of a medical condition, which improves recovery rate and prevents the spread of disease.

Meet South Africa - The Cities

In this first of a three-part series documenting my recent visit to the Rainbow Nation - South Africa, I'll take you on a trip to two of South Africa's largest cities - Johannesburg and Durban.

The sun was just setting as I got off the plane at OR Tambo International Airport, and as I left the airport it was pitch dark. Even in the darkness as we drove down, as I got glimpses of Johannesburg and the lights in the distance, I knew I was falling in love. Falling in love with South Africa's many vibrant colours, falling in love with the misty fragrance in the air, and most importantly falling in love with the warm and smiling faces of the people who make up this beautiful country. Over the next ten days, as I explored South Africa's Kwazulu-Natal and Mpumalanga regions, the love affair intensified further.

Even though Johannesburg (or Jo'burg, as it's affectionately called) serves as a major point of entry into the country, most tourists bypass the city for favour of the wilderness. If Joburg is glitzy and commercial, Durban on the other hand exudes a far more subdued charm, but it's worth a visit for the strong Indian connect it holds. Both cities can be explored in fairly short amounts of time, if your itinerary doesn't permit a longer stay. Here is my 24 hour guide to Johannesburg and Durban respectively.

Tips and Tricks for that Perfect Taj Mahal Experience

The Taj Mahal - one of the seven wonders of the world. This stunning monument features on every traveler's bucket list, no matter where in the world they are from. And rightfully so - the beauty of the Taj is unparalleled to anything else I've seen. Nothing in the world prepares you for the first time you see the Taj Mahal in person. She is breathtakingly beautiful, standing there tall and proud, her white marble glistening in the sunlight, while silently reminding us of the power of love.

Though beautiful and magical, a visit to the Taj Mahal can be an extremely daunting experience owing to how crowded it can get. No matter what day of the week you're visiting, or what time of the day, there really is no 'off season' when you're visiting the Taj. Which is why it's important to plan your visit beforehand, and also keep certain pointers in mind while you're there for that perfect Taj Mahal experience. Here are some tips and tricks from my recent visit to the Taj, stuff that I wish someone had told me earlier -

Five of Instagram's Most Popular Food Accounts Share Their September Favourites

I decided to change things up a bit this month, and instead of bringing to you a roundup of my monthly favourite restaurants, bars and eateries, I urged a few friends to help me out. These are some of the most popular food accounts on Instagram, who eat out on a regular basis, risking juvenile diabetes and cholesterol, only so that they can present to you the best of the city's food scene. In a completely random order here's a roundup of some of my favourite Instagram food accounts, and their favourites for the month of September.

1.  Food Of Mumbai aka Saloni Kukreja:

Saloni has been diligently highlighting the best of the city's food scene via 'Food Of Mumbai' since the past four years now. Food of Mumbai is my one stop shop for updates on what's new in the food space coupled with street food recommendations and Saloni's travel escapades. #GirlLove

Food Of Mumbai Recommends: Foo, Lower Parel, Mumbai

"Foo is attempting to do something different by introducing the small plates or 'tapas' concept to pan Asian food," Saloni explains. She also loves that the food is modern yet simple and hearty, with an emphasis on Cantonese and Japanese style of cooking. The decor is stunning, the food is presented beautifully and their signature cocktails deserve a mention as well.

Must Haves: Peruvian Lobster Sushi where the lobster is cured just like you'd find in a ceviche; Foo Butter Japanese Fried Blue Rice; and highly Instagrammable Black Marble Sesame Cheese Cake.

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The Black Marble Sesame Cheesecake 😻 📍FOO, located at High Street Pheonix, Lower Parel, is an all new upscale, Asian restaurant. Click the link in the bio for all the deets on this new space and to see what we ate there✨ #FooMumbai #foodofmumbai #thatcuriouscoconut #LowerParel #NewInBombay

A post shared by Saloni Kukreja•Food of Mumbai® (@foodofmumbai) on Sep 12, 2018 at 6:25am PDT