Trifter

1. Mumbai: Mumbai (Bombay) is the fashion capital, the Bollywood capital, the financial capital and certainly the most cosmopolitan city of India. Once you absorb the crowds you will realize that there is plenty to see around. Starting from the exquisite Marine Drive which runs 3 kilometers along the coast to the Victoria Terminus station which is a UNESCO world heritage site, Mumbai has several gems up its sleeves. Gateway of India overlooking the vast sea, the majestic Taj  hotel, the picturesque HajI Ali dargah and the beautifully sculpted Elephanta caves (another UNESCO world heritage site) are all places that are worth seeing. Also, don’t forget to take a trip down to Dharavi to find an exquisite collection of leather hand-bags and purses and bargain your way to get some really cool stuff! And yes, do try the famous Chowpatty food while in Mumbai- it may not be the best food you would have eaten but you will certainly savor the taste for a long time! Tip: Avoid Mumbai in the monsoons (June-October) as it gets too hot and humid.

2. Goa: Sea, sand and sunshine perfectly describe this place. Goa is a paradise for people of all ages because there is something for everyone here. From innumerable beaches to vintage churches, Goa is a place to relax and unwind! I went to north Goa and visited the Calangute beach (called the “queen of beaches”), Baga, Anjuna, Vagator and Candolim beaches. The most popular ones are Baga and Calangute where you can relax under an umbrella, guzzle down pints of beer with a game of pool in any of the shacks, get a nice massage done, sun-bathe or try Para-sailing, ride a water-scooter, enjoy a banana ride or even spot dolphins by going few kilometers off the coast! Then you can also visit the serene Aguada Fort (a Portuguese structure) which offers a very beautiful view of the sea. The best way to travel to all these places is by renting a two-wheeler or open jeeps or cabs which are easily arranged by the hotel staff. The evenings in Goa are always exciting. Look out for some exotic sea-food by the sea- you can choose between a quiet sea-side, candle lit dinner or a musical extravaganza by the beach or a more refined discotheque experience at the now legendry Titos which is just 50 meters away from the beach! Goa being a tourist destination certainly has plenty of decent and affordable places to stay and yes do check out the local road-side shops for beach wear, summer dresses, slippers, beaded belts and the junk jewellery (especially the 2 Tibetan markets)! You must bargain and grab some of the stuff because most of it is really pretty. (I still regret for not buying a beautiful frock for as less as 100 bucks!)

3. Jodhpur: Rajasthan has always been one of my most favorite places and I have traveled this western-most state extensively. Jodhpur  is a beautiful town set in the stark landscape of the majestic Thar desert. The rich history of the land is evident in grand structures such as the Mehrangarh Fort, the Umaid Bhavan Palace, Jaswant Thada and the Osiyan Temple. Located on a hill, the Mehrangarh Fort is one of the largest forts in India and the inside view of the fort reveals magnificent design and a panoramic view of the city. The Umaid bhavan palace is one of the world’s largest private residences. A part of the palace has now been turned into a heritage hotel and as you visit the palace you will witness the exquisite corridors, lavish lawns and breath-taking beauty of the monument! For any connoisseur of India history, Rajasthan in general and Jodhpur in particular is a must to visit! You should shop here for the beautiful and colorful tie & dye prints and handicraft items. Also, look out for precious and semi-precious stones because Rajasthan is the hub of such jewels.

4. Jaisalmer: Nicknamed the “golden city”, Jaisalmer is a small town located in the middle of the Thar desert. The foremost attraction of this town are the exquisitely carved Jain temples. Visit the Jaisalmer fort to witness the breath-taking beauty of the fort and the fine carving and sculpture of the Jain temples. Next come the numerous havelis,  built by several wealthy merchants in the early 1800s- each a splendid structure in its own! (Havelis are used to describe private mansions of  wealthy merchants). Take an elaborate tour of these havelis to get deep insights into the lifestyle and routine of people in 19th century India. Being in the middle of the desert, Jaisalmer also offers a unique experience of soaking in the sand by offering innumerable sand-dunes. The Sam sand-dunes are very popular and you will certainly enjoy them by either crossing them on foot or taking a camel-ride while spotting peacocks and deer en-route. Jaisalmer is the hub for ethnic tie & dye and bags made of camel leather. Visit Jaisalmer in the winters (October-March) because the summers become unbearable! If you get time and proper transport, do visit the surrounding areas like Ramgarh which offer plenty of unexplored sand-dunes, forts and temples!

As requested by some folks, I am now going to rate these places according to my experiences.

1. Jaisalmer: The slow paced town, simple and honest people and breath-taking beauty and rich history outclasses everything else.

2. Goa: You will always want to stay on more at this place!

3. Jodhpur: The palaces are lavish and grand and you can’t help but gaze at them!

4. Mumbai: It might have lost out on its competitors but it remains a must visit place any day!

Note: Except for Goa, I visited all the other places in the 90s and used my analog camera. Since, I have not been able to scan those snaps, I have taken all the images(except for the Goa picture) from Wikipedia.