Summer Coolers from Around the World!

Cooling treats don’t only come in the form of ice-cream. With Kesari Tours you can experience a gamut of refreshing food options across the globe!

Sour Plum Soda

A savory drink, sour plum soda, is a fizzy cooler popular all over Southeast Asia. Prepared with muddled salted preserved plums, sugar, and sparkling water, this salty lemonade gets more potent the longer the fruit steeps.

Nagashi Somen

In order to combat their sauna-like summers, the Japanese have devised a cooling meal of icy noodles. Nagashi Somen translates as Flowing Noodles, and they are actually served gushing with cold water through a bamboo tube!

Halo-Halo

A classic Filipino treat, Halo-Halo means a ‘mix-mix’ of ingredients such as jack fruit, kaong palm fruit, pineapple gelatin, red beans, shaved ice, and ice cream, topped with evaporated milk and coconut shavings. With Kesari Tours you will discover that Singapore has its own version too called the Ice Kachang, while Korea enjoys its Pat-bing-soo. Japan does a similar shaved ice treat called Kakigori, while Malaysia loves its Bandung - a candy-sweet, bright pink drink made from evaporated milk, rose water, dollops of sugar and a dash of red food coloring, served over ice. The Indian Rose Falooda hits the summer sweet spot too.

Soyabean & Spare Rib Soup

The traditional Chinese are great believers in the power of eating hot soups as tonics in summer to ease the effects of external and internal heat. Iced beverages are declined in favour of broths which are sipped for their healing properties, and not merely consumed as a meal.

Jal Jeera

The Indian go-to drink in summer is a spice lemonade garnished with toasted cumin powder, mint, cilantro, black salt and raw sugar. Condiments like cumin promote perspiration and serve as a natural way to cool the body.

Sam Gye Tang

This is a Korean dish of chicken, stuffed with glutinous rice, garlic, jujube, ginseng and ginger. Boiled in its juices, it is served in a steaming stone bowl. Doesn’t sound like the ideal summer cooler, but fact is the ginseng and garlic actually work to replace nutrients lost due to excessive sweating, as well as regulate blood flow and metabolism.

Agua Fresca

It’s the refreshing Spanish answer to the blistering summer. An icy cold Agua Fresca is made of sweet, ripe, tropical fruits, to which is added sugar and water. Blitz the fruit of your choice such as mango, pineapple, watermelon, or guava in a blender with water. Strain, sweeten and add a squeeze of lemon or lime. Cheers!

Ceviche

The most cooling dish for lunch in hot and humid Peru is Ceviche. A combination of fresh fish, lime juice, onions, salt and hot peppers, it makes for a light yet spicy combination! The hot peppers act as cooling agents, triggering perspiration and kicking off the body’s natural cool-off mechanism.

Celebrating The Festival Of Ganesh Chaturthi In Aamchi Mumbai

The birth of Lord Ganesha is celebrated on a grand scale every year as Ganpati Festival in India especially in Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra. The commercial capital of India dons a festive garb with colourful and vibrant processions ushering Lord Ganesha to their homes and localities. So, if a visit to Mumbai is on your mind try visiting during this festival to witness the spectacular celebration with your trusted travel partner Kesari Tours. 

 

So, what all you can do? Well you can watch the artists at work. The preparations for the festival starts months in advance, with artists coming from all over from the country to create giant idols. The idols are made for both worshipping for the public in different localities or for private homes. You can take a day tour to watch the artists moulding, shaping and colouring the idols.

A Few weeks before the festival the idols are given a finishing touch. In some localities of Mumbai, the best idols, decorations and social message are awarded various prizes. Take some time out and get to the streets of Mumbai to watch this spectacular festival.

This festival is a 10-day extravaganza of food, cultural trips and the frenzy of people visiting various pandals all over the city. You can be sure to find snake-like queues and people standing for hours to get a glimpse of the Elephant God.

The festival culminates is with the immersion of idols or Ganesh Visarjan as it is called. The statue immersion happens several days during the festival, the most auspicious day to see is the Anant Chaturdashi, it falls on 19^th September this year. The largest of idols are taken for street procession this day, popular one beings of Lal Bagh Ganesh idol.

What to watch in the Ganesh Chaturthi festival

The most popular one being the Lalbaug one in central Mumbai, popularly known as Lalbaugcha Raja. Worried about the crowd, visit on a weekday then. The street procession, which is an incredible view starts from Lalbaugh, passes through Byculla, to Girgaon and lasts for nearly a day before it is immersed early morning.

The nearby Mumbaicha Raja is another interesting one to visit, with different themes every year. The themes range from historical aspects to famous religious sites. If you are the one with limited time, Mumbai cha Raja is a good option for you with smaller crowds. Another famous one is the Khet wadi Ganraj, near Chowpatty beach in Girgaon. The Ganesh idol here is the tallest one.

Ganesh Visarjan: The most popular place is the Chowpatty beach. Juhu, Versova beach, and Powai lake are the other sites where immersions are done.

Not interested in seeing immersion or procession, well you can see the ceremonies at the Shivaji Park, and the Siddhi Vinayak temple in Prabhadevi. Excited to be a part of the Ganesh festival? Ask Kesari Tours for a customized Mumbai tour package today.

The Melting Pot That Is Malaysia!

The lofty Petronas Towers are seen as the key symbol of Malaysia and they are indeed a splendid sight, as you will discover with Kesari Tours. However, if you were to look for a truer symbol of this wonderful country’s spirit and essence, look no further than its streets – Malay, Indian, Chinese and other ethnic groups, breathing, mixing, working, living together in complete harmony.

The roots behind this cultural fusion lie in the chequered history of the Malay states. Control over them passed through various groups, from the Srivijayan Empire which founded the Malacca sultanate, to the British who first entered in 1786 and went on to gain control, to the Japanese who occupied the states temporarily during the Second World War. The states on Peninsular Malaysia, known as Malaya, were first unified as the Malayan Union in 1946. It was restructured as the Federation of Malaya in 1948 and achieved independence on August 31, 1957. In 1963, Malaya united with Sabah, Sarawak, and Singapore with ‘si’ being added to give the new country the name Malaysia. Singapore exited in 1965 and today Malaysia consists of 13 states and three federal territories, a true melting pot of races, cultures and religions.

Culture

Integration of cultures has occurred seamlessly over the centuries. Traces of Indian influences from the 7^th century still exist in words used in the Malay language. The Malaysian people follow traditional beliefs and a social system known as Adat, which encourages collective responsibility and harmonious existence. While Islam is the official religion, religious freedom is assured under the Federal Constitution and religious intolerance is actively discouraged. Huge skyscrapers exist happily alongside small wooden houses built on stilts, while sandy beaches rub shoulders with tropical mangroves. The intermingling is everywhere!

Food

Known as a food paradise in South East Asia, Malaysian cuisine offers immense variety and diverse tastes. The Indian influence on the culture of the Malays is more than evident in the delicious curries and Roti Canai, a common breakfast meal for almost all Malaysians, no matter their race. From China came the popular Hainanese Chicken Rice which was popular in Singpaore and has now further evolved to suit local tastes in its avatar as Roasted Chicken Rice.

Festivals

Each race with its unique identity adds individual colour to the country’s culture with a plethora of festivals, which you can witness with Kesari Tours. The Kadazandusun of Sabah continue to celebrate their ancient festival of Kaamatan, the Harvest Festival, with great feeling at the end of June. Indians will celebrate Thaipusam by climbing the 272 steps of Batu Caves. Depavali, Chinese New Year and Hari Raya Adil Fitri are almost national festivals, when the different communities warmly welcome all visitors into their homes to join in the celebration. Open House and Open Heart, too!

 

Turkey: The Treasures Within

A heady mix of cultures, traditions, natural landscapes and heritage, Turkey tops the list of most travellers thirsting for awe-inspiring experiences. With cultural connections to ancient Greek, Persian, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman empires, the country boasts the past that goes back thousands of years. Hungry for history? Here are the places Kesari Tours ensures you won’t miss…

Goreme Museum 

Innumerable monasteries standing side by side, combined with fine rock-cut churches, stone-carved tables and benches and beautiful original wall paintings… The unique Goreme Open Air museum is an elevating sight to behold. With most of the churches here harking back to the 10^th, 11^th, and 12^th centuries, the past is all too easy to relive.

Devrent Valley 

With Kesari Tours, discover a landscape that would not be out of place on a strange planet… Devrent Valley, Cappadocia, abounds with different rock formations that are as beautiful as they are outlandish. Small fairy chimneys, animal shaped rocks, clouds and even a rock pillar which looks like the Virgin Mary, holding Jesus Christ… your imagination is the only limit.

Cotton Castle - Pamukkale

Pamukkale which translates to Cotton Castle in English, is named for its famous terraces consisting of travertine. These are carbonate minerals, which have been left by the flowing water. This natural wonder has been a natural bathing spot for centuries, known for its hot springs where the water is warm and rich in minerals. Known as a ‘spa town’ since the Roman era, the experience is enhanced by the ruins of Hierapolis, the marbles columns of the Sacred Pool and the Roman theater.

Ephesus

An ancient Greek city on the coast of Ionia, Ephesus is famed for the Temple of Artemis, which was one of the seven wonders of the Ancient World. Built in 10^th century BC, it boasted many monumental buildings including the Library of Celsus and a theater that could seat 25,000 spectators. Naturally its ruins are a much-loved international and local tourist attraction, as you will discover with Kesari Tours.

Topkapi Palace

Beautiful on the outside, the treasures that lie within the Topkapi Palace museum are even more priceless… Sacred relics such as the sword, bow and footprint of the Prophet, the staff of Moses that was used to part the Red Sea, the cooking vessel of Abraham, the headgear of Joseph, the sword of David and more. The millennia simply vanish in the face of such invaluable relics!

Malaysia -Singapore - A Trip We Will Cherish And Remember

KESARI TOURS!!MEMORABLE TOURS!!

Thank you for such a wonderful tour to Malaysia -Singapore. It was indeed a tour to remember!!

When my husband and I booked this holiday package with Kesari Tours, we were not too sure about it. But, we were glad we did, especially with Kesari. Since it was a senior citizen group, we believed we would not get to see a lot of sights in Singapore-Malaysia but we were presently surprised. We saw so many things in the 8 days that we were at Genting.

Those of us who could not keep up were gently coaxed by the tour guide to enjoy the Skyways, the cloud forest and several parts of the garden and other attractions. He kept saying, "Chala, Chala, halu halu chala” and managed to get all of us to enjoy ourselves and make the tour a success. We have absolutely no complaints, in fact, the entire tour was spot on right from the itinerary to the food to the snacks and drinks in between and the other necessities given to us.

We have traveled extensively both in India and abroad with other tour operators including Kesari Tours. And the best part about Kesari is the group’s punctuality is their number one priority. Yet, most of the tour group of 37 adults and 3 children were always delayed by at least 15 to 20 mins. However, the entire group was friendly with each other and it was a pleasure traveling with such a lovely group.

Though the tour guide was extremely vigilant and kept track of couples going the wrong way or those who decided to take off suddenly. Both our guides were patient and helpful people in the group whether young or old. The tour guide in Singapore wanted to know if our group understood English, yet very few of us could understand what she said because of her accent. So, the Indian guide helped the group understand her instructions.

A funny episode where another member of the group managed to drench me completely when she did not understand how to use the water faucet in the bathroom. As a suggestion, I would request you to hand over a video of ‘Do’s and don’ts’ to agents to people understand how to use escalators and washrooms in hotels abroad.

All the very best to Kesari!!!!

Uttarakhand – Not Just Another Hill Station State

There is nothing more breathtaking than being surrounded by snowcapped lofty mountains, an unhindered view of the valley below with a sense of peace and tranquility that is hard to find in the city. Uttarakhand, home to holiday destinations like Nainital, Mussoorie, Dehradun, Ranikhet and others.

This state has everything you can ask for from meditation at numerous ashrams at Rishikesh to the peace and serenity of Dehradun. You can trek, rappel, kayak, sail in the snow, or hike through the state if you feel like being adventurous on your holiday. Uttarakhand, a veritable mecca for adventure junkies right here in India. Look up Kesari Tours for more options to this beautiful state.

Here are top 5 adventure options are sure you give you the adrenaline rush you are looking for,

River Rafting at Alaknanda:

River rafting on the Upper Alaknanda, one of the most revered in the Himalayas is exhilarating, offering you a chance to quench your thirst for adventure. Experience the wild rapids, the amazing gorges and the famous Hillary and Kakkar waterfall nestled in the lap of snow-capped peaks.

Trek through the Kuari Pass:

Hike your way through an enthralling and amazing scenic view of the Kamet, Trishul, Chakhamba and the twin Nanda Devi mountain ranges while crossing over numerous brooks, oak, and deodar woodlands, lush meadows. If you are lucky, you may find footprints of the rare Himalayan bear.

Jump off the mountain at Mohan Chutti:

We don’t mean a literal jump, but one that is safe and tied to a bungee cord. Yes, we mean bungee jumping from India’s first fixed bungee destination Mohan Chutti, nestled in the Shivalik range a little further from Rishikesh.

Zip-lining or Flying Fox at Rishikesh:

Does the fox fly? We don’t think so, but this new adventure where you can zip line your way over the magnificent river the Ganges, beautiful woodlands and tranquil atmospheres has become a rage in Rishikesh. The Shivpuri village, which lies 15 minutes upstream is the perfect start to this newest escapade.

Trek through Bagini Glacier:

Give the adventurous spirit in you a bump up when you decide to trek through the Bagini Glacier. Get a chance to lay your eyes on untouched peaks, clear streams, icy summits, quaint villages and more at a height of 14816 feet above sea level on this circular trek of 43kms.

If you haven’t planned your next adventure, then it’s time you did so now. Try Kesari’s customized tours and bask in on the adrenaline rush you are sure to get.

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The Holy Omkareshwar

Omkareshwar is a Hindu temple dedicated to God Shiva. The name Omkareshwar means ‘Lord of Omkaara’, which is one of the 12 shrines dedicated to lord Shiva. This holy place is a riverside  pilgrim destination in Madhya Pradesh located on an island, the meeting point of Narmada and Kaveri River, making a must-visit pilgrimage destination for Lord Shiva devotees and leisure travellers alike.

The most exquisite detail is that the island is said to look like the Hindu ‘Om’ symbol.

The island comprises of lofty hills, between which, river Narmada forms a serene pool.

Folklore and history enhance the charm of this holy place, bringing back the child-like wonder; the kind you experienced only by listening to the stories from your dear ones.

As per mythology stories, when Narad, the great prophet, visited the Vindhya mountains and found no Shiva dwellings and the deity belonging to the mountain created the holy place as a dedication to Lord Shiva. It is said that Lord Shiva visited Omkareshwar to sleep or take ‘Shayan’ every night and hence the holy people make sure to perform the ‘Shayan Arti’ every now and then. For more details, you can contact any Kesari tours representative.

The entire area of this holy place is surrounded by mountains, making for an enchanting view for tourists.

During the end of their holy journey, Hindus come here and offer holy water in Omkareshwar, in order to complete their pilgrimages.

Don’t miss out on exploring the elegant sculpted Siddhanatha Temple in Omkareshwar, which is embellished with wonderful elephant carvings around its base. You’ll get charmed by the stunning architecture and striking mural paintings & carvings of the place. 

Be sure to gorge on the breakfast thalis, delicious lassis and fruit salads while at Omkareshwar. To create your itinerary, get in touch with Kesari tours and witness a pilgrimage like never before.

NEW ZEALAND – A LOT MORE THAN A GREEN CLEAN COUNTRY

There is global warming, pollution, disasters both political and environmental, and then there is New Zealand -a lush green, tranquil uncrowded country. What would you choose, given a choice? You most definitely would pick the lush clean green country that New Zealand is every time. A no brainer!

No visit to New Zealand is complete with experiencing its blood pumping, blood pressure raising and dopamine releasing adventure options that are like the call of the siren to most adrenaline enthusiasts around the world.

Here are a few extreme sports options that are sure to raise your heart and happiness levels

Caving: Explore some of the most intricate and challenging caves in New Zealand. Avid spelunkers and beginners alike can enjoy a wistful drift through a glowworm-lit cavern or decide an exciting rope-dangling, thrilling adventure is a better option. Waitomo Caves is one of the best location you can try caving.

Off Road Driving: Get on a chauffeur-driven safari or a self-driven quad bike to experience New Zealand’s amazing back country roads and off-roading tracks. Traverse through huge sand dunes or race through a farm in Waikato or better yet try the high-country sheep station in Marlborough and alpine roads in foothills of the southern Alps.

Skydiving: Imagine the rush of experiencing New Zealand’s spectacular landscapes, 12000 feet in the air. Wow! You can skydive at Lake Wanaka or Queenstown and get a chance to view the Central Otago high country, the snow-capped mountains that envelop glistening lakes. If you want to look at a volcano, then skydiving at Lake Taupo is the best place to start off from.

Jet Boating: Get on a jetboat and skim across the surface of the water, glide through narrow river gorges, and brush against sheer rock faces at Canterbury or Queenstown in New Zealand. To experience this adventure neither your age, nor your fitness levels matter. You can jet boat throughout the year.

Bungee Jumping: A trip through New Zealand is incomplete unless you try bungee jumping from the famous Kawarau Bridge in Queenstown or other places in New Zealand. For sports enthusiasts, the bungee is literally a rite of passage to take that leap of faith. You can jump off bridges, rail viaducts, the edge of cliffs and stadium roofs too. Put on your bungee harness and let’s go…

Feeling adventurous? Connect with Kesari Tours to get on board an adventurous sojourn to New Zealand today.