P365 TE is Back on Diwali with Day 296

Diwali Celebration in Singapore's Little India

Travel Bite: Diwali or the Festival of Lights is one of the most significant Indian Celebrations with a general them of Light winning over Darkness and Good winning over Evil. In Singapore, this is celebrated for a couple of days leading up to Diwali with Little India fully lit up and decorated with numerous stores lining the street and in a covered market bazaar selling colorful decorations, Indian delicacies and souvenirs.

Bonux Tip: While it was certainly an experience too see, don't go too close to the actual Diwali day as it's really very chaotic.

Location: Little India, Singapore
Date Photo Taken: November 2010

P365 TE Points for today: 2 out of 3 (for now)
P365 TE Points from Audience Interaction as of October 23: 258

P365 TE Running Points: 812 out of 831 (as of posting)

You can read the background of Project 365 Travel Edition here.  

Feel free to come back everyday. just saying...

P365 TE Day 242

Indian Breath Fresheners

Travel Bite: While in most countries you just ask for a mint to freshen your breath after a meal, in India, you'll get offered Mukhwas, or a handful of these colorful grains. It's a mix of various seeds and nuts often found with fennel, anise and sesame. They are made with sugar and peppermint oil so may either taste sweet or savory, take in small handfuls for your first time since they are an acquired taste.

Location: India
Date Photo Taken: November 2010

P365 TE Points for today: 2 out of 3 (for now)
P365 TE Points from Audience Interaction as of August 17: 227

P365 TE Running Points: 711 out of 726 (as of posting)

You can read the background of Project 365 Travel Edition here.  

Feel free to come back everyday. just saying...

P365 TE Day 241

Indian Street food at it's finest from Bademiya

Travel Bite: Bademiya is a famous street eatery in the very prime location, right behind the Taj Hotel in Colaba, South Mumbai. They are known as the place serving India's best known seekh kebabs, so they're not really cheap even if they are located on the street. If you choose to "dine-in" you need to wait for one of the monoblock tables on the side walk to be vacated as the place is really busy. I remember telling my friends "Let's just enjoy the food, and not think about where they wash the dishes". While we were there, they also head a steady stream of customers in nice cars ordering food to take away. It's definitely a must try experience.

You can visit their website here.

Location: India
Date Photo Taken: July 2011

P365 TE Points for today: 2 out of 3 (for now)
P365 TE Points from Audience Interaction as of August 17: 227

P365 TE Running Points: 709 out of 723 (as of posting)

You can read the background of Project 365 Travel Edition here.  

Feel free to come back everyday. just saying...

P365 TE Day 151

Ras Malai - My Favorite Indian Dessert

Travel Bite: While eating in India is a challenge, unless you have local friends who know what you want and will take care of you, my no fail favorite dessert is Ras Malai. 

Literally Ras means Juicy, and Malai means Cream. It's really just Paneer (yummy soft cheese - which reminds me of Tiramisu), soaked in a sweetened cream or milk mixture. 

Location: India
Date Photo Taken: April 2011

P365 TE Points for today: 2 out of 3 (for now)
P365 TE Points from Audience Interaction as of May 17: 136

P365 TE Running Points: 436 out of 453 (as of posting)

You can read the background of Project 365 Travel Edition here.  

Feel free to come back everyday. just saying...

P365 TE Day 146

Wearing a Sari in India

Travel Bite: When travelling, the best way to enjoy yourself is to fit in with the locals. In India, you can do this by wearing a Sari, which I actually did when I celebrated by birthday there in a Sari (but I just went down until the lobby Coffee Shop).

I bought my Sari from the night market in Goa. Bargaining is key because at first the seller wanted 2,000rupees (close to Php2,000) for the one I'm wearing because it "was made out of real gold thread". She ended up selling it for 200 rupees. I guess gold thread has lost it's value. Hahaha.


Location: Mumbai, India
Date Photo Taken: February 2010

P365 TE Points for today: 2 out of 3 (for now)
P365 TE Points from Audience Interaction as of May 25: 145

P365 TE Running Points: 437 out of 438 (as of posting)

You can read the background of Project 365 Travel Edition here.  

Feel free to come back everyday. just saying...

P365 TE Day 141

Leather stalls in India

Travel Bite: India is also a leather source. They are a lot of leather stalls in the markets, but their leather is a bit different from the Italian leather. It feels thinner, and it's normally decorated with colorful patterns. I go for the more subtle prints for bags and wallets, but for Sofia, I pick out the really colorful leather piggy banks (yes, they have really nice piggy banks in different animals - look at bottom left of picture), and colorful animal purses.

Like everywhere else in India, bargaining is expected.

Location: Goa, India
Date Photo Taken: April 2011

P365 TE Points for today: 2 out of 3 (for now)
P365 TE Points from Audience Interaction as of May 11: 130

P365 TE Running Points: 412 out of 423 (as of posting)

You can read the background of Project 365 Travel Edition here.  

Feel free to come back everyday. just saying...

P365 TE Day 140

Gateway of India

Travel Bite: If you find yourself in Mumbai, you must definitely visit the Gateway of India and the Taj Hotel in the downtown Colaba area. While traffic is bad, and the place is definitely crowded, I must say, for me, this is the pulse of the city. Just walk around because street-side shopping is great. Don't forget to bargain. This is expected.

Location: Mumbai, India
Date Photo Taken: May 2013

P365 TE Points for today: 2 out of 3 (for now)
P365 TE Points from Audience Interaction as of May 19: 139

P365 TE Running Points: 419 out of 420 (as of posting)

You can read the background of Project 365 Travel Edition here.  

Feel free to come back everyday. just saying...

P365 TE Day 83

Agra Fort

Travel Bite: One of the must visit sights in Agra, if you make the trip to see the Taj Mahal, is the Agra Fort. From here, you can also get a nice view of the Taj Mahal. You can even hold it in the palm of your hands.

Location: Agra, India

Date Photo Taken: February 2010

P365 TE Points for today: 2 out of 3 (for now)
P365 TE Points from Audience Interaction as of March 23: 82

P365 TE Running Points: 248 out of 249 (as of posting)

You can read the background of Project 365 Travel Edition here.  

Feel free to come back everyday. just saying...

P365 TE Day 82

Elephanta Caves in Elephanta Island

Travel Bite: The Elephanta Caves in Elephanta Island Off-Mumbai accessible by ferry, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It includes a group of 5 Hindu Caves and 2 Buddhist Caves. The caves have been dated back to the late 5th-8th Century AD.

The visit is a good day trip from Mumbai. If you just want a quick look, you can go for a few hours in the morning from the Ferry that departs from the Gateway of India. Since it's normally hot and humid, you can cool off by having afternoon tea at the iconic Taj Mahal Hotel just across the Gateway of India when you get back.

Location: Mumbai, India

Date Photo Taken: May 2011

P365 TE Points for today: 2 out of 3 (for now)
P365 TE Points from Audience Interaction as of March 22: 81

P365 TE Running Points: 245 out of 246 (as of posting)

You can read the background of Project 365 Travel Edition here.  

Feel free to come back everyday. just saying...

P365 TE Day 57

Beaded Sandals Shopping in India

Travel Bite: My favorite purchase from India are the beaded thong sandals. They come in all styles and colors, and while they quote you some ridiculously high price (couple of hundred rupees) because you're a tourist, if you buy in bulk or bargain well, the price actually goes down to just 100 rupees a pair (That's like Php100 or a little over US$2). You can normally see the vendors along the street in Colaba (downtown Mumbai) or in beach areas like Goa.

Bonus Tip: Some roving vendors in Colaba actually also sell over-runs of real leather sandals for the same price. I've been lucky enough to find 2 pairs of Geox (padded leather sole) Sandals that I absolutely love. You just need to keep your eyes open!

Location: Goa, India

Date Photo Taken: February 2010

P365 TE Points for today: 2 out of 3 (for now)
P365 TE Points from Audience Interaction as of February 25: 56

P365 TE Running Points: 170 out of 171 (as of posting)

You can read the background of Project 365 Travel Edition here.  

Feel free to come back everyday. just saying...

P365 TE Day 56

Pani Puri Balls from India

Travel Bite: I really have an unhealthy obsession with street food, and I must admit even in India, Tim and I were also quite intrigued. I just drew the line at actually trying it because my criteria is - it must pass some sort of health standards, and when we saw the vendor, sticking his thumb in one of the crispy balls before pouring on the sauce, we just decided it didn't pass MY health standards.

However, I was happy that I got to try these delicious Pani (Water) Puri (Bread) at the home of my Pakistani colleagues. His family orders it from someone who makes it from their house so you are assured that it's clean. 

You crack our own Pani Puri Ball - and you put in the tamarind sauce that goes with it. It's really a yummy must try if you manage to find your own supplier that meets your cleanliness standards.

Bonus Tip: If you want to try it in Manila, You can buy some from Incredible India, an Indian Supermarket with branches in UN Avenue and Paseo de Magallanes.

Location: Goa, India

Date Photo Taken: February 2010

P365 TE Points for today: 2 out of 3 (for now)
P365 TE Points from Audience Interaction as of February 24: 55

P365 TE Running Points: 167 out of 168 (as of posting)

You can read the background of Project 365 Travel Edition here.  

Feel free to come back everyday. just saying...