Tag: #TravelwithAllycaral #BeingAllycaralFridayFeature

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Panjim’s Mangrove Board Walk

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Allys!! Good Morning my lovelies! It’s Friday – the best-est time of the week as I get to feature a place of my choice on my blog. Yes it is the best-est feeling to explore new places and then feature the same on the blog…! and You know what makes it special, your mails, your replies about how much you’ll love my work.

In this edition, I recently visited a place accidentally, it wasn’t a part of a plan as such but yes! I visited this place and I must say it is a really beautiful location. Upon interacting to the people and the guards, I got to learn that this place is open for the general public and it is recently inaugurated. However, not many people are aware about this place. This place is called the #MangroveBoardWalk

Picture clicked by a friend and Edited by be!

You know what fascinated me the most about this place was, the entire footbridge is built without cutting the natural mangroves, which makes it so rich and gives you a feeling of one with the nature. If one takes a closer look at the history, well the relationship that the Mangroves and Goa share is special. Well, now you will have a question why exactly they both share a special relationship. The answer is very simple. Goa is a house to about 16 different kind of mangroves and in our country, Goa is the state that has the best mangroves in the whole of India. So You will now agree about this special relationship.  The very concept of having a Board Walk in this place, not only serves as a tourist spot but also it is the very idea  that needs to be appreciated that this Board Walk was built without cutting down mangroves- In true sense – a step to preserve the identity of mangroves and appreciate the beauty that it brings to the state of Goa. Thus, this initiative makes this even special.

The place recently inaugurated is not known to many people. But hey! let’s not forget the publicity that no other medium can do, can be heavily done by social media. And when I visit a place, I at least make it a point to tell my one friend about it and ask my that friend to share the news about the same to another and the chain continues. Well, another plus point that I have is this blog – Which instantly connects to so many of you all.

Exploring this place happened all of a sudden as I told you! The story goes like this – we were hunting for a location to shoot a sequence for a feature programme and well, there you go! Here’s the link – PARSEKAR … ONE MAN – MANY DREAMS where I shot my bit for this video.

HOW TO GET HERE?

Just take the road heading towards Central Library, Panjim and Enter the parking side and keep walking till you see towards your left hand side the entrance of this beautiful Mangroves Footbridge.

TIPS OF THE DAY

  • If you are visiting this place, use a mosquito repellent cream to avoid mosquito bites.
  • While you click pictures be careful – try to avoid clicking pictures leaning on the bridge handrail.

This is once again another place one could visit if you are in the capital city of Goa – Panjim, Explore the true beauty and most importantly share photos using the hashtag of #MangroveBoardWalk, #TravelwithAllycaral or #BeingAllycaral on any social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or BlogLovin. Do Like, Comment and Share. It’s my favorite – M S Dhoni’s Birthday Week! Tomorrow is his birthday – 7th July! (I know that was out of context) Anyways, have an amazingly fantastic Weekend! Cheers to good times!

#AllycaralFeature 👒, #TravelwithAllycaral 👒

St. Cajetan Church – The Real Pearl of Goa

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Hello My Allys,

Hope you all are doing well… The previous month has been one of a hectic kind. I was on my toes continuously doing several things and Thank God! Everything went perfect. And here I am not that I am complaining but yes all but grateful for the work I did and opportunities I received. Indeed, so here I am back this Friday to feature my Favourite Travel Place. Despite everything here I am! I know delayed but hey! It’s always better to respond then to avoid the response at all. ( My friends would know this way better than anyone)

Oops. I know I speak a lot but hey! I am here so here’s my favourite travel feature for the week.

Very well aptly selected title for this beauty. Away from the regular traffic and the noisy environment, is the beautiful place of Old Goa. A place, where we find a lot of historical monuments, be it The Basilica of Bom Jesus or The Archaeological Museum. In the shadow of the other churches, the St. Cajetan Church is situated in Old Goa. A whole lot of people say “Peace of mind is attained in silence” Truly said, when one visits this particular place, one just gets carried away, with serenity and the beautiful infrastructure of this place. Just like I did, when I dropped in this place, not expecting what I would discover, the more I read, the more I fell in love with this place for the facts are outstanding.

A lil walk towards the history

St. Cajetan Church was completed way back in 1661 by the Italian friars of the order of Theatines. This church was built in lines of the Basilica of St. Peter’s in Rome. Hence, this church has a quiet different and appealing foreign touch to it. And it stands out among all the other churches in Old Goa.

How did it Get it’s name?

The church has been dedicated to Our Lady of Divine Providence, it’s name however finds it’s origin after the founder of Theatines, (St. Cajetan). One of the unique feature about the church is that, this is the only surviving domed church in Goa. The exterior of the church has a Corinthian style of architecture while the interiors are a blend of Mosaic – Corinthian architecture. It has a spectacular rectangular tower on the either sides, atop the façade to serve as belfry the niches below have statues of the apostles.

Another striking feature is the stunning altars in Golden and is decorated with lovely carvings in the Baroque style. The church has altogether three altars, on the either sides of the main altars. Towards the left, there’s an altar dedicated to the Holy Family, Our Lady of Piety and St. Clare, while towards the right, there’s an altar dedicated to St. John, St. Cajetan and St. Agnes. The Altar dedicated to St. Cajetan is the largest in the church. A wooden platform emerges from one of the docks and is beautifully adorned and decorated.

Did You Know?

Surprisingly, beneath the main altar, there’s a well, which may have belonged to an earlier Hindu structure. The water, in the well reflects light. Some say it’s the reflection of light from the dome, which is exactly parallel to the well. The presence of well in the church signifies that the church was constructed on a site where initially there was a Hindu temple.

The Hindu temple must have been destroyed during the time of invasion, while several others believe that the well was deliberately built in order to provide stability to the structure. St Cajetan Church has failed to gain the status of a full-fledged church, and thus, the church conducts mass only once a year. However, mass on special request are also entertained.

The architectural style of the church is mesmerising, this helped it gain immense popularity world-wide. It is generally visited regularly by several tourists, almost every year. And thus, it is truly called the real pearl of Goa.

How to Get There?

The road is simple. And when you have Google What’s the fear. Here are the map location.

Photos Will be up Shortly.

Till then, you can share your photos on the comment section below or simple share it on your social networking using #TravelwithAllycaral or #BeingAllycaral. I would love to see all those pictures coming up! Thank You. And have a wonderful weekend!

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5 Best Places to Visit When in Paris

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“One Day, I want to visit Paris!”

Yes that’s how it all started! The dream to visit Paris   began like that. As dreamy it may sound, it did start like that. It all started because I was fascinated with Effiel Tower and the Love Stories attached to it. I didn’t know the dream would become a reality so soon, but it indeed did! And I’m so glad about it.

Where should I start from, this being the most favorite place of mine! There are several things that I could write about! Paris is the most gorgeous city in the world, it’s vibes is something that no matter how many times you visit this place, you would always want to go back to this place.

Well, without wasting much time, Let’s head on a mission to Visit Top 5 Places in Paris.

  1. Arc de Triomphe

Arc de Triomphe located in Champs Elysees is often referred to as “the most beautiful avenue in the world.” This avenue is the most busiest place in town right from luxurious boutiques (Cartier to Louis Vuitton) to restaurants, cafes the famous cinemas, Lido and so on everything available on this particular avenue. The best way to explore this place is by foot. While I was exploring this beautiful avenue, I came the Arc de Triomphe.

A place that instantly took me back to India, it solely reminded me our India Gate at Delhi. And my first reaction was hey! this does look like the India Gate – it’s placement, the somewhat structure, just gave me a feel of India Gate for a while. But as I took a closer look at the structure, I got to learn that the pillars have some impressive sculptures. The idea to have this Structure dates back to the 19th century when Jean Chalgrin was commissioned to design an arch which would be the largest of it’s kind in the world to depicts the glory of the imperial armies, under the ancient Roman architecture. The same holds a special place in the heart of Paris not just because it is the symbol of great victory but also it has the names engraved of 558 generals on the top most portion of the arc.

Did You Know?

  • The Arc de Triomphe required 30 years to be built.
  • Under this beautiful structure is the tomb of an unknown soldier of France who lost his life battling during the World War I.

2. Cruise on the Seine

Next the best way to explore Paris is through the Cruise ride. Yes the City of Lights is best explored while you sail on the water of the Seine River. A Panoramic View stands before you making the beautiful city of Paris look at it’s best. On this Cruise ride, you get the view of the Louvre Museum, a massive Royal Palace which is situated right in the Seine River, following which you get to see the beautiful Cathedral Notre-Dame, which is a medieval Catholic Cathedral, The Effiel Tower ( My Favourite) and ofcourse much more.

And the best part about this Cruise ride is that all these places can be visited both during the day and the night too. So if you missed it during the day, you can visit them at night. At night these structure looks the best as all the monuments are lit up as the City is known to be called as “City of Light”

Did You Know?

  • River Seine is the third longest river in France.
  • River Seine in the year 1991 was added as the World Heritage site by UNESCO

3. The Latin Quarter – Luxembourg park

As the name suggest this place is called the Latin Quarter of Paris as during the middle age it the Language which was prominent in Universities as the international language of learning.. The Latin Quarter is situated towards the left of Seine River known for Student life, Lively Atmosphere, Hang Out Places, a home to several students and educational institutes and most importantly it has the famous Luxembourg Park. This Park was first a private garden but it was in the year 1612, this park was opened to general public. The Park is very pleasant place to walk around, in the shadow of the nature consisting a wide varieties of trees of apple, apiary to flowers like orchids adding beauty to this place. The main part of this beautiful park is a large French Style Garden with a circular pond surrounded by statues and trees in the pot.

Did You Know?

  • The park has 106 statues along with 3 beautiful fountains and a bronze reduction of the Statue of Liberty.

4. Disneyland Paris

Well, the name is enough! I don’t think I should say anything further! The first picture that comes to your mind when you speak about Disneyland is the massive princess castle, the Mickey Mouse and his family, and all the fun rides which makes this place the most visited place in town.

Located about 32 km from central Paris. Disneyland Paris has two theme parks – one is Disneyland (with Sleeping Beauty’s castle) and Walt Disney Studios. The decision is tough to make. At the entrance there are two different ways, one is heading towards the Disneyland while the other to the Walt Disney Studio. Trust me, you cannot explore both the places on a same day. You roughly require two whole days in each theme park to experience and witness the magic without exhausting yourself in the place.

Did You Know?

  • Disneyland has over 13.4 million Visitors per annum
  • Opened to general public on 12th April 1992, and recently completed 25 years of existence in the year – 2017

5. Eiffel Tower

And the last but not the least, my favorite monument, the reason I wanted to visit Paris – the most beautiful and elegant Eiffel Tower of Paris. About 324 meters high, built by the famous Gustave Eiffel to mark the centenary of the French Revolution in the year 1889. I am sure he too didn’t have an idea, that Eiffel Tower will soon grow to become the love symbol across the globe. It because of this beautiful structure, Paris is often referred to “City of Love”

The view from the Effiel Tower is mesmerizing especially from the 2nd Floor, the Tower has a lift which takes you to the point where the whole of the Paris looks beautiful, just like a bird eye view.

The Eiffel Tower can be witnessed at it’s best at the midnight hour. The Eiffel Tower is lit by lights which twinkle and shimmer, illuminating the entire city with a spectacular site. The shimmering happens every Midnight sharp at 12am and goes on for a total of 5 Minutes. Indeed the most beautiful view! No matter how many times I see this beautiful structure, all I can say is that this light show will never get old, it will only age gracefully. Will post a picture of the same soon in #BeingAllycaralMonday Shots so till then stay tuned!

Did You Know?

Effiel Tower is the most visited monuments in Paris, and according to statistic, every year Eiffel Tower is visited by nearly 7 million visitors.

Do share with me your photographs if you have travelled to the city of love and if you have some more names to add to the list of Best Places to be visited when in Paris. All you have to do is use the hashtag of #TravelwithAllycaral and share your ideas on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

Here’s to many more trips and million more memories that will remain evergreen! je t’aime Paris!

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Switzerland Salutes Veteran Indian Director Yash Chopra

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Hello My Allys,

I’m back this week with another #BeingAllycaralFridayFeature 👒 This week, I thought of sharing with you a memory of Switzerland. A Place which instantly brings  a smile on our faces. It is true, many of us might have not been to Switzerland or some of us have gone there. But I am sure, each of us atleast once in our lifetime visited Switzerland through movies. Switzerland is a home to many hollywood movies to name a few would be Angels and the demons (2009), Star Wars episode III : Revenge of the Sith (2005), Golden Eye (1995) and also Bollywood movies like Dhoom 3 (2013), Jab Tak Hai Jaan (2012)  The most famous movie of our times, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995).

So more or less looking at these and many of the innumerable movies which we have seen shot in Switzerland, we definately have an idea of how Switzerland actually looks. Keeping the same vision in mind, when I first traveled to Switzerland, I had the notion I would land on a road covered with ice but well, that wasn’t the story. I landed on a normal grey road!!!

My holiday was in planned in August so to actually get the snowfall during the time I was there was difficult. The season of winter was almost over, but none the less thankfully some places are always covered with snow throughout the year. So that didn’t disappoint me.

Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge Fountain Spot

The place is world famous for two major things one is swiss chocolates & second swiss watches. While, I was going through sightseeing sights in Switzerland, I came across this place called Interlaken, a beautiful place situated right below a hill. As I was exploring this place, I came across a familiar fountain. And well, this wasn’t an ordinary fountain, this was the famous fountain which was seen in the iconic, Yash Chopra’s Movie of Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ). This spot is fondly referred to as the DDLJ spot. It was here that the characters of Raj (Played by Mr. Shahrukh Khan) was seen proposing his lady love Simran (Played by Mrs. Kajol) with a rose which she accepted and all what happened was the water from the rose spilled on her face.

Yash Raj Statue installed at Interlaken, Switzerland

While exploring this area on foot, next I came across a Life Size Statue of Veteran Film Director, Late Yash Chopra. Yes, indeed it was a very proud moment to see a statue of an Indian on a foreign land, so much loved and respected for. After Interacting with officials in the place, I got to learn that the statue was installed by the Swiss Tourism board in the year 2006, to acknowledge the Veteran Director, Late Yash Chopra’s contribution towards single-handily boosting popularity of Switzerland among the Indian Tourist – Indeed, Boosting Swiss Tourism as a whole.

HOW TO GET THERE?

It is simple, You get a car drop up to a single point then you have to explore the place on foot. The place is called the Kurssaal Garden in the central Swiss town of Interlaken.

DID YOU KNOW?

  • The Statue is 350 Kg and is a replica of the one in Chopra’s film Studio in Mumbai.
  • The Statue was installed in the year 2006.
  • The same was unveiled by his wife, Pamela Chopra and daughter in law – actress Rani Mukerji.
  • This is one of it’s kind statue in Switzerland in the open space dedicated to a film director who boosted Swiss Tourism.

TIP OF THE DAY:

  • If you plan to visit Switzerland to experience Snowfall visit it in between December to April.
  • Don’t forget to wear comfortable walking shoes as the same is explored best by foot.

#BEINGALLYCARAL With Yash Chopra Statue at Interlaken, Switzerland

 

#AllycaralFeature 👒

The First Church in Bardez Taluka – Reis Magos Church

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Reis Magos Church, Verem Betim, Goa

Hello My Beautiful Allys,

Hope you all are doing fine. It is Friday or should I say Fri- Yay! It is the time of the week that I look forward to! Not only because we can see the weekend is near, but also because I get to feature one place of my choice in #TravelwithAllycaral 👒#BeingAllycaralFridayFeature 👒 ! Yes… This Week, I thought of featuring a beautiful church, the first in the state of Bardez.

Sounds familiar ? Yes Couple of weeks back I asked you about Which is the first church built in the Bardez Taluka. So here it is… The Reis Magos church. The church is the first church built in the Bardez Taluka way back in 1555. The Name Reis Magos is derived from a Portuguese word which means, “Three Magis” which points towards the Three Wise Men who bought gifts for Baby Jesus when he was born.. Situated in the fortress of the Resi Magos Fort, the church has a pleasant view of the River Mandovi. Earlier looked after by the Franciscans, it has consecrated to St. Jerome. But as the time passed, it grew as a learning centre for priest across the state.

If one takes a closer look at the church, the church has a facade of Portuguese imprints on it and the beautiful outer coat is eye catching. The interiors on the other hand have a wood that depicts the Three Wise Kings giving gift to the baby, Jesus. Every Year, the Church celebrates the Feast of the three kings on 6th January with great pomp and splendor. A huge procession is carried out by the locals to mark the feast.

As one walks near the foot of the steps of the church one can see a small shrine dedicated to Our Lady of Good Hope. Several people devotedly worship and pray for to this shrine.

How to get to Reis Magos Church. ?

BE CAREFUL:
The Best View You can get when you click a photo here is when you stand on the roadside. Be careful of the vehicles then.

TIP OF THE DAY:
Best time to click photo of the church is early mornings.

On that note, here I am leaving you with my photograph at the Church. I would love to see your photos too when you visit the place. Share the photos on your instagram, facebook and twitter using the hashtag – #TravelwithAllycaral Looking Forward to see your wonderful pictures!

#BEINGALLYCARAL AT Reis Magos Church