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Chennai’s M. Natesh

When you’re going on vacation and looking for the perfect hotel, Chennai, India is one of the most beautiful spots in the world.  It’s one of India’s most populated cities, and rests on the eastern coast, so there are urban adventures as well as a lovely coastline.  You can escape to nature and escape into the city all in the same afternoon.  Our hotels are perfectly situated so that you can enjoy the best that Chennai offers.  We specialize in your comfort and rejuvenation, providing a uniquely delicious experience in accommodations.  So, find the hotel of your choosing and prepare to have a vacation here seated at the center of luxury.
After a delicious meal with local and international cuisines served by our top chefs, exploring the lovely city of Chennai is certainly on the menu.  There are attractions and events here that will entertain and educate guests of all ages.  There is truly something to offer everyone here, with fascinating sight-seeing tours into Chennai’s history and present, galleries and museums showcasing the best in visual art, and any number of events that happen here every day.  Tourists looking for a taste of the cutting edge in their visual art appreciation should look into the work of M. Natesh.
Born and raised in Chennai, M. Natesh has a lively background to his lively present.  His father was a famous Tamil playwright, and  M. Natesh has a background in drawing dating back to when he was three years old.  His training was in visual art, which began in India, and moved toward European art schools for modern techniques, but Natesh rejected these in favor of the techniques in India which of course are also modern.  He combines his visual art background with his father’s theater work to make art installations.  These are very charged pieces, arguing political themes from a very insistent and articulate point of view.  His work is a fascinating entrance into art in modern Chennai.

Tags: Chennai, hotel, india

The Markets and Bazaars of Jaipur, India

Jaipur is one of India’s most colorful cities, just walking through the markets and bazaars is treat for the eyes. The colors and the textures along the markets streets, have been a favorite spot for inspiration for international painters and photographers for decades. Some come here just for that inspiration, while others travel to the region, find one of the best Jaipur hotels to set up camp, and then hit the streets ready to shop. For many, this is one of the most important segments of their itinerary, and it is no wonder, for as well as the many options of some of the finest handcrafts and artistry in the world, this is one of the places where the culture and the heritage is the most vibrant, the market stalls and the food vendors, the locals and the tourists all combine to make this one of the most vibrant aspects of any vacation to this country.

The bazaars are filled with everything from antiques, carpets and rugs, gems and jewelery crafts, and the finest of leather and metal work in the world. While there are market throughout the city, some of the main ones include, Bapu Bazaar, Nehru Bazaar, Kishanpol Bazaar and the Mahiharon Ka Rasta. There are really no words to describe the abundance and the variety of items up for sale throughout these markets. The best way to understand, is to just visit in person, and wonder through the incredible energy and activity that takes place on a day to day basis in this area. No trip is complete in Jaipur without spending some in this hustle and bustle.

The carpet and fabrics found in these shops are of the finest quality in India, and are hand-crafted with the traditional techniques of the ancestors of the artists creating those same items today. The colors are out of the world, and many throughout the other cities of the country come to Jaipur for their own rugs and floor coverings or for the fabrics in which to make their own clothing. The leather crafted items and the handicrafts are also highly sought after for their aesthetic beauty and their artistic precision and quality. This is the capital of crafts in India, of which is often patronized by the Jaipur’s Royal Family. These artists and artisans are top notch and any art lover must stop in the markets of Jaipur, on each and every trip to the country.

Tags: Bazaars, india, Jaipur, Markets

Volunteering Goa

Volunteering is relatively new to the growing network of work opportunities in Goa, India . Goa established new project sites in the Himalayas and the desert state of Rajasthan . The one I volunteered for though, is the program concerning Goa’s beaches. I figured this would offer possibilities of not only travel, but recreation; oh and to make a contribution to the socially deprived areas along the coast.

Goa remains a stark reminder of many social issues, despite the obvious benefits of a massive tourism industry. Social issues such as a poorly developed educational infrastructure and it’s almost 3rd world health institutions are still in need of a large scale undertaking from Goa’s government. But, Goa’s beaches is India’s most well known and beloved beach destinations because of it’s music, food and climate. So, my volunteer home base in Goa is situated only 2 kilometers from Colva beach in southern Goa. It’s 30 kilometers long and the palm trees and silver sands is one of the least explored regions. Colva is also the oldest, largest and my personal favorite. I hire a bike, and being a volunteer, I only pay 50 INDR per day. If I had an international license I could hire a scooter to get around, but, I have gotten into better shape using the bike because I not only help with Colva beach, I also travel 6 kilometers to Margao beach . Magao is 25 kilometers long and has the finest white sand lining along the shores studded with coconut palms extending all the way to Bogmalo.

I had a friend fly in from the States and she booked a Goa India Hotel right on the very beach i was assigned to that week. Very fortunate indeed, so not only was I contributing to the betterment of the Goan beaches, I also got to experience the wonderful offerings of a luxury hotel, which my friend was happy to include me in her daily spa treatments. Very nice indeed. But, I too got to treat her to two spectacular beaches and show her around some less touristy hot-spots and show off my newly volunteered shaped body.

Tags: Goa, Goa beaches, goa india hotel, goa volunteering, himalayas, india