A food selfie.... Ada and I had almost month in Bali. Canguu, Medewi, Ubud and for me, Nusa Lembongan. It was in short; great food, excellent yoga teachers and studios, weather and places to visit. ....another food selfie.... The accommodation varied though and I will only mention those places worth mentioning and ignore the few that were overpriced, mouldy, and littered with naphthalene flakes. At times the food fell short too and in the main that comes down to three little letters that pack a horrid punch - MSG. did they spend the whole month eating? On food, Canguu has it all. So many wonderful day time cafes, plenty of night time options and if I was to choose a theme it would be colour and presentation. Loads of raw, vegan, vegetarian and even plenty of meat options for hungry surfer types....
Lisbon definitely falls into the shabby but chic category. There is a real sense of dynamism here which seems to be a combination of entrepreneurial spirit, to start up costs and supportive government policies It should not have come as surprise to us that three days wasn’t enough time in Lisbon. Both Lisbon and Porto have been Monocle’s poster children for urban gentrification and progressive local government. This was combined the features of a one of Europe’s oldest but now faded trading empires: a beautiful port with a hilly shoreline; elaborate and still solid buildings constructed with the wealth of derived from international trade routes to South America, Africa and India; and finally a mix of ethnic groups that came to call Lisbon home. Lisbon is built on seven hills above a pretty harbour and this was a great opportunity for Kate and I to train for Corsica. The narrow streets were...
Ganpatti is an annual religious festival celebrating Ganesh, the elephant headed god much loved in Mumbai. Many families and societies, sometimes referred to as Mandals, bring Ganesh, in the form of a statue, into their home or into a temporary shrine or Pandal that often takes up half a lane on the street. The Ganesh nearest to the office... Ganesh is hosted for a 1.5, 3, 5, 7, or 11 day stay with a senior family member required to stay in the home to host Ganesh. For many of the Ganesh sponsored by Mandsls, they are hosted by small boys who work in shifts. These lads seem very impressed with their important role in the community. .... and his security detachment While Ganesh is in the house, Pooja’s are held and offerings are made. Bringing Ganesh into the home means significant commitment. Once started you need to invite Ganesh into your house for the next 5 years, the statue must never get small...