TOP 5 THEMED RESTAURANTS AROUND THE GLOBE

- Ashima Sharma

Let it be hundred and fifty feet above the ground or meters down in the sea, these stunning restaurants deliver you taste in the most astonishing ways.

Presenting you the top 5 themed restaurants all across the globe. Number 3 is my personal favorite.

1. CANNIBALISTIC SUSHI

Nyotaimori is an unrecognized Japanese practice of serving sushi on the body of the woman, generally naked. This practice was more common in ancient Japan, it is now relatively rare. If you want to experience “NYOTAIMORI” you can head to “CANNIBALISTIC SUSHI”, a Japanese restaurant.

In this restaurant rather than eating the meal off of a woman’s body, diners eat the actual body itself. The dish is a life-size, replica of a woman complete with dough skin, sushi guts and blood red sauce.

2. UNDERWATER RESTAURANT

If you ever visit Maldives, this restaurant has to be on your list. “ITHAA”, means mother of pearls in DHIVEHI (local language). Ithaa is an undersea restaurant located 5 metres below sea level at the Conrad Maldives Island.

The restaurant is encased in r-cast acrylic with a transparent roof offering its diners a 270° panoramic view. It has a seating capacity for 14. Therefore advance reservations are necessary. The restaurant serves contemporary fusion Maldivian cuisine with western and Asian influences.

3. DINNER IN THE SKY

Dinner in the sky is a Belgian based restaurant serving in 45 countries including Australia, Japan, India, Dubai, South Africa, Brazil, Mexico, Canada, China etc. According to the Forbes magazine it is one of the world’s ten most unusual restaurants.

This restaurant hoists its diners, table and waiting staff hundred and fifty feet into the air with the help of cranes. So, to experience a dinner with your loved ones with city lights beneath your feet and stars above your head, this is the most unique moment to grab.

4. MODERN TOILET RESTAURANT

If you love to try new things and weird places this themed restaurant is waiting for you. It is a unique bathroom-themed restaurant chain, based in Taiwan with several branches all over Asia.

This three-storey restaurant is all about the items from a bathroom. Walls are covered with checkered tiles and adorned with shower heads, while plungers hang from the ceiling along with faeces shaped lights. Diners sit on actual non-working toilets, dishes are served on plastic miniature toilet bowls. It might appear cringy to some people but if ever plan to visit here get ready for some sweet and salty poop!

5. THE CAT CAFE

If you are looking some furry love, head to the cat cafe in Mumbai, India. World’s first cat cafe, “Cat Garden” was opened in Taipei, Taiwan in 1998, the concept blossomed in Taiwan and became famous in a really short span of time. This is India’s first cat cafe, popularized with the name, “Cat Cafe Studio”, opened in 2010. It offers you a variety of munchies, books, free wifi and obviously the cats.

TOP 5 BIZARRE PLACES ON EARTH

- Vaishnavi Pal

From creepy island filled with spooky and haunting dolls to a temple full of holy rats. Earth is a miraculous place, and always surprisesus with bizarre places, so bizarre, you won’t believe your eyes. Here are Top 5 unusual places on earth:

1)The Island of the Dolls, Mexico

Just south of Mexico city , between the canals of xochimico  lies a mysterious island, it both terrifies and enthrall whoever visit. The island is known as isla de las munecas (island of dolls). Hundreds of photographers and thrill-seekers travel to the haunted island of dolls every year, but it was never meant to be a tourist attraction. According to the sources, the dolls were put by a Mexican man named Don Julian who moved to Xochimico canals leaving his wife and child behind.

In 1950’s he came across a body of a young girl who had drowned in the canal. Several weeks later he also found a doll, imaging it belong to the little girl, he hung it from a tree as a way of Honoring the child.

Many believed dolls themselves are possessed. People claim to have  seen them moving , laughing and even whispering. In 2001, Julian died and the place became a major tourist attraction. Even 14 years after his death this place still has the power to torment.

2)KrzywyDomek, Poland

Krzywydomek is an oddly shaped building situated in Sopot, Poland. This fairy-tale looking house was designed by szotynscy& Zaleski. The mystical place attracts many tourists every day to conduct business, eat to enhance their health or do shopping.

In evening, the place is energetic and exciting as clubs and pubs provide large – scale programs of events.Their top quality and diverse catering will satisfy all tastes – both  sophisticated and traditional ones.

3)Temple of Rats, India

Karinimata temple, also known as the temple of rats, is a holy place  where thousands of rats move freely without fear of humans. The 600 year old karnimata temple, located in Dosdhnoke  in Rajasthan. The holy rats are called kabbas, and many people travel great distance to pay their respects. These rats are shown respect, they are generally fed and protected from predators. Various wires and grills designed to keep out animals such as cats and birds of prey. Visitors are said to remove their shoes.Don’t be scared because these tiny- little creatures won’t hurt you.

4)Prada in the desert , U.S.A

Prada store in the middle of nowhere as usual as it sounds, it is in fact , an art installation by artists Elmgreen and Dragset about consumerism called pradamarfa. The structure includes luxury goods from prada’sfall collection from that year. It is situated 14 miles northwest of Valentine, Texas, just off U.S highway 90, and about 26 miles northwest of the city Marfa. This bizarre store has no door, though its front windows which display 20 left-foot shoes and six purses. In the middle of dry dusty desert this place can fulfill your fashion thirst.

5) Leila’s hair Museum , U.S.A

It is a museum in independence, Missouri that displays examples of hair art dating back to the 17th century. It is only museum in the world, boasting over 600 hair wreathe and over 200 pieces of Jewelry made of human hair. The oldest brooch in the museum with a pieces of hair enclosed in a crystal was made in 1680.

The hair wreaths, many in their original frames are considered pieces of art.

Journey with Sri. M during Mambazhakkalam

- Hema Iyer Ramani

It was the month of May- that time of the year when Summer makes himself most comfortable in the city of Chennai and continues to stay on for several months through the year ,compelling its residents to ask: Athithi,tum kab jaoge ! That’s the time I choose to stay indoors. Yet, when I had the opportunity to meet a remarkable person, I couldn’t let the chance go by. I had to meet up with Sri.M and since I didn’t exactly have the physical stamina to follow him to the Himalayas, I decided to meet him at Madanapallee, where he has his ashram.We decided to travel by road to Madanapallee in Chittoor district , to meet him and talk about his various travels. The drive was quiet and I was fascinated to see little mountains of mangoes beautifully arranged. Mambazhakkalam! A dear friend was my travel companion. We unrolled our windows and allowed the mixed aroma of the different varieties of mangoes to invade our nostrils! We didn’t allow ourselves to be distracted by something as inanimate as the mangoes .

A quick stopover for breakfast and I was all geared up to meet the extraordinary man who had travelled 7500 kilometres across the length of India from Kanyakumari to Kashmir on a padayatra, walking ‘The walk of hope’ for the Manav Ekta. That was in 2015, begun on the day commemorating Vivekananda’s birthday and the journey continued for more than a year. It sent a message across religion , caste, region and language that there was a great need for a humane look to issues and he preached love and tolerance wherever he went. He spent time talking , singing, exchanging thoughts and ideas, wherever he stopped and spread the message of hope. Crowds gathered in large numbers joining him at various points throughout his walk . In all humility he says: “ it is not a novel concept” . It is true many before him have gone on a padayatra, but he made it a mission to walk on a hope that rested on the spirit of oneness. People joined him on his mission to express their faith in oneness and as in any travel, one never ceases to wonder at how much a particular travel can teach you. Sri M admits that he received so much more than what he could give. “India is such an inclusive country and there was not a single place where we did not encounter hospitality of the most generous kind. The journey was so beautiful and we took care to visit every place of worship that was on our

way. We discovered minorities blending peacefully with the majority groups- there never seemed to be any discomfort- often we go to teach but we in turn discover and learn new facets”.

For Sri M, travel is two pronged. The one kind of travel as the walk of hope is for a purpose- that is external. In this kind of travel, no matter wich of the world he may visit, he proceeds on a padayatra to connect to people, to spread his message of hope, love and secularism. He sets to even spread awareness of the importance of planting trees and also continuing to see that they are looked after- just as giving birth to a child alone is not enough, its nourishment and upbringing is just as vital.

However, Sri M enjoys the travels for his personal reasons even more than any other travel. As a young boy, Sri M found he could never stay for too long in any place. Speaking of his Guru he says, “Babaji often remarked that I had roller-skates under my feet”.

“Observe the trees- the stronger the tree grows, the deeper its roots grow too, and it becomes difficult then to move without uprooting the tree .” It made me understand why he led an almost nomadic life. I was reminded of the time when we read in books about settlement leading to private property and bringing with it the ills of mine and thine.

“ To me, travel is spiritual.” He spoke of the need to travel inwards , for what is to travel, but to really grow? Every travel teaches us something and with every new lesson, we actually grow. So at these times of his personal travels, he moves into the quiets of the forests or the mountainscapes of his favourite Himalayas. He speaks of the Buddha-Buddham sharanam gacchhami ….what is gacchhami? It implies travel, movement, to go, to seek. That is what true travel is all about- to seek, to go- but not just physically but spiritually too.

As I left the room, I took in the quietness of the place, its serene atmosphere and wondered whether the inmates would be influenced by the whole ambience. I decided in the affirmative when I discovered I slept so peacefully that night in my own little cottage.Everything was perfect- the prayer hall, the idols of worship under the trees, where Nature participated in pooja by allowing the fruit to gently hang overhead should any devotee seeking to offer should see the need. As for flowers, there was a gentle shower every time the Wind God willed it ! Dogs moved freely too making themselves completely at home in the surroundings. Madanapallee was also the place where Tagore had

the Jana Gana Mana set to music. I realized the place is naturally positioned at an elevated level because the place leaves you exhilarated as well.

As we left Madanapallee , our hearts were full. This time when we passed the mountains of mangoes, we stopped not only to smell them but to savor them as well. After all, Mambazhakaalam comes only once a year and we had to celebrate our fruitful journey.

Experiences In The Fairy Tale Land Of Flintstones: Hampi. 

- Saakshi Gulati

An ancient city with a myriad of antiquities. Boulders add to the beauty of the city like Ferraro Rocher does to a chocolate cake. A UNESCO world heritage temple, lush green paddy fields, palm trees, chic and cozy cafes and coracle boat rides beckon! Here is a list of the top 12 things that we think you should do in this mystical place-

1. UNESCO World Heritage Temples

At Hampi, heritage and pilgrimage enjoy a synergic bond like no other. Hampi was the ancient capital of the Vijayanagara Empire, an empire famous for dazzling architecture and rustic ambiance accentuating authenticity. There are various trails like Virupaksha, Vijaya Vittala Temple, Royal and Zenana enclosure. Hire a guide and time travel to one of India’s oldest settlement

2. Let the rocks rock your travel!

Imagine a city strewn with thousands of boulders, each with its own heritage and history. Fascinating right? A trip around Hampi helps you realize how the rocks help ameliorate the overall beauty of the town making it one of the most rustic places in the country.

3. Cycle around or rent a scooter

Ola? Uber? No! The best way to explore the town is by renting a cycle or scooter. Experience nostalgia as you cycle or scooter your way through the town. Take in all the old world charm that Hampi has to offer. There are numerous temples and ruins spread all over Hampi. Mark your own trails; stumble across some lesser known jewels of Hampi or just drive aimlessly around the paddy fields.

4. Stay on the hippie island

Hippie, the island of huts, hammocks and happiness. Hippe Island is a tiny island across the Tungabhadra river. Ditch the five star hotels and stay in one of the huts with hammocks overlooking the paddy fields and boulders. The vibes in Hippie Island is infectious! Share travel stories with fellow travelers from around the world or just laze on a hammock and soak in the beauty of the boulder town.

5. Take a coracle boat road on the Tungabhadra River

Coracle boat or Dongi is a bowl shaped boat made of locally sourced materials and rowed with one paddle. A coracle boat ride is an adventure in itself… marvel at the ruins of once a mighty empire. As the boatmen spin the boat you can feel the entire city revolving around you!

6. Trek up to Anjanadri (monkey hill) or Mathanga hill for the most gorgeous sunsets and views of the city.

Sunsets and panaromic views of the city tend to reinvigorate a sense of tranquility and peace. Monkey hill is on Anegudi side and has newly built steps; it takes 565steps to reach the hill top. According to the Legend, Lord Hanuman was born here. The sunset point boasts the most gorgeous view of the city.

Alternatively, you can trek to Matanga hill. The steps are old and moderately difficult as you climb.600 odd steps and boulders to reach the vantage point.

If you are not up to trekking, walk up to the Hemakuta hill complex. Sit on one of the rocks and watch the sun go down.

7. Café hoppin’

Eat at small, colorful cafes; you’ll be surprised to see the variety of cuisine they offer –from Italian to Israeli. The cafes in Hampi are colorful with graffiti painted walls and most of them have sitdown seating. Soothe your aching muscles at Mango Tree after a tiring day of temple visits. They servethe best veg thali’s in town.

8. Shop at Hampi Bazaar

The best shopping malls are the streets that sell authentic products. Hampi offers a wide range of jewellery, colorful shirts, harem pants and artifacts. It’s always a good idea to negotiate a price before you buy.

9. Rock climbing

Are you one for adventure and adrenaline? Are you someone who likes challenge? Then Boulder climbing is what you need. It is very famous in Hampi especially across the Tungabhadra River. As you climb large rocks, your fingers and body will ache but the sweat is worth it as you will feel extremely accomplished at the end of it!

10. Visit the Sanapur lake

Sanpur Lake is a lesser explored part of Hampi. Placid blue waters surrounded by boulders,it offers spectacular views of rocky mountains. It on one side is the lush green paddy fields in the valley and on the other were these huge boulders just stacked on each other. Best time to visit this place is during sunset.

11. Meet Lakshmi, the temple elephant and get her blessings

Lakshmi is the temple elephant, a majestic being that has become one with Hampi’s culture. You can see her bathing in the morning. If you visit the temple, give her a coin, and pat,she will give you her blessing.

12. When in Hampi, try the wine made in Hampi.

French wine, yum right? Well, if you can’t go to France go to Hampi. KRSMA wines are made in Hampi, in one the finest vineyards in India. They are exquisite in taste and quality. Try their signature Cabernet Sauvignon and thank us later!

Be sure not to fizzle, when the summer starts to sizzle, as we’ve got the “Great India Beer Festival” along with everything else you’d love.

The festival brings you the finest beer from renowned microbreweries in Delhi NCR, along with International DJ’s and popular music bands, that promise you a perfect evening.

That’s not all! To feed your hunger, the festival also offers a chance to enjoy Delhi’s popular Cafe’s, street food and snacks; which leaves no reason not to be a part. It is going to be a perfect blend of beer, music and sweet-n-salty treat to refresh every part of you.

Entertainment is ready to shower on you on your weekend. Enjoy a variety of traditional beer games where you can test your skills, and have fun with your loved ones.

This is a festival with evenings to drink, dance with your mates and just have fun. Come and join the other thousands to experience this startling brew of beer and music and a lot more.

Find the details below.

VENUE : Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium

WHEN : Saturday, Aug 19 at 2pm

Sunday, Aug 20 at 10pm TICKETS : Rs 700/- onwards at www.eventshigh.com

- Ashima Sharma