In the shadows of skyscrapers....

When I was in Vancouver, one of the localities that I loved visiting was Granville island. Granville Island sits in the middle of False Creek, the body of water that separates Vancouver from the city's West End.  This 37-acre industrial wasteland in Vancouver’s False Creek  has been transformed into a vibrant locality with artists and artisans, talented buskers, a Farmer’s  market and  many independent shops....

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TO MARKET , TO MARKET!

One of the first things I do in any European city is head to their local market which is usually an atmospheric melee of people, flavours and smells. One of the markets that I really enjoyed seeing is Budapest’s majestic Central Market Hall. Built in 1897 using bricks, cast iron and glass and completely renovated in 1999, the covered Central Market hall is today a great hunting ground for souvenirs. They say that when it just opened...

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CANDY STRIPES

An integral part of the French Basque region is Basque linen or Linge Basque with its traditional stripes which used to be in a sober colour palette of red, green and cream. Traditionally there used to be seven stripes on the linen: one for each province of the Basque region- three in France and four in Spain. They say that the origins of the linen was  in the Middle ages when weavers went door to door and made small linen squares...

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DESERT SYMPHONY

One of the most interesting properties that I have visited in the recent past is the Serai  (  part of the Relais and Chateaux group) which has 21 air conditioned tents set in a hundred acres of scrubby terrain in the heart of the Thar Desert, a half hour drive from Jaisalmer. The whole resort is built out of honey coloured sandstone and pearly white canvas and the Zen- like spaces are furnished with local artifacts like...

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IN THE GRAND BAZAAR

I wandered through the labyrinth of streets, feasting on the colour and sheer chaos and energy of the place. I discovered a myriad shops and cafes and ogled at souvenirs, carpets, tiles, leather and kilim bags, and ornate chandeliers. 4000 shops, 61 streets, 21 entrance gates even a post office, a police station, and a mosque - this was a mind boggling exercise! Founded by Sultan Mehmet, the conqueror, the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul...

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