MALDIVES: PARADISE ON EARTH. BY GUEST BLOGGER DEEPA SUBRAMANIAN

Deepa Subramaniam enjoying her holiday in Maldives

I was this person who would admire the sea from afar or sit on a cruise boat dressed-to-the-nines and delicately dip my hands into the clear blue water...

Until I went on a solo trip to the coral sea to experience The Great barrier reef in Cairns, Australia, one of the seven wonders of the world. Even as I got into the submarine boat, and seeing the breathtaking scenes from underwater, I wasn’t even remotely imagining that I would be able to get into the water.

Clearly it was a rash decision , instigated by one and  all who have done it before , I braved the deep sea and dived from the boat which was tied firmly to a pontoon and my hand firmly holding the lifeguard.

Needless to say, this life changing experience left me breathless and then there was no looking back and I was officially declared a water baby…and a water destination holiday became a lifestyle.

Maldives remains a distant dream for many even for those who live in Asia because of the misconception that it is not an affordable holiday destination.

Yes, Maldives is frequented by wealthy resort-goers and famous people like David Beckham and Michael Phelps and the room rates can go up to or over 2000 USD per day. So for my friends who would love to see and be seen the right spots could be the beach villas on the land, the water villas built on stilt over the lagoon or tree villas perched above the ground at Four Seasons Resort Maldives, Kuda Hurra & Landa Giravaaru , Taj Exotica Resort & Spa ,Cocoa Island Resort, Park Hyatt Maldives Hadaaha, Jumeira Devanafushi , Six senses Laamu, Angsana, Ihuru, Shangri-la’s Villingili Resort.

You can’t go wrong on any of these and trust me,  the return on investment on this expensive holiday is worth every penny.

At the same time, it’s just like any other destination which has varying deals to suit budgets. With a bit of research, a bit more bravery and leaving decisions to the last minute, is how you can get a great deal. Kuredu , Baa Atoll,Bandos, Angaga Island,Komandoo , Irufushi etc are affordable island destinations with nonetheless the same breathtaking beauty.

And my dear single friends, Maldives may be a romantic destination but please do not let this deter you from seeing this supremely gorgeous island of the world.

And finally, it’s a safe place for a holiday with the awesome local Maldivian people who just make it easier for you to have a great holiday.

So with all the basic concerns clarified, all you have to do is to book the shortest flight to Male via Kerala or Colombo (ex India) and you are ready for an awesome water adventure that you cannot forget for life.

If you land at the Ibrahim Nasir airport after 10 pm make sure you have a proper reservation or you will be in for a surprise because the airport is shut after 10 pm and you have to book yourself into a local motel for the night until the islands open in the morning.

The success of a Maldivian holiday is defined by the resort and the island you choose because the resort-stays are a package deal that includes a mandatory drop and pick-up from the Male airport, room rate and food which is paid as an advance. So once you decide the resort you are more or less trapped in the island for the rest of your stay..Of course they offer to take you to other islands if you wish to see them.

The unique feature of Maldives is the concept of “one island one resort". The  minute  you set your foot on  the island of your choice of stay you instantly become the owner of the entire island. No outsiders can enter the island except the ones who stay in the resort and your privacy is intact.

The archipelago in the Indian ocean has 1190 islands renowned for its natural pristine beaches to choose from. Although, each island has its own distinct feel and character, all islands are blessed with perfect coral beaches, lush tropical vegetation and  warm shallow waters. No matter where  you are , Maldives will never let you forget that you are in an island surrounded by breathtaking turquoise blue water and  white sand which overwhelms you with a sense of calm and tranquility that transports you to another world.

What I loved the most was watching the sunrise from the backyard of my own private beach and  enjoying the breakfast  sitting close to the edge of the water and never getting out of the shallow cool blue water till sunset, hammocks in the ocean and a table for two in the middle of the ocean.

Awesome local food with a bit of an Indian/Srilankan influence and the daily dose of musical entertainment at the lobby for the  in-house guests.

Dive centre, scooter driving, underwater photography , snorkeling, shark point views, shipwreck views, night spa with kundalini rituals for tantric traditions, kite-surfing..the list of things you can do in Maldives is endless!

 So put off that  buzzing city holiday for now…. blend with nature and see how naturally you fit into that world.

TOWNS SHAPED BY NATURE

An icy island in Stockholm

Many travellers tend to seek attractions of the manmade variety: art and architecture, food and music, history and culture. But sometimes the most intriguing towns and cities are those where the topographies have been shaped by nature, often with striking, surreal results. To find the most dramatic natural locations where people actually live, we turned to question and answer site Quora, asking: “What are the world’s most geographically and topographically interesting cities and towns?”

From cave dwellings carved out of volcanic rock to an entire town built in a meteorite crater, these destinations are like nothing most travellers have ever laid eyes on. Read More

DUNEDIN — WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT CRICKET WORLD CUP HOST CITY?

Dunedin Railway Station. Photo credit www.dunedinnz.com

Dunedin is New Zealand's oldest city; it is also the most eclectic one. A southern treasure trove of indie nightlife, indigenous wildlife, cutting edge fashion and historic architecture. 

1996 world champions Sri Lanka face spirited, first-time World Cup contenders Afghanistan here on 22 February. Afghanistan then stay in town for a key game on 26 February when they will fancy their chances against Scotland. It’s Scotland's third World Cup tournament but should higher-ranked Afghanistan win an historic first World Cup match, you won’t want to miss their joy.

Place in history

Dunedin claims a special spot in New Zealand cricket history with the country's inaugural first-class match having taken place at the South Dunedin Recreation Ground in January 1864. The home side, Otago, beat neighbouring Canterbury by 76 runs to begin an annual rivalry that continues to this day. Dunedin's Albion Cricket Club is the oldest continuous club in New Zealand, having been inaugurated in 1862. 

City and region

Otago's largest city, the Scottish settlement of Dunedin dates back to the 1840s. Its grand, ruler-straight Edwardian and Victorian street-scapes are a legacy of the Central Otago gold boom, but with a modern day population of 100,000 the vibe is that of an easy-going provincial hub. Inland from the coastal centre is the ruggedly beautiful, sparsely populated Central Otago region, a favourite of artists, orchardists and red grape winemakers. Take a roadie to discover its big skies and haunted country pubs, or head to the ski towns of Queenstown and Wanaka amid the Southern Alps, a couple of lakes spectacularly framed by purple-hued mountain ranges.

What to see

Great wildlife. Otago Peninsula snakes out from the city of Dunedin with its curvy backbone giving shelter to a string of unspoilt bays and beaches. It's an eco-tourist's dream destination with the world's only mainland albatross colony, the world's rarest penguin - the hoiho, punk-coiffed yellow-eyed star of our five dollar note, wild sea lions and even the occasional leopard and elephant seal waiting to be viewed up close in their natural habitat. The rare charms of Otago Peninsula also extend to Larnach Castle, built in 1871 and a must-do for Devonshire tea and garden enthusiasts. In Dunedin itself explore the hidden gem that is the city's botanic gardens, chance your arm at Dunedin casino, discover the city's great live music tradition at a city pub and get uniquely southern with a plate of mutton bird linguini at harbour-front eatery Plato, washed down with a fine Central Otago Pinot noir.

JOURNEY THROUGH CANADA'S SNOWY ROCKIES

Pic courtesy: Canadian Train Journeys

Winter can be a brrrr and a blur in Canada...i.e. if you want it to be. But there's another way of experiencing the best of Canadian winter and exploring this beautiful country -- VIA Rail, the national passenger rail service. Just like our Indian Railways -- but a lot cleaner and stylish, I should say. 

I'd suggest the route from Toronto to Vancouver -- it's what would be deemed 'spectacular cross-continental travel'. Frosted scenes of Canadian Rockies! Phew! It deserves a background score of Oscarish proportions. 

Maligne Canyon

The overnight journey begins at Toronto. And when the train chugs along and you cross the Canadian Shield -- a land of frozen lakes -- is when you gasp in awe. Wildly beautiful. Isolated communities like Christmas decorations can be seen amidst snow covered trees.

Thousand Islands

The train stops at Winnipeg in the morning. You can get down and  explore this railway city. Once you are back on board, the train continues westwards from Winnipeg, crossing the prairies and arriving in the province of Saskatchewan in the evening. After a brief stop at Edmonton in the morning, the train begins the climb to the foothills of the Rockies. Get ready to encounter some of the most amazing vistas on earth -- glaciers, lakes, plunging canyons, frozen waterfalls and soaring snow-covered peaks.

Breathtaking sights

From quaint Jasper, in the morning, the train pulls into the cosmopolitan Vancouver. Snow covered urban landscape of skyscrapers set against the dramatic backdrop of snow-covered mountains and deep fjords.

Kananaskis Country

You should do the trip in the Dome Car of VIA Rail -- that way you can enjoy the art-deco style of the car; its plush lounges and observation area. Make new friends and share a drink with fellow travellers while enjoy the scenary. The staff on board are knowledgeble and will keep you informed with interesting information about the scenes outside the picture-windows and points of interest. 

At the beginning of the journey you might think -- what's so great about snow and winter? It's white. It's cold. At the end of the journey, you marvel at the different hues of the beautiful 'white' and discover that winters can be cosy and warm too -- in a different way!

  VIA Rail Canada

• Canada's national rail passenger service operates intercity, regional and transcontinental trains linking 450 communities across its 12,500-kilometre route network. 
• It carries four million passengers annually. 
• It has won the Safety Awards for the last 8 years.

COONOOR IN NOVEMBER IS JUST RIGHT

Acres Wild Farm Stay. All photos credited to Ayesha Tabassum

Ayesha Tabassum, our guest blogger, is a copywriter and consultant with Why Axis. She is also a self-confessed "wanderer, runner, nature-lover, animal-rescuer, foodie, Bangalore-based people-seeker, high on life and colours". She writes about her charming trip to a cheese-making farm in Coonoor. She blogs at ayeshatabassum.wordpress.com and tweets @aishatax

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“Coonoor in November? Naah! Not really the holiday destination for the winter month,” was the dismissive response from a seasoned traveler-advisory. It’s too cold, unpredictable showers and a roller-coaster of a journey by bus. Car seems better, was the suggestion. Near and dear ones were a tad bit surprised: "It will be too cold, no? That too you are taking your mother along? You better be padded well."

With an earful of advice, yours truly decided to embark on the much-awaited annual trip.

Agreed, November is usually the month to explore warmer places and cities in India. But what’s the point of following the usual holiday calendar.

This holiday was truly earned – booking at Acres Wild Farm Stay was done nearly two months prior (after warnings from traveller friends: "Book this place early, it’s not easy to get a cottage.") and leave at work had been applied three months in advance. With such planning (perhaps even more meticulous than PM’s quarterly itinerary), we absolutely

SKI MUSEUM, ST ANTON, AUSTRIA

by Aruna Chandaraju

Ski Museum, St Anton, Austria. Pic courtesy: www.tyrol.tl

"Do we really have time for this," we asked our guide. We were standing in the village square of St Anton and watching kids skate around. There were several other things-to-do on the day's itinerary, it was already late afternoon, and we had an early-morning appointment the next day.  

"Of course! How can you come to St Anton and not visit the Ski Museum!" she exclaimed. 

Well, she had a point. A very good point actually. 

St Anton, an idyllic village with breathtakingly views of the landscape from anywhere you look, is located in Tirol, Austria, in the heart of the Alps,  and often described as a snow

CAUGHT IN A SEA OF PEOPLE - THE FAMOUS PURI RATH YATRA

Puri Rath Yatra. All photographs copyrighted to Nila Tamaraa

I do not like crowds -- the massive, bone-crushing kind. I am borderline demo-phobic or at least that's what I believe -- I am 5'2" and the fear of being trampled looms large. But, I am also a try-everything-atleast-once-in-your-life kinda girl AND a sucker for stories, especially if it involves mythology. 

So, a few months back when I was invited to witness the Rath Yatra or Chariot Festival in Orissa, India, which attracts humongous crowds from all over the world, I didn't think twice before packing my bags. 

The festival is held every year in Puri, Orissa at the world renowned 12th century temple known

ICONIC EATERIES IN PUNE

Our guest blogger Sunil R Nair, a man whose mind is always in the future, lover of verses, a teetotaler and collector of wines,  goes down a culinary-memory-lane in Pune. Check out his blog pushbuttonthinking.blogspot.com. He tweets @spuriousmallu  

Blue Nile Restaurant. Photos: Sunil R Nair

Long before Pune became the mini metro it is today, it was the town of three cantonments, a river — Sangam — an army command, few dozen colleges, Parsis and Bohris. While growing up in this town, one had to declare allegiance to one of the two distinct factions on either side of the Sangam — the old conservative Pune with its customs and traditions and the liberal Cantonment ‘Poona’, swinging to the sounds of Jazz at the Jaws Burger Café or the Regatta along the Bund Garden or The Osho Rajneesh Ashram with its free spirit, love and… grass! This is the part that I belonged to — the profuse, rocking Poona of the 70s, 80s and nineties, before moving to that concrete jungle called Mumbai.

The Lal Deval 

My father, communist, trade unionist and closet-rum-drinker ensured that his kids — my sister and I — were “always” a part of the “hipness” of the Cantonment area. So when the rest of the Malayali kids went to schools that were within walking distance, we went by bus to a school 18 Kms away in the heart of the Cantonment, right next to a  Synagogue, funnily called The Lal Deval (The Red Temple).

My classmates were mostly, completely insane (in a nice way) Parsis, the comical (again, in a nice way)  Bohris, a few radical (in a funny way – at least that’s what I thought) Christians and the likes. Being in the midst of this motley crowd, always an ‘outsider’, had its benefits — I was privy to their hallowed rituals and most importantly their food, replete with ‘soul’.

After 11 years, I went back to the now-called- Pune, to walk down memory lane. Was it guilt or

TUESDAY READ: 7 WEIRD THINGS YOU CAN DO IN JAPAN

Say what you want about Tokyo — just don’t call it boring or predictable. There’s no shortage of things to do in the city, particularly when it comes to activities of a quirkier nature. Here’s a roundup of the weirdest and most wonderful experiences to be had in Japan’s capital.

Eat at Robot restaurant

Few experiences are more discombobulating than an evening at Tokyo’s Robot Restaurant, best described as a loud, colorful cabaret show that stretches your senses to their absolute limit. Starring scantily clad majorettes, an army of dancing 8-foot tall robots, and a soundtrack packed with hits from Broadway musicals (the theme fromDreamgirls was my personal favorite), a stop here is well worth your time.

Visit Maid Cafe

Japan’s growing fetish culture, along with its love for cosplay (a phenomenon where die-hard fans dress up as their favorite anime and comic book characters), have birthed the "maid cafe"—an establishment where waitresses prance around in maid costumes and play personal servant to patrons as though they were in a private home. The ladies, often of a younger persuasion, affect cutesy voices and gestures while tending to customers, addressing them as "Master" and "Mistress." Along with typical cafe fare, the menu is adorned with a variety of "alternative" services, ranging from spoon-feeding to ear cleaning. I went to chain Maidreamin in Tokyo’s Akihibara district, but the popularity of these cafes means that they can be found all around the city. Read more

84-YEAR-OLD MAN CALLED 'BABY' WHO RUNS A CATERING BUSINESS WITH NO NAME, WHICH THE LOCALS SWEAR BY

 

Baby Narayana Iyer (84) Photo: Nila Tamaraa

He is 83-years-old. But to the people living in and around Ulsoor, Bangalore, he will always be — Baby Iyer.

Narayana Iyer, originally from Palakad in Kerala, was born and brought up in Bangalore. Iyer Sr always fondly called his first born "Baby" and the "pet name stuck".

I met Baby Iyer on one of my walkabouts in Ulsoor. Clad in a not-so-white dhoti and half-sleeved white shirt, the octogenarian was frail looking ("But I have no diabetes, cholestrol or any other diseases," he tells me) even as he leaned, for support, on the iron gate of an old-fashioned, old-looking, yellowed with age house. On one side of the gate was tied a poster that announced the availability of Home made products….Catering undertaken for all small functions.

There is something utterly delightful about striking up a conversation with an absolute stranger. And if the stranger happens to be someone like Baby Iyer — a man full of stories — the joy is doubled. So, there I stood — on the narrow road with just a few houses on either side and a 3000-year-old temple at one end — chatting with a man who seemed like he welcomed a ‘willing ear’. We stood there exchanging stories — with no agenda. Bliss!

A FESTIVAL FOR THE VAMPIRE LOVERS

All those fans of bloodsucking vampires...your day has come, when you can dance and prowl the streets of Ireland with your favourite bloodsuckers.

Gothic ghouls, marauding vampires and dancing zombies are just some of the creatures that will prowl the streets of Dublin, Ireland during the Bram Stoker Festival in October (24–27), when the city takes a look at its darker side. Inspired by the Dublin-born horror novelist and his creation — Count Dracula — the annual festival returns this year with the aim of awakening the city’s Gothic heart. The festival offers a wide range of indoor and outdoor events — from large-scale spectacles to intimate performances in unusual places to satisfy your Gothic heart. 

TUESDAY READ: WHERE TO GO IN OCTOBER

Morning mist rising over the stupas of Bagan. Image by SEUX Paule / hemis.fr / Getty Images

October has a shoulder season feel in the Northern and Southern Hemisphere, which makes this month a favourite of travellers who prefer to have a place all to themselves. The time is ripe for a road trip through the autumnal splendour of North America's forests, and the heat of summer lingers in parts of the eastern Med far longer than the crowds.

The end of the dry season in Zambia means this is a prime time for a walking safari; it's damp in Myanmar, but that ensures you'll have the run of historic sites such as Bagan; meanwhile, South Korea's second largest city, along with Uruguay's oldest, and the always effervescent island of Bali make compelling cases for consideration with a range of festivals and celebrations. Read More

WEDNESDAY READ: 10 THINGS TO DO IN IRELAND

Trees lit at night in Mount Stewart Gardens, Northern Ireland

By Kathleen M. Mangan

Festivals and events highlight the fall season in Ireland. Get out and enjoy harvest fairs, sports championships, traditional music and arts, guided weekend walks, creepy ghost tours, and much more.

1. Attend a Sports Championship

   Gaelic football and hurling are some of the top spectator sports in Ireland and Northern Ireland, culminating in the All-Ireland Senior Championship Finals played in Dublin’s Croke Park in September. Attending an All-Ireland is the experience of a lifetime, but plan ahead as all 82,300 tickets usually sell out. You can visit the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) Museum at Croke Park year-round to learn about the history, see game highlights, and test your sports skills. Get a feel for game day on a stadium tour—visit team dressing rooms, run through the players tunnel onto the field pitchside, and catch views of the field from the sidelines and VIP seats.
   For bird’s-eye views of the stadium and Dublin’s skyline, take the guided Etihad Skyline Tour on the 17-story-high rooftop, where you will be hooked by harness to a railing.

2. Tour the Tombs at Glasnevin Cemetery

   Ireland’s necropolis is Glasnevin Cemetery in Dublin where 1.5 million people have been buried...READ MORE

THE BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI — NOW HAS A RESORT

Pic courtesy X2 River Kwai Resort

The 1975 film, The Bridge on the River Kwai, is still one of the best, all-time favourite war movies. Ironically, the seven-Academy-Award-winning film was not actually filmed in Thailand on River Kwai, but in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). 

Now, if you felt cheated about that — like me — then here's your chance to experience the original River Kwai. Making it possible is to go see the place that inspired the film, in Western Thailand is  X2 River Kwai resort.

Located on a 3000 sqmts stretch of the beautiful Kwai Noi River is the resort with a jaw-dropping view of mountain ranges and blue-blue skies with low-hanging cottony clouds — all reflected in the waters of the river — picture perfect!

Pic courtesy: X2 River Kwai Resort

Traveling to the resort means a pleasant journey that involves passing rice paddy fields, sugar cane plantations, local temples and villages which are the signature scenery of Kanchanaburi. Kanchanaburi is the largest of the western provinces of Thailand. It is frequented by tourists who have been attracted by its long history and ancient civilizations. The province is also known for its natural attractions such as forests, mountains, caves and waterfalls. The town really gained fame after WWII when the Japanese soldiers used it as a base camp for the POWs to build the notorious Thai-Burma Railway and the well-known bridge over the River Kwai.  This was the story featured in the famous film.  Another film about this historical event is The Railway Man which was shot mainly in the actual locations in Kanchanaburi and will be screening in 2014.

Photo courtesy: X2 River Kwai resort

Coming back to the resort X2 River Kwai...the eco-friendly resort  was designed by the Thailand-based Agaligo Studio. Materials  procured locally and recycled parts were used to build this wonderful resort. The coolest thing about this resort is that each room is equipped with an electrical key that  cuts off the electricity when the guest leaves the room. 

Pic Courtesy: X2 River Kwai Resort

The resort consists of 8 rooms of different kinds — PoolXide Cabin, LuXe Cabin, PoolXide Cabin Suite and LuXe Cabin Suite- all facing the spectacular Kwai Noi River. There's also a river-facing restaurant with an outdoor deck, The Bridge Bar and Bistro, library, an infinity riverfront pool with sun lounges and sun beds, bicycles on loan, free wifi in all common areas, guarded car park and iPads on loan. For guests’ safety, CCTVs are installed in all critical areas and there are 24 hour security guards.

Pic Courtesy: X2 River Kwai Resort

Now, I cannot leave you without retelling the story of one of my favourite films: The Bridge on the River Kwai. It opens in a Japanese prisoner-of-war camp in Burma in 1943, where a battle of wills rages between camp commander Colonel Saito (Sessue Hayakawa) and newly arrived British colonel Nicholson (Alec Guinness). Saito insists that Nicholson order his men to build a bridge over the river Kwai, which will be used to transport Japanese munitions. Nicholson refuses, despite all the various persuasive devices at Saito's disposal. Finally, Nicholson agrees, not so much to cooperate with his captor as to provide a morale-boosting project for the military engineers under his command. The colonel will prove that, by building a better bridge than Saito's men could build, the British soldier is a superior being even when under the thumb of the enemy. As the bridge goes up, Nicholson becomes obsessed with completing it to perfection, eventually losing sight of the fact that it will benefit the Japanese. Meanwhile, American POW Shears (William Holden), having escaped from the camp, agrees to save himself from a court martial by leading a group of British soldiers back to the camp to destroy Nicholson's bridge. Upon his return, Shears realizes that Nicholson's mania to complete his project has driven him mad. It won the Oscar for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor for Guinness and Best Screenplay for Pierre Boulle.

Now, I suggest you go get yourself a DVD of the film and watch it, even as you draw up a plan to visit X2 River Kwai Resort. 

More info on http://x2resorts.com/

7 MINUTES TO HEAVEN IN JASPER, CANADA

The journey began — cold, rainy and dreary — giving no inkling of what was going to happen in the next seven minutes.

I was at the Jasper Tramway in Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada; standing at the foot of a wall of a mountain, the Whistler Moutain, rising above me, covered in a green poncho of coniferous trees. I peered deeply to catch a glimpse of the Hoary Marmot squirrel when I was told that the mountain gets its name from the squirrel, with its famous whistling alert call, and which resides in the Alpines. But in vain.

I couldn’t see the tip of the top; it was gobbled up by gloomy grey clouds. But, I did see the red buggy-of-a-tramcar being spit out by the not-so-happy clouds and making its way towards the bunch of us gaping at it.

My heart sank a little. Should I even be doing this? But I have lived long enough to know that the answer to that question should always be a ‘Yes’, especially if you want to experience life in the raw; and all that it offers. Because at the end, it always adds up -in a nice way.

Jasper Tramway  is a guided aerial rope-way in the Canadian Rockies – the longest and highest ride in Canada. If the rain gods feel benevolent and put a leash on their minions (the grey clouds) then you will get a breathtaking view of the six mountain ranges of the Rockies, Alberta’s longest Athabasca River, glacial fed jewel-toned lakes and the scenic town of Jasper below.

On that cloudy morning I doubted the benevolence of any Gods, though Jack-the-6’2-Aussie tramway tour guide insisted that we "have a little faith". I did – he asked nicely, after all.

We got into the tramcar at 4279 ft above sea level. It chugged its way up, up and up. It would take us seven minutes to reach the Upper Station at 7472 ft.  Easy ride. But we could hardly see anything with the clouds cloaking everything in sight. And then….somewhere between the sixth and the seventh minute the tramcar broke through the blanket of clouds and emerged on the other side… OMG! Is heaven only a seven-minute ride away from earth?

The sun was a brilliant-over-sized diamond embedded in a blue-blue sky; I felt like I could touch it if I had the courage to reach out. And then the clouds…. whitest of white, pure, fluffy, cottony, playful and inviting….under my feet.

In the the Upper Station, which is 7500 feet above sea level, is the Treeline restaurant;  on a clear day you can see Mt.Robson, the tallest Canadian Rockies peak. Stepping out of the restaurant, you can walk along the boardwalks surrounding the station — covered in mist, with the feeling of fluffy white clouds accompanying you on the walk.

From the station, a 1.4 km trail takes you to the Whistler’s Summit. And from here you can have a magnificent view of the Columbia Icefield and Glacier lakes.  Enroute you can snoop around for Hoary Marmots, Ground squirrels, Moose and Pikas. Of course, I didn’t get to see any of these, since I was mesmerized on the trail, trying to hold the mist in my hands or to peak at the handsome Mt.Robson jutting out from a sea of white cotton-candy-cloudscape. Simply breathtaking!

The Tramway is closed during winter. And on summers it is usually crowded. I am told that the best time to visit during summer, to avoid waiting in the long line is early in the morning or late in the evening.

I tried to capture the short but once-in-a-lifetime journey in pictures…but as the old adage goes –photos can never do justice to life-changing moments. This was one, it taught me to stand still and be in the moment; soak in the moment because it is not every day you get to enjoy a slice of heaven.

The trip was made possible by the Canadian Tourism Commission. But the opinions expressed are my own.