Knowledge Wanders
Wandering the great places…

Archive for August, 2009

31
Aug

Enjoying in the City of Noida

Posted in Travel  by Urmann3 on August 31st, 2009

Noida is short for New Okhla Industrial Development Authority. It is a city within Delhi. In addition, it lies across the Uttar Pradesh state line. The city is located across the river of Yamuna in Delhi. It is considered as the most modern city in the country. It is a famous site for businesses looking for an escape to the steep rents and congestion in Delhi.

Shopping Malls in Noida
Noida is filled with shopping centers and malls. You could first try going to Center Stage Mall located along Sector 18. It is just behind Radisson and near the Atta Market. It is great for your complete shopping needs.

The Great India Place mall is also located in Sector 18 just like Center Stage. It is fairly new and there are sections still under construction. It will be the biggest in India when it finishes. It has big cinemas, a cineplex, and food court as well as fine dining restaurants and a large department store.

Another wonderful complex to visit is the Spice Mall. This huge building features a Cineplex with 8 screens. The site is also a good pace for dining and shopping.

Sopprix Mall may be smaller compared to the others but it offers good recreation experience nonetheless. It has a great selection of both affordable and branded clothing lines. There is also a good selection of fine dining restaurants. The Suhiksha supermarket can rival the prices of other groceries.

Shipra Mall is already located in a different city though it is just along Noida’s Section 62. This mall is just a few minutes drive from Noida.

Aside from the numerous malls surrounding the city, it is also filled with traditional or old style Indian markets such as Indira market, Atta, Khoda, Harola, Choura, Naya Bans and Chellara.

Affordable Restaurants in Noida
Taste of India is your avenue to superb Indian foods at affordable prices. This budget restaurant is located at Level 1 of Center Stage Mall in Sector 18. It has a food court kind of style along with 8 stations that offers Indian food. All the foods that are prepared and served are strictly vegetarian. A big meal combo costs around 100 Rs.

Haldiram restaurant is located at PVR Spice Mall. You will find a great variety of dishes to suit your palate. There is also Sagar, a restaurant that offers good southern Indian cuisine. It has a lot of branches within the city. One is located at Sector 15 in the Gulmohar Shopping Complex while another branch is at Sector 18 in Shopprix Mall.

Brahmaputra Market is situated along Sector 29. The place is crowded at night by vendors that offer vegetarian and meat cuisine.

Moti Mahal is a budget restaurant offers the best Mughlai cuisine in Noida. It is found in Sector 18.

Laxmi Coffee House is a good food joint that offers southern Indian cuisine. The food is tasty and the prices are really cheap. It is located along Sector 29 at the Brahmaputra Market.

Bars in Noida
The prices of alcoholic beverages in Noida are more expensive than in Delhi. The major nightlife district in the city is at Sector 18 in Atta Market.

Flluid is the most popular and the largest nightclub you will find here. It is located on the top floor of the Center Stage Mall in Sector 18. Another one, Elevate, is a nightclub and bar that has two floors. Admission fee is usually 200 Rs.

For more information on Noida and Noida helpline Numbers.Please visit our website.

31
Aug

Restaurants in Kolkata: A Great Dining Experience

Posted in Travel  by Urmann3 on August 31st, 2009

Kolkata is the third largest city located at the eastern part of India. It is the capital of West Benga. The city was founded in 1690 by a merchant trader named Job Charnock.

The multinational population of Kolkata savors different recipes and dishes with no exceptions. It is one of the metropolitan cities of India that houses many fine dining restaurants. These cater to all kinds of foods from vegetarian and non vegetarian dishes to soup, appetizers and sweet desserts.

Restaurants around Kolkata serve popular dishes of Punkjabi, North and South Indian, Mughlai and Chinese. Mexican and Thai food are also gaining popularity. Among the Indian specialty foods are lentils, bhat, fish curry, luchi and tarkari.

Here are among the fine dining restaurants around Kolkata.

Souravs Food Pavillion

Souravs is a multi cuisine restaurant located at the citys Park Street. The restaurant was opened by Sourav Gangualy. It offers a wide array and mysterious cuisines and good seating capacity.

The four-storey multiplex restaurants were designed by architect Kapil Bhalla. It has a unique arrangement of four restaurants under one roof and was completed in just five months. The first restaurant is called One Day. It is a 24-hour coffee shop on the first floor with live bands every night.

Over Boundary Restaurant at the second floor, they serve cross-country cuisines. Third is Maharaj, a 70-seater restaurant that serves royal food from Kashmir, North India and Afghanistan. The last most authentic lounge is the Prince of Cal. It showcases a German-made cricket laced with glittering active light of 12,000,000 color combinations.

These four restaurants cater special events or private parties like anniversaries, cocktail dinners, marriage receptions, bachelor parties and the like. Guests may even request an exclusive area of your choice of cuisine from around the world. Added highlights include a dance with the DJs, great sounds and lightings. Two persons can avail a set of menu for only 1000 Rs.

Mainland China

Mainland China is a Chinese restaurant that provides world class cuisine at a reasonable price. It offers a unique fine dining experience with high standard services. The two restaurants in Kolkata are located at the 3rd floor of South City Mall and at the 3rd floor Silver Arcade.

Popular delicacies include Drunken Chicken in Shaoxiang wine, Sliced Lamb with cumin and onion and Sizzling Eggplant with spicy tomato garlic sauce. Also, Crispy Vegetable in Beijing style and Fish with Chinese parsley sauce is another favorite amongst the visitors.

Aaheli Restaurant

Aaheli Restaurant is located at the Peerless Inn in Jawaharlal Nehru Road. The name Aaheli comes from the Arabic word which means unadulterated. The restaurant serves traditional Bengali vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. The ethnic ambiance of the place matches the bowls and plates as well as the walls with terracotta panels. Smoking and alcohol is not allowed inside the premises.

The Marble Room

Marble Room Restaurant is located at Kenilworth Best Western Hotel at Little Russell Street. The restaurants interior is designed with a touch of ancient colony. There are English-styled wood chairs, lit rooms and large mirrors.

Marble Room serves traditional North Indian cuisines. Specialties include the kebabs, bhuna gosht, biriyani and Mughlai cuisines. Popular desserts are gajar ka halwa and gulab jamun.

The restaurant has a seating capacity of 70 people that can host a royal party. A lunch or dinner for two can be availed at a maximum price of Rs400. Food is served from 12:30 pm to 3:00 pm and from 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm.

For more information on Kolkata Business and Kolkata Shoppingplease visit our website.

31
Aug

More Top Tips From A Master Minibus Driver

Posted in Travel  by webaddiction on August 31st, 2009

Driving a minibus is easy enough for any driver. There is, however, one aspect that minibuses share with children - neither comes with instructions. This is where being able to pick the brains of a minibus driver with experience comes in. Our tame expert, D1 Category licensed Scout Leader David, has been driving minibuses for 30 years. Here are some more hints and tips from him, for minibus drivers starting from scratch to those with many miles under their belt.

For drivers new to minibuses, David begins by pointing out that driving one is unlike driving a car. True, the layout of the controls is the same but the driving technique can be quite different. The relatively high overall weight of a minibus means its driver must have patience. Pulling away at a roundabout or junction, or overtaking, are scenarios in which more time is needed to accommodate the minibus’s relatively reduced acceleration. Moreover, the size that adds to the weight of a minibus isn’t a licence to use it aggressively. Giving consideration to other drivers is essential, as is an awareness of the vehicle’s stopping distances in dry and wet conditions. Also, be aware of other drivers’ tendency to cut in after overtaking.

David goes on to warn new drivers about manoeuvring. He stresses that the inevitable blind spot warrants due consideration and suggests making sure that the minibus is fitted with a reversing alarm. While this lets pedestrians know the vehicle is about to reverse, David says that drivers should not reverse unless they can see all around the minibus and that reversing on a campsite is not wise. He further suggests that drivers new to minibus use should take a relevant training course, as outlined below.

What about on the road? David recommends carrying a spare can of diesel fuel. Unlike petrol, diesel needs the significant heat of, say, a fire to make it a danger aboard a minibus and it doesn’t have the problem of the fumes given off by petrol. His next suggestion is to always start a journey of any length with a full fuel tank, to lessen the chance of running out of fuel. Why is this important? Because after running a diesel engine dry, the driver can’t simply top up with fuel and drive on. To work, diesel engines must atomise their fuel at very high pressure and a fuel system that’s run dry can’t do that unaided. So, to save having to call out a mechanic to bleed the system, never let it run out of fuel.

The Scout Association (SA) has the following guidelines concerning minibuses.

Drivers should keep a journey log book detailing who’s driven where. Any problems and the actions taken to resolve them should also be logged. This shows due diligence has been taken.

The SA has a dispensation for scouts, who aren’t fare-paying passengers. This can cause complications when a minibus is hired out but the hirer’s making a contribution to maintenance offers a solution.

When hiring out a minibus, the SA suggests the following are checked.

Has the driver got a D1 Licence?
Has the driver got a MIDAS Certificate*?
Has he/she driven a minibus before?
Is he/she fit to drive?

*MIDAS is the Minibus Driver Awareness Scheme.

David closes with the information that the going rate for minibus hire is currently 50 pounds per day.

Above all, David’s hints are the consequence of his extensive experience of driving a minibus. As such, they can be taken as appropriate to all minibus drivers, regardless of circumstances.

Louise Slee is a Web Marketer and driving enthusiast for over 25 years, with no penalty points to date! See her articles at Minibus Club where she imparts some useful driving and travel tips when you are out and about in your minibus

30
Aug

Portugal - All What You Wanted in a Holiday

Posted in Destinations  by jdogweb on August 30th, 2009

Portugal offers the most spectacular beaches in Europe throughout the country, and has the most delightful climate, which is perfect for beach holiday resorts. Portugal is one of the richest historical and cultural centres in Europe, not only for those interested in history, from the archaeological sites to the medieval churches and castles, and from traditional religious festivals to the world famous vineyards of the region, Portugal offers you so much to see in a single trip. Lisbon itself is the best place to visit to get in touch with the historical and cultural attractions, such as the Lisbon Cathedral, the Monument to the Discoverers, the Opera House and the Avenida da Liberdade.

Regardless of the Portuguese region that you are visiting, you can be sure of finding the most spectacular beaches at various beach resorts. Of all the Portuguese regions, the Algarve, Madeira Islands and Azores can offer you the best beach resorts. Albufeira and Faro are a favourite among holidaymakers, and because of their pleasant weather all year round, as well as other attractions, they are one of the most popular beach resorts in Portugal. Apart from those, the most popular beach resorts in other regions are found in Lisbon itself, Porto Covo in Alentejo, Praia Formosa in Santa Maria in Azores and Jardim do Mar in the Madeira Islands.

The beaches offer a variety of activities, including water sports like surfing, windsurfing, snorkelling, waterskiing and scuba diving. Lisbon is home to the Costa de Caparica, the largest beach in Europe and you can find almost all kind of beach activities and attractions there, including an Oceanarium, which is a popular tourist attraction. You can pursue a number of other attractions and activities offered by the beautiful beaches of Portugal, such as big game fishing, boat rides and pedaloes.

Portugal also features the most stunning marine life in the entire Europe, and if you are thrilled by the thought of the amazing deep sea spectacles, then don’t miss the sights that Portuguese waters can offer you. Furthermore, you can visit wildlife theme parks and water parks, enjoy go-karting, cycling, hiking, mountain climbing, canoeing and visiting the nature at its purest at the Peneda-Geres National Park in Porto e Norte.

Golf is also an activity to look forward to in Portugal as it features one of the most beautiful golf courses in Europe, which are adored by the best golfers around the world. With the Algarve only offering 19 courses, you will find plenty of action in the most pleasant playing conditions.

Restaurants, Nightlife & Shopping

You will find a variety of top quality restaurants throughout Portugal offering local and international cuisines such as Spanish, Italian, British, Indian and Chinese cuisines.

The Nightlife in Portugal is one of the most attractive aspects that holidaymakers look forward to, and places like Albufeira and Lisbon offer plenty to keep you busy and entertained during the evenings.

Portugal offers exciting shopping attractions for tourists, especially in Albufeira, Faro and Lisbon, where you can collect a few souvenirs that are of interest to the holidaymaker.

Portugal Weather and Climate

The climate of Portugal is perfect for beach holidays, as it offers more than 300 days of sunshine a year. That is why it is considered a haven for those who enjoy sunbathing. You can find no less than 12 hours of sunshine a day, with an average temperature of 30 degrees Celsius. Even during the winter season, the weather remains pleasant, and the temperature barely falls below 15 degrees, with at least 6 hours of sunshine every day. Rainfall generally occurs between the months of November to March.

CheapHolidays.com is the most reliable online source to offer you the cheapest and the most convenient holiday packages to Portugal. CheapHolidays.com offers you complete financial protection on bookings. The website offers an easy-to-use interface, which you can use to learn about and compare flights and accommodation options with the best prices.

30
Aug

Experiencing Last Minute Holidays - Some Tips

Posted in Travel  by shanedj on August 30th, 2009

Last minute deals can be the cause of a lot of confusion as they have had bad press in the past. A lot of people assume that taking such a holiday is somewhat a lucky dip and the chances are that you will end up with a holiday that you cannot wait to leave. Today however things have really changed in the holiday industry and there are so many great last minute deals that you can book onto. Here are a few things you should know about taking them.

You can get a deal at the last minute from different places. One of these is a travel agent on the high street and these are normally posted up in the window, so keep looking to see if there are any special offers that take your fancy. You can also use the internet to book last minute holidays and often this can give you a better choice, but you must be prepared for some of these to be very last minute. Or if you are really searching for a really last minute holiday pack a bag and go to the airport and see if there are any cancellations which you can go on.

Sometimes a last minute holiday can leave within a day of being published, so you need to be ready for a last minute set off. Pack your bags early and get ready to set off at a day’s (or sometimes a few hours) notice. Some of the last minute deals that are available may be to places that require vaccinations, if these are the type of trips that you are interested in make sure yours are up to date.

Be ready to try something new, often people taking last minute holidays choose for a holiday that they might not normally choose and this can be an amazing experience. So keep an open mind about where you could travel to - but at the same time be confident about where you would not like to go, after all you want to make sure you have a great your holiday.

If you are looking at travelling with a group of friends you can find some great last minute offers in self catering accommodation for groups, so never rule this out when you are choosing your holiday. Another way to spend last minute holidays is to go to cities and towns during festivals and holidays. Trips during this time not only provide entertainment to travellers, they also allow them to get accustomed with the cultural aspect of the places they are visiting.

Last minute holidays are the best way to visit a new destination or take a type of holiday that you might not usually go for. For instance you might want to go on a cruise but are put off by the cost, with a last minute holiday you can find yourself a place on a cruise at a cheaper price than you would pay straight from the travel agents. It is also important to select holiday providers that make the travellers comforts and needs their outmost priorities. This way, travellers are sure that they are always in good hands wherever they venture to.

As you can see there are many things to think about when you take that last minute holiday but if you are looking for a holiday that is high quality and all for a low price they are totally ideal.

Shane Jones is a Travel Writer in the UK. Shane works for a Beach Holiday specialist in the UK who offer cheap holidays, and like to consider themselves as the beach experts.