Travel Stories
For Luxury Lifestyle Magazine on San Francisco
Someone precious to me lives in San Francisco. Imagine my surprise when I saw how many cultural offerings were available in this Sanctuary City
Hotel Review: The Senda Costa Rica
It was raining when we drove into The Senda Monteverde, but then again, Monteverde is a stunning cloud forest, so rain is part of the package.
For Mint Lounge on the Taj Wayanad
Wayanad symbolises all that is romantic about Kerala. The region’s fragrant musk turmeric or kasthuri manjal is supposed to restore skin but finding it isn’t that easy. I go on a trip with my mother to find out if we can snag this wonder root.
Australian Restaurants: for Khaleej Times Dubai
Some time ago, I took a trip to New South Wales, Australia. Here are six Sydney restaurants that I tried and loved.
For Mint Lounge India on Australia
A piece I wrote based on a visit to the Tweed Coast of Australia. I wonder why I hadn't heard of this place before. It is an hour north of Sydney, in New South Wales.
For Sommelier India on Burgundy
Burgundy or Bourgogne as the French prefer to call it is three things: a name, an idea, and a geography. If you are a wine geek, this is where you want to go.
For HT Brunch India on Australia
I am here in Sydney to engage in adventure and theatre, two things I have been longing for during Covid. From Byron Bay lighthouse, I see the whale. She is slicing through the ocean below, on her way home. Much like I need to be.
Birds of Australia
This episode gives a glimpse into the birds of Australia, told through the eyes of Franck Masna, an aboriginal elder.
Trident BKC: Hotel Review: The Telegraph UK
Stylish business hotel The Trident BKC, Mumbai, India Telegraph Review/ Shoba Narayan/ Travel writer 8/10 This modern hotel flanked by financial companies, craft breweries, and restaurants is [...]
Latest Articles
If only Iyengar Bakeries skipped adding so much coconut
So which is the true Iyengar bakery, began the thread. The answers came fast and hilarious. That’s like asking, which is the original Balaji Wines, or Durga Medicals, Ganesh Fruit Juice, Parameshwari Traders, Akbar Travels, Bangarapet Chaats, Basveshwara Khanavali, SLV Tiffin Room, Udupi Lunch Home, Vasavi Condiments, or cab drivers called Manjunath, and bus drivers called Basavaraju. Before we had franchises that sanitized and equalized everything we eat and drink, ranging from coffee to croissants, there were unique and distinct stores started and run by families. You could argue that Iyengar bakeries were the first franchise. Perhaps it started with different family members before branching out to become a brand name.
New Book: 108 Ways
Breaking news: I’ve written the book I wish someone had handed me at 25… or at least at 49.
The perfumers of Bangalore who can mix you an Hermes perfume
I am standing at Al-Kareem Attars and Perfumes in Ibrahim Sahib Street, discussing Ruh Gulab with Maria, the woman behind the counter.
Hindustan Times: Flower power festive vibes
Barkha Ritu or Varsha Ritu is here, which means rain. August 15 is also a time when new things linked to India’s history and heritage take shape.
Poem: There are two ways to shell the earth
This poem was published in Tiger Moth Review, based in Singapore, where I used to live.
Hindustan Times: Tourist in your own city
How to keep kids busy all summer? To that, I say, with the wisdom of hindsight: why not teach kids to be a tourist in their own city.
Hindustan Times: Mangoes
Come July and we mourn the mangoes. They are fading across India and also here in Bangalore.
Times of India: Bangalore Walk
For the Times of India 41st anniversary issue, editor Asha Rai asked me to write about Bangalore.
