Monday, March 17, 2014

Orion Mall- Rajajinagar, Bangalore

Ok ! so, I'm right now in Orion mall for the first time. I am here to watch a movie and first thing that strike me is the number of times you go trough security checks. It begins in gate, next at parking, then at PVR gate, and for the last time as you enter the PVR door. Oh! I forgot you will be asked to deposit your laptop. I found it very annoying, it's as if you were walking into a fortress. However, the mall is well made. You will like the theater as long as you would like to be in security fanatic place. Security guards have forgotten to smile. While you are haunted by presidential security at the mall, it has great ambiance. I am just little concerned about the experience though. 

Sunday, January 26, 2014

Vietnam

I'm surprised that I have not written anything about Vietnam yet. Well I spend lots of time in Vietnam last year. I was lucky to be working there on a software project. People are as lovely as the country itself but country is not short of cheaters. I met many westerners who were robbed by prostitutes, unauthorised bike taxi. District 1 in Saigon is the place to party usually backpackers stay at bui-Vien street jn Saigon ( also known as Ho Chi Minh City or shorter form HCMC). Saigon is a shopper's paradise stuff are cheaper than Bangkok at least. It's fun to take Saigon trip on bike taxi usually it should cost you 200000 dong for half a day and half a day is enough to see non tourist areas rather I would say interior parts of Saigon. It's fun !! Highly recommended. 3G connection is about $ 2 for entire month so take it to travel around. GPS comes really handy. 
Talking about cheaters, one of my close friend's gold chain was robbed on the street by few bikers and when we went to complain about it in police station. The cops surprisingly asked us why would she wear gold chain... I kind of found the statement funny. 
If you ask my personal experience I had real good time. Thankfully I am careful with money I carry. It's not that I was not cheated at all. ;). 
I was at Hanoi for few days and I can say it's very different from Saigon. It seemed like it more real and closer to culture. I could see road side barbers like in few small towns in India. You can practically walk around most historical places in Hanoi from Opera house. Going to ha Long bay is 3 hours drive from Hanoi. I suggest tie up with some travel agent for the entire tour this way you save yourself from surprises and being cheated. 
Nin binh is another place 3 hrs drive from Hanoi this place is similar to Hanoi. 
Well it time to sleep so leave you here. I will try to come back and write more of Vietnam. If you need any information drop me a line and I promise I will respond back. 

Friday, January 10, 2014

Bangkok-traveller tips

Apart from being a lazy blogger I am also a traveler but not so lazy. Thankfully !! Well, this was my second visit to Bangkok. I must say I expected much more :(. Like any other Eastern Asian countries Bangkok is flooded with shopping opportunities and I must say, it isn't as cheap I expected it to be. However, Chakuchat market is a blessing for shoppers. Unfortunately it's a weekend market. They say it's worlds biggest weekend market. I am not sure if it is but I can guarantee it is big enough to even for whole day shopping. Chakuchat market is very easy to reach. MTR and BTS rail links are all the way till Chakuchat park. It's the easiest, cheapest and most comfortable way to get there unless you take a cab. By the way MTR is name of rail link that run underground and BTS is the on that runs on sky.Cabs in Bangkok is something you should be careful about. Most do not run on meter and I suggest do not encourage non metered taxi. Even when you take taxi at Bangkok airport from a meter taxi the taxi guys do not use the meter, best way is to you use airport link rail line. Most of the road side shops do not have price tag and if you are not a good bargainer then you will go back with feeling of not getting a good deal. MBK mall in Siam is good choice to shop but I know for sure it's expensive. Don't miss road side old Volkswagen bar joints in Sukumvit. 

Cowboy street is known for night clubs and most of them are to rip you pocket. Baccara requires you buy a beer for entry. There are others like spice girls not do not recommend. Infact, you will bored sooner than you think. However, it's a good place to hangout for beer. Massage is highly recommended for massage. These are typical Thai sexy massage parlour. I recommend leg massage. There are enough tourist assistance counters. Adventure travellers do not get tempted by road side adventure survival kits. Thery no more than fancy non dependable products.