Jason's 30th in London

Last weekend we headed to London to celebrate Jason's 30th birthday.
Mostly passing by for a conference or youth exchange I've been to London many times. Since I never had the i-love-this-place effect I just didn't bother planning any holiday there. Now 5 years later I discovered its magic and I LOVE IT. It was such a great weekend. Having lovely sunny weekend with hanging out with my friends - it was just perfect.

The highlights were eating at The Troubadour cafe/restaurant couple of times, Sunday night in Soho shaking our bums around Illusion @ THE Village, a walk with Panos in Hyde park where we luckily found handsome British lads playing stupid games and showing off their white flesh and a night out with the locals to Popstarz.

From London

Ski trip to Solden and couple of hours in Munich

Couple of weeks ago we went with work on a ski trip to Solden (Austria). It was so much fun and the best break I could ask for... tasty food, beautiful accommodation, awesome snow conditions accompanied by my personal power supplier - SUN.

From Solden

Although we arrived in Innsburk airport we had to go back from Munich. Since our flight was at 8pm I thought it will be great to be in Germany and enjoy a day around Munich. We managed to hop on a cab to the airport at 9.30am and arrived by noon. Shortly after leaving our luggage in the lockers we took the train to city center (45min).

With the sun shining above, it was so nice to walk around the calm, clean and beautiful streets of Munich.

From Munich

Thinking about India, Gay scene in Hyderabad and Kingfischer

Are you looking for?

Gay Scene in Hyderabad

There isn't such. I spent 6 weeks around the city and talked with *few* queers which sadly informed me there is not even a gay friendly place to hang out at (they used to have something but then police bullied the visitors). The gayest vibes I had were in Le Cafe De Art in Banjara Hills but locals couldn't confirm it was. So seems like there is no Gay scene in Hyderabad. I guess the city didn't have the time to realize the potential with the massive amount of expats around... Taking into account the city is packed with expats, at least 10% are Queer and they have dollars in their pockets it is just a matter of time until it will happen.... Do let me know if anything changes...

Kingfischer Dublin - What the heck can it be?

a. misspelling for kingfisher (India's best!! airlines) which as far as I'm aware does not fly to Dublin.
b. the kingfisher bird and its connection to Dublin, Ireland
c. The Kingfisher which is apparently a restaurant in Dublin

Lonley Planet India Mumbai

For some reason I'm ranking for this one as well...
Lonley planet was indeed helpful for while traveling around Mumbai. Just take into account the raise in prices from the latest edition.

Phoenix Park

Probably because of the blog post I had a while ago about Phoneix park and the lads where Jason told us it is a known gay cruising area...

What is this post?
I got visitors that looked for this information (kingfisher or kingfische, mumbai, lonley planet, India, gay, hyderabad, scene, dublin, expats) and I though this post might be helpful...

Cheers

Diving in Havelock - Dive India, Island Vinnie

This blog post is about Dive India / Island Vinnie's resort. Hopefully it will be used as a reference and be helpful for people who are interested in diving course / accommodation in the Andamans (Havelock).



Soon while researching I realized my only option to go on holidays around the Andamans is in Havelock. It seemed to be the only place I could figure out the transportation easily and after very positive reviews about Dive India and Island Vinnie, I looked no further.

Naturally I started browsing their website which had plenty of useful information. Actually the only place I could find such. The plan your trip part was essential and recommended even if you don’t plan to stay with them but only to visit Havelock.

For me, the easiest option was to take their all inclusive package. Later I found it to be the right decision. It included the diving course, PADI certificate, accommodation, fun dives, food and great company. The resort and the diving center is owned and run by Pritha and Vinnie for 5 seasons now. One can easily notice all the hard work and their awareness for details.



The diving course on its own costs 17000 rupees and package 23,500 (440 euros). Three and half days were devoted entirely to the course.

The first day was an introduction and an overview for the basics one needs to have. The following 3 days started fairly early. Sunrise is at about 5 and sunset at 6ish due to the Indian standard time the island follows. At 6:55 we were all at the restaurant, placed our breakfast orders, walked to the diving center (at the same ground) then we assembled the equipment and went back to have our breakfast. At about 7.30-8 we were on the boats and ready for the day. It took us about an hour each direction to the diving location in quite rocky but pastorally boat.



During this time our awesome instructor Vikas used to brief us with the plan for the day. We went down for the dive / skills practicing for about 40 minutes and then went back up to the boat where we found fresh tasty Samosas, coconut cookies, bananas and hot Chai. After a short rest while the boat was already on the way to the next diving spot we were back in the water for another session. The time in the boat was the best way to see Havelock and the other islands from the sea. On most islands non-indigenous are not even allowed to be on so from the boat we were safe. Needless to mention the beautiful turquoise blue water surrounding us all the time and the dense greenery on the islands.



We were back in the center at about 2pm every day. Ordered lunch, went to take a shower and sat down for lunch. Afternoons were devoted for theory classes and videos. At 9pm I was so exhausted and fell asleep in my bungalow:



The center and the village (it is really the same place) are very laid back and made me feel very comfortable. I stayed in the non-deluxe bungalow which was more than enough. We had shared showers with hot water these were kept very clean all the time and shared with about 8 bungalows. The resort is right on the beach and 15 minutes walk to the small market in village #3.



I do recommend staying in the village and using the diving center it is the friendliest I’ve seen.

Havelock, the Andaman islands

Not having lay-back holiday for a long while, I decided to take a week off after work to relax in an exotic place. A week before I was still undecided as where to go; Goa or the Andaman Islands. The Andamans were with no doubt the preferred option but with the down-side of expensive flights and lack of information online or in Lonely Planet. I spent hours on the web trying to figure out ferries to the smaller islands from Port-Blair. It was not easy. Having in mind that I wanted to do open water diving course did not make it any easier. Luckily I came across a detailed blog post which helped me to set up my mind and pick up diving center.



Although searching quite a bit I didn’t manage to find information. Focusing on Havelock and the blog directing me to Dive India helped a lot. So I browsed their website for a while and emailed them to verify some of the details (although everything was on the website and up to date). Pritha the owner (with her husband Vinnie) replied to my queries fairly quick and even put light on my concerns about the ferries to and from Port-Blair which later on I found can be a pain without the right connections and bribe.



I spent a week in the resort where I also completed the course and made friends I hanged out with most of the time. I will write another post about my diving experience, the resort and the diving center later on.



To get any of the connecting ferries to the islands from Port Blair forces anyone to spend some time in Port Blair. 4-5 hours on the day of arrival and over night a day before departure. Port Blair was a lil disappointing and not much of an interest, just like most advices indicated. Having said that, I’m sure it is only because I didn’t have the time to explore outside of the city. The island seemed very green and relaxed.

My original plan was to get to an isolated island, do nothing and relax after an extremely busy time at work and traveling over the weekends. Of course it never happened. I ended up barely having time to sleep or even to look around the island. One evening I managed to go to beach no #7 which is apparently the best beach in the world and one can notice why quite easily. It is so beautiful I only wished I could spend an entire day there. I also tried tender coconut which was yumm.




... and in sunset



The book I brought with me remained almost untouched till I spent some time on the roads on my own while on my way back to Hyderabad and then home. Since I left Hyderabad I avoided “spending” my iPod worried I will have to use it while resting – it was of course full.

I do have plans to come back to this island. Hopefully it will not get spoiled with the hundreds of tourists by then. I had in mind going to night fishing and birds watching which I unfortunately had to skip.



Nevertheless I am satisfied, PADI qualified and tanned :)