Mangoli Mag

The desire to escape and explore new latitudes is innate in the human being. And what happens if you are stuck for more than a year, with a very limited liberty to move, affecting your right to consciously choose when and where to travel?

In most of our countries we are used to take weekend breaks, to go on holiday in winter and in the summer, to visit a friend in a different city or country, to meet our relatives living far away. 

Pandemic has taught us to make the most of each and every moment and has undoubtedly left us even a strong need and wish to travel the world, forgetting about our consuming and compulsory new daily routine. 

We travel to discover a new culture, to meet new people, to learn about the past and treasure diverse heritage, often returning with a new inner identity, enriched by the recent experiences our trip has brought.

In the current situation, with very limited opportunities to plan far in advance and even less security to be able to move due to the ever-changing Covid-19 scenarios all over, we may feel very happy to travel only in spirit or through a movie, a book, bringing us to imagine how we could fit in the featured geographical area.

Embodying a very curious soul, I cannot stop discovering, so I decided I would travel and welcome different cultures through tasting other countries food, exposed to fully absorb the new flavours and habits while enjoying a meal and enriching the experience with a previous overview of the country or geographical area. Nowadays it is not very often you find enough information on the destination once at the restaurant. I would suggest to all restaurants featuring diverse cuisines to present patrons to their area with an introductory briefing of the country or region they represent, therefore becoming a destination ambassador not only for the food but also for the culture, habits, traditions, geography and history.

On my Delhi’s raids, some places have left a deeper root in myself. And the Hyatt Regency in New Delhi is among those ones, thanks to the people and its many restaurant options available. After few dinners at The China Kitchen, I decided that this restaurant brought me to truly discover the huge China, through its colourful vegetables on offer, many kinds of dim sums, a wide selection of rice and, as a signature dish, the Peking duck – shao yazi. This is the reason why I decided this place deserves to become the best ambassador of its country in Delhi: the duck is slowly cooked to perfection in front of you, by a real Chinese Chef who elegantly moves behind the glass and in front of the brick oven where the honey coated whole duck is baked to become crunchy in the skin – the best part of this preparation – and remain tender inside.

What a surprise when this plate is brought to the table and served. All the steps respected, stuck to the glass wall, are sure to prepare your palate adventure and promise forgotten scents and new immersive flavours. The duck slices are brought to the table with some thin pancakes, green onion, plum sauce and fresh cucumber.

I was taken with imagination in Beijing, during the Imperial era, when this legendary recipe was served to emperors, rooting its secrets from the 5th century. I fully understand why, nowadays, the shao yazi has become the symbol of China and a favorite among dignitaries in the whole world. Not satisfied to have discovered a real Chinese address in town, I thought the team there must be really capable and well trained to propose other cuisines without mistakes.

With my family we decided for a staycation – in absence of other trips – and chose to stay at the hotel for one night to have the privilege of samplinganother address, a Middle Eastern restaurant featuring Levantine cuisine in India, the Syrah. Apart from all other hotel services and attractions, like the fitness, the spa, the swimming-pool, the salon and a most inviting garden, it truly seemed we travelled to another destination and decided this time we went back to Syria, one of the countries we loved the most on our roaring the world.

Syrah was indeed another fantastic experience, with comfortable tables outside and a mouth-watering menu, with ingredients and names reminding us of our time in Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Palestine and Israel.  No surprise to discover this place has recently won The Times of India Food and Nightlife award! It was so delicious and delicate, with very good service and gentle hands preparing the food, attached to the traditional flavours and evidently sourcing quality ingredients to confirm a real Levantine experience, as if in any of the previously mentioned countries.

Grateful for this new discovery, we felt a new gem had revealed in Delhi and we have started to spread the word among friends, keeping in mind as well another available option at the Hyatt Regency New Delhi, La Piazza restaurant featuring traditional Italian cuisine and one of the best tables for pastas and pizzas available in town. Here, a long rising of the dough grants the pizza a high digestibility. And we love and are frequent customers here too: this is the place to go if you are Italian in Delhi and feel melancholic about your country!

Delhi’s National Zoological Park is back in action after remaining shut for over a year. Plans are to open again to visitors this week on 1st of April and it seems the zoo have taken full advantage of the hiatus to improve its infrastructure and dedicate time to pampering the resident animals. Additions of some new animal species have also been reported, no details just yet but introductions are just a few days away.

Located near the 16th-century fortress Purana Qila and Sunder Nursery, the zoo is spread across a sprawling 176 acres housing more than 1350 animals and birds belonging to almost 130 species. Don’t worry about covering everything by foot as there is a facility of battery-operated vehicles that you can drop on and off accordingly.

Inception and History

The official inauguration the Delhi zoo happened in the year 1959, decades after the capital city was formed. The zoo was finally built under the supervision of N. D. Bachkheti from the Indian Forest Service. The design and the architectural layout of the zoo were done by Carl Hagenbeck and were granted permission to be constructed after certain modifications to the plan. The design of the zoo was approved in order to inspire the other zoos of the country.

Conservation breeding program

Apart from housing various animals, the zoo also has a program for conservation breeding, and it takes place under the approval of the Central Zoo Authority for animals like Indian rhinoceros, Bengal tiger, Asiatic lion, antlered deer, and red jungle fowl.

The antlered deer that were part of the breeding program can now be seen in the national parks at Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Hyderabad, and Mysuru. Well, that shows how successful these breeding programs are.

Animals and birds that you can spot

Animals like Zebras, Chimpanzee, Spider monkey, Wild buffaloes, Lions, Bengal & White Tigers and Bears…oh my! are some of the animals that you can get to see when you are taking a tour of the zoo. Apart from these, you can also witness the Hyenas, jaguars, and macaques. The zoo is an abode to several migratory birds as well and there is a separate spot reserved for reptiles at the centre of the zoo.

From 1st of April, entry tickets will be available online only through its official website or QR codes at the entrance of the zoo. With safety measures in place, limited people are allowed entry for a limited time of 4 hours.

The long summer is upon us so remember to protect yourself from the sun and carry water when visiting the zoo.

I can confidently say this delicious Burmese restaurant was really a surprise find. Located at the top floor at Select City Walk in Saket I was on my way to another restaurant there when the promotion board outside the entrance caught my attention- I am a sucker for flaky, crispy parathas and the picture looked so perfect I listed the restaurant on my “to try” list.

A fusion of Sri Lankan, Chinese, Thai and Indian flavors, Burma Burma delivers an eclectic menu that satisfies both young and old. My 7-year-old daughter was enthralled with their very modern and impressive dessert menu antics using dry ice to impress and the taste was spot on. Burma Burma is also a tearoom as the Burmese culture is known for its love of tea and the menu reflects this…tea leaves tossed into salads and flavored in rice as well as served in a beautiful pot. Their signature blend is the perfect ending to the meal.

Needless to say, I have been there many many times since and it is a family favorite. The staff are so accommodating and attentive, the food is always consistent and faultless. I love the little towels they give you to clean your hands and the elegant attire of the waiters… really makes the meal a little bit more special.

To start off the dish I saw on the promotion board was Tohu Mok Pakata– My ultimate favorite..I don’t care what else we order this is a nonnegotiable dish..and my kids know it. Tohu is the Burmese tofu made with chickpea flour. I am not a huge fan of Tofu but the Burmese kind is so delicious and bursting with flavor. …didn’t I tell you this place is so different?

I highly recommend the Plan Boo Palata; a creamy corn mash with coconut served with their signature flaky paratha. I love the Kethon Mate Kyaw- spring onion crisps- very yum. Really enjoyed their steam buns and the starters are all very different. I particularly enjoyed the Grill that ‘Bao” first time ever to taste mock meat and it was very interesting.

The menu contains a wide variety of dishes that include noodles, rice and curries everything I have tasted to date has tickled my tastebuds… be prepared to be surprised!

The ‘Noble Coolers’ include a variety of ingredients…activated charcoal, Burmese pickled apricot and green chili to name a few.  The ‘Bubble Teas’ are equally interesting…Nutella, matcha and yuzu.

I leave the best for last, the dessert….everything from the Zen Forest to the Pa La Ta (apple crumble with a twist) is to die for. I am not a chocolate person but the Affogato is a favorite for the chocolate addicts in the family. One dessert that we have not tried is the Durian Ice-cream… I personally don’t like durian but many customers around me seemed to be enjoying it. If you are a durian lover this is a must.

Holiday destinations have taken a dramatic ‘change of course’ in the past year to say the least. For those of us remaining in India, seeking a safer and uncomplicated holiday Goa has become, quite naturally a favorite destination spot.

For the moment (March 2021) there are no test requirements prior to boarding a flight to Goa (from Delhi) and other than a self-health declaration form with the airline and wearing protective attire (mask, face-shield and disposable gown) on the plane, the process is overall easy. Additionally, traveling back to Delhi from Goa is also hassle-free with no previous test requirements.

My family and I took advantage of being in India during these restrictive times and traveled to Goa twice in the last 4 months. The first trip to the northern part of Candolim and recently to the quieter beach area down south, in Palolem. Goa may be a small state, but it has a coastline that stretches 160 kilometers, boasting over 30 beaches each unique in character. Our holidays in the north and south turned out to be very different experiences.

It seems Goa airport is the focal point of distinguishing north and south Goa as well as understanding that the North is busier, more tourist friendly with a vast selection of top-rated restaurants and resorts, while the south is speckled with beach coves, 5-star luxury hotels and small boutique hotels and cafes. Monsoon season in Goa begins around mid-May and continues until September (it rains a lot throughout the season) but from October to March the temperatures stay between 20 to 30C degrees making a perfect time to visit.

The food scene in Goa is, in my opinion, just SPECTACULAR! I speculate that Goa attracts highly skilled chefs who after years working at hotels restaurants around the world… I may be wrong, who knows, but really, it is that good!  Given that it is by the sea, the seafood is fresh, and a variety of local wines not sold in Delhi are available and reasonably priced. Heaven on Earth!

Palolem is known for its beautiful white sand beach lined with rustic beach front bungalows and calm waters. We booked a sweet bungalow at Art Resort Goa set right on the beach.  Nothing fancy but for us, it was a dream stay having direct access to the beach and enjoying the sunset from our little balcony.  

There are a few gems in Palolem as well. A favorite in this area is the European bistro Ourem 88. Thinly sliced beef carpaccio with fresh rucola, stuffed calamari, fresh sea bass cooked to perfection, tiramisu, these are some of the wonderful dishes and desserts I tried, and I must admit I was surprised to experience such refined quality of food in a remote beach neighborhood. The atmosphere is low key, charming decor with special attention from the maîtred.

We also loved Jaali Boutique and Café close to Patnem beach, right next to Palolem. A stylish oasis surrounded by lush greenery, the organic chilled ambience of this outdoor café and boutique is simply amazing. Healthy and unique menus with a vibrant selection of cocktails and DJ sets creates a lux mood. The boutique has an online shop as well.

A few stand out boutiques in Palolem was apparel and home décor shop Bunti, located close to the main market and the newly opened Endiapan created by Ayumi from Japan (Imagine my joy meeting a fellow Japanese living in Palolem!) You can feel Ayumi’s sense of great style and friendly vibe in the shop and she serves Japanese tea as well as homemade style sushi once a week (times may vary).

Candolim and areas further north in Goa have a greater selection of wonderful restaurants and cafes. Drop us an email if you would like more recommendations.

Spring’s miracle is an antidote to the optics and upticks, the R rates and the irates that abound. Covid a year in, and we are worn down, confused, complacent or just plain fatigued. It has been a twelve month which has brought so many to their knees and in other ways a reassessment, providing an opportunity to reflect and reset. Although there were those that say it was inevitable, many had not predicted this event, or indeed to what vast extent it floored us. It seems that financially rich nations are not immune – as the wealthiest nation on earth has shown.

An ineradicable sadness seems to sit like a pall over our plans and state of mind. Nature, in all her manifestations lifts this veil. Nature, and particularly Spring is grounding and elevating also, reminding us of the permanence of change, that the cycle is constantly turning week after week, season after season, year (however traumatic) after inexorable year.

Seeing snowdrops bursting forth reminds me of the strength and fragility of nature and the vulnerability and indomitability of the human condition. I was almost beside myself seeing them bloom in late January; even more so on the coldest of days viewing them from my window, occasionally still snugly tucked up in bed. The very ones I have captured in this week’s photo offering.

Snowdrops are such fascinating flowers. I rarely anthropomorphize anything but they do resemble shy adolescents hanging their heads, not wishing to be noticed. Nonetheless one cannot fail to see them, the white is so luminous and although they look almost sad, -their petals listing towards the ground, as if they should not be the announcers of Spring’s party -they cheer me up no end. More so, as living overseas for nearly 14 years, I have not seen snowdrops in the flesh, or the leaf, for that length of time.

The snowdrops were wise and foretold the heavy snowfall we recently experienced. I was saddened to think that their early blooming might be thwarted.  The daffodils also had just come into bud. I wandered, not as a lonely cloud, but as someone breathing in the sights and sounds of something so familiar, yet not experienced for so long. I need not have feared the flowers’ demise, as dainty as they look they are hardy and defied the snow’s assault to continue to bloom and delight. A month on they remain despite their deceiving delicacy. This simple inevitability of Nature’s resilience, of her beauty especially as the stark signs of Climate Change abound the world over, strikes a chord.

The bursting forth of life, almost cartoon like, that characterises Spring, is accentuated after the harshness of winter. Not merely the cold but the barren branches and leaf fall the frostiness and our enforced hibernation. Being in our caves has seemed ever more arduous in lockdown as the comforts of meeting others, hugging away the cold and seeing the (unmasked) smiles of loved ones are denied. To trudge through the deep mud of Winter might have been gruelling. Nature’s wonder has punctuated that on every single walk or adventure. I have marvelled at the skeletal silhouettes of trees, the hues of leaves against grass, the ever-changing skies. It has in the last few weeks, been a comfort to see so clearly that Spring is on her way.

The trumpeters of that have been the emerging Spring bulbs so delicate and defiant. Showing that you can’t judge a book by its cover or seemingly a flower by its petals. I found the notion gratifying. I also realised that it was only the second birthday that my son had spent in the country of his birth; his passport says one thing, but his life and experiences are much more diverse and that includes the seasons. He was due on Valentine’s Day but instead arrived on Carnival, Fat Tuesday to be exact. Fat Tuesday is the day preceding Ash Wednesday known as Shrove Tuesday or Pancake Day in the UK always in February and February is England is cold.

The date could not be more appropriate as growing up in Brazil he spent his second birthday at Rio Carnival even being serenaded by a gaggle of beautiful girls on Sugar Loaf mountain. I recall friends of mine who were with us for Carnival saying “Where does he go from here?” Well, the answer that evening lay in the arms of a Samba Queen at the Sambadrome celebrations as she held him and told him how adorable he was- a veritable Carnival King!

As for the pancake part he loves to cook (and eat). So of course, two days after Valentine’s I served up pancakes (the crêpe kind as is traditional in England). In Delhi we have held his birthday parties at the British High Commission – full of fun and games and laughing children, not silver service butlers I hasten to add!

In lockdown birthdays are simpler affairs – no feathers, sequins and parades, no coats of arms of ghurkhas – nevertheless heartfelt (perhaps more so). He was thrilled with his pared down birthday celebration. A cake baked by his sister, parcels sent from friends and family, lots of chocolate (courtesy of his aunt, uncle and cousins, which he immediately shared) a sing a long with godparents, and even a recorded video message from his teacher in Delhi. Walks, talks and sunshine and aptly, for such a sunny Sonny Boy, the warmest day for 4 months or more. He is Nature loving and that fact alone made his day. Blue skies and a slight breeze -he said as we went for a precious excursion that it was his perfect weather. I uttered a silent prayer of thanks.

I guess that is it, to savour the here and now, where you are in place and time. The key being not to compare but finding great happiness in the smallest of things. He has that ability, and I am grateful for it.

February 2021 was a perfect ‘rectangular’ month, the first day of a 28 day month beginning on a Monday and ending on a Sunday. 4 of each of the 7 days of the week, last experienced in 2010 and next in 2027. As with so many myths circulating the airwaves people were heralding it as the only time in 823 years that this would occur. Not so and quite frankly we have had enough myths and social media strangeness to deal with.  Keep it simple, keep it real is a fine maxim. Thus, as an unusual February draws to a close, we march towards Spring and the blessings it bestows, wearing a layer or two less and a smile.