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Mischa Barton Learns It's No Longer The '60s

December 30, 2008 at 12:35 PM | 0 Comments

Early this year, before "staycation" finally, regrettably, caught on, learning holidays looked to be the emerging travel trend of 2008. And at least one celeb is trying to keep the dream alive: Mischa Barton has been traipsing around India--and blogging about it!

From her official site:

I must admit I used to make fun of people who were all into yoga and chai tea thinking it was another ridiculous health fad. But now I'm that person! First of all Masala Chai tea, the traditional way with milk and sugar is delicious, and this is coming from a brit who only likes my breakfast tea!

I must say my goal coming here was to learn to play the sitar and it's coming along real slow as apparently it's not that easy to procure a great sitar teacher here, I guess it not late 60's with Ravi Shankar and George Harrison roaming around unfortunately!!!!

Even all those exclamation points, it seems, don't make it easy to pick a 20-something-string lute.

Related Stories:
· Hi, It's Mischa Checkin In [Official Site]
· Shirtless Man Moves Into Our Territory [Jaunted]
· Learning Holidays coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo of Mischa in Dubai earlier this year: Mischa Barton]

Flying Getting Way Cheaper. In India.

December 30, 2008 at 10:00 AM | 0 Comments

It may not help you get to Vegas to take advantage of awesome hotel deals, but the across-the-board fare cuts in India will make your trip there quite a bit cheaper if you plan of flying from city to city to see all the giant country has to offer.

Air India is slashing domestic fares by as much as 82 percent while competitor Jet Airways announced Monday it would cut ticket prices by 40 percent. Kingfisher Airlines says it too is planning to lower fares in 2009--two days from now--but hasn't yet released specifics.

Indian carriers are facing the same softening demand as airlines in the US, but since fuel bills are also dropping, they can afford the fare cuts--at least for now. Not long ago, we were hearing that the airline meltdown is hitting Asia hardest, so we're waiting to see just how sticky these deals will be.

Related Stories:
· Air India Announces Fare Cut [Economic Times]
· Go To Goa, But Don't Party On The Beach This Xmas [Jaunted]
· Air India Bans Fat Stewardesses [Jaunted]

[Photo: Cubbie_n_Vegas]

Go To Goa, But Don't Party On The Beach This Xmas

December 22, 2008 at 9:00 AM | 0 Comments

Since we mentioned the cool idea of a Christmas vacation in beautifully-decorated Goa, India, the local authorities have been making important decisions.

We're still keen on the idea but wanted to let you know that they have now banned beach parties from December 23 through to January 5, based on security fears. However, the authorities say that all the hotel-based functions will still go ahead, as will the local traditional celebrations we were swooning over.

So while you mightn't get your midnight swim in, the beach party ban probably makes it a bit safer for everyone. And we're really glad they haven't done anything really crazy like banning the cashew cakes and baklava-esque pastries. That'd make us revise our travel advice for sure.

Related Stories:
· Beach Parties Banned in Goa Over Terrorist Fears [The Age]
· Xmas in Goa: BYO Grinch [Jaunted]
· India Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: Poo-tee-weet?]

Xmas in Goa: BYO Grinch

December 17, 2008 at 2:03 PM | 0 Comments

If taking off for India means missing the yearly round-the-clock viewings of Christmas "classics" like "Miracle on 34th Street" and that horrible cartoon "Frosty The Snowman," we'll be packed and ready to go in 10 minutes. Instead, keep Christmas the Goan way, in honor of the west-coast state which maintains enough of its Portuguese roots to honor the holiday in the majority-Hindu country.

The streets are decorated with lights and elaborate paper stars, pictured. A Goa Christmas typically begins with Missa de Galo, late-night masses that bleed into the early morning hours, after which party-goers eat cashew cakes and a baklava-esque pastry with coconut called bebinca. Since there's no snow, your only worry is how long you'll have to wait after eating to hit the beach, although that's more of an adopted-tourist tradition than long-standing Indian rite.

Note: While the terrorist attacks in Mumbai have dampened tourism all over India, we're standing with Peter Greenberg and defending a visit to the country, on the grounds that common tourist haunts are on high alert. This could also translate into some mean last-minute deals on the ground. Still, travel at your own risk.

Related Stories:
· Super World Travelers Go to Goa [Jaunted]
· So, Just How Safe Is India? [Jaunted]
· Christmas in Goa [Travelblog.org]
· A Lovely Christmas in Goa [Seattle Times]

[Photo: pjhaveri]

After Mumbai, Will India Ban Google Earth?

December 9, 2008 at 4:38 PM | 1 Comment

Google Earth, the magical software that makes real life more like Second Life, may have been used in the planning of the recent terrorist assault on Mumbai, says a lawyer who has filed suit in the Bombay High Court. He's hoping that the Indian government will order a "complete ban on Google Earth and similar sites like Wikimapia" in the interest of national security.

Indian officials have previously expressed concerns about security and mapping software, as in 2006 when then-President Abdul Kalam warned about Google Earth and its utility to terrorists. The search giant agreed in 2007 to blur out some imagery that India deemed sensitive, but that clearly didn't include tourist-friendly venues in the heart of Mumbai.

To us, this is a case of "guns don't kill people, people do." Even the areas worldwide already blurred out by Google are listed on the internet, and making photos of "sensitive" facilities--whatever that means--difficult to obtain doesn't eliminate threats. But the band of terrorists in Mumbai wasn't looking to take out a secret military installation; their goals were massive chaos, a high body count and as much media exposure as possible.

As to whether an eventual ban on Google Earth will help stem violence in India, a company spokesman tells The Telegraph:

Tools such as Google Earth are built from information that is already available from both commercial and public sources, and it is important to remember that the same information is available to anyone who purchases imagery from those public sources.

Related Stories:
· Complete Ban on Google Earth Sought [Times of India]
· Surveying Mumbai After the Terror Siege [Jaunted]

[Photo of the Bombay High Court: Google Earth]

So, Just How Safe Is India?

December 4, 2008 at 4:45 PM | 0 Comments

Not long ago, the BBC reported gunfire at New Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport. But now reports indicate that it was merely a scare, easily understandable in the wake of last week's terrorist attack on Mumbai. So with tensions super high and governments warning about continuing dangers, it's fair to ask, just how safe is India?

The conversation, as usual, is on Twitter, where Budget Travel magazine says:

Peter Greenberg had bad timing in defending travel there in his newsletter today.

A few others agree, but while we said an airport shooting would be "the last thing India needs right now," we also have to get behind Greenberg's call that the Mumbai attacks shouldn't deter travelers.

As the "Today Show" travel editor points out:

The very best time to go somewhere is after there’s been a civil disturbance, a terrorist act or a natural disaster, because … these countries derive the bulk of their foreign exchange from travel and tourism. It supports their economy. The worst thing you can do to a country is to disrupt their travel and tourism if you want to shake their economy to its foundation.

Are the odds of something terrible happening in the next few weeks in India greater than the odds of a terrorist assault on Des Moines before Christmas? Probably. But should we all cross the country off our lists for the foreseeable future? Probably not.

Related Stories:
· Surveying Mumbai After The Terror Siege [Jaunted]

[Photo: Stuti ~]

Surveying Mumbai After The Terror Siege

December 1, 2008 at 10:15 AM | 0 Comments

The unbelievably destructive, three-day assault on Mumbai is now over, and the city is still in shock as Indian officials, reporters and locals alike try to piece together what exactly happened and who was responsible. Meanwhile foreign governments are warning citizens to stay away.

The US State Department--soon to be led by Hillary Clinton!--is warning Americans "to maintain a high level of vigilance and to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness" while in India, and the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office "advise[s] against all but essential travel to Mumbai until further notice."

Mumbai now finds itself in the company of Bali, Istanbul, London, New York and Madrid, all places with booming tourism industries that were threatened by an act of terrorism. But despite the understandable fear of heading to the city, things are already getting back to normal, says the IHT's Globespotters blog, with cabs trolling the streets, trains running and some restaurants and hotels open again. Many cafes and hotels in South Mumbai, near the sites of the attacks, though, are still closed.

Related Stories:
· Travel Update: Some Advice for Visitors to Mumbai [Globespotters]
· Mumbai's Tourist Sites Assaulted By Gunmen [Jaunted]

[Photo: Ninad Chaudhari]

Mumbai's Tourist Sites Assaulted By Gunmen

November 26, 2008 at 4:00 PM | 0 Comments

The seaside city of Mumbai came under heavy, coordinated attack by gunmen today, and more than 60 have already been killed as assaults, some involving grenades and automatic weapons, continue at swanky hotels and a train station. Earlier in the day, shots were fired at Leopold Restaurant, a tourist favorite.

It's still too early to know the motive for the attacks, though some European Parliament members were staying at the targeted Taj Mahal Hotel in advance of an EU-India summit. Meanwhile, the BBC spoke to some sources who say gunmen were targeting foreigners.

Ironically, New York City was in a state of heightened alert today, after a vague threat was made about possible attacks on the subway there. There's no specific warning from the US State Department about travel to India, though this sort of thing clearly falls under the "worldwide caution" that the agency maintains.

Related Stories:
· Mumbai Rocked by Deadly Shootings [BBC]
· At Least 40 Dead in Mumbai Attacks [AP, via Google]
· Luxury Hotels Attacked by Terrorists in Mumbai [HC]

[Photo of the Taj Mahal Hotel: Ambalavs]

My Nose Is On Fire

November 10, 2008 at 8:57 AM | 0 Comments

Chasing Racers is back, with a brand new Amazing Race 13 mashup. This map will update the morning after every new episode. Send along tips, rumors, gossip, locations and spoilers to our map editors, become a member and comment on the stories below and add to the Jaunted-Flickr photo pool to get in on the fray.

Remember to zoom in, out and around on the map--with so much happening in each episode, it's easy to miss a map point.

Well race fans, it's hard to believe, but we're getting down to the last few exciting episodes: Only six teams remain in the quest for the million dollar prize. Last week, Ken and Tina lucked out on a non-elimination leg, but they face a Speed Bump, an extra task that only they must complete to stay in the race. Will they be able to overcome the setback and charge ahead--or will they self-destruct? Can Kelly and Christy build on their second-place finish last week and stay ahead of the pack? Will Starr ever give Dallas her phone number?!

more ›

Please Hold Me While I Singe My Skull

November 3, 2008 at 8:30 AM | 2 Comments

Chasing Racers is back, with a brand new Amazing Race 13 mashup. This map will update the morning after every new episode. Send along tips, rumors, gossip, locations and spoilers to our map editors, become a member and comment on the stories below and add to the Jaunted-Flickr photo pool to get in on the fray.

Remember to zoom in, out and around on the map--with so much happening in each episode, it's easy to miss a map point.

Well, race fans, we're basically left with two types of teams: Pretty and pretty annoying. This week, teams depart Cambodia for New Delhi, India and a whole new world of challenges. The clock is ticking, and with only six teams left, every decision is make or break.

Will Kelly and Christy serve Nick and Starr a big heaping plate of revenge? Can Ken and Tina continue to work through their extramarital issues and power through to the end? Will Toni and Dallas keep focused on the race, or does Dallas have Starr in his eyes?

LET'S FIND OUT

more ›

Press Flourishing In India

October 31, 2008 at 9:00 AM | 0 Comments

With layoffs at Time Inc. and the shuttering of The Christian Science Monitor’s print product, it’s pretty much safe to say that the corpse of print media is now colder than a kid in Upstate New York trick or treating while dressed as a lifeguard.

But there’s one major exception to this downward spiral: India. According to the Asia Times, India will soon have the fastest-growing media and entertainment industry in the world, and magazine ad revenue alone will grow by 20 percent in 2008 to more than $300 million.

The expanding middle class and the influence of Western media in the country is giving US-based media companies room to expand their brands based on luxury and sex appeal. Since scouring the local Aldi for discount fava beans is top priority for many Americans these days, it'll probably be a while before these kinds of indulgences retake top priority in the States. For now, though, it looks like the press can take solace in Indians’ pocketbooks.

Related Stories:
· Sweet Salaries for India "Eye Candy" [Asia Times]
· Theen, Dho, Ek… Blastoff! [Jaunted]

[Photo: nowohucianka]

From Bengal to Nepal, Happy Diwali

October 28, 2008 at 10:30 AM | 1 Comment

Today marks the start of the five-day Diwali celebration, or The Festival of Lights.

The holiday has different meanings to Hindus depending on where they live, an educational site from the BBC explains. In northern India, Diwali commemorates Rama's return to India after defeating the demon king Ravana and getting his girl Sita back. In Nepal, it celebrates Krishna defeating his demon foe, Narakaasura. In Gujarat, it honors the Hindu goddess of wealth, Lakshmi.

For everyone, Diwali signifies the renewal of life. Hindus today are celebrating by waking up early to take morning baths in oil, lighting candles around their homes, feasting with family, buying fancy new clothes, exchanging sweets and setting off fireworks. Sounds like the best of Halloween, Christmas and Independence Day combined. Pardon the blasphemy, but this and the infinite chances at do-overs makes this religion quite the offer for the purely opportunistic.

Related Stories:
· Diwali 101 [BBC]
· Goddess Travel: Child Deified in Nepal [Jaunted]

[Photo: P. Malik]

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