Singapore !!

After Bangkok we planned to visit Singapore. Since my sister-in-law stays there, it was a good opportunity to visit her and get to know the place. 
We stayed at her place in Choa Chu Kang. 

Places Visited :
Sentosa
Universal Studios
Marina Bay Sands
Jurong Bird Park

Bangkok !!

To celebrate our first wedding anniversary we planned a visit to Bangkok and Singapore.

As there were no direct flights from Hyderabad directly to Bangkok, we travelled to Chennai the day before by train and stayed at my place.

This is high level iternary of my travel. Detailed plan to be posted soon :)

19 May - Sat - Reach Bangkok. Take Airport Rail Link to Ratchaprarop (Baiyoke hotel) - Area: Pratunam
             - Explore Pratunam market area. It is full of fashion shopping (wholesale and cheap)
             - Baiyoke Tower II Observatory and Revolving Roofdeck.
      - Walk upto Victory monument and explore places around.
      - Night market around Baiyoke tower I

      Indian food eating options:
      1) The Platinum Food Centre at The Platinum fashion mall (about 5 mins walk from the hotel) - 10:30 – 20:00
      2) Mughal Darbar Indian Restaurant - Lane Opp. Indra Regent
      3) The Curry Pot Indian Restaurant - Behind Baiyoke Sky
      4) Navrattan Restaurant - Near Makkasan Railway station

20 May - Sun - Chatuchak Weekend Market (they say most of the markets here operate on weekdays in Pratunam itself)
               (To go: Take ARL from Ratchaprarop to Phaya Thai and change to BTS line from there to Mo Chit)
             - Explore Khao San shopping area late evening - Optional (we can even head back to hotel and relax)
        (To go: Take MRT from Kam-Phaeng Phet/Chatuchak park directly to Hua Lamphong station.
                From Hua Lamphong, we can take a taxi/tuk-tuk to reach Banglamphu market) 

      Indian food eating options:
      I don't see any Indian restaurant nearby to Chatuchak market. We may need to pack our lunch.
              
21 May - Mon - Rattanakosin area completely.
      - Take evening cruise in Chao-Phraya river to Wat Arun.
      - Explore Banglamphu market (Khao San) late evening (if not done on Sunday)
               (To go: Take ARL from Ratchaprarop to Makkasan and change to MRT line from there to Hua Lamphong station.
                From Hua Lamphong, we can take a taxi/tuk-tuk to reach the Grand Palace)

      Indian food eating options:
             Royal India restaurant - Thanon Chakphet
             Taste of India - Khao San road.
      Roti Mataba -  Phra Atid Road, Phra Nakorn
      Spicy Affair - Talat Yot, Phra Nakhon

22 May - Tue - Yaowarat-Phahurat area completely.
             - Evening visit to China town.
               (To go: Take ARL from Ratchaprarop to Makkasan and change to MRT line from there to Hua Lamphong station.
                From Hua Lamphong, we can just walk down and explore China town)
               (or)
             - Whole day trip to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
        (or)
      - Whole day trip to Ayuthaya
        (Damnoen Saduak Floating Market/Ayuthaya, we may need a package trip)

      Indian food eating options:
             Royal India restaurant - Thanon Chakphet

23 May - Wed - ++ Have to enquire/Plan to fit in a Canal tour on Chao Phraya river ++
             - Last minute shopping and packing
             - Night - Start to Singapore. Reach Singapore

Day1 - Ratchaprarop sightseeing
     - Baiyoke Sky viewpoint
Day2 - Chatuchak market
Day3 - City palace, wat pho, massage, War arun
Day4 - Central mall, MBK mall
     - Dinner on topfloor Baiyoke suite
Day5 - Ratchaprarop shopping,
       China town

Anniversary !!

Time really flies. One year flew off so soon. Tuesday was our first wedding anniversary. We were just getting to accept and settle into married life and here comes our first anniversary.

On this special day, my in-laws wanted us to celebrate my travelling to Bangkok and Singapore. We were planning this since very long. My husband had to get his passport renewed for this. Since we were going by our own, we had to check the places and come up with an itinerary. Finally everything fell in place and the trip went as planned.

Plain Dosa !!

Plain Dosa's are frequently made at my place.It is one of my favourite and also very easy to prepare. It also serves as a very good breakfast menu. The hardest part is making the flour. Once we have it ready, making Dosa's is very fast.

Ingredients : 
Idly rice - 2 cups
Urad dal 1 cup
Fenugreek seeds - 1/4 tsp
Salt - 1/2 tsp

Method : 

Flour Preparation :
1) Wash the idli rice nicely
2) Soak Idly rice and Methi together in water.
3) Let this be undisturbed overnight or for about 6-8 hours. 
4) Soak urad dal in water for 3 hours. 
5) Drain the water from urud dal and grind it with little water. 
6) Finely grind the mixture and keep aside.
7) Drain water from soaked rice and methi. 
8) Grind these along with little water to a smooth paste
9) Now mix the ground items and add salt. 
10) Allow it to ferment for 16 - 18 hours. 

Dosa Preparation :
1) In a tava, pour 1-2 spoons of the flour.
2) Spread the flour into a thin round
3) Pour a drop of oil along the corners of the round
4) When it turns golden brown, flip it to the other side.

Dosa's are ready.

Idlis !!

Idli's are easiest to make and serve as a very good breakfast menu. The hardest part is making the dough. Once we have it ready, making idlis is very fast.

Ingredients :
Idly rice - 2 cups
Urad dal 1 cup
Fenugreek seeds - 1/4 tsp
Salt - 1/2 tsp

Method : 

Dough Preparation :
1) Wash the idli rice nicely
2) Soak Idly rice and Methi together in water.
3) Let this be undisturbed overnight or for about 6-8 hours. 
4) Soak urad dal in water for 3 hours. 
5) Drain the water from urud dal and grind it with little water. 
6) Finely grind the mixture and keep aside.
7) Drain water from soaked rice and methi. 
8) Grind these along with little water to a smooth paste
9) Now mix the ground items and add salt. 
10) Allow it to ferment for 16 - 18 hours. 

Idli Preparation :
1) In a idli cooker, add 2 cups of water.
2) Touch the plates in the cooker with a drop of oil
3) Pour a spoon of the dough into each round areas in the plate
4) Repeat this procedure for all plates.
5) Arrange the plates in the cooker and close the lid firmly
6) Heat the stove and place the cooker.
7) The cooker will begin to 'whistle' when steam begins to escape.
8) Let this happen continue for some more seconds.
9) Switch off the stove and let it set for 10-15 minutes.
10) Open the cooker lid carefully. Idlis are ready.

Weekly Walking Update - 21/4

Walking Update for the week !

Day	Date	Steps	Distance in KM	Time
1	1/4/2012	122	2	30 Min
2	1/5/2012	322	3	30 Min
3	1/6/2012	4354	4	30 Min
4	1/7/2012	5454	2	30 Min
5	1/8/2012	235	4	30 Min
6	1/9/2012	5565	5	45 Min
7	1/10/2012	43434	5	45 Min

Total Weekly Distance Walked : 25

Total Monthly Distance Walked : 25

Tamil New Year !!

Today is Tamil New Year day which is is widely celebrated in all Tamil households. This festival falls during mid April every year. This festival is celebrated with fun and enthusiasm all over Tamil Nadu. 

This being our first Tamil new year after wedding, we got new dresses and gifts from parents. On this day, we decorated the house with colorful rangoli. We prepared many festive foods on this special occasion including vadai, paayasam and puranpoli at our home and offered our prayers to God. We then had an elaborate feast and enjoyed with our family.  

Wishing you all a very happy Tamil new year !!