Visit to Semmozhi Poonga Garden Chennai 2023

Semmozhi Poonga, Chennai is a lovely green landscape where you can spend quite a while just relaxing. There are benches here and there and you can even sit on the soft grass. However, you can't bring along a basket of goodies and have a picnic the good old-fashioned way. Just wander around and breathe in clean air. You can take your kids along to enjoy the playground equipment. 

It is a good idea to check local newspapers for events scheduled here, such as a flower show that we missed out on but were there when a food fest was ongoing.

Trains, Stars and more at Amreena Farmhouse Avalas village Karjat

There are some very unique things to do when staying at Amreena Farmhouse, Karjat. No, there is no farm where you can walk around. And no, there’s no swimming pool to dive into. Yes, those who constantly want something to do may get bored easily. Yet, you don’t need to say, "There’s nothing to do here!" This is the place to be for a number of reasons, other than for enjoying delicious food…

Photo guide road route to go to Amreena Farmhouse Avalas Village Karjat

Amreena Farmhouse is in the village of Avalas and within a reasonable driving distance from the centre of Karjat. Once you book your stay, the owners will provide you with the specific Google Map link (they make it clear that you should use that link only), which has been found to be useful as mentioned in reviews by a couple of guests who headed there via road. However, for people like us who are train travellers and hired an auto to take us there from Karjat railway station, it was, to put it frankly, completely useless. This is primarily for two reasons – one, the connectivity is poor, and second, prominent markers on the map should have been ones that are known to locals. As it is, the village itself is not known to most of the auto drivers and the person who did know of it by name eventually found it difficult to locate the farmhouse. 

Perhaps the directions I am explaining here through photos (a few taken while going, and the others on the return drive) will be a useful guide for the road route from Karjat.

Dining at Amreena Farmhouse Karjat

In the main review of Amreena Farmhouse, Karjat I had mentioned getting piping hot food for all meals. Indeed, the food was literally hot, so much so that we requested the caretaker to open the tiffin for us as the lids were too hot to handle! All the meals were tasty, and you should definitely not miss out on the dal.

The tariff includes breakfast, all meals, and evening tea. Both vegetarian and non-vegetarian food is offered, and you can also bring along your own food for the barbeque (using it comes with a nominal charge).

A home near the hills - Amreena Farmhouse Avalas Karjat review 2023

Amreena Farmhouse

A picture-postcard house in the shadow of Songiri Gad (fort) hills with a garden out front, somebody to cook piping hot food (all meals), somebody to do the house chores of sweeping, swabbing, and washing the dishes, somebody to tend to the sun-dappled garden – sheer bliss! 

Amreena Farmhouse, Karjat is a gem of a place in more ways than one. It is located in the rural area of Avalas in Karjat Taluka, District Raigarh, Maharashtra. Follow this helpful photo guide. It is isolated in the sense that it is some distance from the main town of Karjat, but in no way is it some secluded place, though. There are homes adjoining it and helpful locals to provide directions to wherever you are heading from there. The house itself is not only pretty and charming with its joyous colours that give happy vibes, but is a well-designed one with useful features. Enjoy some unique activities too! This review is after a stay in December 2022.

Zeenath Taj Gardens Yelagiri review 2022

Yelagiri is a scenic hill station in Tamil Nadu and attracts a lot of people who are seeking a short break from routine. Its location within driving distance from the metros of Chennai and Bengaluru is advantageous. Having visited before, a group of my relatives headed there recently and stayed at Zeenath Taj Gardens. Yes, it is a quiet and cool resort located within a short distance of most tourist spots, including the lake, and on the face of it is pretty, but...

Visiting Saramsa Garden Complex Gangtok Sikkim

When visiting Gangtok, Sikkim do make sure that you don't miss spending an hour or so at the Saramsa Garden Complex. This superbly maintained landscaped garden that is open to the public for a nominal entry fee was set up way back in 1922 and continues to be a treat for all senses. 

The Saramsa Garden is not located in the actual city of Gangtok. You have to travel about 14-15kms from Gangtok, on the road leading to Pakyong road.

The entire garden complex has well-paved pathways for comfortable walking, quaint antique lamp posts, and everywhere - absolutely everywhere - there is a riot of colours vying for your attention.