DocDivaTraveller

Sydney as a city boasts of so many things: crystal blue water of the Pacific Ocean, iconic structures like The Harbor Bridge and Opera House, lush gardens and glitzy shopping malls and the gorgeous quay. So its understood how spectacular the city's aerial view would be. There are various ways to get that view.

Helicopter Ride: This one is for the filthy rich. Of course cruising in the air over one of the most beautiful cities in the world can be quite an experience. I first saw it in the movie Dil Chahta Hai. However helicopter ride is not my preferred thing (even if I had the money to go for it) Who would take my pictures with the view? That's not possible up there!

Sydney Eye or Sydney Observation Tower: This one is pretty much worth the money. The views offered are superb. It is the second highest point in the entire Southern Hemisphere. The entry is 28 AUD which is pretty much justified in an exorbitantly expensive city like Sydney. However we skipped it as we neither had time nor the need as we were pretty satisfied with what we saw from the Harbour Bridge.

Sydney Bridgeclimb: This is for he rich as well as for the brave hearted. You are put into harnesses and are guided by a team of professionals into climbing the entire length of the bridge (along the arch) You have to wear a specific 'Bridgeclimb uniform' and are not allowed to take anything with (for safety reasons). So does that mean no pictures? No, you can get your pictures clicked by the professionals at an extra cost. But don't expect very fashionable clicks as you would be in that 'uniform' like everyone else!

The view during the bridgeclimb is mindblowing and the wind even more nerve wrecking!

Price: A whopping 300 AUD per person! Is it worth? Not for travellers like us. I like to explore everything at my own pace...clicking pretty pictures at every point.

So what did we do?

We walked across the Sydney Harbour Bridge! Its free and so much more fun!

We climbed from the side of the Circular Quay and leisurely ambled to the other side of the Bridge. The entire length is only 1.2 kms and the walk is really enjoyable. You can savour the view of the Opera House, the waterfront and the entire city for as long as you want. If you want a higher view, you can climb the Pylon Lookout. Its entry is just 15 AUD and offers great views. However it closes at 5 PM so keep that in mind. The wind on the bridge is really gutsy so its a very pleasant experience altogether.

So which one of the above will you adopt to catch a bird's eye view of Sydney?

6/25/2019 No comments

There are a few valid expectations when one travels to Australia and those are absolutely legitimate. For me, there were too many. But that is understandable as I am a demanding girl and I plan of taking pictures in front of iconic landmarks ( Harbor Bridge, 12 Apostles, etc) beforehand. However if there was something which I really wanted, it was seeing kangaroos and koalas in the wild. I mean of course we planned to see them in the zoo. But come on, you are in the land of marsupials. Wouldn't you dream of catching them in the wild? Thankfully, both these wishes of mine were fulfilled during our Great Ocean Road trip.

Also read: Watching the kangaroos hop by early in the morning.

The Great Ocean Road is untouched nature. There are dense forests all the way along with the mighty Southern Ocean. The forests are protected...there are a number of national parks like blah blah.

It goes without saying that those jungles have all the animals that the Southern hemisphere is known for..all the creatures important from evolutionary point of view. So if you are a local or have plenty of time as aan explorer then you can venture out in those national parks or even pitch a tent ( if too adventurous) Only remember to follow the guidelines of the wildlife protection department like not setting camp fires et al. However this is not the only way. If you are lucky enough, you can catch those wild animals crossing the road or drinking water from the creeks. However you don't really have to rely on luck here as there is a particular jungle which is full of koalas. You just need to have sharp eyesight to spot them camouflaged against the eucalyptus trees.

The place is Kennett River, around 10 minutes from Apollo Bay and 200 kms from Melbourne. There is a narrow road uphill that detours from the GOR and goes inside the thick eucalyptus jungle. My advice is to park the car at the beginning and explore the area on foot. I mean you can't expect to spot these lazy marsupials from inside the car.

We were very lucky as we spotted few as soon as we stepped out. The koalas are unimaginably lazy and they sleep all the time. The first one which we spotted was perched up high on the tree, deep asleep. God knows how they don't fall down! The second was was pretty close and it was awake! It was munching on leaves continuously and we caught him yawning too! Koalas look absolutely adorable but mind you, the moment it opens its mouth, it looks pretty gruesome!

Since we gawked at the second one for quite a while, we were fully satisfied and hence didn't go further in the jungle. On the way back, we spotted a few more perched high up on the trees, dozing off course!

Few advices:

Park your car in the beginning itself and explore the area on foot.
Be vigilant but very quiet as they are intimidated by noise. A pair of binoculars would be handy.
Don't lose hope if you can't spot one. Dive deeper into the jungle. The roads are pretty good. If your observation skills are sharp, you are bound to spot them. There are so many!

5/30/2019 7 comments

Weight is one attribute that we all might have struggled at one point of life or the other. Although weight is pretty flexible (in the sense that height cannot be changed after a certain age) losing weight becomes tougher as age increases. In order to know about weight loss, it's important to discuss why does one become overweight in the very first place. I am talking about adult obesity/overweight here.

1. Constitution: Some people are overweight right from childhood. Usually they have parents who are broad boned and overweight too. Not much can be done in this case as this is 'normal'

2. Underlying disease: Many systemic disorders cause increase in weight. In girls, the commonest is hypothyroidism i.e lack of Thyroid hormone and increased Thyroid Stimulating Hormone which causes slowing down of metabolism and hence weight gain. The second commonest in girls is Polycystic Ovarian Disease or PCOD. Other diseases can be Cushing's syndrome, Insulin resistance (leading to accumulation of fat in body), Prader Willi syndrome etc etc.

3. Faulty diet: Overeating or indulging in too much junk food on a regular basis can cause drastic increase in weight. This is commoner in the affluent society because of unhealthy eating practices. So when does one gain weight from eating? When the calorie intake exceeds the calories burnt, the extra calories keep on accumulating and finally turn into fat deposits. Unhealthy eating habits like taking too much oily food, diet loaded with sugar, etc also lead to weight gain.

4. Sedentary habit: Our body needs to be moving to boost metabolism. Also we should keep on taking multiple breaks in our daily schedule to shake our circulation time and again. Some people are sedentary due to multiple reasons: they have a sitting job, knee problem or other joint problems that don't permit to move around, any surgery or injury that restricts movement or plain laziness...all these factors lead to weight gain.

5. Post natal stage: Again one of the commonest in females. During pregnancy, a female's body undergoes through a lot of hormonal changes so the new mom finds it quite challenging to lose the baby weight. Coupled with physical restrictions, lack of time and increased calorie requirement for breastfeeding, it is an uphill task to lose the baby weight.

Now how to lose weight? There are many ways to do so but you should always opt for means that are natural, healthy and long lasting. I mean you can lose hundreds of grams from a sauna session but that isn't permanent! It's just water weight. So here I am enumerating a few healthy ways to lose weight which would last.

1. Healthy diet: Well the hard truth is weight loss/maintenance is 80% diet and 20% exercise. I know...how terrible does this sound especially for foodies like me? The fact is that in order to lose weight, one has to burn more calories than what is consumed. So it's easier to consume lesser calories than trying to burn out hundreds of them. It's not even feasible. Avoid sugar, too much salt, oily food and restrict carbs. Although one should definitely consult a dietitian before taking the plunge as dietary requirements are different for everyone. A feeding mom trying to lose baby weight needs a different approach altogether from a man who is suffering from Type 2 Diabetes.

2. Exercise: As cliched as it may sound, exercise is fundamental in reducing weight. It can be yoga, gymming, swimming or even brisk walking. You need to burn those stubborn fat... ain't it? Also regular exercise helps to maintain the lost weight too and also protects us from various diseases. And that endorphin rush? The high which you get can match no other happiness. But always remember to consult your doctor before starting any regime.

3. Medicine: There are hundreds of medicines in the market that 'claim' to reduce weight...but how effective/safe are they?

Well then fret not as Dr Vaidya's Weight Reduction Pack is here. This trusted Ayurvedic medicine fights against obesity and high cholesterol. It is 100% natural and chemical free and very effective.

So how does Dr Vaidya's Weight Reduction pack work?

The medicine consists of Lipoherb and Kabaj pill.

Lipoherb is a fat cutter which stimulates metabolism of fat cells and burns fat. It consists of herbs like Harda Ghan, Amla Rasayan, and Shuddha Guggul Powder.

Kabaj Pill helps in bowel movement and hence fights constipation. This stimulates metabolism and helps getting rid of toxins.

What is the dosage:

Lipoherb thrice a day before meals, for ages 15 and above.

Kabaj pill: 2 pills before going to bad (for severe constipation)

1 pill before going to bed (for general constipation)

Price: 720 INR for the pack which will last one month.

Recommended Dosage: 3 months.

Precautions to be followed:

Stay away from too much sugar, oily and fried food.
Take fibre rich food, probiotic food and lots of water.
Exercise daily

Before starting any weight loss medicine kindly take consultation from doctor +91 98202 91850

5/21/2019 15 comments

Goa is one of the most scenic places in India with its serene beaches and mesmerising beauty, making it a photographer's bliss. Fontainhas in Goa, in particular, is the place where you just can't get enough of this beautiful state. Visiting Fontainhas should undoubtedly be on your list of things to do in Goa. Recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, this place is visually breathtaking.

Whether it’s the houses that boasts of Portuguese architecture that are painted every year after the monsoon or the unusual Portuguese street names, it reminds one of the times when Goa was a Portuguese colony, thus making it a must-visit when holidaying in Goa.

Developed in the 18th century by Antonio Joao de Sequeira, a wealthy merchant of Goa, he initially used it for coconut plantations. After the shift of Goa's government headquarters, it was turned into a residential area for the administrative officers. If visiting Fontainhas hasn't made it to your list of things to do in Goa as yet, then make sure you include it right away!

Things to do in Fontainhas

While exploring the heritage buildings and Portuguese era homes here, you could pay a visit to the Chapel of St. Sebastian, a church that came into existence in the 1800s. This prominent church is functional even today and is known for its unique artefacts- visiting it definitely makes it on the list of things to do in Goa.

Art lovers must include visiting the Gitanjali Gallery on their list of things to do in Goa. Right from paintings and poems to books and movies, this gallery has it all!

Maruti Temple could be your next stop. Situated atop a hill, this temple is dedicated to Lord Hanuman and is another major attraction that must be included in your list of things to do in Goa. This temple is located near Fonte Phoenix and is one of the most beautiful temples in Goa. You can take photos of this temple and its surroundings to add to your travel album!

Walking Tours

Fontainhas walking tours are also available. It’s a 2 hours trail that will walk you through the old Latin Quarter and take you back to the Portuguese era. These tours are available as a solo experience, couple experience, small groups and large groups so you could book the one that suits your need. Taking photos of this wonderful place and framing them can add an elegant touch to your home.

Ideal Time to Visit

While all good seasons are great to visit Goa, visiting Goa in February will allow you to enjoy the Fontainhas festival, where the traditional houses are turned into beautiful art galleries that display some amazing artworks during this festival.

What to eat?

Local Konkan food is one of the specialities of Goa. Fontainhas itself, as well as Goa, has several small and large bars and cafes where you could indulge in some tasty Goan delicacies. Seafood and all types of meat dishes can be enjoyed while in Goa. If you’re an Instagrammer, posting photos of all the different foods you are sure to sample here will sure make people envy you!

Where do I stay?

The Club Mahindra resorts are one of the best Goa resorts to choose from. Club Mahindra Varca Beach Resort, Club Mahindra Emerald Palms Resort or Club Mahindra Acacia Palms Resort, offer spacious and beautiful rooms including modern amenities for a comfortable stay. These resorts in Goa also have an in-built restaurant which offers delicious Konkan food, one of many things that Goa is famous for. Before you book your stay in any of these resorts make sure to check out the Club Mahindra reviews of our happy customers.

5/04/2019 8 comments

The dining area is probably the most used parts of our home. The kids spread their belongings on the table, do homework, we drop our bags on the table top after a long day of work, prepare for meals and sometimes chop vegetable too, etc etc. Not to forget the most important part of the day...ie eating. I mean can there be anything more important that having meals? I guess not...not at least for a foodie like me. So time and again it's important to revamp our most used space. We may feel stuck in a rut while doing so. So here I am enumerating some simple ways to revamp the most used space of our home.

1. Dress up the table:

This can be easily done by using a table cloth. You can get some beautiful linens from the VeeYoo tablecloth factory. For a beachy look, you can use either nautical prints (blue and white) or light green. For daily basis, you can opt for plain white (while it may be tough to maintain especially if you have small kids) I personally embrace bright colours and usually use yellow or pink; depending on my mood.

2. Use fresh flowers or plants:

It's a no brainer that flowers or plants bring life into any space and make it warm and inviting. Buying flowers everyday can get a bit too expensive so you can either put a small plant in the centre (which will last much longer than cut blooms) or even can put a flowering plant. How about killing two birds with the same stone?

3. Use placemats:

Placemats not only jazz up the table top but also save the same from spills and heat. From natural ones (fibre or jute) to even plastic ones, they make the dining area prettier.

4. Sash Bow ribbon:

This one is not about dressing up the table but the chair. When you are in a festive mood (read birthdays, weddings, anniversaries or plain celebrations), a VeeYoo polyester chair sash bow ribbon dresses up the entire space. You can add a pop of colour with these and celebrate this special occassion called life!

So if you are looking for a one stop solution for all your home decor needs, you should look up VeeYoo. From napkins to chair sashes, table cloths to place mats, curtains to bed linens, towels to bathrobes, aprons to oven mitts, organisation and storage solutions like hangers to VeeYoo watch box, they have an incredible collection for all these items. Not only that, the items are economic too and they always have special offers. Like right now they are offering 15% off on orders above 89$. Also you get free shipping on orders above 99$. They also have 15 days return and exchange policy.

Apprehensive of this website or need assurance? You should definitely check out VeeYoo reviews. Their good words are all over the internet on reliable sites like Trustpilot, Reseller ratings, etc etc.

5/01/2019 3 comments

High Priestess, which released on ZEE5 some days ago, piqued our interest for multiple

reasons. As the title suggested, the biggest of them all is Amala Akkineni who makes her web

series debut with this show. Directed by Pushpa Ignatius, High Priestess is a supernatural

thriller revolving around Swathi Reddy, a tarot card reader and psychic and her strange

experiences with her clients. But makes this Telugu web series stand out among others? Why

should people give it watch right away? Having seen the series, that’s exactly what we’ll try to

address without giving any spoilers.

Reason 1: Amala Akkineni

The web space has been catching a lot of traction amongst the Tollywood people. In the month

of March this year, Lakshmi Manchu and Srinivas Avasarala made their web series debut with

ZEE5’s web series Mrs. Subbulakshmi. However, Amala Akkineni’s presence in the web series

takes the excitement to the next level. That’s because it has been almost 7 years since she

graced the Telugu audience with her spectacular performance. Also, the show sees her pick a

role, unlike anything she’s done before.

Reason 2: Story and Series Format

When one thinks of spirits and supernatural events, one thinks of jump scares and at times even

violence as we’ve seen in Anushka Shetty’s Arundathi or Poorna’s Avunu. But this series has a

different take on supernatural entities and rather comes across as a thriller with high emotional

appeal. This makes it a unique series in the Telugu cine space. In an interview, Amala even

referred to High Priestess as afeel-good show with a slightly twisted approach to the

supernatural. Also, the series revolves around different stories and characters who are all

connected via Amala’s character Swathi. Using a hyperlink narrative further enriches the

narrative and makes High Priestess a wholesome watch.

Reason 3: Other Prominent Cast Names

Along with Amala Akkineni, High Priestess features quite a stellar star cast who are a treat to

watch. There is Kishore, who is a popular actor in Tamil, Telugu and Kannada industries. Then

there is Varalakshmi Sarathkumar who makes her web series debut with this show. Brahmaji

too essays an important role in the series. Last but not least, Tamil actor Krishna of Kazhugu

and Maari 2 fame plays an interesting role and also happens to be the producer of this thrilling

series.

Reason 4: No Language Barriers

As with most ZEE5 original content, High Priestess too has a dubbed release. So while the

series was originally made in Telugu, the dubbed versions help take this exciting supernatural

tale to a larger audience. As per a quote from producer Krishna, the series is expected to be

dubbed in seven languages. As of now, the series is available to watch in Telugu and Hindi. So

if you are a fan of supernatural thrillers, this show shall give you the thrills you are looking for.

So, those were some of the biggest reasons why you should check out High Priestess on ZEE5.

This is one series that is sure to impress horror and thriller genre fans.

4/29/2019 6 comments

Health is a state of physical, mental and emotional well being and not just the absence of disease. This is the definition given by WHO. Now have you ever experienced that inspite of being well (investigations say so) you don't feel your best? This happens with almost everyone. But why so? Have you ever wondered? This is because we don't get cured from within.

Whenever one falls sick, one needs to be treated constitutionally. We all are individuals, having a unique genetic code and behaviour. Then how can we expect the same medicine to treat different constitutions? The solution to this is a holistic approach to health which can be achieved by combination of different modes of treatment. This can be achieved by functional medicine.

Now what is functional medicine?

Functional medicine is medicine by cause, not by symptom. It doesn't treat diseases, but treats the body's ecosystem. They get rid of the bad stuff, put in the good stuff and our body does the rest.

Is functional medicine is easily available in India?

Yes. Through Daivam. Daivam derives its roots from the ancient wisdom of world medicine, backed by modern medicine and is delivered by the power of technology.

What is Daivam?

It is a holistic way of healing that is geared towards reversing disease and returns you to good health. This personalized and integrative health system is called the Daivam Way.

Dr Alok Chopra, a renowned cardiologist for the last 37 years is the pioneer of this field and the medical director of Daivam. Backing him is Dr Manjari Chandra, a distinguished nutritionist and diet consultant who has worked with top notch hospitals of India over 22 years.
Mr Sanjay Sachdeva, the founder and CEO of Daivam is the brain behind this integrated lifestyle approach.

How is Daivam Way different from the conventional way?

The Daivam Way is holistic unlike the conventional way which is atomistic. The former is person centric and preventive while the latter is disease centric and reactive.

What is the approach of Daivam?

Here at Daivam, they follow the 3 C's:

Collect and Analyse

Consultation with specialists

Continuous monitoring

Daivam follows a system of nine pathways that are designed to bring the person back to optimal health and balanced well being. These are:

Nutrition, gut microbiome, inflammation and immunity, detoxification, energy metabolism, hormonal balance, structure integrity, psychospiritual integrity, genome and epigenetics.

So what are the five main causes of disease?

Poor diet, chronic stress, microbes, toxins, allergies.

What are the Twelve ingredients to good health?

Whole fresh foods, nutrients, light, water, air, movement, rhythm, sleep, love, connection, meaning and purpose.

So here at Daivam they go to the roots, remove the toxins, replace non nutritional food with nutrient rich ones, reinstate your gut and helps repair and restore, bringing the person back to health.

What are the ailments that are addressed at Daivam?

Heart disease, hormonal imbalance, sexual dysfunction, gut health, autoimmune disease, ageing and longevity, diabetes, cancer, toxicity, obesity, depression, stress and anxiety, sports and degenerative medicine.

So if you are looking to get rid of the root cause of your ailment and come back to health holistically, visit the Daivam centre at

Daivam wellness private limited

Sector 24, Gurugram

4/25/2019 5 comments

This post was long overdue (like every year) My daughter's birthday was on 11 March (one of the life changing days of my life). It's been half a decade that I became a mom! Phew! As cliched as it may sound, but time really flies!

Years will pass and birthdays will come and go but memories would stay forever! When I was younger (when my mom was my only photographer) she used to lecture me to pay more attention to enjoying a particular situation rather than clicking incessantly.

I however defied her by saying that old memories make good life. The ability to retrieve a memory decreases exponentially unless boosted by artificial aids like photographs and videos. We should retain good moments for future memories.

So when I was continuously clicking pictures for my daughter's fourth birthday, she again put up her logic and asked me to pay attention to hosting (which I was doing simultaneously). But later on when I showed her the photographs, she agreed that those moments had been immortalised by my incessant clicking actions. I feel that it's my (as a mom) responsibility to document every important occasion of my munchkin so that she can relive those days when she grows up!

And just like that, my daughter turned five! You can get a glimpse of her previous birthdays here, here, here and here.

This year was extra special for many reasons. Firstly this was her first birthday when she no longer was the only child ..she had her new born sister alongside. Secondly as she is growing up, she had her own list of invitees or friends. I had never handled so many kids together! And party planning single handedly with no sleep for the past one and half months was really challenging on my part. However everything turned out great and I am really thankful to my friends who came and blessed my first born.

As you must have guessed already, the theme was Minnie Mouse and red and black. We donned red and black or white and set the party scene on fire! Just kidding 🤣

I hope that my elder daughter will cherish these moments when she grows up and I wish hey all the happiness and good health in this world!

4/20/2019 14 comments

This year for Mother's Day, I would love to buy myself a few nice dresses. I know, I sound like a three year old. No matter how old I get as a mom, I can never get bored of celebrating. In fact I am waiting for my kid to get older so that she can start pampering me with gifts! Actually I am a pretty overenthusiastic person who likes to celebrate every small occasion. So whether its my bestie’s birthday or my partner’s, Father's Day or our anniversary, I spend months planning on the celebration and of course the best part: gifts!

Our year is very well balanced with almost celebrations in every month. Just as spring rolls over (my munchkin’s birthday) and summer comes, I start planning Mother's Day. I hardly get time to pamper myself. So I usually create a wishlist and try to tick them off from my bucket list. I usually make two lists: one splurge and one save. I generally manage to gift myself one luxury item every year. But since last year we splurged on our home, I would like to make a huge ‘save’ list and buy them all! This time my wishlist is from Trendysuper, one of my favourite shopping websites.

It’s a no secret that I am a short dresses person. But as I grow older, I have started gravitating towards maxi dresses and full jumpsuits. Motherhood and growing older has taken a toll on my dressing style! Also these are a safe bet during family gatherings and work parties where you don’t want to get eyebrows raised!

So here is what I have narrowed down.

I know this silhouette is quite dramatic but is absolutely a statement piece which a love. The black and white is so elegant and this just so irreristible! What do you think? You can get lots of cheap skater dresses.