Revealing the Unseen: Glamorous Udaipur, Goa and Puducherry

Through the lens of Malaysian Explorer & Photographer, Zung 

India is a place like no other and travelling to such an exotic country, filled with its vibrant culture and captivating landscapes is an endless journey of discovery. For those who love to explore or are seeking an experience to last a lifetime, colorful India is the place for you – simply bristling with intriguing customary intricacies that you never imagined could exist!

Taj Lake Palace in the Venice of India

The alluring view in Udaipur, known as the Venice of India, draws me to this enchanting Indian city with its glittering lakes, beautiful palaces and colorful streets. The Taj Lake Palace Hotel, sitting majestically in the center of Lake Pichola, exudes a fairy-tale like façade that is perfect for a bona fide romantic escape.

For a true lavish and dreamy vacation for two, stay a night at this hotel and savor the remarkable view from the balconies that are scattered around the palace.

While you are exploring Udaipur, don’t miss out on the boat ride in Lake Pichola for a mesmerizing morning ride, the grand granite and marble City Palace museum and sample some of the exotic Rajasthani cuisine.

The Best of Goa

Seeing new places and making new discoveries is always a treat. After witnessing the gorgeous view in Udaipur, I moved along to Goa, the smallest city in India that has garnered much attention from jetsetters from around the globe with its plentiful balmy shores and pulsating party culture.

From the first step in this tiny city, you will be swept away by its laid-back surroundings, shady coastline and breathtaking sunsets – Goa at its most magical. I would definitely recommend renting some wheels to explore the best Goa has to offer from obscured beaches to rural villages, Portuguese monuments and bustling street markets.

Photographer’s Tip: In Goa, travel light with only prime lens and wide-angle lens

Stay a night at Alila Diwa Goa, located in South Goa for an unobstructed coastal view of the Arabian Sea – a true haven of serenity. The best time to visit this vibrant city is during the Christmas-New Year period – the array of fanfare surrounding local festivities make Goa unlike any other places in India. Although, it may get massively crowded over that period it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that you wouldn’t want to miss!

Also, it is an amazing place for budding and professional photographers alike to capture the true Goa rarely seen by tourist from architectures to landscapes and people – there’s plenty to keep you busy.

I would suggest for you to be a gadget minimalist when travelling around India – travel light with only prime lens and wide-angle lens all day, and you won’t miss great shots that will inevitably happen at any time.

 French India

After enjoying laid-back Goa, I had a taste of France in Puducherry (also recognized as the French Riviera of the East – La Côte d’Azur de l’Est), my third Indian city for the trip, located in the Coromandel Coast facing the Bay of Bengal.

Formerly known as Pondicherry, it is a haven of colonial style and refinement where you can still see distinctive levels of French influence existing to this date. The town branches into the French Quarter, known as Ville Blanch (“White Town”) and Indian Quarter, known as Ville Noire (“Black Town”) and a heritage walk in both quarters makes for a wondrous experience.

Apart from that, you could also embark on street arts hunting adventure! The streets in Puducherry are full of interesting graffiti, while some are hidden and some are obviously illustrated across the walls in an artistic trail left by traveling artists.

The Promenade is an ideal place to stay to self-rejuvenate, with its minimalistic design and magnificent views of Bay of Bengal and city of Puducherry. It is a very calming place, perfect for relaxation and soul-searching moments.

This is an India not commonly portrayed – a decadent India for those looking to enjoy experiencing new exotic cultures, spiritual wealth and wild culinary excursions. Just like the fragrance from ubiquitous flower garland, it is hard to describe India in words – it should be yours to experience.