shvetabhagat

On choosing a holiday destination like Moldova, you are first met with quizzical glances followed by wild guesses as to where could it be.   Not on the average traveler's radar, Moldova is sandwiched between Romania and Ukraine with its culture and traditions treading between Russian and Italian. The aerial view one gets just before landing is a large oasis of greenery interspersed with water bodies.     Moldova’s main natural resources being soil and sunshine, it was the agricultural basket of the Soviet Union. Lush with plantations, its agrarian culture dominates the countryside. On your drive a common sight would be miles of giant sunflowers and grape vines, walnut trees flanking the road with meadows stretching into the horizon and meandering rivers. The undulating terrain is ideal for different crops and this medley absorbs you in its natural beauty with an odd Lada passing by, the only car in erstwhile Soviet bloc countries. But the most interesting sight is the m...

Goa Churches attract tourists but have lost some of their old glory! Goa as we know has a history of Portuguese rule and the churches that imbue the city are a reflection of a time gone by. The Portuguese were in Goa for about 450 years right up to 1961 and the influence is so visible through not just the food and culture but the eye-catching, high standing churches and the freshly whitewashed looking sign of cross that one often sights along the way, especially in the interiors. Ofcourse the Basilica of Bom Jesus in distinct Renaissance baroque architecture is the most revered and recognised by UNESCO that accorded it the status of a World Heritage Site. It has the embalmed mortal remains of St Francis Xavier and also houses beautiful art works of Biblical times. While it has become a major tourist attraction over the years it no more holds a Portuguese service. Majority churches in Goa now have Konkani as the main language in their service apart from English. However the imposing...