Travel> Six Popular Tourist Spots in Visakhapatnam

Text by: Tanya Munshi

Nestled in the Eastern Ghats overlooking the mighty Bay of Bengal lies Vizag, home to one of the oldest and busiest ports in India. Tanya Munshi ventures beyond the city and discovers beaches, hillocks, valleys and other wondrous escapes. Illustrations by mindflyer+fei

Yarada beach (15kms, 30 mins from Vizag)

Yarada offers a much-needed breather for even the most hardened city-dwellers. It’s the perfect place to sit and do nothing. Just lie on the beach and soak up the sun while you watch the waves or dive in to the ocean waters for a swim. Yarada lies obscured by hills on three of its sides with the Bay of Bengal on the other.

Yarada is a popular local and tourist hangout during weekends, so the best time to get there would be early morning before the sun bestows its harsh rays — summer time can be especially hot if you’re unprepared. Hire a driver from Vizag to take you to Yarada in the morning and if you’re happy to spend the entire day there, including the hot sunny afternoon, end your day with a picnic dinner on the sand and take in the magnificent sunset. From Dolphin’s Nose, the view of Yarada is especially beautiful — don’t miss this sight on your way to the beach.

Pack sunblock, sunglasses, floaters and other beach gear. Avoid carrying valuables in your bag if there’s no one to look after it while you’re in the water and don’t swim too deep into the water if you’re not a strong swimmer.

Bheemunipatnam (25kms, 1 hour)

This 25km stretch of coastline offers a quick break from the city. In 1861, Bheemunipatnam was one of the oldest municipalities in India although its origin can be dated back to the 16th century, when it was an important Dutch settlement. As a result, the beach is home to many dilapidated forts and monuments.

Bheemunipatnam lies in the confluence of the Gosthani River and the Bay of Bengal and is home to some of the oldest churches in the country, such as the Red Church and the Andhra Baptist, as well as a lighthouse dating back to 1868. You can also find the Vedic Adhyayana Research Institute Jeeyar Ashram (VARIJA).

Make an early start from Vizag so you reach here when the crowds are relatively smaller and the weather is not too hot. Late afternoon or early evening around sunset is also a popular time. The coastline makes for an ideal and beautiful picnic spot (just avoid sitting directly under the coconut trees!) so pack a basket full of lunch goodies. Don’t forget your beach essentials.

Etikoppaka (65kms, 2.5 hours)

Your visit to this part of India is incomplete if you leave without a special souvenir from Etikoppaka. This humble village boasts plenty of locally-made hand-crafted toys, pencil stands, keychains and other decorated crafts. Situated on the banks of the River Varaha, Etikoppaka is known for its age-old tradition of woodcarvings and artefacts.
Interestingly, their craft bears resemblance to the shapes and style of excavated findings of the Harappa and Mohenjodaro civilisations.

Etikoppaka means, “a group of houses on the banks of a river”, and the artistic toys are created from the Ankudu wood that are further lacquered with ochre, brown, green and other pastel and earthy colours. The colours used on these wooden toys and artefacts are made of nontoxic natural dyes from plant and vegetable extracts. You can also buy these handicrafts from the government authorised showroom Lepakshi (www.lepakshihandicrafts.gov.in). To know more about this village and their handicrafts, visit, www.etikoppaka.com

Erra matti dibbalu (20kms, 1 hour)

Erra Matti Dibbalu are natural ravines that have been crafted by the currents of the wind brushing against the soil over many years. Meaning “red mud hillocks” in the local language Telegu, you can stroll through ravines that look like large ant-hills. The hillocks were once known to reach a height of 40 metres but today they stand at only 15 metres.
Popular with film directors, Erra Matti Dibbalu is used to hosting trailor loads of film stars and their entourage, as it has provided the perfect backdrop to many Telegu films.

Drop by for a weekend and after walking through the maze of hillocks, you’ll finally reach the beach for some fun on the sand. Preferably travel in a group as it makes for a fun trip and you will have more collective brainpower to find your way out of the hilly maze. These mud hills are quite big and challenging and if you’ve never been to the area, it can be a little confusing. Get your sense of direction or even a compass before you start out. If you’re on your way to Bhemunipatnam, Erra Matti Dibbalu is perfect for a quick stopover.

Tyda (75kms, 3 hours)

En route to the Araku Valley, Tyda is a small tribal village best known for its eco-tourism resort, Jungle Bells Nature Park. It was established by Andhra Pradesh Tourism along with the Forest Department. Tyda offers interesting outdoor activities that even the kids won’t tire of. Besides the obligatory camping and bird-watching activities, there’s also some impressive trekking to be had.

If you decide to make a weekend of it, you won’t get bored. Go rock climbing or target shooting complete with bow and arrows. Kids will get a kick out of learning jungle calls and older kids will soak up interesting flora and fauna facts of the area with the help of some knowledgable guides.

Be sure to catch a folk dance show by the locals known as Dhimsa. If time permits and you really want to get back to nature, stay overnight at Jungle Bells. Accommodation ranges from wooden cottages, and wooden log huts. While you will hear many birdcalls out here, you won’t be able to make any calls yourself — mobile phone reception is non-existent, so be prepared to cut yourself off from the outside world, even if it is just for one night.

Jungle Bells’ multi-cuisine restaurant serves some delicious meals but the best bit is sitting around a bonfire and sharing travel stories with fellow visitors. Just make sure you carry mosquito repellent — it will come in handy.

Matsyagundam (115 kms, 5 hours)

Matsyagundam, a beautiful pool in the in the Araku Valley, is home to large species of fish. As the mythological story goes, a fierce battle once took place between the snakes (singarajulu) and fish (matsyarajulu). It is said that the mother fish collected all the other fish from a place called Gemmili to protect them from the snakes and ever since, the fish have come to live in this new place, hence the name matsyagundam or ‘fish pool’.

Hire a private vehicle from Vizag and head to Araku Valley. Using the valley as your base, you can easily drive to Matsyagundum for the day. It’s best to depart Vizag in the early morning to beat the traffic and you should reach Araku by midday. Stop off and have a break or continue the drive to Matsyagundam, which should take another one to two hours. Carry enough refreshments with you as the selection of restaurants en route is not very impressive.

If you decide to spend a day in Araku, head to the Hill Resort Yatri Niwas (tel: (089) 3624 9201/02/03) or Haritha Mayuri Resort (tel: (089) 36 249204, 249950, 0944 079 3518) for a meal or a comfortable room.

The weather in Araku Valley is pleasant throughout the year as it sits around 1300 metres above sea level. Bring comfortable walking shoes and your camera. The area also boasts the Machkhand River and the Sangda Waterfall.

Published in Spiceroute May 2009 issue - the in-flight magazine for Spice Jet Airlines.

Link - http://www.spiceroutemag.com/2009/05/beyond-4/

Visakhapatnam Travel Guide

Image: Steamed Wontons
Image by: Spice Route

Text by: Tanya Munshi

Must stay:
The Gateway formerly known as the Taj Residency (Beach Road, Visakhapatnam-530002, Andhra Pradesh, India, Phone: (91-891) 2567756, Fax:(91-891) 2564370, Email: residency.vizag@tajhotels.com). With 95 rooms and five suites, along with its prime location on Beach Road makes this hotel a popular choice. Their coffee shop called Stir is quite popular among the tourist and the local crowds; the lavish buffet spread is the crowd puller.

Must try:
If you’re craving to have some steamed wontons then visit Oriental Jade Garden, at Fusion Foods (Opposite Vuda Complex, Siripuram, Visakhapatnam, - 530003, Phone: 0891 – 2569555). This restaurant has quite a nice spread of starters with meats and sea food, whatever they make is good. Steamed wontons are their specialty, along with herbed chicken soup does wonders. Do take a look at their grills menu, it’s absolutely worth it.

Must see:
When you’re in Visakhapatnam, do take a trip on the ropeway to Kailasgiri. You can also drive up to this hillock, if you’re not too keen for the ropeway; however, the ropeway is more exciting as it has the view of the sea on one side and the hills on the other. Apart from the large Shiv and Parvati statues in the Kailasgiri Park, there’s also a toy train that takes you on a 20 minute ride while its large glass windows give you an uninterrupted view of the sea. However, avoid the train ride during the day time and afternoon, especially during summers as the insides can get really warm.

Must buy:
Drop by at Nalli's (Jagadamba Centre, Opp. Chitralaya theatre, Vizag 20) that has recently been launched in Vizag as early as September 2007. From a variety of wedding saris, you can pick up georgette, silk, chiffon, cotton and south cotton saris.

Must watch: It’s hard to miss INS Kursura on Beach Road. This decommissioned submarine takes pride of being the only submarine museum in our country. Maintained by Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority, INS Kursura is open on all days from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. with Mondays as the weekly off. This museum is open on Sundays in the morning from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Published in Spice Route March 2009: http://www.spiceroutemag.com/2009/03/vizag-4/

Travel> Private Taxi Operators in Visakhapatnam

Here are some numbers of private taxi operators in Visakhapatnam. Since this town does not have a taxi service with a metre system like available in cities like Mumbai, Delhi or Kolkata, bargaining at airports and at railway stations is highly recommended.

One can contact these taxi operators for tours, sight-seeing, day trips etc. in Vizag. However, please check their rates per km or per hour.

1. Crazy Cabs
0891-6455678 and 092476899

2. Srinivas Travels
09291257682 and 09959155886
Address: #31-4-199/3
Maharaniveedhi
Maripalem
Vizag - 530 018

3. Bhavishya Travels
Mobile: 09346303856 and 09959366008
Landline: 0891-2739510
#39-10-40/1
Tenneti Nagar Bus Stop
Muralinagar
Vizag - 530 007

Visakhapatnam Restaurant Guide> Bawarchi

Text by: Tanya Munshi

Now, this is a place that we recommend that you should visit. Bang opposite Jagadamba Cinema Hall is Grand Central Hotel. From its external appearance it looks rather grim, while the entrance and ambience, slightly shady, but worry not, Bawarchi is quite a family restaurant.

What's best here? We highly recommend -Hyderabadi Mutton Dum Biryani (Rs. 110/-) and Mutton Fry (Rs.110/-), and of course if you want some soft drinks to go with it, as I usually like stick to my favourite buttermilk.

The food is absolutely amazing here, its got the right amount of spices and the staff is extremely courteous. So go for it!

Parking maybe a problem at Jagadamba Junction, but Grand Central Hotel has a dingy basement parking; be careful, the slope downward is extreemly steep.

Overall Rating:

Ambience - * * * * (slightly shady, but its a family restaurant, so you need not worry too much)

Service - * * * * *

Presentation of food & drinks - * * * * *

Quantity of food served - * * * * * 

Quality of food - * * * * *

Price - * * * * * (VFM)

Location:

Grand Central Hotel,

Bawarchi Restaurant (Ground Floor)

Visakhapatnam

Phone: 0891-6644001 - 4

Fax: -91-891-6644005

E-mail: thegrandcentralhotel@gmail.com

Website: www.thegrandcentralhotel.org

Visakhapatnam Restaurant Guide> Hyderabad House

Text by: Tanya Munshi

The much famed Hyderabad House from good ol' Hyderabad has opened its branch early this year. Much to the hype, the brand name and the unending queue outside this restaurant, my husband and I decided to pay Hyderabad House a visit.

The decor was really nice, but don't know why the place was full of houseflies, even though its an air-conditioned restaurant. Brushing the flies aside we asked for some of the delicious kebabs from the menu, but the steward informed us that only Tangdi Kebabs (Rs. 65/- for two pieces) were available. So we ordered for that; which were dry, old and cold. We then ordered for of course (thinking it might get better), Chicken Biryani (Rs. 120/-)...was a total let down. 

It was in May this year that we had visited Hyderabad House in Vizag and have not yet returned to the restaurant to give it a second chance. We didn't have to,  as for days, weeks and months we spotted the stewards waiting in anticipation outside the empty restaurant for clients to drop by...

There's no harm in trying it out if you're keen. 

Overall Rating:

Ambience - * * * (dirty, messy and full of house-flies) 

Service - * * *

Presentation of food & drinks - * * * 

Quantity of food served - * * 

Quality of food - * * 

Price - * * * 

Location:

Hyderabad House,

Siripuram

Visakhapatnam - 03

Phone: 0891-6463939/ 6466969

Visakhapatnam Restaurant Guide> Grillz 'n' Rollz

Text by: Tanya Munshi

Shawarmas anyone? Well, if you're living in Vizag and pining from some decent shawarmas then head straight to NH 5. 

My husband and I tried out one Sunday evening, that's the day you don't feel like cooking really. The Shawarmas were Rs. 35/- each, quite light and it was a pleasant change from the loads of masalas that we are usually exposed to.

On another day, we tried the raann, which is Rs. 250/- for a kilogram plus. But we recommend that you accompany the raann with a curry based dish like mutton gravy and have it with steamed rice preferably. So don't miss this place and use it to the fullest especially when you want to treat your guests to something special.

Overall Rating:
Ambience - * * * * (not really of an ambience, its situated right next to the highway)
Service - * * * * *
Presentation of food & drinks - * * * * *
Quantity of food served - * * * * * 
Quality of food - * * * * *
Price - * * * * * (VFM)

Location:

Kushal Arcade,

NH-5, 

Old TB Hospital Junction,

Gandhinagar,

Visakhapatnam - 16

Phone: 0891-646-1582/ 6458582

Cell: 99596-94972

Visakhapatnam Food Guide> The Park

Text by: Tanya Munshi

The Park, Visakhapatnam

The Park Hotel has a pool side open air restaurant called Aqua that serves mainly barbeques and kebabs, an indoor multi-cuisine restaurant called Vista and a South-Indian restaurant called Bamboo Bay.

Usually on Sundays, you can spend the entire day at Aqua from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm, for just Rs. 999 plus taxes, where you can have unlimited drinks (both alcohol and non-alcoholic), kebabs and barbeques and a buffet spread. You also get treated to a small head massage and can take a dip in the pool.

The ambience is amazing; it’s just that the food did not seem to be of the utmost quality as you come to know by the end of the day when you keep running to the rest room. So, it’s worth a visit once, but I would like to stay away from the Aqua Brunch as it is called at the Park for a while.

On the other hand, Vista has a buffet spread, that costs about Rs. 500/- inclusive of taxes. The good or bad mood of the chef seems to reflect in the buffet spread. There are days I wish I had simply gone for the ala carte in stead of trying out the buffet yet again. 

But there are days, the buffet is really good. Ala carte is better here, if you instinctively don’t like the buffet menu. That’s what I plan to stick by, though the ala carte choices are very limited, I think its safer that way.

But if you are planning on ala carte, I recommend – Grilled Rosemary Cottage Cheese, Rosemary and Chili Lamb or Pepper Lemon Grass Beef - they are totally delicious.

The service is however very slow, somehow they seem to be taking ages to bring your cheque. 

I have seen several diners (especially locals), boss their way around when they come with their families for lunch/ dinner. Maybe that is why the staff are happier while attending to foreign tourists, than the national tourists/ locals.

I recall an incident, where a friend of mine wanted to feed her 5 month old baby. We went up to the restaurant manager asking him whether there was any such arrangement for a baby room. His reply was, "Sorry Ma'am, all the rooms are full." I don't know whether the staff are trained properly at the Park Hotel, Vizag. We weren't asking for a room, we asked if there was any place we could go to, for feeding a baby. With no help from the restaurant manager, my friend had to go to the ladies rest room and feed her child and join us back for dinner. 

In the hospitality industry, it is crucial that the staff be absolutely courteous and help a client if it is a genuine requirement. Sadly, this point is hugely missed at the Park Hotel, Visakhapatnam.

Overall Rating:

Ambience - * * * * *

Service - * * * (very slow)

Presentation of food & drinks - * * * * * 

Quantity of food served - * * * *

Quality of food - * * * (depends on the chef's mood) 

Price - * * *  (steep for Vizag standards)

Location:

The Park Hotel,

Beach Road,

Vizag – 530 203

Phone: 0891 – 2754488

Fax: 91- 891 – 2754181

Email: fb.iviz@theparkhotels.com

Website: www.theparkhotels.com

And http://visakhapatnam.theparkhotels.com/

Visakhapatnam Restaurant Guide> Fusion Foods

Text by: Tanya Munshi

Fusion Foods , Visakhapatnam

Fusion Foods is one of my favourite restaurants, because that’s where I get the best steamed momos in Vizag. Fusion Foods has a Chinese restaurant known as the Oriental Jade Garden, a multi-cuisine Ruby International and a fast food joint.

This is by far one of the best Chinese restaurants in Vizag and the food is absolutely fantastic. Don’t miss their soups and momo combinations and we highly recommend that you work out an appetite before visiting the place. You can watch the cooks/ chef preparing the dishes from the glass window that separates the restaurant from the kitchen.

The multi-cuisine restaurant called the Ruby International is a pleasant surprise, considering the ambience. The food is perfect, the quantity more than enough and total value for money. Both these places you can enjoy a complete meal for two within Rs. 400/-.

Overall Rating:

Ambience - * * * * (Ruby International needs a face lift. Oriental Jade - is perfect)
Service - * * * * * (excellent at both places)
Presentation of food & drinks - * * * * * (excellent at both places)
Quantity of food served - * * * * * (excellent at both places)
Quality of food - * * * * * (excellent at both places)

Price - * * * * * (Total VFM)

Location:
Fusion Foods,
Opposite Vuda Complex,
Siripuram,
Visakhapatnam, - 530003
Phone: 0891 – 2569555

Visakhapatnam Restaurant Guide> Dolphin Hotel

Text by: Tanya Munshi

Dolphin Hotel, Visakhapatnam

Dolphin Hotel has a roof top restaurant known as the Horizon. The Horizon is a Multi-cusine Bar & Restaurant with Live Band in Evenings. The food – is good, the quantity – miserly, the ambience – strictly okay. 

Dolphin Hotel's Horizon and Green Park Hotel's Memories of China are the only two restaurants in Vizag that have a live band performing almost every night. 

The food at Horizon is expensive and the quantity meager; but the quality of food is no doubt good – especially their continental spread. But for a food lover, you wish the quantity of food was directly proportional to the price. The live band is good too, but you wish they graduated to some more songs of the present than the recent yesteryears.

With too much wishing that keeps happening here, I usually skip this roof top restaurant at Dolphin Hotel.

A meal for two would cost you more than Rs. 1000/- including VAT and service charges.

Overall Rating:

Ambience - * * * * 

Service - * * * 

Presentation of food & drinks - * * * *

Quantity of food served - * * * 

Quality of food - * * *

Price - * * * * 

Location:

Dolphin Hotels Ltd

Daba Gardens

Vizag – 530 020

Phone: 0891 – 2567000/ 0891 – 6666677

Fax: 91-891-2567555

Email: vmdolphin@sancharnet.in

Website: www.dolphinhotelsvizag.com

Visakhapatnam Restaurang Guide> Hotel Daspalla

Text by: Tanya Munshi

Hotel Daspalla, Visakhapatnam
Now, Hotel Daspalla has a non-vegetarian and a vegetarian restaurant. Though the non-vegetarian restaurant Dakshin seems to be a popular joint amongst many locals, it’s not such a place that I would like to visit ever again, as personally for me, experiences do count towards making or marring a meal.

Firstly, when you enter this non-vegetarian restaurant it has some kind of an odd phenol smell, which makes you feel as if you are sitting inside a bathroom and eating. The lights are too dim for comfort.

We were once served cold drinks in cracked/ chipped glasses and prawn masala (which were way too dry and stale) were offered on chipped saucers and not even on side plates or quarter plates. I think this non-vegetarian section is famous for its non-veg thaalis and buffet which personally failed to excite the food lover in me.

I have seen gluttony personified in the non-vegetarian restaurant. In the buffet dinner, I have seen people pile up their plates with four to five eggs at a go, while some make their kids share from their plate (to cut the cost of ordering an extra meal). The overdose of eggs once made me exclaim loudly, "Cholestrol!" to a fellow diner, which my husband had to gently sush me down. :)

But the vegetarian restaurant Dharani at Daspalla, is completely worth it. The staff is courteous here and the food is much better. The veg unlimited thaali which will cost you only Rs. 55/- is fit for a king. For the queens, don’t be alarmed when the staff places fresh hot ghee and steamed rice in front of you to mix and eat and the stewards are absolutely stunned if you do not finish off the thaali and have at least a third helping!

Usually, there is a queue for getting a place in this vegetarian restaurant, but like most people waiting there, I am sure you wouldn’t mind the wait.

A meal for two in the vegetarian restaurant will cost Rs. 250/- including VAT and service charges.

Overall Rating:
Ambience - * * * (nothing to talk about especially at the non-veg section - Dakshin)
Service - * * * * * (excellent at Dharani)
Presentation of food & drinks - * * * *
Quantity of food served - * * * * (excellent at Dharani)
Quality of food - * * * (terrible at the non-veg section - Dakshin)
Price - * * * * *

Location:
Hotel Daspalla
Suryabagh
Visakhapatnam – 530 020
Phone: 0891 – 2564825 (6 lines)/ 0891 – 2563141 (4 lines)
Fax: 91-0891-2562043
Email: dspvizag1@rediffmail.com
Toll free number – 1800-425-4225Website: http://www.indiatravelite.com/hyderabad/daspallahotelvisakhapatnam.htm

Visakhapatnam Restaurant Guide> Bagels

Text by: Tanya Munshi

Bagels, Visakhapatnam

Bagels is a name synonymous to burgers, cakes, cookies and pastries. It’s an extremely popular joint amongst the college and office goers in Vizag. The ambience is neat, the decor is bright, in short, Bagels is a place I would like to go before a movie to chill out with friends.

Since we are frequent visitors to Bagels, we have noticed the gradual drop in quality of the food – especially the non-vegetarian puffs, croissants and the patisserie. The pastries look inviting while on display, but when you sink your teeth into what looks like a delicious walnut brownie, it doesn't really meet the expectations of a foodie.
1
Since the coffee they serve is really good, we usually don’t mind going there to grab a cuppa. For the health freaks, you can grab your style of bread from – oat bread, banana bread, whole wheat bread – you name it, they have it.
3
I always make it a point to pick up a box of ginger-raisin cookies which go well with my morning tea. It’s really neat when you have the spicy ginger and the mellow raisin blending in your mouth, with a steaming hot cup of tea on an early morning.
A snack for two will cost you within Rs. 200/-.

Overall Rating:
Ambience - * * * * *
Service - * * * * *
Presentation of food & drinks - * * * * *
Quantity of food served - * * *
Quality of food - * * *
Price - * * * * *

Location:
Bagels,
10-1-41, CBM Compound,
Opposite Municipal Commissioner Bungalow,
Vizag – 530003
Phone: 0891 – 6634466
Anytime between – 9.30 AM – 10.30 PM

Visakhapatnam Restaurant Guide> Green Park> Princess

Text by: Tanya Munshi

Green Park, Visakhapatnam

Normally, Green Park is known for its good food and ambience. But I would recommend that you visit Green Park is for their Midnight Biryani at the Princess, from Monday to Friday starting 11:00pm onwards.

Per head, this buffet Midnight Biryani will cost you Rs. 115/- and it consist of mutton/ chicken briyani, haleem, kheema masala, egg masala, vegetarian biryani, paneer and ending it with moong halwa or gajar ka halwa and vanilla ice-cream. Is your mouth watering yet?

Green Park also has a South Indian and a Chinese restaurant as well, just in case you would like to visit the others for a change. A meal for two at the midnight biryani would cost you around Rs. 400/- including service charge and VAT.

Overall Rating:
Ambience - * * * *
Service - * * * * * (Though it's a buffet spread, but the staff is courteous.)
Presentation of food & drinks - * * * **
Quantity of food served - * * * * *
Quality of food - * * * * * (Perfect)
Price - * * * * * (Total VFM)

Location:
Green Park
Waltair Main Road
Visakhapatnam – 53002
Phone: 0891 – 6615151
Fax: 0891 – 2563736
Website: http://www.hotelgreenpark.com/

Other restaurants at Green Park are:
Princess - The multi-cuisine restaurant at Lobby Level - ( 24 Hours)
Southern Spice - Specialty restaurant-South Indian
(12.30 Hrs to 15.30 Hrs & 19.30 Hrs to 23.30 Hrs)
Memories Of China - Specialty Chinese restaurant
(19.30 Hrs to 23.30 Hrs)
Escape - Bar-cum-Pub (11.00 Hrs to 23.30 Hrs)

Visakhapatnam Restaurant Guide> Sai Ram Parlour

Text by: Tanya Munshi

Sai Ram Parlour, Visakhapatnam
Okay, I’m a total dosa and idli fan and more so the garlic chutney and the delicious aromatic sambar served alongside. Where can you get it? On lazy weekends, my husband and I head straight to Sai Ram Parlour at Diamond Park.
1
Don’t go by their ambience when you reach their ground floor. It’s a place where you have to stand and have these snacks or tiffin meals as it is known in South India. You also have an option to go to the first floor and eat in the air-conditioned and the non air-conditioned restaurants. Don’t be surprised if you’re asked to share a table with other diners, it’s a perfectly done thing here considering it’s such a busy and packed restaurant. But for the food and the coffee, I don’t mind it at all. Also, don't expect any five-star treatment just because you opted for the air-conditioned restaurant, its just that you can enjoy the meals in a cooler environment.
4
But seriously, Sai Ram Parlour's dosas and idlis are simply out of the world and we really don't mind standing in the summer heat to enjoy it. A meal for two is within Rs. 200/-.
5
Overall Rating:
Ambience - * * * (But that's really okay, since the food is so good!)
Service - * * * * * (prompt)
Presentation of food & drinks - * * * (Don't bother about this, as the food is good)
Quantity of food served - * * * * * (Just right!)
Quality of food - * * * * * (Perfect)
Price - * * * ** (Total VFM)
3
Location:
Sri Sai Ram Parlour,
Near Diamond Park,
Dwarkanagar-16
Phone: +91-0891-573094

Visakhapatnam Restaurant Guide> Masala

Text by: Tanya Munshi

Masala Restaurant, Visakhapatnam
Masala is an authentic Andhra restaurant in Visakhapatnam that we strongly recommend. If you want to binge on sea food blended in Andhra spices, then Masala is a good choice. On Sundays you’ll have to wait in a queue, but since we had arrived early we were lucky to be seated at a table.

Our lunch at Masala consisted of Tavva Vanjaram, Crab Fry, Prawn Biryani and buttermilk. Tavva Vanjaram, a deep fried fish was very well done, the Crab Fry even better, with the Andhra masalas adding a zing to your meal.

The Prawn Biryani was more than enough for a couple, though personally I wish the biryani was a little more fluffy and the prawns had less masalas on them. You’ll have to clear the debris of masalas from the prawns to bite into them. The buttermilk was strictly okay, but it went well to douse the spices.

The staff was courteous even in a busy and packed restaurant. I watched the diners throw their whims, but the staff seemed to have a genuine smile on their faces and that was more than enough to return to this restaurant to eat well and to be served well.

A meal for two would be around Rs. 500/- inclusive of VAT and service charges.

Overall Rating:
Ambience - * * * *
Service - * * * * *
Presentation of food & drinks - * * * * *
Quantity of food served - * * * * *
Quality of food - * * * * *
Price - * * * * *

Location:
Masala
Nandan Hotels
Signature Towers
1st Floor
Next to Sampat Vinayaka Temple,
Asilmetta
Visakhapatnam – 530 003
Phone – 0891 – 2750750/ 2750751

Travel> Rishikonda Beach (RK Beach), Visakhapatnam

Image1: Sip it up at RK Beach

Image: Sand sculptor at RK Beach
Image by: Tanya Munshi

Text by: Tanya Munshi
Not so much for the beach, but the drive up to Rishikonda Beach is absolutely worth it. Weekends are usually packed here, so going to RK Beach during a weekday (if you’re vacationing in Vizag), is a good idea. Just 8kms from Vizag city, RK Beach is a favourite weekend hangout for the locals.

You will find lots of small shacks on the beach, selling basic eateries like cold drinks, wafers and coconut water. Personally, after an early lunch or dinner, a drive to Rishikonda Beach is amazing. From the top you can see the entire shore and certain inaccessible areas of the beach being absolutely clean.

There are frequent sailing competitions held here, which is a highlight of this beach. The drive to Rishikonda Beach has something more to offer. You can take the ropeway or drive up the hill to Kailasagiri, a popular tourist spot situated on a hilltop. You can stand at the tip of the hilltop to get the full view of the seafront. Don’t miss the famous Indira Gandhi Zoological Park, which is one of the best zoos and well maintained zoos in the country.

Best time to visit:
Though it is October to March, but you can make this a year round destination.

How to get there:
Air: Visakhapatnam is air linked with Calcutta, Hyderabad and madras, which in turn is connected by Indian Airlines with Mumbai.

Rail: Visakhapatnam is well connected with all the important cities of India, some of which are Vijayawada, Vizianagaram, Cuttack.

Road: Vishakapatnam is connected by good motorable road with some cities, few kms distances Araku Valley 120 Kms, Arasavalli 110 kms, Bheemunipatnam 29 kms, Cuttack 444 kms Vizianagaram 60 kms.

Hotels:
Punnami Rishikonda
Bhimili Road,
Visakhapatnam
Ph: 0891-2790734.2790733

List of hotels: http://www.travelmasti.com/visakhapatnam.htm

Travel> A walk in the mist ~ Araku Valley (Andhra Pradesh)

Image1: Traffic enroute Araku Valley

Image2: Mist in the valley

Image3: View from the top

Image4: Entering Borra Caves

Image 5: A rock that looks like a brain inside Borra Caves

Image Copyright: Tanya Munshi

Araku Valley
Text by: Tanya Munshi
About 100 to 115 kms from Vizag (Visakhapatnam) lies Araku Valley, situated at a height of 600 and 900 metres above the sea level. Though it’s an all year round destination, I recommend monsoons as a good time to visit Araku. The drive up the Ghats amongst the mist and clouds with the backdrop of the lush greenery is a perfect breather for a weekend.

Araku offers a much needed weekend break. It’s neither too far nor too close to the city and I have personally liked Araku for a day trip as well. You can visit the Tribal Centre, which is a museum created by the tribals themselves. You can pick up souvenirs from the museum gift shop. Araku is a neat place for trekking. You may come across lots of tunnels and bridges en route.

Places to see
Ananthagiri Hills
You will cross Ananthagiri Hills en route Araku, which is known for coffee plantations.

Borra Caves
I recommend that you visit Borra Caves first and then go to Araku. Borra Caves is situated 29 kms from Araku Valley. Borra Caves is one of the largest natural limestone caves in Asia. Don’t miss this place. I also recommend that you hire a guide for round about Rs. 30/- and he will show you around in the cave with a torch. You can see various rock formations by water falling on the stones for several years. You can also see beautiful stalagmites and stalactites and this place is a wonder for all geography students and professors!

As soon as you step outside Borra Caves, you will find an APTDC run restaurant called Harita. Its USP - great food and courteous staff - I don't think you want to miss it.

Where to Stay
You can contact the Central Reservation Manager
Central Reservation Office, No 46A, RTC Complex,
Visakhapatnam
Phone: 0891-2746446
Telfax: 0891-2713135

Jungle Bells Nature Camp
Tyda, Araku.
Phone: 0891-2713135/ 2746446
Tariff:
Aerocon Cottages (4) Rs.450/- per day
Wooden Loghuts (2) Rs.500/- per day
Loghuts (2) Rs.400/- per day

How to get there:
Air: Visakhapatnam airport is at a distance of 112 kms.
Rail: Araku has a railhead. Otherwise, Visakhapatnam Railway Station is about 136 kms from Araku.
Road: You can drive up from Visakhapatnam or take an APTDC Bus

Best time to visit:
Araku Valley is an all-year-round destination, but best visited during monsoons.