Tag: local food

Insiders View on Galapagos Islands

By Charles Cumella

What makes Galapagos Islands a good travel destination?

Galapagos Islands is an archipelago of 19 islands. It is a spectacular paradise of sight, sound, and activity. Each island offers something special, from plush white sands to exotic birds to deep lava tunnels. It is marvelous.
There’s an other-worldliness about these islands. It’s the unofficial animal kingdom of South America, and its placidity is challenged only by the peculiar call of the blue-footed booby, the screech of a hawk, or the crashing waves as sea lions cut through shimmering azure waters. The Galapagos Islands capture a unique melange of native and modern, and there’s more to it than meets the eye.

Any essentials that one needs to carry when they are travelling to the Galapagos Islands?

Passengers should always carry a camera, sunblock, sunglasses, low boots are always essential while doing the hikes around the islands, and of course, the disposition to explore and have a great time.

Which are the most surreal places to visit when in Galapagos Islands?

The most surreal places to visit on the islands would have to be: • Española Island: This island is located on the south-eastern part of the archipelago. It has an overwhelming amount of wildlife, such as the Waved Albatross and a large group of Galapagos tortoises, which represent a success story for the conservation efforts on the islands. It also has a beautiful coastline lined with amazing cliffs.

• Fernandina Island: One of the newest islands in the archipelago, it is located on the Western side of Isabela. It is also the most volcanically active island and has amazing volcanic landscapes that will impress even the most experienced travellers. This island is also home to a large colony of Galapagos penguin and has a special sub-species of Marine Iguana which does not reside at low elevations.

• Genovesa Island: This one of the Northernmost islands, and is also referred to as the “Bird Island” due to its great variety of bird species, including the Nazca, Red Footed and Blue Footed Boobie, Great Frigatebirds, among others; all in all, a birder’s paradise.

Can you tell us a little about the life of the locals?

Local life on the islands is a relaxing one, human beings always interacting with the wildlife that surrounds them has made up a different dynamic; people and animals coexisting greatly on the archipelago. The lifeblood of the islands, of course, is fishing, this can only be done in specific areas, and the islands have some of the best fresh fish in the world!

What are the local delicacies/drinks which one must try and where in Galapagos Islands?

Galapagos always has a wide array of seafood, fish, lobster, etc. But there is one specific restaurant that uses only local ingredients for their meals, and this is the ANKER restaurant. They like to understand the ecosystem, local community and the products from the island to develop their culinary experience. They invite you to experience and taste Galápagos through their tasting menu.

 

Where should one go to get the best of the night life in Galapagos Islands?

The best nightlife on the islands must be in Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz, It may not be the capital city of the islands (the capital is Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on San Cristobal), but it has the highest density of young people and restaurants and bars to accommodate anyone.

What are things which one must buy when in Galapagos Islands?

Like in every city in Ecuador, there are many artisans and they dedicate their lives to making handicrafts and trinkets that will make for great souvenirs. There are also many articles of clothing that will help tell everyone back home that you were on the enchanted islands.

Which is the most romantic places to visit in the Galapagos Islands?

The most romantic spots on the islands are:
• Las Grietas, volcanic crevices formed millions of years ago, that has a beautiful panoramic view of Academy Bay.
• Concha Perla, located on Isabela, it is a beautiful turquoise portion of water where many people do snorkelling, but you can also enjoy a romantic walk through a path surrounded by trees.
• Alemanes beach, located on Santa Cruz, very close to Puerto Ayora. It is a secluded beach that has a beautiful view of the bay at sunset, perfect for picnics.

What are the local festivals which one must visit when in Galapagos Islands?

One of the most frequent events on the Galapagos Islands happens in Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz. Every Friday at Pelican Bay there is a cultural festival with local food and typical dance shows. Since Galapagos inhabitants are from all over Ecuador, the food, music and dance represent a mixture of the traditions present across the country.
On Sundays, a traditional barbecue is offered at the Guayabillos farm in the Highlands of Santa Cruz. Every local will recommend this place for Sunday’s lunch.

Now, there’s a festival that only happens between the last two weeks of November in Santa Cruz, the Santa Rosa’s Festival in which a local queen is chosen to represent the small town in the Highlands of Santa Cruz. During this festivity, you can find all sorts of local food and also toreros. This election is very important because the selected queen will be competing against the other small town queens of Santa Cruz in February during the island’s queen election that happens during Carnival.

The things guidebooks will not tell anyone about the Galapagos Islands?

Life on the Galapagos is very distinct to anywhere else on the planet, the people there love the islands and are very focused on keeping everything as pristine as possible and live their life as pleasantly as possible.

According to you what is the best thing about the Galapagos Islands?

The best thing on the Galapagos is the rest and relaxation you can have while exploring fantastic locales and appreciating nature in a way that isn’t possible anywhere else in the world.

Check out our latest package on the Galapagos.

Things to eat in Mumbai

Well, one is either a street food fan or simply shuns away from it.

As I sit down to write this piece, I can already see the image of my  local ‘bhaiya’ (the ‘gourmet’ chef who dishes out the delectable delights on the Indian streets)  dishing out the most delectable delights – tangy spicy puchkas, spicy hot vada pavs, bhel puris topped with raw mangoes, neer dosas, usal paav, laasi (sugary buttermilk churned with a dollop of cream and saffron), the famous nimbu  paani ( Lemon juice which has inspired the cola giants to work its flavor)… the never ending list of the sensual and sensational Indian street food goes on!  Working his magic with a single assistant, doing brisk business because everybody’s in a hurry – gossiping, sharing his views of just about everything that’s happened on the global level – yes, at times, he does talk about the stock market too…and piling plates of tangy, spicy, hot, piping food – which makes you forget about everything – when you take the first bite …because from there on starts your journey into a world where taste meets nirvana! A bite into the ‘vada pav’ (The Indian version of a burger) – the burst of the yummy flavor of the chutneys – sweet and tangy, red chillie powder, a dash of garlic, a hint of mint, a dollop of coriander and fried green chillies –   – the combination of it on any given day makes you forget all about your calories and more if you ask me! Makes you forget about the ‘home cooked food’ that awaits you…makes you forget about your mom’s words of wisdom – “Don’t eat street food – the hygiene level would land you in trouble!” But, blame it on the flavor of the masalas and the marriage of the bun or  ‘paav’ and the fried vada (fried potato balls flavored with green chillie, coriander and garlic ) with the chutneys and a plate turns into two – with the order – one for now and one for the road! That’s the lure of the street food.
Could l liken it to a seductress – yes, in a way – because when you pass through the local food stalls – the aroma packs in a punch and weaves its spell and lures you in. Like a siren, she calls out to you to come and take a bite off her! To savor her…to taste her and let her taste linger on …and it is a Herculean effort to walk away from it her without sampling her!
Be warned foodie – scrumptious it may look, the Indian street food is not for the delicate stomach!
I’ve been part of Mumbai’s street food bandwagon for as long as I can remember – as a school going kid, it was the golas ( ice shavings on a stick with countless flavors and a dash of masala to it), as a teen – it was the puchkas and paav bhajis and now, as a connoisseur of food – the lure of the street food is still strong – the bonds which formed as a kid, still holds good – so what if the pav’s wrapped up in smudged newspaper, the water for the chutneys – from god alone knows where – to the oil that’s probably been reused countless times  – the gospel truth that I and probably every street food lover follows is what’s street food – without a bit of street in it .
Even now, the menu is fairly standard – but what I see now is the  fusion – which is what makes the street food a delectable delight. A twist from the normal fare of daal chaawal (lentil and rice)  or a space far removed from the Burger and the Pizza world!  Fusion is in!
Lip smacking, yummylicious, scrumptious gourmet delights…street food is chic, but what makes it sexier is the fusion!

What on offer in the mix and match world of Fusion Indian Street Food:

 

Chinese Bhel (found mainly in Mumbai): Move over the traditional fare  – say hello to Vinegar and soy sauce!
What’s on offer – Fried noodles tossed with shredded cabbage, capsicum, carrot, spring onions, with the Chinese sauces  and tomato ketchup –  Italian pav bhaji (found mainly in Mumbai): Move over the traditional fare of a dollop of butter over the top of your pav bhaji – this one is not for you if you are counting calories – because it is topped with grated cheese – a la pizza!

 

Paalak Chaat (Delhi): Move over maida, because street food just got healthier – puris made of spinach and served with the usual chutneys, yoghurt and masalas.

Amritsari Maach Bhaat (Calcutta): Bengali fish curry rice with a Punjabi twist – fish pieces roasted in tandoori style before they meet the gravy.
Chow Chochhori (Calcutta) The ultimate Bengali meets the Chinese – mixed seasonal veggies chopped small and cooked dry with traditional Bengali spices with noodles thrown in at the last.

Aloo toast (Hydrebad) : The boring little bread transforms into a delectable delight in the bylanes of Hydrebad. Spice it with spicy hot potato – green chillie combination.
Chinese paratha (Paranthewali galli, Delhi) : The traditional Indian paratha gets a makeover – stuffed with chowmein!
Dosa fusion (Popular in the Mumbai bylanes): The South Indian delicacy has a make over- Palak paneer dosa, Chinese spring roll dosa, Jhini dosa ( dosa layered with a mix of Indian and Chinese sauces)