Kritika Seksaria
Originally from Calcutta, Kritika Seksaria has lived in Melbourne for five years now. She has recently completed her Masters in Media and Communication. Kritika feels that the world of journalism is unpredictable and intriguing and is glad to be a part of it. The thrills of investigation, research and its expression draws Kritika towards journalism and she like to write stories ranging from human interest to television, film, current affairs, travel and lifestyle. Over the years, Kritika has enjoyed traveling to different destinations and discovering intrinsic details about the local lifestyle and culture. She plans to continue doing that in the future as well and demonstrating her experiences on this blog. Kritika started out as a Regional Representative for Asian Correspondent and was quickly offered her independent space as a Correspondent.
5 great live music venues in Melbourne
LIVE music stirs up an inexplicable thrill that involuntarily makes us sway, cheer and hum along. Melbourne, a cultural hub for many arts, offers some of the best venues for live music in Australia. If you’re in town and want to catch a band, here is list of 5 Melbourne live music venues worth visiting.…>
5 useless travel accessories
GETTING paranoid and packing every possible item you might need during a trip is a common habit plenty of us endure. However, there comes a time when we realise that there are some accessories that are simply a waste of money and space and we would be better off travelling without them. Here is a…>
5 adrenaline-pumping Asian skydives
SOME people jitter looking down from the 10th floor balcony whereas some take a flight 15,000 feet above the ground and dive into the thin air. Of course to dive in and survive it you need the best equipment, and scenery that makes the whole thing worth it. Luckily, in Asia there is no shortage on…>
5 great Asian romantic getaways
MANY novelists, poets and romantics have said that it is always the season for love, which is certainly true when you consider the exotic and beautiful destinations in Asia that make a perfect romantic getaway all year round. With Valentine’s Day fast approaching here’s 5 great Asian destinations for hopeless romantics. Rajasthan While unconventional, this…>
From haute cuisine to meat pies: A Melbourne dining adventure
POP culture often refers to Australians and their passion for footy, rugby, surfing and beaches. But one of the most intense ardours lies in their fervour for food. For most Aussies food is their strength, weakness and a central aspect in their daily life and entertainment. 18th century Australia food reflected the tastes of the…>
Travel Therapist: Conquering Bangkok’s notorious traffic
OVER the years, there have been plenty of discussion about Bangkok traffic and the possibility of being stuck in what feels like an infinite gridlock. Being a destination that thrives with activity and vigour, it has become one of the most sought after tourist spots in Asia. As a result, Thailand has developed alternatives and…>
Bar of the Week… Carlton Yacht Club, Melbourne, Australia
STROLLING up Melbourne’s famous Lygon Street, it is easy to miss Carlton Yacht Club. Nevertheless, once you’ve been there, you are sure to go back. The small bar tucked amongst a line of extravagant restaurants has no placards or fancy signboards. It is a quaint little cocktail bar devoid of ostentation, yet it serves some…>
Interview: Stephen Downes, Australian food critic
GOOD food satisfies more than just your palate, it is an epicurean experience that touches your soul. Nobody understands the above thought better than Stephen Downes, one of the longest serving professional restaurant critics in Australia and probably the world. Downes started off his career as a food critic in 1977 when he was chosen…>
Travel Therapist: Melbourne’s unpredictable weather
I am travelling to Melbourne in January. I have heard that the weather is extremely unpredictable. How do I pack for this trip? Melbourne is stereotyped with the cliché of having four seasons in one day. As annoying and repetitive as that may sound, it is unfortunately true. Having lived in Melbourne for a while,…>
A Night In… Bali, Indonesia
I HAVE Just Arrived In… BALI! Pop culture often refers to Bali as a destination for beaches, spas and nightlife. As invigorating as the above activities may be, they have simply masked the true essence of the city that extends to culture, sightseeing and adventure. A favourite with honeymoon couples, Bali is a fun place…>
Inside view: Burlesque in Melbourne, Australia
HAUNTING music, layers of seductive array, the swift and ballsy movements and the incorrigible teasing. These are the demeanours that make burlesque the audacious and intrepid performance art attracting millions of titillated viewers to a night of ludicrous allure. Burlesque is derived from the Italian word burla, which means joke, mockery or ridicule. Unlike performances…>
Danger at 1,700 feet: Tom Cruise takes in the views in Dubai
BESIDES being the tallest building in the world, Burj Khalifa in Dubai is now the edifice that has taught action-star Tom Cruise how to fly. It seems like Cruise, took the title of being a Mission Impossible hero very seriously when he undertook the challenge of dangling 1,700 feet off the ground on a thin…>
Restaurant of the Week… Mrs Parma’s, Melbourne, Australia
NAME: Mrs. Parma’s Location: 25 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Phone: (03) 9639 2269 Email: info@mrsparmas.com.au Website: http://www.mrsparmas.com.au/index.asp Opening Hours Monday – Friday 11am till late Saturday & Sunday 12pm till late What Makes It Special? Cities are crowded with commercialised business ventures with pubs, bars and restaurants engaging in cutthroat competition vying for…>
A night in… Phuket, Thailand
IF you want to lap up the warmth in the air and gaze at the crystal waves lapping against the gold sands, take a trip to Phuket in Thailand. Famous as a destination to soak up the serenity, Phuket offers countless opportunities to unwind whilst engaging in spas, water sports, nightclubs or just lying by…>
Travel therapist: Is anything free in Hong Kong?
HONG KONG has a reputation for being an expensive high-end city. Fortunately, there are things in Hong Kong that you can enjoy, absolutely for free! No doubt HK is famous for shopping and splurging on luxuries can be quite tempting. However, there is a lot more to the city worth exploring. If you enjoy arts…>
Becks snubs ‘posh’ dinner in Melbourne
MELBOURNE, Australia is enthralled as it raves about the arrival of soccer star David Beckham. The heartthrob of millions arrived in the city on Sunday night for the Melbourne Victory vs LA Galaxy game. The star touched the hearts of many children and one special mother as he visited the Royal Children’s Hospital giving goose…>
Asia’s worst traffic hotspots… and how to get around them
THE standard of living rises and the first thing people do is acquire a vehicle, at least one. In theory this sounds pragmatic, however, in cities with high population it leads to frustrating traffic congestion with cars moving at a snail’s pace. These places are either hot tourist spots or play a significant role in…>
Insider’s guide to Australian theatre
AUSTRALIAN cities such as Melbourne and Sydney amongst others boast of a rich theatre culture. Home to the world famous Opera House and the Princess Theatre, performances in Australia have not only developed, it has also become an inherent part of the social structure. Performances range from international productions such as Chicago and Love Never…>
Horses for courses… Sarah Jessica Parker’s Melbourne Cup trip
SARAH Jessica Parker’s trip to Australia for the Melbourne Cup and the promotion of her movie I Don’t Know How She Does It, has been one of the most talked about celebrity sighting this year, second only to the Queen. Over the years, Melbourne Cup has been established as a grand event but the presence…>
Insider’s guide to Yum Cha
IN traditional Cantonese the term Yum Cha means ‘drinking tea’. Over the years this term has developed into a practice and a culture of drinking tea along with scrumptious Asian snacky delicacies. Yum Cha items range from dim sum to fried seafood and meats. This indulgence is best enjoyed when served on a trolley as…>
Travel therapist: Getting to and from Macau
I am travelling from Hong Kong to Macau and returning to Hong Kong before flying to Bangkok. For Macau, what kind of transport should I use? Also, what do I do about my luggage? There are various ways to get to Macau from Hong Kong. If you want to be extravagant, it may be worth…>
A night in… the Gold Coast, Australia
THE Gold Coast in Queensland has established itself as one of the most popular getaways in Australia. It is a favourite with all age groups ranging from children to the retired. It is one of those destinations where you can be exhilarated with a packed schedule or bask in the sun whilst admiring the sound…>
Bar of the Week: Ponyfish Island, Melbourne
NAME: Ponyfish Island Location: Yarra Pedestrian Bridge Map, Melbourne, VIC 3006. Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 7 AM-Late Sat-Sun 8 AM-Late Closed on rainy days What Makes It Special? If you feel that you are stranded on a still cruise, enjoying every minute of it, you are probably at Ponyfish Island. Located on the famous Yarra River…>
Danger tourism in Asia: Four dodgy destinations
TOURISM in Asia has developed massively in the past decade with people swarming to places like Thailand, India, Vietnam, Philippines, Hong Kong and Singapore. However, crime, war, lawlessness and political tensions mean that some places are off limits to the average tourist. Unfortunately, many of these places are among the most beautiful and fascinating in…>
Asia’s weirdest festivals
ASIA marks its spot when it comes to weird food, distinctive outfits and unique cultural beliefs. Here is a list of some of Asia’s weirdest festivals, most of which are derived from innate cultural and spiritual beliefs, but have over the years become a tradition providing immense entertainment and amusement. Kanamara Matsuri, Japan If you…>
Asia’s tackiest souvenirs
IT is tradition to end the last day of a trip with souvenir shopping. Personally, I love collecting them, but often some ridiculous objects at expensive souvenir shops appal me. A souvenir is supposed to be a memoir for travels that can be preserved and appreciated for years to come. Here is a list of…>
Indian blue: The dark side of the Indian film industry
THERE was a time when kissing in a Bollywood movie was considered taboo. However, even at that time there were certain people involved in making something even more scandalous – porn films, or as they are popularly known in India, blue films. The hub for the industry has generally been South Indian soft-core porn filmmakers.…>
Goa raves: India’s party scene
As western culture influences India, the party scene has developed in many cities such as Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore. Goa, however, established its own unique party culture in the ’60s. Fifty years on Goa is still infused with its world famous rave parties attracting tourists from all over the world. Goa has long been a…>
5 inedible Asian delicacies
PEOPLE are often heard proudly boasting about their experience of tasting Ostrich meat, Kangaroo meat, goat liver or crocodile meat. However, Asia has come up with some ‘delicacies’ that will test the mettle of even the most adventurous gastronome. Dog meat, insects and blood on a stick regularly adorn Asian menus. But it gets worse.…>
5 great live music venues in Melbourne
LIVE music stirs up an inexplicable thrill that involuntarily makes us sway, cheer and hum along. Melbourne, a cultural hub for many arts, offers some of the best venues for live music in Australia. If you’re in town and want to catch a band, here is list of 5 Melbourne live music venues worth visiting.…>
5 useless travel accessories
GETTING paranoid and packing every possible item you might need during a trip is a common habit plenty of us endure. However, there comes a time when we realise that there are some accessories that are simply a waste of money and space and we would be better off travelling without them. Here is a…>
5 adrenaline-pumping Asian skydives
SOME people jitter looking down from the 10th floor balcony whereas some take a flight 15,000 feet above the ground and dive into the thin air. Of course to dive in and survive it you need the best equipment, and scenery that makes the whole thing worth it. Luckily, in Asia there is no shortage on…>
From haute cuisine to meat pies: A Melbourne dining adventure
POP culture often refers to Australians and their passion for footy, rugby, surfing and beaches. But one of the most intense ardours lies in their fervour for food. For most Aussies food is their strength, weakness and a central aspect in their daily life and entertainment. 18th century Australia food reflected the tastes of the…>
Travel Therapist: Conquering Bangkok’s notorious traffic
OVER the years, there have been plenty of discussion about Bangkok traffic and the possibility of being stuck in what feels like an infinite gridlock. Being a destination that thrives with activity and vigour, it has become one of the most sought after tourist spots in Asia. As a result, Thailand has developed alternatives and…>
Bar of the Week… Carlton Yacht Club, Melbourne, Australia
STROLLING up Melbourne’s famous Lygon Street, it is easy to miss Carlton Yacht Club. Nevertheless, once you’ve been there, you are sure to go back. The small bar tucked amongst a line of extravagant restaurants has no placards or fancy signboards. It is a quaint little cocktail bar devoid of ostentation, yet it serves some…>
