TRAVEL TALES of ranaruby

SHERWOOD Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post has affiliate links. If you buy a book through one of these links, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Introduction: A Lifelong Dream of Robin Hood There are certain niceties I cherish, which remain firmly fixed in memory. Particularly, some fleeting moments in the city where I grew up. In the early sixties, when TV and smartphones were unheard of, we developed a fondness for books. What I could recall was an attractive, hardcover, tabletop-sized book on Robin Hood , peeking out from a showcase at Universal Book Depot in Hazratgunj, Lucknow. As much as I could remember, my parents gifted me that book on my birthday. Then, after almost thirty years, Bryan Adams mesmerised me with his song ‘Everything I do, I do it for you’. The song was from Oscar-nominated Kevin Costner’s blockbuster movie ‘Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves’. After another three decades, on a bri...

On the Wheel/ AJANTA – Part 2 – by Debasis Roy While Ellora stands as a monumental triumph of monolithic engineering, Ajanta whispers a different kind of ancient magic. In Part 2 of 'On the Wheel', Debasis Roy journeys deeper into the Sahyadri hills to uncover the serene world of the Ajanta Caves. Steps inside a 2,000-year-old time capsule where rock-cut monasteries meet the sublime, fluid beauty of India’s finest ancient murals and Buddhist frescoes. If you missed the beginning of Debasis's journey through the monolithic marvels of Ellora, you can read it here 👉. [ Part 1  ] AJANTA , Aurangabad, Maharashtra If Ellora stands as a grand confluence of Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism chiselled into volcanic rock, Ajanta unfolds like a silent monastic hymn devoted almost entirely to the Buddha. In this secluded sanctuary, stone, colour and contemplation merge into one timeless narrative. Hidden within a dramatic horseshoe-shaped gorge carved by the un...

  A WORD ON DEBASIS ROY  It’s always a treat to see a destination through a fresh pair of eyes—especially when those eyes belong to someone who lives for the open road as much as I do. Today, I am thrilled to hand over the storytelling to a fellow explorer and close friend who recently returned from the heart of Maharashtra. While many of us chase horizons, he has a knack for finding the stories etched into the stone. He’s traded his usual trails for the ancient, rock-cut wonders of the Deccan Plateau, bringing back a perspective on Ajanta and Ellora that is as vivid as the frescoes themselves. The man behind the compass is Debasis Roy. Eloquently penned, the author shares a first-hand account of the Deccan Plateau's greatest wonders: the Ajanta and Ellora caves . Ellora (Part 1), Ajanta ( Part 2). On The Wheel/ Ellora (Part 1) - by Debasis Roy After a short pause following my trip to Giridih and Deoghar, the travel bug struck again. This time, I set out on a m...

SPANISH LAMB STEW View Recipe Details Ruby's Kitchen: Seville Series 🖨️ Print Spanish Stew Recipe 🇪🇸🍷🥘 Seville Mutton Stew A rich, slow-cooked Andalusian estofado. Adapted from the Spanish Cordero stew, using mutton for its deep flavor, balanced by smoked paprika and red wine. Ingredients The Meat & Fat 500g Mutton (stewing meat, cubed) 3 tbsp Olive Oil or Lard The Sofrito & Aromatics 2 Large Onions (chopped) 3 Red Bell Peppers (sliced) 15 Cloves Garlic (minced) The Spice Blend 2 tbsp Smoked Spanish Paprika (*Pimentón* - Sweet) 1 tsp Cumin Powd...

München – the Romantic Bavarian Capital  -" From the Autobahn to the Altstadt: A Journey Through Munich’s History and Culture " First Encounter with the Autobahn My first encounter with the Bundesautobahn, popularly known as the Autobahn, began in the new millennium. It was a real treat to observe the German highway system. Multiple lanes, disciplined lane driving, and no speed limit on the fastest lane as cars whizz past at unbelievable speeds. Arindam, my brother-in-law, decided to take me to Passau when I visited them in Germany. My sister Lopa packed up some sandwiches and titbits on the way, and we were off on an exciting journey. When we entered the Autobahn, Arindam raised the speed to over 200 km per hour. With windows rolled up, it was like sailing down the vast highway. There were no bumps, vibrations, or hiccups as our car glided down the immaculately smooth road surface. Above all, the speed thrilled me. Passau and Uppe...