It has been exactly one week since I returned from my trip to India to see family there. This is my first time flying from the west coast and the first time flying through Seoul/Singapore as a transit connection to my final destination in Chennai. I am not sure why but this trip has turned into a bit of a jet lag nightmare for me.

I am off to my trip to India today and I have been looking forward to it! The last time I saw my family was in early 2015 so it has been a good while since I got to hug mom, sis, dad and bro. Speaking of which, this trip also includes a special event - my brother is getting married! So if you'd like a dose of South India, Chennai specifically, (and from a local's pint of view might I add) and like to check out a South Indian Muslim wedding, follow here on the blog. I am also excited to fly Singapore Airlines for the first time, if memory serves me right I've never flown that airline so hoping to experience the great quality of service everyone talks about. There will be a short trip to Mumbai as well, and possibly a trip to a third location that I am going to have to keep undisclosed for the moment! 

Heading home is always a thrill, and to have a wedding in the family added to that is simply wonderful. I look forward to showing you more of the city where I was born, studied some in, and finally worked in for a bit before I moved to the US. I can't wait to see what's new and what's changed. I can't wait to meet some of my friends who are still there. But, most importantly, I am just thrilled to pieces to see my family and hold them and love them and have long nights of conversation and food and fun. 

I will be gone for a month so rest assured there is a lot that you will have to keep abreast of. Follow me on Instagram mostly as I will be posting tons there. And sign up for my newsletter here or check in frequently to read more about my India adventures. Off I go now!

I’ve been a member of Travel Massive while I was in Atlanta and decided to join the group here in L.A as well. Much as I’d like to be a regular attendee, life takes over and the number of events I’ve been able to attend have been few and far between. This month’s event though was held a few blocks from where I live at posh co-working spot NeueHaus and I couldn’t miss it. Especially since the destination is Buellton, CA which is just about 2 hours’ drive from L.A and considered an underrated but promising area for wine lovers, city escapes and such.
 
I loved the cloth map bag attendees received at the entrance.  A great idea and a useful conversation starter as well. On the rooftop at NeueHaus, the event was set up such that wineries, breweries and distilleries had sampling stations where you could meet the makers behind these fantastic libations. I met a couple of interesting businesses and the images should cover a few – doubt I made the rounds to all to learn about their offerings.
 
The best part of the evening though – for me – was winning the grand prize via their Instagram contest onsite! I am now the happy chica who won the 2 night stay at their new Santa Ynez Marriott property along with a Bottlest winery tour and dinner as well as an area winery tour and ostrich farm visit. If you know me, you know how happy this makes me. Another travel adventure awaits. Stay tuned here to read all about that trip. Probably in a few months’ time!

Another fantastic event pulled off by the International Spa Association team! Attended as their guest for the first time last year and loved the experience. Was happy to be invited back again this year and got to try some of the treatments offered onsite by several spas and resorts. Not only is it a great experience meeting spa professionals in a casual setting but you are also in an event space and not at their workplace which gives you a whole other perspective on the folks that take care of your wellness and health, and the opportunity to converse with them at leisure, which might not necessarily be an option when you are at the specific spa or resort. Got to learn about new programs, treatments, industry trends and more. Read on!

All year round and especially during summer and long weekends, families in the U.S and around the world descend on Legoland in droves. The idea that this was an amusement park crowded with people kept me away for the longest time although a part of me was always curious to see what all the hype was about. All suspicions were laid to rest during a recent overnight stay at the Legoland Hotel during which I also got to visit the waterpark and the amusement park as well as the aquarium. Quite frankly, I’d have loved to spend the weekend there though I only did one night. After my visit, I can see why families with kids head straight for this park but it makes for a fun trip for folks without kids as well.

The City of Beverly Hills launched their summer City of WELLTH campaign today at Alo Yoga in Beverly Hills to promote the city as a wellness and health destination for locals and travelers alike. WELLTH ambassador Christie Brinkley, author Jason Wachob, yoga teacher Caley Alyssa, chef Matthey Kenney, feng-shui expert Dana Claudat, founder of Bodyism James Duigan, and meditation expert Charlie Knowles were in attendance and spoke to guests on different aspects. 

Celebrated Japanese art creator Kohei Nawa visited The Broad recently for a limited engagement Spring preview and artist talk at the Oculus Hall arranged by Japan House LA. The place was packed and I can see why! Nawa’s artwork be it paintings, sculptures, performance-inspired pieces or others, go beyond the recognized Japanese themes of manga and anime to offer a new perspective altogether on contemporary art.

​No, I have not been but I would love to go, planning as we speak and hope I get to some time soon! Meanwhile though, the folks from the Western Australia Tourism Board hosted a few of us media professionals locally to share more about what’s happening in the area and what should be on your list...