The Dancing Ganesha Culinary Journey of South

The Dancing Ganesha Culinary Journey of South India
January 17 - 29, 2007
Mindful Journeys with Usha and Ami Bedi, owners/chef of the Dancing Ganesha
Restaurant in Milwaukee, are pleased to present a culinary trip to South India in
January 2007.
The Dancing Ganesha, co-owned by the mother-daughter team, has been
selected by Zagat as one of the top restaurants in the country this year.
The participants of this journey will be introduced to the rich culinary traditions
in its exotic and original surroundings. It promises to be inspiring, educational
and entertaining.
We invite you to join us in exploring the
richness of the spice, tea and coffee
plantations, the incredible beauty of Kerala
and the warmth of the people!
Usha Bedi, co owner and chef of Dancing
Ganesha in Milwaukee, WI has had a very
eclectic culinary history that spans four
continents and 4 matrilineal generations.
Born in Tanzania, Usha lived in a home with
many brothers, sisters, cousins, aunts and
uncles. She learned strictly vegetarian
cooking from the elder women in the family
and was heavily involved in preparing meals for the whole family from young age.
When she moved to India in her teens, she had her first forays into nonvegetarian cooking from her future mother in law. When Usha moved to
England in her early twenties, and finally to Milwaukee in 1976, she faced the
immigrant cook’s challenge of preparing traditional meals with virtually none of
the necessary ingredients available. Ami Bedi, co-owner and wine buyer of Dancing Ganesha loves to eat her mom’s
food. After finishing her undergraduate degree in 1995 she decided to take
some time off and open a restaurant with her mother. The first year involved
coming up with a concept and design with her mother for the restaurant. One
year turned into many and Ami has conquered the daunting task of putting
together an extensive wine list with exceptional and offbeat wines that actually
pair with Indian food. Dancing Ganesha aims to support as many locally owned small businesses as
possible. Wine is selected from more small production wineries. Produce and
meat suppliers are locally owned and run.
Usha's goal is to provide the community with
healthy handcrafted meals of the quality that
she would serve to her own family. Her
belief is that cooking is like alchemy, giving
her the ability to take the most ordinary
ingredients and turn them into art. She offers
traditional Indian dishes from several
different regions of India alongside more
eclectic and off the wall dishes of Usha's own
creation. The focus is not on the colonial
concept of Indian food which is what most
people have come to expect. The ingredients
are the freshest and most health conscious possible. Dancing Ganesha has
remained in the critic’s and reader’s choice list in Milwaukee every year since
opening in 1997. This year find’s Dancing Ganesha in Zagat’s Top American
Restaurants.
Itinerary
January 17-19, 2007 U.S. –
Cochin - Kumarakom
Depart the U.S. in the evening of January
17 and arrive at Cochin Airport in the
morning of January 19. You will be met on
arrival by our representative and
transferred to your hotel, located on an
island in the Backwaters of Kerala. Relax in
the afternoon with an ayurvedic massage
or a swim in the lovely pool, overlooking
Lake Vembanad. Meet your fellow
travelers for cocktails before dinner at the hotel.
Coconut Lagoon Hotel
www.cghearth.com
Kumarakom: an unbelievably beautiful paradise of mangrove forests, emerald
green paddy fields and coconut groves interspersed with enchanting waterways
and canals adorned with white lilies. Situated on the Vembanad Lake, in this
small water world you’ll come across plenty of traditional country crafts, boats
and canoes that will take you into the heart of the scenic lake.
January 20, 2007 Kumarakom
After breakfast and leisurely morning, transfer by a motorboat to Emerald Isle, a
Syrian Christian Home on the Backwaters. Enjoy a traditional Banana Leaf lunch.
After lunch board a traditional rice boat converted into a houseboat. The cruise
will take you through the backwaters, rivers and canals. Visit the villages, old
temples and church along the waters. Snacks and tea will be provided on board.
Cruise back to the resort around sunset.
Coconut Lagoon Hotel
January 21, 2007 Kumarakom
After a leisurely breakfast, transfer by
motorboat to Philipkutty’s Farm to enjoy a
cooking class and exquisite lunch. The farm
is an opportunity to experience life on a
plantation, in the caring company of a family
who extends their warm hospitality. You will
be taken on a tour of the plantation that
cultivates coconut, nutmeg, cinnamon,
vanilla, pepper, banana, cocoa, etc. Jumbo
prawns and pearl spot are found in the
farm’s canals. Transfer back by boat to
Coconut Lagoon for arrival around sunset.
Coconut Lagoon Hotel
.
January 22, 2007 Kumarakom
Morning at leisure to enjoy a yoga class and/or ayurvedic treatments at the
resort’s health center. Around lunchtime the resort’s chef will prepare a cooking
demonstration followed by a lunch. Late afternoon lecture on Ayurveda by the
hotel’s physician. Enjoy an evening boat cruise to watch the glorious sunset over
Lake Vembanad with a sitar and tabla player.
Coconut Lagoon Hotel
January 23, 2007 Kumarakom
- Thekkady.
After breakfast you will depart for a four hour drive to Thekkady. On the way
lunch at a Plantation Bungalow where you enjoy a delicious Kerala home cooked
feast and meet the owners of the rubber tree plantation. After Lunch view a
rubber plant extraction demonstration, and continue your drive to Thekkady. Check into your hotel, the Shalimar Spice Garden Resort, situated in a
spice plantation.
Thekkady: The very sound of the name conjures up images of elephants,
unending chains of hills and spice scented plantations. Here, in the crisp, cool air
of the Western Ghats, is one of the finest
wildlife reserves in India. The splendid
artificial lake formed by the Mullaperiyar Dam
across the Periyar River adds to the charm of
the Park. This is the only sanctuary in India,
where you can have the unique experience of
viewing wildlife at close quarters from the
safety of a boat on the lake. The greatest
attraction of Lake Periyar, however, is the
herds of wild elephants that come down to
play in the lake.
January 24, 2007 Thekkady
After breakfast, visit the spice plantation of the resort.
Enjoy a swim in the pool and an ayurvedic massage at the hotel.
Late afternoon take a boat ride on Lake Periyar for game viewing.
Dinner at your hotel, the Shalimar Spice Garden Resort
January 25, 2007 Thekkady
After breakfast visit the local spice markets, followed by a cooking
demonstration by the chef at Spice Village. Spend the afternoon back at your
hotel or explore the lovely stores at Periyar for some wonderful Indian clothing
and artifacts.
Shalimar Spice Garden Resort
January 26, 2007 Thekkady – Cochin
After breakfast drive to Cochin.
On the way enjoy a delicious lunch at Serenity, a beautiful old bungalow.
Arrive in the late afternoon at your hotel, the Brunton Boat Yard in Cochin.
www.cghearth.com
Cochin: A leisurely walk through the city is the best way to discover historic
Fort Kochi. An obscure fishing village that became the first European township in
India, Kochi or Cochin has an eventful and colorful history. The city epitomizes
the diversity of Southern India, with Portuguese, Chinese, Dutch, Middle Eastern,
Jewish and British influences, contributing to the town’s vibrant culture. The
result of these cultural influences is seen in the many examples of Indo European
architecture that still exists here.
January 27, 2007 Cochin – Alleppey - Cochin
After breakfast, drive to Alleppey, an ancient port town, where you will be
welcomed by the ladies of the Lion’s Club. After a visit of the town to view their
efforts to maintain the heritage, you will enjoy a fabulous home cooked feast in
a lovely home, prepared by the ladies. Return to Cochin in the late afternoon to
enjoy a sunset boat cruise on Cochin Harbor,
passing through Wellington Island and
ending up at the Chinese Fishing Nets.
These huge cantilevered fishing nets are the
legacy of one of the first visitors to the
Malabar Coast. Erected here between 1350
and 1450 AD by traders from the court of
Kublai Khan, these nets are set up on teak
wood and bamboo poles. Overnight at your
hotel, Brunton Boat Yard Hotel
January 28, 2007 Cochin After breakfast visit the Dutch Palace
Museum, Saint Francis Church, and walk through the Jewish Town visiting the
Synagogue. Bargain in the lovely antique shops in the old part of the town. In
the early evening, witness the make-up session that is demonstrated before a
Kathakali dance performance, the popular art form of Kerala, referred to as the
first theater imagination of the world, owning to its elaborate costumes,
ornaments and facial make-up. Farewell dinner at the Malabar Residency House.
Brunton Boat Yard Hotel
January 29, 2007
After breakfast you will be transferred to the International Airport, where our
representative will check you in for your international flight home.
January 30, 2007
Arrive back home in the early afternoon.
Cost
Land cost per person double occupancy: $3,995
Single room supplement: $1,100
International airfare New York – Cochin – New York with Emirates Airways
$ 1,500 (approximate cost)
Included:
•
•
•
•
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Double occupancy accommodations in hotels mentioned in itinerary or
similar inclusive of taxes
Breakfast and either lunch or dinner each day as listed in the itinerary (2
meals per day)
All ground transport with Toyota Qualis, 4 travelers per car
All sightseeing, entertainment and cultural activities as specified in the
itinerary Services of a local English speaking tour guides
Not Included:
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•
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International airfare from the U.S. to India roundtrip
Visa processing and travel insurance
Meals not listed in the itinerary, alcoholic beverages, ayurvedic massages,
laundry, phone calls and other expenses of personal nature
Air Information
For those interested in special international airfares, please call
Pisa Brothers Travel, Inc. Travel Services in New York
At 1-800-729-7472 extension 205 for specific details
Airfare is subject to the cancellation policies of the airline in effect at time of
booking.
For more information, or to reserve your space, please e-mail:
[email protected]
or call: 212-203-1239
Responsibility
Travel Scope (India) Private LTD, Mindful Journeys LLC and Dancing Ganesha, Inc. are
responsible only for assisting in making arrangements with respect to all transportation,
hotels and other matters of reservations and tour operations and they do not represent
or act as agents for transportation carriers, hotels or other suppliers of services
connected with this tour. The tour sponsor assumes no responsibility for loss, damage,
injury, accident, delay or other irregularity, expenses or liability caused by the defect of
any vehicle or negligence or default or any independent contractors, their employees,
agents, or representatives engaged in providing services in connection with the tour or
for losses, expenses or delays arising from sickness, pilferage, labor disputes, machinery
breakdown, quarantine, government restraints, war, acts of terrorism, weather
conditions or such other causes. All such losses or expenses shall be borne by the tour
participant. Baggage and personal effects are the sole responsibility of the owners at all
times. It is understood that air tickets when issued shall constitute the sole contract
between the passenger and the carrier concerned. All services are subject to the laws of
the country in which they are rendered.
As a condition to acceptance of each participant, each participant represents that
he/she has read the schedule of activities for this tour and recognizes and accepts any
risks thereof and thereby agrees for and on behalf of himself or herself and his or her
heirs, executors and administrators to abide be the conditions set forth above, and to
release or hold harmless the tour sponsor from any liability, claims and demands,
however caused, for delays, damage, loss, injury or death, occurring in relation to the
tour, and for loss of or damage to his or her property, however occurring, during any
portion of, or in relation to the tour.
Prices and Usha Bedi’s participation are based on a minimum of 10 participants.
I have read the schedule of activities and Responsibility for the Travel Scope (India)
Private LTD, Mindful Journeys LLC and Dancing Ganesha, Inc. for “Dancing Ganesha’s
Culinary Journey to Kerala”, Jan. 19 to January 29, 2007 and accept all risks thereof. I
understand and agree on behalf of myself, my dependents, heirs and agree to abide by
the conditions set forth under Responsibility and to release and hold harmless Travel
Scope, Mindful Journeys LLC and Dancing Ganesha, Inc. from any liability for delays,
injuries, or death or for the loss of or damage to, any property, however occurring in
relation to the Travel Scope “the dancing ganesha culinary journey of south india”
January 2007.
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