Home Interior Ideas For Bedrooms: Eco Tourism

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Shaam-E-Sarhad, Hodka Village, Kutch.

<span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;">Little did I realize that while I had posted about </span></span><a href="http://rangdecor.blogspot.com/2007/02/shaam-e-sarhad-rural-resort.html"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="color:#000000;">this resort</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;"> from a magazine, way back in 2007 and the subsequent posts about NGOs working in Kutch, that I was actually laying invisible foundation stones for a trip to Kutch, Gujarat in December 2011, a good four years later.</span></span><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/archanasr_2000/6724088385/" title="shaam11 by archanasr, on Flickr"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="color:#000000;"><img alt="shaam11" height="426" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7144/6724088385_9ae59e7932_z.jpg" width="640" /></span></span></span></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><a href="http://www.hodka.in/"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="color:#000000;">Shaam-E-Sarhad </span></span></span></a></b><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;">is a eco-resort built in a Kutchi village-style setting using locally sourced materials and crafts of the region. It is owned and managed by the Hodka village community and is open only from <span class="Apple-style-span"   style="  ;font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:16px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;">October</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;"> to </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;">March</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;">.</span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"   style="  ;font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"   style="  ;font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:16px;"><img alt="shaam14" height="640" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7029/6724090743_2beb48a1be_z.jpg" width="426" /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style=" ;font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;">The resort promotes </span></span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;">Endogenous Tourism </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;">where </span></span></span></span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;">one travels not just for pleasure, but also to appreciate local community and their life in rural Gujarat.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;">"The </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;">Endogenous Tourism Project</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;"> in Hodka village seeks to promote local culture and craft based tourism for sustainable livelihoods and integrated rural development. Its aim is to improve the local people's quality of life, by creating more livelihood options, while preserving and allowing the community to develop their unique culture and share it with visitor."</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;">~ hodka.in</span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; white-space: pre-wrap; "><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/archanasr_2000/6724090105/" title="shaam13 by archanasr, on Flickr"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="color:#000000;"><img alt="shaam13" height="426" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7021/6724090105_11b715439a_z.jpg" width="640" /></span></span></span></a></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">The reception area is adorned with</span> 'Chittar Kaam' <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">patterns and designs in earthy colours.</span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;">The use of local architectural style, the intricate art & crafts is very evident as soon as one enters </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;">Shaam-E-Sarhad </span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;">(translated 'Sunset at the border') </span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: normal; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;">Hodka village is not very far from the Rann of Kutch region which shares the border with Pakistan.</span></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/archanasr_2000/6724085729/" title="shaam8 by archanasr, on Flickr"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="color:#000000;"><img alt="shaam8" height="640" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7005/6724085729_1de9e5c757_z.jpg" width="426" /></span></span></span></a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style=" white-space: pre-wrap;font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;">The dining area is below a multi-hued canopy of bright local fabrics patches... </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"   style="  white-space: normal; font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:16px;"><img alt="shaam9" height="426" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7146/6724086651_0163fbf577_z.jpg" width="640" /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style=" ;font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"   style="  white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:georgia, serif;font-size:small;">A sit-out made out of a mixture of smooth mud and dung. Beautiful patchwork quilts made by local artisans spread their colours on an otherwise neutral colour-palette.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/archanasr_2000/6724087573/" title="shaam10 by archanasr, on Flickr"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="color:#000000;"><img alt="shaam10" height="426" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7010/6724087573_d0b3281153_z.jpg" width="640" /></span></span></span></a></span></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;">A Kutchi cloth doll with traditional dress swings gently in the breeze from the wooden poles..</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/archanasr_2000/6724091639/" title="shaam15 by archanasr, on Flickr"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="color:#000000;"><img alt="shaam15" height="640" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7029/6724091639_222f398cf1_z.jpg" width="426" /></span></span></span></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;">Even the switch board is made using locally crafted wooden plank.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;"><img alt="shaam3" height="426" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7152/6724081411_74daa13c29_z.jpg" width="640" /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style=" ;font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;">There are a few </span></span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;">Bhunga </span></span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;">mud houses and many tents where you can experience sustainable living.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;"><img alt="shaam" height="640" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7020/6724078599_a53f1bc6f7_z.jpg" width="426" /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;">Orange dawn from our tent on the first day of our stay at the resort.</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;"><img alt="shaam4" height="426" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7143/6724082079_a24c513a6e_z.jpg" width="640" /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;">The next day we moved to the </span></span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;">Bhunga</span></span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;"> house:-) The resort is very popular with travelers who come to visit the White Rann of Kutch, Dhordo, Hodka and the wildlife sanctuaries.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;"><img alt="shaam12" height="640" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7015/6724089235_74bfab4fd6_z.jpg" width="426" /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;">This is </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;">Pandhi Bhai</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;"> with another local gentleman. </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;">Pandhi Bhai</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;"> plays the </span></span><b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morsing"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="color:#000000;">Morsing</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;">on cold star-studded winter nights sitting on that 'charpouy' in the previous photograph.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;"><img alt="shaaam" height="472" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7142/6724390439_b6f6d1c8d3_z.jpg" width="640" /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style=" ;font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;">Bhunga </span></span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;">is a house that is circular in design, made of mud plaster, dung and twigs, it has a light dome-shaped bamboo and thatched roof. A glorious mud structure that is resistant to high windspeed and earthquakes.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;"><img alt="shaam2" height="426" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7167/6724080703_6004e3e3fe_z.jpg" width="640" /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: normal; "><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;">The thick walls keep the interior cool when the temperature rises to 46 degrees celsius in summer and warm when it drops to two degrees in winter.</span></span></div></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;"><img alt="sham1" height="640" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7171/6724079781_8e90de4ef0_z.jpg" width="426" /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;">A fabulous example of</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;"> Kutchi</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;"> architecture and eco-living.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/archanasr_2000/6724084909/" title="shaam7 by archanasr, on Flickr"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="color:#000000;"><img alt="shaam7" height="426" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7144/6724084909_7e14c184e2_z.jpg" width="640" /></span></span></span></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;">The </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: normal; line-height: 18px; "><em><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;">'Chittar Kaam' or </span></span></em><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;">Mud paintings convert the</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;"> exterior of the <b><i>Bhungas</i></b> into art canvas' as well. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/archanasr_2000/6724392689/" title="shaaam4 by archanasr, on Flickr"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="color:#000000;"><img alt="shaaam4" height="577" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7161/6724392689_8ec8a9fe3d_z.jpg" width="640" /></span></span></span></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;">The <i>'Lipan Kaam'</i> or the sculpted mud-mirror work frame the wooden windows.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/archanasr_2000/6724394253/" title="shaaam5 by archanasr, on Flickr"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="color:#000000;"><img alt="shaaam5" height="522" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7174/6724394253_81eeb96369_z.jpg" width="640" /></span></span></span></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/archanasr_2000/6724092355/" title="shaam17 by archanasr, on Flickr"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="color:#000000;"><img alt="shaam17" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7015/6724092355_6e7a1bbb28_z.jpg" width="640" /></span></span></span></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;"><i>'Lipan Kaam'</i> at the entrance to our</span></span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;"> Bhunga <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">with lacquer work wooden door</span></span>.</span></span></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/archanasr_2000/6724093021/" title="shaam18 by archanasr, on Flickr"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="color:#000000;"><img alt="shaam18" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7014/6724093021_c46f42d4fc_z.jpg" width="640" /></span></span></span></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style=" white-space: pre-wrap;font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;">The interior of the <b><i>Bhunga</i></b> with stunning patchwork bedspreads and curtains.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/archanasr_2000/6724084017/" title="shaam6 by archanasr, on Flickr"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="color:#000000;"><img alt="shaam6" height="426" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7160/6724084017_c9ace9bae4_z.jpg" width="640" /></span></span></span></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;">The purple seating glows as the light filters in.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/archanasr_2000/6724082839/" title="shaam5 by archanasr, on Flickr"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="color:#000000;"><img alt="shaam5" height="426" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7001/6724082839_d54fa2864c_z.jpg" width="640" /></span></span></span></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;">Utterly, deeply and completely in love with the woven curtains.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;"><img alt="shaaam1" height="426" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7022/6724390729_64f46c0328_z.jpg" width="640" /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;">The intricately carved wooden window shutters.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;"><img alt="shaaam3" height="502" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7175/6724391079_9236db86cf_z.jpg" width="640" /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;">Sitting under the canopy of rainbow colours, watching the dusk envelope the </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;"><b>Bhungas </b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">at</span><b> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Shaam-E-Sarhad</span></b>, </span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;">we sat sipping our hot Khullad chai and just being in the moment.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">(images by Arch, the last one by Mr. Husband)</span></span></i></b></span></div></div></div>

Shaam-E-Sarhad, Hodka Village, Kutch.

Little did I realize that while I had posted about this resort from a magazine, way back in 2007 and the subsequent posts about NGOs workin...

9:27 PM

A unique heritage hotel- Sterling Swamimalai.

<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5081393839125485378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAmfadtJ43JAeHYR6ygd5g_rYSBngxfUdvmWuDQsSB8WYz-N5HrFiSnp0Yt72qotvklRzkzvzQ_Raa1VjikFQNVP1KfK7PF0gyq4TBemq8TwJSPSlPy8x04fJX7OwEH9h-SJFlh7qrBabh/s400/ss14.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /><a href="http://www.sterlingswamimalai.net/">Sterling Swamimalai</a> was our first choice when we decided to make a trip to Tanjore last December and we cherish our stay and memories till date. <img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5081403794859677714" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjexwpI-sM9glF7hQ4FW2eJ1Yn8hppF5JKs1rA-Nm871A1DwjrD-oyO4Sp_3C2ZnK0D1HEWjCOW8qIafbPo0eD8ZBdBbICO6y0rg0ZIFLH5krKpmndqF5lZp4T0fUnw5JPMgtgVpRU3Ki2a/s400/ss17.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />A villa built in 1896 in a traditional south indian style is the nucleus of this resort. The other cottages are inspired by this main structure. The resort is the brain child of <a href="http://www.indecohotels.in/steve.html">Steve Borgia</a> of <a href="http://www.indecohotels.in/">Indeco Hotels</a>.<br /><br />The minute you step into a very discreet entrance, you are transported to the 19th century.<br />You are welcomed with temple bells ringing and a beautiful 'Kolam'- Rangoli design at the entrance. The setting is very rustic with the ambience like that of an old south indian village.<br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5081408051172268098" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_PpVVIxeD6f_nTnkyVOv1iKayupEmQ_uUVVQe0ohE7wElUdsDVZh_ndTAROeSCL1-v3ZMF0xBk_M5CY94FHrvp6Ll3KDjlTdg7qpTesfmxD-c9UIkvDjHs39j7A7wnn4J8OAMa_ljOGOH/s400/ss18.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />Amazing terracotta figures of Gods & Goddesses are scattered all around the resort. All courtesy the in-house potter.<br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkTqFb1DFHWhoYUHJ27n6dq4hsuv2s6KTOdPNveAbM-5a3JKH-7Lpsb5b_mtdMTA86QvapipBXTlOBYkjwnPg6sn00mx4c-waIF7hO65RCkKR4fm74jMiRI2T_LPeE8mRBWI_b-4wokOZL/s1600-h/ss5.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5081394380291364738" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkTqFb1DFHWhoYUHJ27n6dq4hsuv2s6KTOdPNveAbM-5a3JKH-7Lpsb5b_mtdMTA86QvapipBXTlOBYkjwnPg6sn00mx4c-waIF7hO65RCkKR4fm74jMiRI2T_LPeE8mRBWI_b-4wokOZL/s400/ss5.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a>Coconut, Banana, Jackfruit, Papaya trees form the perfect setting for the village scene.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDlOZteRkWqPRJcXF4lIxbCDCqpvNHK6_fS9Y8ozA0VFN4UW-cwEfsdCCfCfKDw_f7U0RKZPR3IyCw_N8sGBTcXrxITJrxgsfurGbV839Bya5l1njMagus-pWFAibjGN9XpjVyjNB38elx/s1600-h/ss12.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5081394384586332050" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDlOZteRkWqPRJcXF4lIxbCDCqpvNHK6_fS9Y8ozA0VFN4UW-cwEfsdCCfCfKDw_f7U0RKZPR3IyCw_N8sGBTcXrxITJrxgsfurGbV839Bya5l1njMagus-pWFAibjGN9XpjVyjNB38elx/s400/ss12.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> Beautiful folk goddess figure!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO6UH4i74PXbzIAhTvg36DacAFmhXc90q58Y-AYLlz6TqpCDebAkr7gL9dQkxxj0GkWBVnZzX59wG8d9d31coUZRW6KwvY4_xLfL0g_NtSBHzXJbUO0VZUrN3NnEikRmlZzmdZuENoufQt/s1600-h/ss10.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5081394384586332066" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO6UH4i74PXbzIAhTvg36DacAFmhXc90q58Y-AYLlz6TqpCDebAkr7gL9dQkxxj0GkWBVnZzX59wG8d9d31coUZRW6KwvY4_xLfL0g_NtSBHzXJbUO0VZUrN3NnEikRmlZzmdZuENoufQt/s400/ss10.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> A traditional village house forms the dining area.<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5081395522752665538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbhWIpM1h03VizosV61igZk36qjEfi6nV1ZYP0dOmdAd5wnXliW-isDmZ5aURM3LEG6usecKfJDIXn5ftcS4_xbrq5D6WP6dtRIZ1YDU3LsfENWjOynDfVlgjEllCOgi0xlqQ0X55Asv2l/s400/ss6.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />Even the trees are treated well, the potter has created lovely terracotta eyes for the trees.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih2C2DtAkZWWHuS-ZYYGMAp-r8Gi4fPS8c9DhxHD2XnUTwk0tSmqhArWsgtpMvskDAs0rwCBS2PVyZvftuPEgzBtvUtYMbFxH-nDQ-5aH3PARfibt3SywavA6QY-BJYZUD7d_wrJG4ByXv/s1600-h/ss16.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5081394388881299378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih2C2DtAkZWWHuS-ZYYGMAp-r8Gi4fPS8c9DhxHD2XnUTwk0tSmqhArWsgtpMvskDAs0rwCBS2PVyZvftuPEgzBtvUtYMbFxH-nDQ-5aH3PARfibt3SywavA6QY-BJYZUD7d_wrJG4ByXv/s400/ss16.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> <img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5081395527047632866" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaQGhStGB-679Foy6320H9o_oLI1jAOzhB4TJsYsabmD4cpgC7_SwEkaAzIQZzWgucGb1B-BO-wrrXqHhMmLqwHrusR9Hem2KD2HUj-sKpLybaNuqFO6GOB-JoetdQsjBSQBcZjIvOH7_a/s400/ss8.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />The rooms are basic with traditional furniture. The roll-up blinds are made of natural fibres for good air circulation.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSbObeUlr5STGiRlzNUqz4Afd4pYRiW9AYyLdKbudzm91lJ1Ly-eMczwUh03C6cXLtdCH81_CdSGqcsOjFpCxE46DT3EUsZ5aF33YIbuC8Zn-S3cBdifPL-7w8kP-HaqIkph51HNDk1SIk/s1600-h/ss1.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5081393843420452690" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSbObeUlr5STGiRlzNUqz4Afd4pYRiW9AYyLdKbudzm91lJ1Ly-eMczwUh03C6cXLtdCH81_CdSGqcsOjFpCxE46DT3EUsZ5aF33YIbuC8Zn-S3cBdifPL-7w8kP-HaqIkph51HNDk1SIk/s400/ss1.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbqrGprUNAv_XCdu5lyFmzcRxsOKGvQkZ1XxgjPjNQIQhinRnA4-Y2Ajq6jqkKmSqVmPWmsXv12P4vpM4CcDfX2PwO03Af-kGpPY7LM5oz0VL42YZyubMuVoz349RKyhoGXJ3ZanM_vzC3/s1600-h/ss3.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5081393847715420002" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbqrGprUNAv_XCdu5lyFmzcRxsOKGvQkZ1XxgjPjNQIQhinRnA4-Y2Ajq6jqkKmSqVmPWmsXv12P4vpM4CcDfX2PwO03Af-kGpPY7LM5oz0VL42YZyubMuVoz349RKyhoGXJ3ZanM_vzC3/s400/ss3.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> <img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5081404400450066482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhetWmtC7E8H1pcEQwyV821IFv5PytIYbd8b6UoykdygT156S28thIfxJRJqT0DqpQGLnKR5St36LhGaqpyHtItEjXw7P9gWA6UDIrFz1u3ibil0Kx3RyBCjAeQ65DPYQi8KsEgBS1_kPw2/s400/ss15.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRHa9M76ImyZ4WJ0WlMpYq0Ca85IQeDT9VU-DYx6O2OhZmt_um6ErPsL08qQhhaDJIFN7jtXII2zGqf6nparoY4mboDhScUNUvDk5k7IdHzelgILTpmvkpwRUrndb1Ol5Wfb5CEg6LqHAk/s1600-h/ss4.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5081393856305354610" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRHa9M76ImyZ4WJ0WlMpYq0Ca85IQeDT9VU-DYx6O2OhZmt_um6ErPsL08qQhhaDJIFN7jtXII2zGqf6nparoY4mboDhScUNUvDk5k7IdHzelgILTpmvkpwRUrndb1Ol5Wfb5CEg6LqHAk/s400/ss4.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> The swimming pool is designed like an old temple tank. On special occasions the side slots are lit with earthern lamps in the evening. What a gorgeous sight would that be!<br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5081403786269743090" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGP7J3PQjEnB2X4hK4Ylulr2ZDy2rTy7VavbjDZnkp_Jn_harqSlcVlx7HEUjQWnEtyjUlmk60YxeNPpOQNrYX4z0VuY6t9TFzyavvPKCAU5Un4Yrsriz6lzzkrl7FEN3fFiD92kOdJSSu/s400/ss11.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /><br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5081395527047632850" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS6X2Aezix-SVb1BTeEv4hpnVuFS96NYRSe17RfkXMurHkedkLjyxt7NoUFoVPVCFJTIRwso25zohgRG9M5PB2SE0FhkPfjfzaXrEiAuCaPaDjvNQJ5omBC-NhffORVQUuO7Mi6vSF5aK2/s400/ss7.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />The main villa has a lovely courtyard with a natural well and a museum of antiques.<br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5081404400450066466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3_8TwsfFbRJJFwME_Wvs7jbPTxsCWSkeqFesuKqeDQh7cpYAV_nBpBFy6A7b8nny5OpoIC4W0pUbSp6SEyWVfwt9iHMu_y_CT71wgGzA9DsLtaDYXUzPqrcW-oRh9LMjcJFVhie8NuDTB/s400/ss13.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />Truly traditional, truly spiritual, truly Indian.</div><br /><div></div><div>Experience it- <a href="http://www.sterlingswamimalai.net/">http://www.sterlingswamimalai.net</a></div></div>

A unique heritage hotel- Sterling Swamimalai.

Sterling Swamimalai was our first choice when we decided to make a trip to Tanjore last December and we cherish our stay and memories till ...

12:59 AM

Home Interior Ideas For Bedrooms

Shaam-E-Sarhad, Hodka Village, Kutch.

A unique heritage hotel- Sterling Swamimalai.

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