Murudeshwar Hotels – Staying in Shiva’s Land

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Murudeshwar, located half way along the Karavali Coast, is known for its beaches and temples. The city has frequent religious tourists who come to worship Lord Shiva at the famous 1,500 year old temple. The other popular getaways include Idagunji Temple, Murudeshwar Fort and Jattiga Shrine. The Statue Park located atop the Kandukagiri hillock is famous for the 123 meter high Shiva statue constructed in the recent past.

There are a number of affordable Murudeshwar hotels such as Hotel Danish Regency, Benzy Intercontinental and Hotel Kola Paradise available for both leisure and corporate guests.

Hotel Kola Paradise

This place is located in Bhatkal, which is 16 kilometers away from Murudeshwar. The hotel provides rooms at variable prices to suit the needs of the guests; the rooms are classified as air-conditioned, single and deluxe rooms. These rooms are well designed and styled with perfection to provide comfortable accommodation to the guests. The hotel provides restaurant facilities for both vegetarian and non vegetarian guests.

Guests can relish Goan dishes at the restaurants and cafeterias located close to the hotel. Sea food lovers can find lobsters, prawns, crabs and all their favorite types of seafood. For visiting executives, the hotel’s Amenities and Service Division provides exclusive secretarial service during their stay at the hotel. All the facilities available at modern day hotels can be found here at affordable prices.

Hotel Benzy Intercontinental

This hotel is located on NH17 at Maveelli near Murudeshwar. It is 165 kilometers away from Mangalore city. The hotel offers all the facilities present in budget hotels. This includes laundry, valet, breakfast, gift shop, free newspaper, cable television with remote control, doctor on call and safes. Hotel Benzy Intercontinental has a multi-cuisine restaurant which serves continental, Italian, Chinese, and South-Indian, Tandoor, Vegetarian and Non-Vegetarian dishes.

Murudeshwar Guest House

This is located about one kilometer away from Murudeshwar Railway station and similarly one kilometer away from Murudeshwar Bus Stand. The hotel offers amenities like cable television, travel desk, valet, continental breakfast, doctor on call and valet facilities. Murudeshwar Guest House also offers restaurant for guests as per their tastes. These include multiple cuisines such as Chinese, South Indian, Tandoori and pure vegetarian.

Some hotels even organize special dolphin spotting trips for their guests. Water sports is a very common sports activity in Murudeshwar, activities like sea kayaking, banana boat rides, para-sailing and sea-rafting bring immense joy and thrill to the guests arriving here. It is hardly a surprise then that people get away from Bangalore to Murudeshwar to spend their lovely holidays in this colorful beach town.

Food Additives Affect Behavior

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On average 30% of foods in our daily diet are processed foods. These are foods that come in a box or a can and have many ingredients that are hard to pronounce, containing food starches, gums, preservatives, and colorings. Many processed foods have to be enriched, adding inorganic minerals and vitamins to compensate for the nutrition lost in the processing of the food. Some people believe enriched foods are good enough, and we will be able to absorb their nutrients sufficiently to benefit from them. But what about the great increase in type II diabetes in the past few years, seen especially now in children? What about the increase in Attention Deficit Disorder and behavioral problems in schools? Adults are now getting symptoms of Alzheimer’s more quickly than before, and are suffering from chronic diseases earlier in life.

The first suggestion I tell parents who are struggling with a hyperactive child is to stay away from any food colorings, especially the added colorings in juices, cereals, snacks, and vitamin supplements. These food colorings affect the functioning of the nervous system. Our liver cannot break down these chemicals and they affect our neurotransmitters, and eventually our thinking ability. It is amazing the amount of food coloring found in processed foods. Significant increases in hyperactivity occur after getting 20 mg. of food coloring per day, which is much less than the amount found in many processed foods today.

When food additives are added to natural foods both physical and behavioral problems can occur. The three most common symptoms found when we get too many food additives are headaches, anxiety, and upset stomach. Common food additives to watch out for, beside food colorings, are preservatives, artificial sweeteners, and caffeine. Preservatives are found in all processed foods, and even in some of the natural foods such as fruits and vegetables. It is difficult to get all fresh food unless you grow it yourself. Preservatives prevent spoilage of food so that it can be transported from the farm or factory to our grocery stores.

The FDA generally regards each of these food additives as safe, at least in small quantities. But when combining them in foods and then looking at the potential cumulative effect, we have to realize that the more preservative and food additives we get on a daily basis, the more our liver has to detoxify. That is why headaches and bloating are common symptoms of too many food additives.

Among the many factors that shape the lives of children, nutrition often plays a critical role. What children eat during their growing years has a great effect on the way they think, learn, and act. Many studies have found, for example, that children with higher intakes of antioxidants, B vitamins and minerals do better in school than those children whose diets are lower in these nutrients. Others studies show that children who are exposed to too many environmental chemicals or heavy metals in the air and water have more trouble learning and remembering, and have more nervous system disorders.

The Feingold program is a children’s nutritional program that recommends a diet based on foods that do not contain artificial flavors, preservatives, and food colorings. Numerous research studies found that symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder improved between 50 and 70% of the time while children followed this nutritional program.

One study, published in Lancet in 1985, showed that 79% of hyperactive children had symptoms improve when food chemicals were removed from their diet. Then when the food chemicals were re-introduced the symptoms returned. Sugar was found to have a similar detrimental effect as food chemicals. In controlled studies done at juvenile correctional facilities in the 1980s, they found that behavior improved in 47% of the 12 facilities that took part in the Feingold program, which included over 8000 juveniles.

Many health issues are caused by lack of bioavailable nutrition in our diet. Our digestive system tries to absorb nutrients from the foods we eat. Depending on the state of the food – baked, broiled, microwaved, or the additives added, our body can actually get more stressed eating foods that are hard for our liver to metabolize. This is why the National Cancer Institute keeps raising the number of fruits and vegetables recommended daily to prevent cancer, and keep our immune system healthy. This is another reason we are seeing earlier signs of indigestion and heartburn in children. The foods we put in our body have so many preservatives, and chemicals, and not enough real nutrition to be beneficial.

Georgetown Nightlife Destinations

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The Georgetown neighborhood in Washington, DC, has long been recognized as one of the Capital’s most popular nightlife destinations. Whether it’s the latest “in” spot for singles, an upscale culinary experience or vibrant collegiate bar, Georgetown offers something for everyone. Take a peek at several favorites in alphabetical order:

Bistro Lepic

1736 Wisconsin Avenue, NW

If you’re looking for the real deal in French cuisine, you’ve found it with Bistro Lepic. This cozy gem serves authentic French food with an emphasis on Provencale cuisine backed by a helpful staff, savvy in selecting an appropriate wine. A popular date night destination, you can enjoy everything from a glass of burgundy to a snack to a full meal. Signature dishes include the onion tart, smoked trout salad and calf’s liver with capers, garlic, and black olives. The chef relies on seasonal fruits and vegetables to keep the menu fresh and diverse. For those looking for a good wine bar, the popular Wine bar upstairs offers monthly tastings and small appe-teasers. The low lighting and interesting wall hangings provide more of romantic ambience than the cheerful dining room downstairs. It’s best to call in advance as Bistro Lepic is small and fills up fast with regulars and patrons drawn by allure of flavorful, satisfying food.

Blues Alley

1073 Wisconsin Avenue, NW

Modeled after the jazz supper clubs in the 20s and 30s, Blues Alley is one of the oldest continuing clubs in the US. Jazz legends such as Dizzy Gillespie, Ramsey Lewis, Tony Bennett, Grover Washington, Jr., and Sarah Vaughn have all played here at one time or another. Music lovers revel in the opportunity to hear renowned artists play blues and soul in the relative intimacy of small supper club tucked away on a cobblestoned alley in the heart of Georgetown. The club requires a two-item minimum with largely Cajun and Creole offerings on the menu in keeping with the jazz theme. The sound system is impressive with the volume just loud enough to experience the music with musicians who love playing to an audience that knows and appreciates them. Arrive early – seating is first come; first served.

Clyde’s

3236 M Street, NW

Located in the heart of Georgetown, Clyde’s is one of the granddaddies of American saloons. Opened in 1963, the restaurant maintains its charter of providing “good company” with good food and drink at good value. Despite frequent refurbishings, Clyde’s still features its signature long oak bar, plank flooring and Back Bar with vintage railroad posters. A gathering point for all walks of life, Clyde’s draws in journalists, politicians, athletes and neighborhood residents. Its late afternoon appetizer menu inspired the mellow 1976 pop hit, “Afternoon Delight,” with a gold record proudly hanging at the restaurant today.

L2 Lounge

3315 Cady’s Alley, NW

The L2 lounge is a luxe watering hole that appeals to the DC sophisticate. Beautifully decorated down to its white sectionals, exposed brick walls and unisex bathroom, L2 is known for its specialty drinks and exemplary service. Appetizers and plates are small but tasty. Of particular note are the sliders. Located in the central courtyard of Cady’s Alley, the L2 offers a membership program that enables members to bypass the line with up to five guests and access special rooms reserved for members only. Non-members can get in for a cover charge on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. More recently L2 has been hosting events such as Apres Work, a no-cover event that takes place every Wednesday night, and Art Soiree, bringing in a new group of patrons. L2 favors a mix of house and dance music that reinforces the chic vibe.

The Tombs

1226 36th Street, NW

Located at 36th street near Georgetown University, the Tombs is a quintessential college bar. Typically packed with both students and recent graduates, the Tombs inspired the college student hangout immortalized in the 1980s brat pack film “St. Elmo’s Fire.” While Rob Lowe, Emilio Estevez, and Demi Moore have moved on, the Tombs remains much the same. Located below street level, the Tombs provides a cozy, classic underground pub feel with its wood paneling, darts and a convivial, collegiate atmosphere. While much of the Tombs’ allure is its cheap pitchers of beer, the food is top rated as well with the Tombs rumored to share its kitchen with its swanky upstairs neighbor, the 1789 Restaurant.

Cultures and Traditions in Maldives

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The Maldives, an archipelago consisting of 26 coral atolls, is located in the northern part of the Indian Ocean. The population lives on 198 of the over 1,000 tiny islands. The climate is tropical and warm with the seasons controlled by two annual monsoons.

The Maldivians are Sunni Muslim. The culture results from a mix of Arab, Sinhalese and South Indian influences.

The Maldivian weekend occurs from Friday to Saturday, and the government offices and banks are closed and many stores are closed on the first half of the Fridays. This does not hold true in the resorts, except that Friday lunch hours are changed for Friday prayers.

The Arabian language and culture has influenced the Maldives since the 12th century AD when the islands were a junction in the central Indian Ocean. This resulted in a lengthy trading process between the Middle East and the Far East. The travellers from Somalia found gold on the island in the 13th century, before the Portuguese explored the area. The Somalis ended their occupation after a bloody struggle called the Dagaai Diig Badaaney, occurring in 1424.

The European and African influence is noticeable in what are called borrow-words and the material culture.

The Maldivians have some links to Northern India because their language is connected to the northern Indian languages. Many older Maldivians enjoy Hindi movies and songs which influence the popular songs of the Maldives. Bollywood songs are particularly popular, and many local dances and songs are influenced on North Indian songs and Kathnak dances.

The typical Maldivian music instrument is the bulbul, which is like a horizontal accordion. It is used to be played with devotional songs such as Maulud and Maadhaha. The Bodu Beru, or big drum, has its origins in Africa.

The traditional food of the Maldives is centred on coconuts, fish and starch. Coconut is grated, or squeezed to gain coconut milk deep fried in coconut oil. Grated coconut is cooked in mas huni, while coconut milk is a main ingredient in curries. Skipjack tuna is a favourite either fresh or dried. Other kinds of fish that are popular are yellow fin and frigate tuna, bigeye scad, Mahi-mahi, Mackerel and wahoo, all of which are processed or boiled. Processed tuna is used in short eats. Rihaakuru, a stiff brown paste made of tuna, is important in Maldivian cooking. The starches are either rice, which is ground into flour or boiled, or tubers, like sweet potato, taro and cassava, along with fruits such as screw pine and bread fruit. The breadfruit and tubers are boiled and eaten. The screw pine is eaten raw. The most popular curry in Maldivian cuisine is mas riha, which is cooked with tuna freshly diced. Chicken curry is prepared with different kind of spices. Vegetable curries include use of eggplant, pumpkin and green bananas as well as leaves. Some Maldivian fish are included in the vegetable curries.