Dr Shamim Ahmed

Kochi: The Queen of the Arabian Sea

Kochi (also known as Cochin) is the largest coastal city in the state of Kerala in India. It is known as "the Queen of Arabian Sea" due to its splendid location near the Arabian Sea flourishing in greeneries and natural beauties

5m ago

The splendour of Sylhet

Located on the bank of the Surma River, Sylhet is one of the oldest cities in Bangladesh, having a vast historical and cultural background. Originally part of the Bengal Presidency and later Eastern Bengal and Assam; Sylhet  was part of Colonial Assam between 1874 and 1947 when, following a referendum and the partition of British India, it then became part of the then East Pakistan.

1y ago

Travelling to Darjeeling, Gangtok, and Kalimpong

So near, yet so far. This is how I would like to sum up our recent visit to Darjeeling, Gangtok, and Kalimpong. We flew from Kolkata to Bagdogra — the gateway to the North East located in Siliguri, in northern West Bengal. We hired a vehicle for Darjeeling, popularly known as the 'Queen of the Hills.' Darjeeling is a favoured tourist destination, noted for its scenic beauty, quaint houses, and mountain clad forest panorama.

1y ago

Exploring the history of Kolkata and Murshidabad

It was during one of our visits to Kolkata that we decided to explore the various temples and other places of interests. The very first morning, we drove for almost two hours to reach the Dakshineswar Kali Temple located on the eastern bank of the Hooghly River.

1y ago

Visiting Manila and Los Banos

The Philippines is a diversified island country consisting of some 7,000 islands and islets. Interestingly, the Philippines takes its name from Philip II, who was King of Spain during the Spanish colonisation of the islands in the 16th century. It is one of only two predominantly Roman Catholic countries in Asia, the other being East Timor. The country has always been one of my favourite destinations.

2y ago

Manaus and deep in the Amazon!

Manaus is the capital city of the state of Amazonas in the North Region of Brazil. Located on the north bank of the Negro River, above the confluence of the rivers Negro and Solimões, which later form the mighty Amazon, it is the most populous city of both the Brazilian state of Amazonas and the Amazon rainforest, and thus the hub of tourism for the adventurous.

2y ago

Brazil, a rich mix of culture and natural beauty

It was a dream come true for me, having longed to visit Brazil — one of the most diverse countries on the planet and home to the wonderful Amazon forest and the Iguazu Falls. After a long gruelling flight, we reached Rio De Janeiro Airport early morning and immediately started for Copacabana.

2y ago

The City of Gardens, and Ajanta

Bangalore, now called Bengaluru, is the capital city of Karnataka in South India. The weather is relatively pleasant throughout the year, hence referred to as ‘the air conditioned city’. And because of several well planned parks and gardens within and outside the city, Bengaluru deserves to be called “the city of gardens.”

5y ago
May 10, 2024
May 10, 2024

Kochi: The Queen of the Arabian Sea

Kochi (also known as Cochin) is the largest coastal city in the state of Kerala in India. It is known as "the Queen of Arabian Sea" due to its splendid location near the Arabian Sea flourishing in greeneries and natural beauties

July 30, 2023
July 30, 2023

The splendour of Sylhet

Located on the bank of the Surma River, Sylhet is one of the oldest cities in Bangladesh, having a vast historical and cultural background. Originally part of the Bengal Presidency and later Eastern Bengal and Assam; Sylhet  was part of Colonial Assam between 1874 and 1947 when, following a referendum and the partition of British India, it then became part of the then East Pakistan.

May 21, 2023
May 21, 2023

Travelling to Darjeeling, Gangtok, and Kalimpong

So near, yet so far. This is how I would like to sum up our recent visit to Darjeeling, Gangtok, and Kalimpong. We flew from Kolkata to Bagdogra — the gateway to the North East located in Siliguri, in northern West Bengal. We hired a vehicle for Darjeeling, popularly known as the 'Queen of the Hills.' Darjeeling is a favoured tourist destination, noted for its scenic beauty, quaint houses, and mountain clad forest panorama.

December 29, 2022
December 29, 2022

Exploring the history of Kolkata and Murshidabad

It was during one of our visits to Kolkata that we decided to explore the various temples and other places of interests. The very first morning, we drove for almost two hours to reach the Dakshineswar Kali Temple located on the eastern bank of the Hooghly River.

August 22, 2022
August 22, 2022

Visiting Manila and Los Banos

The Philippines is a diversified island country consisting of some 7,000 islands and islets. Interestingly, the Philippines takes its name from Philip II, who was King of Spain during the Spanish colonisation of the islands in the 16th century. It is one of only two predominantly Roman Catholic countries in Asia, the other being East Timor. The country has always been one of my favourite destinations.

July 9, 2022
July 9, 2022

Manaus and deep in the Amazon!

Manaus is the capital city of the state of Amazonas in the North Region of Brazil. Located on the north bank of the Negro River, above the confluence of the rivers Negro and Solimões, which later form the mighty Amazon, it is the most populous city of both the Brazilian state of Amazonas and the Amazon rainforest, and thus the hub of tourism for the adventurous.

May 10, 2022
May 10, 2022

Brazil, a rich mix of culture and natural beauty

It was a dream come true for me, having longed to visit Brazil — one of the most diverse countries on the planet and home to the wonderful Amazon forest and the Iguazu Falls. After a long gruelling flight, we reached Rio De Janeiro Airport early morning and immediately started for Copacabana.

August 20, 2019
August 20, 2019

The City of Gardens, and Ajanta

Bangalore, now called Bengaluru, is the capital city of Karnataka in South India. The weather is relatively pleasant throughout the year, hence referred to as ‘the air conditioned city’. And because of several well planned parks and gardens within and outside the city, Bengaluru deserves to be called “the city of gardens.”

June 25, 2019
June 25, 2019

Amazing Amsterdam, The Hague, and Groningen

We landed on a chilly winter evening at Schipol International Airport, Amsterdam — one of the busiest airports in Europe. The airport formalities were pleasantly efficient and we passed through easily. A mere 20-minute drive brought us to our hotel in the famous Museum District