The Quickie Kind of Love

Quickies make us alllll happpy. WHY? Coz its quick and insanely satisfying. Mistake me not…for me talking about one quick fix that can make you smile, slurp, sip and sup. In India it goes by the name Gola, Chuski and in the West shaved ice popsicles.

Picture taken at Mumbai – Juhu Beach

From the beach side Ice Gola escapades in Mumbai to experimenting it in its many shapes and forms abroad, I have come a long way. Every time I take a drag from the ice i get filled with not just its sweetness but of the various memories that comes with it. The times I have shared a gola with my parents when I was a kid, as I couldn’t finish all of it to the times when I would selfishly keep it away from my hubby. So many memories of it with my friends, my sister-in-law and cousins…Gola I LOVE THEE.

Different types of golas found in India

Image courtesy of Shashank Mehrotra licensed under Creative Commons

Best Goal in Muscat

Khana Kazana, Right next door to Khimji Mart, Ruwi.

First Slurp Experience

I love the Kalakhatta flavor so do most of the gola fanatics I have met. It comes in a zillion flavors and what makes it click is a special Indian salt called the ‘Kala Namak’ or black salt, even though it is pinkinsh in color. Yeah we Indians like to always have that element of surprise to everything we do. It made with Indian blueberries called jammun. Get ready to be mesmerized. Will surely wonder how can something so simple looking, taste sooooooo darn good.

Word of Caution

Opt for the kalakhatta flavor only if you do not have place important to go to. Coz after u have it your tongue and lips will be colored beyond recognition in a naughty shade of purple.

August 21, 2014August 21, 2014 by Smitha Categories: UncategorizedTags: beach, fun, ice cream, india, indian snack, instafood, local restaurants, mudt see places in oman, must experience muscat, restaurants, restaurants in muscat, romantic restaurants in muscat, yum Leave a comment

The Fishy Kind of Love

Caution: This post may be inedible for the Finding Nemo fan base!

There is nothing fishy about my love for the ocean and the creatures that dwell therein. I would like to think of myself as a mermaid but my insatiable appetite for seafood would make me an inhospitable member of the community.

So I settled for a road trip to a fishing village located 50 kilometres away from Al Ashkhara, Oman.

It was during this trip that I witnessed the early morning ritual of fishermen setting out into the sea, coming back with a boat full of the freshest catch.

I stood there in awe as the locals untangled the fish from the fishing nets. I touched the freshly caught fish and was amazed at the absence of the distinctive smell that we have grown to associate fish with (thanks to the supermarket fish aisles).

I went to the makeshift market where sardines, king fish, jumbo prawns, squid, octopus and lobster were being sold. I brought home some of the treasure and fried it with close to no marinade. The shiny skin crackled as soon as it hit the hot pan, the natural oil from the fish made it crispy and ready to eat.

Fishing Village in Oman (approx…50 km from Al Ashkhara Beach Resort, Resort Coordinates: 21°44’07.2″N 59°28’55.8″E)

First Bite Experience:

Took the first bite and I fully understood the adage “tasted like the ocean”.

I have been a heavy seafood eater but the sheer freshness, melt-in-your-mouth texture and taste of the sea won my heart and my palate.

How can you gobble up something you love so much…that’s why it is my fishy kind of love!

April 8, 2014June 18, 2015 by Smitha Categories: UncategorizedTags: Al Ashkhara, Al Ashkhara Beach resort, beach, fish lovers, fishermen, Fishing, fishing in oman, fishing trip oman, fishing village, food, fresh seafood oman, mudt see places in oman, Muscat, mybeautifuloman, nature, oman, outdoor activity in oman, seafood lovers 1 Comment