Author: Angela Carson

Favourites

Best Deals! Bangalore 5-Star Hotel Booking with Cleartrip

The first 5-star hotel I ever reviewed was in India and it still brings back special memories.  I was living in Bangalore and it was a brand new hotel by a beloved Indian brand and there was something special about the service and care that…

Beer And Wine

Ultimate List of Vodka Drinks for Your Next House Party

I know not all my guy friends will agree (and they are wrong of course hehe) but when it comes to house parties, vodka is THE BEST, and my #1 favourite liquor. From amazingly crafted varieties that are easy to drink on their own to…

Around the World

San Francisco for Culture Vultures

The bohemian US city of San Francisco has been oozing culture since even before its heyday in the 50s. Nowadays, it has a reputation for its counter culture, with creative types and Silicon Valley techies living here and lovers of the arts and contemporary lifestyles…

Delhi/Gurgaon

Vistara Airlines Business Class Lounge is Luxury by Design

When it comes to carriers in India, Vistara Airlines is still the (relatively) new kid on the block. Although given their growth and stellar reputation, it seems wild to me that their launch was just two and half years ago! If you’re planning to be…

Bali

My Top 7 Sights of Asia Holiday Ideas

If you follow my YouTube channel you know that I departed India and I’m currently in Southeast Asia, spending a huge amount of my time travelling and exploring. It’s hard to deny that Asia is a continent full to the brim with beautiful sights, and…

Bali

6 Best Places to Try Your Hand at Surfing in Bali 

Bali, beautiful Bali! Over the past 2 years I've spent about 3 months of it in Bali. Well, Bali and Lombok ... but most of it on Bali. It all started when I stayed in a luxury serviced apartment in Canggu, Bali and loved it…

Dining Out

Vegetarian Delight in Bangalore

Hey all, I have a fun guest post from Kristal Zhang, a former expat in India!  Kristal lived in India for a couple of years and she loved every minute of it, as it brought her out of her comfort zone. She hopes to return one…

Stay

Shangri-La Hotel Bengaluru: New Luxury 5-Star Hotel in Bangalore

There’s a new kid in town! Shangri-La Hotel, Bengaluru is making a huge splash as the newest luxury hotel in Bangalore, and for good reason. This 5-star property is ideal for business travellers, conferences, and expositions given that it boasts the largest meeting facilities in…

Bali

[Video] 5 Star Perfection Beachfront at the W Retreat & Spa Bali in Seminyak

There is something about W Hotels that always awakens something inside of me and the W Retreat & Spa Bali – Seminyak surpassed even my wildest expectations. In fact, if you’re anything like me then this stunning property will have your senses on high alert from…

Bali

Anantara Seminyak Bali Resort Ocean Suites, Perfect for Foodies and Spa Lovers

If falling asleep to the sound of the waves of the Indian Ocean kissing the soft white sand of Bali sounds like your cup of tea then look no further.  Located right on the beach in the very heart of Seminyak, award-winning Anantara Seminyak Bali Resort…

Bali

Beautiful Luxury LataLiana Villas in Bali 200m from the Beach in Seminyak

If spending your holiday in a stunning and spacious luxury villa with your own lavish pool while having your every whim catered to by a dedicated butler sounds just like what you need to recharge then LataLiana Villas & Spa in the heart of Seminyak…

Bali

Romantic Bali Honeymoon Package at La Villa Mathis in Seminyak

Love and romance is certainly everywhere on the island of Bali but the team at Villa Mathis in Seminyak have refined their Honeymoon Package and experiences to an art form.

Bali

[Video] Sandat Glamping Resort in Ubud – Bali’s Only Luxury Camping Hotel

My eyes are still sparkling and my soul is still singing from my three days at the wonderfully decadent and glamorous Sandat Glamping Resort in Ubud. As a young girl and even in my 20s I camped out in tents at the Colorado River on…

Coorg

[Gallery] It’s a Foodie’s Paradise at Vivanta by Taj Madikeri in Coorg

Vivant by Taj Madikeri in Coorg is one of those hotels and spas that will stay in your heart and soul long after your return to civilisation, thus putting it in the best category of hotels in my book!  The modern yet warm desgin, décor and…

Vlogs & Pics

[Gallery] Angela’s DNA Column + Page 3 + Interviews

Bangalore is an absolutely fun place to be a blogger and travel writer.  Here you'll find a variety of interviews, clippings from my weekly column in DNA newspaper, and fun Page 3 moments while out playing with mates in Bangalore.  The first entry dates back to…

Coorg

[Video+Gallery] Vivanta by Taj Madikeri Best 5 Star Spa Hotel in Coorg (for Foodies!)

There is no better way to rejuvenate body and soul during the healing rains of monsoon than to escape to the Vivanta by Taj Madikeri in Coorg for a bit fun, food and pampering.  Tucked down a 5 kilometre private drive, outside the hustle and bustle of…

Eat & Drink

[Gallery] Best Brunch in Bangalore Series: My Place at the Mövenpick

Although there is tons of diversity in the brunch at My Place, as you can see by the pics, it's also one of the best brunches in Bangalore for traditional Indian food!  From sushi, yummy salads, and fresh seafood (including octopus when I was I…

Vlogs & Pics

[Gallery] Bangalore Street Life and Sleeping Beauties

Women in burkas, nuns in belly tops, cows, stray dogs and the infamous Sleeping Beauties - just another day in Bangalore! On any given day, at any given time, you're guaranteed to walk past women wearing burkas, cute chubby-cheeked girls in frilly frocks, groups of women…

Dining Out

Rim Naam Restaurant at The Oberoi Hotel in Bangalore is Romantic and Lovely

The stunning RIM NAAM restaurant in The Oberoi, Bangalore is not only one of the most charming restaurants in town - giving guests a feeling that they are surrounded by water - but they have a unique and wonderful wine list with options I hadn't…

Eat & Drink

[Video] Bangalore Sunday Brunch ENTERTAINMENT at Alila Hotel in Whitefield

Sunday Brunch is fabulous ... and each location strives to provide kickin' entertainment that keeps guests happy and coming back for more and more every week. Although Sunday Brunch at Alila Hotel in Whitefield is poolside on the rooftop, I convinced the entertainment to come…

Eat & Drink

Sunday Brunch at Royal Orchid Bangalore in Limelight

Limelight is such a quaint and charming restaurant, serving traditional Indian, Chinese and Continental cuisine!  TAKE MY ADVICE and reserve a gazebo just for your group. It makes brunch so much more fun and VIP feeling for some reason! I've enjoyed myself several times at Hotel Royal…

Beauty & Spas

Sohum Spa at Bangalore’s Mövenpick Hotel & Spa

Have you seen the beautiful traditional Indian interior of Sohum Spa in the Mövenpick Hotel and Spa in Bangalore yet?  They offer amazing Ayurvedic treatments and a wonderful chillout zone that had me almost napping before my treatments :) The Spa has beautifully captured the…

Chennai

An Afternoon at Vivanta by Taj Fisherman’s Cove in Chennai

On your next trip to Chennai, head down south to Vivanta by Taj Fisherman’s Cove for an amazing escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.  This is an amazing resort located right on the water that is the perfect spot for Sunday brunch,…

Dining Out

Mezzaluna Gormet Italian Restaurant in Bangalore’s Mövenpick Hotel & Spa

Dining in Mezzaluna, the delectable ristorante Italiano in the Mövenpick Hotel & Spa, will instantly transport you back to Italy.  From the wonderfully charming interiors with their iconic checkered tiled floors to the oh-so-Italian frescos on the walls, you will find yourself looking forward to…

Dining Out

Chef Abhijit Saha’s Caperberry – Bangalore’s Best European & Molecular Gastronomy Restaurant

From the beautiful interior design to some of the most wonderful food presentation in town, Caperberry is truly a MUST-VISIT Bangalore restaurant.  Presided over by the wonderfully charming and oh-so-talented Chef Abhijit Saha, the restaurant showcases modern European cuisine with molecular gastronomy influences (mostly from Spain,…

Mysore

Weekend Getaway to Mysore, Shower Under the Stars at Windflower Resort & Spa

I've been to Mysore on three different occasions, and twice I've stayed at the Windflower Resort & Spa Mysore and absolutely L-O-V-E-D it!  In my heart, it is one of the most romantic hotels in all of India because I spent one of the most memorable…

Vlogs & Pics

Photos of the Delhi Daredevils Cheerleaders – IPL6 Maxim Magazine Article

During IPL6 I had the fun job of being the cheerleader of cheerleaders!  I wrote a 6 page article on the history of IPL cheerleading for Wisden India.  And a 4-page cover feature on the Delhi Daredevils White Mischief girls I wrote was published in the…

Eat & Drink

Obsidian, Bangalore’s Posh Art Deco Sports Bar & Lounge

Don't miss Obsidian, the poshest art deco sports bar & lounge in Bangalore!  Located in the Mövenpick Hotel & Spa, you'll enjoy an atmospheric evening with live sports and signature cocktails.  I had a blast there with friends throwing back martinis and watching them smoke Cohibas!…

Bakeries & Cupcakes

Bite Me – Best Cupcakes on 100 Ft Road in Bangalore

Bite Me Cupcakes are sinful little eggless treats for the devil inside us all!  And according to the friendly and very clever owners Divya and Kingsly, they are 'Light, fluffy, moist and fresher than Lady Gaga's lyrics.’ As for me, at 3 cupcakes for Rs.…

Vlogs & Pics

[Gallery] Angela’s Expat Life – Friends & Fun in India

India is an amazing place to live, and Bangalore is home to an awful lot of good fun!  As an expat, it's a fabulous city because it's one of the easiest places to make friends with locals (something I know first-hand is unheard of in other…

Beauty & Spas

[VIDEO+REVIEW] Scent Salon & Spa – Lavelle Road in Bangalore

Join me for a quick walk-through of Scent Salon & Spa at their newest location on Lavelle Road in Bangalore which opened in July 2012. It is situated in the heart of Bangalore and it has been designed by the Italian-educated architect Wills Warruny who runs…

Beauty & Spas

[VIDEO] #1 Best Bangalore Spa – Jiva @ Vivanta by Taj Yeshwantpur

Whether you want to enjoy one of the Jiva Spa at Vivanta by Taj Yeshwantpur's many packages for a short escape or enjoy the ultimate in pampering and luxury and spend the weekend for Spa Weekend Getaway, you will find just what you desire at…

Beauty & Spas

[VIDEO] Escape Hotel & Spa in Indiranagar – Spa Tour

A day at the spa @ Escape Hotel & Spa is nothing short of rejuvenating! This charming spa, located in the heart of the city in Indiranagar on 100 Feet Road just above Body Shop and Guess and just one floor below Brick Lane Grill,…

Stay

[VIDEO] 5 Star Hotel Tour – Vivanta by Taj Yeshwantpur Spa Weekend in Bangalore

If you are looking for a weekend escape, one of the hottest spots in Bangalore to unwind and de-stress is the Vivanta by Taj Yeshwantpur. Their service and attention to detail is unparalleled and the spa is a haven away from the hustle and bustle! I…

Dining Out

[Video+Gallery] Karavalli Restaurant, Taj Gateway Hotel – Interview w/ Executive Chef Naren

Nothing is better than being swept away and absolutely surprised by a dining experience and I guarantee that's exactly what happened at Karavalli.  In fact, it wasn't just the dining experience that made me fall head over heels in love with this amazing restaurant but…

Stay

[VIDEO] Alila Bangalore Hotel – 5 Star Fabulousness in Whitefield

Located in Whitefield, the Alila Bangalore hotel is truly a little gold mine and from the first moment that I stepped out of the car and onto the property I started discovering its little treasures.  CHECK OUT the full REVIEW here!!! Tip for Bangaloreans If you live…

Mysore

[VIDEO] Mysore Windflower Spa Resort Hotel: Amazing, Charming

On your next trip, escape to the tranquil, lush beauty of the Windflower Resort in Mysore ... and indulge in their charming spa and exquisite treatments. What stands out most in the spa is the open architecture, with no door at the entrance and throughout…

Blog

Working for Guns N’ Roses: 3 Lessons I Learned Touring India With the Band

This month marks one year since the Guns N' Roses tour and looking back I realise that not only do I continue to feel humbled to have been chosen to handle the Tour's social media but that I am truly thankful for the experience because…

Shop

TaxiForSure Car & Driver Service for PERFECT Luxury Weekend Trips or For Safe Transportation in Bangalore and Around India

Taking a road trip in absolute comfort or pulling up to a cocktail party in a taxi that smells nice, has aircon and is nice and clean is a must! When it comes to traveling with my teenage daughter in India, safety definitely factors in…

Blog

Living in India Left a Mark on My Daughter That Will Never Go Away

By the time my daughter finished up the final term of her iGCSEs and enjoyed her summer break on the beach in Barcelona in 2011, the cats and I had been settled into life in Bangalore for over four months. The blog I started the…

Eat & Drink

Novotel Poolside or Indoor Dining Brunch REVIEW – Best Sunday Brunch in Bangalore Series

Nothing puts a smile on my face more when I step through the doors of a restaurant – especially when it’s Sunday Brunch time – as when a cute server is there, tray in hand, with a big smile, offering me a drink just for…

Blog

Crazy Tale of an Indian Man’s Attempt to Woo a White Woman

  Click here for the blog post all about what it feels like to fall in love with an Indian man .... and how that relationship is viewed by society: Reflections from a White Woman on Dating An Indian Man ********* I don’t know if…

Uncategorised

Palette Restaurant at Vivanta by Taj Yeshwantpur Serves Delicious and Diverse Cuisine

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Mysore

[VIDEO] Mysore’s Royal Orchid Metropole {Heritage} Hotel, Weekend Getaway for Foodies

The Royal Orchid Metropole Hotel in Mysore is somewhat of a heritage property, although not certified through Unesco.  For more than a century it has stood proud, reminiscent of days gone by when colonial British architecture was coveted and the Maharajas of the village reined…

Blog

Bangalore FRRO Guide: How To Register or Apply for a Visa Extension Using the New Appointment System

UPDATE 2013: Please be aware that you can no longer simply show up at the FRRO for service as they have implemented an online application and 'APPOINTMENT SCHEDULING' service that is required for literally everything, even when there is an emergency. You MUST complete the…

Blog

Bangalore’s Insane World of Food Blogging: or Why Some Amateur Food Critics Are Idiots

I feel quite honoured to have been included in an article about the rise in popularity of food blogging in the current issue of the national Indian business and financial magazine, Business Today. Along with the lovely writer Nandita Iyer of the amazing blog Saffron…

Blog

Angela’s Indian Visa Shuffle in the USA: Tips on How To Apply and Avoid Delays via BLS International

I'm back to my roots in California for the first time in 10 years, and out of India for the first time since 2011, all for the sake of my Indian employment visa. You see in India a foreign resident is not allowed to change…

Blog

Bangalore News Flash! White Women Are Stealing Indian Men!

I love those lyrics from Can You Feel It by The Jacksons when Michael sings “All the colors of the world should be, Lovin' each other wholeheartedly.”  Sure, you and I have our differences, but that’s what makes life interesting and fun and truly wonderful. …

Blog

Being A Dirty White Secret For An Indian Man {or why a white woman isn’t always free to date an Indian man}

I’ve been angry and upset about this topic more times than I can even count.  I suppose that this blog post – written after some martinis at 2am – is my way of gaining some closure in true blogger style to ensure that I end…

Beauty & Spas

Best Blonde Highlights: Scent Salon and Spa in Bangalore

Moving to a country like India is wonderful and exotic and fascinating … and a challenge for a white woman who is accustomed to having highlights and going to the tanning salon to avoid being pasty white! I discovered that there are zero tanning salons…

Blog

Finding Love in India, Thanks to My Blog …. at a Gallery Opening in Bangalore

Honestly, I never set out to create a blog that is now ranked the #1 ‘Bangalore Blog’ (I'm so humbled and proud to actually say that though!) but as of last month that is exactly what my little baby is.  Really, type it in, it’s #1…

Beer And Wine

Boozy Blog: Mixing Martinis with Black Dog Scotch

Just like jobs and men, my interest in alcohol has also changed over the years – and especially since moving to India.  When I lived in Mexico at the age of 20, tequila was my passion.  It actually stayed as my poison of choice for…

Health & Fitness

Working Out at the Best Gym in Bangalore @ Oakwood in UB City

It has been almost three weeks since I started working out at the gym in Oakwood Premier Prestige in UB City and I can’t believe that I hadn’t joined a gym until now. Honestly, it is having a massively huge effect on various areas of…

Eat & Drink

Brunch at Tower Kitchen in UB City is Healthy Elegance – Best Sunday Brunch in Bangalore Series

Walking away from Sunday Brunch feeling like I’ve eaten healthy isn’t something I really remember boasting about until now but that is exactly how I felt at The Tower Kitchen.  The modern and oh-so-cool ‘sister’ restaurant attached to Skyye Lounge opened last year on the…

Health & Fitness

Oakwood in UB City has the Best Gym in Bangalore – Review

I've really started packing on some weight recently. I could blame it on all the restaurant reviews and over eating "because I have to" but that's not the whole of it. On top of the eating is the copious amounts of wine with dinner and…

Blog

Reflections from a White Woman on Dating An Indian Man

If you are a regular reader of my blog I’m sure you will be happy to learn that in January – after about 18 months – I finally met a SINGLE smart, handsome Indian power guy (ahhhh the best kind!) who I basically fell head-over-heels…

Stay

Alila Bangalore: Best 5-Star Hotel Treasure In Whitefield

Located in Whitefield, the Alila Bangalore hotel is truly a little gold mine and from the first moment that I stepped out of the car and onto the property I started discovering its little treasures. [VIDEO] CLICK HERE to explore the property with Angela :-)…

Blog

So Tired Of Being GROPED By Indian Men

Every time that a man thinks he can touch me without permission, for his amusement, for “fun” … it astounds me.  First, I wonder what kind of depraved LOSER is the guy that needs to cop a feel of my body to get his jollies. …

Stay

Aloft Bangalore – Best Affordable Business Hotel in Whitefield

Until now I have abstained from reviewing 4 star hotels because of my website's dedication to review the best-of-the-best luxury brands in Bangalore. But that was before I learned that the wonderfully indulgent 5-star chain that I know and love so much from back home…

Eat & Drink

The Wonderful Debauchery of Sunday Brunch – Best Sunday Brunch in Bangalore Series

I’ve been crazy for Sunday Brunch in Bangalore since shortly after my arrival.  In fact, it was late last summer that I started reviewing them for my blog … dissecting everything about virtually every brunch in town and loving every minute of it.  At times…

Blog

Welcome To The {VIP} Jungle – Guns N’ Roses India Tour 2012 (Bangalore, Mumbai, Gurgaon)

I remember when Guns N’ Roses signed with Geffen Records and their debut album came out.  Well, in the spirit of full disclosure for me it wasn’t the album but a cassette tape but you know what I mean!  It was back when MTV only…

Beauty & Spas

SCENT SALON & SPA: Rs. 3,300 Gals Spa Mornings Are A Sensational Steal

Scent Salon & Spa on Lavelle Road has only been open a few months but it seems that every time I visit they have something new to tempt and delight their clients.  I first went to Scent because they are ‘blonde specialists’ and really know…

Blog

Adventures Of An Indian Wedding (or how Nick and Angela became Tamil Nadu celebrities) – part 2 of 2

Haven’t read part 1 yet? You really need to or you won’t know the characters in the tale I’m about to finish telling. …once again this is insanely long so please go grab a beer or some wine or tea first! The day of the…

Blog

Adventures Of An Indian Wedding (or how Nick and Angela became Tamil Nadu celebrities) – part 1 of 2

Barnaby, a blogger friend from New Zealand who was living in India until earlier this year, once wrote an article comparing being white in India to something akin to being a celebrity.  At that time I had only been living in Bangalore about seven or…

Eat & Drink

Shiro, Devilishly Delightful Sundays – Best Brunch In Bangalore Series

Some Bangalore brunches are perfect for quiet and lovely conversation with the love of your life, friends and family.  Others are busting at the seams with party spirit and feel more like a Saturday night instead of mid-day on Sunday.  And then there’s Shiro!  I…

Dining Out

Via Milano Koramangala – the Only 100% Pure Italian Restaurant in Bangalore

Until I moved to Bangalore I had never been in an Italian (or Japanese or Mexican) restaurant that also had an entire section of the menu dedicated to the cuisine from a second country.  In Europe, an Italian restaurant in Paris serves Italian food and…

Stay

Escape Hotel and Spa on 100 Feet Road in Indiranagar – Best Hotels of Bangalore Series

Located on 100 Feet Road in Indiranagar just above Body Shop, Guess and Sunny's and just below Brick Lane Grill located on the roof top, this charming boutique hotel has anything and everything required for a perfect stay to rejuvenate body and spirit, with a…

Dining Out

[VIDEO] Bangalore Oktoberfest is Awesome at Sheraton Brigade Gateway

Oh yeah fräulein, pour me a beer! It is Oktoberfest time and no one knows it or does it better in Bangalore than a German chef! My new favourite “should be a celebrity” Executive Chef Bela Rieck at Sheraton Bangalore in Brigade Gateway has created…

Stay

5 Star Hotel Vivanta by Taj Yeshwantpur is Amazing with My #1 Favourite Spa In Bangalore

We all want or need a Weekend Getaway sometimes.  Most often it is for wonderful reasons like an anniversary, love and romance or maybe it’s simply just holiday season.  Perhaps it’s time to celebrate a big win at work or a special birthday.  Or maybe…

Blog

Diary: I Can See The Light, But I’m Still In The Tunnel

The monsoon breeze is blowing and the rains are pouring down at our flat in Jaimahal and I’m inspired to do something I don’t normally do…write a short and honest ‘my diary’ post inspired by some things from my week. I don’t want to go…

Dining Out

On A Mushroom High @ Bene Restaurant, Sheraton Bangalore at Brigade Gateway

There is an amazing assortment of mushrooms and delicacies like aged balsamic vinegar and truffle oil on display that Executive Chef Bela Rieck (here with me) and his team have pulled together. While growing up in the 70s and 80s in southern California, imported international…

Beauty & Spas

Scent Salon & Spa: Upscale Bangalore Luxury, Even For Blonde Hair

If you have seen me in pics you should know that I am not the trendiest or most fashionably dressed lady on the planet. My clothes are never very adventurous and about the wildest side of me with respect to fashion are my accessories. And…

Dining Out

Brick Lane Grill Restaurant Sets The Most Romantic Table In Bangalore

Bangalore is home to some amazingly lovely tables in some truly fantastic restaurants.  In fact, the array of fine dining establishments with outdoor and rooftop seating is phenomenal here and certainly not what I was expecting when I moved to a city that lives through…

Eat & Drink

Skyye Lounge in UB City is the Height Of Bangalore Nightlife

I feel pretty darn lucky that my very first-ever night out in Bangalore was at the - highest - and most visually stunning venue in town.  It took place on a Saturday night, exactly 5 weeks after moving to Bangalore.  I had gone to UB…

Mysore

Royal Orchid Metropole 5 Star Hotel in Mysore is a Foodie’s Dream

Everyone should escape to Mysore for at least a day trip… or getaway and relax for a weekend of culture, delicious food and a bit of a boogie like I did!  Like most people who live in Bangalore I seem to road-trip it to Mysore…

Eat & Drink

Wine + Food + Theater = The Lalit Ashok’s Dinner Theatre Konnection

Since moving to Bangalore I can count the number of cultural events I’ve attended on … wait … no hands! I did have tickets for a play in Whitefield once but the traffic was so bad that when we finally arrived we had missed the…

Blog

My Photo Shoot Drama: Saved by Robert Naorem and Hemanth Narayana

(this post is really long...sorry!) My blog has been a part of my daily life since the first day I moved to India. But I've realized that I haven't been writing very much lately. According to a friend, this is a common affliction for bloggers…

Eat & Drink

Vivanta by Taj Yeshwantpur – Best Sunday Brunch in Bangalore Series

It’s been about six months since I’ve actually written about one of the delightful over-indulgent Sunday brunches that many of us know and love so darn much. However, last Sunday I was at the tail end of a much needed spa weekend, away to clear…

Beer And Wine

Exploring Indian Wine: A Boozy Lunch With Four Seasons’ Chief Wine Maker

It’s always damn fun when my little world in India opens up and someone new steps in to help me down the path to enlightenment. Not a path to enlightenment in the traditional sense of the word but in this instance down a grape lined…

Blog

Confessions From A Wedding Reception In India

Recently I went to a wedding reception in Mysore. An Indian friend of mine had just married his lovely Iranian bride and they invited hundreds of friends and family to celebrate. There were massive outdoor tents and romantic twinkle lights, men and women dressed in…

Blog

Bullies Come In All Shapes, Sizes and Nationalities

I’m cheesed off and have 3 stories to share! Something happened yesterday to a defenseless guy in the village I moved from in Spain that has me spitting a bit of fire.  Friends back home are trying to sort out the best next steps to…

Blog

My Day Judging Indians: Pantaloon’s Fresh Face Model Hunt 2012

It’s not an understatement to say that I have been asked some pretty random things since moving to India. From questions asked to me that I can’t write here by drunken men to questions that stem from the misconceptions of Americans to dozens upon dozens…

Blog

My Expat Story: One Year In Bangalore – Relationships

In April, 2012 I completed one year in India. Welcome to #2 in a series of articles recounting how life has really been for me in Bangalore. Article #1 was all about the work stuff. Article #2 sums up dating, relationships and being a single,…

Blog

Angela’s Top 5: Odd, Sweet and Hysterical Blog Comments & Mail

So it’s been just over a year since I’ve been writing Angela’s Adventure In Bangalore. I started it just for my friends and family so in the beginning I didn’t have an email address so readers could contact me or a Facebook page – because…

Blog

Is Inequality To Blame For Outrage Over Aishwarya Rai’s Post-Baby Body?

This is the first article on my blog completely unrelated to my experiences and life in Bangalore, I hope you will indulge me as I just can’t help myself.  Certain so-called “news” today has me a bit fired up. Now, in my opinion, I’ve been…

Blog

Do Cashiers Steal More From Foreigners?

I’ve written time again about how safe Bangalore is with respect to petty crime compared to my former home in Spain.  In Barcelona, all women adopt a certain way of holding their handbag to ensure no pickpocket attacks or from thieves who cut bag straps…

Blog

[Fiction] A White Woman and Indian Man Fall in Love. But Will It Last?

Welcome to my first stab at writing fiction. Although the subtext of the story is based on certain feelings and an experience of my own, the inspiration was my desire to try and change the stereotype of white women in India. My story is about…

Eat & Drink

IPL: Watch Cricket & Party Like A Rockstar in Bangalore Sports Bar

After living in Barcelona for the past decade and feeling the power of football (that's soccer for some of you) and seeing first-hand the amazing displays of pride by the FC Barcelona fans who are famous for taking to the streets in the hundreds of…

Blog

Behind The Velvet Ropes @ an RCB IPL After-Match Party at ITC Gardenia Hotel in Bangalore

I’m not proud to recount part of this tale.  To be honest it’s a bit embarrassing.  But in the spirit of transparency and full disclosure I’m going to retell my experience about how I made an ass of myself in front of a bunch of…

Eat & Drink

Vivanta by Taj Whitefield @ Latitue – Best Sunday Brunch in Bangalore Series

I am very lucky to have a great team working for me that make my day-to-day life at work truly wonderful and enjoyable – not to mention the fact that the work they produce makes us all look good time and again!  So when the…

Health & Fitness

Vikram Hospital is Perfect for Bangalore Expats, Great Doctors and Service

One interesting thing about Bangalore that I've seen time and again is that when someone in the family needs to visit the doctor that it's the husband's or son's duty to accompany them to and throughout the visit – regardless of whether they work or…

Eat & Drink

Leela Palace @ Citrus – Best Sunday Brunch in Bangalore Series

I am a huge fan of The Leela Palace Hotel in Bangalore.  Zen has my favourite Thai beef in town and Library Bar – both inside and out – is hand-on-my-heart tied for 1st as my favourite spot in town to simply sit down and…

Blog

Meeting Cricketers Anil Kumble, Chris Gayle and Actor Aditya Singh … and Having No Clue Who They Are!

Last weekend I was at a party and due to a misunderstanding I was involved in a bit of a ruckus.  Well, okay, to be perfectly honest I sort of started the ruckus because I thought someone was being mean to my friend and I…

Blog

The Burka Experience – Understanding the Women Behind the Scarves

From the time I was a kid until into my early 20s, there were moments when I spent more hours of the day in my bikini than dressed in clothes.  From L.A. to Puerto Vallarta to San Diego and Barcelona, my homes have always been…

Blog

White Lady In A Sari – How Work Mates Reacted to Me in Traditional Indian Clothes

"Angela, come with me, I want a photo," said one of the executives at work today. It was Sari & Kurta Day at work and I was dressed in a sand coloured sari with purple accents, my hair was pinned up and I was properly…

Eat & Drink

Taj West End @ Bon Appétit – Best Sunday Brunch in Bangalore Series

Although there are a few Taj properties in town to choose from, it wasn’t a tough decision to hit the Taj West End brunch first on my list.  I LOVE that place.  For me, Blue Ginger serves the best scallops in town, plus I just…

Blog

All About Bangalore Weather on Grey Winter’s Day…Goodbye 2011

"All the leaves are brown and the sky is grey." I was born in Los Angeles, California and whenever I hear the first words from The Mamas & The Papas classic hippie-movement song California Dreaming it always warms my heart just a bit. Yet today…

Blog

Holidays in India: My First Christmas Alone in Bangalore

This is the first year in AGES that I am spending Christmas without my daughter. Traditionally she and I head out on a 10 day adventure that spans the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. In recent years we have taken off to Tunisia, Marrakech and…

Dining Out

In Culinary Heaven @ Spiga Restaurant Bangalore

It’s been a while since a restaurant has swept me off my feet but I am definitely feeling woo’d by Spiga in Bangalore. To be honest, I had never heard of Spiga before a month ago. I think a big reason for that is because…

Eat & Drink

Poolside Brunch @ Lalit Ashok – Best Sunday Brunch in Bangalore Series

To be fair, this is not my first time writing about the Lalit Ashok hotel and I’ll bet it won’t be my last.  Over the past 6 months, I have come to love with a bit of insane passion – and no, not fetish love…

Blog

Dave Prager’s Delirious Delhi: Curious Book Launch Event

Although I can't prove it, I swear that the cosmic universe is listening to my heart and sending me clear signals that I'm supposed to write a book. It's something that I have been thinking about for a few years but in very broad terms.…

Eat & Drink

Christmas in Bangalore, Gingerbread Houses and Christmas Trees

In the states my family is really big on decorating at Christmas.  I think this is such a big deal for the whole family because it’s my Mom’s favourite holiday of the year and she will literally transform our home into a winter wonderland.  So…

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Bangalore Auto Rickshaw Survival Guide For Foreigners

Since moving to Bangalore in May, I have – hand on my heart – the most stress-free transportation situation! No more trains or commutes driving myself into work through stop and go traffic. I was so tempted to get in touch with a motorbike transport…

Eat & Drink

Olive Beach – Best Sunday Brunch in Bangalore Series

I had been hearing about Olive Beach for some time now so I was more than excited to finally be trying out their Sunday brunch.  I first visited their website about 2 months ago when I was researching popular chefs in town because I am…

Blog

Feeling Sorry For Myself

I don’t often write just about me.  In fact, this might be the third time now in the 6 months since I started this blog amongst the 90+ articles that I’ve written.  But I have a writer’s block of sorts.  Not that I can’t write…

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Miscommunication Dangers of Expat Life in India: No, I Was NOT A Stripper!

We all go through ups and downs in life...no one escapes them. There are periods when we earn more or less money. Times of adventure and youthful whimsy or times when we work long hours or are burdened with tons of responsibility. Moments when we…

Blog

Survival Guide: Transportation In India

Every country has its own little idiosyncrasies on the streets that make it special.  Differences with the people, with the infrastructure of the roads, and with fun things like our modes of transportation. One of my favourite countries in the world is Morocco.  I’ve only…

Blog

Indian Men And Flirting Online, Many Are in Hot Pursuit of White Women

If you follow my blog then you already know that I'm not in a relationship. I'm not big on dating at the moment and I am very straightforward about stopping a guy in his tracks when he starts to bust a move on me. When…

Blog

The Indian Sausage Fest, Always More Men Than Women at Nightlife Venues

I’ve been living in Bangalore now for close to five months and I’m still not really on board yet with the different sets of rules and standards that exist for men and women. Some things seem like quite a big deal. For example, it blows…

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Nightlife Dancing Ban? Eh Gov’nor! We Want to Dance in Bangalore!

The first time I saw a Bollywood war film I about died laughing.  It was fabulous and bloody and tragic for the first 30 minutes or so.  The film was a well-developed story line that was touching with well-shot war scenes.  Then all of a…

Eat & Drink

Love Shack, Bangalore’s Groovin’ Sunday Brunch

There is a tavern in London that has the most amazing afternoon parties.  My friends and I would go there whenever I visited, which for a while was close to every eight weeks.  For me, it was the most fun I ever had on Sundays.  …

Blog

Why Do So Many Indian Men Cheat?

There are so many preconceptions that I brought with me when I first moved to India. Either misconceptions garnered from Bollywood films, which it turns out, are not the best guide for sorting out what is normal everyday life and what's not! I really thought…

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Angela’s Guide: Instant Attraction…What Men Find Hot

I love men. My three closest friends are men. They are smart, sexy and fun as hell...sweet and loving and always there for me day or night. One is from Germany, another Australia and the third from the U.K., and oddly they all live in…

Blog

Bangalore’s Alcohol And Drug Culture

I've said it before and I'll say it again. I have been really pleasantly surprised about the nightlife here in Bangalore. Aside from the lack of high-end dance clubs, I mean. So far Coco Bongo is the only place in town where I've been able…

Eat & Drink

F Bar and Kitchen Bangalore Pre-Launch Party: Where Fashion Was King

Tonight is the grand opening of Bangalore’s fabulous new addition to the restaurant and club scene, F Bar and Kitchen.  Yet I was lucky to have my first decadent taste of “F” last night at the pre-launch party.  Let me tell you, it was quite…

Blog

Angela’s Guide: How to Successfully Approach a Woman

Gentlemen of India, are you tired of striking out time and time again when you approach a woman at a bar or a party? Well, I have a little secret to share with you: women are equally frustrated by being hit on in the most…

Blog

On the Bangalore Sugar Daddy and Indian Women Striving for Gender Equality

Today I was talking to a friend of mine about the Times of India article that was published this week about Indian women and bar culture. One of the messages was that Indian women go out to bars and clubs more and more now in…

Blog

Dating, Relationships, Marriage and Sex in Bangalore, India

Believe it or not, last week I went on my first date since December 2009. Every time I say that – or in this case, write it – it looks shocking to me but somehow it really doesn't bother me. Back home in Spain, I…

Blog

The Dark Side Of Bangalore Night Life and After-Party Scene

It hasn’t taken me long to learn that when the sun goes down, that’s when Bangalore really heats up. This isn’t Ibiza or Los Angeles but I have to admit that for such a conservative country like India that the nightlife has pleasantly surprised me.…

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My New Job: Cricket Public Relations Here I Come!

So if you actually know me or follow my blog then you know that I packed up my life and moved to Bangalore just over 2 months ago from Barcelona for a new job as a chief officer at a services company. I was so…

Blog

Shopping on Commercial Street in the Bangalore Rain Was Fun, Fun, Fun

People-watching is fun, fun, fun. My favorite places to people-watch are either at Heathrow (terminal 4) airport or back home in Spain (in Sitges) on Calle del Picado at the only cocktail bar in town called Pay Pay (pronounced more or less like Pie Pie…

Eat & Drink

Love Shack and Xtreme: Raining Men at Ladies’ Night in Bangalore

Everyone loves Ladies’ Night.  We women love it because we are treated special, don’t queue and we are gifted cocktail after cocktail throughout the night.  Fabulous!!  Men love it because the ratio of stunning ladies in the bar all of a sudden soars into double…

Blog

Indian Construction Standards and Bangalore Graffiti Street Art

Ahhh tonight's post is being written from a bar stool at Xtreme Sports Bar on 100 Feet Road as I wait for my mate Peter to join me for a drink and some dinner. Enrique Iglesias is belting out some sad song and my cosmopolitan…

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Lovely Richard’s Park in Bangalore is Romantic and Amazing for a Walk

Today was a highly stressful, painful and massively life changing day…for Jolie and Saffie, our cats.  I took both of them in to the vet at CUPA (www.cupabangalore.org) to be spayed.  This is something we have talked about doing for a while but finally decided…

Blog

Indian Chai Tea Drinking Culture Shows Love for Caffeine

After a week of eating dinner on the sofa at the new flat I have finally ventured out in Bangalore again, this time again with actual humans (I am just using my laptop for company at the moment). I have arrived a bit early so…

Blog

Indian Men Can Be Very Girly

In true macho style, I am writing to you tonight from the comfort of my own sofa, flat-out lounging with my laptop on my stomach (thank you 80s California elementary school system for teaching us girls how to type properly so we could grow up…

Chennai

My Road Trip Bangalore to Chennai, Blogging on Truck Stops, Indian Drivers and More

If you follow my little blog, you might remember that this past Tuesday was a big day for me. I moved into my new apartment in Bangalore and our cats Jolie and Saffron arrived from Barcelona -- into Chennai, not Bangalore. And based on the…

Chennai

Weekend Getaway to Chennai, India: Holy COW It Is HOT-HOT-HOT

I am sat in the back of my car taking advantage of the 45 minute drive from the airport to my hotel to write my blog.  Really hoping I don’t start to feel car sick from this and have to stop. So, wow, what a…

Blog

First Thoughts on Arranged Marriages and Indian Wedding Customs

Sorry but I am starting off with me, right now, as I am sat here in my hotel TRYING to enjoy what I thought was going to be a light dinner.  Everything here is new to me.  Literally everything.  And on the nights I don't…

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My Quest To Go Native In Bangalore: Saree Shopping & The Spicy Indian Food Challenge

I am once again happily sat at Roomalli With A View, taking in the lovely sights and the toot-toot-beep-beep sounds of the city below the restaurant on 100 Feet Road. I love this little spot, plan to take my daughter here when she arrives. Nope,…

Blog

FRRO: Visit 6 Desks + 4.5 Hours = Angela Is Legal Resident of Bangalore, India

Indian efficiency.  Is it something to poke fun at like the inefficiency of the American judicial system?  Or something to write home to mama about?  If we are connected on either LinkedIn, Twitter or Facebook you will have read a status update or two by…

Blog

BLEEP me? No, BLEEP You!! Films and DVDs Censored In India Cinemas and TV

We've been having some pretty fantastic rain here lately, starting around 17:00 each day and lasting several hours, knocking out the electricity and cable here at the hotel at least 3-4 times per night. So yesterday when I turned on Superbad -- a Hollywood comedy…

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About Moving to India from Spain, Musing from Costa Coffee

My friends, the topic for today is tastes and an intro to sounds, starting with where I am sat now…at my very first visit to a Costa Coffee since I have arrived on Indian soil. I know everyone in Europe will know what Costa Coffee is…

Blog

Working In Bangalore: Don’t Confuse Indian Prasad For A Snack

Today I made a pretty big ass of myself at the office in front of my colleagues. I am not sure if I have already mentioned this really cool standard practice here but there really are guys in my office who bring around tea and water to all…

Blog

I’m Moving my Daughter and Cats and Our Life to Bangalore, India

I am writing my first-ever blog post from a hotel room in Bangalore, having arrived only earlier today ready to start living this new adventure of my life. Things have moved quite quickly since I applied online for my new job through LinkedIn.com.  In fact,…