Have you seen those adorable viral videos of Providenciales (the puppy island) in Turks and Caicos, or the Yoyogi dog park in the Shibuya area of Japan? Well, it’s now time to lay out the welcome mat for our own exclusive doggie retreat. The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation’s Dog Park in the booming development epicentre of Gachibowli, Hyderabad, is all set to open its doors for you and your furry friends. And it’s not your typical dog park where you take your best buddy for a quick poop and a gander.

An aerial view of the GHMC Dog Park in Gachibowli Hyderabad   | Photo Credit: Nagara Gopal

The mastermind whom we can all thank for this initiative is Harichandana Dasari, IAS, GHMC Zonal Commissioner and a self-proclaimed dog lover. The zesty 33-year-old says the project came to fruition when, about a year-and-a-half ago, a couple of people tweeted to KT Rama Rao, Minister for Municipal Administration and Urban Development and Brand Hyderabad, that they couldn’t walk their dogs on the streets due to lack of proper footpaths and severe encroachment in certain areas.

Following up on this mission, Harichandana explains, “During my recce of the city, I received some complaints about an old park that had become a dumping ground because of the carelessness of a few construction companies. The location was good and we started by clearing the dump yard; in fact, about half of the total cost of ₹1.1 crore went into the clearing process.” While an inauguration date hasn’t been cemented yet, the city can expect the park to be opened within a week to 10 days, according to Harichandana.

Some of the playful apparatus at GHMC Dog Park in Gachibowli, Hyderabad   | Photo Credit: Nagara Gopal

Facilities galore

Arundati Rao, whose Golden retriever Sage is well-socialised, is extremely excited to gallop around the turf and make use of most of the facilities on hand. The bone-shaped park covered in paw-friendly artificial grass turf features a walking track, a still-to-be-completed eatery, a Loo Café, ramps, two splash puddles in the shape of paws, hoop-jumps, weave posts and other fun obstacle courses. The equipment was sourced from Commando Kennels in Kompally, Hyderabad. Plus, there’s a separate area for smaller dogs, and the whole park is vibrantly painted with dog-related artwork along the inside walls.

Some of the playful apparatus at GHMC Dog Park in Gachibowli, Hyderabad   | Photo Credit: Nagara Gopal

“Hyderabad needs a place like the Dog Park, and this area of Gachibowli in particular is thriving with such facilities,” says Arundati, “Taking Sage for walks, and to the many pet-friendly eateries like Café De Loco, Hummingbird Café and Autumn Leaf Cafe is great, but keeping your dog exercised and changing their scenery is really important. These places also change people’s relationships with their dogs for the better.” Pet owners like Arundati will be expected to pay ₹10 per pet for entry and can make full use of the facilities, rest assured everything on the premises has been greenlighted and certified by Kennel Club of India.

Dr Abdul Wakeel, a veterinary doctor who has also worked arduously on the development of the dog park, says he’s looking forward to the inauguration largely because he sees the city as a dog-friendly capital. He adds, “We have plans to open more parks in other areas, like Secunderabad. This will make it easier for dog lovers across town to have their own place to hang out.”

Harichandana continues, “We’ve been flooded with requests from dog owners in the city asking for dog parks in their localities, and even from cities like Chennai.” Creating parks and other purposeful recreational spaces can help prevent misuse of available land, she adds.

The GHMC wants to work closely with dogs and pet-parents to engender a lifestyle beneficial for both humans and canines. Dr Abdul is particularly happy that the park will have occasional vaccination drives; he points out that vaccination is mandatory for dogs that visit the park. Harichandana looks forward to making the most of the amphitheatre by screening animal films and is also delighted about setting up a café (yet to be completed) with menus in Braille for total accessibility.

Perhaps, you can now call Hyderabad the City of Pearls and Paws.

Whether you are in Bali for its verdant rice terraces, monster waves or rollicking nightlife, you have to take a moment to celebrate its kaleidoscopic sunsets. While it is true that a beautiful sunset can be found no matter where you are in the world, the ones in Bali come with a dash of magic.

One of the most popular sunset destinations on the tiny island in the Indonesian archipelago is Tanah Lot, the temple of Varuna (the sea god), set amongst the thundering horses of the sea. It was here that I had a moment of peace and clarity while watching the sky turn pastel hues of dusky rose and dark lilac, as the sun began its daily descent. The ancient Hindu shrine is perched on top of an outcrop that’s only accessible during low tide. The rocky causeway and the cave at the base of the temple are home to the legendary ‘guardian’ sea snakes that live around the Tirta Pabersihan fountain, a natural spout of fresh ‘holy’ water.

There’s something familiar about a priest, dressed in all white, sprinkling water over me and handing me a fragrant frangipani as a blessing, and yet, the setting is exotic enough for me to be enchanted. As pinks merge into purple in the sky, the area around the temple is overrun with tourists. Leaving the crowd behind, I climb the cliff overlooking the temple. I walk past stalls, selling everything from art and batik dresses to weasel coffee, to the cliff-top restaurants. With an XXL-sized tender coconut, I take in the unparalleled view of the tiered pagodas of the sea temple, framed by the dramatic sunset. There is a moment just before the evening light fades away when Tanah Lot resembles a life-sized floating bonsai garden.

Bali is the only Hindu island in the predominantly Muslim country of over 17,000 islands. With more temples per square kilometre than any other place in the world, it has earned the moniker ‘Island of a Thousand Temples’. But more than temples, Bali has boomed as the leading destination for sun worshippers, scuba enthusiasts and surfers. Think cool ocean breeze, salty hair and sun-kissed skin. Whether your idea of the perfect beach life includes sunset cocktails, postcard-perfect hidden bays, world-class surfing or a never-ending line-up of watersports, Bali is blessed with the most versatile beaches.

At the heart of Bali’s ocean-front action is Seminyak beach. The five-kilometre stretch of powdery white sand is dotted with bars, restaurants and shopping, just footsteps from the waves. On the southern coast, Gunung Payung and Melasti beach are epitomes of hidden tropical paradises, with calm cove-like waters rolling off a bright white bay, framed by dramatic rock formations and not a soul in sight.

If you are in the mood for love, head to beaches like Jimbaran and Karma, where restaurants serve sunset dinners on the sand and night-time films are shown under the stars. There’s also Padang Padang Beach, where Julia Robert’s character falls head over heels for her Brazilian hunk (played by Javier Bardem) in Eat, Pray, Love. Nusa Dua’s impeccably clean beachfront and calm waters are perfect for a family day out. There’s enough watersports, family restaurants and even a shopping complex to keep everyone happy.

Rice fields

For a change of pace, I head inland towards the cultural heart of Bali — Ubud. The undulating hills in the region are alive with art, yoga, meditation, healing, adventure and world-class food. Not to mention the sacred Ayung River, which is known for its good vibes and healing properties. I was spoilt for choice when it came to things to do. My pick — start the day with a trek up Mount Batur, stretch and exhale at The Yoga Barn, buy souvenirs at the Ubud Art Market and take a cycle ride around the lush Tegalalang rice fields just before sunset.