"We checked almost 30-40 exotic destinations in different countries, read about what the places were good for, and then imagined ourselves in almost every place, before narrowing down on Italy," they smile at each other. For this couple, Italy will mean hill town strolls, cappuccino bars and places like Florence, Rome, and Venice, which can be tagged as citadels of romance. From romantic alleys to clean and splendid South pacific islands of Fiji. Diljot and Harkaran Bains from Ludhiana talk about their 'one helluva stay in Fiji.' "My sister gifted us the honeymoon package, and we must say it a honeymooner's delight," says Diljot. "One, it is not overcrowded; two it is as exotic as it can get and last but the least, it is so close to nature at its best; something that both of us like." Santiago, Chile, Hawaii, Indonesia, Switzerland and Spain, especially after the movie Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, are popular destinations.

Pick and choose

Incapable of solving puzzles, we, however, ensure that married couples can never go wrong in choosing honeymoon destinations. To make the selection even better, here is what you can take note of — Puneet, who runs Travelopod.com in Chandigarh, has a special section that creates customised holiday packages.

"The trend of picking a honeymoon destination abroad, over India, remains. Couples plan extensively for this travel and they want to be sure that they spend the most amazing time together." He lists certain valid points — First of all, budget your travel. You wouldn't know when your budget is flared on a trip abroad. Second, while zeroing-on the destination, look up the time and month of the season. Thirdly, choose your destination as per your interest. If you are the adventure kinds, then you wouldn't spill over the mush of France.

Usually unusual

If the usual spots are not your pick, you can look at destinations that would be different and interesting. Charu Mehndiratta, who runs Dream Come True, a portal for wedding planning, had suggested some unusual places to her clients, which were picked up readily. "African safari, climbing the Alps, deluxe luxury desert camps and rain forests of Costa Rica are some of the places that I would suggest. The couple should unanimously agree; you don't want a fight during those beautiful days."

jasmine@tribunemail.com

A different platter
Jasmine Singh

The craze for sea-food is slowly but surely picking up in the region with food joints offering an assortment of dishes

Where to go

Yo China in Sector-8 lays out a variety of sea food, which has been introduced in their menu. Lobsters, Prawn King and all kinds of fish made in different curries are among the most sought-after dishes.

“Buddhas lobster feat with choice of sauce (malha, zing zing, and garlic butter), king prawn rolled in bacon with chilli coriander dip, smoked chilli king prawn, king prawn salt and pepper, king prawn singtu, fish thendu with tender asparagus are some of the assortments in sea food,” says Preeti Keith, executive director, Yo China.

Another place where you can dig into a variety of sea food is Mainland China, Sector-26. Butter pepper garlic crabs, lobsters, Bombay duck, prawns koliwada; special fish like Malabari fish, Malabari curry, Malabari lobsters are a hot favourite with people. And if you thought ‘fish’ is the only accepted sea food, here’s what Manish Goyal, director Mainland China, has to say, “People like crabs; lobsters are also fairly popular. People these days travel a lot, so they know quite a bit about sea-food and they have a well-defined taste for it as well. Surmai and the sea-water fish would anyways be popular with Punjabis.”

Well, if we are talking about Punjabis and their tastes, experimentation is not the word. Executive chef Pallav Singhal from JW Marriott seconds the opinion.

“People in the North are not very adventurous about sea food. At our hotel, other than fish we also have on our menu Octopus, scallops, Tiger prawns, mud crabs, soft shell crabs that are virtually eaten complete. Even when we serve them, not everyone likes the taste and texture.”

Die-hard fans

And then there is a category of foodies who do not wait for the winter season to enjoy a fish or probably a crab. Die-hard sea food fans swear by every single morsel and dig into it!

Amanpreet Sandhu, a businessman who travels abroad pretty regularly, rates lobsters in sauce as the most delectable dish ever invented.

“I am glad Chandigarh has enough restaurants and hotels that serve sea food that is not limited to fish or prawn pakora. It is nice to see menus giving a dedicated place to sea food.” Sunny Brar, a television actor who featured in ‘Roadies’, is yet another sea-food fan.

“Earlier, I use to wait for New Year evening to enjoy sea food, but now you can find it everywhere. Another interesting thing is that people understand sea-food and have developed a taste for it.”

jasmine@tribunemail.com

Millionaire dreams

History has been made and Kaun Banega Crorepati has finally got there winner who won 5 crore. Twenty eight-year-old Sushil Kumar hails from Bihar and is a computer operator and a part-time tutor. He earns Rs 6000 per month salary and gives credit of his success to his newly-wed wife who he believes brought him luck. Here's what he has to say about his victory.

What was your reaction when you heard Amitabh Bachchan say that you won Rs 5 crore?

At first, I didn't react. The next minute I just shouted and then I went blank because I didn't know what had happened and what was happening? Rs 5 crore is not a small amount at all.

Did your family know about it? What was their reaction?

After watching TV, everyone has found out that I won the cash prize. And everyone is calling me and there is a celebration in my house. But my wife is here with me to celebrate. I heard people who never used to speak to us are also now coming home and talking. Money changes everything.

How are people in Mumbai treating you?

It's like a dream come true. Whenever I step out, everyone smiles at me and whichever newspaper I pick up I see my photo. It's like dream come true.

Was this your first time in KBC?

No, I tried last year but this year, I got a call. And I think everything was decided by God. This year my luck favored me and I won Rs 5 crores.

Do you watch KBC regularly?

When KBC started, we didn't have TV, so I used to watch it in my neighbour’s house. I think since past 11 years I have been watching this show and everytime I used to think, I wish I could go and win some money, because this is the only way of earning so much money in one day. But I never expected that my dream will come true so easily.

How was your experience in KBC?

When I got a call I thought -Chalo Amitabh Bachchan ko pass se dekh lunga. I never even imagined to win on fastest finger round. When I was selected in fastest finger, I touched Amitabh Bachchan's feet, as I wanted to see whether it's true or not. And sitting on the hot seat was really a memorable moment because I was totally confused initially but Bachchanji made me comfortable and we started playing the game. When I reached 25 lakhs, I hugged him because this was a big deal to sit opposite to a star like Amitabh Bachchan. Then life had some other surprises for me.

What will you do with the money?

I have some loans which we will clear, then I will build a house and I want to open a school. As for the rest, I will save for my future.

Tell us something about Sushil Kumar?

I was always a good student in school and college. I have done a Masters in psychology and I want to become IAS officer because I didn't have money. After completing my studies, I got a job with minimum salary, now I have money, so I will take an IAS exams as that was my dream.

What memories will you take back home?

Meeting Amitabh Bachchan. You know when the last question was asked, I knew the answer but I had two lifelines saved so I used them. When Amitji announced that I won such a big amount that was the most memorable moment for me. — HRM

They hate to be hated

Exit time

This week in Star Plus' hit show Saath Nibhana Saathiya, Rashi (Rucha Hasabnis) will finally get her due. Everyone will find out about her truth and lies and will give her their piece of mind. Kokila (Rupal Patel) and Hetal (Swati Shah) will throw Rashi out of the Modi house. Perhaps Rashi realised her folly and didn't want to go but her pleas fell on deaf ears. Later, Kinjal (Firoza Khan) too will return to Modi house as per Rashi's mother Urmila's (Vandana Vithlani) plan.

Bad guy wants bigg money

Twisted Sasural

Glee goes Indian

With Hollywood looking east, get set for a Bollywood touch in the hit musical show Glee. Soon there will be an Indian character introduced on the show-perhaps a girl who will get the group singing and grooving to Bollywood dance numbers.

The year ahead
Madan Gupta Spatu

If your birthday is November 6...

A tip for you on your birthday-remember that interpersonal walls are created by mutual consent, so open your heart to invite in those with whom you want to share your life.

The number six is a loving, stable, and has a harmonious vibration. Ruled by Venus, you will be compassionate, stable, family-loving, trustworthy and domesticated. If expressed negatively you will be superficial, jealous, possessive and unwilling to change. As lovers, those born under the number six have a dislike of discord and will generally work hard at keeping the peace.

You may not want to talk about your emotions. But your need to be alone doesn't include your very best friends or lover, since you long for the deep emotional connections that can break through your current isolation. This is a very powerful time for pushing your romantic agenda forward. The key to success is in understanding your desires and being able to express them without making others feel uncomfortable or guilty. An alluring invitation to enter into your world of pleasure just might be irresistible to the right playmate. Get inputs from multiple sources at the outset of 2012. Be attuned to your automatic, preconditioned reaction to change starting January. You'll be given a new responsibility and will complete it successfully. This will lead to praise and thanks. A good opportunity could occur for the young looking for a job, which, albeit not in their specialisation, is very attractive. Do not try to juggle when you have your hands so full! Move quickly but very carefully along the slippery slope! Your success depends on your focus and energy. Do not be afraid to break a date if an important opportunity arises. Family will expect beyond your purse. You should make new plans for buying a house flat or land only after careful analysis of the present circumstances. Avenues of needless spending are likely to crop up. Hence you should make efforts to rein in your expenditure. 2012 is favourable for enjoying good health most of the time. Mood: Anxious to .shine' Compatible signs: Capricorn and Gemini. Lucky colours: Dark orchid, Brown. Lucky days: Friday and Sunday. Lucky numbers: 8, 14, 21, 29, 36. Lucky flower: Marigold. Lucky gem: Emerald.

Ethan Green Hawke (November 6, 1970) is an American actor, writer and director. He made his feature film debut in 1985 with the science fiction movie Explorers, before making a supporting appearance in the 1989 drama Dead Poets Society which is considered his breakthrough role. He then appeared in such films as White Fang (1991), A Midnight Clear (1992), and Alive (1993) before taking a role in the 1994 Generation X drama Reality Bites, for which he gained critical acclaim. In 1995, he starred in the romantic drama Before Sunrise, and later in the 2004 sequel Before Sunset.

Touch me not
A third of women dislike cuddling

Believe it or not — a third of women actually dislike cuddles, shredding the popular stereotype that they are the ones demanding it.

It is the men who are really fond of hugging, while one out of three women who can't stand it force themselves into doing it, to avoid annoying their partner, reveals a new study. Fifty five per cent of women usually allow their menfolk briefest of hugs before rolling over to go to sleep. Another half admit they don't like cuddling in bed because when they finally retire, they just want to go to sleep.

One in five say they don't like prolonged physical contact with their partner in bed, claiming that it makes them hot and uncomfortable.

A third of women give night-time cuddles twice a week or less. And more than one in 20 admit they 'hardly ever' cuddle their partner. Close to one in 10 women admit they'd rather be checking Facebook in bed than cuddling their partner. Some 36 per cent of British males say getting too few night-time cuddles has led to bedroom rows, compared to just 26 per cent of women who say the same.

As for those affection-starved men — they are more likely to cuddle their partner all night long — 22 per cent of men admit to this compared to just 18 per cent of women. — IANS

Road Rage
Enter the big world
Mukesh Kharbanda

Just a few years ago, we all were mesmerised by the refreshing feel of "My Daddy's Big Car" campaign by Maruti Esteem. Owning a sedan was a luxury, a status symbol in those days.

Times have surely changed and sphere of sedan ownership is increasing with each passing day. Automobile giants have made it possible for even the bourgeois to have the big car feel and realise the dreams that fit their pockets. Entry level sedan category has flourished and has gathered a huge market share for itself in quick succession.

With every major automobile company exploring the segment, consumers have been bestowed with a lot of choice. The price range from Rs 5.5-6.5 lakh which offers the consumers a whole lot of options to fulfill their dream of owning a big car - Ford Fiesta Classic, Maruti Swift Dezire, Hyundai Accent and Chevrolet Aveo being the most popular wheels.

Although, Aveo and Accent have formed a niche for themselves in the segment, still the two major players with their marked presence and sustained growth in the entry level sedan segment are Desire and Fiesta Classic.

Desire has created a buzz since the day it was launched and has been accepted by the Indian Buyers with the Suzuki smile. On the other hand, Fiesta boasts of a proud and loyal customer base of over 1,00,000 customers. Even though Desire takes its Swift success forward and is known for a smooth drive with dependable engine, but still re-invented Fiesta Classic does take an edge over it with all new aesthetic interiors, the best-in-class fuel efficiency and that Classic feel factor.

The elegant Fiesta Classic got a refreshingly classy new interior with Ebony and Jasper blue coloured instrument panel, a new centre and floor console finished in graphic metallic, new seats with soft feel fabric and enhanced dual-tone door trims that undoubtedly beat the competition in the segment, making it a perfect value for money.

Both the cars come around the same price range and offer satisfaction to the customers. However, thrilling performance and fuel efficiency are signature attributes of the Fiesta Classic, which have led to Fiesta being ranked highest by TNS for Customer Satisfaction in the `Midsize Segment', in their latest Automotive 2010 India Total Customer Satisfaction (TCS) study.

Making the competition fiercer, apart from the established cars in the segment, new entrants include Toyota Etios, Nissan Sunny and soon to be launched Skoda Rapid. With companies realising the importance of this segment, more variants and launches are bound to happen making it more difficult for you to opt for the best buy. So, with a lot to offer and to make you realise your dream, your big car awaits you!

(Kharbanda is a Chandigarh-based auto expert)

Tweetie pie

Nikhil Chinapa

@nikhilchinapa
'love' how The Park Hotel Bangalore pampers me. :) And their sense of design aesthetic is so #win twitpic.com/7b0i61

(Complied by Vasudha Gupta)

Not so prim and propah!
Britons think kids behave like animals

British society holds a negative view towards children, and thinks children have started behaving like animals, says a research by a children's charity.

The survey by Barnardo's found that almost half of Britons think children are violent, BBC reported.

Of the more than 2,000 people questioned, 44 per cent said young people were becoming "feral".

Barnardo's chief executive Anne Marie Carrie said it was "depressing" so many people were "ready to give up" on children.

The survey revealed that 49 per cent adults said children were beginning to behave like animals. Almost 47 per cent thought youngsters were angry, violent and abusive.

The charity said young people who end up in custody come from "difficult backgrounds", and in order to prevent trouble, society first had to deal with their problems.

Barnardo's volunteer project worker Natasha Cripps said the word "feral" indicated a complete desertion of young people.

"To call them 'feral' means 'right, that's it, I've given up' and I don't think you can ever give up on children. It's a real shame people are so dismissive of them now, and to use that word feral, it's really quite scary," she told BBC Radio 5.

"So many young people do positive things but they're not advertised because we live in a society where we do look at the negative side of things in every walk of life," Cripps said. — IANS

Green thumb
What a pest!
Satish Narula

Insects came on this earth many thousands years before the human race did. Today, they are an integral part of our life and there is strange co-existence—they live within our own body system, in the immediate environs of home indoors and in the outer garden. This has also made their existence prone to onslaught from the human being prompting them to create camouflage devices to escape. One such insect is the Leaf minor.

The insect leaf minor is so named as it makes zig-zag ‘mines’ on the upper or the lower side of the leaves. It is the nymph stage of the insect that causes the most damage to the crop that it invades. The young ones feed under a silvery parchment like covering, is hardly visible and seems to be stationary at one the end of the mine. It keeps feeding on the leaf green, sucking its sap under its protecting covering. Due to the loss of the tissue, there is crumbling of the leaves which also become prone to attack by citrus canker in case of citrus species plants like lemon, grapefruit, sweet orange etc. The immunity to camouflage has been provided to it by the nature to escape any kind of insect and human attack. Even ordinary plant protection measure wherein contact insecticides are used, fail as the insect lives under the protective covering. It is only by the use of the insecticides that go into the system of the plant that this insect can be controlled. It is the advised to spray Rogor 30 EC @ 2.5 ml or metasystox 25 EC @ 2 ml, dissolved in one litre of water.

This insect has palate for a wide range of flora like peas, cinearia, citrus species plants like lemon, grapefruit etc., dahlia, vegetables of cucurbitacious family like kaddu, tori, khira and tar.

Similar is the case with rose red scale. It also lives under a protective reddish covering. Thousands of the insects adhere to the stem of rose plant and give an appearance of postules. If you have a few plants then you can rub these off using a used toothbrush dipped in Rogor solution, made by dissolving 2 ml of the chemical in one litre of water. In case of more number of plants, you can add thimet 10-G granules at the rate of 20 gm per bush. Mix the granules with the upper soil surface and give water. Make sure that you do not touch the granules with bare hands.

(Narula is a Chandigarh-based horticulturist)

A spicy journey

Flavours of India: The Kebab & Curry fest has something to offer for everyone

It's a celebration of the delightful, robust and colourful spirit of traditional Indian spices at the opening of ten-day-long Kebab & Curries Food Festival at Best Western Maryland in Zirakpur.

This fest offers a wide selection of kebabs and a never-before 'spice' experience in a rich range of curries. All spices have been hand-picked and sourced from their place of origin to ensure specific aroma and flavour.

Chefs from different regions have been picked up from Best Western properties to lend it an authentic touch. Team of Executive super chef Sushil, master chef Chandra and their team have prepared delicacies from different regions.

Take a pick from dahakte jhinge, nawabi murg, zaqand-e-kebabi, singri ke khumb, kurkuri kaju tukdi and bhutta palak kebab. The main course includes curries from different regions and includes specialties like Goan prawn curry, mutton Patiala sahi, gosht yakhani and murg Wazid Ali.

Vegetarians can dig in faldhari kofta, nizam tarkari and awadhi moong dal. Also, assorted breads offer much variety.

"Right after this, we are planning to organise a series of food festivals in the near future which includes a health food festival, international cuisine festivals (Thai, French, Italian, Chinese) as well as regional food festivals like Peshawari, Hyderabaadi, Kolhapuri and Kashmiri, later this year," says Munish Aggarwal, managing director, Best Western.

— TNS

(On till November 13)

Time to face reality
A million kids worldwide addicted to Facebook

Nearly one million children across the world aged 7-12 have become addicted to social networking website Facebook and log in at least once a day, says a survey.

Around 970,000 children are regulars on the site, and have made it an integral part of their daily lives.

At least 46 per cent say they use the site occasionally. The report by analysts Mintel shows everyday usage of Facebook is most common among girls aged 10 to 12 — with 54 percent of them logging in.

The next most popular social networks are Twitter and Club Penguin, but the frequency of visits is much lower, with less than 10 per cent of children using them.

Experts say peer pressure is the "key motivation" for using a particular social network. Nearly two-thirds of seven to 12-year-olds use a social networking website because their friends do. The research also revealed children spend three hours and five minutes a day watching TV. — IANS

Vidya goes Ooh La La!

Actress Vidya Balan bowled over everyone when she gyrated to Ooh La La, a hit song from her upcoming movie The Dirty Picture at its music launch. Clad in a revealing outfit, Vidya, dressed in her character (of Silk Smitha) from the much-awaited film, mesmerised everyone by shaking a leg on the song.

Also, it was for the first time that the 33-year-old actress performed 'live' on stage to the item number sung by playback singers -- Shreya Ghoshal and Bappi Lahiri.

"With the way people have accepted and liked the music, I hope they also like the film. I had never thought I would get to perform on Bappi Da's song. I am happy to be a part of this film and do this performance," Vidya told reporters. Vidya portrays the 80's Southern sex symbol Vijaylaxmi in the movie, for which she has undergone a major makeover. Her co-stars Emraan Hashmi, Naseeruddin Shah and Tusshar Kapoor also performed at the music launch along with Bappi and Ghoshal. "I hope the film creates history," Hashmi said. — PTI

Hepburn’s Oscar dress for sale

British actress Audrey Hepburn’s iconic dress which she wore on the red carpet of Oscar for 1952’s Roman Holiday has been put up for auction.

The lace gown, adapted from a version designed by Edith Head is expected to fetch up to 60,000 pounds when it goes under the hammer later this month.

The ivory full-skirted dress, also known as Hepburn’s lucky garment, was originally given to the late star’s mother, Ella van Heemstra, who later gave it to a family friend living in the US. However, the gown had been stashed away at the bottom of a wardrobe until they recently decided to sell it.

The sale will take place November 29 at La Galleria in London’s Pall Mall. — IANS

Brush with fame

Singer-actress Selena Gomez says showbiz fame can be overwhelming, as she has seen her friends struggle with the spotlight. The 19-year-old, who is currently dating pop star Justin Bieber, insists it hasn't been so easy for her famous friends, who include Demi Lovato, to cope up with fame, reported a magazine.

"Obviously it's an overwhelming business, especially for those of us who have been in it since we were very young and have grown up with it. But you just have to make sure you have good friends around you and your family there to support you.

It's important to have that support system around you to help you cope," Gomez said. The singer also said she likes to hang with friends who can take her away from her showbiz lifestyle. "It's nice to have people your own age that are in the business who know what you're going through and who can help you and who understand what it's like. But equally it's quite nice to have other friends who aren't in the business and can just take you away from it," Gomez added. — PTI

I am terrible at doing my own make-up: Gwyneth Paltrow

Actress Gwyneth Paltrow says she is terrible when it comes to applying make up and getting dolled up. The 39-year-old, who has children Apple, seven and Moses, five, with Coldplay singer Chris Martin said she is good at making sure others look great, but is never certain how to apply it to herself, reported a magazine.

"Believe it or not, I am terrible at doing my own make-up. I'm decent at doing it for a friend, but when it comes to my own face, I never get it right," Paltrow said.

The actress, who is the face of Estee Lauder's Pleasures perfume, has previously said the only thing she needs to look her best is a good night of sleep. "For me, sleep is a major thing. I don't always get it, and when I don't, I look like I've been hit by a truck," she added. — PTI

Strip tease

Troubled actress Lindsay Lohan's mother Dina says she fully supports her daughter's decision to strip off for Playboy magazine, insisting the nude shots will be tasteful. The 25-year-old shed her clothes to pose for the raunchy publication and reportedly received USD 1 million for the photo shoot, reported a website. "It was an opportunity for her... She's 25 years old now, so it was her ultimate decision... It will be tastefully done. I've seen the photos.

She's really great in front of the camera. She's been working in front of the camera with Ford Models since she was a little girl so she kind of knows how to work that," Dina said. Lohan was recently sentenced to 30 days in jail for violating her probation, which will be reduced to one day because of overcrowding in jail.

— PTI

So far, so good

Hollywood star Reese Witherspoon has given up her $ 3,280 Chloe python bag after being slammed by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). The 35-year-old actress was sent a video by PETA that highlighted the cruel methods used in the exotic-skins industry, reported a magazine.

"We've long known Reese to be a kind person, so we're pleased and not surprised that she is hanging up her python bag for good," said PETA. PETA later sent Witherspoon flowers after she vowed never to carry the purse again. — PTI

Giving up for good

Hollywood star Reese Witherspoon has given up her USD 3,280 Chloe python bag after being slammed by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). The 35-year-old actress was sent a video by PETA that highlighted the cruel methods used in the exotic-skins industry, reported a magazine.

"We've long known Reese to be a kind person, so we're pleased and not surprised that she is hanging up her python bag," said PETA. PETA later sent her flowers after she vowed never to carry the purse again. — PTI

Ready, steady, go!

Singer-actress Jennifer Lopez is reportedly set to star in the film, an adaptation of educational computer game Where In The World Is Carmen Sandiego? The 42-year-old will produce and take on the lead role of ACME detective agency worker Carmen Sandiego who becomes the world's greatest thief, reported a website.

Lopez, who took a three year break from films before making The Back-Up Plan last year, will also be seen in another film Parker opposite Jason Statham, playing a criminal yet again.

The film sees Statham play a thief who lives by his own code of honour - including never taking money from those who need it, but will kill when necessary. Describing Lopez's role in the film, director Taylor Hackford said, "She plays a real estate agent who finds that a little larceny may in fact be on the cards for her."

— PTI

All set: Jennifer Lopez

High Spirits
Pepper basil caipirinha
Vineet Mishra

Cocktail designed from the traditional drink of the Red Indians.

Ingredients

• 45 ml Havana Club aged white rum
• 30 ml fresh lime juice
• 1 bar spoon sugar
• 10 basil leaves
• 1 bar spoon white pepper corns

(Mishra is the director of CocktailJockey.com)

Living in

They fell in love on the sets of Slumdog Millionaire and Frieda Pinto has now moved in with boyfriend Dev Patel, taking their romance a step further. The couple has moved into a USD 1.5 million rental home in Los Angeles. The two were pictured carrying boxes into their new house, reported a publication. Pinto, who turned 27 last month, looked chic in a loose-fitting pink vest top with black jeans.

Pinto had recently said she won't put her relationship before her career but will always balance. "We recently realised we need a rule like that, because every time we think we're going to be together, something work-related comes up,” she said. — PTI