OT Which is your favourite hotel in the world
Dia Mirza I recently visited Pench National Park in Madhya Pradesh and stayed at Baghvan (from Rs 25,300 per person per night www.tajsafaris.com).
OT When did you visit
Dia Mirza At the end of last year &mdash and, I must admit, I was left wishing I have had more time there.
OT What made it memorable
Dia Mirza Its location and surrounding landscape The Pench river close by, the open hilly terrain, teak forests and jungle streams... You can be extremely close to nature &mdash you can smell the forest &mdash and yet be comfortable in your own suite. And I loved the outdoor sleep-outs in the machaans. Spotting a tiger made the trip even more worthwhile
OT Is the food worth hunting down
Dia Mirza Meal times were adventurous &mdash I don&rsquot remember what I ate, but I remember how I ate it I had a meal on a deck overlooking the dried-up riverbed &mdash and spotted a tigress crossing with her cubs. We went for a picnic to Khoka Lake and the bajra rotis in our hamper were yummy. I learnt how to make a masala roti from the chef
OT What else did you learn there
Dia Mirza I went for treks around the villages and was amazed at the lifestyle and craft of the Gond tribes. Baghvan exudes tranquillity. I made the most of it, watching birds at the pool deck &mdash hornbills, kingfishers, barbets, minivets, orioles, wagtails and other birds I actually learnt the names of &mdash or just relaxing in my suite.
OT Would you like to visit again
Dia Mirza I can&rsquot wait to get back
