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12 Inspiring Traveler Bloggers share their defining Travel moments of 2016 and exciting Plans for 2017
The curtains are finally drawn on 2016. And boy what a year full of surprises we had! From Britons voting for Brexit to Trump winning the US Elections to Modi’s daring Demonitisation act, 2016 will be remembered as a year of unexpected changes. While the intelligentsia and common man are reflecting on macro and micro impact of 2016, all I can say is 2016 was an amazing year for my wanderlust. I explored the unchartered territories and met some incredible travelers. I bumped into people who were separated by more than six degrees but united by a common passion. Not only I connected with them on a personal level but even gained priceless pearls of wisdom. Without further ado, let’s hear from the 12 inspiring travel bloggers themselves.
Shane ‘The Travel Camel’ Dallas is an avid adventurer who inspires people to take the road less traveled. He is probably the modern day incarnation of Ibn Battuta. Born in Australia but traveled to the most obscure places of the world, he truly defines what offbeat travel is. Also, he is a wonderful person who won’t think twice before answering even your silliest query.
On my birthday in September, I visited my 100th country – Iran. I never ever dreamed that I will achieve this number and sitting on that plane taking the short flight from Dubai to Shiraz felt like a dream, it didn’t feel quite real. It took a few days after arriving for me to fully comprehend that I was in my 100th country.
I’m starting to lead tours, and am very excited to show other travelers my favourite parts of the world. My Tajikistan Tour is already sold out, and I’m currently planning another tour to Iran. I’m also considering other places, such as safaris in East Africa.
Slow travel is better travel. Not only is it cheaper but also it allows you more time to immerse within a destination and learn more about the people and places you visit. Slow travel allows a deeper travel experience.
A difficult one to chose, but if I restrict my choice to photos taken in 2016, the one I’m most proud of is this dusk photo taken at the Jame Mosque in Esfahan, Iran. It’s one of the best sunset places in Esfahan. The spotlights caused a lot of lens flare, so I had to return two nights later to try different camera positions to minimize the flare. This photo is the result.
You can follow Shane’s adventures at thetravelcamel.com
If I were to define Mike, I would say ‘SMOOTH OPERATOR’. He is a one-man-Army with a spectacular body of work. What impressed me the most about him was his unflinching discipline towards his work. He is highly focused and passionate. Unlike many of us, he doesn’t procrastinate.
My most defining moment of travel this year might have been when a few travel bloggers and I veered off the path into the bowels of a very poor community in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. If you are from the West and think you’ve seen “poor” before and have never been to a 3rd world country, you’ve probably never seen anything like what I witnessed.
There were boys playing in a filthy canal with about 10” of water flowing through, scavenging for anything of value. Makeshift homes looked like they could fall down at the next gust of wind. Poverty was evident everywhere we looked. Once the boys in the water noticed us, their eyes lit up. They were very excited to see what was clearly four people of western decent that they don’t come across very often. We asked if we could take their pictures and they actually began posing for us. It was adorable!
As we strolled the alleyways, we ran into more kids who enthusiastically greeted us. Several adults appeared to find out what all the hoopla was about. Everyone we came across was so friendly, so eager to interact with us. We were not afraid or felt threatened in any way. At that moment I realized that despite their living conditions, and plight in life, these people were happy. If these people are happy with absolutely nothing, what right do I have to ever be sad or depressed, I thought.
Visiting a continent I’ve never been to before. I’m heading to Africa for a few weeks for an epic 3000k-road trip, where I’ll be visiting 4-5 southern African countries, staying at safari camps and visiting the great Victoria Falls. I will be doing this trip with a traditional travel journalist from South Africa who is telling me not to worry about being in the middle of nowhere, crossing boarders with armed soldiers who may not look favorably upon Caucasians and all the things that can bite, infect or kill me in an instant.
Travel invariably frustrates us all with canceled or delayed flights or lost reservations, you name it. One thing I have tried to do is embrace whatever comes, as it is all part of the experience and often leads to the fascinating stories.
I have some pretty amazing photos from my travels this past year, but one of my favorites is this aerial shot from Raja Ampat in West Papua, Indonesia.
You can follow Mike’s adventures at MikesRoadTrip.com
Sometimes you meet a person and instantly connect with them. Ajay is that kind of a person. An incredible photographer who won’t think twice before sharing his photography tips with novices. After all the best in the class is never insecure about competition.
I am a travel photographer first and a travel writer later. I was invited to Stockholm by TBEX as a speaker on architectural photography. While waiting for my pre-BEX transport, my camera gear was stolen. It was not just one camera it was my entire camera kit worth US$12,000. In short, whatever gear I had carried to cover the European architecture was gone.
Europe can be expensive for any electronics purchase. But I had little choice. After checking around with a Stockholm-resident friend, I bought a Fujifilm X-T10 with an 18-55mm F2.8-4 R LM OIS. And, for the next two weeks, I was shooting with this new toy.
I normally tell my workshop participants that your camera gear does not matter, but your eye does. Till then, I hadn’t had an opportunity to actually practice what I preached. This unfortunate theft actually made me shoot an entire 2-week trip with a gear I had never used before. So, I had no clue about its controls, its on-field response and its results. But shooting with this alien gear, I actually discovered what I used to profess – your camera gear does not matter. As its proof, all I can say is that the images I shot with this hitherto unknown piece of equipment have been welcomed and accepted by various magazines I regularly contribute to.
I am most excited about a trip to a speck on the map called Reunion Island. This island is about 225 km southwest of Mauritius. It is an island that formed as a result of multiple volcanic eruptions in the ocean and is a French colony today. What excites me is the claim of this island to give you a glimpse of all four seasons in a one-hour drive from the beachhead to the top of a 3,000-metre mountain. Additionally, I am promised a helicopter ride over the live volcanoes here.
Instead of losing money in the conversion from your Dollars/Euros to the local currency, draw the local currency from the ATM. This way, you can draw what you need and not lose extra money in conversions. While most ATMs will charge you a fee for using a foreign debit card, there are always 1-2 banks that do not charge this fee. In finding out which are those banks, locals may not be of help; but if you ask around on online travel forums, you’ll easily get that information.
My best photo is yet to be clicked. But, till then, this one would have to do.
You can follow Ajay’s adventures at travelure.in
Melvin is the perfect personification of his brand ‘Travel Dudes’. Being bitten by the travel bug at the age of four, he went on to create ‘Travel Dudes’, a community ‘By Travelers, For Travelers’. Germans are known for their impeccable timing and humility and Melvin is a living testimony of the same.
I’ve been working a lot in the recent years, which included many exciting trips for Travel Dudes. But in 2016, I had a proper 3-week holiday, which I spent with my family in Portugal. As a travel professional everyone thinks that you are on holiday all the time. And it’s good that people see it that way, as others should not see the work behind it. This kind of work is a lot of fun, but can also be exhausting. So even travel professionals need a proper holiday from time to time.
Right now I have no idea or any plans. That’s what I’m excited about. My travel plans are mostly spontaneous. I am thinking of a 3-4 weeks trip, which might take me to Africa, Asia or South America. First South Africa was on my mind, but then Indonesia got added and why not add a different continent with South America & maybe visit Brazil or Nicaragua? We’ll see what happens. Maybe I’ll stick to Europe, which would be just as good.
It’s good to be prepared for a trip, but do not book everything in advance. Just pre-book one or two nights and then be as spontaneous and flexible as you can to see what comes next. Get lost in the new destination, absorb the local culture and wander around. Walk more than usual. Trust me you will have experiences, which you will never forget…and I can assure you 95% would be positive.
I have clicked a lot of good pictures in 2016 but the photo from Cuba is my favorite. I didn’t know that my lens was dirty, but I think dirt gave that extra special touch to this photo.
You can follow Melvin’s adventures at traveldudes.org
There are very few writers whose eloquent writing can make you book your travel without searching for more details. Neelima is one. Her stories have a soul, which is hard to find unless you experience it yourself. I have not met her physically but the discussions we had virtually have been really insightful and inspiring.
Visiting the eastern most point of India, Kahoo, in Arunachal Pradesh was the defining moment of 2016 for me because that moment embodied everything that drew me travel in first place. My idea of travel was never about pretty places or a relaxing vacation. I have always been drawn to the unknown and unexpected, and Kahoo was exactly that. Kibithu is commonly known as the eastern most post of India but further ahead is this little village, on the edge of China from where I could see the Chinese villages, clearly visible to naked eyes.
No one in their right mind would visit this god forsaken place because there is nothing technically here to see as such except for buried frontier stories, but the immeasurable high of exploring the farthest corners of India was what took me that far. It was a defining moment because even though I might have strayed a bit in 2015 to foreign lands, I was instantly reminded then that what my heart truly desires is nowhere outside the borders of my country.
“I have made no plans for 2017 yet but keeping my epiphanies from 2016 in mind, I would be exploring the farthest corners and buried treasures of India more than anything else.”
“Despite the craze for picture perfect Instagrammable vacations, I would implore people to look beyond their digital devices and social media updates to spend some time indulging in the cultural and social landscape of the place they’re visiting. Go beyond the superficial to let travel be the transformative and educational experience it is known to be, rather than just seeing the pretty sights and coming back with little or worse, wrong understanding of the country.”
You can follow Neelima’s adventures at travelwithneelima.com
If you ever want to know how does a made-for-each-other travel couple looks like, you just have to meet Scott and Megan. Scott gave a fantastic talk on Hyper-lapse Video at TBEX Manila, which unfortunately I missed. But every cloud has a silver lining and that missed session became my reason to interact with them.
For us, the most defining moment was when I proposed in Oahu, Hawaii and knew I was going to be able to spend the rest of my life traveling with my best friend. I’d been scheming about the proposal for two years and had this really fun hyper-lapse video planned to remember the journey and it just turned out great. Ironically the work we put into the proposal video has opened some doors for the next year.
The thing we are most excited about in 2017 is being able to visit a different continent. For the last four years we lived and worked in S. Korea for a year, used the savings to travel for a year and repeat. This will be the first time we don’t have to go back to a country to work and save up money. We plan on going to South America, which means I can finally use that minor in Spanish!
Our advice is to realize you will never see it all. There’s a tendency to cram every possible thing into the trip. We recommend just choosing a couple must do’s and enjoying what else comes to you. Finally whether you are traveling solo or with a friend, travel can be exhausting, frustrating, and flat out boring at times. A sense of humor will get you through most of it.
You can follow Scott & Megan’s adventures at boboandchichi.com
Edin provides life goal to people looking how to live out of suitcases and carry everything from a screwdriver to a cutting board. She is an International full-time house sitter who loves cigars, good food and the company of good people. Besides being a charming traveler, Eden is a social media and online branding strategist with a passion for Facebook. Again, a very humble and accessible person.
The most defining travel moment for me in 2016 was a 3-hour taxi ride we had in Morocco. We had been in Morocco for less than 24 hours and on the last leg of our 6-hour travel journey we were packed into an old Mercedes Benz, used as a taxi, with the driver and 2 other passengers, one of whom spoke some English. For 3 hours, non-stop, they talked in Arabic. And Arabic is a boisterous language it was a bit overwhelming. The reason that a simple event became so defining is that not only was it the first time, in a long time, we were diving into a completely new culture and totally unknown to us country, but every travel experience from that one forward would be new to us in 2016.
In 2017 I am most excited about applying for residency to Portugal. A country fell in love with this past summer during an extended stay.
Travel tip would be to understand and fully research the entry requirements to a country before you put it in your plans. And read the information from not only government websites but travel blogs with recent experience. The government site will tell you the details but the recent travel blogs will tell you the real details of what happens.
The best travel photo for me of 2016, a sunset on the beach of Lagos, it reminds me of the start of new adventures that took place in 2016.
You can follow Edin’s adventures at thesocialgarden.net
A soft-spoken storehouse of knowledge, Tim is an award-winning writer who has been blogging continuously since 2003 with his Cheapest Destinations blog. What impressed me the most about Tim was the real life solutions he offered for practical problems. I thoroughly enjoyed his talk on Accomplishing Great Things: Productivity Tips and Trick for Bloggers
The defining moment for me was sitting on a private beach on our own beach on a private island in Fiji with my wife as we celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary and thinking…we’re pretty darn lucky to be able to do this.
I’m taking a trip to India and Nepal at some point to research the upcoming 5th edition of The World’s Cheapest Destinations. I haven’t been to either in a very long time, so I’m looking forward to returning and getting lots of great photos. I’ll be hitting a few countries in the Balkans too tough to decide which I’ll add. I haven’t been to any of them, so that will be a completely fresh experience, with some adventure activities built in.
Slow down! There are way too many frantic travelers bouncing from place to place like pinballs, snapping their selfies and then scrambling to the next place. It’s hard to get the essence of a country and its people that way plus you spend twice as much money as you need to on transportation. Leave some empty space in the schedule and don’t plan everything in advance. The magic happens in the spaces in between.
The picture taken in Fiji is my best photo of 2016. It was pure bliss and incredibly beautiful. #NoFilterNeeded
You can follow Tim’s adventures at timleffel.com
I have a special bond with Nisha. She was the judge when I first won an award for travel writing in 2015. From being complete strangers we finally met in 2016 in a foreign land. She is a warm person who is very passionate about traveling. The love of travel comes first for Nisha than anything else.
I would say the most defining moment in 2016 was facing the super typhoon named Lawin in Ilocos, Philippines. Till then, I had only heard about typhoons, watched on TV how destructive they could be. Experiencing it first-hand taught me that life is full of surprises and you can happily face it if you are surrounded by people with positive vibes.
Oh I am excited about more travels! On a serious note, would like to do some more slow travels, more voluntourism and meaningful travels instead of rushing from one place to another. I would also like to visit few new countries.
Travel with an open mind, it teaches you a lot of things.
There are many, can’t choose just one. So a sunset from 2016.
You can follow Nisha’s adventures at lemonicks.com
The first time I met Nina was during our Corregidor tour in the Philippines. A girl with an infectious smile and cute hairdo was moving around with her GoPro. It was later I found out more about her. She is an inspiring woman who dared to make a difficult dream come true.
My defining moment of 2016 was actually towards the very end of the year. Just recently, December 6th to be precise, I finished a whole year living and working in Australia. It was actually a really rough year because all I did was work. That’s it! This was a defining moment for me because I worked really hard and saved a bunch of cash to really pursue my dreams and make 2017 the best year yet. I have lots planned for my travels and my blog and it was all because I toughed it out working 40, 50, sometimes 70+ hours a week and not spend a dime on fun! Now, I get to reward myself MASSIVELY in 2017.
2017 is going to be an epic year. I already have the first quarter of the year booked out as well as a few other trips scattered throughout the year. My hard work has already paid off as I have some exciting partnerships to announce, I’m touching the ground on three continents, and I’m even going to one of my best friend’s wedding in Iceland! To choose one thing I’m excited for is literally impossible. I’m excited for all of 2017 because everything I’ve been working on for years is finally coming into place in 2017. So I’m ready for it! Definitely follow along and see what I get up to!
I don’t really have any particular tips to share with other travelers, but I guess the one thing I would want to say to everyone in general is, work for it. Don’t just dream it, don’t just hope for it, don’t just pray for it. Whatever “it” is, you need to work for it. Nothing will be handed to you, get out there and make it happen. It won’t be easy, it won’t be quick, but it will be so worth it.
This is probably one of my favorite pictures of all time. I’m in the Philippines on a gorgeous island eating a feast. This style of eating in the Philippines is called a boodle fight. You eat with your hands on a big table, no utensils or plates. I love everything from the beautiful local woman serving to the epic backdrop of the crystal blue waters.
You can follow Nina’s adventures at Where in the World is Nina?
There are very few people who are straightforward, don’t compromise on their principles and stay true to their core values. Richa is that person. A very clear-headed girl who knows what she wants. I haven’t met her in the offline world but I truly admire her passion for traveling and storytelling.
When I spent a month in Japan, the culture took me by surprise. There are so many unique things about Japanese culture and mannerisms that a month seemed too short to experience even a tiny speck. Fortunately, I had wonderful hosts everywhere I stayed and they were too sweet to show me around their local spots. Once, I was even a part of a private music fest, organised & attended by a group of 30-40 friends (only), somewhere in the mountains amidst a little clearing by a waterfall. There were loads of performances, fire shows, food stall, beer, crazy music, and dance. Everything was organised and performed by friends only – no outsiders or hired helpers. That night, I saw an alternative side of the Japanese and it was very very cool!
I am keen on learning some basic Spanish and traveling through South America towards end of 2017! Particularly, Chile and Argentina.
Travel light. Seriously.
Tough choice, but this one.
You can follow Richa’s adventures at travelsandstories.com.
Strangers are friends you haven’t met. This saying perfectly fits Deepika. A beautiful person who took the plunge to follow her heart. Her stories are unique and have a journalistic flavor to them. What I like most about her is that she is in her own league and not at all insecure about other’s success. Isn’t that the way everyone should be?
2016 has been a defining year in terms of travel and therefore it is difficult to pinpoint at anything. I managed to take an independent trip, finally took that Ladakh trip on a bike and had an accident in the Himalayan valleys (a scar I will proudly carry like a badge from the trip), went in search of a story to the Living Root Bridges which got published in The Caravan Magazine. I went to Sri Lanka (Come on, who goes there, when we can go to Maldives?) and was pleasantly surprised. I had gone to Sri Lanka with no expectations and returned back with one of the best travel lessons- “You will be floored when you expect nothing!” All in all, 2016 is the year, I can say actually began the journey for me 🙂
I am excited that there are no plans made for 2017. This means I am ready to take those surprises and drive the curves thrown at me by life.
Don’t plan. None of my 2016 travels was planned (except for the Ladakh trip, really!). May be the trick lies in not planning. Isn’t that an adventure?
Plenty though, difficult to zero down on one. Yet, I think this is the one. It’s not as professional as I expect it to be. 
You can follow Deepika’s adventures at feetonthemap.com
These were the 12 inspiring travel bloggers I met in 2016. There are lot more people worth mentioning like Shivya, Anton, Bill, Pooja, Maria, Salonee, Stephen, Georg and Takashi who have been inspiring millions of people through their passion for traveling. I am truly blessed to have known them.
Have you come across any such inspiring travelers? Would love to know your feedback.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 🙂
May 2017 be the best year of our lives!
Thailand, a backpackers paradise, whose economy reflects in its capital’s name is a country I was least interested in visiting. Low airfares, easy connectivity, visa-on-arrival and budget travel couldn’t lure me for a long time. I became a prisoner of my own thoughts – how can an uber-popular destination have hidden attractions? But magic is not limited to Antarctica. Sometimes it is right in front of your eyes. What you need are a curious mind and an explorer’s eyes.
Beyond Bangkok: 10 Hidden Attractions in Thailand for laid-back travellers that are ideal for Backpacking Thailand.
Phu Kradueng National Park remains one of the less frequented tourist attractions in Thailand, owing to the toil one needs to put in before enjoying the natural beauty of the place. At a high point of over 1,300 m over sea level, the park offers visitors the perfect abode to spend quality time away from the hustle and bustle of the overcrowded beaches of Thailand. While a majority of tourists consider the park as a single-day activity, the option of spending a night over is also available. You can easily get tents and sleeping bags to spend a night in this hidden attraction.
Considered as one of the pristine examples of Khmer culture in Thailand, Prasat Hin Phimai Khmer Shrine is a must-visit attraction for people looking to travel slow. Located at nearly three-hour drive from Bangkok, this ancient temple offers travelers a glimpse of the proud Khmer culture. To absorb the full beauty of the place and to explore the region in a detailed manner, rent a bike from local vendors.
When it comes to spending a day out in the sun, most people rush to world-famous beaches of Thailand. However, the downside is that most Thailand beaches are teeming with party animals, and for those looking for a quiet time and space to reflect and introspect, it may not be the ideal setting.
Ko Tarutao promises the perfect ambience to tourists looking to spend quiet time, and arguably, there is no better desert island in Thailand than Ko Tarutao. The island is secluded and you can spend an entire day out in the sun just by yourself. Although there are limited options of snorkeling, but the island does have a dense jungle which becomes a perfect spot for hiking. Food and accommodation is cheap, as the locals run modest restaurants and lodges. A perfect place for laid-back Thailand holidays, you can visit this desert island to spend some peaceful time with family and friends.
Ko Phayam in Ranong remains another secluded tourist attraction, as it is a night’s drive from the capital city of Bangkok. However, for tourists looking to enjoy the natural beauty and splendor of pristine beaches without feeling choked among hordes of tourists, Ko Phayam offers the ideal setting. The place offers delicious seafood and affordable accommodation. For tourists who are particular about where they stay, the place has a good availability of high-end resorts. Many Thailand tour package operators will guide you through the best accommodation in this less frequented tourist destination.
Nan province is nearly over 650 km from the capital city of Bangkok. Traveling to this hidden Thailand tourist attraction by bus remains a popular option although AirAsia Thailand does operate flights to the province. The majority of tourists to Thailand might not have probably heard of the place, but for those seeking solitude and individual space, few tourist attractions can compete with Nan province. Nestled between beautiful mountains, the province is as laid-back as a place can get! You can literally spend hours marveling at the beauty of the place without seeing another soul. The hilltop temple of Wat Phra That Khao Noi and 16th century temple Wat Phumin are among the top tourist attractions in the province.
One of the most aesthetically-pleasing Buddhist temples, this tourist attraction is a must-visit for tourists looking to take in the marvelous architecture and serenity Buddhist temples have come to be associated with. The cave temple appeals to the discerning traveller, and after taking in the majestic beauty of the place, you can sit back and relax.
of the best diving sites all over Thailand, the Similan islands are regarded as one of the best less-frequented tourist attractions in Thailand. Located in western Thailand, this 24 km chain of islands offer the best experience for snorkeling. For laid-back tourists, a day spent idling around the pristine Thailand beaches can offer the perfect ambience for reflection. Key tourists attractions at the Similan islands include Christmas Point, Elephant Rock, and East of Eden.
Ban Rak Thai translates to ‘Thai loving village’ and the place has a quite a history to it. It was established by fighters from the Yunan province of China after the communists took over China. A majority of people of this village speak fluent Mandarin and you can’t help but notice the Chinese influence on the village – from signboards to food. The village known for its aromatic tea and pine forests. A visit to Ban Rak Thai can sometimes make you feel that you are not in Thailand anymore, but that remains the beauty of this sleepy village. You will not find a lot of tourists in this village, and the ones you find will be in search of some laidback vacation time.
Located in Khao Luang Mountains, this spiritual tourism attraction is revered among followers of all religions. The chambers of the cave lie nearly 90ft below the ground hosting over 180 Buddha statues. The Reclining Buddha and Buddha image remain the main tourist attractions – both of these were cast under the reign of King Rama V.
The road to Doi Mon Jong is as beautiful as the place itself. Lined with towering forests with the sunlight cutting across like a golden line. A trek to this beautiful mountain range is filled with excitement and awe. Located in the Omkoi Wildlife Sanctuary, you need to first reach Chiang Mai and then head to Omkoi prefecture. The journey to Doi Mon Jong is then completed by a small truck. An important thing tourists need to remember is that Doi Mong Jong does not offer any accommodation facilities and you need to arrange it for yourself.
These are the top 10 hidden tourist attractions in Thailand that you must visit. If you are planning to visit soon, these top 10 tourist attractions should be up on your list.
Are you a beach bum like me? Then this Travel Guide for Thailand’s best beaches is for you
If you know some more less-frequented tourist attractions in Thailand, I would love to hear from you 🙂
In my last post, I shared my experience of visiting the largest and the oldest entertainment district of Tokyo, where you can still watch Geisha Shows and traditional Japanese theatre. Asakusa has changed a lot from its golden period, Edo Era. Today besides being the spiritual and entertainment hub of Tokyo it is also the Kitchen capital of Tokyo. There is a lot to be explored there. Make sure you don’t just scratch the surface. Here is a personally experienced travel guide on things to do in Asakusa Tokyo.
Things to do in Asakusa: attend the 7-5-3 ceremony at a Shrine
Asakusa is served by the Ginza Subway Line, Asakusa Subway Line, Tsukuba Express and Tobu Railways. Buy a 24 hours unlimited rides Subway pass for 600 JPY.
Things to do in Asakusa: visit the Buddhist shrine
Things to do in Asakusa: Visit the Tea House at Hama Riku Garden, Tokyo
Things to do in Asakusa: visit the Fake Food Sample shops at Kappabashi-dori
Asakusa is perfect for budget travellers because of its old-world charm, downtown location, and relaxed atmosphere by Tokyo standards. Traditional Ryokans and hostels are easily available at economical price. I stayed at Oak Hostel Cabin. I loved my stay here. Conveniently located. Good staff. Equipped with all the facilities.
Things to do in Asakusa: Stay at Oak Hostel Cabin
If you just have three days on hand, check out this Tokyo Travel Guide
Mt Fuji, Kawaguchi Lake, Japan
If you want to read some more really cool stories about Japan, don’t forget to read:
Japan: Land of the Rising Toilet Seat
When and where to see Cherry Blossoms in Japan
Offbeat Japan: Discovering the offbeat Autumn beauty of Hokkaido
Open Season is the best time to visit Japan
Get a peek into the forgotten side of Asakusa, Tokyo
My first Experience of Staying at a Capsule Hotel in Tokyo
A step-by-step guide for multi-visit Japan Visa
Have you been to Japan? I would love to know your thoughts.
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Are you a first time visitor to Japan and looking for top attractions in Tokyo? Why not start with exploring the best things to see in Asakusa, Tokyo. Here you’ll see the forgotten side of Asakusa which was once filled with Geisha, courtesans, writers, artists, and actors.
Pearl Harbor Attack had awakened a sleeping giant. The tide had turned against the Axis forces. Dresden and Hamburg’s firebombing sent alarm bells ringing. In spite of the looming fear of losing the war, Japanese were looking for ways to rejoice. And there couldn’t be a better time than Sakura (Cherry blossom). During the day, Asakusa residents would steal some time from their war duties to watch Sakura bloom, shop at Nakamise Street, relish the freshly baked Ningyouyaki and pray for their protection at Sensō-ji shrine. In the evening, Kabuki theater and Geisha shows would be their escape.
This was routine in Entertainment District of Asakusa until the fateful night of 9th March 1945. Operation Meetinghouse took place on the nights of March 9 and 10, 1945, where US bombers dropped 1,665 tons of bombs on the wooden city of Tokyo. Firebombing burst the city into flames. Wood and paper constructions fueled the blazing fire. A Strong breeze whipped the individual blazes into a firestorm.
Canals boiled, Sumida River ran red with blood, water bodies became boiling hotpots where people were simply boiled alive, bridges fell, metal melted and everything, whether living or non-living, burst spontaneously into flames. Tokyo was flattened and burnt to ashes. Hell could not have been hotter than Tokyo, where temperatures reached 1,800 degrees. As per the records, 105,400 died, 125,000 were injured and 1.5 million lost their homes. The US Firebombing killed more people than the atomic bomb attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki five months later.
71 years later Tokyo has bounced back in a more glamorous avatar. Asakusa got a new face-lift. Shrines got reconstructed, markets got buzzing with customers and Asakusa became a major tourist attraction. But one thing died in 1945 – The Entertainment District of Asakusa. The home of Kabuki and Geisha became a mass grave.
When I got an opportunity to join the Asakusa, Tokyo Tour with Context Travel, I was unaware of this reality. I didn’t know the historical and cultural relevance of the area. Those two hours with the Context Tour guide and the rest of the day was an eye-opener for me. Come let’s walk.
On 7th November 2016, I met my guide and five other travelers at Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center. Elena, the Russian guide based out of Japan, was like a walking talking encyclopedia. She took us to the rooftop of the building from where we got a bird’s eye view of the entire area. She shared stories, which I bet even Google wouldn’t know.
We crossed the road to visit Sensōji Temple, Tokyo’s largest and oldest Buddhist temple. Kaminarimon or “Thunder Gate” welcomed us with its giant lantern and statues of guardian gods Raijin (god of thunder) and Fujin (god of wind). As per Elena, it was first built in 942 AD but was destroyed numerous times and the last reconstruction happened after WWII.
Crossing the Thunder Gate we arrived at the 250-meter shopping street of Nakamise that led us to the temple. The Nakamise Street was lined with 90 shops on both sides selling souvenirs and snacks. The shops have been there since the 17th century and are run by the same family for generations. We tried Ningyouyaki while our ears were glued to the interesting stories Elena was narrating.
We were left awestruck at the end of the arcade where Hōzōmon Gate stood majestically with a giant straw sandal (waraji) hung up on one side. Ferocious guardian god couple guarded the gates of the shrine.
We were now at the perennially busy Kannondō (Kannon Hall) of Sensō-ji shrine, with a sea of worshipers wafting incense over themselves, praying and donating to Kannon, the Goddess of Mercy. The shrine is said to be here since 628 AD, although it has been refurbished many times.
Before we started our walk, Elena had told us that if we are lucky we might see Japanese families in traditional attire celebrating the 7-5-3 festival at the shrine. Shichi-go-san festival (7-5-3) is celebrated for children aged 7, 5 & 3 and hence the name. The official date is November 15th, but as it’s not a national holiday most families hold their festivities on the nearest weekends. Usually, a purification rite and the reciting of Shinto prayers are performed that day. Most girls wear Kimonos while boys come in Haori. We were lucky to catch not just one but many families dressed in their traditional attire.
We spent some time visiting other shrines like Gojūnoto (5-Story Pagoda allegedly containing some of the ashes of the Buddha), Asakusa Jinja (a Shinto shrine devoted to protecting the Buddhist temple in a typically Japanese arrangement) and Chingodo Shrine (dedicated to the Japanese raccoon god tanuki).
After our spiritual tour, it was time to see the cultural side of Asakusa, Tokyo. Our next pit stop was Rokku Entertainment District. It used to be Tokyo’s leading entertainment district before the war, hosting Japan’s first cinema and more. However, the district has not regained its former popularity after the war. Today, Rokku offers attractions such as Rakugo theaters, cinemas, and Pachinko Parlors. Most of the visitors are elderly Japanese because they have money, time and interest. But my eyes were searching for Kabuki and Geishas, which were nowhere to be seen.
We were passing through areas, which had everything from Department stores to traditional Japanese Houses to animal and bird cafes. The place for which Elena was super excited was Kappabashi-Dori, the kitchen capital of Tokyo. Kappabashi is a one-kilometer-long street lined by shops selling amazing kitchenware items priced at attractive prices. This is the wholesale market from where Japan buys its kitchenware and Fake food Samples along with other essential items. Wish I had enough cash and luggage space!
Our two hour Asakusa Tour ended at the Kappabashi-Dori market. This walk had stoked my interest in knowing Japanese culture more. Sensing my interest Elena advised me to take the Sumida River cruise to Hama-Riku Garden to attend a tea-house ceremony and watch a Kabuki Theater. These were experiences beyond words, which I’ll share in my next post.
Hope you enjoyed virtually exploring Asakusa, Tokyo with me.
If you are planning to visit Asakusa do try out Context Travel. They will show you areas which even locals might not be able to.
Have you been to Japan? I would love to know your thoughts.
Updated – February 2024
When I close my eyes and imagine the quintessential autumn scene, my mind drifts to the vibrant colours of Hokkaido’s foliage. It’s a place where nature paints its masterpiece with fiery reds, golden yellows, and burnt oranges, transforming the landscape into a breathtaking canvas of fall beauty. Join me on a journey as we discover the best places to visit in Hokkaido during this magical season. But first, let’s rewind and go back to my original thoughts that led me to Hokkaido, Japan, during Autumn.
Cruising through the placid waters of Lake Toya ko in Hokkaido, Japan, on a cloudy day in October, I had finally made peace with my waging mind. Just a few weeks back, I was losing my sleep over finding answers to questions which should have been left unanswered. Fed up with my situation, I was contemplating taking antidepressants and sleeping pills, but my cure was somewhere hidden in the wide-open spaces of Hokkaido, Japan. I had not even heard about Hokkaido a month ago, and here I was, exploring the best places to visit in Hokkaido during autumn.
As a lone passenger when I alighted from the Cruise at the floating islands of Nakajima, I didn’t know I would not only be left spellbound by the beauty of the tropical-blue caldera lake of Toya but it would also bring quietude and peace to my life. I sat on the shore, marvelling at the fantastic art gallery of nature.
Perhaps the uninhabited island was expecting me, and that’s why it was all decked up in the pretty autumn colours of red, orange and yellow, with streaks of green and brown thrown in between. Maple leaves were busy teasing the sometimes-gentle-sometimes-rough waves. The wild berries of tall mystical pine trees held the water droplets by the edge. The bright red Shrine gate was keeping a strict eye on everyone.
Nobody seemed to be in a hurry. Neither nature nor me. I was in a state of stillness, not bothered to click selfies when I heard a voice whisper in my ears,
Welcome home, Honey. You took long to arrive. Let’s have a chat. Why do you get hurt when people leave? Look at me. I have been all alone all my life. People come and go. Each person has a specific role in your life. Why do you want to hold on when they are gone? Do I run after others? No. So stop chasing. Make yourself so enigmatic that others run after you.
Yes, it was that simple. But complicating the simple comes naturally to homo sapiens. It was time to simplify. The enormous Lake Toya, which stretched flat and smooth and blue all the way to the edge of the grey sky, had healed me. Probably, the secret conversation between the lake and me was heard by the seagulls, too. They were all celebrating my happiness by flapping their wings around me.
Why did I choose Hokkaido for my next destination in Asia? This question lingered as I embarked on a slightly long prelude to why Hokkaido in Autumn should be your next destination in Asia. But how did I visit the most offbeat part of Japan and not make the famous Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka trail? The credit goes to the most potent tool of marketing, word-of-mouth. My friend had visited Hokkaido in May and shared the offbeat charm of the northernmost island of Japan. Being an offbeat traveller, it resonated with me immediately. Then, the icing on the cake was Lonely Planet, naming Hokkaido as the top destination in Asia. Another reason for choosing Hokkaido was to witness the amazing kaleidoscope of Autumn Colours, which starts in the mountains of Hokkaido in September and descends to the central and southern parts of Japan until November. I wanted to travel along with the Autumn leaves. And I actually did 🙂
While Hokkaido is known for its natural beauty and outdoor adventures, its charming cities and cultural attractions captivated me. From exploring Sapporo’s vibrant food scene to discovering the historical treasures of Hokkaido and Otaru, the island’s diverse attractions ensured there’s something new at every place I visited.
Hokkaido’s culinary delights further enhanced my experience, with its renowned seafood, hearty soups, and delectable Hokkaido pumpkins enticing visitors to indulge in the region’s gastronomic offerings.
Lastly, Hokkaido worked out to be most economical as compared to other regions. With options ranging from budget-friendly Ryokans to affordable cruises, I didn’t break my bank to explore Hokkaido during autumn.
October in Hokkaido offers a treasure trove of experiences, with many attractions and activities to enjoy amidst the breathtaking autumn landscape. Here are some of the best places to visit in Hokkaido during autumn:
These are just a few of the best places to visit in Hokkaido during autumn, each offering unique experiences and opportunities to immerse yourself in the beauty of the season. I would highly recommend visiting Eastern Hokkaido in Autumn, too.
Summers (June to Aug): Perfect time if you want to hike Mt. Fuji or other peaks or visit the national parks for flowering season
Autumn (September-November): This is the best time to catch the fall colours that travel from top to bottom of Japan
Winters (Dec-March): Best time for Skiing and winter sports. Also, snow festival happens during this period.
Spring (Mid-March –Mid-April): The most famous season to see Sakura (cherry blossom) that starts from bottom to top
I decided to follow the autumn leave path. I spent seven days chasing the fall colours in Hokkaido and seven days in Honsu.
Day 1: Manila to Tokyo to Sapporo
Day 2: Local sightseeing in Sapporo
Day 3: Day tour to Jozankei from Sapporo
Day 4: Day tour to Yoichi and Otaru
Day 5: Lake Toya & Noboribetsu
Day 6: Noboribetsu and Hakodate
Day 7: Travel to Hakodate and local sightseeing
Day 8: Local sightseeing in Hakodate and travel to Sendai
Day 9: Sendai to Matsushima to Sendai
Day 10: Sendia to Nikko
Day 11: Niko local sightseeing
Day 12: Nikko to Kawaguchiko (Mt. Fuji) via Tokyo
Day 13: Kawaguchiko and Tokyo
Day 14: Tokyo sightseeing
Day 15: Kamakura to Tokyo to Manila
Japan is a haven for public transport. It can’t get better than here. Everything runs on time, is convenient and well organised. But quality comes at a price, so transportation is incredibly expensive in Japan. The bulk of my expenses were on transportation.
So this was the experience of Offbeat Japan – Discovering the Autumn beauty of Hokkaido. Hope this post inspires you to plan your trip to the land of vast spaces and incredible beauty soon.
Before I end the post, let me share some interesting facts which can earn you brownie points in front of others 😛
Facts About Japan – Land of the Rising Sun
10 Reasons to Visit Hokkaido: From Ainu Culture to Winter Wonders, Your Ultimate Guide
A Chinese couple was recently caught stealing a Japanese toilet seat from a hotel. Others spend billions of dollars on purchasing them. A survey done by a Japanese Broadcasting Station revealed it’s not the Shinkansen, Sakura, Ramen, Samurai, Onsen, Capsule hotel, Fake food, 100 Yen shop or even Sushi which thrills the tourists most. They are all unique to Japan but the number one answer is the Japanese Toilet Seat. If you have never been to the land of the rising sun or have no idea about interesting facts about Japan, you would be wondering why a Japanese toilet seat is so fascinating to Tourists.
The reason is simple – Japan made poop action cool. The act of excretion is largely the same across the world. We either sit on an elevated throne or squat above a hole. We either use toilet paper or use water. But in Japan, a wonder seat called the bidet toilet seat has transformed the mundane act of excretion into a technologically enhanced sensorial pleasure.
A bidet toilet seat or simply put a multifunctional toilet seat was invented in America but has been perfected in Japan. Commonly referred to as a Washlet, it can do wonders – open the toilet lid automatically, play music, deodorise, sterilise, wash the exact spot you want with the exact water pressure and temperature you like, blow dry, massage and automatically flush, among a lot of other exciting features. The standout feature for me was the heated seat. Imagine putting your warm butt on a warm seat and not on an iceberg seat that gives you a jolting chill shock!
But this invention didn’t come out of thin air. A company called TOTO monitored hundreds of people to see their sitting position, how they used the toilet seat, what temperature they felt comfortable at, and so on. TOTO’s hard work in the toilet got the cash registers ringing. Today, 70% of the Japanese have a washlet vs. 30% have a dishwasher. Clearly, washing bottoms is more important to the Japanese than washing kitchenware! I, too, would have done the same if I were living here.
If the Japanese think of giving special treatment to washing bottoms, how can the rest of our body be treated any less? I am sure some Japanese guy in ancient times might have visited heaven to come up with an idea of Onsen. Imagine looking at an endless turquoise-blue lake bejewelled with islets dressed in bright autumn leaves. You are enjoying the view not from a living room but from an outdoor bath, soaked in miraculous hot spring water while snowflakes are falling on your head. Sounds dreamy, right? Well, this dream does come true in Japan. This is experience talking 🙂
I was hesitant to try this magic therapy of healing plus rejuvenation plus pleasure for the first time, but once I tried, I couldn’t stop myself from enjoying it every day. Hot spring culture is not new to the world. Almost every country has it. But the Onsen experience is unique because you have to follow public bath etiquette and have to be completely naked in front of others. Shocked? You do feel hesitant and nervous for the first time, but trust me, it’s like making love. Once you do it for the first time, you can’t stop yourself from surrendering to the pleasure. Every day, I would walk for miles, get tired and end my day enjoying Onsen therapy for hours. Nirvana!
Though I visited a dozen onsens, each was unique in itself, and the Noboribetsu Onsen stood out for me. It is Japan’s leading onsen village and is known as “the department store of hot springs” because of nine different kinds of hot springs well up here. It is a one-street village with hot spring hotels on both sides. If you visit Noboribetsu, definitely experience the onsen at Daiichi Takimotokan Hotel, which has 20 different hot spring baths located both indoors and outdoors with an amazing view of the Hell Valley.
But before you get into an onsen, make sure you know and follow Onsen etiquette. Here is an infographic for your better understanding
Once you come out of the Onsen, you feel refreshed and warm. Even an insomniac would sleep like a baby after the onsen experience. I know because I am one.
So, do you think the reason for visiting Japan for its toilet and bath culture is valid enough, or do I need to tell you more unique things about Japan?
Do keep a tab on this space to learn more interesting things about my favourite country in the world – Japan.
Also, Japan has become more open to accepting foreigners lately, and I have seen many expats make it their base.
If you want to read some more really cool stories about Japan, don’t forget to read:
10 Reasons to Visit Hokkaido: From Ainu Culture to Winter Wonders, Your Ultimate Guide
Resilience and Renewal: The Survival Story of Japan’s Indigenous Ainu People
When and where to see Cherry Blossoms in Japan
Offbeat Japan: Discovering the offbeat Autumn beauty of Hokkaido
Open Season is the best time to visit Japan
My first Experience of Staying at a Capsule Hotel in Tokyo
Get a peek into the forgotten side of Asakusa, Tokyo
A step-by-step guide for multi-visit Japan Visa
Have you been to Japan? I would love to know your thoughts.
Inspired? Pin these to your Pinterest boards. | ||
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Whenever I visit an offbeat place I am always fraught with an anxiety whether I should tell people about that place or not. In the garb of tourism we are destroying the ecological balance. You’ll hear lot of people use ‘Ecotourism’ in their sales pitch. But very few understand it. One such place where it is a reality and not just a fancy word is Lanzarote
Lanzarote is an island that offers varied vistas to its visitors. The avenues on offer are so much that even quite a few locals might have not seen the place in its full glory. Lovely beaches and tranquil coastal regions stand side by side with stark black lava mountains and deep green forests. This special island is the world has recognised its unique topography by declaring it a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, so as to preserve the flora and fauna of this region. The residents of Lanzarote take pride in its unique environment and today, ecotourism is not just a buzzword, but is something that is practiced by the residents and the visitors alike.
Image by MarcVeraart, used under Creative Commons licence 2.0
Spain’s lovely beaches and delicious food are just one of the many reasons why Lanzarote is such a popular destination. Spain’s holiday deals that include Lanzarote emphasize the differential aspects of this hauntingly beautiful island. Tourism is confined to only three regions in the island, and this ensures that the special ecology of the island is not harmed by swarming tourists. Travel here on a mountain bike, or just walk through the mountain trails, taking in the special malpais- the black lava fields which came up in the 18th century. Also, travel through the Fire Mountains in the National Park in Timanfaya, where the ground still retains higher temperature. You can also walk through the Monumento Natural de los Ajaches, a 3000-hectare park with landscape varying from secluded beaches to volcanoes.
Image by MarcVeraart, used under Creative Commons licence 2.0
Eco-tourism here is defined by the fact that the hotel industry in this place has formed the Biosphere Group of hotels, where the visitor’s impact on the environment is minimised by the use of solar and wind energy, waste recycling and water resource management. Even the local accommodation is built around sustainable, eco-friendly resources with every effort being made to preserve the natural beauty around them. Ranging from self-catering rooms to the fascinating Mongolian yurts, from luxury resorts to fancy villas, all the staying places boast of excellent eco-preservation measures.
A walk through one of the centres of art Jameos del Agua, culture and tourism, established by Cesar Manrique, will take you through open lakes or clear water pathways that house the rare species of crabs, and the special plants of this region. The southeast coast of Lanzarote is the most popular tourist area in the island, but the hiking paths, quaint villages, volcanoes and lava regions are never too far away. Spain’s lovely beaches and delicious food can be found everywhere, and the visitors come away with new respect for the environment and with a new belief in mankind’s ability to preserve its precious ecology.
Anton Diaz at TBEX Speaker Session, Philippines
If you are reading this post I am assuming you have already made up your mind to attend the TBEX conference. If not, then read Why TBEX is a must for Travel Bloggers.
By signing up for the TBEX Event you have just unlocked an opportunity door. Now is the time to make the best of that opportunity by preparing right.
Here are the 10 tips for attending TBEX:
Although it’s an informal conference but you end up meeting lots of people from the travel industry. While they might remember you during the conference but as they say out of sight out of mind. You don’t want a golden opportunity to go waste, right? Bring minimum 250 business cards. Trust me, you don’t want to run out of cards. Don’t experiment too much with the shape and font. Keep it simple but play with the images. Giving your audience a chance to pick up a card of their choice from multiple images clicked by you is both engaging as well as distinguishing from the rest. Also, it’s good to carry your media kit and portfolio. As they say seeing is believing.
I am guilty of missing out on the key note session, thanks to over partying the previous night and staying far away from the conference venue. Try and stay as close to the venue as possible. You save lot of time from getting stuck in the traffic. Even if you don’t want to attend any session, being present at the venue offers great opportunity for networking.
Speaker sessions are diverse and designed to cater to different needs of different segments. Read about the speakers and their topic beforehand so you can choose which session to attend and which to miss. Sometimes a topic might appear interesting on paper but might not be great in person. Walk out and attend any other session at any time. I personally preferred attending those sessions which helped me upskill my professional skills like the Facebook session by Eden Ruden and the Hyperlapse session by Scott Herder.
At TBEX, early bird gets the worm. Not only do you get to save money on registration fee but you also get to attend the PREBEX tour and post FAMTRIPS of your choice. So earlier you book more choices you have. While registering, do ask for discounts from other people who might have already registered. You can easily save up to 20%.
TBEX social assets are full with loads of useful information. Don’t forget to join the closed community group of TBEX on Facebook. Do check their feeds regularly. TBEX organising committee has a lot on its plate therefore not everything gets communicated through their website or newsletter. You need to follow all their assets to be in know how. If you don’t follow them, you could be missing out on great opportunities.
Keep your introvert personality at home when you come to the TBEX. Take the first lead and meet as many people as you can. Exchange cards, ask questions, understand their businesses, their problems and then pitch yourself. Never oversell yourself. Remember, its spotting opportunities not selling.
TBEX is an informal conference but still dress to impress. First impression is the last impression and you don’t want to get it wrong. If you are a luxury blogger then your style should reflect the same, if you are a budget traveler then casuals work just fine. Another most important thing, keep the itinerary in mind when packing for your FAM Trip and please pack in advance. Don’t keep it for the last moment. I did a blunder of not packing a swimsuit when our trip was a beach holiday.
There will be lot of bloggers traveling with you on the Pre and Post FAM tours, who would be equally excited as you are to click pictures. So don’t waste too much time in clicking pictures. Wait for your turn and move on quickly. Be courteous to others. Instead of going on a click-spree frame the shot in your mind and execute it quickly. Most important, don’t get too busy clicking the pictures that you forget to enjoy the moment.
A thriving community is an outcome of engaged members. Participate in conversations, share your feelings, doubts, pictures, videos and everything you want to communicate. The best way to get compliments is by giving one 🙂
It’s one of the biggest event in Travel Industry therefore the scale of preparations is huge. And when the scale is huge minor hiccups are bound to happen. During those times its best to keep your calm and not aggravate the issue. Trust me, organisers would do their best to make you feel comfortable. My luggage got misplaced during one of the tours but the Philippines Tourism Board and the hotel staff more than made it up for the oversight.
Hope these 10 tips help you get the best out of TBEX Events.
Do look out for my detailed posts on the trips I took with TBEX.
TBEX Conference Venue, PICC, Manila, Philippines
Diamond, the most precious stone in the world, is merely a piece of rock until it gets polished. The transformation from a rough stone to a precious stone requires specialized knowledge, tools, equipment, and techniques. That’s what Travel Blog Exchange (TBEX) does in the field of travel blogging. Albeit, in Hyperlapse mode.
Travel blogging is both an art as well as science. You might have a talent and passion for it but you won’t get noticed until you are at the right place at the right time with the right people. TBEX is the world’s largest gathering of travel bloggers, writers, new media content creators, travel brands and industry professionals. Every year, TBEX partners with amazing destinations in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific to bring the travel industry’s most creative minds together to learn, network and do business.
Two things spiked my interest for TBEX Philippines – inspiration from the past attendees and Philippines being the host destination. Registering four months in advance saved me some precious dollars.
Here are the five reasons Why TBEX is a must for Travel Bloggers:
TBEX is a treasure chest for knowledge seekers. Especially the Speaker Sessions, where topics were as diverse as ‘Accomplishing Great Things: Productivity Tips and Trick for Bloggers’ to How to Create Eye-Catching Hyperlapse Videos Today Using Your Smart Phone’. Speaker sessions were informative, practical and engaging. Like a sponge, I was absorbing the pearls of wisdom shared by our speakers. My only complaint was the simultaneous timing of the sessions. However, we found a smart solution – divided our group as per sessions. Each one of us took notes and shared our learning with each other. Isn’t that a cool idea? Try it next time. Also, the learning wasn’t restricted to the Speaker Sessions but it was free flowing through the PREBEX tours, Parties and FAM trips where we could discuss anything and everything with fellow participants.
TBEX End Keynote Address by Patricia Shultz
Networking is not selling but spotting opportunities. Most of the times opportunities are not advertised but are discussed behind the closed doors over drinks or coffee. TBEX was a great place to make connections with the brands and fellow bloggers. During Speed Networking I met lot of potential Clients that I could be working for in the near future. Though I had fixed appointment with a handful of Clients but I ended up talking to almost all the sponsors. The key is to be proactive and approach the sponsors and bloggers. No other place offers you an opportunity to network with so many travel professionals like TBEX does.
With TBEX Speakers Ajay Sood and Tim Leffel, and Reshma Narasing
TBEX Community is a very vibrant and engaging community, where interactions are rich, prompt, helpful and all encompassing. Everyone is eager to showcase their common passion of travel in the best possible way – pictures, vlogs, blogs etc. There is a bonhomie among members, who support and promote each other. It’s the best platform to share the proof of whatever you have learnt in the conference and get a real time feedback from the experts. For example Scott Herder was extremely helpful when I needed to know about Hyperlapse.
‘All Work And No Play Makes Jack A Dull Boy.’ Thankfully the promoters of TBEX share the same sentiment and therefore they ensured there was never a dull moment during TBEX. Right from the start of PREBEX tours until the end FAM trips. There were grand parties every night followed by even wilder after parties. During the conference I realised our happiest moments always seem to come when we stumble upon one thing while in pursuit of something else. I had registered for the learning aspect of TBEX. Fun turned out to be a Bonus. And boy what a hefty bonus it was.
Oktoberfest Party with Bill Fink
It is very rare that travel bloggers and influencers from around the world gather at the same place at the same time. TBEX offers a great opportunity to the host country to showcase their country to the world and get the best value their moolah can ever buy – free word of mouth publicity. Therefore the Tourism Board and the organising committee leaves no stone unturned to impress you. You are made to experience the best attractions in the country, fed the yummiest food, put up in the most luxurious properties and bestowed A VIP treatment. You’ll be thanking your stars for signing up for the conference. Philippines Tourism Board set a new benchmark in hospitality with their service. Mike Shubic, a seasoned vlogger, who had attended 5 TBEX events prior to Philippines said this was the best conference in terms of management.
The personal security we were provided during our entire stay
So these were my top reasons why TBEX is a must for travel bloggers. Convinced?
Wait no more. Sign up for the upcoming TBEX Events NOW!
Do look out for many more posts coming your way for TBEX Philippines
Disclaimers:
Iconic Skyline. Financial Hub. Shoppers Delight. Culinary Paradise.
Adjectives are often used for Hong Kong but it is a city that defies any definition. Being a borderless and limitless city it not only attracts the best from the world but also grooms the local talent. Its mysticism peels off like an onion. Underneath the glitz and glamour of a global city lies the strong roots of Chinese culture and colonial heritage. There’s nothing foreign here. There’s nothing that doesn’t belong here. I would have been myopic in my views had I not chosen a different path – exploring the offbeat Hong Kong in 4 days. Without further ado let’s get on board.
The first day in Hong Kong taught an important lesson – never step in a foreign land without carrying the local currency. Call it my overconfidence or ignorance, I arrived with just 150 HKD in my pocket. My heart sank when the two ATMs frowned at me. The fear of being stranded in a foreign land looked real. To add to my misery, my friend too was in the same boat. We were laughing at our rotten break. Our first foreign trip together was on the verge of crashing before takeoff.
But thankfully it turned out to be just a nightmare, not a reality. The ATM at Shim Sha Sui brought a big smile to our faces. We had never been so happy to withdraw money from an ATM as we were at that time.
After the clouds of tension disappeared, we strolled in the Victoria and Shim Sha Sui areas chatting and exploring the nightlife of Hong Kong. Finally at around 4:30 am we decided to call it a night with the hope of waking up at 6 am for our Sai Kung Peninsula adventure.
Nocturnals like me shouldn’t dream of morning sojourns. Instead of 6.30 am we left at 9:30 am 😛 Our travel was still going OK until we reached Sai Kung Bus Terminus. We were supposed to take Bus #29R to Sai Wai Ting. Unfortunately, the Chinese pronunciation tricked us. We confused the word “Mateno” (or whatever the locals were referring to) with McDonald’s. For two hours we were roaming in the same area making desperate pleas to strangers to guide us to Bus #29R. Some were handicapped by the language, some were as clueless as us and some simply ignored us. The funny part was, the bus station was right opposite where we were.
After two and a half hours of futile legwork in the scorching sun, we decided to forgo our hiking plan in favour of a speed boat island tour. A bus ride that would have cost just 20 HKD was now cutting a deep hole – 150 HKD. But beggars are not choosers. So we had no option but to oblige. However, the boat ride proved to be one of the most thrilling rides of our trip. The sea was doing jumping-jhapang and the waves were fighting with each other to give us free hugs. Everyone in the boat was shouting their lungs out with excitement and fear.
Amidst this enthralling ride, the jaw-dropping landscapes of Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark kept amazing us with their Volcanic and Sedimentary rock structures, which have been the crowning glory of China from the Era of Dinosaurs. I wanted to capture those amazing landforms but the probability of falling into the ocean was too high. So I let my eyes savour it.
We reached Sai Wan Beach after 40 minutes of a heart-in-mouth ride. It was probably one of the most beautiful areas in Hong Kong. It had sandy white beaches for camping, waterfalls for cliff jumping, lagoons to kick back in, peaks to climb and cows to watch out for.
Unknowingly we had arrived at our destination. We were lucky to run into a lovely girl called Summer, who runs a restaurant as well as takes bookings for speed boat to Tai Long and Sai Wan. She guided us about nearby attractions and transportation.
Unfortunately, we missed the path going to Sheung Luk Streams and ended up hiking the MacLehose Trail on the opposite side. A supposedly 20 minutes’ walk turned into over an hour hike and still we couldn’t see a trace of Sheung Luk Streams. When asked other hikers, they gave an expression like a Junior high school student has been asked a PhD level question. We realised it was time to tread back.
Thankfully on our way back we found the Sheung Luk Streams. There were no signboards. We just followed the direction from where some people were coming. The stream was zen like and young kids were jumping off from the 25 feet cliff.
At around 4:30 pm we started our onward trek to Sai Wan Pavilion from the Sai Wan Beach. It was a beautiful fully paved trail with breathtaking views of High Island Reservoir. Finally, the lady luck smiled on us. In spite of being late for 45 minutes, we were able to catch the last bus to the Sai Kung Bus Terminus.
After a day full of adventure, it was time to enjoy the cultural side of the city – the Hong Kong Mid-Autumn Festival. We reached the front of Hong Kong Space Museum at Tsim Sha Sui to see the Thematic Lantern Exhibition, which was on its last day. The theme of the exhibition was, “Fly Me to the Moon”.
It was time to explore the authentic and simple life of Hong Kong islets, where time has stood still and local culture has remained untouched from the claws of modernisation. We started our trip from the quaint little Peng Chau Island, which has a population of 5000 people and where the cycle is the only mode of transport. Finger Hill was the highest point on the island from where you could see the amazing panoramic view. Temples tucked away in alleys and Fisherman’s Rock were other attractions we explored. The strange thing was almost 70% of the people we saw on the island were senior citizens. In a city where everything runs at breakneck speed this was an island moving in slo-mo.
The ‘Venice of Hong Kong’ aka Tai O, the fishing village of Lantau Island was our next pitstop. Apparently this is the only remaining fishing village in Hong Kong. We took a 20 minutes boat tour (25 HKD), which I felt was a waste of money because neither we saw the interiors of the fishing village nor the Chinese/Pink Dolphins for which the tour was famous for. It’s better to walk around the village, observe the locals, relish the seafood snacks, and have a meal at stilt restaurants than waste money on it.
Visit the Cheung Chau Island wrapped in our island hopping tour. It was bustling with tourists. Seemed like entire Hong Kong has landed on the small islet. Most were weekend hoppers enjoying surfing or swimming. Walking around the island, we finally settled for Cheung Chau Windsurfing Centre & Outdoor Café, a great place to eat with an enchanting ocean view. Taking a slightly longer route we arrived at the famous Pak Tai Temple.
On our way back, the iconic skyline of Hong Kong was decked up like a new bride. We had already seen the bedazzling ‘Symphony of Lights show at Victoria harbour from at Tshim Sha Sui promenade, so we decided to see a different light show from a relatively unknown place. At 9 pm from the IFC Rooftop Garden, we saw the light show of the ICC building.
With an image of a global financial hub with a skyscraper-studded skyline, it’s hard to imagine Hong Kong could still be hiding over 800 years old walled villages in its countryside. There are 5 walled villages in Hong Kong – Kat Hing Wai, Fanling Wai, Tsang Tai Uk, Sheung Shui Wai and Nga Tsin Wai Tsuen. These villages were built in a rectangular style and were surrounded by thick walls to hide from the pirates and Chinese dynastic attacks. Though over time the walled villages have mostly been demolished and modern structures have come in their place but it was interesting to see how old Chinese people used to live in a community and how the walled village customs were passed down through generations and adapted to a more modern way of life.
To be honest, it wasn’t as awe-inspiring as I imagined it to be. But exploring an offbeat trail is always a 50-50 game. Sometimes you could get a jackpot sometimes you could return empty-handed.
A visit to Hong Kong is incomplete without experiencing its incredible shopping and food culture. We ended our day by visiting the local markets – Temple Street Night Market, Ladies Market, Sneakers Market, Victoria Market and Kowloon Market among others. The best part about shopping in Hong Kong is it caters to every budget, need and whim. Also, the city has no sales tax so prices are attractive.
Hong Kong’s love affair with food is world-renowned and so broad is its culinary repertoire, that whatever your tummy desires, Hong Kong will find a yummy way to satiate it. I particularly enjoyed eating the authentic Cantonese vegetarian meal at Bodhisattva Vegetarian Restaurant.
So this was my short and sweet experience of Discovering Offbeat Hong Kong in 4 Days. How was your experience or are you still planning? Go Discover Hong Kong! If you are going to Hong Kong from India, don’t forget to apply for the Hong Kong pre-arrival registration for Indians!
PS: Hong Kong as of 12th October 2021 is still not open to tourists but will most likely open up in 2022. Please do check their travel advisory before booking your trip.
For more details on which airline to fly, where to go, what to see, the best time to visit, best places to stay and ideal Hong Kong Itineraries for 1-5 days, check out the following articles:
A step-by-step guide for multi visit Japan Visa
My Facebook Timeline is overtaken by the country of ‘Pokemon’. For the last few years, everyone is either visiting Japan or is in planning mode. Japan has suddenly become the ‘IT’ place for tourists. From the slopes of Mount Fuji to the temple streets of Kyoto, tourists are flocking Japan’s tourist spots, using their JR Passes to map out the length and breadth of the country, getting blown away by Sakura and swiping their credit cards on cosmetics, sushi and high-tech gadgets.
Whatever might be the reason, Japan is swiftly climbing in the preferred destination list. The cheap yen, easier visas and Government initiatives like “cool Japan”, “Omotenashi” seem to be working its magic to lure tourists to Japan. So if you too are thinking to visit Japan but is puzzled how to go about the visa process then this post is for you.
Residents from 67 Countries and regions can enter Japan without a visa for short term stay. If your country didn’t make it to the list then you are required to apply for the Japan Visa. Start your process by visiting the website of Embassy of Japan in your country and download the Application Form and Checklist based on your purpose of travel. If applying from India visit VFS website. If applying from any other country visit the website of Japan Embassy in that country, for example, I used Philippines website.
Getting a Japan visa is no big deal if you have following documents in place:
Japan Embassy has accredited travel partners in each country it functions. In India, it has empaneled VFS and in the Philippines, it has 6 accredited agencies. Visit the accredited agency’s office and submit the required documents along with the visa fee (cash only). The visa fees are 1090 INR in India and 1200 Php for Foreigners (1000 Php for locals) in the Philippines.
Since I was applying from the Philippines I used Discovery Tours. They were very efficient and helpful. They went out of their way to help. They even agreed to check my documents and guide me before final document submission, which was not even included in their services.
Photo credits: Carlos ZGZ, Flicker, Public Domain
Japan visa, like their bullet trains, is very fast when it comes to visa processing. After three days of documents submission, you can collect your passport. I submitted the application on Saturday and got my visa on Tuesday. The icing on the cake was getting a Multi Visit 5 Year Visitor Visa. Frankly, I wasn’t expecting it since I was applying for the first time and usually first timers only get single visit visa up to 90 days of stay but I guess having traveled to many G7 countries in the past three years, travel blogger credentials and having sufficient financial capacity to fund my trip convinced them to change their mind 🙂
There are three options to collect your passport:
Even after traveling frequently around the world, visas still scare me. But I am so glad Japan Visa process was a cakewalk. Hope it is the same for you!
日本であなたを参照してください
(Nihon de anata o sanshō shite kudasai – see you in Japan)
Related: Budget Guide on Japan Travel
Always do what you are afraid to do.
Ralph Waldo Emerson’s words have been my guiding principle in life. But this time when I visited Sagada I pushed the envelope a bit more. Being an impulsive traveler who hates micro planning, I had not bothered to check what I was getting into and how prepared was I. All I knew was it has Rice Terraces, Hanging coffins, Whang Od and a cool weather. And these reasons were good enough for me to book a trip to Sagada, Philippines. However, Sagada Sagada Tourist Spots surpassed my expectations.
Come on board and experience the thrill of mountain adventure in a tropical paradise:
The 2000-year-old Banaue Rice Terraces, a UNESCO world heritage site
On 9th Sep 2016 night, I along with my friend Pari, started our journey to Sagada. Our first pit stop was the stunning 2000-year-old Banaue Rice Terraces, a UNESCO world heritage site. The Rice Terraces are commonly referred to as the “Eighth Wonder of the World”. It was the first ever landscape to be included in the cultural landscape category of the UNESCO world heritage site.
Banaue Rice Terrace view from a local house, Philippines
Another interesting trivia is, in a country colonized for more than 400 years; this mountain province was never colonized, as the tribes here were too strong for any kind of foreign invasion.
After quick check-in and lunch at Sagada, we started our adventure ride. On the behest of our driver, we opted for Cave Connection, an extreme spelunking adventure. I had no clue what I was in for. My past caving experiences left me with a misconception that caving is pretty easy. Turned out I was foolhardy.
Cave Connection, Sagada. Pic cc: jojo nicdao
We started our Cave Connection Tour from Lumiang Cave, a burial site where hundreds of coffins are stacked as part of the local tradition. These coffins have been there for more than 400 years and in some of the coffins, you could see the bones. A strenuous adventure began with an eerie start.
The coffins behind us have been in the Burial Cave for more than 400 years
The only light in the pitch-darkness came from the lamp our guide was carrying. Our guides were experienced and caring. One of the guides had Salman Khan’s ‘Tere naam’ hairdo.
Cave Connection, Sagada. Pic cc: jojo nicdao
Our Group taking a photo op break in the Sumaguing Cave, Sagada
Cave Connection was an awe-inspiring experience that not only amazed us with the magnificent rock formations but also tested our endurance and flexibility. The 5 hours of spelunking had a number of descents and ascents, climbing, and rappelling, swimming and soaking, crawling and scooting, gripping the shoulder of our guide and stepping on his knee, cursing and praying, and more!
The 10 feet deep icy cold water pool that we had to cross, Pic CC jojo nicdao
Rappelling inside the Cave, Sagada
The rocks were dangerous, slippery and sharp. Capable of causing bongsho-dhongsho to any guy 😛 (Ask your Bengali friend what it means). One slip could have resulted in a slip-disk. The most frightening part was when we had to pass through the freezing cold waterfall and 10 feet deep pool filled with icy COLD water. Every inch of my body was hurting and I was super cold.
Crossing the icy cold 10 feet deep water pool, Sagada
What kept me going was I didn’t want to die in a dark scary cave. So I had no option but to keep walking. However, the Braveheart was my friend, who in spite of not being an adventure junkie finished it successfully. She could be the next model for Fear Factor or Whisper.
One key takeaway from this extreme adventure was – Sometimes the best strategy to get over your fear is to not know the extent of the danger.
After a day of thrilling action, it was time to relax and what better place than Yogurt House, a cozy restaurant with a fireplace, delicious food, and charming staff. All it took to gulp down our tiredness was a hot cup of ginger lemon Tea, Kadhi Chawal (thanks to Haldiram’s RTE) and a veg sub.
A day full of adventure had come to an end. That day after long I slept like a log and woke up fresh.
Sagada Tourist Spots: Trek to Bomod ok Waterfalls
A one-hour trek through the villages, rice terraces and steps took us to the Bomod-OK waterfalls. The downhill and uphill trek was pretty tiring in the scorching sun but the waterfall was worth the effort and the sun tan.
Sagada Tourist Spots: Bomod ok Waterfalls, Sagada
Sagada is renowned for its hanging coffins. Though I had heard about them I didn’t know about their history. Our guide told us that there are two kinds of funeral processes practiced in Sagada – cemetery coffins placed 6 feet above the ground and hanging coffins on the cliffs.
Sagada Tourist Spots: Echo Valley, Sagada
We hiked for 15-20 minutes from the St. Mary’s Church to the cemetery to eventually make way down to the Echo Valley and Hanging Coffins. It is named echo valley for the obvious reason.
Here is the back-story narrated by my Igorot Tribe guide:
Hanging Coffins is a 2000 year old funeral custom of ours. It is an expensive process and only the person who is considered to be the ‘legitimate elder’ by us has a right to be placed in a hanging coffin. When the person dies, he/she is placed in the coffin in a fetal position because a person should exit the world in the same position that he/she entered.
We wrap the body in blankets and tie with rattan leaves and then carry the corpse to the hanging coffins site. Our tribe members arrive from far away places to participate in the procession. Getting smeared with the blood or sweat of the deceased brings good luck. After reaching the site for the burial, the corpse is placed in the coffin and tied or nailed to the side of the cliff. We believe placing the coffin on the side of a cliff, the deceased would be closer to heaven.” Bewildered by the unique traditions of the locals, we returned to the marketplace.
Sagada Tourist Spots: The Hanging Coffins
The evening was spent experimenting with food – some gluttonous some worth forgetting.
Next day we woke up at 3 am to catch the glorious sunrise at Mt. Kiltepan. While we were waiting for the break of dawn, the cold gusts of wind made sure we didn’t feel sleepy. The sea of cottony clouds, the crack of sunlight passing through and the shivers we got from the cold breeze made this place heavenly! Although the sun had taken a day off that day still the sight was mesmerizing and magical.
Sagada Tourist Spots: Sunrise View from Mt. Kiltepan, Sagada
Mt. Kiltepan – One of the most popular Sagada Tourist Spots
After basking in the glory of the gorgeous sunrise, we started our onward journey to Manila taking pit stops in between for photo-ops, loo breaks, and pet puja. En-route we visited Baguio strawberry farms and Burnham Park.
It is one of those places whose mystique and allure cannot be captured through pictures or words. With its unique culture, rugged beauty, cool weather, pine trees, fresh food and air, the slow pace of life and rich traditions, it felt like I’ve been transported to a different part of the world. A part where I lost my heart to my beloved Himalayas. I never imagined finding love in an archipelago. But as they say, never say never.
So when are you visiting this sleepy beautiful town?
The Bat Cave where flowing water has carved waves on the rocks, Sagada
From November to February. The weather is cool and dry. From November onwards there are local festivals like Begnas di Yabyab (Nov), annual bonfire festival (Dec), and town fiesta (Feb).
The 12-13 hours journey can be done either through a bus or car/vans. There are no direct buses to Sagada so you’ll have to go via Banaue or Baguio. Many tour operators have 3D4N tours to Sagada with vans leaving on Thursday night around 9 PM from Trinoma or from Centris Mall, Quezon Avenue.
Though I could stay there for weeks but for most people 3D4N are enough to explore the key attractions.
There are no swanky hotels in Sagada only basic hotels and homestays. I stayed at an amazing property called the Glasshouse with a great view and good facilities. Other options are Canaway Guesthouse, George’s Guesthouse, Deavey’s inn, Masferre Inn, Rock Inn, Treasure Rock Inn among others.
I took a package tour so my entire trip inclusive of my stay, transportation, guide fees, meals, and some light shopping cost around 6000 pesos (less than 125 USD). If you decide to do on your own than a budget of the 1.5k peso (31 USD) per day should be good.
I couldn’t experiment a lot with the food, thanks to being a vegetarian. Although I tried many restaurants my favourite was Yogurt House. Other options are Salt & Pepper, Masferre, Sagada Brew, Gaia Café and Bana’s. Lemon Pie House, which is highly recommended was a big disappointment. Neither they had variety nor taste. The staff was rude. And please don’t try their mountain tea. You will be scarred for life.
If you enjoyed reading this article, do read Why Philippines is the best-kept secret of South East Asia.
Sean O’Connell: Sometimes I don’t. If I like a moment, for me, personally, I don’t like to have the distraction of the camera. I just want to stay in it.
Walter Mitty: Stay in it?
Sean O’Connell: Yeah. Right there. Right here.
If I were to sum up my Cambodia Trip then this would be the description.
Angkor Wat enamored me for long but not enough to make me book my tickets. However, a low-cost airline and a long weekend did the job. A flight to Cambodia was booked without any expectations. No expectations often lead to pleasant surprises. And Cambodia turned to be a mega one.
On 25th Aug 2016, I was in Cambodia but the trip didn’t start on a good note. After scooting through the frenzied traffic and torrential rains I somehow managed to reach the Airport on time. But my wait was in for a long wait tonight. Although Cebu Pacific enjoys a notorious image of flight delays this time it wasn’t the culprit. A powerful cyclone was. One thing that Philippines has taught me what India couldn’t is PATIENCE. I patiently waited for my flight to take off. After a delay of 6 hours and a bumpy flight I finally landed in Siem Reap at 3:50 am instead of 9:50 pm. But as they say, all’s well that ends well. I was happy to have reached my destination safely.
Cambodia wasn’t love at first sight. It was chaotic, hot and humid but a treasure trove where disappointment turned into amazement. An unforgettable trip worthy of many posts. So in my first post I am going to share the unique facts about Cambodia that left me awestruck. So hop on and relive the Cambodian Charm with me.
BEYOND ANGKOR WAT, THE UNIQUE FACTS ABOUT CAMBODIA
One passport size photo, thirty dollars and five minutes are all it takes to get you a visa in Cambodia. No unnecessary paperwork. No long queues. No difficult questions. Getting a visa in Cambodia is a cakewalk.
As soon as you come out of the airport, there are prepaid taxis, tuk-tuks, and mopeds waiting to take you to your destination. A tuk-tuk to the city centre costs 11$, a taxi 12$. I hired a taxi and unfortunately got stuck with it. The Lexus taxi was comfy but the driver was super clingy. He didn’t misbehave, he was just a narcissistic salesman. I did a mistake of asking him about the offbeat places around Siem Reap and he stationed himself at my hotel. I didn’t want to hire a taxi for my sightseeing because you don’t get to travel like a local but because he had waited for me for four hours (voluntarily. I didn’t ask him to) I felt compelled to hire him. Thankfully I hired him only for a day. One day trip that could have been done in 60-80 $, ended up over 150$. Getting bored with his self-obsessive talks was a bonus that I could have happily traded off.
Tip: Don’t reveal your travel plans to your driver. Instead, seek your hotel/hostel’s help
To know more, don’t forget to read the Complete Guide on Cambodia Visa
Taxi in which I got stuck at Siem Reap, Cambodia
Unlike its neighbours, Cambodia is still unexplored and uncrowded therefore it’s fairly easy to find accommodation in and around popular areas at attractive prices. Most of the properties are owned by foreigners and serviced by locals. The staff is ever smiling and at your service 24*7. And the best part is you don’t need to book your entire stay in advance. You can keep your plans flexible and decide your accommodation according to the mood of your wanderlust. I managed to get accommodations in offbeat places like Sen Monorom, Batambang and Kampot without any prior booking.
In Siem Reap, I had booked myself at Naga Angkor Hotel of Mad Monkey Hostels. A budget hotel, just five minutes away from the Pub Street. Steve, the owner of the property, was very helpful. In spite of being on a different continent he always responded to my queries. My room was small but clean with all the basic amenities. The staff was very courteous. Thanks to them, I ended up exploring a lot of offbeat places. I usually don’t eat at the hotel I stay in but the food and drinks served at the restaurant of Naga Hotel was wonderful.
Bedroom of Naga Angkor Hotel, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Restaurant & Bar of Naga Angkor Hotel, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Tip: Do carry your toilet paper and water. It’s not a common practice to provide the same.
It was the first time I didn’t exchange my currency for a local currency and I am glad I didn’t. Cambodia is a country where dollar is the de-facto local currency. You can relish your dinner or hire a tuk-tuk or go sightseeing or do souvenir shopping; everything can be paid in dollar. Locals are happier to accept dollar than Riel since it gives them better value than their local currency. One dollar is equal to 4000 Riels so it’s a win-win situation for travelers as well as the locals. The interesting fact is that even locals have to pay in dollars for big ticket items like a bike or a car.
Tip: Keep lots of small bills of 1s, 2s, 5s and 10s.
Everyone accepts a dollar in Cambodia, even your tuk-tuk driver
While Hinduism and Buddhism influence can be seen everywhere in Cambodia, there is one more thing that has India written all over it – the Cambodian Names. Just like in ancient India the caste system reflected our occupation, similarly in Cambodia the number of syllables in a person’s name reflect the level of his/her parents’ education and family’s social status.
My guide told me if you have a name like Borun which has two syllables (o & u) then it means you are from a farmer family. If you have three syllables then one of your parent comes from a blue collar job like a doctor, engineer, teacher or a government servant. The King has seven syllables and the Prime Minister has the highest number of syllables – 14 (Samdech Akeak Moha Sena Padey Techo Hun Sen; meaning “Lord Prime Minister, Supreme Military Commander Hun Sen). And if you are a Chinese-Khmer businessmen with a business empire and connections with Hun Sen or Royal Family, you can buy the title of “Okhna”, or Lord. Also, Cambodians traditionally have only a last name and a first name, with middle names common only among royalty and the elite.
Borun’s name have two syllables
Tip: While addressing a person do note that the Cambodian name is always spoken and written in the order of last name then first name
Koh Ker, the offbeat part of Cambodia
Cambodia has a lot more to offer than its headline sights – Angkor Wat. What won me over was the friendliness of the people, the yummy vegetarian Khmer cuisine, the sublime beauty of the countryside and its pristine tropical rain-forests. Places like Koh Kher, Sen Monorom, Koh Kong, Battambang, Ban Lung, which you wouldn’t find in guidebooks, are actually the places where the heart of Cambodia lies.
Being an offbeat traveler I keep my plans fluid and trust the advice of locals and fellow travelers. One such gem of an advice was given by the Austrian friends – Daniel and Julia – I met in Battambang. They introduced me to Sen Monorom, Mondulkiri, which lies in North East of Cambodia near the border of Vietnam. It is a must visit place for nature and animal lovers. The Elephant Valley Project is an NGO working towards rehabilitating the captive elephants in Jungle, conserving their natural habitat and supporting the local people who work with these magnificent creatures. For 52$ you can watch the elephants for half a day and do voluntary work for the other half.
Elephant Valley Project, Sen Monorom, Cambodia
The elephant watching is very special. You walk around the jungle with a guide listening to the real life stories of the elephants – how they were treated before, how they acted when they came to the project, how they adapted to the other elephants. One such story was about an elephant who was treated very badly by her owner. She had a hard time adapting to the free environment of the project. She was afraid to do even simple things like eating or bathing without human orders. While other elephants would enjoy being themselves she would stand in a corner like a scared puppy.
Then one day an elephant, who had been there for a longer time, ‘showed’ her what Freedom is and encouraged her to do anything she liked. He took some mud and put it on her. The timid girl was like ‘hmmm okay. This is fun and looks like nobody is going to hurt me’ and she carefully put little mud on herself. She waited for some time and since no one hurt her she put way more mud onto herself and you could see how much fun she was having. It was a sight to behold where an Elephant was learning how to be an elephant again.
Elephant Valley Project, Sen Monorom, Cambodia
Tip: If there is one thing I would recommend you to do in Cambodia it would be to visit the Elephant Valley Project. And along with it you can do a side trip to the magnificent Bousra waterfall in Mondulkiri.
Bousra waterfall, Mondulkiri, Cambodia
Most hotels and hostels have a tie-up with travel agencies and drivers, who can take you out on day tours. They are economical and saves you the hassle of doing everything on your own but I am not a big fan of pre-planned tours. I took a National Kulen Park day Tour for 35$, which was an OK deal. The best part of the tour was the interesting conversations I had with my guide and fellow travelers.
The reclining Budha of Phnom Kulen, Kulen National Park, Cambodia
I met a group of four friends from Kolkata, all above 65 years of age. For the last 40 years they have a ritual of traveling together once a year. No wife. No kids. No distractions. Just four best friends. Isn’t it cool to travel with your best buddies?
The four friends from india that I met on the day tour
Cambodia has a strong culture and history. When in Cambodia you should not miss an Apsara dance and Circus. Both are unique to Cambodia and through art form they show both the glorious as well as the horrific past of Cambodia.
Tip: Avoid back seats in the tour van. Carry water, sun shades and a hat. Book your tours at least a day in advance to avoid last minute cancellations.
Julius Caesar said, “You can control people if you give them two things – something to eat and something to enjoy.” Guess that’s the philosophy of Hun Sen. From North to South to East to West to big cities to countryside there are only two things ubiquitous in Cambodia– the outdoors of People’s Party of Cambodia (PPC) and Beer. Beer is cheaper than water in Cambodia. Even in a tourist hub like a Pub street you can buy a beer for 50 cents.
In the words of my local guide, “I know Hun Sen is the most corrupt leader and he does nothing for the poor. We have no roads, no electricity, no schools, no hospitals, no good source of money but I still vote for him every five years because he had made beer cheap in Cambodia. We Cambodians don’t drink beer like you guys (having 2-3 pints) but we drink until we get completely drunk. Also, beer can make us win prizes like Villas, cars, bikes, iPhone etc. which we can only dream about.”
Tip: Try Angor beer or Draft Beer with local dishes like Khmer Curry or Amok
Cambodia is a unique place where both the destruction as well as the construction is credited to foreigners. While countries like Vietnam, US, China and Russia have played a hand in the Cambodian Genocide and Civil war, it is also the foreigners who are relentlessly working for the welfare of the Cambodians. Tourism is the second largest industry after Agriculture. The conservation and restoration of Ta Prohm (the famous Tomb Raider Temple) is being handled by the Archaeological Survey of India. Education and health is mostly on the mercy of foreign aids and NGOs run by foreigners. China owns 10% land in Cambodia and most of the factories are owned by Chinese businessmen. Most schools are setup and run by countries like South Korea and Japan.
The most revered person in Cambodia is Dr. Beat Richner, a Swiss pediatrician who founded the children’s hospitals in Cambodia, where kids up to the age of 14 are treated free of cost.
Tip: Hiring a local guide is a small way to help locals. Not only do they get to earn money but they also get to learn a foreign language. English is not taught in any Government school. Foreigners are their only way to learn English or any other foreign language
Nobody loves a hammock as much as the Cambodians do. They love to lounge and nap in a hammock almost anywhere and everywhere. I saw hammocks slung between trees, on the side of a road, behind souvenir stands, in a tuk-tuk, on a boat, in the kitchen of a small restaurant, under a small Khmer hut among other places.
And Cambodians love to enjoy socializing and dining in hammocks too. No wonder many of Cambodia’s scenic natural resorts feature dozens of open-air, thatched roof ‘gazebos’ with hammocks full of locals dining, drinking, and dozing the day away. Away from the humdrum and noisy cities you see an array of hammock bars in the countryside. There is a hammock-resort near the Kratie dolphin pools overlooking the Mekong River. In Kep, locals dine on fresh crab at seaside hammock shacks, and at the base of Udong Mountain, just outside Phnom Penh, there must be 500 hammocks, nearly all of which are full on a busy holiday weekend.
Tip: Buying a hammock in Cambodia can save you lots of dollars
With new power comes a new name. Cambodia has been changing its name whenever a new government came into power over the past 63 years. Interestingly they started and ended with “The Kingdom of Cambodia”:
Tip: You’ll appreciate the Cambodian history and culture more if you do some pre-reading
These were just few unique things I discovered about Cambodia. Do keep a watch on more soul stirring stories from Travel See Write.
After a gap of almost two years, India will be celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi or Vinayaka Chaturthi with the same fervour as it used to celebrate pre-pandemic. And, the best place to enjoy the Ganesh Chaturthi festivities is undoubtedly Mumbai. So, if you are wondering which are the best pandals for Ganesh Chaturti in Mumbai, this post is for you. But before that let me share the backstory of how and why we celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi in Mumbai.
Ganesh Chaturthi is a 10-day festival that celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesha, the god of wisdom and prosperity. This year, celebrations for Ganesh Chaturthi start on August 31 and will end on September 9 when the Ganesh Visarjan will take place.
The monsoon season had brought relief from the sweltering heat of Mumbai but there was no respite from the raging fire in a 37-year-old’s mind. Sitting at Girgaon Chowpaty every day he would wonder how can he make people rise above the shackles of caste, class and religion; and unite them. If ‘divide and rule’ could hand over the reins of sone ki chhidiya to the British then there has to be some idea which can motivate them to reclaim their swarajya from the clutches of ‘non-paying’ guests. Ideas and self-doubts kept flowing in and out of his mind while he kept making clay idols at Girgaon Chowpaty. Meanwhile, the spectators would stand there for hours admiring his idols.
Eureka! His idea was right in front of him. Unlike political rallies, the collective movement for religious purposes was not banned by the British. And thus the idea of Sarvajanik Ganesh Utsav was born in 1893 – from a private affair to a public movement. The man who gave birth to the biggest festival of Mumbai, Ganesh Chaturthi, was none other than Bal Gangadhar Tilak. A masterstroke by Tilak to use Ganesha Chaturthi as a platform to unite Indians without breaking the law. The Police (under British rule) couldn’t see the larger picture and unknowingly aided the nationalistic movement for Freedom. A clay idol of Ganesha would be installed at key public places in Mumbai, 11 days of festivities would become a breeding ground for nationalism, leaders of all castes and cadres would deliver patriotic speeches during cultural programs and finally, the Lord Ganesha idols would be immersed in the Arabian Sea. This festival fostered the feeling of unity and togetherness in Indians which helped in the revival of their patriotic spirit. Rest is history.
Today even after 129 years, the cosmopolitan Mumbai becomes one of its favourite God’s celebrations. Good vibes can be felt all around. Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Parsi, Sikh and everyone else forgo their religious biases and brings home the Ganesha idols as per their individual preferences – 3 days, 5 days, 7 days or 10 days. Mumbaikars have a firm belief in their Vighnaharta as Darshan Joshi says, “Jab tak Ganpati hai na Mumbai mei, tab tak Mumbai ko kuch nahi hoga”.
If you are planning a visit to Mumbai then what better time than Ganesh Chaturthi? However, keep in mind, ‘NO PAIN NO GAIN’. So brace yourself up to get stuck in hours-long traffic jams and sometimes rowdy crowds. I have personally experienced the pain and the gain of this mega festival in Mumbai. But trust me the happy atmosphere makes up pretty well for that little inconvenience.
Ganesh Chaturthi, Pic CC: Sushant Anaokar
The King of Lalbaug is undoubtedly the most famous and iconic Ganesh Utsav pandal in Mumbai, where more than 1.5 million devotees wait from 3 hrs to more than 24 hours to get a glimpse of their beloved God. I remember how insanely difficult it was for me (a person who can’t stand crowds) to convince myself to see the glory of Lalbaugcha Raja. With “Ganapati Bappa Morya! Mangalmoorti Morya!” reverberating all around me it was an atmosphere which could send goosebumps to anyone in the world. The feeling is unexplainable in words. It can only be felt by the heart and the eyes.
There were 2 Darshan lines – Navas Darshan, wherein after waiting up to 24 hours you can touch the feet of the Lord, and the Mukh Darshan, where you wait for 2-6 hours to see the Lord but can’t touch him. One thing that struck me the most was the spark in the eyes of Bappa. Seems like a 3D vision was communicating with you, wherever you might be in the pandal. Besides Bappa’s darshan, don’t forget to attend the most revered Ganpati Visarjan ceremony in the town. The less than 10 km journey that starts at 2 pm ends after 5 am the next day.
Nearest Railway Station: Lower Parel, Curry Road, Chinchpokli
Mumbai cha Raja in Ganesh Gali is one of the oldest pandals in Mumbai. Over the years, with its lavish Pandals replicating some of the most famous places of India like the Tirupathi temple has become a big crowd puller. This year it is going to be 22 feet tall and will be a replica of an ancient temple.
Nearest Railway Station: Chinchpokli, Curry Road, and Lower Parel
If there was an award for the most creative Ganesha Pandal then it would have gone to the Khetawadicha Ganraj in South Mumbai. Its major claim to fame was in 2000 when it created the highest Ganpati idol ever – 40 feet tall. Just like we love to adorn gold jewellery during important functions, similarly, The Khetawadi Ganraj is bejewelled with real gold jewellery studded with diamonds during Ganesh Chaturthi. What makes this experience truly unique is that there are Ganesha idols in every lane.
Nearest Railway Station: Charni Road and Sandhurst Road
If there was an award for the most eco-friendly and traditional Ganesha idol then it would go to The GSB Seva Ganesh Mandal, which is also known as Mumbai’s gold Ganesh. Yes, just like Khetawadicha Ganjar it is too adorned with pure gold. The idol is always made out of eco-friendly clay and instead of blaring recorded music traditional Indian musical instruments are played. Isn’t that cool?
Nearest Railway Station: Kings Circle on the Harbour Line and Matunga on the Central Line.
What Lalbaghcha Raja is to South and Central Mumbai Andhericha Raja is to the suburbs of Mumbai. The youngest amongst the most famous Ganesha idols in Mumbai, this idol is often visited by celebrities. On its golden Jubilee in 2015, its clothes were designed by an internationally acclaimed fashion designer, mukut was of a whopping of 1.25 crores value and it was the biggest Pandal in the city.
Nearest Railway Station: Andheri
A well-decked-up Ganesha Idol, Pic CC: Sushant Anaokar
Besides the above 5 most famous Ganpatis in Mumbai, there are a lot of other Ganpati Pandals that are worth visiting like Chinchpoklicha Chintamani, Kamatipuracha Chintamani, Tulsiwadicha Raja, Dongricha Raja, Chandanwari Ganapati among others.
Ganpati Visarjan (Immersion): Immersion is the most important ceremony during Ganesh Chaturthi. If you want to see the largest and most famous Ganesha statues, go to Girgaon Chowpaty on Marine Drive. Other options are Juhu Beach and Versova beach.
Ganpati Visarjan, Pic CC Mohak Marwah
In a world where religion is routinely used to divide people, Ganesh Chaturthi is a festival that unites people. So when are you going to attend the Ganesh Chaturthi in Mumbai? How about this year itself?
I would love to hear your stories.
It was the second test match of Ind-Aus Border Gavaskar Trophy in December 2003. Australia had piled on a massive 556 score on the board, thanks to Ricky Ponting’s superb 242 knock. Follow-on fear was looming on India with 85/4 score. And then a miracle partnership of 303 runs between the magic duo of Dravid-Laxman happened. And rest is a history written in golden words. This was the match where ‘THE WALL’ scored a double century and 72, giving India it’s one of the most illustrious win overseas on green tops. It was a start of a new era, whose foundation was laid at Oval, Adelaide, Australia.
That win etched Adelaide strongly in Indian Cricket fans mind. Adelaide became the home ground for Team India. Though cricket is one of the major draw for Indian travelers but there are lot of unexplored things waiting to be explored in Adelaide, a city nestled between the River Torrens and the Adelaide Hills.
Adelaide is a perfect place for slow travel for its elegant colonial heritage, colourful culture and mouthwatering cuisines. And the best way to explore this city is on foot because half of it is covered with gorgeous parks.
Adelaide CBD. Pic courtesy: Siddarth Dudhera
If you are looking for a place to express your love and don’t want a no for an answer then Adelaide has many stunning sunset and sunrise points to choose from – Windy Point Lookout, Glenelg Jetty and Henley beach are just few of them. And if you want complete privacy then visit the Largs Bay where tourists are extremely rare.
Travel Tip: Don’t forget to take a bottle of wine and fresh farm cheese when you express your love.
Under the pier at Glenelg Beach. Pic CC Nathan, Flicker. License to share and modify
When you are in the south side of Australia then you do things with a twist. So while you can see Dolphins in other parts of the country. Here you can swim with them. There are many companies that offer 3.5-4 hours of Dolphin tours. But one word of caution. No one can predict how playful the dolphins would be when you are in the water. Many factors dictate their mood. Even the most playful dolphins at Baird Bay can be moody. So don’t go with sky high hopes. And the best thing is even if you don’t know swimming or snorkeling you can enjoy this experience.
Travel tip: Before heading out on your adventure take some lessons from experienced yachtsmen and learn to operate a sailboat.
Swim with the dolphins. Pic CC Greg Scales, Flicker. License to share and modify
Every 3rd traveler I met in Australia happened to be a German. Half of the Germans utilize their compulsory one month off in southern hemisphere, especially Australia, when their country is freezing to death. No wonder there is an authentic German village in Australia. When in Adelaide, you cannot miss the picturesque town of Hahndorf, settled in 1840 by German immigrants. Besides marveling the rustic heritage charm, you get to eat mouthwatering gourmet food in this quaint little town.
Travel tip: Don’t forget to grab a slice of chocolate cake, hot chocolate at Chocolate No. 5 and local goat cheese at Udder Delights
The heritage German town of Hahndorf, Adelaide. Pic CC Master man, Flicker. License to share and modify
One reason why I love Australia so much is because of its wildlife. While you can see them in abundance everywhere in Australia, the Cleland Wildlife Park at Adelaide is one of the only places where you can actually cuddle a koala, a practice banned in other Australian states. Besides Koalas, there are 130 species of animals including kangaroos, emus and marsupials.
Travel Tip: Buy a packet of animal food at the entrance to feed the animals
Get up close with Koalas
Australia is a paradise for art lovers and Adelaide is no different. Here street art is in pink of health. With new and exciting works appearing all the time, you are in for a treat when you go on a street-art trail. You see staggering pieces of work not just in CBD or suburbs but even in unconventional places like Pizza Delivery corner, barber shop, industrial buildings, Adelaide Zoo fencing, and fence hidings of the construction sides. Basically Adelaide knows how to turn ugly into beautiful.
Travel Tip: Visit the Adelaide Festival Centre to explore a treasure of visual art
Adelaide Street art, Image CC Jocelyn Kinghorn Flicker. License to share and modify.
Adelaide is famously known as the ‘City of Festivals’ because of an active festive season. ‘Mad March’ starts from 12th Feb and continues until March when it hosts many world renowned festivals. The most famous being Adelaide Fringe (Feb 12 – March 14), which is second largest annual arts festival in the world. Other famous festivals are Adelaide Festival (Feb 26-March 14) and WOMADelaide (March 11-14)
Travel Tip: Visit the Adelaide Festival Centre to explore a treasure of visual art
Adelaide Festival Centre. Pic courtesy : Siddarth Dudheria
No other place offers a wine trail experience like Adelaide. You can either visit the neighboring Barossa Valley, where you can taste some of the Oldest Wines on earth or some of the best New World Wines or you can start on an easier note with the Adelaide Hills wineries, which is not as celebrated as the former but still worth it.
Travel Tip: The ideal way to go on a wine trail is to drive around the beautiful crater-shaped area and stop at vineyard restaurants for good wine and food.
Go on a Wine trail at Barossa Valley, near Adelaide
The beauty of Adelaide lies in its suburbs. One such stunning suburb is Semaphore, where Semaphore Kite Festival is held every year. It’s a great site to see adults and kids chase the brightly colored, uniquely shaped gigantic kites. For kids there is no dearth of fun. There are many fun activities to participate in and every hour candies are dropped from gigantic kites. The Kite festival is held every year during Easter long weekend.
Travel Tip: The entry to the festival and parking is free. But do check their Facebook page and signs at the venue for more details.
Semaphore Kite Festival – Image CC Michael Coghlan flicker. License to share and modify.
Australia is a country of museums and usually they are free to enter. Adelaide has one very interesting museum – the Museum of Migration. Here you can see how various cultures and communities have come together over decades to form the diverse fabric of Australia. Well curated, easy to understand and not overloaded with info. To make it less taxing for the visitors it has lots of simple illustrations and anecdotes from various communities and individuals who migrated to Australia from world over.
Travel Tip: The Freedom photo exhibition is a must visit and most importantly keep in hand a couple of hours to explore the entire museum.
Museum of Migration. Pic courtesy : Siddarth Dudheria
Last but not the least, you cannot leave Adelaide without paying homage to the cricket ground, where Sir Donald Bradman lived and died. Adelaide Oval welcomes you with a statue of the greatest cricketer ever born. The stadium houses the Bradman Collection – Sir Don’s illustrious History and memorabilia. If possible time your trip around the cricketing session in Australia.
Travel Tip: Drive by the home of Sir Bradman, where both the little masters, Gavaskar and Tendulkar, were invited by the great himself.
Oval Stadium, Adelaide. Image CC eosdude flicker. License to share and modify.
So when are you booking your ticket to Adelaide, Australia?
If you are planning a trip to Australia, you must check out
“Beta, abhi kitni der aur hai?” (Sweetheart, how long will it take?”)
“Shayad aadha ghanta aur, ma” (maybe half an hour, mom)
“Aadha ghanta aur…baap re itni der kaise control hoga” (OMG how am I going to control for half an hour more)
“Arrey yahan nahi aage kar lengey.” (Not here. I’ll do it at the next station)
“Par kyun ma, aapne toh pale bola tha aap se control nahi ho raha…to phir ab jab yahan uttre hain to aap kyun nahi ja rahe” (But why mom? You earlier said you are unable to control then why are you not going here?)
The reason of a sudden change of heart is not because Indian mom’s urinary bladder mystically became XXL from XS but because she saw a paid Toilet signboard. Her Brahmanical upbringing will never approve 1.5 € expense on a WC. That’s utter waste of money. So instead of relieving her pressure, she decides to show restraint. She’ll not spend more than 50 cents and when it’s FREE she would use it even if she doesn’t need to. Her mantra – anything FREE must not be missed and anything that costs should be avoided.
Indians traveling abroad aka Traveling Mathematicians
I am sure you would have encountered many such incidents where people traveling abroad become Traveling Mathematicians as soon as they set foot on foreign shores. Here are few unique behaviours I noticed during my travels:
Whether it is pleading for extra luggage allowance or becoming risky after drinking too much whisky or regularly pressing the flight attendant call button or sneakily pocketing the blanket, headphones, socks or anything that we can lay our hands on; we love to derive the best value for money even if it comes at a cost of providing free in-flight entertainment to others. Why care about image. After all we have spent so much money on flight booking. We are taking what’s rightfully ours. The ‘dhania mentality’ is not to be left home but carried along.
People traveling abroad never ending demands provide free in-flight entertainment
Shopping without calculating how much it will cost in INR is just not our cup of tea. Foreign yatra up skills our Mental Maths. Conversions are done in seconds without any calculator aid. For a great retail therapy session, the global price has to match the Indian price. Only when we are sure we won’t find a better deal in India, will that crisp note come out of our wallet. I still remember in 2009 I so wanted to buy a pair of Nike sneakers, which were exclusively available at Oxford Street store, London but the price tag of 88 pounds made it look less attractive. I was reluctantly convinced by my mental maths that it was overpriced and not worth it. Till date I rue for not buying that pair 🙁 Sometimes you should just let go of your mental maths and follow your heart.
People traveling abroad become adept in Mental Maths
In India, we won’t even walk to the nearby Kirana store to buy a packet of bread but in videshi dharti (foreign land) walking for miles becomes a cakewalk. And it’s not because weather Gods are in good mood there or suddenly health becomes a priority. It’s the fear of losing dollar count that decides our mode of travel. And dare we take a taxi from the airport on arrival. After all NRI relatives have some duties to fulfill.
Walking becomes the favourite mode of transport for people traveling abroad
We love to eat but our love starts and ends with Indian cuisine. We will not travel abroad without our bags full of thepla, khakhra, bhujia, ready to eat Indian dishes, kaju katli, aam ka acchar, besan ke ladu and everything that we can carry through immigration. We rarely explore the local cuisines. If we are forced to eat outside then we will go searching for Indian restaurants and the selection criteria are based on price, not reviews. We order the cheapest dishes on the menu and share our food, even if sharing is not allowed.
People traveling abroad can discover India out of India
I am guilty of not experimenting much with local cuisines. However, in my case, it’s not the Indian cuisine love but my limitation of being a vegetarian. On the contrary, I rarely eat at Indian restaurants because I don’t want to destroy my taste buds for forever. What irks me the most is when I see newlywed chudah-clad couples asking for bhalla-papdies at places like Halong Bay. Yes, it actually happened 🙂
people traveling abroad cannot stay without their Indian meals anywhere in the world
Flea markets are the treasure troves which we, the Traveling Mathematicians, love to hunt. The artifacts which will later grace our living rooms are bought from these flea markets. And stores like Primark, Dollar store, Japan Store, Landmark are our BFF. Their attraction overweighs any sightseeing attraction. And once we arrive at the flea market, we would not think twice before using our brahmastra – bargain. Bargaining runs in our blood. Being a true bred Indian, I have bargained from Nottinghill to Greenhills. There is a certain joy in thrift shopping, which only we Indians can appreciate 😛
People traveling abroad are the champs of Flea Market Shopping
Coins drive us crazy. We can’t figure out for our life which one is a 50 cents and which one is a 5 cents. The queue will keep getting longer behind us while we struggle to find the right coins. Nobody likes to carry weight, so wherever there’s an opportunity we will try to get rid of them. And we absolutely love to mix our currencies. We would mix our francs with cents, yens with piso and every other currency we would have collected from our first trip onwards. But crazy coin syndrome is a real problem. Imagine having a coin for 10,000 yen (equal to 500 INR) and 1 cents in the same purse. Anybody would get confused. And lesser said about currencies like Vietnamese Dong and Indonesian Rupiah better it is. My mental maths takes a long vacation when I travel to these countries. Spending 5 lacs on a meal? That could drive anyone crazy when in actual sense it is less than 1000 INR. Best is to spend using your credit card or globally accepted currencies like the dollar. Less headache more time for fun.
Crazy Coin Syndrome drive people traveling abroad mad
I was marveling the beauty of Brussels Atomium when I saw an Indian woman throwing up. I asked her if she needed any help. Suddenly her friends burst into a laughter. I was flabbergasted. Apparently, they couldn’t read the menu right as it was in Dutch and she ended up ordering a dish which was a complete food disaster. But being brought up in an environment where wasting food is anndevta ka apman (wasting food is a sin), she gulped it completely only to throw it up later.
The expression clearly shows how much she’s enjoying her meal but wasting food is not an option
Breakfast becomes the most important meal for us because usually, breakfast comes complimentary with room booking. We would greedily pick everything from the buffet bar to quench the hunger of our eyes. In the process, we forget that there is a limit to how much our stomach can accommodate. And if we can’t gulp it down, we will get it parceled to be eaten later. It will serve as our lunch and sometimes even dinner. I used to do that as well because many times it was more convenient to carry a fruit than go vegan food hunting in the middle of nowhere.
‘All-you-can-eat’ Buffets are saviour for Traveling Mathematicians
There was a time when I used to hate the idea of meeting anyone returning from foreign trips because I knew what my return gift would be – either a key chain or a fridge magnet. Later when I started traveling myself I realised the economic reason behind that love for those souvenirs. Fridge magnets and key chains are the cheapest souvenir items and they don’t take much space in the luggage. For your friends, it acts as an image building device – more the number of fridge magnets better your ‘Global Traveler’ image is. So what if all those fridge magnets are gifted 😛 A win-win situation for Traveling Mathematicians and their friends 🙂 However, I am not a big fan of these souvenirs so my friends don’t get them. I usually buy something unique which they can cherish for life 😛
Traveling Mathematicians favourite souvenirs – Fridge Magnets & Key chains
In the quest of excelling mental maths and setting thrift shopping benchmarks, we – the Traveling Mathematicians – fail to realise that our trip has come to an end and we haven’t shopped anything yet. More than 50% of the foreign currency we carried at the start of the trip is still intact. And then the mad rush of last minute duty-free shopping kicks in. We would spend hours checking chocolates, liquor, perfume, makeup and everything that our eyes can scan in duty free zone. It’s a do or die situation. We have to spend all the cash in hand. Who knows kal ho na ho.
Duty Free Shopping is the most important pit stop for Traveling Mathematicians
So these were some of the things I noticed about Traveling Mathematicians. Did you notice the same or something that you recall even today?
PS:
If you’ll ask someone in India about their favourite place, most likely you’ll hear the word Goa. However, after visiting the land of sun, sand and sea, people often want to discover the newer side of the state – offbeat Goa. They are always curious about the secret things that only locals know. Instead of asking ‘things to do in Goa’ they ask ‘what are the most offbeat places in Goa’. And instead for rushing to the famous beaches of Goa they search for places to see in Goa other than beaches”. So, here is a different way to explore the most famous state of India – going off road to discover offbeat goa.
A hectic sightseeing day had come to an end. I had cosily retreated to the softness of my bed. Suddenly I heard some murmurs. The first thought that came to my mind was about someone trying to break in our villa. But the accompanying laughter put that theory to rest. I nudged Chetna to find out what was going on outside. Chetna, who was already in her dream-trail, tried to shrug me off but I wasn’t the one to give up. Pestering never fails. Finally, she conceded. With irritation written all over her face, she said, “So jao na. Jyada kuch khaas nahi hai. Ladke frog hunting par ja rahe hain.” (Go back to sleep. There’s nothing much. The boys are going out on Frog Hunting)
That was the first time I heard about midnight Frog Hunting. During my numerous trips to Goa, I discovered many unique things that define the essence of Offbeat Goa. An essence which thrives in the secret things that only locals know.
So wear your seatbelts and come along to explore the Offbeat Goa with Travel See Write.
During monsoon season when the paddy fields are lush green and brimming with rainwater there’s one species that is overpowered with lust. Monsoon is a mating season and as the saying goes Sawan ke andhe ko sab hara hi hara nazar aata hai (One who goes blind in spring, sees the only greenery all around) likewise the only thing that matters to frogs in this season is their sky-high libido. Putting aside the fear of their life they come out bouncing and croaking at midnight to find the right someone to cosy up with for the night or for whatever time they can coax their partners. While many fulfil their desire, others become a delicacy on someone’s plate.
When the world sleeps the local boys go out on their midnight adventure. But to master the art of Midnight Frog Hunting they have to patiently play the wait-n-watch game and pounce like a tiger when the right time arrives. To kill time they organize bonfires singing local Goan songs and guzzling downloads of beer and feni. Secrets are shared and bro bonding is strengthened during these midnight adventures. And once the frogs are out the group hunts them down in unison.
PS: Frog hunting is banned and Travel See Write doesn’t recommend this activity at all.
Although Frog Hunting has been banned in Goa under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, the midnight adventure essence is still intact. The boys still venture out at midnight but they no more hunt down the frogs. They have developed other interests.
Even an offseason proof place like Goa witnesses tourist lag in monsoon season. However, I would say it’s the best time to visit Goa. This is when Goa looks mind-blowingly spectacular than the rest of the year. You see greenery all around and many ‘limited period only’ seasonal waterfalls give darshan. They aren’t as giant as a Dudhsagar waterfall is but are a great sight to soak in the monsoon magic. All you have to do is ride a scooter or a bike and go chasing the monsoon.
Also, one should definitely visit Dudhsagar Falls in monsoon namely for two reasons – less crowded and more swelled up.
Imagine a place set in the most stunning geography but having a dark history. A place which is a house to angels as well as demons. A place where both good and bad resides. The “Three Kings Church” at Cansaulim village represents such paradox. A place infamous for being the most haunted place in Goa. Legend says the bodies of the three Kings lie in this church and their ghosts can often be seen roaming in the church at night. However, I wasn’t lucky enough to meet them in person. Probably they weren’t up for a challenge 😛
Besides the paranormal allure of the Three Kings Church I would recommend to visit it for the stunning panoramic view it offers from the hilltop. Reach here before sunset and you’ll be treated to the spellbinding views of Goa at golden hour. This Church makes one believe that there are many places to see in Goa other than beaches
When you think of Indian weddings, Big Fat North Indian weddings come to mind but my favourite wedding is Goan Wedding because not only it follows the customs and traditions but it lets the elder people take center stage. Right from making special marriage delicacies like dosh, samarachi koddi, Sorpotel, Patoleo, Soji, Vonn to ‘Roas’ ceremony (bathing of the bride and groom with coconut milk and water) to participating in the wedding dance to adorning the bride with the Saddo and other Goan rituals it’s the elders who are at the forefront of everything. Isn’t that a really cool way to show our gratitude towards our golden generation? Goans don’t forget them in their most important days but instead, they turn the limelight on the elders. Thanks to my Goan friend, I could get to know about the rich Goan wedding culture.
The first step to getting what you want in life is to know what you don’t want. When I went to the sunshine state last time I did not crave for golden sandy beaches of Goa and it’s wild trance parties so I went around exploring the offbeat Goa. A Goa, which is so different from the Goa clichés we see around. There is a Goa which is tucked away in its secluded islands and forest trails. All I had to do was take a ferry ride and reach these hidden islands. I was warmly welcomed by old Portuguese-style houses dotted with lush green vegetation and quaint environment where both humans and wildlife lived at peace. The icing on the cake was the authentic Goan cuisines and delicious bakery items I got to taste.
The only thing I wish I had done was to plan my trip during the Bonderam festival organized on the last Saturday of August at Divar Island. Now that will be my reason to go back to Goa in monsoon 🙂
If bird-watching is your hobby then you cannot miss Goa’s only bird century – Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary near Chorao Island. In spite of not being a morning person, I woke up early to catch the sunrise from the ferry en-route to Chorao Island via Mondovi River. Silently rowing through the Goan backwaters lined with Mangrove trees was a surreal and hard to imagine the experience in the tropical paradise. A therapeutic bird watching experience often missed in favor of touristy trails. I am glad I didn’t. If you are a nature lover like me and prefers to be woken up by the birds chirping then do check out Jungle retreat in Goa.
Besides bird watching, I loved kayaking in the Sal backwaters and boating in the Mayem Lake. It was after my few visits to Goa that I discovered little gems like Divar Island, Netravali, Agonda Beach, Morjim Beach, Hollant Beach, Palolem Beach and Galgibaga Beach. One place that I loved visiting in the Offbeat Goa was the Loutolim village. A village set in the scenic countryside where the architectural relics of ancient Goan architecture are still well preserved. When I started missing a bit of spice in my life I visited the nearby Spice plantations. These are the kinds of experiences in Goa I love.
Your discovery about most offbeat places in Goa is directly proportional to your curiosity. I hope this post can spark your curiosity.
So when are you going to Travel See and Write about the secret things that only locals know in Offbeat Goa?
I have often been asked this question. Both have their own charm. But if I were to pick one then it will surely be mountains because firstly they remind me just how small and insignificant I am in the scheme of larger things and secondly they understand my silence like no other. They always have an answer to my troubled mind. Whenever I have no way to go, mountains are my go-to partner.
A very close friend of mine once gave a great insight – we all look for the locus of control. Some have an internal locus of control while others have an outer locus of control. When imbalance strikes some prefer solitude some a shoulder to lean on. For me, mountains seem to provide that locus of control. They seem to stabilize my unstable mind.
I still remember when I was a kid and my dad took me to Dehradun for the first time. I was so mesmerized by the sheer beauty and magnanimity of the mountains. I watched them without batting an eyelid. I didn’t want that journey to end. I just wanted to marvel at them as long as possible. That curiosity and happiness are still so vivid in my memory. In fact, every time I travel to mountains that feeling rekindles. If mountains were a boy then I would happily marry him
Besides being a source of beauty and happiness, mountains prepare you for the fights of the life. They not only challenge your physical stamina but mental strength too. Sometimes abstract can teach you more than living beings. The treacherous windings of treks, the struggle for basics in life, the sheer pleasure of having Maggi and adrak walli chai on top of a mountain, the sweet symphony of wind, the chirping of the birds, the steep dives of valleys, the moodiness of clouds, the dew like freshness of air that purifies even the impure, everything has a message for you. In that emptiness, you can completely lose yourself to find a new you. That’s why these small little breaks are so important for my survival. When the world and its selfishness gets too much to handle I take shelter in mountains.
And this behaviour isn’t unique to me. Many people like me have found themselves by getting lost in mountains. Just a few days back, I finished reading Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail, written by Cheryl Strayed.
The book isn’t a masterpiece but definitely a good read. It is based on a true story and somewhere I connected with the protagonist. Our life conditions are different but mindsets seem to be the same. Let me give you a brief synopsis of the book.
Cheryl Strayed thought she had lost everything. Her mother died of cancer, her family scattered and she was divorced. At a stage where she thought she had nothing more to lose, she made the most impulsive decision of her life. With no experience or training, driven only by blind will, she would hike more than a thousand miles of the Pacific Crest Trail from the Mojave Desert through California and Oregon to Washington State—and she would do it alone. Well, she did it. And how! When she completed the journey she was a different person. She wasn’t weak anymore. She took life in her control. Today, in personal life she’s is well settled. Professionally, she is one of the best selling authors in the US. A Hollywood flick was made on her book.
Why I loved Wild so much was because of the sheer honesty and simplicity with which it was narrated. It had nuggets of suspense, style, warm, and humor. It powerfully captured the terrors and pleasures of one young woman forging ahead against all odds on a journey that maddened, strengthened, and ultimately healed her.
Somewhere all of us, at some part of the time are broken inside. And we all look for that healing source. As they say everything heals with time. But what you do in that healing period decides the healing process duration and pain you endure.
Whether you travel to heal yourself or just for pleasure isn’t important. The important thing is you should travel. Travel not to check box but to discover yourself.
And lastly, if you really want to know yourself – TRAVEL ALONE.
But be rest assured you’ll never be lonely because your BFF, mountains, will always be with you.
Ending this post with favorite quote from none other than Edmund Hillary
It’s not the mountain we conquer but ourselves.
PS: In case you are a classics fan you’ll love this Denver’s song
(I kept giving life a company, I blew every worry into a mist of smoke)
In 1961, Dev Anand’s name got permanently marked with this evergreen song and today after 55 years it still inspires generation after generation. Abhay Sharma, took this inspiration a step ahead by doing something which most people won’t even dream. He along with his partner decided to put ‘Eco’ in the Ecotourism without having any formal training or resources. All they had was an idea and their strong conviction to make it happen. But before I narrate their story, let me start with the basics.
Ecotourism is perhaps the most over-used and misused word in the travel industry. But do we really understand its meaning or do we just randomly throw it to sound cool?
A background research revealed that Ecotourism is defined by The International Ecotourism Society as, “Responsible Travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the welfare of local people.” If a hotel, resort or a travel company is slacking on any of the two then they are cheating. Businesses sometimes use Ecotourism dishonestly either to get subsidies or to appeal to a fast growing breed of conscientious travelers. Usually they would invest in a property but do nothing to protect and uplift the local economy, biodiversity, culture and heritage. But Pahadi House is following the Ecotourism principles to the T.
Two Pahadi (mountain) boys, Abhay Sharma and Yash Bhandari saw a dream of spreading the Pahadi culture beyond the mountains. Unlike most of the youth they did not get attracted by the glitz and glamour of the Metros. They decided to stay put in their backyard, Uttarakhand, to turn the tide around and reverse the migration of village youth to towns. Through their ‘Pahadi House’ Homestay venture they are not only spreading the genuine taste of Pahadi hospitality but are also providing employment opportunities to the locals.
The duo restores the old, abandoned or damaged houses and converts them into comfortable Homestays, which provides the real taste of ECOTOURISM to its guests. And in the process they are solving an ever-growing need of today’s city dwellers – satiate the craving for unadulterated raw experiences. At Pahadi House, the unadulterated Pahadi culture is served through mouth-watering food delicacies, local handcrafts and handpicked adventure activities.
Pahadi House is situated at Kanatal amidst the mountain viewing glaciers and greenery all around. You can walk through the clouds, view the Tehri Lake and inhale lungs full of fresh air.
Homegrown organic farm at Pahadi House
Pahadi house is like a retreat. The melodious sound of the chirping birds work as your alarm. Freshly plucked farm fresh organic food keeps your tummy happy. Pollution free crisp air detoxifies your lungs. Dreamy landscapes infuse a new life in your groggy eyes. Yoga cleanses your body and soul. And not just that, Pahadi House in-house chef ensures you feel at-home by preparing food as you prefer. However, sone pe suhaga would be if you take over the Kitchen and show your culinary skills. At least I would do that. Although I have no culinary talent to boast of :p
So what are you waiting for? Book your next holiday at any of the Pahadi Houses.
Mob: # 9997306041, 9897669074.
Website : www.pahadihouse.com
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At wee hours when the world around me is lost in dreams, I am writing a presentation. After procrastinating for days my thoughts had finally started to flow. Suddenly my concentration gets broken by the sound of my mobile phone. I hear a familiar voice on the other side asking me a familiar question,
We are planning a 5-6 days holiday out of India. Please suggest some place, which is good for a family and yet has some unique charm to it.
I suggested Dubai but it was shot down instantly.
Reason – There is nothing much to explore in Dubai except for the Malls, Skyscrapers, Desert Safari, and Shopping. No novelty or offbeat charm left in Dubai to explore. And that conversation became my inspiration for this article.
Here are some places to explore in the Offbeat Dubai: Beyond the Burj Khallifa and Desert Safari.
Being an offbeat traveler, I believe offbeat doesn’t mean just going to far-flung places but also rediscovering the forgotten by lanes of a city. One such experience for me was visiting the Bastakiya quarter. Dubai’s oldest neighbourhood somehow got forgotten amidst the skyscrapers and grand malls.
Bastak is the ancient name used for the Iranian traders in the late 18th century. Located amidst the cultural location of Bur Dubai and Dubai Creek, the place is a true reminiscence of the bygone era. The most intriguing part of the place is its calm atmosphere. It’s a refreshing change from the hustle bustle of Dubai. The charming area is flanked by wind towers, small cafeterias, and the exclusive Majlis gallery showcasing the Middle Eastern art work. Sit at any of the road side cafeterias and soak in the old- age charm of the place.
Bastakiya Quarter, Offbeat Dubai
Solo travel across the world has taught me one important lesson – if you want to know the pulse of a place, use its public transport. So I experienced the traditional Abra boat ride at the Dubai creek. To those who don’t know, the city of Dubai is divided into two halves by the Dubai creek and the Abras (water taxis) are the most ancient mode of transportation from one side to another. Although I have traveled by faster and more convenient means of transport to the other side of the city, the traditional Abra ride was the best way to cross the creek. And guess what. It cost me just DHS1. While the Abra ride brought a smile on my wallet’s face, it also helped me to connect with the locals and gave me an insight into the lives of the not-so-affluent locals for whom this Abra ride is the best and only way of transportation.
Traditional Abra, Offbeat Dubai
The true character of a place is not plastered on its walls but hidden in culture gullies. Dubai is no different. To know more deeply about Dubai, I tried to dig into its history and traditions. I started my exploration by visiting the Dubai Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding. The charming wind tower house situated in the historical district of Bur Dubai was a perfect potpourri of interesting conversations, delectable food and a walking tour of the famous Al Fahidi district. By the end of the tour, I had become richer with the knowledge of the Arabian culture, traditions, and beliefs.
You can enjoy this heritage cum culture tour either by direct booking or you can take a package from tour operators like Rayna tours, who offer it as a part of their itinerary if requested.
Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding, Offbeat Dubai
Being brought up in a family where all religions are treated equal, I have always been curious to know about different religions. And what better place to know about them than their place of worship. Being a Muslim dominated country, only a handful of mosques are open to non-Muslims and fortunately, one of the most beautiful mosques in the country – The Jumeirah Mosque is one of them. Beaming with pride in snow-white colour, the Jumeirah Mosque is a melting pot of magnificent architecture and alluring culture. The colossal area can hold over 12000 people at a time. I was pleasantly surprised to notice that in spite of being so crowded you can still feel the calmness in the area. People are not in hurry and are more than happy to have a conversation with you.
Walking tours are available for understanding the Islamic culture, heritage, and architecture.
Jumeirah Mosque, Offbeat Dubai
Being a fan of slow travel and a sucker for stories, my favourite way of exploring the city is on foot. And what better combination than a walking + food tour. Dubai food tours offer a culinary and photography experience like no other. I am not a foodie but Dubai made me one. I thoroughly enjoyed my lime infused Emirati dishes and the melt-in-mouth-falafels along with other authentic Mediterranean dishes during my gastronomic trail in the old Dubai. The best part about the food trail was listening to the fascinating historical stories associated with the cuisines.
Shisha has earned its loyal fan base across the world. I too have tried it at lot of places. The last time I visited Dubai, I tried Shisha at one of the premium outlets at Sheikh Zayed Road of the city. However, this time, it was all about connecting to the roots and therefore, I hit the most densely populated area of the city- the Karama market, the hub for 3S – Shishas, Shawls, and Souvenirs.
While the spice and textile souks are almost always flooded with tourists, I was surprised to see mostly locals at Karama market. The neon-lit, noisy street was too much of an authentic busy bazaar experience. I satiated my craving for the hot spicy biryani at the Karachi Darbar and mint shisha at the Time Café. For a person like me who loves observing people, Al Karama market was a delight.
Like any other Global city, there’s more to Dubai than what meets the eye. After exploring the by lanes of offbeat Dubai I felt more connected with the soul of the city. Dubai an ideal place for solo travelers as well as families.
If you are a budget traveler like me, do check how to travel in Dubai on a budget.
Have you explored the offbeat Dubai yet? If not, then do it now.
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