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Slowly as the world is gradually opening up from strict lockdown and looking towards a new normal with squinty eyes, travel thoughts are making a comeback. Even as travel is on pause, Indian travellers have started making wish lists of the safest countries to visit in Asia. They might not be booking but they are looking.
Safety instead of the popularity now governs the desirability of destinations. Unnecessary flying will be avoided. A fact echoed by the survey conducted by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the biggest fear among the flyers is sitting next to someone infected. In this global survey, about 58% of the respondents said that they had avoided air travel because of this fear. Contrary to the fear, Air Travel is very safe. Read my detailed post on everything you need to know to fly safely in 2020.
While no one knows when will it be safe to travel again, people have gradually started moving out. Domestic road trips and staycations are making a classic come back. And once the confidence is back in global tourism, short-haul international destinations will pick up steam too after the domestic market.
To bring back tourism on track and promote safe and hygienic travel, World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has launched a specially designed stamp that will allow travellers to recognise governments and companies around the world which have adopted health and hygiene global standardised protocols – so consumers can experience ‘Safe Travels’.
Below are the safest destinations you can travel to right now in Asia.
The tourism-dependent island nation will be your safest bet if you are looking to holiday in a paradise without having any fear of contracting the virus. The Maldives took proactive measures to contain the virus in the initial stages because of which there have been fewer cases as compared to other nations.
After being closed for four months, the archipelago opened for tourists in July 2020. The ‘one island one resort’ philosophy of the Maldives makes it a preferred destination for anyone looking for safety and privacy. Some resorts are even offering to reserve entire islands for you and your group.
Here is a detailed video that shares the latest travel advice on the Maldives including the current covid19 situation in the country, air bubble arrangement, cost, stay options, food and almost every other information you need to know to plan a trip to the Maldives.
When you arrive in the Maldives as a tourist, you don’t spend much time in the capital. You are directly escorted from the Male Airport to your resort either through a speedboat or a seaplane.
The Maldives has been very proactive when it comes to safety and hygiene, and now they are following even more stringent measures set by the international and local guidelines. Maldives is a proud holder of WTTC Safe Travels stamp for adopting health and hygiene global standardised protocols.
The Maldives is more affordable than ever
Yes, that’s true! In fact, it is the best time ever to book a holiday in the Maldives because of the ongoing offers. Resorts are giving as much as up to 50% discount, and features such as Flexi cancellation that allows cancelling or rescheduling your booking up to 24 hours before your arrival. However, if you are taking a seaplane, it is 72 hours. Make sure to book an all-inclusive package that covers your accommodation, food, drinks and excursions. It works out to be a cheaper deal than booking separately.
Tip: Before booking your holiday take care of two critical facts – you can only stay at one resort, and you need to install the Maldives’ contact tracing app ‘TraceEkee’ (like India’s Aarogya Setu app) prescribed by the Maldives Ministry of tourism.
Below links will provide you the updated and correct information on the COVID-19 scenario in the Maldives.
Latest COVID-19 updates: https://covid19.health.gov.mv/en/
Maldives COVID-19 Dashboard: https://covid19.health.gov.mv/dashboard/
India is a number one market for UAE, specifically Dubai. In 2019, out of the 16 million visitors that were welcomed by Dubai, 2 million were Indians – the highest from any country. Indians have always been attracted to the desert city for short-haul or weekender trips due to its proximity, similar culture, food, big Indian diaspora and attractions that are ideal for families, couples and MICE market. Whether you are looking for retail therapy at opulent malls or taking a much-deserved break at luxury resorts and hotels, adrenaline action at Dubai Skydiving or a quiet dinner in the sand dunes of Dubai; the city never disappoints to welcome you.
And, even during a raging pandemic the financial capital of UAE – Dubai – has topped the charts of many surveys as most sought-after international destination such as Unravel Travel: Fears & Possibilities in a Post Coronavirus (Covid-19) and, Booking.com survey. As of date, Dubai is among a few cities in the world that are currently open to both tourism and business. India and UAE are flying special repatriate flights between the two countries under an ‘air bubble’ arrangement, which allows carriers of both countries to operate repatriation flights.
Dubai is renowned for turning small things into mega attractions, and Dubai intends to use the same essence to attract Indian travellers back to the city while harping on the fact that the grandiose city is fully geared to provide a safe and hygienic world-class experience. In fact it received a seal of approval by none other than the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). Dubai is one of the very few international destinations in the world to earn the coveted WTTC Safe Travels stamp for adopting health and hygiene global standardised protocols – so consumers can experience ‘Safe Travels’.
It was the emirate’s strict safety standards and ease of pulling out big-ticket events at last minute that India’s largest sporting spectacle, Indian Primer League (IPL), decided to host the IPL 2020 in UAE.
PS: The situation is quite fluid and can change drastically overnight so please check the latest travel advise from Visit Dubai or the airline you are flying with for more details before booking your trip.
Even as travelling to Singapore may be on pause now, the country remains the top choice for Indian and Asian travellers as per the Unravel Travel survey. The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) knows this fact and don’t want to break the connection with its visitors. It has launched a microsite as part of the tourism board’s efforts to make sure Indian travellers have Singapore in mind, whenever they start to travel again. The microsite encourages potential travellers to “Rediscover Now, Travel Later” with numerous activities in the joint programme with STB. Sections such as ‘Singapore@Home’, ‘Fun@Home’ invites the audience to ‘virtually’ explore the countless attractions, foods and cocktails of the city in a fun and interactive way. The microsite also showcases how tourism businesses in Singapore are preparing to welcome back business.
Singapore is gradually reopening its borders to allow safe travel in limited numbers from a few countries with the necessary safety guidelines. So far, Singapore has implemented special safe travel arrangements with some countries/regions such as Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, China, Japan, Republic of Korea and New Zealand. Indian nationals belonging only to a particular category or status are permitted to enter Singapore. Transfer or transit passes for Indian passengers are not accepted.
Here are some useful links for updated information on the COVID-19 situation in Singapore.
There’s a lot we can learn Bhutan, a small Himalayan Kingdom that has successfully averted the COVID-19 crisis with timely action. Bhutan’s Health Ministry took swift action right from the beginning, which is one of the reasons why Bhutan could keep COVID-19 at bay. With zero coronavirus-related fatalities, the country contained the pandemic despite limited resources.
In mid-March, when (the) first COVID-19 case was detected in the country, Bhutanese authorities traced the primary contacts within hours. They mandated a 21-day quarantine period for people entering the country from abroad.
There is a lot we can learn from Bhutan on how to pre-empt and prepare for a future crisis. Although Bhutan did not have any prior experience of dealing with the 2003 SARS outbreak, it did, however, proactively prepare to deal with a similar disease outbreak in a simulation exercise at Paro airport in November 2019, just one month before COVID-19 surfaced in China last year.
One of the reasons why the Himalayan nation was so swift in tackling the coronavirus was the high level of public trust in government officials. The country’s subsequent rapid mobilization was strongly informed by science, with Prime Minister Lotay Tshering and Health Minister Dechen Wangmo both public health officials before entering politics. They were quick to comprehend the technical guidance from the WHO and used scientific literature to guide decision-making. As a result, government decisions were based on scientific evidence. Following an evidence-based approach of testing, effective quarantines, and border control, Bhutan has been able to avoid overloading its limited healthcare system.
Travelling to Bhutan is currently not allowed as the Bhutan government has put an imbargo on tourism until further notice. The government is closely monitoring the situation within and beyond its borders, and updates will be provided progressively as the global crisis unfolds.
The country’s ‘High Value, Low Volume’ tourism policy anchored in promoting sustainable tourism makes it a unique and exclusive travel destination. It will continue with this policy even when it decides to open up again. To make travel safe it will continue following the safety measures set by the World Health Organization and the Ministry of Health. A contact tracing app is already in use nationwide. Unlike other nations, Bhutan has a 21-day quarantine rule as of now for incoming stranded locals.
The country sees opportunity in the current crisis – it wants to embrace the travel trend of wellness further, and think of positive ways to promote the destination as a place where people can reflect, rest and relax.
The landlocked nation with the communist government and Buddhist genes is one of the safest countries to visit in Asia once it opens its borders for tourists. With just 19 cases and zero deaths, it was able to contain the COVID19 pandemic effectively before it could spread its tentacles and was declared coronavirus free on June 10, 2020. It is easy to get into, is blessed with stunning nature, is dearth cheap to explore and has a unique Asian culture, which is still untouched by consumerism. Where else can you witness a 2500-year-old tradition of enigmatic, saffron-cloaked monks walking through streets seeking alms before sunrise or multi-tiered turquoise blue waterfalls thundering into a lush park with granite mountains?
Despite being small like Bhutan, Laos too imposed strict measures to contain the pandemic. After the first two COVID19 cases were confirmed on March 24, a mandatory lockdown was imposed, borders were sealed, and domestic travel to other provinces was prohibited. As a result, only 23 COVID19 positive cases and zero deaths have been reported till date. All this happened because of aggressive testing of migrant workers and travellers entering the country.
Like other nations, Laos has closed borders for foreign countries. Flights are discontinued until 30th September except for essential reasons.
Foreigners who require to travel to Laos for an essential purpose must follow the following guidelines:
India has established Air bubbles with 13 countries – US, UK, France, Germany, Canada, Qatar, UAE, Bahrain, Afghanistan, Iraq, Maldives and Nigeria.
Out of all these countries, only very few countries are open to tourists.
Air bubbles are bilateral agreements through which a specific number of airlines, from both the countries, can fly. However, as per the agreement, an airline can only fly passengers between the two countries, which have signed the agreement. It cannot fly passengers from somewhere else before or after the journey. Before Air Bubbles were formed countries were only allowing repatriating flights during lockdowns. While repatriating flights are one way and the passengers have to register themselves with the embassy to board such flights, air bubble flights are both ways. Passengers can book tickets directly from the airlines.
As per the Civil aviation minister of India, Hardeep Singh Puri, the process of gradually resuming international flights is ongoing, and more destinations will be added soon to the list of countries where Indians can fly.
Have you done any International Travel lately? Which places do you think are the Safest Places to visit post COVID19? Do share your feedback in the comments section below.
In this article, you’ll read about the economic impact of COVID19 on global and Indian economy, if there’s any chance of revival of tourism in the near future, key concerns of travellers and how will travel change post lockdown.
COVID19 pandemic not only created a worldwide health emergency overnight but pushed the global economy into a level of a recession that was last witnessed during World War II. Sadly, emerging markets and developing economies such as India are the worst affected. Five out of six economies are expected to fall into outright recession as per capita income declines drastically. The Indian economy was already in struggle mode, reeling under the long-term effects of Demonetisation and hasty implementation of an ill-conceived GST plan. COVID-19 came as the proverbial Black Swan to hammer the nails into India’s economic engine.
Before COVID19, our growth rate had tumbled to 3% in the FY2019-20, which is lesser than the growth rate of the 1950s – 3.5%. And now, the Indian economy is in a tailspin shrinking 23.9% in the three months ending in June 2020. We are no longer staring at a recession but a ‘depression’, something that India had not witnessed in its 73 years of independence. Since economic recovery does not happen overnight, it would take at least three to four years to emerge out of it.
Covid-19 has put a long pause on all the facets of life and business. Unfortunately, Tourism happens to be one of the worst-hit sectors among all the industries.
Before COVID19 pulled emergency breaks, travel and tourism sector was growing faster than the Global GDP (3.5% vs 2.5%). A sector that was contributing $9 trillion to the global GDP (10.3%) and providing 330 million jobs worldwide last year is on ventilator today – facing the most significant challenge it has faced till date. The UNWTO estimates a reduction of 58% to 78% in tourist traffic across the world, leading to a fall of a billion international tourist arrivals. Fewer tourists mean less income more loses, thus leading to substantial job cuts. Almost 121 million will be out of their jobs predicts the World Travel and Tourism Council.
According to the Federation of Associations in Indian Tourism & Hospitality (FAITH), the Indian tourism industry is headed towards pan India bankruptcies, closure of businesses and mass unemployment. Almost 3.8 crore people are about to become jobless, which is around 70 per cent of the total workforce in the tourism and hospitality sector.
Despite the steep downfall, Indians are optimistic about the future. A fact reflected in the latest Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) survey done by Reserve Bank of India (RBI) – from a messy score of 53.8 points in the current fiscal year the CCI jumped to 105.4 points for a year ahead. While Indians will spend cautiously for the next one year, the situation might change after a year depending on the economic measures taken by the government, business functioning and the COVID19 vaccine availability.
After months of lockdown, as the travel restrictions are eased out, and COVID19 vaccine trials enter the last stages; travellers are showing signs of revival. They have started looking for safe places to visit post lockdown. Unsurprisingly Indians are the most confident in the world about resuming their international adventures once our COVID19 cases come under control, and we are allowed to travel abroad. This is not a hyperbole statement by Modi Sarkar but findings of a recent global research study called, “Unravel Travel: Fears & Possibilities in a Post Coronavirus (COVID-19) World.” It examined the sentiments, preferences, and expectations of 10,195 people across 17 countries regarding travel in a post-COVID-19 world.
As per the study, most Indians top the list of people most eager to travel internationally in the next 12 months with 77 per cent saying they are keen to travel.
The “Unravel Travel” study revealed that contactless travel would be a top priority for travellers once they can resume travelling. 76 per cent of respondents indicated that their preferred destinations would be countries that offer more reliable contactless experiences. In terms of what the future of travel looks like, the study found that e-boarding passes (41 per cent), touchless lavatories (43 per cent), contactless journeys between airports and hotels (40 per cent), no more middle seats in transportation (36 per cent) and digital health passports (35 per cent) are some of the new ideas that global travellers hope to see implemented in the near future.
If there’s anything that would be the most sought after factor post-pandemic travel – it would be sanitisation and social distancing. People will only travel to places which are clean and less travelled by. Hotels will be thoroughly checked before choosing the one which they’re confident is extremely clean and hygienic. People would want to know if the hotel and its staff are following all prescribed safety guidelines or not. Maintaining personal hygiene will take precedence over being fashionable on a holiday as hand sanitisers, masks, hand gloves, disinfectant wipes, and travel insurance will become top items to pack for their next vacation.
People will most likely choose passport-free holidays to destinations close to home so that they can rush back if necessary. Thus, domestic travel will see a surge in demand over foreign travel for at least coming six months. Instead of clamouring to popular destinations, people would prefer green, clean and safe places where social distancing can be practised. Gone are the days when people would mindlessly rush to follow the bucket list of others – 30 countries to visit before turning 30, places to see before I die etcetera. Post-pandemic, the familiarity of one’s own backyard would bring more comfort over exploring new places and big-ticket attractions.
As countries ease up on their coronavirus restrictions, they are also experimenting with the idea of a “travel bubble.” No, it’s not a transparent giant ball you roll around the world in à la Bubble Boy. Instead, it’s an agreement between cooperating countries that allows for citizens to travel freely between the nations, in the hopes of kick-starting tourism and helping economies rebound. India too has signed a few air bubbles with countries such as the USA, UK, France, Germany and UAE but as if now they are operating for essential travel only. The first destinations to be explored abroad for tourism will be Maldives, Dubai, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan as they are all closer to India and are relatively corona free. The first movers will benefit from the pent-up demand as borders open and new air bubbles are formed.
People will be more comfortable driving to a close-by destination in their own private vehicle rather than using public transport. It’s a perfect opportunity for car rental companies to offer great rates post-lockdown, with assurances of each vehicle having been deep-cleaned after each use. RVs might become the flavour of the season for people looking for camping. Staycations and workations will motivate people to travel slowly in a post-pandemic work-from-home world. The idea of staycations will gain even more popularity, with city-dwellers taking a nature-filled respite from work-from-home stress.
The fear of catching the virus in crowded places will keep the people away from big group travel such as coach holidays, cruise travel at least until the vaccine arrives. Travel will become personal again with families and small groups of friends seeking a retreat for mind, body and soul from the pandemic stress. Wellness wouldn’t be just about getting massages or practising yoga, but they would want to eat fresh, healthy and immunity inducing food during their holiday. Romantic, or solo travel could also take a small pause before picking up again.
One good thing that happened during the lockdown is that it gave a much-needed break to nature and wildlife – the sky is blue again, the air is crisp, rivers are self-cleansing, fishes have returned to the waterways, wildlife is reclaiming its lost territory, birds are chirping and many more pleasing visuals that delighted us during the lockdown. Seeing nature heal itself, people are keener to return to nature. Living through a pandemic has sparked a re-evaluation of people’s priorities and attitudes. A new sense of protecting our planet is gaining ground. So, expect more people to travel responsibly. Furthermore, the pandemic has made the travel industry introspect and promote new kind of travel that not only tries to slow down the damage to a destination but help in its restoration – Regenerative Travel.
Due to bad economic condition, mass layoffs, and uncertainty of how the future will look like, people will hold on to splurging on vacations. As a result, the hospitality industry will be forced to provide luxury at a more affordable price – you’ll see reduced rates, free cancellations, free extras, airport transfers and many other perks. Travel aggregators such as MakeMyTrip, yatra, booking, EaseMyTrip and others with coming up with deep discounts and lucrative offers like “5-star hotel + flight starting at unbelievable prices’ ‘holiday now, pay later’, ‘holiday at zero EMI’ to motivate people to travel again. Charter flights will become more common. Hotels will make safety their priority, and innovate to make customers feel safe in their property. Read my detailed review on whether it is safe to stay in luxury hotels during coronavirus pandemic or not.
In a post-pandemic era, we can only expect to see heightened demand for travel flexibility. Whether it is booking a flight or a water villa in the Maldives, customers will have the last word. There will be more flexibility when it comes to booking and cancellations. You’ll be able to cancel or change your trip as late as 24 hours before your arrival without getting penalised.
Government has put a price cap on air tickets to stimulate air travel demand, which has dropped drastically due to hygiene concerns, lockdown guidance and quarantine rules. But once the restrictions are removed, and airlines are allowed to fly as per their standard capacity, air travel is bound to become expensive. Most airlines were loss-making ventures before COVID19 attacked, and now they are in a worse condition. Not only they had to employ cost-cutting methods such as salary cuts, mass layoffs and grounding aircrafts; they also had to beef up their safety and hygiene measures, which is a costly affair and flying a partially filled plane makes matters worse. So, be prepared to pay more once the flying demand picks up. The days of cheap flying are far from over. For more details on how airlines are coping up with the new reality post-COVID read the rise of sanitised travel.
In the coming months when international travel restrictions are lifted, new routes are announced by the airlines, and hotel groups put social distancing and hygiene measures in place ready to receive guests once more, travel insurance will become an important part of travel planning. Insurers have now started covering Covid-19 to reassure travellers that they won’t get stuck overseas or get bankrupt paying for their COVID19 treatment. Although ‘staycations’ may be the preferred holiday of choice for many this year, travel insurers are stepping up to meet consumer needs in terms of pandemic coverage – whether their trip is domestic or international.
In the end, all I can say is that COVID-19 – despite its negative impact on the tourism industry – can be used as a rare opportunity to fix problems that have long plagued the sector.
Do you agree that travel will change post lockdown for good? Do share your feedback in the comments section below.
Is Air travel during the Covid-19 pandemic risky? In this article, you’ll find a step-by-step guide on flying safely during Coronavirus outbreak.
For a person who is always-on-the-move and spends 60-70% time travelling, the five-month-long lockdown and travel restrictions to curb the coronavirus pandemic was like a death sentence. But sometimes drastic steps are required to fight drastic enemies, especially when it is a faceless enemy like COVID19. But does that mean we stay locked up forever? Not really. That’s not a long-lasting solution. So, I decided to not to postpone my outstation trip anymore and flew to Hyderabad during the COVID19 pandemic and came away impressed by how well IndiGo, Delhi Airport, and Novotel Hyderabad Airport Hotel are handling the social distancing and sanitisation.
As per the experts and my personal experience, the risk of contracting the virus when flying are slim to none because of the stringent safety measures put in place by the authorities. Despite being an enclosed space, the aeroplanes have not been the hotspot of the super spreading virus, at least so far. A road crash is ten times more likely to kill someone than getting infected by COVID-19 virus.
Does that mean flying is 100% safe? Not necessarily. After all, safety is relative and depends on a lot of external factors. But as India is unlocking in a phased manner, the only way to move forward through this long pandemic is to start evaluating the risk-benefit ratio and flying definitely poses very fewer risks as compared to the benefits it offers. The fact is more people are suffering from the pandemic induced economy collapse than the virus itself.
The good news is people want to travel, but they are a bit reluctant at the moment – they are looking but not booking. And, that is why, as a responsible citizen, I plan to clear all myths surrounding how safe is air travel, and how to go about it without sacrificing your health. Here is my step-by-step guide on flying safely during Coronavirus pandemic:
The most important thing before booking your ticket is to check the coronavirus travel restrictions by each state. Different state governments have laid out their respective protocols for passengers arriving at their airports. Some require you to have a mandatory COVID19 negative test report not older than 48 hours’ others will quarantine you for 7-10 days, and some might not have any restrictions at all. Many states such as Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Telangana, Karnataka, and Delhi among others will not require you to quarantine if you are a business/corporate traveller travelling for a short duration (24 hours -7days).
Please do check the coronavirus travel restrictions by each state before booking your ticket. It’s better to get clarity beforehand than being turned back from the airport or spend days locked up in a mandatory institution or home quarantine for a 2-3-day trip.
Once you have checked the state-wise regulations and booked your tickets, you are required to download the Aarogya Setu app, declare your health status online, and web check-in 48 hrs to 60 mins before your flight time. Reach 2 hours before your flight wearing a mask and carrying a printed or soft copy of your boarding pass and baggage tag.
As per the latest guidelines issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) airlines are empowered to put those passengers on the ‘no-fly list’ who violate the standard operating procedures (SOPs) or do not wear masks during a flight. This means you will no longer be allowed to fly if you don’t wear masks or comply with the COVID related protocols.
One important thing to be remembered while flying is that wearing a face mask is compulsory to enter the airport, and you are required to continue wearing it at all times. So, I was masked up from the moment I got out of my home. Also, as per the travel mandates, I was wearing gloves and carrying a bottle of hand sanitiser.
As soon as I arrived at the Delhi Airport, I found markers and regular announcements reminding the passengers to practice social distancing. Right from the airport entrance to the baggage drop counter, boarding gates, coaches, toilets, food courts, shopping outlets, toilets and baggage claim, everywhere, social distancing markings were put up.
My luggage was disinfected through an Ultraviolet (UV) light disinfection tunnel, post which contactless experience became a norm wherever I went. Thermal screening and Aarogya Setu app status were checked both at the departure as well as arrival gates.
Since food and drinks aren’t allowed during the flight, I had a quick bite at the food court, where social distancing was in full swing.
At the boarding gate, I was given a Personal Protective Kit (PPE) containing a face shield, mask and some sachets of sanitiser. To have a contactless experience, we had to self-scan our boarding passes and our boarding was done sequentially based on our seating arrangement to maintain social distancing.
The most impressive thing about the whole flying experience was how thoroughly the aircraft was sanitised and disinfected before and after every flight. Every possible touchpoint such as the baggage drop counters, boarding gates, wheelchairs, coaches, aircraft, crew vehicles, ramps were cleaned with approved cleaning agents. The tray tables, armrests, seats, overhead nozzles, lavatories, and even the small switch overhead was thoroughly cleaned before and after every flight.
Before booking a flight, I had done my background research to find out whether it is safe for travelling by air during a pandemic. And guess what? I found that nearly all aircraft today have very sophisticated air filters called High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters, which catch 99.999% of viruses and bacteria, including the coronavirus. Moreover, the cabin air is also replaced with new fresh air from outside every three minutes. You breathe on board the same quality as in an operating room at a hospital. In the usual scenario, there is a 1:4300 chance of contracting COVID-19 on a two-hour, packed flight. And, adding the additional protection layer of a face shield, and mask makes it even more challenging to catch a virus.
Luckily, my entire row was empty. However, in case the flight is full, the middle seat passenger is given the complete PPE kit to have maximum safety. Moreover, the crew on board was wearing appropriate PPE kits and serving the passengers with all safety measures in place. As per the domestic flying norms, no food or beverages were served on board.
As per an order issued by the Civil Aviation Ministry under Unlock 4.0, “Airlines may serve pre-packed snacks/meals/pre-packed beverages on domestic flights depending on the duration of the flight,” and serve alcohol and hot meals on international flights.
Whether you arrive at the terminal through aerobridge or coach, social distancing was a top priority, and there was a PPE dispose-off bin at the entrance gate right after disembarking from the plane.
At the baggage collection area, there were clear markings to maintain social distancing, and an IndiGo staff member was there to help incoming passengers. And, not just that the social distance markings were put at all transport waiting areas and all taxi providers needed to follow the sanitisation and disinfection SOPs before entering the airport.
While the authorities have put in all the necessary measures to safeguard our travel journey, we – the travellers – are slacking a bit. Despite repeated announcements made by the airport staff, I saw some travellers openly flouting social distancing norms. It is clearly mentioned that at a given time, not more than two people should get into an elevator, yet I saw a family of six squeezed-in together. Another very common sight is of people standing up as soon as the aeroplane comes to a halt as if they’ll be left behind if they don’t deplane immediately.
Maintaining social distancing, wearing a mask and sanitising regularly are required for our own safety. We should be a little more responsible.
The aviation industry is taking every possible precaution to minimise physical contact and give us a Lean Clean Flying Machine experience. So, it won’t be wrong to say that flying is safe in the times of corona, provided the safety precautions are fully adhered by one and all. Here’s a video explaining my flying experience with IndiGO.
Have you flown during the pandemic or planning to? How was your experience? Please do share your feedback in the comments section below.
I was invited to experience IndiGo’s Lean Clean Flying Machine. However, everything expressed above is based on my personal experience, and all the images are shot by me. Please don’t use any image or text without my written permission.
Priced competitively, the Seagate Backup Plus Portable 5TB drive beats everything currently available in the market. The sleek and spacious drive is ideal for digital content creators like bloggers, YouTubers, photographers, editors, among others. Here is my detailed review of the product.
Last year I was in Europe when I got a call from a prestigious media house to do a special photo feature for them on a destination that I had visited in the past. Unfortunately, being a light traveller, I was carrying only what was needed, which included a Seagate Backup Plus portable 2TB drive containing my ongoing projects. I had not anticipated an opportunity like this can come. So, I learnt a lesson by losing a plum project.
Recently I got to try the Seagate 5TB Backup Plus that was launched last year. Here’s my honest review about the drive:
Before ordering the Seagate 5TB Backup Plus, I thought it would be a bit bulky considering the capacity was more than double of what I have been using earlier – a Seagate backup plus 2TB. Surprising the 0.83” (21mm) hard drive felt compact, albeit a bit thick than its predecessor, though, it’s still small enough to carry around. Weighing 0.265 kg, it is available in black, red, light grey, and silver blue colours.
I ordered a black one with a minimalist textured metal finish that felt completely in-sync with the modern lifestyle and is compatible with Mac and Windows computers. On the front of the drive, there’s Seagate branding, as well as an indicator light. And, on the backside, there’s a label containing the mandatory information such as regulatory compliances, serial number, and capacity. The drive comes with one USB cable, warranty card and user manual booklet.
The Seagate Backup Plus Portable uses the same design technology as the 2016 version and features the brand’s BarraCuda internal drive that combines five 2.5-inch platters that hold a 1TB capacity each.
To check the performance of the drive, I ran the BlackMagic test on a Mac. The drive recorded a speed of 139.1MB/s in reading speed and 138.6MB/s in writing. These scores are pretty good and are at par with benchmarks set by rival brands.
Upon researching more about the drive, I found that it runs on the Shingled Magnetic Recording (SMR) technology that is designed to increase the storage density. Without sounding too technical, the SMR technology consists of writing on three tracks in parallel. This overlapping-lane architecture permits to cram more data per platter. But here’s the catch: while the reading speed is not impacted, the writing speed tends to slow down a lot as the disk starts filling up, especially after it becomes 70-80% full.
The Seagate 5TB Backup Plus Portable drive works with both Windows and Mac without any need to reformat. However, I did reformat it as “exFAT” format is its default format, which is the advance file system of FAT32 but I had read some negative reports that its transfer speed could be an issue and the drive becomes more susceptible to data corruption when errors occur, or the drive is not disconnected correctly from the computer. So, instead of taking the risk and losing precious data later on, I decided to stick to the proven and tested format of NTFS. It took me hardly a minute to do so.
Besides providing a vast space to store files, the Seagate 5TB Backup Plus comes loaded with great bundle offers for digital content creators like me who need to access heavy multimedia files on the go. Seagate is offering a one-year complimentary subscription to Mylio Create that lets you edit, manage and share photos and data from anywhere. Additionally, you get a two-month membership to Adobe Creative Cloud Photography Plan.
Most importantly, you can enjoy long-term peace of mind with the three-year limited warranty, which basically means Seagate recovers the data from your HDD in case your drive fails.
The sleek and spacious Seagate 5TB Backup Plus Portable Drive offers a great value for cold storage and backup application for on-the-move digital content creators or desktop warriors alike.
Have you used the Seagate has 5TB Backup Plus Portable drive? Please share your experience in the comment box.
Many people wouldn’t even know where, Luang Prabang, Laos is without looking at the map but this landlocked nation steeped in history is the safest country to visit in South East Asia after COVID19. Read on to find out why and what you can do in this offbeat gem.
At the beginning of 2020 when I decided to spend my new year holidays in Singapore and Laos, it wasn’t even in my wildest dreams that a deadly virus will halt our movement and change our lives forever. Although COVID-19 started from China before becoming a global pandemic, most people still see China and its neighbouring Southeast Asian countries such as Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar and Laos as not safe to visit.
The situation has changed now, and today Laos is one of the safest countries to visit in South East Asia after Coronavirus outbreak. It was never too bad in Laos – just 19 cases with zero deaths, and on June 10 the Southeast Asian nation declared itself free of the coronavirus. No wonder many International health organisations lauded Laos for its timely response to contain the novel coronavirus.
As the world is slowly marching towards the new normal after stringent lockdowns, many people have started taking short road-trips or have at least started thinking to travel once again. In the upcoming months, once the COVID19 is controlled and quarantine rules are relaxed, domestic travel will pick up followed by international travel through a new trend called ‘travel bubble’. Travel bubble or a travel corridor is a new term coined for an exclusive partnership between neighbouring and nearby countries to open borders and allow people to travel freely within the zone without needing to undergo on-arrival quarantine.
If you are one of those people who wants to travel but is unsure of where to go post coronavirus, this post is for you. I highly recommend you to visit Laos as it is the safest country to visit in South East Asia after Coronavirus outbreak. Moreover, you’ll be completely bowled over by its rustic, authentic Asian beauty, that’s impossible to find anywhere else. Here nature is as vivid as the colours of a rainbow, landscapes as stunning as the screensavers of your computer, culture as rich as the history of Buddhism. It is an enigmatic experience that will bring you up-close to the painful past and optimistic future of a tiny land-locked nation. But let’s first talk about how Laos handled the coronavirus.
After the first two COVID19 cases were confirmed on March 24, Laos imposed strict measures to contain the pandemic, which included the mandatory lockdown of all citizens except to buy essentials or visit hospitals. Borders were sealed, and domestic travel to other provinces was prohibited. Bars, restaurants, gyms and markets were closed too.
As per the government claims, aggressive testing of migrant workers and travellers entering the country, Laos was able to achieve the lowest number of cases in Southeast Asia. Till date, there have been just 19 COVID19 positive cases and zero fatalities.
After 33 days of no new infections recorded in Laos, the restrictions were eased at the end of May, with the opening of businesses, educational centres and both Indoor and outdoor sports activities but the borders remain shut, except for urgent cases with special authorisation. Large gatherings are still banned, you can’t organise a party or visit night markets, beer shops, online game shops, karaoke venues, cinemas, casinos, and team sports tournaments.
While Laos has shown no new cases, the country is taking baby steps to revive its economy and tourism. As on June 30, Laos’ 7 million citizens can travel domestically, though foreign travellers are currently not allowed to enter Laos except in very limited cases. Passenger flights out of Laos have stopped, and land borders remain closed.
So, it won’t be wrong to say that once the COVID19 curve is flattened in most countries with no second wave, it would be safe to travel again to Laos and other countries. On a safer side, you can say, foreigners can enjoy the Christmas and New Year holidays in Laos. It’s a very safe country for both solo travellers as well as group travellers.
So, if you want to take a quick international trip, Laos might be the best place. While there are many unique places to visit, my favourite is Luang Prabang.
Laos is a landlocked nation squeezed between Thailand to the west and Vietnam to the east, and sharing shorter borders with Myanmar in the northwest and Cambodia in the south.
Until I visited Laos, I never knew that Laos is run by a communist government with Buddhist ethos. It’s one of only five remaining communist countries in the world (the others being China, Vietnam, North Korea and Cuba).
Luang Prabang, Laos has so many exciting things to experience – whether you’re interested in exploring the nature, learning more about local culture, walking through beautiful temples and monasteries, or shopping in local markets for tasty treats and souvenirs. Don’t miss these 15 top experiences in Luang Prabang, the former Royal capital of Laos.
Here is a video about my experience in Luang Prabang.
Have you been to Luang Prabang, Laos? If yes, how was your experience? Which country do you think is the safest country to visit in South East Asia after Coronavirus outbreak
It’s summertime in Sweden and Palle Stenberg, the co-founder of Gothenburg based Nudie Jeans, is busy doing his daily chores. Despite having a super busy life full of business and household chores, Palle has volunteered to be a local guide to Dan, his friend and a business partner from Australia. Around 6:30 am both of them all set to hit the road but not before finishing the most critical job of the day, a chore that Stenberg has done every single day without fail for three decades. He dumps the neatly segregated packs of the waste – paper, plastic, glass, metal, and biodegradable waste – into their respective recycling centres, some 300 metres away from his house. Dan is mighty impressed by Sweden’s incredible Recycling Revolution. And, so did I when I first visited the country.
In September 2019, I got an opportunity to learn first hand about Sweden’s incredible journey of transforming trash to treasure when I attended the Adventure Travel World Summit in Gothenburg as an official media delegate. The Swedish city situated on the west coast of the country is no ordinary city – it has been voted the most sustainable destination in the world for four years in a row.
Although adventure brought me to the country, recycling caught my attention. Sweden is so ahead in the waste management curve; it has run out of the garbage, and for several years, it has been paying money to import trash from other nations to keep its recycling plants functioning. I wasn’t surprised to know that less than one per cent of Sweden’s trash is sent to landfills and 99% of Sweden’s waste is recycled. Through efficient waste management Global Citizen Sweden is able to heat one million homes and provide electricity to 250,000.
My initial research both intrigued as well as motivated me to demystify Sweden’s incredible journey of Transforming Trash to Treasure. Through this story, I was able to meet different stakeholders from different fields – some were from waste management companies others from tourism boards, manufacturers, and most importantly, the locals. And this is what I found.
Sweden was one of the first countries in the world to realise that non-renewable resources will become scarce, and climate change will become a big question mark to our existence. Therefore, it started scouting for sustainable alternatives early on. In the mid-20th century, when sustainability and climate change were alien words, it laid the foundation of the Recycling Revolution. It started investing in waste management to generate electricity from the trash. By doing so, it killed two birds with one stone – reduced its reliance on fossil fuels and also significantly brought down its carbon footprint. As per the official estimate, the greenhouse gas emissions in Sweden are projected to fall by 76% by 2020 as compared to levels in 1990. Experts say that Sweden’s number one goal at the moment is to become the world’s first fossil-fuel free nation as part of their commitment under Roadmap 2050.
However, this success blueprint wasn’t created overnight. Katarina Thorstensson, the Sustainability Strategist at Gothenburg & Company, explains,
“Where Sweden and Gothenburg are today, is a result of many years of hard work on environment education at a national level as well local level. And, in some way, it is a cultural thing. We care about people and planet, and therefore we are conscious about efficiently using the resources. We actively reduce, reuse and recycle resources.”
Most importantly, the Swedish government should be credited the most for the success of this mammoth task as it was the one that brought all the stakeholders together to create a collaborative environment. Thanks to the joint efforts of all the parties, a big behavourial change was initiated and successfully achieved in Swedish citizens – from having a will to recycle to actually doing it.
Swedish government realised that if they want a long-term sustainable solution to their waste management problem, they’ll have to educate the kids about the importance of environmental issues and sustainable living from an early age. In schools, children were taught to recycle, making it a way of life in Swedish communities. Specialised training was given to the teachers to engage children in practical activities, like creating their own paper or inculcating reduce-reuse-recycle habits.
My 41-year-old local friend Kicki Lind recaps her childhood days. She starts by saying,
“Keeping nature clean is in our veins. I grew up with the “Keep Nature Tidy” campaign and back in school, where we learnt on why and how we must all make sure never to leave any trash behind. And, if someone did leave by mistake, we were taught to pick up their trash.“
Good environmental education wasn’t left at the theory level; it was backed up with clearcut actions. Strict regulations, policies, structures and a robust infrastructure was developed for people to teach waste sorting and recycling habits effortlessly. To discourage unsorted waste issue, the Swedish Government started levying higher waste tariffs on unsorted waste and providing almost free waste tariffs for bio-waste.
Sweden’s incredible journey of Transforming Trash to Treasure would not have been so successful if recycling wasn’t made easy, accessible and convenient. Swedes don’t have to run from pillar to post to find a recycling station; they can be seen as close as 300 meters from any residential area. Everyone segregates and dumps their waste as per the waste type. You will never find paper in plastic waste bins, or metal in glass or lightbulbs into batteries recycling bins. There are specialised recycling centres outside cities for larger items such as furniture or electronics.
Lately a new movement – Circular economy (Reduce, Reuse & recycle) – has become quite popular in the country that encourages people to reuse everything from food, medicines, clothing, and gadgets for longer duration and in smarter ways. In the Swedish culture, wastage is frowned upon. Using this insight, a food app called Karma was launched, which saves food from being wasted by letting the consumers find delicious surplus food from restaurants, cafes and grocery stores at half the regular price. A win-win situation for both – users pay less for good food and businesses make money on the surplus food that would otherwise go waste.
A similar approach is applied by the pharmacists too – 43% of unused medicines are returned to the pharmacists instead of being tossed into a bin.
And, it isn’t just the food and pharma industries who are thinking out of the box to follow the philosophy of Reduce, Reuse and recycle. The apparel industry, which is said to be the second biggest contributor to carbon emissions, is reinventing itself too. The used clothing market in Sweden has grown manifolds over the past few years. Vintage fashion has become such a huge trend that established chains are competing with small vintage boutiques selling second-hand items. Walking through the city centre of Gothenburg, I came across many stores selling second-hand apparels, renting clothes and using many innovative ways to become more sustainable.
One brand that impressed me the most was Nudie Jeans. Not only it is the world’s first 100% organically manufactured denim brand, but it comes with a lifetime repair warranty. And, you can even use their buy-back option if you ever get bored with your denim (though I doubt that would ever happen) and want to try something new. Nudie Jeans was the first brand to introduce the concept of coolness and sustainability in a denim brand.
Another store that is doing a commendable job in sustainable fashion is a designer brand called Atacac Fashion Studio. They are the pioneers in a unique style of pattern making in which they use the 3D modelling to reinvent the design, production and selling process. Hannah Holden, the communications and sales manager of the company, shared her company’s core philosophy,
“Whenever we design anything new, our aim is not to design that is just following a trend for a while. Why should anyone throw something away that looks amazing, always? Take, for example, a leather jacket or other classic styles, you have them forever because they always look good.”
Despite being home of fast fashion brands like H&M, the fashion industry in Sweden is changing for better through a more collaborative and creative approach. Unlike other countries, here copying is not considered derogatory but praised, if sustainability is at its core. Also, using second-hand products is not considered cheap but make you appear environmentally-conscious. No wonder, I found so many second-hand chain stores like Myrona, Stadsmissionen, Emmaus and Beyond Retro throughout Sweden.
Whether it was talking to the officials, business owners or normal people, one common factor stood out – Sweden is a nature-conscious nation where the sustainable approach to business and societies is not a mere lip-service but a part of daily management and long-term sustainability goals. In Sweden, two big things facilitate all the small things – samarbeta (openness to innovation), and transparency meaning low corruption at all levels. Perhaps that’s the secret behind why Sweden remains the world’s most sustainable country year after year.
Further reading: Do check out this article if you are interested in knowing more about sustainable accommodations and how to find them.
About 60 million tonnes of trash is generated every day in India, and about 45 million tonnes of waste remains untreated. It’s high time India takes some strong actions; otherwise, our own garbage will drown us! While it might be too ambitious for India to reach where Sweden currently is due to high illiteracy, poverty and reluctance from the top, it’s not impossible. The government can learn from Sweden and follow the ‘circular economy’ model to minimise the waste and ensure maximum recycling.
Sweden’s secret of turning trash to treasure is an open secret. It is totally up to us how we can use it to make the Swach Bharat dream come alive.
If India can do these five things, our country will not only become Swachh Bharat but will also get rid of many other allied problems such as unemployment. Imagine if we recover just 15 per cent of daily waste we can employ about 500,000 rag-pickers and provide electricity for nearly two million homes.
I was invited as a hosted media to attend the Adventure Travel Summit Sweden 2019 by Visit Sweden. All the views expressed above are based on my personal experiences and conversations I had with the mentioned parties. Images used are either shot by me or provided by the Tourism Board. Please do not copy anything without written permission.
Ladakh is one of my favourite places to visit, not just in India but in the entire world. It is the place that changed my destiny – from being a corporate slave to becoming a full-time traveller. During my several trips to the land of high passes, I have explored all facets of the region – from popular to offbeat, Buddhist cultural immersions to partaking in adventure activities, from being a part of group travel to solo trekking in the unchartered territories, witnessing peaceful nights at Pangong Tso to living with the Changpas on my tumultuous journey to Demchok and Chumur. Unfortunately, some of these places along with Galwan Valley, and Hot Springs have lately become the bone of contention in the bloody India-China face-offs. However, when I visited the region was largely peaceful and I am sure it will soon return to happy days.
My love for Leh Ladakh is so much that I made sure to visit it in every season. I call it the land of modern pilgrimage where I have walked from hill to hill, crossed river to river, ate with locals in towns and villages, covering all corners of the mountainous region- from Turtuk to Demchok, verdant valleys to serpentine gorges, mega glaciers to tiny villages, high altitude lakes to seasonal streams and everything in between. I experienced the soulful beauty of Ladakh in all kinds of transport – cars, bikes, local buses, army trucks, hitch-hiking and on foot.
I understand most of the tourists who visit Ladakh, don’t have the luxury of time and resources like I had. Therefore, they like to see the main highlights of Ladakh in a week and thus choose to travel in cars or bikes. In 7-10 days, you can visit Leh town, the Indus valley, the Nubra valley, Pangong Lake and Tso Moriri Lake. While the Indus valley is famous for centuries-old ancient monasteries, both the lakes are on every travellers’ dream trip to Ladakh.
While a road trip isn’t a bad idea, my personal favourite is trekking in Ladakh as it connects you to the soul of Ladakh and brings you up close to the unimaginable beauty spots that you might miss when in a vehicle. It is a great option to connect with nature and also go to places that are not easily accessible and hence have limited visitors.
However, trekking in the coldest desert of the world is not like trekking in lowlands. You should be in good physical shape to do trekking in Ladakh. Most importantly, to avoid Acute Mountain Sickness, it is a must to get well acclimatised before you embark on your trek. Treks in Ladakh vary from tough to moderate – you can choose basis your stamina and time in hand.
While there are dozens of famous treks available, the Sham valley trek and the Markha valley trek are among the best treks in Ladakh, recommended for someone looking to gain a first-hand trekking experience in the region.
Popularly known as the baby trek because of its easy nature, the Sham Valley trek is best suited for beginners or families. But if you are not in your best physical condition, then this multi-day trek could seem daunting for many. I did this trek in February 2015 when the whole landscape was blanketed in multi-layers of snow, and the temperatures were always sub-zero, sometimes touching as low as -15 degrees. To make matters worse, once we even got stuck in a blizzard-like snow-storm. But come summer, and this Narnia-like landscape transforms into a lush apricot valley where the smiles of the locals will fill your heart with exceptional warmth.
After acclimatising for two days in Leh, I drove for one and a half from Leh to reach Likir, which is the starting point of the trek. If you have no timing issue, you can spend a night here, or you can straight proceed towards Yangthang village after visiting the Likir monastery.
Set picturesquely on a little hill in the Likir village of the Sham Valley, near the Indus River it was constructed in 1065 by Lama Duwang Chosje, under the command of the fifth king of Ladakh, Lhachen Gyalpo. For a city dweller like me, Likir village appeared to be relatively isolated, but it was once on a major trade route. En route from the Likir village to Yangthang, I crossed two easy passes – Phobe La and Chagatse La. The climb from Likir to Phobe La was gentle, and in an hour, I was on the top of the pass. From here, I had two options – hike down on the rough, muddy track and join the road below (which was a short cut) or take the long loops of the tarmac road. I chose the first one.
After walking for a while on the flat tarmac road, I took a little break at Sumdo, an idyllic tea-break point from where you have to cross the stream. Refreshed from the hot tea and cold stream water, I along with my guide kept hiking on the main road for an hour until we reached the second and the last pass of the day – Chagatse La. From Chagatse La, we scrambled down for another 30 mins to reach our destination of the day – the village of Yangthang (11,909 ft) that fell on our left side. While the camping site near the mainstream enticed me, I chose to spend the night in the cosy Ladakhi homestay. The entire journey on foot with modest speed and a few pitstops from Likir to Yangthang took around 4-5 hours.
Tip: If you have time and energy, I highly recommend visiting the Ridzong Monastery that is an hour away from Yangthang. I loved the quiet environs of this pristine and secluded gompa.
After a hectic first day where I crossed two passes, the second day seemed like a breeze with only one pass to cross – Tsermangchan La, which is the highest pass on this trek with an altitude of 3,874m. With stomach full and backpack tucked on my shoulder, I headed back from the Yangthang Village onto the road that brought us to the village a day before. Heading Northwards, we descended for a bit, crossed a stream before climbing up west again to Tsermangchen La (12,303 ft). The panoramic view from the pass was too good to miss, and despite the cold, I decided to take a break on the top before heading down to my next night halt – Hemis Shukpachen, often referred as the mythical Shangri-La. It has the right balance of adventure, exotic feel, and traditional Ladakhi charm.
My guide told me that this is one of prettiest villages in Ladakh and I couldn’t agree more. While the entire landscape was snow-covered in February, in summers, the village looks like a fairytale village from a storybook. Plenty of gurgling streams surrounded by shady willows and large barley fields make the village stand like an oasis in otherwise desolate, rocky mountains. It is the best place to see the Ladakhi system of water distribution. Glacial meltwater is distributed to the fields via a network of channels.
Tip: Book your stay with the Himalayan Homestays or camp out near one of the brooks. If you can spare some time, do visit the Lamayuru monastery from here via Ang village.
On the third day, we walked for an hour before hiking up to a small pass called the Mebtak La. Once we reached the pass, we started descending to reach Ang village near the river. We crossed the river and walked for a while before entering Temisgam village. Thankfully our cosy homestay was close to the road, which gave us ample time to bond with the locals.
Tip: Don’t forget to visit the Temisgam Palace, monastery and Nunnery. If short on time, catch a vehicle from Temisgam to return to Leh.
Next day we started a little late since we didn’t have to walk for long. Gingerly we started walking towards Tia along the road for sometimes before crossing the river. A few minutes walk later; we started climbing the Bongbong La to reach the Leh-Kashmir highway. We met a lot of locals on the way who were going to Leh too. We had a choice to grab a taxi instead of walking, but we chose to walk for a while. Our stroll continued up to Khalse from where we drove back to Leh.
Tip: Book your taxi beforehand in Leh as none are available in Khalse. From Temisgam you can also visit Lamayuru or Dha-Hanu villages (Brokpa Aryan villages).
The Markha Valley trek is easily the most popular trek in Ladakh. Since Markha is situated in the Hemis National Park which offers fantastic landscapes and the chance to see wild animals, it is a trekkers’ delight. The Markha valley trek is more difficult than the Sham Valley trek as one has to cross the Kongmaru La pass (5,260m) on the fifth day. It usually takes six days to complete the trek, but there are options to extend the trek for those who have more time.
You have to reach Chilling, which is the starting point of the trek and 60 km far from Leh. After crossing the Zanskar River, you will enter the Markha valley. It takes only 3 hours to reach Skyu village. It is the most relaxed day of the trek.
Today, you will walk almost 21 km to reach Markha village. However, the trail is full of scenic landscapes and barren mountains. You can also visit the old fort and monastery at Markha village.
You will need to hike for around five hours to reach Hankar, which is a small village at an altitude of 4,050m. Tall mountains surround the village, and you can also get a glimpse of the mighty Kang Yatse peak (6,400m) from a distance.
It is perhaps the hardest day of the trek. You have to hike uphill to reach Nimaling camp. It takes around 5-6 hours to cover a distance of 10km. You will spend the night in a tent at Nimaling which is located at an altitude of 4,850m. Take a good rest to prepare for the next day.
Today, you will cross the Kongmaru La pass, which is the highest point on this trek at an altitude of 5,260 metres. There is a spectacular view of Kang Yatse peak from the top. After that, it is a long walk downhill to reach Shang Sumdo.
It takes around 4 hours to reach Hemis from Shang Sumdo. However, the walk is easy. Hemis monastery is the largest monastery in Ladakh. You can spend some time exploring the place before driving back to Leh.
As you know, there are many good reasons why tourists enjoy travelling in Ladakh. If you like to challenge yourself and to be in the wild, trekking is one more reason to add Ladakh to your bucket list!
Have you ever done trekking in Ladakh? How was your experience, or what would you like to explore next time? Please share your feedback in the comments section below.
Before we were locked inside our homes because a virus took the Earth and its inhabitants hostage, I was enjoying the triple dose of sun, sand and sea in a tropical haven popularly referred to as the paradise on Earth. In the Maldives, nature is the real showstopper – everyday sky puts up a grand show filled with eye-popping colours as the white sands melt your heart like the smiles of the locals. You can swim with the fishes in the turquoise blue waters of the Indian Ocean or just laze around on your sundeck in a plush water-villa. Blessed with tropical weather that’s always in a good mood, and where the vibe is always right. No wonder the Maldives tops amongst the preferred holiday destinations for honeymooners, families and MICE travel.
This was true until February 2020; the world has changed completely since, and travel took a big pause. Ban on non-essential travel proved one thing – when the world stays home, the planet benefits. There was clear water in the Venice canals, blue skies over Delhi, thousands of flamingos were painting Mumbai pink and wild animals were roaming boldly in locked-down cities. Yes, emissions fell and earth finally breathed clean air but not for long.
We must take lessons from COVID-19 and use it as a springboard to living more sustainability. While COVID-19 is not a climate-change-induced pandemic, it surely is a preview of our climate-change future. Climate change is frequently described as a threat multiplier, something that exacerbates existing problems and creates new ones. No aspect of life on this planet has been untouched by climate change — viruses included. By altering the environment at a faster rate than any other moment in geologic history, scientists say, humans have created a wealth of chances for viruses to evolve. To make matters worse, a warmer planet is expected to be a less stable one.
When Covid-19 is behind us, we will travel again, but it will not be the same. Guests will prefer contactless travel and destinations that have reported a low number of COVID-19 cases and are better geared up to handle social distancing. Maldives Marketing & Public Relations Corporation’s managing director Thoyyib Mohamed says that the country is at an advantage compared to other destinations since all the island resorts stand isolated and not connected to one another.
But this glimmer of hope shouldn’t make us forget the flooded future that is threatening to drown Maldives. If there is a ground zero for observing the impacts of a changing global climate the Maldives are definitely a front-runner. Comprised of 1192 islands and 22 atolls, most pancake flat, the highest reaches no more than five feet above sea level, making the Maldives the lowest country on earth. Only two hundred of the islands are inhabited, by roughly 320,000 people.
But there is trouble in paradise – the Maldives is now the poster-child for the consequences of climate change. With 99% water and 1% land, the archipelago is extremely vulnerable to storm surges, sea swells and severe weather. In the last two decades, Maldives has lost over 20 islands, more than 100 islands are reporting erosion, and around 30 islands are identified as severely eroded. Global warming will almost certainly lead to the demise of these islands which are predicted to drown in our lifetime. Disappearing into the rising sea, it will become the first country having to relocate all its population as refugees due to global climate change.
It’s a Climate Emergency – sea level is rising at an alarming rate due to increased carbon emissions. The irony is that while the Maldives has not contributed much to greenhouse emissions, as it produces very little, it is facing some of the worst consequences created by others – mainly the USA, China and India.
Interested to dig deeper and witness the climate change impact first hand, I visit small villages, prominent diving sites and a few leading luxury resorts. After an overnight flight with Srilankan Airlines with a stopover in Colombo, I reach Male Airport. From there I take a 45-minute seaplane ride to Adaaran Select Meedhupparu, located 154 km to the north of the city of Malé.
Another 20-minute ride by a traditional Dhoni brings me to the Meedhoo island where I get a taste of the local Maldivian life and their daily struggles. Most of the villagers are employed at the Adaaran Select Meedhupparu Resort and the rest are into fishing. Axxam Rafeeu, a 21-year old Technician working at the Meedho Island Power Plant, apprises me of the current climate situation in his village,
Although climate change is not starkly visible on our island which has a population of just two thousand, the subtle hints are everywhere. When I was a kid, weather was predictable like June and July used to be the rainy months and rest of the time it used to be wall to wall sunshine and calm seas but that’s not the case anymore. Flooding is a common phenomenon now. Not only it destroys infrastructure but contaminates inland freshwater sources.
One of the reasons why flooding has become so common in Maldives is because, with the rising sea temperatures, Corals are either getting bleached or dying completely. Andres Mehner, who specialises in Shark Ecology and is the Speciality Dive Instructor at Divepoint, Hudhuranfushi island says,
The best way to explore the Maldives is to dive into its turquoise blue waters to see its vibrant marine life that’s rated amongst the top two best diving sites in the world. However, this rich marine environment has suffered a loss of around 60 to 70 per cent of its corals since 2014 due to rising sea temperatures.
Scientists warn if adequate steps are not taken the Maldives might not have any coral reefs by 2045. Moreover, coral reefs protection is critical for the island’s protection as they not only provide shelter and food for the local fish population but are also the first line of defence when sea storms hit.
The Maldives has the distinction of being the first country in South Asia to achieve 100% access to electricity but this power is based on a diesel-powered grid system, which makes its carbon emissions per unit of electricity among the highest in the region. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Environment Ministry of the Maldives have initiated a project to help the country tap solar power and reduce reliance on costly, polluting diesel by installing a solar–battery–diesel hybrid system in 48 islands out of the 160 inhabited islands.
Additionally, the private sector is warming up to renewable energy – some resorts like Kudadoo Maldives Private Resort are powered entirely by solar panels while others are slowly but steadily making a progress like Adaaran Resort uses Solar panels to heat its bathroom water and uses energy-efficient lighting and appliances. Airconditioners are set at energy-efficient temperature and ‘save electricity’ messages are displayed abundantly in the resort.
Both locals, as well as resort owners, are motivating people to reduce, reuse and recycle resources as much as possible. Vivek Tiwari, who works at Adaaran Hudhuranfushi Resort says,
We don’t waste anything on the island. Even the discarded wood is reused for island beautification or creating quirky garden furniture. Water is very precious here and we don’t waste a bit – the wastewater is recycled to be used in the toilets and kitchen garden, where we grow our own vegetables and fruits.
Vivek further explains Resort’s efforts to make the island plastic-free – Adaaran Hudhuranfushi is in a process of setting up their own water purification plant. Despite being a luxury resort they don’t provide individual transfers to the guests as it increases carbon emission. They bring them together at set times during the day and use electric cars for in-land transfers for the ocean Villa guests. Additionally, on a regular basis, they engage with the local communities to bring down carbon emissions and initiate island cleaning drives.
Even tour providers such as Secret Paradise chooses not to own its own fleet of vehicles and speedboats. They hire public vehicles or the services of other boat providers. This ensures money goes back into the local community as well as preventing additional unnecessary emissions.
With the help of the Global Environment Facility and United Nations Development Plan, Maldives is trying to prevent marine pollution, reef damage and biodiversity loss sustainably through a community-based approach. The effort is already showing results with coral cover increasing by 20%.
Even private resorts, marine biologists, NGOs and local communities are coming together to spearhead the coral recovery programme. Ruth Franklin, the Co-founder of Secret Paradise, the Maldives which organises day tour and multi-day tours for its guests, shares their part of the story,
“Ecotourism and sustainable tourism have always been an integral part of our philosophy and part of our mission statement. Not only do we employ local guides but also our guests can become actively involved in conservation programs and learn how they too can be responsible during their stay in the Maldives. All our guests participating in ocean-based activities including swimming and snorkelling are briefed using the Green Fins Guidelines on how to be responsible in the water.“
I visited the Maldives on the invitation of Adaaran Resorts and Srilankan Airlines. All the views expressed above are based on my personal experiences in the country during my visit. Images used are either shot by me or provided by the locals I interacted with. Please do not copy anything without written permission.
Unlike most of the world, including Scandanavian neighbours Norway, Denmark and Finland, Sweden has refused to lock down the country. Instead, it’s trying a different approach to beat COVID-19 – trusting its people to voluntarily practice social distancing and develop herd immunity. But why has Sweden adopted this approach and is it working
Lars Svanerud zips up his ski jacket, tightens the laces of the ski boots, wears the snow goggles before picking up his ski poles and helmet. Although spring has quietly sprung in the southern part of Sweden, it still feels like winter in the northernmost tip of Dalarna, where the mountains stretch out endlessly in front of you and thick layers of snow blankets the landscape like sand dunes in the desert.
This might be the last snowfall of the season and Lars Svanerud, a guide and sport chef at STF Grövelsjön Mountain station, doesn’t want to miss the opportunity. So, along with his pack, he is back in the wilderness of Grövelsjön.
At the same time, Anna in New York, Boris in London, Carlos in Milan, Mufasa in Cape town, Chang in Singapore, Ken in Tokyo, Andy in New Zealand and many more like them around the globe are spending most of their time holed up at home under orders from their governments. Every single country is fighting the same enemy – the invisible Novel Corona Virus. While much of the world adopted the strict lockdown strategy, imposing severe restrictions on movement and penalties for those who transgress, Sweden defied the global norm by taking a more relaxed approach to battling Coronavirus.
Contrary to their global counterparts, Swedes still enjoy the springtime sun in cafes and nightlife in bars. Country’s borders are open to European Union nationals, as are offices, malls, gyms, playgrounds and schools. Swedish authorities are trusting their citizens to act responsibly and have, therefore put minimal restrictions. People are encouraged to wash hands frequently, work from home if they can, and self-isolate if sick or aged 70 or older. Despite a severe threat of coronavirus spreading at a rapid pace, people still have the freedom to go outdoors or stay indoors as long as they maintain social-distancing. Only on March 29th did Sweden banned gatherings of more than 50.
However, this strategy did not come out of thin air. The no-lockdown approach is deep-rooted in the Swedish culture where the real power resides in people taking responsibility themselves. Swedish Government is relying on the voluntary behaviour of the people. The state encourages and recommends the right actions but never compels them to follow.
As per the Swedish authorities, the country is on track to reach herd immunity from coronavirus after it bucked the trend and refused to lock down or close its borders. Dr Anders Tegnell, its chief epidemiologist, revealed in a CNBC interview Tuesday (April 21) that the country was seeing the effect of “herd immunity” in the capital. He said
The infection rate was slowing down in Stockholm, which has a population of about 2.4 million while describing the rest of Sweden’s coronavirus situation as stable.
While the efficacy of the decision is yet to be seen, locals are seen to be taking the responsibility seriously. My local friend, Kicki Lind from Gothenberg, echoes the same sentiment,
We still go to restaurants, bars, shops, hiking trails but we do take care of social distancing. So much so that couples have stopped kissing each other. No big parties are thrown. We try to avoid public places… trams and trains almost run empty. We are taking the recommendations of social distancing seriously and trying our best to flatten the curve. After all, it’s in our blood to take our rights and responsibilities quite sincerely.
Kicki’s words about responsibility and rights took me back to the days I spent in the country attending the Adventure Travel Summit Sweden 2019. Last year in September, I hiked through a nature reserve between Norway and Sweden that the locals call “Gränslandet”.
Along with Lars Svanerud, my local guide, I trudged forward on the road less county, far from the roar of civilisation, where only the sounds of wind and water interrupt the infinite silence. An area where you can spend weeks without seeing another human being. But the area also holds much more accessible mountain landscapes, where hundreds of people come walking every day. And the statement about untouched wilderness needs qualifying. People have lived here for thousands of years. This is the southernmost region of Scandinavia where the Sami people herd reindeers without leaving any footprints. The Sami are one of the world’s indigenous peoples inhabiting the northern parts of present Sweden, Norway, Finland and Russia.
On this trip, I got a rare chance to live in the shoes of Sami, thanks to my local Sami Hosts – Helena and Peter Anderson — who run Renbiten, an adventure and culture tourism company at Idre Sameby on Dalarna county of Sweden.
We hike through the mountains Båthusberget and Djupsjöberget, traversing through alpine lakes, old pine trees, tall grassland, wild orchids and the wolf lichen unique to the area. Lars shares the secrets of the nature reserve as I painstakingly try to navigate through boulders and puddles. Weather plays hide n seek with us – bringing heavy showers at times and clearing up a few times to give us a sneak peek of the mind-blowingly beauty of the area we are in. The mist-shrouded Båthusberget looks devilish and a spine-chilling wind blowing at a speed of 60 km/hr makes it impossible to capture the beauty of the area with our cameras.
As we walk down to the base of the mountain, Lars shares a fascinating insight into his country. A fact that now when seen in retrospect explains the current approach of the Swedish Government to tackle coved-19.
He says,
Sweden has no Eiffel Tower. No pyramids. Not even Taj Mahal. But we have something special – the freedom to roam. It’s a right protected by the law, that allows us to sleep and eat pretty much everywhere – all completely free of charge. The only thing we have to pay for is respect for nature and the animals living there.
Freedom and responsibility are two essential virtues of every Swede, which they never take for granted. This reliance on people taking responsibility themselves is what the Swedish Government is punting their hopes on in a battle against COVID-19. The next two weeks will determine whether the Swedish system got it right. Until then, you enjoy the armchair travel to the Nordic nation as they explore the great outdoors.
Do you agree Sweden did the right thing by avoiding a strict lockdown and using milder containment strategies to beat the Covid-19?
Please share your feedback in the below-given comments section.
The Hindu Businessline: Sweden, a zero-trash heaven
The Hindu Businessline: A day with Lovis the reindeer
The Tribune: Transforming trash into treasure, the Swedish way
The Tribune: Of Sami and reindeer, and their way of life
Sakal Times: Hiking with the reindeer
I was invited as a hosted media to attend the Adventure Travel Summit Sweden 2019 by the Visit Sweden This pre-adventure trip was organised by Renbiten as part of my visit. All the views expressed above are based on my personal experiences in the country during my visit. Images used are either shot by me or provided by the Tourism Board. Please do not copy anything without written permission.
In this post, you’ll read about my experience of visiting Switzerland in winters, where I talk about my business class experience with the Swiss, exploring the Lauterbrunnen Valley and attending the Lauberhorn Ski World Cup. Also, I’ll share travel tips on where to stay, what to shop and which season is the best season to visit Switzerland. So, without further ado, let’s begin!
I was in class 5 when a new classmate, Shiv, had joined. Within no time, this little boy with peach complexion and blue eyes had created a massive fan club comprising of classmates and teachers. Besides his chocolaty looks, his last place of residence had earned him brownie points. His eyes would glow when he would describe Switzerland. “Swiss Alps are dreamlike…. trains always run on time…the lakes there are so clear you don’t need a mirror…and there’s absolutely no comparison of Swiss cheese and chocolate”, he said. His words and gestures created the magic that even Yash Raj couldn’t build on 35mm. And, just like that, I fell in love. Not with the boy, of course, but with the place.
Since then, I started dreaming about the Swiss Alps. I would imagine the majestic Matterhorn and Jungfrau summits shimmering in the crimson golden-glow of the sunlight as the misty clouds played hide-n-seek in the Bernese Oberland mountains. I would dream of beautiful cows gingerly grazing as the big Swiss bells hanging on their necks made a sweet symphony in the middle of green meadows.
My dreams were finally realised in the 2000s when I visited the country not just once but twice. However, both the times it was in the summertime, which I loved. But being a mountain lover (who’s crazy after snow) I would dream of snow-white Switzerland. The allure of winter lies in nature—so immense, overwhelming and, of course, achingly beautiful. So, when Swiss International Airlines (SWISS) reached out to me for a winter trip to attend the Lauberhorn Races, jumped at the offer. I could barely contain my happiness and I have to admit, it was a great start to the new year. Here’s what I experienced:
Although I had only spent six days in Switzerland, I felt like my journey started much before I arrived – thanks to my SWISS flight. My flight was after midnight – 2 am – so, I made full use of my flatbed seat in the spacious business class, which had an in-built massager too. And, before sleeping the friendly cabin crew made sure I ordered my breakfast from the myriad choices available onboard.
As soon as I landed in Zurich, after collecting my luggage, I freshened up in the Swiss Arrivals Lounge, located directly after Customs. The lounge offered 20 luxurious showers named after a different city, a separate quiet area and an extensive breakfast buffet for incoming passengers like me. (Read more about my Fly Swiss experience in my next post).
Feeling as fresh as the Swiss Air, I was all ready to explore the wintery beauty of the country by combining a city break in Zurich with a ski holiday in the Jungfrau region. The best part was I did not have to go far to catch the train. The SBB travel centre was located below the Airport Center in the Check-in 3 area. Luckily, I had bought the eight days Swiss Travel Pass beforehand, which is by far the best way to explore Switzerland – an all-in-one ticket that lets you travel unlimited by all means of public transport – train, bus and boat – throughout the whole of Switzerland. And it includes many bonus benefits as well as free admission to more than 500 museums.
What I liked most of the Swiss trains is their punctuality, comfort, and convenience. Just like their clockwork, Swiss trains run with impeccable precision and efficiency. You can get just about anywhere quickly, comfortably and efficiently on the train and the views can’t be beaten.
Like a seven-year-old kid, I stared out of the window enjoying the sweeping views of the Swiss countryside blanketed in snow. My eyes were sparkling like diamonds gazing at the mighty Alps, glistening turquoise blue lakes, deep black forests with frozen white tips, rushing rivers with frozen waterfalls and charming chalets and churches dotted around snowy fields. The natural beauty of the countryside is charmingly contrasted with the views of culturally rich cities like Zurich and Bern. In between my 2h 20 minutes journey from Zurich to Interlaken, I took out time to enjoy a hot cup of coffee served at my seat. You could also enjoy a freshly prepared meal on board, either in the dining car or at your place.
At around 11:30 am as I alight from the train, a brisk winter wind hits my face in the sleepy resort town of Interlaken, which otherwise is bustling with tourists in summer. The town got its name from its unique location – lying on an alluvial plain between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. The vacation destination, which is guarded by the three mighty mountains – Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau – is the starting point for numerous activities in the Bernese Oberland.
Despite the cold, everyone seemed to be enjoying the great Swiss outdoors – some are paragliding, others opt for a boat ride in the lake or go skating in the rink just outside my hotel – VICTORIA-JUNGFRAU Grand Hotel & Spa.
Staying here is like delving into a nostalgic luxurious past. It’s a kind of place you read in books or see in movies. The hotel had mainly remained the same as it was built in 1865 is one of Switzerland’s most historic luxury hotels. Despite functioning over 150 years, it has maintained its status and charm by committing to the finest Swiss traditions of hospitality while still moving with times.
No wonder it was a favourite of Yash Chopra where he had a Bollywood cinema-themed suite. He played a significant role in capturing Switzerland’s picturesque landscape in his movies. He thus earned the title of Ambassador of Interlaken, and a special Yash Chopra Statue and Yash Chopra Train were inaugurated in his honour in Interlaken. I had almost a full day at my disposal, so I decided to take it slow and explore the old town on foot.
Related: One of the best ways to enjoy Swiss winters is by soaking yourself in the thermal baths in Switzerland.
The next day I was back at the station to take the scenic train with my local hosts – Celina Finger and Renato Julier – from Interlaken Tourism. We took a train from Interlaken Ost to Grindelwald, where we boarded another mountain train that trundled on up to Kleine Scheidegg. From there, we walked for around 45 minutes to Wengernalp. The whole journey was so atmospheric and magical; I felt like I was in a snow globe. Snow left the countryside blanketed in white, and small Swiss villages stood out against the dazzling background. The undaunted hills were dotted with resolute sun blackened wooden houses. The clouds hung low in between the valley and the towering peaks. Far away, the sun was waking up from his slumber.
While we preferred to walk to the ski village, many were snowboarding, skiing, sledging, or taking the helicopter ride. The stunning Alpine villages of Lauterbrunnen, Grindelwald and Wengen – and the soaring Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau peaks that guard them left me utterly awestruck as JRR Tolkein was in 1911. No wonder the Rivendell Valley in his books – the Lord of Rings and the Hobbit are based on his adventures in Switzerland.
My main reason to visit Switzerland in winters was to attend the Lauberhorn Ski World Cup. The international Lauberhorn ski races were held for the first time in 1930, and since 1966 they have taken place within the framework of the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup. The best in the ski world compete in the three disciplines of Alpine Combination, Downhill and Slalom for the best time and the prize money. It’s one of skiing’s classic races at an iconic venue on a leg-jellying track with a fearsome reputation. The Wengen downhill is the oldest, longest and fastest on the men’s World Cup circuit, and one of those titles coveted by the speed freaks, like a grand slam in tennis or a major in golf. This year 61,000 spectators were present in Wengen while millions followed it on Television. All the VIP areas and grandstands were completely sold out.
Thankfully I was booked at the Canadian Hospitality Corner where I watched the race from the comfort of a cosy lounge. The Swiss crew made sure we were well fed and hydrated.
But before the race began, we were entertained by a fabulous airborne spectacle by the Swiss Airbus and Patrouille Suisse pilots (official Swiss Air Force) over Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau.
And, then the real action began – Lauberhorn Downhill Race. After the race, we took a train back to Interlaken. I enjoyed the evening savouring the Swiss fondue at Swiss Chalet and watching the ice-skaters on Top of Europe ICE MAGIC rink.
The next day started on a similar note. Although, this time instead of going to Grindelwald, we went to Wengen via Lauterbrunnen. Friendly, beautiful and car-free, Wengen looked as if it was lifted from a chocolate box cover and is best discovered on foot. The 30-minute walk was just so atmospheric and magical. Sitting pretty on a sunny shelf above the Lauterbrunnen valley in the Bernese Oberland region of Switzerland, the town was chock full of timber-clad chalets and grand 19th-century hotels, reached by a rack railway from the valley floor.
From the comfort of a cosy SWISS lounge, specially constructed for the event, we saw the winners complete their races successfully. The icing on the cake was interacting with the pilots that performed in the Air show, a day earlier.
And, once the races were completed, it felt like heavens were celebrating their wins too. Soft snowflakes started falling, and the whole valley was covered with fresh snow.
More of Switzerland was calling. So, after spending a few invigorating days in the storybook countryside of the Jungfrau region, I headed to a big city, Zurich, to savour the city life and the cultural vibe. Stay tuned for my next post where I’ll share my urban adventures and a day-trip to Lucerne.
The small country though it may be, Switzerland always seems to find room to accommodate something wonderfully of its kind. I hope this article can inspire you to explore Swiss Alps and its cities. If you have any questions, drop them below, and I’ll reply asap.
I was invited to visit Switzerland by Swiss and My Switzerland. Everything expressed above is based on my personal experiences in the country, and all the images are shot by me. Please don’t use any image or text without my written permission.
Imagine at the stroke of midnight on January 1, you usher into a new decade with 16,000 fireworks and 500 drones lighting up the sky along with an on-ground 90-minute high octane, colourful performance by dozens of unicyclists, ballet dancers and fire entertainers. Seems too good to be true, right? But that’s what I witnessed during the New Year Celebration in Singapore.
I am not a fan of showing your love towards your near and dear ones on special days like the Valentine’s Day, Rose Day, Friendship Day, Mother’s Day, and the other innumerable ones that were invented by marketing folks to sell their products. However, the New Year celebration has always been very special as it marks the beginning of something promising – a new year filled with new hopes and dreams. Now it has become a kind of a ritual to ring in the new year at a new destination every year with my close friends. This year was no different as I witnessed one of the best New Year celebrations in the world – Singapore Marina Bay Countdown.
Singapore is one of my favourite cities in the world for a city break – thanks to excellent international connectivity and fab local transport, everyone can fly-in easily and explore the city without any hassles. From swanky shopping malls of Orchard Road to unspoiled nature of Pulau Ubin, there’s no shortage of choices in Singapore. Whether you are looking for shopping, eating, exploring or just having a good time, Singapore always has something for you. Communication is never an issue, as English is the primary language. When it comes to food – you can have what you want – all kinds of international cuisines are readily available (unless you are looking for vegetarian food in a hardcore Chinese neighbourhood).
After experiencing the fireworks in Australia, Europe and America over the last few years, I wanted to start a new decade with a bang. And, the New Year Celebration in Singapore happened to be a perfect choice.
While you can soak in year-end celebrations all across the island, the Marina Bay Singapore Countdown is one of the city’s largest and most popular parties. It’s truly a feast for the senses —the year-end festivities light up the iconic Marina Bay skyline with a scintillating display of fireworks and on-ground festivities filling the bustling streets.
On December 30, I arrived with my friend Swapnil Kulkarni from India to meet another friend of ours, Denise, who was travelling from another country.
Our journey started with a happy and comfortable note as we were travelling with my favourite Airlines, Singapore Airlines. I genuinely love them (nobody paid me to say this) for their impeccable timing, service, food, inflight-entertainment, staff attitude, overall comfort and above all, the Changi Airport, that is like a destination in itself.
After checking-in at our hotel Carlton Singapore, we straight away ventured out to check the fantastic light projections that transformed the facades of some of the most iconic buildings of Singapore – the ArtScience Museum, the Merlion and the Fullerton Hotel Singapore.
The interesting thing about these projections was that they were a part of ‘Build a Dream’ campaign designed to support the underprivileged in fulfilling their dreams and personal development. And, the artworks beamed on the buildings were made by the same kids whose lives were being transformed. Now isn’t that a great way to celebrate a New year?
Next day after a delicious breakfast, we decided to explore the city. Until lunch, we roamed around the Marina Bay area to absorb the festive vibe of the town. The tourist attractions and malls were bustling with revellers. Wherever we looked – we saw happy faces rejoicing the live DJ performances, exploring the family-friendly entertainment zones, or munching the wide variety of mouth-watering delicacies at the food village. Singapore became a mini world – there were tourists from as far as Latin America, Europe, North America, Japan, Korea and Europe.
Post lunch we decided to do something that we hadn’t done for ages – watching a circus – the Great Circus of Europe, presented by Uncle Ringo, as part of the Marina Bay Singapore Countdown 2020 celebrations. The show brought together an ensemble cast of world-class performers from across Europe who entertained us by their action-packed circus acts. ⠀
The acts were so exciting that they kept us on the edge of our seats. The whole time I held my breath looking at the perfectly timed intricate acrobatics, gravity-defying aerial performances, daredevil motorbikers in a circular iron cage, and more! While families mostly attended it with young kids, there were a lot of youngsters as well as senior citizens too. There were many games and fun activities to involve the audience.
Once the awe-inspiring performance was over, I walked through the carnival area buzzing with activities – different kinds of games, thrilling rides and delectable delights at the food street. Spending time here was going back to childhood. It’s a must-visit for families.
And, finally, the moment that I had waited for months arrived. Around 7:30 pm, we reached ‘the Float’ at Marina Bay, where the main event was to take place. Although, the actual event was to start at 10:30 pm but to avoid the traffic and crowd we decided to reach early and have dinner at the venue itself which was thronged by long queues of people standing for food and drinks.
At 10:30 pm the multi-sensory musical show started. Centred around the theme – A SPACE ODYSSEY – the show transported spectators to a mysterious parallel galaxy where we experienced the magic of an immersive and futuristic Hanabi (Japanese word meaning Fireworks) cultural and entertainment show. The experience was designed to make us travel through space across six sections: Ceremony, Another Earth, Galaxy Party, Gravity, Microcosmos and the Grand Finale. Each section was choreographed to a unique soundtrack delivered via 3D surround sound technology. We could hear the sound from different directions and distances, mimicking the way we listen to things in real life.
After approximately 20 minutes, we witnessed Singapore’s largest drone show with 500 drones synchronised to spectacular 16,000 fireworks, light projections, 3D sound and pyrotechnics. The drones lit up the night sky at Marina Bay, creating formations such as a spaceship and a whale, and culminating with an eight-minute fireworks display at midnight. Japanese entertainment group Avex produced the fireworks show.
As the new year live countdown began, we hugged and wished each other a happy new year at the stroke of midnight. For 90 minutes the dazzling fireworks display bedazzled the onlookers. It was indeed a night to remember.
On top of attending the most epic NYE fireworks display in Singapore, something else caught my attention too. I noticed how well an event of such a mega-scale was organised. There were over one hundred thousand visitors in the area, yet everything was in order — no chaos of any kind and no leftovers. A team of 250 cleaners and more than 150 National Environment Agency’s litter-free ambassadors went around the Marina Bay and Civic District to clean up the area after the countdown party.
I wish someday we can organise an event of this scale so efficiently. Attending the Marina Bay Singapore Countdown 2020 was one of the best new year celebrations I have attended so far. I highly recommend it.
Have you been to Singapore during the New Year celebration? How was your experience? Please do share your feedback in the comment section below.
I was invited to Visit Singapore during New Year’s Eve celebration. Everything expressed above is based on my personal experience in the country. All images used were either shot by Swapnil, me or provided by the company. Please don’t use any image or text without my written permission
Mostly, advertising exaggerates brand promise. But when it comes to Kerala, it does live up to its slogan – God’s own country. Rare are the places blessed with as much breath-taking beauty, unmatched heritage and rich culture as Kerala is. From soothing backwaters, stunning lighthouse lined beaches, abundant wildlife and dreamy hill stations to imposing forts, intricately designed temples, mosques, churches and Ayurveda retreats – the state has everything any traveller could ask. But for me, it was the people that exposed me to the human side of the state and made me fall in love with God’s own country.
While I have been to the state several times in the last two decades, yet every time I return with a new heart-melting tale. This time was no different – I visited the most stunning but relatively lesser popular places of Kerala, Munroe Island.
I was looking for a place that had the same ethereal beauty as a more popular place like Alleppey has but is relatively unexplored, and that’s when my local friend, Sreekesh, came into the picture.
While most people explore the more famous backwaters from Alleppey in luxury houseboats, I decided to take a different course after hearing Sreekesh speak so fondly about his hometown, Munroe Island. An island, which he fondly calls the secret backwaters of Kerala. Unlike Alleppey, it is an untouched destination set amidst sprawling nature away from the claws of over-tourism and commercialisation. And boy, visiting Munroe Island, turned out to be one of the best decisions of my Kerala trip.
The most striking thing about the island ( locally called as Mundrothuruthu) was its location – at the confluence of Ashtamudi Lake and the Kallada River. Comprising of a group of eight small islets, this hidden piece of nature got its name in honour of Resident Colonel John Munro of the former Princely State of Travancore, who dug canals to connect them. Away from the hum-drum of the city life, navigating through the narrow and quiet palm-fringed channels of Munroe Island with backdrops of diverse flora and fauna felt so magical and calming at the same time.
Something I would not bargain for any other experience in Kerala or anywhere else. Despite the language barrier, my boatman was eager to show me the hidden spots and even got me fresh coconut water straight from the tree. I found it very endearing.
For lunch, we stopped at a small restaurant where we were treated to the most delicious Keralan lunch made from the freshest catch of the day. Rice with fish curry, prawn curry, several chutneys and vegetable stew, richly flavoured with coconut and local herbs. The joy of eating on a banana leaf with your fingers is something I miss the most till date. And, thanks to my server Arun, I ended up eating much more than I usually eat.
After lunch, Sreekesh gave me a small walking tour of the island – making me eat the elders and acquainting me with the history of the island. He took me to a Dutch Church built-in 1878, which is said to be one of the ancient churches in Kerala. Standing on the pretty banks of Lake Ashtamudi, the red brick church proudly showcased the blend of Dutch – Kerala architecture. Even though the foreign guests departed a long time back, their vestiges remain littered around the island.
Our tour ended with a refreshing dip in the local river as the valley got embraced in the golden glow and shades of orange, red and pink of the setting sun. By 7 pm it was pitch dark outside, and hundreds of stars twinkled in the sky above us.
Next day we woke up early to do an activity that is Sreekesh’s favourite – bird watching. Walking through the island Shreekesh passionately explained everything about the biodiversity of the area. I wasn’t much of a birder before the trip, but I couldn’t help fall in love for birdwatching here. Every once and now Sreekesh would point towards bouncy kingfishers, majestic Brahminy kites and elegant egrets.
Kerala is synonymous to spice plantations, and Munroe Island is pretty rich in spice plantations, coconut farms and rubber manufacturers. The Spice plantation owner was so generous that he gave me a lot of spices free.
I was quite intrigued to know the local village life, and that’s when Sreekesh took me to see the coir retting process and coir weaving. He told me if I want to see the village at its festive best I should come for the Kallada Boat race, which is one of the famous boat races in Kerala held during Onam festivities.
I was in no hurry to tick mark places, so I spent a week in Munroe island, just enjoying the serene beauty of the island and relishing the magic of everyday moments I shared with the locals. I felt there’s a lot we can learn from them how humans and nature can be in sync and live sustainably — a beautiful life of simplicity and contentment, without harming anyone.
The closest city to the island is Kollam from where you can either take a taxi or a train for a journey less than 20 minutes. Starting 07:45 am there are four trains in the morning until 11:10 am and three trains in the evening starting 17:10. The last train is at 19:05.
You can also take a bus from the bus stand very close to the railway station.
And, if you are coming from Alleppey, you can take either the morning train at 09:09 or the evening train at 6:55 pm that roughly takes around two hours.
While the Munroe Island, Kerala backwaters can be visited all the year-round, the best time visit the island is during winters – between November and February
Carry comfortable cotton outfits, flip-flops, sunscreen, hat and sun-glasses.
Interested to know more about the enchanting human nature of Kerala? Do check out this video
Sponsored post by Kerala Tourism but the experience and content is mine. Please do not copy anything without taking my written approval. Special thanks to my friend, Sreekesh Radhakrishna, for sharing great insights from his hometown.
When is the best time to visit Slovakia, I ask my local friend from the High Tatras and an ace mountaineer, Erik Ševčík, who now runs an adventure company named Adventoura Slovakia.
Don’t worry Arch. Holidays in Slovakia are good in every season – whether it is winter in Slovakia or summer, there’s never a dull moment here and we are always found outdoors.
He further adds, “So, if you are planning to visit between December to March, you should be asking the question of what are the best places to visit in Slovakia in winter.”
While I have visited Slovakia in almost every season, winter remains my absolute favourite. There’s no dearth of exciting places to explore in this tiny land-locked nation like Bratislava, Banska Bystrica, Banska Stiavnica, and Kosice among many others; the mountainous areas in the north of Slovakia namely the Liptov region, High Tatras, Low Tatras or Fatra mountains are the best places to visit during winter in Slovakia. Hop in and join my Slovakia Travel experience in the adventure playground of the country – the Tatras, locally named as Vysoke Tatry Slovakia.
I am in Zdiar, a typical Goral (Shepherd) village in the Poprad district of Northern Slovakia. Almost touching the Polish-Slovak border, this museum-like village has lately become the go-to place of hikers, cyclists and skiers. Walking through the 16th-century village of shepherds, farmers, coal miners and woodcutters community, I see Goral culture displays everywhere – from the gingerbread-style timbre houses and embroidered folk dresses to traditional shepherd meals, loaded with cheese.
While adventure is my main reason to be here, I am quite relishing the local way-of-life, and it, literally, starts on a high. Champaign toast launches our horse-drawn carriage ride in deep snow-smothered woods. Once lush green hills and trees disappear from the sight to give a pristine-white snowscape. Snow crunches underneath the sprinting sledges and the sound of galloping horses vibrate the chilled air.
After approximately two-hours, we end our horse-carriage ride to savour the local Goral flavours at a farm. Mulled wine and hot tea provide the warm respite to our cold hands and the delicious Slovak-style sausages barbecued on an open fire satiate our hunger pangs as the traditional Goral music plays in the background.
So, this was a small trailer of what you get to experience when you go on Slovakia mountain holidays. Often Scandinavia comes to mind when you think of winter holidays in Europe, but winter in Slovakia is hugely underrated and genuinely magical. This “Little Big Country” might be small in size, but it packs a punch when it comes to epic adventures. When I asked Erik to give me one reason why I should visit the High Tatras in winters, he gave me ten more reasons, in addition to the Snow horse carriage ride experience mentioned above.
While the biggest Christmas markets are held in bigger towns like Bratislava and Kosice, I am more a fan of smaller towns. Poprad, a city in northern Slovakia at the foot of the High Tatra Mountains, becomes the hub of Christmas celebrations in Northern Slovakia starting December with fascinating festive decorations and a Christmassy vibe in the air.
Every year during the Christmas time, folk traditions come alive in the snow-bound St. Egidius Square where traditional Slovak ensembles are on full display – artists wear them during the folk music, dance and theatrical performances, and locals while attending the advent concert. Everybody is in a joyous mood, shopping and gulping down Brynda halusky (Cheese dumplings) and Tatra Tea (a signature Slovak tea-based herbal liquor), which were just made for cold winter days. And, don’t forget to visit Hrebienok, which is the biggest and coolest winter attraction in the High Tatras, the Tatra Ice Dome.
Ever wondered why some of the top skiers in the world come from Slovakia? When winter arrives in Slovakia, people don’t huddle inside their homes. Instead, they go out on the sloped. No wonder skiing is the number one winter activity for Slovaks. The biggest ski resort – Jasna Ski Resort offers almost 50 km of ski slopes for beginners or advanced skiers.
Initially, only Slovaks and tourists from surrounding countries knew about these resorts, but with huge investments poured into the facilities, Jasna and Donovaly Ski Resorts now attract tourists from much further abroad. If you’re looking for great deals (Alpine experience at non-alpine price), Slovakia is the go-to place. Skiers can choose from well-maintained high-quality ski slopes, cross-country tracks, snowboarding parks, ski schools for adults and kids, and even night skiing is available in Slovak ski resorts. However, if you are a non-skier like me, you can go wild on the adrenalin rides such as snow tubing, kite wing, bobsleigh and sledge runs and ice-skating.
Most people equate hiking with summers, but winter walking is as popular as summer hikes in Slovakia. Although not all hiking trails are open in winters, you can walk to the cold valleys in the High Tatras and on the ridge of Mala Fatra mountains. However, before venturing out, make sure you are well prepared with special winter hike equipment like crampons, heating pads, thick down jackets, and apt winter gear. You can rent the crampons and other winter gear if you don’t have yours.
Unlike the Scandinavia, the dog sleighs were never used to travel or transport goods in Slovakia, but dog sledging is not a new concept. As a sport, it has a long tradition in the country. Some of the mushers provide this service for visitors who want to try it out for a few hours at 1/3rd the cost you’ll pay in Scandinavia. Husky tours can be booked online or offline through reliable adventure agencies like Adventoura Slovakia in Tatras.
Ice skating is widely popular but very countries have nature as pure as Slovakia where you can walk on frozen lakes that make you look like a superhero. Most frozen lakes across the globe have a white surface but frozen lakes in Slovakia are crystal clear. These frozen lakes are so clear in the High Tatras, they look as if you are walking on water.
If skiing and ice skating is not your cup of tea, try snowshoeing that is so easy that even kids don’t hesitate to do it. Snowshoeing is very easy – if you can walk, you can snowshoe, and no prior experience is required. All you need is 10-20 cm deep snow cover and your waterproof snowshoes that enables you to walk in deep snow and on icy surfaces, which means you can get to areas where others cannot. Doesn’t matter if you don’t have your own equipment. You can easily rent it out for a day or more.
Skating has been a traditional winter sport in Slovakia for time immemorial and even today it is among the most popular sports. In Slovakia, you find ice-skating rinks everywhere – from indoor ice-skating rinks, public skating rinks to open-air ice areas.
And, it’s not just the alpine adventures that make Slovakia a must-visit destination. The term “Health and Wellness” is as common in the High Tatras as skiing in Slovakia. The mineral hot springs are the underground treasures of Slovakia. The natural thermal waters help relax the tight muscles you get after your winter sports action. The altitude, clean air, with a prevalence of light negative ions positively impact the overall climate of the spas. You can enjoy any of the dozens of the thermal baths throughout the country are perfect for enjoying warm soak and massage.
What makes Slovakian resorts even more lucrative is their affordability. Where else in Europe can you enjoy a thermal bath soak and basic massage starting as low as 14 euros. While there are thermal spas everywhere, the largest thermal park in Slovakia is Tatralandia, but nearby Aqua City Poprad is a great place too.
Whenever I visit a country I always try their local drink. After all, there can’t be a better way to learn about a country’s culture than drinking what its locals eat and drink? Tatratea is considered to be the national drink of Slovakia because it originated in the High Tatra mountains. Tatratea is a heady liqueur comprising of black and white teas, herbs and natural fruit extracts. It comes in many flavours and alcohol strengths – from 17 to 72%. I couldn’t go past over 52%. And, be careful not to drink too many.
Set in the footsteps of the High Tatras, this lego-sized historic town of just 17,100 residents is one of the lesser-known treasures of Slovakia. Its strategic position below the Tatras makes it an ideal destination for both the summer and winter holiday. Once an important trade centre, today Kežmarok is a sleepy but an extremely interesting town to visit. While there are a lot of medieval era attractions in the town, the pride of Kežmarok is the Protestant wooden articled church. This Protestant church was built in 1717 without using a single metal component. Everything right from the Baroque interior of the church to the organ with wooden pipes is made from wood.
The Tatras had me at ahoj (hello). So, if you are looking for a winter holiday destination that celebrates winter, has no crowds, is affordable, sustainable, off the beaten track and where the locals are delighted to have you there – Slovakia is for you.
You need a Schengen visa to visit the country
Fly to any bigger European cities like Vienna, Prague, Budapest, Krakow or Bratislava, and from there you can either drive or take the scenic train to Poprad.
The country has four distinct seasons (Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter) that lasts for three months each and Slovakia temperature range from -10°C in winters to 35 °C in summers.
From plush Slovakia Mountain Resorts to budget hostels; there is no dearth of reasonable quality accommodation in Slovakia. Here are the places I have personally stayed at and found them really good:
Euro is the official currency of Slovakia and a seven-day trip (minus the flights) can be done in approximately 1200-1500 Euros per person. ATMs are easily available in malls and marketplaces. However, after having a nasty experience of being robbed last year in some other European country, I now take precautions to not travel with too much cash and mostly use my credit card, wherever possible.
And, the best part is, cards like Club Vistara SBI Card PRIME make your domestic and international travels a rewarding experience with benefits such as one-way Premium Economy tickets on joining, achieving spends-based milestones, complimentary Club Vistara Silver tier membership and up to 6 free cancellations of flight tickets booked on Vistara channels among host of other benefits. Many times there are long layovers between the connecting flights so getting complimentary lounge access (4 international and 8 domestic) is a great benefit to have from Club Vistara SBI Card PRIME.
To know more, check out the Club Vistara SBI Card PRIME Video:
Ticha Dolina valley for ethical bear watching, UNESCO World heritage site of Spis castle to witness the medieval charm, Banská Bystrica and Banská Štiavnica in central Slovakia, which were once the important copper and silver-mining towns of the middle ages and Hronsek to see one of the last seven remaining wooden articled churches of Slovakia.
Hiking in High Tatras, Slovakia
A lost medieval town of Slovakia that changed the world
Unheard of Easter traditions of Romania and Slovakia
4 months of solo budget travel in Europe
The edited version of the story was published in four publications:
COVID19 changed the way we travel. Once the situation improves and we are able to travel freely, here is a delectable mix of destinations that would be ideal for you to explore. These destinations are either overlooked by most travellers or are familiar hotspots offering new reasons to return in 2021 and beyond. I have taken care to include places that are ideal for all – from cheap family holiday destinations to offbeat adventure playgrounds for solo or budget travellers, from the East of the world to the west and north to the South.
The northernmost region of the four major islands of Japan is also the least explored by tourists. While foreigners have missed Hokkaido, the Japanese have long been visiting the island for its mild summers, action-packed winters, spectacular unspoiled nature, beguiling culture, coastline villages and the freshest seafood in the country. Hokkaido is a year-round destination – in winters, Hokkaido creates the best ski conditions in Asia, while summers attract hikers, cyclists, and campers. Besides, Hokkaido is quite famous for its lavender fields, tulip parks, wildlife, autumn foliage, the last Sakura (cherry blossom) viewing, new year sunrise, and soul-warming Hokkaido-style ramen.
For further reading, check: www.visit-hokkaido.jp/ Offbeat Japan, Sakura Bloom in Japan, The best time to visit Japan, Things to do in Asakusa, Tokyo, Japan, Facts about Japan: The land of the rising Sun, Step by step guide for multi-visit Japan visa, Best New Year Celebrations around the world and their strange traditions
Whether you have seen The Lord of the Rings trilogy or The Hobbit series or not, you’ll know New Zealand, is one of the most scenic places in the world. The country is made of two islands – the South Island is lined with spectacular mountain ranges, glaciers, and lush forests and the North Island is bejewelled with astounding coasts, geothermal pools, and extraordinary glowworm caves.
Andrew Nelson, a local Kiwi, highly recommends going on a glow worm cave tour in Waitomo. Inside the caves lined with stunning stalagmite & stalactite formations, you see a spectacular show put on by the glow worms.
For more info, check www.glowing.co.nz/, 100% Pure New Zealand Road Trip
Nestled in the mountains at the sacred confluence of the Mekong River and the Nam Khan River in central Laos, Luang Prabang is a town cast in time. This compact UNESCO World Heritage city presents a fantastic melange of architecture, natural beauty, culture and cuisine. Spend a day marvelling the beauty of the exquisite 14th-century Indochinese architecture of the town before you head out to take a refreshing dip in the aquamarine Kuang Si waterfall. Go on a boat ride or make an overland trip to the breath-taking landscape of Pak Ou Cave before witnessing the alms giving ceremony of the saffron-clad monks. Enjoy the night-life and mouth-watering local delicacies at the night market.
For more info, check: www.madmonkeyhostels.com
A South African Safari can come in as many forms as the number of wild animals you encounter. From a remote bush camp to a luxurious private stay, you can choose the experience as per your taste and pocket. Jamie Thom, an award-winning wildlife photographer who runs the Conservation Safari Company, says,
“South Africa is known as ‘the world in one country because of its diversity. Here it is relatively easier to spot the ‘Big Five’ (lions, leopards, elephants, Cape buffaloes and rhinos) in the wild than in other countries. Unfortunately, their population is dwindling at a faster rate so it might not be possible to see them all in the future.”
Since there are more than 600 parks and reserves, it could get overwhelming to choose one. For your first safari, pick either Kruger National Park or Hluhluwe-imfolozi.
For more info, check: www.jamiethom.com
If you crave an authentic and characterful European holiday devoid of the crowd, Serbia is the country for you. Steeped in history, this former Yugoslavian nation is truly unexplored and demands slow exploration. From outdoor escapades, spas and wineries, and ancient monasteries to monolithic memorials; Serbia is littered with attractions. On your first trip explore western Serbia, the most tourist-friendly and offbeat region. Sky-piercing mountain ranges, rivers and lakes, hundreds of magnificent viewpoints, infinite vivid landscapes, ancient ethnic parks of Sirogojno and Drvengrad, the medieval monasteries, several national parks and excellent traditional cuisine; that is what you see when you visit Western Serbia!
For further reading, check: www.serbia.travel, Belgrade and Western Serbia, Danube River Cruise, Why Belgrade should be on your travel list
Slovakia will both surprise and delight you with its dramatic mountainscapes, majestic medieval ruins and tiny villages. Often ignored by tourists, this modest-sized central European nation boasts the High Tatras, a mountain region that rivals the Alps with its jagged mountain peaks, plunging waterfalls, turquoise blue glacial lakes and diverse wildlife. Above all, it’s an ideal place for sighting the rare brown bears, which are wiped out from most parts of Europe but thrive here. Most importantly, wildlife tours in Slovakia are ethical and support sustainable tourism. All you need to do, is wear your hiking boots or ride a mountain bike in the Tatra National Park.
For further reading, check: Hiking in High Tatras, Slovakia, Why you should spend your winter in Slovakia, A lost medieval town of Slovakia that changed history, Unheard of Easter Traditions of Romania and Slovakia, 15 best European Christmas destinations filled with surprise
From the towering peaks of the Julian Alps and the subterranean magic of mountain caves to the sparkling emerald-green waterways and the short but sweet coastline along the Adriatic Sea, pint-sized Slovenia does pack a punch when it comes to big attractions. Most people come here to visit the capital, Ljubljana, and Lake Bled, the most popular post-card image of Slovenia that draws everyone from honeymooners to backpackers.
However, if you go a bit to the East of the country, you reach Soča Valley, an adrenaline mecca for outdoor lovers set in the picturesque world of the Julian Alps, Triglav National Park, and the emerald green River Soča. If you are an outdoor lover, you’ll never run out of options here – from rafting, kayaking, fly-fishing, hiking, biking, paragliding, sledging, ice-climbing to ski-diving. Other big drawcards for the region are its historical sights and locations, particularly relating to WWI, and the food – Kobarid is the heart of Slovenia’s growing culinary repertoire.
For more info, check Pangea Adventures
Go beyond Paris and visit Lille, the 2020 World Design Capital. This is the first time a French city has been bestowed with such an honour. Throughout 2020, this Flemish city showcased its innovative design prowess by hosting around 50 cultural events. Just 90 minutes away by train from London, 60 minutes from Paris and 35 minutes from Brussels, Lille possesses a unique identity thanks to its Flemish, Burgundian, and Spanish heritages sprinkled around the city in the form of red-brick buildings, medieval structures, and cobblestone streets. The best time to visit Lille would be in the fall when it will host the first-ever Lille Metropole Design Week and the largest open-air flea market in Europe.
For more info, check www.lilletourism.com/, 10 hidden gems of Northern France you have not heard about, Beyond Paris: Sights and bites of Northern France, 15 best European Christmas destinations filled with surprise
In the heart of Scandinavia, in the borderlands between Sweden and Norway, lies a vast nature area. More than 3000 square kilometres of protected countryside. Despite its accessibility, Dalarna has large areas of untouched nature and wilderness and an abundance of rare animals. Lars Svanerud, the Sports chief at STF Grövelsjön Fjällstation, says,
“Hiking in this part of Sweden is like nowhere else – where you can spend weeks without seeing another human being. A roadless country, far from the roar of civilisation, where only the sounds of wind and water interrupt the infinite silence.”
Besides the unspoiled landscape, Dalarna is also the heart and soul of the Swedish folk tradition. Many of the typical Swedish symbols are deeply rooted in Dalarna such as the Midsummer celebrations, red-painted cottages, exquisite folk costumes, foot-tapping folk music and – of course – the Dala horse.
On top of that, this part of Scandinavia is also the home of Samis, Europe’s only indigenous people that have lived for over 10,000 years in the Sápmi region, spanning four countries – Arctic Sweden, Norway, Finland and Russia.
For more info, check www.visitdalarna.se
A state where ancient cultures still live in the present and where astounding landscapes inspire artists and outdoor enthusiasts alike. New Mexico is home to some of the oldest, continuously inhabited communities in North America like the Pueblos of Taos, Acoma, and Zuni. And, it’s not just the landscapes that are worth exploring. New Mexico’s cities are unmatched bastions of history, culture, and art. Santa Fe, the capital of New Mexico, is a delicious hotpot of tri-cultures (Spanish, Mexican & American). Right from outdoor recreation, vibrant art scene, marvellous culinary delights, refreshing spas, and unique local shopping, Santa Fe proudly lives up to its tag of being “The City Different.”
Not too far from Santa Fe is the ballooning capital of the world, Albuquerque, where the International Balloon Fiesta is held every year in the first week of October.
For more info, check Perfect Travel Guide for Santa Fe, New Mexico, Experiencing Santa Fe – the city different of New Mexico, USA Travel: things you should know before you visit
Like India, Brazil’s biodiversity is legendary, and you’ll need to visit the country several times to get a taste of its powdery white-sand beaches, lush green rainforests and larger-than-life rhythm-filled carnivals. Adria Lacorte, the Founder of Brazil Green Travel, says,
“If your heart beats for adventure and nature, then you must visit Bahia, the most Afro-Brazilian state of Brazil. Studded with ten conservation areas, the Cocoa Coast of Bahia has the highest flora diversity in the world and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here you can hike and ride to the remote fishing villages where you get a crash course about the African slave culture and the cocoa history.”
Another unique adventure you must experience is going on a boat trip to the Anavilhanas National Park, one of the largest river archipiélagos in the world. And, no trip to Brazil is complete without partaking in its carnivals. Don’t just watch a parade, play a part in the Rio Carnival by mastering the song and dance at Rio Carnival First Division Samba School.
For more info, check www.brazilgreentravel.com.
Chile is often referred to as the Switzerland of South America for its ethereal mountain beauty. The country boasts sundry landscapes from volcanoes, deserts, beaches, lakes, glaciers, and vineyards to forests. One of the most stunning regions in Chile is Patagonia, famous for its Torres del Paine National Park, which is home to majestic mountains with snow-capped peaks, enormous glaciers, cascading waterfalls, and pristine lakes and rivers. Positioned on the southern tip of Patagonia is the largest ice field in the world, Glacier Grey, which creates crystal-blue icebergs. A place straight out of dreams.
So, these were my 12 top offbeat travel destinations to explore in 2020 and beyond. Before COVID struck us so badly, I started my new year by visiting my all-time favourite Singapore to witness the Marina Bay Singapore Countdown followed by a visit to Luang Prabang in Laos, Switzerland, Netherlands and Maldives. I would love to know about your travel plans. Please do share in the comment box below.
The edited version of this story was published in Mail Today, India Today Group
Slovakia is a land of adventurers
says my trek guide, Erik Sevcik of Adventoura, who has been organising adventure trips for decades in Vysoké Tatry (High Tatras), pointing at a poster of Petra Vlhová, the country’s top women’s Alpine skier and a world champion. As we start talking, I get to know why everybody looks so cheerful and happy in this tiny landlocked nation – Slovaks learn to ski and hike before they start talking. And the benefits are myriad. Looking at Erik’s peach complexion, chiselled face and well-built physique, it’s hard to tell that he is in his late thirties. When I ask him the secret, he blushingly credits the unique upland adventure playground where he was born, the place where we are hiking today – the Higher Tatras.
Craggy mountain peaks, plunging waterfalls, turquoise blue glacial lakes, rugged hiking trails, alpine meadows, and cable cars all come together to create the perfect adventure destination. In winter, snow transforms rough hiking trails into snow-smoothened ski slopes. Vanished from most parts of Europe, brown bears not just survive but thrive in Vysoké Tatry, and spotting one is never hard. The best part is, unlike in other European countries, the alpine adventure here is inexpensive, sustainable and offbeat.
At dawn, the mountains are bathed in the golden light, and the air has a certain nip. Despite the calendar displaying summertime, the cool breeze makes you feel like winter in Slovakia. Fleeces are zipped, bootlaces tightened, backpack stocked, walking poles extended, and off we set to explore the Tatra National Park – the largest, oldest and most visually striking National Park in Slovakia. The High Tatras, a protected park with a small part across the border in Poland, is a UNESCO-protected reserve dotted with 35 valleys, over 90 mountain lakes and countless waterfalls. Besides, what makes it so stunning is the sheer wealth of peaks cresting 2500m – 25 in total.
After several years of dreaming, I am finally in Poprad to hike the UNESCO-protected reserve of the High Tatras that acts as a natural border between Poland and Slovakia. Soaring mountain peaks above 2500 m, emerald-green alpine lakes, rugged hiking trails, and cable cars all come together to form an adventure playground that can rival the Alps. While I have personally never experienced the winters in Tatras, I am told the winters here are as exciting as summers, if not more. Instead of cosying around the fireplace, everyone from a toddler to a senior citizen comes out to enjoy winter activities such as husky dog sledging, horse sleigh riding, snowshoeing, skijoring, and, of course, skiing. I am tempted to make a winter travel plan right away. But first things first – concentrate on the present – hike the High Tatras.
After a short funicular cable ride from Stary Smokovec, a small resort town, along with my guide Erik I reach the starting point of the trek at Hrebienok. This pocket-sized ski resort is the base of numerous hiking trails of various difficulties, each one snaking through a different path around the inky mountains and lush green valleys. I opt for a day hike to the traditional wooden chalet called Zamkovskeho Chata.
As we start trekking, my eyes get glued on 6 feet 4 inches lanky, a muscular man walking ahead of us, carrying at least 70 kg weight on his back. Looking at my bemused reaction, Erik breaks the silence,
This trek is called the Shepherd trek because of Sherpas like him. But don’t confuse the Slovak Sherpa with the Himalayan Sherpa as our Sherpas carries only supplies to the mountain huts, not the luggage of the hikers.
The High Tatars is a year-round destination, and the mountain chalets are the only accommodation option available up in the woods. There are no roads for vehicles to tow supplies in the park. So, they rely on Sherpas entirely to haul everything literally up and down the mountain even when it snows, rains or in a storm.
I feel a bit embarrassed about not being able to catch up with the Sherpa despite him carrying almost 60 kg more weight than me. However, hiking is not about mindless competing but enjoying the journey. And that’s what I decided to focus on.
The well-marked but rough-hewn rocky path led us through several wooden bridges, wild mountain streams, cascading waterfalls, tall spruce and Scots pine trees, and snow-capped peaks. This hike wasn’t a test of endurance but a way to appreciate nature and get rid of the cobwebs accumulated in the cities. The trail began as soft adventure –broad and smooth – before zigzagging into an uphill stony trek lined with towering spruce and Scots pine trees.
We cover the first half of the trek quite easily in less than an hour, stopping every few hundred metres to capture the beauty of the trail and the sweeping valley views. Occasionally, the fluffy clouds try to put a veil on the snow-capped peaks and green-carpeted valleys.
Soon, we are in the most photogenic part of the trek – a creek named Studený Potok slices the barren granite peaks on one side and fluffy snowy mountains on the other side. Just next to the stream, the giant waterfall, Obrovský vodopád, plunges down thunderously into a 20-meter-deep gorge.
From here, our trail becomes narrower and steeper as we climb higher. Greeting “na zdravie” to strangers and chit-chatting, we don’t realise when we reach our destination. Approaching the Chalet, we find a wooden signboard revealing the higher trails of the region along with their elevation.
Our trek might have been relatively easy, apt even for kids, but the corresponding rewards are significant. Just below the treeline, Zamkovskeho Chata, a tranquil Swiss-style chalet built in 1942 by pioneering local mountaineer Stefan Zamkovsky, welcomes us with the warmth of a grandma’s kitchen. Like other mountain huts in the park, supplies here are ferried in on foot by Sherpas. Some are professionals; others are volunteers who do it to keep the tradition and lifestyle of the Sherpas alive.
After placing an order in the cosy dining area, we plonk ourselves on the sun-kissed wooden-benched outdoor terrace. Hot yummy lunch of local favourites – lentil soup, dumplings with sheep cheese and pierogis stuffed with cheese – is pure bliss after an excellent trek! Long live the Sherpas of Slovakia!
But the delicious meal wasn’t the best surprise. A gorgeous, extremely friendly husky named Mathew walks into the cottage with her female Sherpa owner. Being a dog lover, I couldn’t stop myself from playing with her, and the owner was quite happy to have her sit with us. Sadly, the tik-tok of the watch forced us to bid goodbye to the four-legged beauty.
The previous night, Erik had light-heartedly said,
In Slovakia, hiking and wildlife sighting go hand in hand. You don’t have to trek miles to spot foxes and brown bears.
On my way back down the mountain, Erik’s words came true when our paths crossed with Eliška, a stunning orange and white Slovakian wild fox who appeared from nowhere. She stops just a few feet away, turns her face towards me, and looks straight into my eyes, neither filled with fear nor aggression, just curiosity – before running away into the forest. That momentary eye-to-eye contact makes my heart skip a few beats and makes me realise how lucky I am to explore a country where nature and humans still coexist in perfect harmony.
That touching serendipitous moment became one of the highlights of my trip. How often do you see a wild animal in the wild so close, without much effort, and entirely on its terms?
And, it’s not just the alpine adventure and wildlife that makes the High Tatras a must-visit destination. This compact, rugged country of central Europe is gifted with a bounty of mineral springs, which are used for both therapeutic and relaxing purposes. Affordable pricing has made Slovakia the de-facto hub for health and wellness seeking visitors not just from Slovakia but from overseas as well.
The prolonged soak in the hot geothermal pools and the mineral-infused saunas of Aquacity provide a perfect reward for a day’s hike. The wellness complex was like a department store of saunas, studded with over a dozen saunas and steam rooms, each offering something unique – herbal, infrared, Himalayan, Finnish, arctic and many more.
While Slovakia is tiny in size (67 times smaller than India), it indeed boasts a lot of epic and varied scenery. Commonly nicknamed the “Little Big Country”, Slovakia deserves to be on your bucket list.
(more…)No Francophile would skip the Eiffel Tower in Paris or the glamourous coastline of the sun kissed French Reviera of the south. But in their rush to hit the France’s tourist trail, they miss out some of the best bits of La Belle France, especially a region that is most accessible not just from Paris but from the UK and Belgium too. Northern France is rightly called the best-kept secret of France. So, if you are in search of non touristy France, here’s an alternative bucket list, 10 hidden gems of France that you may not have even heard about.
Just 60 minutes away from Paris, 35 minutes from Brussels and 90 minutes from London, Lille could quite easily have lost to its illustrious neighbours, but instead it decided to nurture and showcase its unique identity! Boasting a spectacular heritage of cultures from its Flemish, Burgundian and Spanish past before it became French, Lille is now infused with the memories of the past, interweaved with its visions for the future. The European Capital of Culture in 2004 and the World Design Capital of 2020, Lille lives and breathes culture in everyday life. While there’s always something going on in Lille, next year will be of a far bigger scale because of being the World Design Capital of 2020.
And, the best way to explore the artistic and the medival beauty of Lille is in a vintage car by Tradibalade. With Christmas approaching, Lille is decked out in beautiful decorations of lights and colour. No wonder the Christmas market in Lille is among the top 15 Christmas Markets of Europe.
For more info about Lille and other places not to miss in France, do check out Beyond Paris: Sights and Bites of Northern France or Lille Tourism.
The charming town of Amiens marries the watery beauty of Venice with French small town elegance. The city is called ‘Venice of the North’ for its canals and the 2000 years old floating gardens (hortillonnages). However, Amien’s showstopper attraction is the Cathédrale Notre-Dame d’Amiens, the jewel of classical Gothic architecture. Twice conferred as UNESCO World Heritage site, it can fit two Notre Dame Paris in its premise.
The best time to visit thsi offbeat place in France is either during summers or in winters when the whole city is soaked in the Christmas spirit. Every day during this period there is a sound and light show on the giant facade of the Cathédrale Notre-Dame d’Amiens. The town has got a great youthful vibe too and is a happening place when it comes to nightlife.
For more info about Amiens and other hidden gems of France, check out Beyond Paris: Sights and Bites of Northern France, Amiens: Little Venice of the North or Visit Amiens
In 2017 Christopher Nolan incepted the idea of visiting this French coastal town in my head through his Academy Award winner namesake film – Dunkirk. France’s 3rd-largest port town, Dunkerque is not just a hypnotising harbour town and beach resort: there are two UNESCO World Heritage sites – the Belfries of Saint-Eloi church and the Townhall. And, who can forget the haunting WWII memory – the famous heroic evacuation of 30,000 Allied troops during Operation Dynamo retreat in 1940.
When I finally landed here, it was nothing short of magic, especially at the golden and blue hour. It won’t be wrong to say that it is a goldmine for photographers and history lovers.
For more info about Dunquirk and other offbeat nad hidden gems of France check out Dunkirk Tourism.
A tiny hilltop village that most people outside of France might have never heard about. However, in 2018 Cassel became an overnight sensation when it won the country’s favourite village award. Standing majestcally on top of Mont Cassel, it is often dubbed as the Everest of French Flanders. Standing since the Roman era, this sleepy little town sparks to life during its annual carnivals – Easter Monday and Mardi Grass.
For more info about Cassel and other hidden gems of France check out Cassel-France’s favourite villagge
A charming little town full of character with its elegant Flemish-style houses, and the remains of the medieval ramparts. Like Amiens and Dunkerque, Bergues too has a UNESCO World Heritage site to its credit, the Belfry, a bell tower with a carillon composed of 50 bells. As you climb the top of this building, you see a beautiful panoramic view of the city and around.
A new craze for Brugues was born after the 2008 release of the blockbuster French film ‘Bienvenue chez les Ch’tis.’ Visitors can take the Ch’ti Tour in the footsteps of Dany Boon (the lead actor & director of the movie) and relive the magic of the locations shown in the film along with a local who essayed the role of a ‘bellman’ in the film. This tour is organised by the Tourist Office. Being a small town, it can be easily explored within a day.
Travel Tip: Monday morning market in the town centre is a must. In Summer, take a cruise to Dunkirk on the oldest canal in France the Canal de Bergues. Try the cheese Bergues, sausage or Bergues Potsch’ vleech
If you are as hopelessly romantic as I am and believe in fairy tales, you’ll fall in love with, Gerberoy, a medieval village that is a dream destination for lovers of flowers and roses. I wasn’t surprised to know it is officially listed as one of the ‘most beautiful villages in France’.
A walk in this well-kept medieval fairy tale village of just 50 residents is sheer joy. With every step, I took in the 17th and 18th-century cobblestoned lanes lined with dollhouses of cob and colourful timber framing, vivid rose trimmed doors, wisteria canopies and leafy green trims; my heartbeat raced faster. Every spot in the village is an instagrammable spot, and it was next to impossible to stop clicking.
Besides the beautiful alleys in the village, I loved the extraordinary three-tiered (white, pink and yellow-blue) Rose Garden created by the post-impressionist painter Le Sidaner. The garden is home to 25 varieties of rare and antique roses, and it even has the ‘Temple of Love’ on the ruins of the old castle that the gardens stood on, which was inspired by the one found at the Petit Trianon at Versailles. ⠀
Travel Tip: If possible, plan your trip around Rose Festival, which is held on every 3rd Sunday of June or attend the Marché du Terroir, a special end-of-year celebration held on the last Sunday of November.
For more info about Gerberoy and other hidden gems of France Jewel of North France.
The Château de Pierrefonds is one of France’s most imposing yet most underrated medieval castles. Originally constructed as a fortress in the 12th century, the château was destroyed in the 17th century then restored by Napoleon III in the 19th century. The majestic château is one of the very few castles where romantic medieval design fuses with the modern 19th-century flair.
Travel Tip: After visiting the castle from inside, take a panoramic view by going on the sloping top of the Pierrefonds town from where the full view of the château is visible as the road snakes in.
When two majestic capes collide, you get an exceptional and dramatic landscape of a craggy, green, undulating and spectacular coastline. The beautiful palette of colours is so stunning that the site has been classified as a ‘Grand Site of France’ and is also the windiest place in France. This site is the closest point of France to England, and on a clear day, you can clearly see up to the white cliffs of Dover.
Just an hour drive from Paris, Chantilly is a Renaissance gem and the Horse Capital of France. Home to two of France’s most prestigious races – the Prix du Jockey Club and, the Prix de Diane, it even has the Living Museum of the Horse. Steeped in history, it’s a perfect place to experience the French ‘art de vivre’ at two of its beautiful castles – Château de Chantilly and Chateau Tiara Mont-Royal. The latter is set in the heart of the Chantilly Forest.
What’s more, you can organise significant events like marriages, pre-wedding shoots and high-profile dinners in the grounds of the castle. The place is so regal that even our Prime Minister Narendra Modi was hosted here on a state dinner by French President Macron.
Travel Tip: Every month, there are two horse races, plan your trip keeping those races in mind. And, don’t forget to see the demonstration of making of ‘Chantilly Cream’ or at least taste it that was discovered here only.
For more info about Chantilly and other hidden gems of France check out Beyond Paris: Sights and Bites of Northern France or Jewel of North France
Weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, business launches, winning triumphs, and the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve; no celebration (of whatsoever size) is complete without the celebratory glass of champagne. And, when in Northern France, it would be blasphemous to not visit the place where it was born.
If you are a fan of bubbly, you cannot miss the region from where the best sparkling wine in the world comes – Champagne region of northeast France. Only bottles produced here can legally carry the region’s name. The UNESCO listed Champagne region with its magnificent vineyards, impressive heritage and world-class champagnes, is worthy of a day excursion from Paris. Moreover, the area earned the coveted title not just for stunning vineyards and ancient cellars that produce an elite product synonymous with refine taste but for the work the region has been doing tirelessly to create awreness, distribute, and protect a truly unique product. The sparkling wine from this area is served in the Elysée Palace, the French president’s house, and on Air France’s first and business class services.
One of the best places to try Champagne is Champagne Pannier, a prestigious house in the scenic Marne Valley of France. Here during a guided tour yoiu can visit the historic underground medieval cellars built in the limestone quarries as old as the 12th century. Visiting a Champagne house is like getting a crash course in champagne making and the crucial role it played in power dynamics of the region. So, thirsty for some bubbly?
For more info about this region and other hidden gems of France, check out Champagne Pannier or Jewel of North France
Edited and dedicated stories on several Northern France cities have been published in the following publications:
I was in Northern France on the invitation of Hauts-de-France region. Everything expressed above is based on my personal experience and conversations I had in the region. All images used were shot by me. Please don’t use any image or text without written permission.
Sandwiched between Maharashtra and Rajasthan, Gujarat is a treasure trove least explored by many. However, Gujarat has always been very high on my list of places to visit in India for multiple reasons. After all, it is the Citadel of 6000 years old Harappan Civilization, land of colourful nomadic and wandering communities, located at the confluence of ancient Spice and Silk Route, a melting pot of cultures, religions, festivals, traditions and world views, land of Lord Krishna and Mahatma Gandhi. While there are innumerable reasons to visit the vibrant state, I have listed the 10 must-visit places in Gujarat during winters for you:
The bustling capital of Gujarat, which is India’s first UNESCO World Heritage city, blows your mind with its centuries-old heritage, culture and terrific food scene. Start your day by enjoying a fafda-jalebi breakfast at Swaminarayan temple before heading on a ‘Mandir to Masjid’ heritage walk in the old city which has 2700 listed UNESCO buildings. I highly recommend hiring a local guide such as Nirav Panchal (+91 9825626387) as he shared so many small and big details about the city that I would have otherwise missed out. The two-and-a-half-hour walk revealed many eye-popping facts about Ahmedabad such as the old town is made up of 600 Pols (neighbourhoods), inhabited based on occupation. Every Pol had a Chabutro (bird feeder) and all the old buildings were earthquake resistant. Reliving the grandeur of the ancient city through Nirav’s narration, we took many pit stops – at Pols, a royal mausoleum, temples, bird feeders, bridges, and havelies (royal houses) – before finally culminating our journey at Jama Masjid.
After the walk, we headed to Lucky restaurant. This restaurant is no ordinary restaurant, it was built 60-years ago over a graveyard and even today upon your arrival, two graves welcome you. Sounds spooky, right? However, this place has been a favourite hangout of who’s who of the country for decades. It was so close to the late MF Husain that he even gifted a painting to the restaurant.
Reserve the rest of the day for sightseeing such as Gandhi Ashram at Sabarmati, Calico Museum of Textiles and World Vintage Car Museum among other places of interest in Ahmedabad. But most importantly, keep enough time to sample the local cuisines. Being a massive fan of Gujarati cuisine, I couldn’t stop myself from gobbling down the lavish spread of authentic Gujarati thali at Agasiya, a rooftop restaurant in the MG House that serves Gujarati food. Run by the famous Mangaldas family of Ahmedabad, it is a must-visit. It has a typical village setting, and the quality of the food is finger-licking good. Even though it’s a bit expensive, but the lovely experience makes it worth the money.
Keep your evening reserved for Manek Chowk, a bustling city square in old part of the city that is surrounded by historical structures. In the morning, it functions as a vegetable market, a bullion market in the noon and the street food market at night. Must-try food items are Pav-Bhaji, Mirchi Wada, Fresh Green Variyari, flavourful Tava Pulav and Fusion Foods like Amdavadi Special Sandwiches and Chinese Bhel. After the delicious savouries, satiate your sweet craving with Kulfi, Falooda and Ice-Creams or the Chocolate Sandwiches.
Ahmedabad is also a perfect place to get a glimpse of the early life of Mahatama Gandhi at Sabarmati Ashram. If you have limited time and wants to explore Gujarat in two days or more, then you can combine your Ahmedabad trip with day tours to nearby places like Gandhi Nagar, Modhera and Patan.
While there are vestiges from Mahatama Gandhi’s life spread across the state, Dandi Kutir is India’s largest & only museum dedicated to the life and teachings of the father of the nation. While we all have read, and seen so much about the great man, it was quite impressive to get a glimpse of his early life through sophisticated technology using high-end life audio-visuals, 3D technology and 360-degree shows. Besides showcasing the freedom movement, the museum also captures other significant milestones from his life – from his birth in Kathiawad to his childhood days, from his marriage to Kasturba to his experiments with youth. The Biography of Mahatma Gandhi, ‘The initiator of Disobedience and nonviolent campaign for Independence of India’, was the inspiration behind the museum.
Built in 1026 CE by Solanki king Bhimdev I, the Sun temple of Modhera is one of the best examples of Solanki architecture and a prestigious recipient of the UNESCO World Heritage Site award. As I entered the historical complex, I was left speechless by the timeless beauty and open mindset of the Modhera Sun Temple of Mehsana. The entire temple is divided into three segments. First, you come across the rectangular-shaped Surya Kund, a deep, stepped tank right in the front of the temple, which was earlier used to store pure water. What used to be a stepped tank had temporarily transformed into a waterfall, thanks to the unseasonal torrential rains.
After the Surya Kunda, I came to the Assembly Halls or Sabha Mandapa which used to be the place for religious gatherings and conferences. Finally, you reach the sanctum sanctorum or Guda Mandap by crossing the passage with pillars and arches. As per the Archaeology and Tourism Guide, Girish Goswamy (+91 7698516388), the popular mythological belief is that the walk from the kund to guda mandap via the main temple is the transcending journey from death to moksha.
Not only this 11th century constructed temple is an extraordinary piece of art but also breaks many stereotypes. Firstly, the whole temple is pillared on a lotus-shaped structure, and every inch of its walls showcases edgy, detailed carvings. And those carvings represent every bit of our culture: from Ramayana to Mahabharata, from the human lifecycle to Kamasutra. Yes, you heard it right, Kamasutra has always been an integral part of our culture since time immemorial. We were far ahead of our times and were rightly called the “Sone ki Chhidiya” (Golden bird). Even after multiple attempts, Alauddin Khilji failed to destroy this brilliant piece of art.
In the adjoining temple where a Shiv ling, carvings of Lord Ganesha and Hanuman are displayed in a unique form, hardly seen anywhere else in the country
Built in the 11th century, the splendour of the Rani Ki Vav (Queen’s Stepwell) features on the new 100 Rupees note, but this stunning piece of architecture was lost for centuries. It was rediscovered and brought to life by decades of painstaking restoration work by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014.
Rani Ki Vav beats all historic structures with their sheer size and fine craftsmanship. Sixty-four metres in length and twenty-seven metres in-depth, this subterranean seven-storey structure is richly adorned with sculptures of gods, goddesses and other mythological creatures that give it the look of a royal or divine abode. But what struck me the most was that at a time when kings used to build monuments for their deceased queens, it was just the opposite here. Rani (Queen) Udayamati commissioned this vav (stepwell) in 1063 in the memory of her late husband King Bhimdev I of the Solanki dynasty. Indeed, the Solankis were way ahead of their time.
Visit the nearby 11th-century village of Salvivad, where out of 700 Salvi families, only one family makes Patola saris using natural dyes, and UNSECO even recognises their art. Unfortunately, they don’t teach this art to other families; only their sons are eligible to learn. A Patola from Patan lasts up to 100 years and keeps its colour for approximately 300 years.
Located about 100km from the Arabian Sea in Gujarat, a vast expanse of snow-white salt coats a desolate desert, creating a surreal landscape like nowhere else. Known as the Rann of Kutch, this tortoise-shaped landmass is divided into two parts: The Great Rann, which covers 18,000 sq km, and the Little Rann, which comprises more than 5,000 sq km. Together, these dazzlingly white mudflats form one of the world’s largest salt deserts and supply up to 75% of India’s total salt harvest.
The Great Rann of Kutch is open for just four months a year, and during this time Rann Utsav, an annual carnival of music, dance, colours, and exclusive Kutchi culture is organised. Currently, the festival is ongoing from 28th October 2019 to 23rd February 2020.
Adding to the charm of Rann of Kutch is the wildlife of the region. The salt plains of the Little Rann of Kutch, spread across a 5000 square kilometre area, are also home to the Wild Ass Sanctuary – the only place on earth where the endangered Indian Wild Ass still lives. With more than a meter in height and two meters in length, the wild asses are very agile and can run for long distances at a speed of 50 km/h, making them more like wild horses than their domesticated cousins.
But the Sanctuary is home to far more animals and birds than just the wild ass – 32 species of mammals, two types of desert fox, jackals, caracals, nilgais, Indian wolves, blackbucks, and striped hyenas.
Moreover, due to the proximity of the wetlands of the Gulf of Kutch near sanctuary, LRK is the breeding ground for hordes of flamingos and other migratory birds. Every year, approximately 75,000 birds nest in reserve, they come from as far as Egypt, Siberia, Europe, Iran, Iraq and many more far-flung areas.
And, it’s not just the wildlife that LRK is famous for. You’ll be surprised to know that the salt pan workers in the Sanctuary produce about 65% of India’s salt.
If you are a culturephile like me, Gujarat will reward you with a lot of surprises. From the picturesque festivities, unique landscape, gifted artisans and effervescent tribes—every nook is steeped in history, creativity and colour. And every part of Gujarat has something different from others. From appliqué to beadwork, exquisite embroidery to the signature block print, kalamkari to patola and so much more— there’s always something extraordinary. While the entire state has a vast heritage of handiwork, I decided to stick to begin my journey of temples, tribes and textiles from Ahmedabad and the Kutch region. Have already mentioned Modhera Sun Temple, Rani ki Vav and the weavers of Patan above. Let me share what I discovered in the hub crafts and tribes – Kutch.
As I dived into the depths of Kutch, I discovered that embroidery is not just a fashion term, but an integral part of the fabric of the state. In Kutch, even as a visitor, you get used to beauty. Talent is everywhere, and colours are taken for granted. The ochre landscape is dotted with cattle, camels, sheep and the occasional donkey. Here villages specialise in specific crafts like Ajrakh block printing, mirror work embroidery of Hindu pastoral groups like Rabari and Ahir, woodcarving, wool weaving, bandhani and metalwork.
While staying at Rann Riders Resort in Dasada village of Little Rann of Kutch, I got an opportunity to meet and observe the life of many tribes carefully. First was the pastoral Kharapat Rabaris, renowned for their exquisite embroidery interspersed with small mirrors, and then the nomadic Mir community that makes artistic beadwork jewellery such as earrings, necklaces, trinkets and bangles among other knick-knacks.
And, if you go a little further, up to Bhuj, you can find several villages of pastoral nomads and semi-nomadic tribes specialising in various kinds of handicrafts. Below is the list of artistic villages you must visit:
The 597 feet (182 metres) tall Statue of Unity at Kevadiya colony of Narmada district is the tallest statue in the world and twice the height of the Statue of Liberty. The statue was constructed to honour the real ironman of India – Sardar Patel, who is a role model of unity and statesmanship. At the time of independence in 1947, India was divided into more than 560 princely states, and it was Sardar Patel, India’s first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister, who with his iron determination, could transform that imperialism into one unified nation.
Constructed on an island in the Narmada river overlooking the Sardar Sarovar Dam, it took four years and US$420 million to build this colossal structure. The project is expected to bring in a lot of Tourism dollars in the country by providing world-class hospitality and a wide range of activities for all age groups. Besides visiting the Statue of Unity, you can see the Laser Light and Sound Show, tour the Valley of Flowers, Sardar Sarovar Dam and its dykes, go boating, take a helicopter ride or trek in the Zarvani Eco-Tourism Area.
Visiting the grand statue personally, I wasn’t surprised to know why The Time magazine mentioned the Statue of Unity as among the 100 places to visit in 2019. Moreover, India has chosen the iconic site as the official “wonder” for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) ahead of other iconic sites like the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Hampi (Karnataka) and the Ajanta caves in Maharashtra and the iconic Taj Mahal.
The city of Champaner in Gujarat at an hour’s distance from Vadodra was once a thriving capital of the Sultans of Gujarat in the 15th century. However, it was overrun by the Mughals in 1535, yet surprisingly the city was left unscathed. Perhaps, that’s why you can still see the city ruins frozen in time. The Sultanate of Gujarat had risen from the ashes of the crumpling Tughlaq Empire in the 14th century. The Sultans of Gujarat were great builders and had constructed some of the biggest cities of their time such as Bharuch, Khambat, Junagadh, and Ahmedabad along with Champaner. After capturing Champaner, Sultan Mahmud Begada decided to shift his capital city here from Ahmedabad. Bagada didn’t destroy the Rajput fortifications, instead, added many palaces, mosques, and tombs within the fort. Therefore, the structures that you see in Champaner represent a perfect combination of Hindu-Muslim architecture.
One of the must-sees among the buildings here is the remains of seven mosques at Champaner, of which the centrally located Jama Masjid built in 1523 CE is the most elaborate one. As you enter the mosque premise, you see two 30m tall minarets flanking the main entrance, two floors of open arcades, and detailed carvings and jaali around the pillared courtyard.
Champaner remained the capital of Gujarat until 1535 when it was looted and conquered by the army of Humayun. Post that, it was abandoned. Champaner-Pavagadh is a UNESCO World Heritage Archaeological park and is an excellent place for photography and heritage lovers.
I first time visited Gir National Park in 1987 when I was a little kid and barely understood what wildlife tourism is and what this National Park means to Gujarat and India. This 1412-sq-km Sanctuary situated near Junagadh is the last refuge of the Asiatic lion, best spotted between December and April. In terms of wildlife conservation, Gir is a big success story, with lion numbers doubling since 1965. Apart from Asiatic Lion, you can also spot sambar (the longest Indian deer), chinkaras (gazelles), chital (spotted deer), nilgais (large antelopes), elusive jaguars, four-horned antelope, jackals, striped hyena, foxes and marsh Crocodiles
Snakes like Indian Cobra, Russell’s viper, Saw-scaled viper and the Krait can also be seen here. Large forest area, a wide range of wild animals and a perfect habitat of Asiatic Lions makes it to the top of the list. A must-visit for all wild animal lovers. One can visit the Sanctuary from 16th October to 15th June every year.
So, these are my 10 must-visit places in Gujarat during winters. Needless to say, there are many more tourist attractions in Gujarat but these places are good enough to give you a taste of khuhboo gujarat ki (fragrance of Gujarat). Right from a weekend trip to spending months, there’s a lot in the colourful state to keep you busy. So, when are you booking your tickets?
I was hosted by Gujarat Tourism. However, everything expressed above is based on my personal experience. Images used are either shot by me or provided by the destination. Please do not copy anything without written permission.
As Navratri days are approaching, so is the excitement of participating in the colourful, dazzling lights and the sounds of Garba clapping and dhol. However, Navratri is a precursor to the festive season in India because just after Navratri, we have other festivals like Eid, Diwali, Bhaidoj, Govardhan, Christmas, etc. A celebration of nine nights, it is one of the most widely celebrated Hindu festivals in the Indian subcontinent. It is dedicated to honouring the Goddess Durga or Maa Shakti, symbolising power and purity. When you think of Navratri, the vibrant images of Garba and Dandiya dance conjure up. However, this festival isn’t limited to vibrant Gujarat. India’s unity in diversity is best reflected through the celebration of nine nights.
From Garba dance to Durga Puja rituals, the festival of Navratri is celebrated in different ways across India, representing the diverse traditions, customs, and flavours of each region. Still, the overarching theme of Navratri remains the same—the victory of good over evil. The festival is also a primary crop season cultural event.
In the east and northeast of India, Navratri is celebrated as Durga Puja, signifying the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura. In the North, Navratri is synonymous with ‘Ram Leela’ performances and the burning of effigies of Ravana, showing Lord Ram’s victory over Ravana. The final day of Navratri in North India is called Dussehra; in the East, it is Vijay Dashami. In the south, the festival celebrates the victory of different goddesses, such as Saraswati.
While the whole of India celebrates Navratri but nothing beats the fervour and grandeur of Gujarat during the nine-day celebrations. One of the favourite festivals of Gujaratis, it tick-marks both the boxes – devotion and entertainment. As the festival starts, nine days of fasting and worshipping Maa Shakti are observed during the day. In the evening, an earthen pot called “Garbhi” is lit, and women dance in a circle and perform arti around it. The lighting of the earthen pot and moving in a circle signifies fertility and life cycle. As the night befalls, both men and women enjoy the Garba and Dandiya Raas, wearing their best traditional dresses. Experiencing Gujarat during the Navratri festival is one of the most colourful encounters one can ever have; it can bring anything to life.
If you are planning to visit Gujarat, here is your complete Navratri Garba Guide:
United Way Garba, Vadodara:
Begin your journey from the cultural capital of Gujarat, Vadodara. There can’t be a better venue than the United Way of Garba, which is one of the renowned Ras Garba events in the country. Over 30,000 people revel in Garba celebrations every night for nine nights. The cheerfulness of the crowd at this event is so contagious and widespread that even the most famous celebrities cannot resist.
Besides the merrymaking and following the traditions, the event has a social side too. The event donates the collected money to 140 charitable organisations around the state. From good food to dance competitions, the venue is a one-stop destination for dance, dine and everything in between. For safety and to avoid unsolicited elements, the organisation has kept an entrance fee of 3500/male and 700/female for nine nights. Anyone from 12 years old to over 80 years is welcomed here.
Other venues in Vadodara: Head to Fine Arts Faculty Garba Ground, where they create the authentic Garba of ancient Gujarat. Another option is visiting the Maa Shakti Garba for groovy music, an amazing playlist, a mesmerising ambience, and euphoria. The MS University for its laid-back environs and a signature “no taali” (no clapping) garba. Young parents with kids would love Shishu Sanskrutik Garba.
GMDC, Ahmedabad: Not far behind is Ahmedabad, which attracts a huge crowd and many celebrities who dance their heart out to the tunes of folk music perfectly matched with modern-day songs. A must-attend event in Ahmedabad during this time is the Vibrant Gujarat Navaratri festival, which is organised at the GMDC Ground every year by Gujarat Tourism. The entry here is free.
Other venues in Ahmedabad: Unlike the usual nine-day celebrations, the Friends Garba celebration only lasts for the last two days. Those two days are filled with modern, funky Garba music, making it the ‘it’ place for the youngsters. Other local clubs you could visit are Rajpath, Karnavati, YMCA, and Gulmohar Greens.
Other destinations: If you are looking for more destinations, then go to Somnath, Rajkot, or Surat.
The Navaratri Mahotsav at Somnath Mahadev Temple in Somnath is highly underrated. As soon as the evening prayers finish, the atmosphere of the place suddenly comes to life with bright, colourful lights everywhere, stalls serving mouth-watering authentic Gujarati food, and people dressed in traditional wear swaying to the tunes of folk songs.
Surat, renowned for several nicknames such as “diamond city,” “textile city,” and” silk city,” put together a great show during Navratri. The best go-to venue is the Surat International Exhibition and Convention Center, where celebrities can be spotted quite often.
In Rajkot, the events held by the Leo-Pioneer Group and Race Course Club are much-loved by not just locals and tourists but even celebrities. Exceptional-quality singing and dancing can be seen here.
Garba nights are not just about perfecting the elegant garba moves but also about dressing up in style. In fact, many people plan their different traditional looks for all nine nights. Even the venues promote dressing up by hosting competitions for the best-dressed participants during these fests. Therefore, shopping takes centre stage before the festival begins. Here are the top markets for traditional garba wear shopping.
I hope this Navratri Garba Guide helps you plan a fun-filled trip to Gujarat during its festive best.
For more details on how to best experience Navratri Garba, check out what happens during Navratri in Gujarat.
I was hosted by Gujarat Tourism. However, everything expressed above is based on my personal experience. Images used are either shot by me or provided by the destination. Please do not copy anything without written permission.
It is the summer of the nineties, and I am on my annual family holiday at Manali. Despite being in the majestic Himalayas, I am dreaming of attending the festival of Navratri held some 1500-km away in the western part of India, thanks to a foot-tapping Bollywood chartbuster inspired by the state.
Cut to Sep 2019, I pinch myself to ensure my dream has finally translated from reel to real. Yes, I am in Gujarat attending the longest dance festival in the world – Navratri Garba. Nine nights of feverous dancing, glittering chaniya cholis and kedias twirling to the beat of the dhol and bustling midnight buffets has intrigued me long enough to find out what happens during Navratri in Gujarat. The iconic Gujarati Garba and Dandiya dance, dedicated to Maa Amba, is a sight to behold: thousands of devotees dancing in a circle around an earthen lamp, to commemorate the triumph of good over evil.
Coming back to the song that inspired me to visit the vibrant State of Gujarat. Well, it was none other than the chartbuster of 1999 – ‘Dholi taro dhol baaje’ from the blockbuster hit movie Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam. The joy and playfulness of Garba were brought to life by the super hit real-life pair of the 90s – Aishwarya Rai and Salman Khan.
It might have taken my over ten years to visit Gujarat during its festive best. Still, I made good by choosing the best venue – Vadodra – the cultural capital of Gujarat. It was here where I got to witness the best Navratri Garba dance of not just the state but probably the entire country. However, before I share my experience, let me shed some light on the background of Navratri.
Navratri is to Gujarat what Mardi Gras to Rio de Janeiro. The word Navratri is derived from Sanskrit, meaning nine nights – Nava (nine) Ratri (night). Each night of Navratri, a different form of Shakti is celebrated – Shailputri, Brahmacharini Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kaalratri, Mahagauri and Siddhidatri.
Per mythology, Navratri is a celebration associated with the great battle between demon Mahishasura and Goddess Durga. Mahishasura was blessed with immortality by Lord Brahma under one condition that the mighty Mahishasura could be defeated only by a woman. Blinded with the blessing of immortality and overconfidence, Mahishasura attacked the Trilok–earth, heaven and hell. None of the Gods could stand a chance against him, and thus they sought help from tridev – Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva. All the three lords put all their powers together in the woman – Goddess Durga – to defeat Mahishasur.
Goddess Durga then fought Mahishasura for fifteen days during which he tried to mislead her by changing his shape each day to become different animals. Finally, on the tenth day when he transformed into a buffalo, Goddess Durga killed him with her trident (Trishul), and that was the end of him. Thus, we celebrate Navratri to demonstrate the victory of good over evil.
While the Mahishasur-Durga battle story is pretty much the same across India, from East to west, north to south; I am intrigued to know how Garba got associated with Navratri. My local guide Kirtibhai says,
The word Garba comes from the Sanskrit word for womb, which means life. Traditionally, the dance is performed around a clay lantern with a light inside, called a Garbha Deep (“womb lamp”). This lantern represents life and the foetus in the womb. The dancers thus honour Durga, the feminine form of divinity.
Garba is performed in a circle – representing the life cycle – from birth to death and again to rebirth. Like music and dance is vital to Garba, so is the traditional Gujarati outfits. For nine nights’ women don the intricately embroidered and mirror-work filled chaniya cholis and men wear ethnic kedia with dhoti or pyjama. The vibrant, colourful, and flowy dresses are created in a specific way to allow freedom of movement, especially arms and legs so that dancers can twirl, twist and spin as they clap their hands.
A festival that initially began as a token to honour the greatness of Shakti has today metamorphosed into an event of stupendous scale with thousands of people coming together to sing, dance, and make merry.
Navratri is what we Gujaratis wait for all year long. We might prefer comfort over physical activity throughout the year but come to Navratri, and we dance our heart out for 3-4 hours daily straight for nine days
says Kewal Gosrani, a 26-year-old local who has been doing the Garba since he was a toddler. And, he is not alone, for the nine nights of Navratri, dancing to the Garba tunes tops the list every Gujarati. Everything else takes a backseat. The zest and zeal of the festival are such that not just locals but tourists all over the globe visit Gujarat during this time.
Coincidently, there were a few Gujaratis on my flight too who visit Gujarat every year to play Garba. And, the ones who can’t, they take Garba along with them wherever they are. As they say, you can take Gujarati out of Gujarat, but you can’t take garba out of a Gujarati.
After years of research on the best Garba and Dandiya venues in Ahmedabad, Vadodra, Surat and other places, I arrive in Gujarat well in time to enjoy live Garba Raas. But as luck would have it, the whole of state has become a large swimming pool due to extended monsoon. However, the Gujaratis are renowned for their determination to make things work out even when the chances are next to none.
Despite continuous heavy showers, the waterlogged GMDC ground is transformed into a dry venue within a few hours to launch the grand Vibrant Navratri-Mahotsav 2019 on 29th September 2019 at GMDC ground in Ahmedabad. In the presence of political dignitaries, world ambassadors, global media and commoners, Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani inaugurates the Navratri celebrations. Entertainment is packed in a dazzling array of lights and colours, and a melange of traditional folksongs and dances Gujarat served to perfection.
Unfortunately, the next few days, the rain gods don’t show any mercy, and most of the Garba grounds are forced to cancel the Garba celebrations. Disappointed I reach Vadodra after spending a few rain-soaked days in Ahmedabad, Patan, Kevadia, and Little Rann of Kutch. My trip is at its fag end, and still, I haven’t been able to experience the magic of Garbathe Gujarati folk dance revered by Gujaratis. I make an earnest appeal to my guide, Kirtibhai, to pull up some strings and make me witness at least an hour of the Garba celebration that I had been dreaming for decades. And, being a true Gujju, Kirtibhai didn’t disappoint.
I attend the event at the largest Garba gathering in the State and presumably in the country – the United Way Garba, Vadodra. As I enter the well-lit and beautifully decked up ground with lanterns, flowers and vibrant origami decorations, Kirtibhai, says,
Be prepared to see a spectacle that you have never seen before. And, remember – Garba is played, not danced.
And, after witnessing the magic of Raas Garba, I couldn’t agree more. Simply put, Gujarati Garba dance is a process of clapping, skipping and moving in rhythm on folk Gujarati music. Here it was played by none other than the regional super singer – Atul Purohit. His earthy garba music moves over 40,000 people in a synchronised way.
However, this synchronised, step by step, twirl by twirl movement is a result of decades-old practice. Most Gujjus spend their childhood doing so in more intimate, familiar neighbourhood gatherings, before braving the giants. The Garba ground welcomes anyone from 12 years old to 80 years old. The ticket price is 3500 INR for males and 700 INR for females.
Mesmerised by the decorations and the enthusiasm of the revellers, I couldn’t believe my eyes. It was a million times better than what I had seen before – onscreen or off-screen. Until 8 pm there were hardly a thousand people in the ground, and as time passed, the numbers grew to over forty thousand people of all age groups and abilities dancing and singing together. Initially busy with catching up and taking selfies, the sea of people started to move around to the rising beat of the garba music.
The tidal movement started from the centre (garbha) and in no time every person standing in the ground, until the spectator’s corner, joined in the Garba Raas. Dropping all the inhibitions and swaying on foot-tapping folksongs and popular Bollywood numbers, the sea of people seemed possessed, by the power of Goddess Amba.
When I ask a local, Bijal Sahni, why Gujjus love Garba so much, she replies,
Garba is a fantastic way to express oneself physically as well as emotionally. Also, it is a great social platform to meet new people from different walks of life.
There are other benefits of Garba – relieves stress, calm down the muscles, works as a perfect dating ground, and helps in burning fat. Apparently, one hour of Garba helps burn 800 to 1,200 calories
I thoroughly enjoyed my first Navratri experience in Gujarat. The dream ignited by ‘Dholi taro dhol baaje’ was finally realised. My only regret is that I wasn’t dressed for the occasion – you need to wear the traditional chaniya-choli to get down on the ground to dance.
Now I have a solid reason to return next year. Will you join me?
I hope this article gives you an idea on what happens during Navratri Garba in Gujarat and you get inspired to experience Khusboo Gujarat Ki.
For more details on how to best experience Navratri Garba at its best, check out this article – Read this Navratri Garba Guide before you visit Gujarat.
I was hosted by Gujarat Tourism. However, everything expressed above is based on my personal experience. Images used are either shot by me or provided by the destination. Please do not copy anything without written permission.
Chennai might not attract as many visitors as its cousins – Delhi and Mumbai – do but Tamil Nadu’s capital has a lot to offer if you are ready to move a little bit out of the city limits. Whether it is Pondicherry or Mahabalipuram, there is a whole new world waiting for you to explore. While there are not a lot of places to visit near Chennai within 100 kms, Mahabalipuram is an excellent option for spending a quaint and relaxed weekend.
Whether you are visiting Chennai (also known as Madras) for the first time or revisiting, you would like to explore its historical past. Mahabalipuram, also known as Mamallapuram, is located 65 km/90 minutes away from the capital of Tamil Nadu and is one of the most precious jewels of India’s ancient heritage. The drive to this soporific sea-side temple town is quite picturesque. And, once you are there you’ll be completely awed by its many attractions – caves, sculptures, temples and ruins sprinkled like jewels everywhere.
Once a thriving port city in the 5th century, this UNESCO World Heritage Site contains India’s oldest examples of Dravidian buildings and sculpted monolithic rock-structures. If you flip through the history pages, you’ll find the origins of Mahabalipuram in the Pallava Dynasty, a Tamil dynasty that ruled over part of southern India between the 3rd and 9th centuries AD. Patrons of art and architecture, the Pallava kings, encouraged the construction of finely carved rock-cut temples and other architectural monuments.
Their signature symbol is a complex of temples commonly known as the ‘Seven Pagodas of Mahabalipuram.’ Unfortunately out of these seven temples, only one – the Shore Temple, remains open to the public today. The rest of the six temples are believed to have been submerged under the sea.
Start your Mahabalipuram tour from the rock-cut Shore Temple that lies on the shore of the Bay of Bengal. The five temples in the Pancha Ratha complex are carved in chariot shape and are dedicated to the five Pandavas and their wife, Draupadi. While the first structure – Draupadi- looks like a typical thatched-roof hut from Bengal, the second structure – Arjuna’s Rath – represents a Buddhist Temple. In between them lies the towering statues of the big three animals – a lion, an elephant and a bull. Also, you’ll see a vaulted roof structure dedicated to Bhima.
Once you are done seeing the Pancha Ratha complex, don’t forget to visit other must-see sites like the cave temples, the Tiger Cave and other famous temples dedicated to Ganesha, Krishna and Mahishasur.
If you think Mahabalipuram is only limited to ancient temples and caves, then you are entirely wrong. Adventure enthusiasts will be pleasantly surprised by the unspoilt beaches and hypnotising frothy waves of the old port city, which is becoming a hotbed for adventure sports and activities. If surfing is not your thing, you can go on a two-hour-long fishing safari around small coastal fishing villages.
Another exciting adventure you can try is kattumaram (catamaran) ride. In Tamil, Kattu means tied and maram means wood. The thrilling catamaran ride lasts for 60 minutes inside the sea.
It works as an antidote for city dwellers seeking some respite from mundane life. Surfers will love Covelong that is 20km away from the city and makes a perfect weekend getaway.
And, if you love art and craft, a visit to the Cholamandalam Artists’ Village (35km away) and Dakshin Chitra (25km) is a must. Both are conveniently located in between Mahabalipuram and Chennai.
Mahabalipuram is an ideal weekend getaway from Chennai as it is just 60km by road from the city. You can either hail a prepaid taxi costing approx. Rs 1,000 or hitch a bus ride for about Rs 30-80.
If you are concerned about the accommodations, don’t worry. Hotels and resorts in and around Mahabalipuram are as good as Chennai hotels. The luxurious Sheraton Grand Chennai Resort and Spa is located on the shore and is an ideal place for a peaceful weekend getaway, an important MICE event or a grand or small scale family function.
I recently spent five days attending the ‘Experience France’ MICE event organised by Atout France here. The location, food and facilities were ideal for foreign and Indian delegates. While I personally didn’t get a chance to explore a lot, you can either do sightseeing on your own or ask the hotel to arrange it for you with prior notice. However, please do note private taxis or booking an uber is a costly affair. Sometimes the drivers ask for as high as 1000 INR for a 5 kms journey.
The best time to visit Mahabalipuram or other tourist places in Chennai is winter, preferably from November to March.
So, what are you waiting for? If you are looking for places to visit near Chennai within 100 kms, Mahabalipuram is a perfect choice for a weekend getaway trip. Book now and get bedazzled by one of the most beautiful jewels of ancient India.
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