After a gap of almost two years, India will be celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi or Vinayaka Chaturthi with the same fervour as it used to celebrate pre-pandemic. And, the best place to enjoy the Ganesh Chaturthi festivities is undoubtedly Mumbai. So, if you are wondering which are the best pandals for Ganesh Chaturti in Mumbai, this…
It was the second test match of Ind-Aus Border Gavaskar Trophy in December 2003. Australia had piled on a massive 556 score on the board, thanks to Ricky Ponting’s superb 242 knock. Follow-on fear was looming on India with 85/4 score. And then a miracle partnership of 303 runs between the magic duo of Dravid-Laxman happened.…
A satirical take on Indians traveling abroad “Beta, abhi kitni der aur hai?” (Sweetheart, how long will it take?”) “Shayad aadha ghanta aur, ma” (maybe half an hour, mom) “Aadha ghanta aur…baap re itni der kaise control hoga” (OMG how am I going to control for half an hour more) “Arrey yahan nahi aage kar lengey.” (Not here. I’ll…
If you’ll ask someone in India about their favourite place, most likely you’ll hear the word Goa. However, after visiting the land of sun, sand and sea, people often want to discover the newer side of the state – offbeat Goa. They are always curious about the secret things that only locals know. Instead of…
Beaches or mountains? I have often been asked this question. Both have their own charm. But if I were to pick one then it will surely be mountains because firstly they remind me just how small and insignificant I am in the scheme of larger things and secondly they understand my silence like no other. They…
Main zindagi ka saath nibhata chala gaya, Har fikr ko dhuyen mein udata chala gaya. (I kept giving life a company, I blew every worry into a mist of smoke) In 1961, Dev Anand’s name got permanently marked with this evergreen song and today after 55 years it still inspires generation after generation. Abhay Sharma, took this inspiration a…
At wee hours when the world around me is lost in dreams, I am writing a presentation. After procrastinating for days my thoughts had finally started to flow. Suddenly my concentration gets broken by the sound of my mobile phone. I hear a familiar voice on the other side asking me a familiar question, We…
The 4X4 SUV was cruising at breakneck speed on the Delhi-Agra highway. My smartphone battery was still at 70% even after three days of use. I was relishing the sights and sounds of the fascinating Rajasthan. But all this happened because of my digital detoxification drive. Without thinking much I packed my bags and left for an…
10 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU BEGIN YOUR HANOI BUDGET TRAVEL I had barely settled in Manila when a friend threw an invitation to visit Hanoi. Just the kind of words I wanted to hear. Hanoi had been on my list forever but it was going to become real soon. But God had other plans. My visa…
Here is the full version of my ‘Quiet Flows the Indus’ story that got published in the June Issue of Rail Bandhu A beautiful destination often results in a hangover but a trip to Ladakh leaves you with a permanent hangover! Rather, it mystically changes you from within, for the real, raw and unadulterated beauty of…
Savouring the indescribable beauty of Chang Pas and Tso Moriri in one of the most extream road trips of my life. Welcome back to Extreme Road Trips in Changthang, Ladakh travelogue series 🙂 In my early extreme road trips travelogue series I threw light on how my unflinching love for the Himalayas took me to the remotest…
Landing in the disputed land of Changthang – Chumur I didn’t long for a white-knuckle adventure, but snowbound Changthang happened to be one. In Extreme Road Tripping in Changthang, Ladakh – I of this travelogue series I shared how my unflinching love for the Himalayas took me to the remotest part of the world. This post…
How my Delhi to Leh Ladakh trip turned into an extreme and unplanned adventure in the remotest part of the world – Changthang The downside of living abroad is homesickness that hits you like a ton of bricks. I have a good job and a balanced life. But I still feel homesick, not so much…
Wildlife in India is both unique as well as exciting, which attracts tourists from all over the world. Amongst the Indian Wildlife Tours, the Tiger Safari Tours are the most popular as you get to watch the majestic Cats in their natural habitat. Here is my bitter-sweet Jungle Safari experience at Ranthambore National Park. Sitting…
“Hey, are you from India? The land of colours, cows and Taj Mahal.” “I can’t believe it snows in India. I always thought it’s a hot country.” “Adventure travel in India? You gotta be kidding me. I guess the biggest adventure would be to get into a train.” “Is it safe for girls to travel…
“Mam, kya aap kabhi Mumbai-Pune highway se uttar kar aas paas ke gaanv mein gaye ho?” (Mam, have you ever visited the villages on the Mumbai-Pune highway?”) Sometimes a question as simple as this can spark your travel plans. During one of my Mumbai-Pune business trips my driver became my inspiration for exploring the Maharashtrian Ecotourism.…
Discovering Love in the off-season in Bali Books are the unique portable magic, which transport you to lands unknown and unexplored. The magic which transports you into a new world that is so different from yours, and yet somehow you identify with it. Some books lead you on a fascinating journey that might change your life…
The travel industry has changed immensely in the last five years or so; one moment, we’re buying travel books at subway stations and asking the front desk for itinerary ideas, and the next moment, we’re booking flights and meeting travel companions with the help of smartphone apps. It’s obviously still possible to trek across the…
It’s been almost five years since I started my travel writing journey. I gave up my well-settled job and a stable life to travel the world. To be frank, it wasn’t easy to earn money while travelling. Moreover, travel blogging itself changed so much in the last few years and with new challenges like Instagrammers,…
If battles are fought for religion then peace can prevail with food. Food is a melting pot, a universal experience. A experience that no one can refuse. Everyone loves good food. While Marketers may say Millennials or Centennials or Generation Z or XYZ are technophiles. The universal truth is that food was, is and will always be more…
