All posts filed under: Miscellaneous

Travel Confession: I Hate Flying

Published by Dev

I always think that this world would be a much better place if man hadn’t discovered flying yet. And I’m sure if there were no aeroplanes, science would have invested more resources in improving train travel, and we’d still be able to cross continents. Though we might not be able to travel from New Delhi to Boston in a few hours, as we can otherwise do in a supersonic jets of today, but we’d sure be somewhere closer. And then again, it would be a much better journey, passing through I don’t know how many countries and the infinite ocean, than just tripping in a boring aircraft, entrapped with a few hundred impatient co-passengers. Before you make generalizations let me get this straight, I am not scared of flying.  I am not afraid that the aeroplane I’m on will fly into a mountain because of pilot error, or that a Korean Navy ship will decide that the Boeing flying above their head is an enemy aircraft and knocks it off by mistake. No I don’t find …

Top Signs That You Are A Backpacker At Heart

Published by Dev

Backpacking is more than just lugging a 70L rucksack on your back. It is a way of travelling, of feeling comforted even during the most uneasy conditions. And if you ever wondered whether or not you qualify as a savvy backpacker, now is the time to find out. If you do most of the things mentioned below, chances are you’re a true backpacker at heart: You always write down your parents address when asked for your permanent address. The occupation column on application forms leave you confused. You have friends pretty much in every corner of the world. You love the idea of slow travel and getting lost in a new city. You sniff-check your clothes to find out whether they’re wearable or not. You can wear the same shirt for a week, and jeans for two weeks. A pleasant outdoor weather is more important to you than anything else. You do your laundry in the sink. There’s always a pouch of detergent in your bag. And a tissue roll. If surprisingly you find a …

Is Studying Abroad As Good An Experience As Travelling?

Published by Dev

“So how many years have you travelled for so far?” “Almost two. I quit my job to travel, in February 2015, and that’s where I’ve been ever since.” “And you said you lived in United Kingdom for a couple of years while studying, right? That makes it four man. Not two.” I clearly remember how a small conversation with a fellow traveller made my day, during one of the evenings at Agonda, in South Goa. I suddenly felt proud, and moreover realised that I’d always underrated my travel stint. It really have been 4 years, accumulatively, that I’ve been exploring the world. Though of course I won’t consider myself a traveller for the time I lived in UK, but it wouldn’t be wrong, even if I did! When I’d initially moved to Scotland, to complete my master’s degree, there was nobody I knew. Sure my sister stayed in England, some 700 kilometres in the South, but technically speaking I was on my own, and in a land I was barely accustomed to. And since it was …

Want To See Local Art Forms In Kutch? Try Nirona Village

Published by Dev

Kutch has always been known for its wealth of culture and handicrafts. And when you’re here on a holiday, one thing that you really do not want to miss is exploring a few local art forms. Kutch produces some of the world’s most unusual textile products, as well as intricately crafted metal works. In the book, Kachchh: The Last Frontier, author Tejinder Singh sums it up pretty well: “The intricate embroidery stems from the Kutchi lifestyle… One can see the influences of the Cretan stitch of Greece, surface interlacing stitches from Armenia and the French tambouring techniques. It is a reflection of their lifestyle… of camels, peacocks, parrots, flowers, trees and women churning milk. Each pattern tells a story.” The best way to experience local art forms in Kutch, however, is by village hopping. As you pass through various artisan villages of the indigenous tribes that inhibit the district of Kutch, you find a striking contradiction. But one needs days to explore them all, or perhaps even a week. But those who have only one day …

Five Must See Places in Kerala

Published by Dev

Kerala has a lot of charisma with its stunning beaches on the Malabar Coast, green patches of coffee and tea plantations, and its intertwining backwater canals. As you embark on your journey across Kerala’s landscapes, you experience its unique culture, cuisine and people. Rich in heritage, abundant in wildlife and tropical charm, Kerala will give you that relaxed, laid-back vacation that you are looking forward to. Here are some of our five hand-picked must see destinations in Kerala: Anamudi: In Kerala’s Idukki district lies the Anamudi Hills which stands at 2,695 metres and is the highest peak in South India. The hillside is filled with several flowers, shrubs and wildlife that are unique to the region. The view at the top is breath-taking with large amounts of tropical forests that deck the landscape. Tigers, leopards, macaques and the langur are found in this region. Trivandrum: The State’s capital, largest port and city centre is home to a number of heritage sites, architectural marvels and several art galleries. An hour’s drive from Trivandrum will take you …