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Interview: Why Anna loves India
Foreign visitors to India, especially if they are women, usually think twice before deciding to travel in the sub-continent. The media has not been kind to India in recent times, and not entirely without reason. The country has, in many aspects, failed to be what we refer to as “tourist-friendly”.
But that’s just me talking.
I spoke to Anna Phipps from the UK, who has spend six months (spread over two trips) travelling around India. Read on to find out what she loves this country and why you too should give India a chance. Continue reading Interview: Why Anna loves India
How love works on the road
She was a thousand miles from home, alone in a foreign country.
Lisa had chosen to do this, but at that point, she felt she’d spent far too long on her own, surrounded by foreignness that she didn’t always understand and that which wasn’t always friendly. She missed home, familiar places and faces. At this point, when she crossed paths with a stranger who could take her mind off her misgivings and with whom she could share her long-term traveller’s emotions, it was hard not to form that special bond. Continue reading How love works on the road
How good hiking gear makes a difference
I love to walk. A lot.
When I am travelling, I’d rather walk somewhere than use public transport if my destination isn’t too far away. So, if there’s a hiking trail around where I am visiting, I usually make it a point to check it out.
I enjoy summer hikes in cool places, but experience has taught me you do need some good gear to be able to make the most of it. Continue reading How good hiking gear makes a difference
Why I go when no one else is
That time I was chalking out my itinerary for western Canada, I chose Saturna island because I didn’t know anyone — not a single person — who had been there. Later, when I landed in Canada, I met this person who’d been there twenty years ago, on work.
Ninety per cent of the people I know who are going or have visited or are planning to visit Australia, go to the Gold Coast, Uluru and Tasmania. I wondered why not many explore Western Australia extensively because when I looked it up, it sounded incredible. Continue reading Why I go when no one else is
Why you should say “yes” more often
Before I go into why “yes” is so important, let me clarify that there are instances when the best thing you can say is a “no”. This post does not undermine “no” but stresses on the importance of “yes”.
“Yes” is a powerful word and when used right and intelligently, it has the power to open doors of opportunities and possibilities. In this post, I will talk about some instances when saying “yes” to an idea turned out awesome for me. Hopefully, it will inspire you to say yes more often. Continue reading Why you should say “yes” more often
What the Himalayan quake taught me
Do not go gentle into that good night
— Dylan Thomas
I was running up the stairs to the first floor of our house when it struck. I didn’t notice it at that point. Once I got to the first floor, I noticed my mother sitting on the floor of the kitchen.
“Am I feeling really dizzy or is this an earthquake?” she asked me.
I stood still for a bit. The building was certainly shaking! We walked out of the house and stood there for a while before things seems stable again and then we went back in. Continue reading What the Himalayan quake taught me
Why I travel (and don’t intend to stop)
I don’t know why so many people appear surprised by the amount of travelling I do. If you ask me, I think I don’t travel enough. Well, certainly not as much as I’d want to!
These people come in two categories. The first group imagines I make pots of money (How else does he fund his travels?!). The rest of them, who have an idea about the sad kind of salaries journalists get, cannot for their life fathom why I would spend that big a chunk of my money to, well, travel.
I decided to write this post because lately, I have been interacting with quite a few such people. Here’s why I travel. Continue reading Why I travel (and don’t intend to stop)
Travel better with these two language apps
You have landed in this new place and you don’t have a clue of what anybody is saying around you because you don’t know the local language. What’s more, you don’t even understand those all-important signs!
Has that ever happened to you? It has happened to me. Many times. Continue reading Travel better with these two language apps
Ten reasons to go to Western Australia
Western Australia amazed me, detoxed me and inspired me.
It is difficult to put into words the kind of experience this place has to offer. All I can say is, if you are thinking of going to Australia, think beyond the Gold Coast. And do consider the amazing west. It will blow your mind away.
Here are ten reasons to go to Western Australia. Continue reading Ten reasons to go to Western Australia
Ten pictures to inspire you to visit Western Australia
Western Australia floored me with its beauty and here are ten pictures that I hope will inspire you to consider planning to trip to this awesome place.
The incredible landscapes, the animals and the lack of humanity detoxes you and makes you one with nature. Continue reading Ten pictures to inspire you to visit Western Australia
Why road trip in Australia is a good idea
Three weeks. Zero planning in advance. A campervan.
That was the idea. And boy, was it awesome! We did some 4,500 kilometres and were ready for 4,500 more when, sadly, the 21 days came to an end. Continue reading Why road trip in Australia is a good idea
Two kangaroos & some countryside hospitality
By the afternoon of my ninth day in Australia, I had seen six dead kangaroos by the road (apparently killed by cars) and eaten a seventh. I was starting to wonder if I’d actually see any live ones.
We had had a nice day exploring Kalbarri National Park and its incredible gorges and there were still a few hours to go before the sun set when we were driving out of the national park to a rest area by the Northwest Coastal Highway, where we intended to stay the night. Continue reading Two kangaroos & some countryside hospitality