Tag: travel
Why I hated bus rides as a kid & why I don’t now
When I was kid, i associated travelling by bus with nausea.
I couldn’t stand the smell of burnt fuel and lots of other things that you experience while you are on a non air-conditioned bus (and that was the kind you usually got in India around that time) and I invariable puked if the journey was a little more than 20 or so minutes.
It was worse if the area was hilly and had winding roads. Continue reading Why I hated bus rides as a kid & why I don’t now
Durga Puja closed after near-stampede
October 19 (TravelAndy): In an unprecedented move, Kolkata Police have closed a Durga Puja here indefinitely even before the festival officially begins tomorrow.
Durga Puja is the biggest festival of the Bengalis and it usually takes place over four days in or around October depending on the Hindu lunar calendar. Though the core of the festival is religious, it has now developed into more of a Bengali cultural carnival.
Legend has it the Goddess Durga, along with her four children come to the earth from heaven during these days. The festival celebrates the goddess’ coming to the earth. Continue reading Durga Puja closed after near-stampede
Go to Malaysia for the food
Malaysia is pretty well connected by flights from India.
Apart from the several direct connections to Kuala Lumpur, India’s first direct flight to Penang also started recently. Despite all that, I find most travellers using Malaysia as a flight connection hub rather than a travel destination in itself. I wonder why.
If you have been thinking of reasons to visit Malaysia, think no further than the incredible food you get there.
I was talking to a friend who had been to Malaysia on her honeymoon and it appeared to me that the beautiful couple ate their way through the country! The enthusiasm my friend showed when she described me the finger-licking food they had in Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Mersing and Kuching made me decide to share the details with you. Continue reading Go to Malaysia for the food
Travel at the right time & save: Study
October 10 (TravelAndy): Travelling when it’s not the peak season can save you more than 50 per cent in accommodation, says travel booking website Agoda based on a recent study.
For instance, if you travel to Berlin in January instead of September, you will find rooms costing as much as 51 per cent cheaper. The figure is 49 per cent in Barcelona. Rooms are around 23 per cent cheaper than average in Istanbul from November to February. The June prices are 21 per cent more.
The study also adds that the best time to find the best deals depends on where you are going. While mid-March is a good time for Europe when the average room price in major cities are around 20 per cent cheaper, Sydney and New York room prices are down in July. Continue reading Travel at the right time & save: Study
The tourist-traveller fight makes no sense
Not very long ago, there was this group of pictures widely shared on social media. It was a travel company that made them and shared them initially on their Facebook page. These guys differentiated between a tourist and a traveller and sought to emphasise how they helped you explore a place like a traveller and not a tourist.
Not surprisingly, with this craze in people to be a traveller and not a tourist, the pictures were quite a hit and were shared many times. Continue reading The tourist-traveller fight makes no sense
Get set for a ‘royal’ ride in Varanasi
September 29 (TravelAndy): ‘Royal’ rickshaw rides await visitors to the historic city of Varanasi in India now.
On the occasion of World Tourism Day on September 27, Serenity Routes (www.serenityroutes.com), an online portal, in association with Uttar Pradesh Tourism, launched an initiative called Mr Rickshaw Wala, which seeks to not only promote the green three-wheeler that is an intrinsic part of the Varanasi experience, but also benefit the rickshaw-pullers.
Tourists can book a ride through the website and explore the heritage of old Varanasi and its historical ghats. Continue reading Get set for a ‘royal’ ride in Varanasi
Air India to fly Delhi-San Francisco
September 28 (TravelAndy): India’s flagship carrier Air India has announced a non-stop flight from New Delhi to San Francisco on the US west coast from December 2.
“We are launching a direct non-stop flight to the San Francisco on December 2 as there was a demand for it,” DNA quoted Air India CMD Ashwani Lohani as saying.
Lohani reportedly made the announcement at an event to celebrate World Tourism Day yesterday. Continue reading Air India to fly Delhi-San Francisco
Free entry to Taj Mahal & more
September 27 (TravelAndy): On the occasion of World Tourism Day today, the Indian government has declared free entry for tourists to 200 ticketed monuments and museums across India, said reports.
Mahesh Sharma, the minister of state for culture, said that the government was taking several initiatives to attract tourists.
Efforts are being made to draw more numbers of foreign tourists as well, he said. Continue reading Free entry to Taj Mahal & more
Ladakh is primarily about colours
Adjectives pitter-patter like a steady drizzle during my chat with three friends who have just returned from a trip to Ladakh in north India.
Mesmerising. Beautiful. Mind-blowing. Unbelievable. Incredible…
I realise that though they are describing landscapes for the most part, the adjectives are usually about the contrasting colours of Ladakh. The sky, the mountains, the deserts and the rivers mix to emerge as this delectable cocktail that gives you a high no alcohol can match. Continue reading Ladakh is primarily about colours
Eating out at Darjeeling: Three reviews
The food scene in Darjeeling is very exciting.
Before I went there, many of my friends who have visited the hill station had told me about the restaurants I should eat at. I followed their advice and checked out some of their recommendations.
Here’s is what I though of three eateries in Darjeeling, which are certainly counted as among its most popular ones. Continue reading Eating out at Darjeeling: Three reviews
How to make friends on the road
A lot of people ask me how I manage to travel alone.
Don’t you feel unsafe in a foreign land when there’s no one to watch your back? Don’t you get bored? These are two of the most common questions they tend to ask.
I’ve realised, most people just don’t get the fact that travelling alone doesn’t really mean being alone all through the trip. In fact, it increases the possibilities of your meeting new people and making friends. I have gone on many trips with groups of friends and not made a single friend on the road. On the other hand, I have made loads of friends while on solo trips. Go figure. Continue reading How to make friends on the road
Helicopter boost for Tirupati tourism
September 7 (TravelAndy): Helicopter services for tourists to Tirupati in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh will start from September 16, reported The Hindu.
Primarily, three helicopters will operate at the temple of Lord Kalyana Venkateswara at the foot hills of Tirumala, Goddess Padmavathi Ammavari temple at Tiruchanur and at the histrical fort of Chandragiri.
All the destinations are within 15km radius of Tirupati. Tourists availing this service will also be given a 20-minute for an aerial view of the entire hill station. Continue reading Helicopter boost for Tirupati tourism