Immerse yourself in the virtual tour of Kanyakumari.
I toured South India during June and July’19, covering 11 cities across three states. I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to complete this 2-month long tour without breaking down, and so when I reached Kanyakumari, I was extremely happy and proud of myself. And despite the exhaustion of a non-stop travel, I was looking forward to the last few days of the trip.
Read the complete Kanyakumari travel guide for an absolute travel immersion.
“Just take care when you are traveling, you are a girl!”
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“Reach back home before it’s dark, you are a girl!”
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“Avoid going to isolated streets, you are a girl!”
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“Don’t trust anyone, you are a girl!”
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..but how could I not trust someone who called me “Chechi (Elder Sister)” when we first met!
Shy and quiet, his dark black eyes peeping through his tanned face bedimmed by his greasy, neatly partitioned hair. A very lean body, and although I knew he was young, he looked a little older than his age – was it the work or just his genes, I can’t say. His hands small, but strong enough to pull half a tonne weighted camel.
This child was from a small, remote village in India. The families in this village are generally large, with many uncles and aunts staying in one home. The young boys of these families are sent away to attend tourists and give them camel rides on the desert or serve them in restaurants in the neighboring city. And the young girls of these families are sent to perform the traditional dance for these same tourists.
Traditional education is not a priority for these families. They are concerned about making sufficient money for daily survival, which is why they send the kids out to work at a very young age. However, when these kids meet national and international tourists, they learn new languages, become aware of the latest fashion trends, and start to understand the hospitality business. Many of these young boys grow to become business owners later in life.
Gaining responsibility of feeding large families takes aways a kid’s childhood away so soon. And although they start learning about more important things early in life, they most likely miss the best phase of human life, childhood.
There are changes needed, and not just in one country, but in a larger part of the society, irrespective of the nation, the religion, or the beliefs – the gap between the rich and the poor needs mending so that the lesser privileged parts of the society can also relish all significant phases of human life, if not more.
According to the details shared by locals, Varkala beach got famous around the 70s when many European travelers visited the then unexplored Kovalam beach. These travelers continued to move north of Kovalam and reached Varkala. The city’s sea-facing cliff is what impressed the travelers, and since then, Varkala became a world-famous tourist spot. Although not as many international tourists visit this city now as in the 70s/80s, Varkala has started getting famous among Indian travelers lately!
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Here’s a quick travel guide to help you tour the Cliff Beach of South India!
Most of us feel uncomfortable talking about a woman’s period or its associated effects. We generally avoid discussion around this topic, unless there is something urgent that we need to talk about it to our gynecologist.
Apart from the stigma around period, there are also jokes about women PMSing on days they are frustrated.
You cannot not think of backwaters and houseboats when you talk about Alleppey (also known as Alappuzha). I was very excited to visit Alleppey, the place that I had heard about since I was a kid. I imagined myself relaxing on a houseboat in the tranquility of the backwaters as the sun sets.
PS: This was just an imagination, I did not actually do it 😅
Chilling on a canoe in Alleppey (no there was no sunset)
Alleppey was the 8th stop of my South India tour. I toured the city with Alex, who I met at Poornodaya. Alex is a person of faith, so in addition to the backwaters and beaches of Alleppey, we also visited a few temples.
This is the ultimate travel guide that you will ever need to plan your trip to Alleppey.
How to reach Alleppey?
If you are coming from far, you can take a flight to Kochi (Cochin International Airport), which is around 80 km from Alleppey. From Kochi, you can either take a bus, train, or taxi to Alleppey. You can also rent a two or a four-wheeler and drive to Alleppey.
We were visiting Alleppey from Kottayam, so we first took a bus from Kottayam to the Thirunakkara bus stand. Then we took an auto-rickshaw (or tuk-tuk) to Kanjiram Boat Station from where we caught our ferry to Alleppey.
Ferry from Kanjiram leaves twice a day to Alleppey. You can check the latest timings on the official websiteor confirm from the locals.
The ticket fare is just Rs 15 for the ferry ride, and it drops you at Alleppey boat station, right in the city center.
PS: The ferry ride is pleasant, and you’ll get your first backwater experience as well.
Kanjiram boat station
Me and Alex as we set on our ride to Alleppey
Open backwaters as seen from the ferry
Where to stay in Alleppey?
Alleppey is full of backpacker hostels, guesthouses, and BnBs, so you’ll not find difficulty in choosing the best place for you.
We were in Alleppey during the off-season, because of which most of the accommodations were empty and also cheaper than the regular rates.
Alex and I stayed at Carpe Diem, located in a residential society at a walkable distance to the Alleppey Beach. The first thing that we noticed when we entered our hostel was its peaceful locality and the white paint on its walls that reflected positivity.
We stayed in a 10-bed mixed dorm, and I was particularly impressed by the clean room and sheets that still smelled of detergent.
Nets were put on each bed to protect from mosquitoes and other insects.
Each room looked onto a balcony with a view of the locality and the green trees.
Paul, who is also the co-owner of the property, helped us with tips on touring the city. He also arranged for the backwater tour for us.
Common area of the hostel
Dorm room where we stayed in
Inside the room
Patio outside the room
View from the patio
With Paul
Things to do in Alleppey
If you are not in a rush and want to spend your time leisurely in the city, here is a list of activities that you can do, and the places that you can visit in 3 days in Alleppey.
Spend a relaxing time at Alleppey Beach
As I mentioned above, Alleppey Beach was within walking distance from our hostel. So the first thing that we did after freshening up was walk to the beach.
Staring into the sea infinity – Alleppey Beach
The beach was less crowded than usual because of the off-season, and it was also cleaner than what I had expected. The waves were fierce at the time and crashed right on the beach. So we avoided playing with the water and instead took a walk along the shore.
The first thing that you will notice at Alleppey beach is an old and broken pier that extends farther into the sea. It is quite a sight!
We spent our first evening at the Alleppey beach and watched the sun go down, reflecting its shimmering golden on the browns of the sand and whites of the waves.
The old broken pier at the Alleppey beach
People walking by the beach as the sun calmly sets down
The next day we decided to sit and read by the beach. We walked to the Alleppey beach, and further towards Pozhiyoram beach. The waves were as fierce as the last evening, so we decided to sit a little farther from the sea.
It was the first time that I just sat down by the beach and did nothing, but only listened to the waves, and quietly pondered.
Sitting by the Alleppey beach on a sunny morning
Watch the sunset at Marari Beach.
If you are looking for a much quieter beach in Alleppey, this one is for you. Mararikulam (or Marari) beach is around 15 km from Alleppey beach, and you can either hitch-hike or take a bus from Alleppey town to the Mararikulam village. Take a 5-minute walk from the Mararikulam bus stop, and the stunning views of the beach and backwaters will astound you.
Backwaters at Marari Beach
View of backwaters by the Marari beach
The quieter side of Marari Beach
Looking eagerly at the fierce waves of Marari Beach
Taking a stroll by the beach
The fierce waves of the Marari Beach
Since it is a little far from the main Alleppey town, the beach is less crowded and even cleaner than the Alleppey beach. One can easily spend an entire evening here watching the waves crash at the shore, and the sun softly go down.
Sun reflecting its light on the golden sands of the beach
Sunset scene at the beach
Take the Alleppey backwater Canoe tour
If you are wondering why didn’t I spend a night in a houseboat in Alleppey – houseboat stays tend to be quite expensive for solo budget travelers.
Houseboat on Alleppey backwaters
Although we experienced riding on Alleppey backwaters on our way from Kottayam, Alex was eager to go on a canoe tour that includes riding through narrow canals along with the open waterways.
Paul booked the canoe village tour through Oscar Cruise, and the ride cost us Rs 800 per person (discounted rate due to off-season).
Canoe ready to leave for the backwater tour
View of backwaters from Canoe
Laali, our canoe rider, in the background
The tour starts at 8:30 am when a motor-boat takes you to a nearby village, where you first have Kerala-style breakfast at a local’s place. The actual canoe tour starts after that, and it lasts for four hours with a snack-break in between. Post that you have lunch at the same place where you had breakfast in the morning, and get ready to leave for the main town.
Lunch at a local’s home after the ride
The canoe takes you through narrow canals and streams, passing through many villages. The most enjoyable part for me throughout the ride was observing the routine village life of the locals – everyone busy in their daily chores, undisturbed by tourist boats passing by their houses, doing laundry, cleaning utensils, and catching fish.
Passing through villages during our canoe tour
Try a Toddy
Toddy is the local alcohol of Kerala made of coconut and palm. If you are doing a canoe tour, you can ask your boat rider to buy you some on the way. We bought a 1-liter bottle of toddy for 200 Rs that 3 of us from the group shared. PS: Toddy is best consumed fresh when it is prepared in the morning because it gets bitter and stronger with time.
We got Toddy in this bottle from a local shop
Watch the world-famous Snake boat race
Alleppey hosts around 15 snake boat races throughout the year, of which the Nehru Trophy Boat race is most famous. If you are in the city during the time of the race, you can witness one of the most enjoyable boat races. All villages of Alleppey district compete in the race, and you can see a 100 people seated on one boat rowing strenuously in synchronization. It’s a captivating sight!
If you are not able to watch the actual race, you can still see the practice, which starts a month before the race.
Snake boat race practice
Visit the revered temples of Alleppey
Right in the city center of Alleppey, you’ll find many adorned temples.
The first temple that we visited was the Mullakkal temple. It was hosting a dress-up ceremony of a God’s idol for its new home(or temple). Many priests were playing music on the traditional instruments while a few of them were chanting and performing the ceremony. It was glorious.
Inside Mullakkal temple
Priests dressing the idol in Mullakkal Temple
Priest playing traditional musical instruments during the ceremony
Gardens surrounding Mullakkal temple
Next, we went to Kidangamparambu Sree Bhuvaneswari Temple, which was just a 10-minute walk from the Mullakkal temple. This temple was architecturally rich, with many gods carved on the temple walls. There was some function happening here as well, so we left quickly after paying our respects.
Inside Sree Bhuvaneswari Temple
Many idols adorning the walls of the temple
All in all, we were able to cover many places of Alleppey in 3 days, and also spend some quiet leisure time.
We can produce the best-ever next-generation if each one of us takes responsibility to teach the right things to our kids.
If we don’t teach our kids how to respect fellow beings, then I think we are failing as a society!
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Read more on what is the right way of educating our future generations for a better world.
We are accustomed to reading articles and watching videos where people discuss their struggles of working at a 9-5 job, and not being their boss, not being able to follow their passion, and just being a slave. It is very uncommon to see articles written by people who are happy and contented with their jobs and do not feel any of the things that I have mentioned above.
This article represents people who love their job and don’t feel stuck in a 9-5 cycle. They are happy and satisfied with whatever they are doing. This article is for people like me, who don’t have work satisfaction but also do not hate their work environment as much!
This year in January, I modeled for a women apparel brand, Vinnhi – my first ever catalog shoot.
Check Vinnhi’s Instagram
I’ll admit, the idea of dressing up and posing in front of the camera had been quite fascinating – All the lights and all the eyes on you! But let me remind you, not everything is as fancy as it seems 🙂
I received a message from a friend in December, where he informed me about a probable opportunity of modeling for a friend of hers, Vineetha. At the time, I was (or better I still am) in an experimental phase of my life, and I was trying almost everything that I had ever fascinated. So considering it an opportunity with a no-gain no-loss situation, I said yes. And that’s when the process began!
The First Call With The Designer
Have you ever heard of “friends on the first call”? That is what happened with Vineetha(founder of Vinnhi) and I. We gelled instantaneously and were comfortable talking about the work, requirements, and expectations more freely.
We were in different cities at the time, so we had to coordinate and get minimal things ready for the shoot beforehand. We had a few initial conversations on the phone, where Vineetha told me about her work, her vision for the brand Vinnhi, and her plans for the shoot. Both of us were new to this domain, so we tried to discuss as many details of the process as we knew.
Vineetha and I laughing casually post-shoot
A Day Before the Shoot
I reached Pune from Bangalore a day before the shoot had to start. I met Vineetha and the photographer, wherein we discussed each look in brief, that included hairstyle and make-up, and location of the shoot for each saree. We also looked at a few sample pictures of other models for motivation. Vineetha also showed me the beautiful sarees that she had designed before I left.
PS: If it is your first catalog shoot, make yourself comfortable with the designer, and any other person who is involved in the process- photographer, make-up artist, business manager, etc. It reduces the pressure of posing in front of strangers at the time of the shoot.
During the shoot – while discussing something!
First Day of the Shoot
Nervous and Excited- just like on the day of a school exam!
A day of trying out something completely new, but appealing. I was looking forward to the day because I didn’t know what to expect.
We planned to start the shoot by 10 am, so I reached Vineetha’s place an hour before that to be able to get ready (dressing-up, make-up, and hair-do) in time.
The weird thing at the time for me was putting a lovely piece of saree and getting adorned with jewelry and make-up (however light they were) early in the morning.
All dressed up early in the morning
And so it began..
I felt a little self-conscious as I walked out all dressed-up in front of the photographer and his team. But since I was now friends with Vineetha and her husband, their presence comforted me a bit.
After a few minutes of testing light, focus, and angle, the photographer started clicking pictures. The discomfort was clearly showing on my face – with the photographer pushing me to get rid of my tensed expressions.
I was completely lost at the moment!
The first photo session was a pretty uncomfortable experience, with the photographer instructing me to smile, but smile less, not look directly at the camera, but look somewhere, act thoughtful, but be natural, choose better expressions, pose this way, and again change, and change, and again and smile again!
Quick change of poses!
It was all so overwhelming for me in the beginning that it was hard to focus on the shoot and not be stressed.
I was so tensed and worried about not being good enough. I wanted to stop right there and call the whole thing off. But Vineetha, who was blindly relying on me, I did not want to leave her hanging in the air and not fulfill what I promised. I am so glad, Vineetha and her husband were cheering me and just being kind, that I could overcome this feeling.
With each costume taking at least an hour, by the time we finished the first half of the shoot, it was 2:00 pm. It had been almost 4 hours since we were changing, posing, ideating, and clicking. The whole process was very exhausting, but I was now more comfortable in front of the camera and the people around me.
Thanks to Vineetha, I was able to jump more freely after multiple attempts!
A candid capture when I was managing my saree
If your dress is comfortable, you’ll feel more at ease during the shoot. I myself was able to pose freely and express better in the sarees and blouses I was more comfortable wearing.
The second part of the shoot after the lunch-break went more smoothly, although it was a little challenging to get in flow after the meal since I felt more sleepy and tired then.
Sleepy head after lunch
By the end of the shoot, we were happy about the success of the first day but too exhausted to have a full-fledged retrospective discussion. So, we relaxed for a bit and then separated.
The day was mentally tiring, although I did not use much of brains apart from listening to everyone and focussing on being confident and posing better. It was physically tiring too because we were standing for the most part of the shoot – quickly rushing and changing.
There were 5 dress changes in a matter of 7 hours!
Last pose of the last saree on the day!
Second Day of the Shoot
Because of the experience that we gained on the day before, we were more light-minded and were able to start the second day a little earlier than the last one. But the challenge that day was modeling in public places.
Awkward poses in a public park!
I remember the first video I shot in a park in Bangalore. I was recording the introduction and the conclusion for this video. Even shooting this very basic video in public was a challenge for me. And now here I was, all dressed-up, posing in a public park at 10 in the morning, with a giant camera setup following me.
PS: It was one of the most awkward moments for me!
Again I gradually got more comfortable with shooting outside and was able to care less about the people passing by. The best part throughout these uncomfortable moments was the support from Vineetha, her husband, and our mutual friend.
The sarees were also more comfortable than the last day, and I could easily dance and jump around these(in short, just be me).
Posing on the footpath by a busy road!
Be confident!
Your confidence will reflect in the pictures.
We had planned to shoot pictures in the next saree outdoors as well, and it was funny how we rushed to a mall to quickly change.
Everyone, especially Vineetha, pampered me throughout the shoot – I was assisted for the most basic chores as well, that included carrying items like a phone, or a handbag!
From left – Vineetha, her husband, our common friend, and me!
I am not used to people helping me around, and it was difficult for me to fit in a character where even when a Pallu (the loose end of a saree) falls, I’ll have someone rushing towards me to correct it.
But mind you, it was not all pampering. It was also following commands and instructions, especially when you are in front of the camera (at least when you are a beginner and a novice).
Vineetha trying to make me laugh and feel lighter!
Phased out during the shoot- helped me pose better
As the shoot was nearing its end, I was happy to have stayed strong despite many uncomfortable moments. I was glad that I could deliver what I promised.
Last saree of the day!
The pictures came out nice, and Vineetha is doing well in her business.
Now at least I know what it feels like to be a model. It was an unexplored fantasy, and I am glad I gave modeling a try but ultimately decided to not pursue it.
How could you make your first modeling experience better?
Here are a few concluding points that I can share from my personal experience to prepare you for your first assignment.
Know what to expect.
Be open to suggestions.
Get comfortable with the photography team, because they’ll be the ones to guide you throughout, about the poses, angles, expressions, etc.
Share/exchange your ideas with the team early on, so that you spend less time experimenting and trying, and more time on getting the work done.
Stay happy and engage in whatever cheers you up because that will reflect on your face when you are getting clicked.
And remember the more comfortable and stress-free you are, the better the whole presentation will be.
Kochi was not a part of my original South India travel itinerary. It was instead an impromptu plan that the volunteers made with the director of Poornodaya Vidyanikethan, Anish, on a Friday evening.
Kochi is most famous for Fort Kochi, the fortification that was built around the city a long time back. You do not see the fort anymore now, but most of the points of interest lie within its plausible boundaries.
You can see most of the city in one day on foot! Amazing right?
So if you are on a tight schedule, this is how you can plan your time to explore Kochi. Read the complete post to know more!
Munnar is known for its endless tea gardens and unparalleled green landscapes. But the city was a lot more than just picturesque views for me. Read about my experience and tips to tour the city in this extensive travel guide.
The 5th stop of my South Indiatravels was Coimbatore, one of the major cities of Tamil Nadu state. I made a stop here to take a break from a continuous two weeks of travel across tiny villages.
Coimbatore is a big city, and I did not expect a lot from it. But it surprised me with beautiful, majestic views when I drove a little over 10 km from the city center.
Here is a detailed Coimbatore Travel Guide to help you spend your time in the city pleasantly, without worrying about the “big city” noise and pollution.
How to reach Coimbatore?
I took a direct Tamil Nadu state bus from Ooty to Coimbatore that cost me Rs110 for the ticket and 3.5 hours of the bus journey.
If you are not coming from very far, you can take a train or the state/private bus to Coimbatore. You can also take a flight to Coimbatore from any major city.
On my way to Coimbatore
The place is owned by Mr. Suresh, who found his calling in the hospitality industry. His love for his work was clearly visible from how the property was maintained.
The moment I entered the room allotted to me, I felt at home. The room was well-lit and extremely neat. The bedsheet was covered with another sheet to prevent dust from soiling it. The bathroom had all the essential toiletries.
My room did not come with a kitchen, but there were basic utensils, tea and coffee sachets, and filtered water to get the day started.
If you are also in Coimbatore for a few days and are looking for a homely stay, this place is just perfect.
PS: Mr. Suresh was really helpful in guiding me about Coimbatore’s places to visit and food to try.
A clean comfortable double-bed
The rooms comes with a table to work at
View from room
Things to do in Coimbatore
Eat Tamilian food at Annapurna Restaurant
When in Tamil Nadu, try Tamilian!
If you are a food enthusiast and love spicy food, Annapoorna Restaurant’s thaali is a must-have. It is one of the oldest restaurants in Coimbatore, serving South Indian meals for more than 50 years.
Enjoy an authentic Tamilian lunch meal at Annapoorna for just Rs 110.
PS: The service is not the most polite, but the place promises good food.
Tamilian meal
Pray at Maruthamalai Hill Temple and enjoy scenic views
Maruthamalai temple is situated on a hillock, around 10 km from Coimbatore city. Lord Murugan of Hindu mythology has the temple dedicated to him.
The temple is supposedly very crowded during peak hours of prayers. Luckily, when I visited the temple, there weren’t many people. I had enough time to look around and appreciate the intricate architecture of the temple. The panoramic views of the city and the hills around are another reason to visit the temple.
PS: The temple was not the cleanest, but if it is for the faith that you are visiting it, this should not matter much.
On the way to the temple
Nestled between the hills, is the Maruthamalai temple
Visit the magnificent Adiyogi statue at the Isha Yoga Center
With a backdrop of the hills, the Adiyogi Shiva statue looks so mesmerizing that it is so difficult to take your eyes off it. It is the world’s largest bust sculpture, and will surely leave you spellbound.
In addition to the Adiyogi statue, you can also pay a visit to the other parts of the Isha Yoga center, including the Dhyanalinga and Theerthakunds.
PS: You can rent a vehicle or take a bus to the Isha Yoga Center. It is only 30 km from Coimbatore city.
There are many more places that you can explore if you are in the city for a longer time. Ooty is just a 3-hour drive from Coimbatore. You can visit Kovai Kutralam waterfalls on your way to the Isha Yoga Center if you have sufficient time.
Ooty has welcomed tourists from all around the world for leisure and recreation for more than 50 years. And many people say it still looks the same – serene, quaint, and beautiful.
Use this travel guide to make the best of your time in Ooty.
The first and foremost thing that caught my attention was the ideology behind Poornodaya. It resonated with my idea of education. Read more about my experience!
If you are from India or a tourist in India, a place that you would never want to miss apart from the chilly mountains, is the God’s Own Land, Kerala. And so like many others, Kerala had been in my “must-visits” since a very long time. After a few years of failed plans, I was finally visiting this beautiful green land of India.
The first city I visited in Kerala was Wayanad, and I instantly fell in love with its endless greens.
Here is a detailed itinerary to help you plan your trip and cover the beautiful places of Wayanad in 2 days.
How to reach Wayanad?
If you have read my preceding posts about my trip to Mysore, and Coorg, you would know that I was in Coorg before I visited Wayanad.
There is no direct bus that goes from Coorg to Wayanad. So, I planned to go to Mysore first, spend a night there, and then take a bus from Mysore to Wayanad.
Regular KSRTC buses leave from Mysore to Wayanad. It takes around 4 hours by road to reach Wayanad from Mysore, and the general KSRTC bus ticket costs just Rs 140.
From Bangalore:
Many KSRTC and private buses go from Bangalore to Wayanad that take around 7 hours to reach.
From anywhere else:
If you are coming from far away, you can either take a flight to Bangalore and Mysore and choose the options mentioned above.
And finally, you can always rent a two-wheeler or self-drive car, or hire a cab to reach Wayanad.
Where to stay in Wayanad?
Wayanad is full of hotels, retreat centers, resorts, hostels, and homestays. I chose a homestay for myself, Kudajadri Drizzle, in Kanyambetta, a village near to the main town of Kalpetta of Wayanad district.
It was the first time I was staying in a homestay, and I could not ask for a better experience.
Kudajadri Drizzle is amidst the greens, and it was great waking up to the chirping of the birds every morning. My room had an attached bathroom, and it gave a feeling of rural lifestyle combined with the comforts of the urban world. The daily home-cooked Kerala food and endless conversations with the family made the overall stay a very comfortable one.
Places to see in Wayanad
You can hire a private taxi, or rent a scooter, or a self-drive car, or take local buses to tour around the city. Most of the viewpoints are within the range of 30 km from the city center, so it is better to either rent a two or a four-wheeler or take a private taxi. This way you can save some time commuting to the viewpoints.
And it goes without saying, the roads are beautiful and some times more intriguing than the actual destination.
Sit by the serene Karlad Lake
Famous amongst the adventure seekers, Karlad Lake was opened to the public some time in the starting of 2016. Apart from the many adventurous activities that the place offer, you can boat in the calm and serene waters of the lake or just sit by its quiet surroundings.
There are a few paid parking spots just outside the lake entrance, and also a few restaurants by them.
Visit Asia’s second-largest dam, Banasura Dam
Apart from being Asia’s second-largest dam, Banasura dam also had India’s largest floating solar power plant. Located around 3 km from Karlad lake, you can visit both of the places in one day.
With magnificent views of the water, Banasura Dam is a perfect place to adore the vast greens and blues of Kerala.
It was raining when I visited the dam, so the views though beautiful, were quite misty.
Enjoy the magical greens of Kerala from Phantom Rock viewpoint
This was a completely unplanned stop that I made on my way to Eddakal caves (another commonly visited tourist point).
As I mentioned before that the roads and the scenic views on the way to your destination might grab your attention, and you could have one of the best experiences of your trip. My stop at Phantom rock viewpoint was one such example.
I was driving by when I saw a beautiful turquoise color water body that was so enchanting that I couldn’t resist stopping by. While I was enjoying the view when the owner of a restaurant opposite to where I had parked, signaled me to go further and climb up a few rocks, to maybe get a better view. I followed his instructions, and I was welcomed by the most mesmerizing views I had seen so far during my whole trip.
There was not a single person on the trail and at the viewpoint, and I had the whole place to myself.
PS: It was on my way down, that I realized it was the Phantom rock viewpoint.
Walk back into the pre-historic times at Edakkal caves
I skipped Eddakal caves, because at the time I had not researched the place thoroughly, and didn’t know what it was famous for. Assuming that it will also have a similar valley view as was from the Phantom Rock viewpoint, I decided to skip my visit to Edakkal caves altogether.
But when I saw pictures of the caves later, I regretted not visiting it. Edakkal caves have ancient scriptures and carvings of the pre-historic time, which make them all the more interesting apart from the scenic views.
Visit the ancient Sultan Bathery Jain Temple
Sultan Bathery Jain temple dates back to 13th century. It served both as a religious site as well as a place where Tipu Sultan kept his armory (or battery) when he invaded Kerala. And this is where the town got its name from, Sultan’s Battery (Sultan Bathery). The temple is now a protected site under the Archaeological Survey of India, but you can still visit it inside and see the old temple ruins and statues of Jain Tirthankaras.
Hike to the highest peak of Wayanad district, Chembra Peak
Famous for the heart-shaped lake that you see on your way up to the peak, the climb up to the Chembra Peak is very scenic, surrounded by lush green tea plantations.
You need prior permission from the forest department for this trek. During monsoon, the hike to the top of the peak is forbidden, so do a little bit of research before you make your plans.
And as for the heart-shaped lake, I saw one on my way to Banasura dam. So if you are most excited about just that lake, you can skip hiking to Chembra peak.
I could not visit the peak because of lack of time and the required permissions, but I am sure the hike and the views from the top are gorgeous.
Crazy greens, cozy homestay, lovely hosts, and scenic views – my experience in Wayanad was full of it.
I am currently touring across South India, and Coorg (or Kodagu) was the second stop I made after Mysore. Also known as the Scotland of India, Coorg is a perfect stop for nature lovers. It is a hilly district of the Karnataka state, which is why the temperature here is a little more cooler.
I met my friend from college, Ankita here and we spent two days exploring this beautiful town. Read the post to know how our experience was and also get tips to plan your trip to Coorg.
Having stayed in Bangalore for some time, I had heard a lot about the city of palaces from friends. Mysore had been in my “must-visit” list for a long time, but somehow I never made a deliberate plan to visit it.
I was in Hyderabad when at an impulse, I decided to do a South India tour before I returned home. I planned Mysore to be the first city that I’ll visit as part of the “official” tour. Here’s a complete personalized guide to help you plan your trip to the “City of Palaces”, Mysore.
The top places to see in Mysore.
I don’t remember when and why the name of the place popped up in my mind, but since that time, it was under my to-visit radar. I reject 2-3 travel plans – my own and a few with friends because I wasn’t going anywhere else until I see what this valley of death has in store for me.
At the time, I was in Seattle and, I along with 2 of my friends in the city, my sister who’d be coming from Irvine, California, and one of her friends, who’d join her in Irvine, planned a 4-day trip to Death Valley and Las Vegas (best combination ever – nature, adventure, and fun).
More about Las Vegas in another post. In this post, I’ll share with you a 2-day itinerary to tour Death Valley National Park, and also any other handy tips that I have.
How to reach Death Valley?
Depending on which corner of the United States, or the world, you are coming from, the mode of transportation might change.
If you are coming from a little far within the States, you can take a flight to Las Vegas or Los Angeles, whichever is more convenient for you. From there, you can rent a car, and drive to Death Valley National Park.
You can also book one day trip around Death Valley from Las Vegas, in case you do not intend on driving.
A few things to keep in mind, before you hit the road to Death Valley.
Fill your car’s fuel from the city, reasons being, you’ll not find many gas stations, as you enter the desert region, and second, the fuel price is notably high at those gas stations
Download an offline map of the place, because there is no network
Where to stay?
There are 4 hotels located inside the national park, including, Stovepipe Wells Village, The Oasis At Death Valley, The Ranch At Death Valley, and Panamint Springs Resort. These hotels provide rooms, as well as camping, and RV accommodations. Other than these, there are a few options outside the park, which are at least 25-30 miles from the park.
We, however, stayed at Longstreet Inn & Casino in Amargosa Valley, which is around 25 miles from the Death Valley National Park.
The hotel rooms were decently clean with an outdoor pool and view of the mountains. There are not many restaurants around the area, so the only place to eat was at the hotel restaurant. The food was average for vegetarians, though it had better options for non-vegetarians.
Once you have sorted your commute and stay, this is how you can plan your travel itinerary in Death Valley.
Day 1
Our flight had landed in Las Vegas, and we reached Amargosa Valley by noon. The day was cloudy, so we didn’t plan a lot of places on our first day, just one, Badwater Basin. And since we took a longer route, we had to drive almost 90 miles (actual distance from our hotel is 50 miles) to reach the Badwater Basin.
Badwater Basin
The lowest point in North America, Badwater Basin is a vast dried up land with hexagonal salt formations created as the water from the scarce rains evaporated. The point is almost 86 m below sea level. You can see a spot marked “Sea Level” on the mountains facing the basin.
Apart from the Badwater Basin, we got down at several points in between to appreciate the magnificent dry landscapes. I am not very sure of the exact locations, but you’ll find many such spots on your way too.
Day 2
The second day was much more clearer than the first day with clear blue skies and scattered clouds throwing their shadows on the mountains below.
Zabriskie Point
Formed due to water washing off the rocks and forming gullies giving it a landscape that exists now. You can also take a walk around these badlands – it is around a 2.5 hike that takes you to Gower Gulch and back to the Zabriskie.
Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes
A vast stretch of dunes, one of the fewer places in Death Valley that had sand gathered from rock erosion and winds. The dunes are not too high, and you have to walk further into the stretch to experience slightly higher dunes. Stovepipe Wells resort is nearby, and you can make a quick stop here for snacks.
Ubehebe Crater
Ubehebe Crater is one of the younger craters, and possibly still active that was formed due to magma eruption. The groundwater that had come out as steam exploded the rocks above, and thus created the crater cavity. You can also walk around the crater, it is approximately 1.5 miles. You can also climb to the top to get a better view of the crater bottom.
Wait for the starry night in the desert before you head back to Las Vegas.
Jaipur is a beautiful city and even with all the modernization happening, the pink city remains traditional at its core.
In this post, I share tips on how to reach Jaipur, where to stay, and places to see, eat, and shop at.
Mahabaleshwar is one of the most visited hill stations in the western ghats, especially by the people from Mumbai, Pune, and few places in Gujarat.
Also known as the strawberry city, Mahabaleshwar is full of strawberry fields all around, and even one of the most famous sharbat/squash brands, Mapro, started here. With so many viewpoints and places to see, you can spend an entire weekend visiting these and be taken aback by the breathtaking views of the surrounding hills.
The best time to visit Mahabaleshwar is after the monsoon, for a greener scenery. But I visited the city in March when the weather was mildly hot, and the hill ranges were not so green.
How to reach?
I had taken an overnight bus from Bangalore to Mahabaleshwar. But there are many other ways to reach the city, depending on your choice of transportation mode.
Air
If like me, you are coming from a distant city, you can book a flight to Pune or Mumbai, and then take a bus from there to Mahabaleshwar. You can even hire a local taxi or drive yourself to the city, especially if you are coming from Pune because the Pune-Mahabaleshwar distance is not too much.
Road
If you are also coming from Bangalore like me, you can take an overnight bus till Satara and then from there take a local taxi to the Mahabaleshwar. Other options are to take a bus till Wai or Nipani, depending on whichever place is closer to your hotel.
Rail
The nearest railway station to Mahabaleshwar is in Pune and from Pune, you can take bus, taxi, or bike to the hill station.
PS: It is very hard, maybe not even possible to rent bikes in Mahabaleshwar because of a strong taxi union that wouldn’t allow this. So taxis are your answer when you need a conveyance to tour the city and do have one of your own.
Where to stay?
There are many beautiful resorts, hotels, and homestays in Mahabaleshwar. You can check the list of accommodations here.
I stayed with Hotel Mahabaleshwar Fragranceand while the building was fairly new, the rooms were very neat and spacious too. The highlight though was the location of the building and the view of the hills from the room.
There is an adjacent strawberry farm, a free tour of which is included as a part of your reservation.
The staff was also really polite and quickly accessible.
With our hotel manager, Mr. Sushant
The two things that you would need to consider though, one there is no elevator in the building, but the staff will help you shift your luggage, and second not all the rooms have best views, so make sure to check with the management before you make your booking.
Places to see
I had my friends from Pune also visit the city at the same time. We effectively had only one day in Mahabaleshwar, so we tried to fit in as much as we could on that day.
Mapro Gardens
We started off the day by visiting Mapro Gardens. Located in the neighboring town of Panchgani, it is a massive garden, with a restaurant, and a retail outlet for Mapro products.
We had our breakfast here and also the Strawberry Cream Ice Cream – Fresh cream, strawberries, and ice cream all layered up in a glass.
It is a great place to sit and relax with your friends amidst scenic views of the hills and strawberry fields, and good food
You can also buy Jams, Syrups, Chocolates, and Juices from their outlet.
Triveni View Point
My hotel’s manager had suggested us to visit Triveni point, hike to which started right opposite to the Mapro Gardens. So that is where we went next with our tummies full till throats.
Not many tourists know about this place – apparently, it is not shown or suggested as part of the tour packages that some people take. But it is a perfect location for both sunrise and sunset.
A small trek through jungles and you are welcomed by the crazy 360 degree views of the surrounding peaks.
Tapola Dam
Also known as the mini Kashmir of the west, Tapola Dam would definitely be a treat to the eyes during monsoon. I could not see the mini Kashmir as it’d be, but it was still quite impressive. A vast stretch of clear blue water, sparkling with yellow colors of the sun.
The ride from Mahabaleshwar to Tapola is even more incredible – passing through jungles and crossing tiny villages. We made multiple photo-stops in between just because each view looked prettier than the other.
We stayed at the dam for a little time and had tea from nearby stalls before we headed back to the city.
Sunset Point or Bombay Point
It is a typical touristy point, I would say. We reached the point way ahead of time and much to our surprise, it was full of people – I have never seen a viewpoint so much crowded.
While the sunset view was good enough, I’d suggest you to explore other viewpoints for the sunset.
As we rode back to the city, the sky got darker and the stars brighter. We made a “not so quick” photo-stop to capture the starlit night. It was one of the best moments ever, standing by the road and looking above to an absolutely silent star bed.
Starry night
I so wish I had a few more days in the city. There’s just so much more to see!
Civilizations have withstood the vicissitudes of time and so have its member species. Owing to the contemporary debates, we have realized the struggles of each of the genders of our species have been starkly disproportionate and paradoxical. The 50:50 playground has been one of the most pertinent utopia that we have been chasing. Nations & organizations have actively sought & fought to take measures, and many of those bore fruit, not in full measure though, but definitely substantially.
So it raises the question upon us that, have we understood the question well enough?
Have we really understood???
I personally had a half-lit idea around the question before I read Lean In. But though it’s immature to boast this, I do feel a changed person, more importantly a changed man. The best thing about the narrative in the book was that it totally leant in, living up to its title. It aims to trigger an epiphany among women to realize the roots of their ‘cultivated’ psyche and then offers solutions around them. The solutions offered, I felt were far too diplomatic and called out women to walk a very thin line, for example, ‘you have to be nice and feminine just enough to not come across as rude, while arguing for what you want without making it seem like you’re selling yourself too hard!’. But this is quite a convincing middle ground proposed by Sandberg.
Finding the right balance!
The book caused me to slip into a retrospection of my past experiences on the scales of gender parity. My first reaction was to go from appreciating my mother to worshipping her. She has, for almost half-a-century walked that nano-lines Sandberg talked about, with remarkable poise. I can also connect more with her frustrations(in & around the family!), achievements and so-called failures.
Then, there were countless instances where it was convenient to stereotype women without really understanding the short-sightedness. A most vivid instance of this was my aggressive sigh at my sister when she would want to be mediocre and avoid the limelight. I also felt guilty of having applied the similar branding on other women on other accounts.
I formally apologize to you all!
A doctor mom of a friend reiterated a popular notion in my native region that a teaching job is ‘best suited’ for girls since it allows them to manage family while having a comfortable & fulfilling career. It reflects that even a ‘life saving’ doctor feels that she has not fulfilled her duties towards society. I bow down to this humble and caring trait of women.
Though the book advocated action more to female readers, it also highlighted how contributions from family, friends & mentors helped out.
So, I also want to be part of this ‘next wave’ such that it’s the ‘last of all waves’. Apart from acknowledgement of the under-representation of women across careers, the society has a long way to go. I totally agree with the author that we cannot legislate our way out of it. We need to start from being better sons, brothers, boyfriends, husbands and dads. A radical change on individual level would be to share the underrated, yet most important, role of being the ‘family’ guy. Then as a society, we can curate an environment which allows women to study & then work safely, efficiently and without the feeling guilt of her trinity roles of ‘a daughter, a wife, a mom’ .
Be the next wave – Support each other!
Women, being women, will surely rise their way to the top. It’s for us to take this opportunity and be a part of the solution for once.
Budapest was the last stop of my Euro trip, and though it had been almost a month of traveling, I was all fresh reaching this quieter yet one of the most happening places in Europe. Budapest is the largest city of Hungary and is flooded with tourists all the year round, especially in the summer months. With so much to offer, Budapest is an ideal place for a budget traveler who wants to get an essence of European life.
Here is how I spent two days in the city, exploring its historic places, watching the gorgeous sunsets and, taking a dip in the old Turkish baths.
Where to stay?
Accommodation in Budapest is quite budgeted – in fact, the cheapest accommodation I stayed in during my whole trip.
I stayed at GoodMo House hostel – conveniently located close to a tram stop and a walking distance from the city center. The main highlights of the hostel are, its colorful common room and local tips ranging from places to visit, to foods to try compiled by the staff in a booklet.
Though the rooms are very standard and there is no elevator in the hostel, but the hostel is overall very nicely maintained. Its clean premises stood out for me other than its price.
Pro Tip: Take the hostel provided Airport Shuttle. It costs around 7-8€, but is a better option than taking the City Airport Shuttle which costs around 3€. Less wait time and you get a comfortable seat to sit!
You can use this link to make a booking with the hostel!
Day-wise itinerary
Day 1
Stroll through the city’s Jewish Quarters
Walk to the largest Synagogue in Europe (in fact the second largest in the world) crossing the narrow streets and old buildings that were once occupied by the city’s Jews. Treat yourself with bits and pieces of history as you stroll through the area.
If hungry, grab a bite at the funky Sock’s Cafe right opposite to the Dohany Street Synagogue.
Make a quick stop at St Stephens Basilica
Come back for an open-air screening, if any
As you continue to walk around the city, make a stop at this incredibly beautiful church, located in the downtown Pest. With a small donation fee of 1€, you can see the church from inside. Spend some time praising its architectural marvel.
There was an open-air movie screening later that day, so I came back in the evening for the same.
You’ll generally find people setting the space if there is a screening or a concert in the evening.
Stop for Lunch at Govinda Vegetarian Restaurant
I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone. The overall vibe of the restaurant is so peaceful that it takes you on a short trip to the holy cities of India. The food is simple but per serving size is ample. I remember, leaving so fresh after my lunch here.
Walk across the Chain Bridge spanning the Danube between Western and Eastern Budapest (originally, Buda and Pest)
As you walk from the Pest side of the city, walk over the Chain Bridge (the first permanent stone bridge connecting the two side, Buda and Pest) and enjoy the majestic views of the Danube, and the city on either side.
Visit the Fairytale towers of Fisherman’s Bastion
With towers straight out from a fairytale story, Fisherman’s Bastion is a perfect treat to the eyes. And once you finish adoring its beautiful architecture, you can look across to panoramic views of the city and the grand Hungarian Parliament.
Watch the sunset from Elisabeth bridge as the bridge’s shadow shift across the buildings
Head back to the town following the Elisabeth bridge, running parallel to Chain Bridge over the Danube. Take your time, and enjoy the beautiful sunset, as the bridge casts its shadow over the buildings in front as they turn golden.
Day 2
Bathe in the Traditional Thermal Baths
As my long 26-day trip was coming to an end, though mentally still fresh, I was a little tired physically – daily commuting on foot, hiking to unknown places, missing buses, and then running to catch them, it was now time to treat myself to some pampering.
Thermal baths are believed to be medicinal that can cure just about any illness.
I decided to go to Lukács Thermal Baths and, I swear it was 3 hours of complete bliss in just 11€. There are four indoor pools maintained at different temperatures, a steam room, and an ice-cold plunge pool to cool down. Other than that, there are two outdoor pools and a sunbathing terrace that you can use as part of your ticket.
Sit by the Danube river at Margaret Island
Close to the Lukács baths, a walk down the Margaret Bridge is this peaceful island – a great hideaway from the city. The island is famous among locals, and you’ll see a lot of joggers sprinting along the track throughout the day.
You can walk along the river, or sit by it quietly enjoying its tranquility. Other than that, you can dine in one of the few cafes on the island, watch the musical fountains, and stroll through its gardens.
Walk by the Kossuth Square – home to Hungarian Parliament and other notable buildings
Walk back from the Margaret island to the Kossuth Square and spend some time appreciating the grand architecture of the surrounding buildings, including the Hungarian Parliament.
Hike to the Citadella for the amazing sunset and city views
Take a short easy hike up the Gellert Hill to be amazed by the glorious city views and an incredibly beautiful sunset. Other than that, take a close look at the Liberty Monument sitting atop the Citadella. The monument signifies liberation from the Nazi rule and is a symbol of progress.
Shop at Central Market Hall
Visit the largest indoor market of Budapest to try and buy local produce, traditional Hungarian foods. Take your time and walk around this 3-floor market as you sample the Hungarian food, wine, and spices.
Excited and nervous, I ran towards my hostel from where the cab dropped me. I took a cab at 9 am from Ubud to Kuta where my hostel and surfing class was – Pro Surf School and Hostel.
It took almost 3 hours to cover a distance of 1 hour because of heavy traffic.
The surfing class was to begin at 12 and it was already time when I reached my hostel. I literally threw my luggage at the reception and walked towards where rest of the students were standing. I quickly changed and now the whole group was ready for the initial surfing instructions.
After almost an hour class, we took our surfing boards and walked to the beach.
Now a little about me before I proceed – I am scared of the waves
Though from outside, I tried to be very confident, my heart throbbed every time I saw a huge wave coming towards me. And all my faith in me also swept away with the waves. And there I was, off the surfboard and in the water, trying to come up, struggling for a breath!!
But that’s not the end of the story, during the instructions, we were told about RIP. No, it is not “Rest in Peace”, but it will surely mean Rest in Peace if you don’t know the waters that well.
So what actually is RIP? A rip is a current of water that moves away from the shore. The moment you enter the rip, you get pushed away from the shore and no matter how hard you try to find the ground and swim hard, you will just get swayed away unless you swim to the left or the right. And once you are out of the rip, you start swimming towards the shore.
So, yes I along with a few other was caught in a rip. So the little time I had to overcome my fear of the waves, I was caught in an unwanted region of the sea.
Btw, I was able to catch a few waves successfully, a very few I mean!!
While this is all I have from the pictures clicked during the lesson, I really hope I do better in my next class!
A lot of you must have had the experience of opening up to strangers, be it talking about your problems, your life goals, or sharing your deep dark secrets, or just being more yourself.
I have had this feeling quite often in recent times. One when I was planning to leave my job, the only person who knew about it was a friend I made on my trip to San Francisco. And then, when I was traveling through Europe, I met several people in front of whom it was easier to be just me without any pretense.
Thinking much!!
On one of the self-reflection days, I started wondering why it is so easy and why I don’t think twice before opening up in front of the person I don’t know so intimately and am able to form that inexplicable bond with. Why words and stories come out naturally while talking to a dorm-mate, to an Uber driver, to a fruit vendor, and the list is endless.
As I pondered over the topic, I came up with a few reasons that I could relate to.
Expectation
We expect our loved ones to understand us and our problems, and assume that they will give the best solution or suggestion in such a case. But when this doesn’t happen, we tend to momentarily hate them (Hate is a strong word here!) and avoid having further discussions related to that topic with them.
But in the case of a stranger, we don’t really expect a perfect response from them, as a matter of fact, there is no or very little expectation that they would even understand us. At the time, we just want to talk out and maybe not expect anything in return, just a mere acknowledgment that they are listening. Just in case, if the person suggests something, we’d know deep down that the other party is not aware of the entire situation and hence it doesn’t really matter if they have a positive or a negative or even a neutral response to it.
Breaking of expectations hurt, but again most of the expectations are irrelevant!
Fresh Perspective
It is great to know the viewpoints of a person with a lifestyle completely different from ours or a person who has a different take on the whole situation. Sometimes an unbiased opinion given without knowing the complete story can actually turn out be more useful.
I have talked to several people lately about my blog, and long-term ideas, and for sure I have been able to receive many encouraging suggestions on how to continue working towards my goals.
A new persective is always a learning experience!!
Lack of context
Sure every conversation has some follow-up questions, but with a stranger, most of the times there are no follow up questions given the comfort zone. At other times, it is easier to dodge questions and change the topic or just say we are not very sure of the answer.
Basically, there is no digging of a situation or any uncomfortable conversations as there would be in case of a friend or a loved one.
Judgment
The fear of being judged is one of the most prevalent fears and most of the times, it is difficult to overcome this innate quality of ours.
A stranger’s opinion about us does not really matter in the long run, even if it does at the moment. We know deep down that there is a rare chance that we’ll meet the person again. It is easy to ignore the judgemental comments if there are any because we have a choice to judge them back based on however illogical assumptions we have about them. We can easily end our conversation with them and be chill about the whole situation.
I remember talking to someone I met on a flight where I discussed with him my idea of leaving the tech industry and moving to arts. Incidentally, he was just a step away from offering me a job when I blabbered my plans about quitting and trying something new. And when he heard me, he was shocked and made such expressions that I had to stop talking about my big plans. But all of this didn’t matter me at that point because I was happy to be able to talk myself out. That person’s opinion didn’t really matter that much as he didn’t know the ins and outs of my life.
It is okay to sometimes listen to your heart and not the people outside!
No obligation to maintain a relationship
As I mentioned above, that sometimes when close ones fail to understand us, we start to avoid talking about the similar situations with them, in fear of judgment or a negative response.
But in the case of a stranger, there doesn’t exist a relationship that can be broken. If they don’t like our decisions or actions, we’d just not talk any further about the situation with them or not talk at all, without thinking about the impact on our non-existent relationship.
The end of the conversation would be the last thing to bother us.
But I’ll admit it is great to have a friend who knows everything about you and you are comfortable talking about anything that goes on in your life!!
Munich is one of the larger cities of Germany with people from everywhere. Being an important part of Germany, it was a central place during the Nazi time and has a lot of history associated with it. The city also boasts of beautiful gardens and old and intricate architecture and buildings.
Often referred to as the beer capital, Munich is famous for its annual beer festival, Oktoberfest where herds of people come from around the world to indulge in the city’s beer culture.
Let’s get into the details on how you can have the best of time in this city.
Where to stay?
Munich is no doubt an expensive big city so staying within my budget was a task in itself.
I chose to stay at Wombat’s City hostel. It had a good rating and the price per bed was also at par with the other hostel options. When I reached my hostel, I was pleasantly amazed by its central location. With a cordial staff at service and a comfortable room and other common areas, it was just a perfect stay.
PS: Breakfast at Wombats is every penny worth – huge variety and great taste!
Day 1
Walk around Old Munich
Marienplatz, Odeonsplatz
I chose to walk from my hostel to Marienplatz and on my way, I crossed many significant buildings of Munich. I spent a lot of time clicking pictures of the marvelous architecture that adorned these buildings.
Marienplatz is a prime tourist attraction since there are numerous showrooms and historic points of interest in its vicinity.
You can spend time shopping or immerse yourself in the historic richness of the square.
A few blocks from Marienplatz is Odeonsplatz which is another historical location of the city.
If you are in Munich during winters, stop at San Francisco Coffee Company for a quick break from the cold outside.
Relax in the Gardens of Nymphenburg Palace
Apart from its much-talked museum, Nymphenburg Palace is also adorned by an extensive picturesque garden with numerous lakes flowing through it. There are also beautiful sculptures spread throughout the garden that will take you back into the Roman times.
Gardens of Nymphenburg Palace
Statues in the gardens of Nymphenburg Palace
Watch the sunset from the hills of Olympiapark
Olympiapark is a huge stadium that was built for the summer Olympics of 1972. Many events are held all the year around in the stadium.
Climb to one of the higher hills and enjoy the sunset and city views from there.
You can also go up the Olympia Tower to get even better views of the city – It is paid though.
Day 2
Indulge yourself in the country’s art and history
PS: All the museums in the city are closed on Monday
Visit the Jewish Museum
The museum was closed, so I spent some time reading the informational lines (more of a conversation) related to Jews on its all four sides.
An interesting read!I went to Alte Pinakothek after that. But it was closed as well, so I just took a nap in the surrounding park.
LOCAL PRO TIP: Enjoy a cup of coffee with a good city view at Café im Vorhoelzer Forum, inside the Technical University.
Visit Dachau – Concentration Camp, or Gardens or both
Dachau is a small city just outside of Munich. It is famous for the concentration camp where many Jews and political prisoners were held captive during the Nazi rule. You can also visit the Dachau Palace and Gardens, another great place to just sit and relax amid the beautiful nature. It not only boasts about the amazing views of the peaceful city, but you can also look at the Alps on a clear day.
Love Indian Food?
The Royal India Restaurant is a must go. Delicious rich Indian food and that too in good budget ~10-12 euro per person. My German friends loved this restaurant!
Day 3
Visit any other museum of interest
I went to NS- Dokumentarizm because I was interested in knowing more about the history of the city and the country. A lot of information in one place – perfect for enthusiastic readers of history.
Chill at a Beer Garden
A must have experience.
Beer gardens are large outdoor gardens with seating space and beer and food stalls – something like an open restaurant. People often go to the beer gardens to hang out with their friends and families. While it is okay for you to carry your own food, it is considered polite (and generally followed) to buy beer and other drinks from the stalls.
If you are in the city at the time of Oktoberfest – the largest beer festival that happens every year in Munich, make sure to be a part of it!
I had to decide between Dallas, Austin, and Houston. I did a lot of research and concluded that Houston is a big corporate kind of city, whereas Dallas and Austin, promised more cultural experience. Out of the two, Dallas and Austin, I decided to go to Austin because internet claimed it had better transportation. Apparently, it wasn’t even average 🙁 .
Landing in Austin
I booked the flight tickets for the worst ever time, at a very less price though. My flight from Seattle was at 11:20 pm and it reached Austin at 5:15 am (3:15 am in Seattle).
Sleepy yet ready for a picture
All that was compensated for when I landed in Austin and got out of the airport. Coming to a mild temperature from freezing cold was so relieving. Despite a little drizzle, the weather seemed just ideal!
I am glad the hostel was pretty close to the airport. It took me around 20 minutes to reach my hostel from the airport.
Welcome to Austin
Where to Stay in Austin
If you are a solo backpacker like me, hostels must be your first choice as well. They are in budget and you meet and make friends with people from everywhere.
I stayed in HI hostel (Hosteling International) on the eastern side of Austin along the Ann and Roy Butler Trail by the Lady Bird Lake and not too far from the city center.
My experience with HI Hostel
My very first impression of the hostel was not very good. The lady at the reception was a little too impatient and irritable, maybe because of the lack of sleep. She couldn’t find my correct booking. It took her some time to retrieve partial booking and re-book for the total no. of days I was going to be there. Overall I got very negative vibes after entering the hostel, which no doubt, got better with time.
The room had a lake view and was kept clean. The beds were also quite comfortable. The free breakfast included bread, butter, and jam, milk, and fruits.
All in all, it was an above average stay – I would recommend this hostel if you want to be away from hustle bustle of the city and in a close proximity to nature.
Day 1
Do a Group City Tour
I had my breakfast in the hostel around 8:00 am and left for the city tour that I had booked through Viator. I wanted to do this tour to get an overview of the city early through the trip so that I am able to plan the rest of it. I walked to Austin’s Visitors Center where the tour had to begin. It was 2 miles from my hostel, so I decided to walk and enjoy the scenery around.
I was tired and sleepy due to an overnight flight, but I pushed myself and kept walking till I reached the visitor’s center and got a seat in the van. Unfortunately, because of a smooth driving and one person speaking all the time, (that, of course, our tour guide and driver), I fell asleep in no time. I switched on the recording to at least record and later listen to it while deciding places to visit – I later lost it.
So basically I slept for 60 minutes of the 90 minutes of the tour, without gaining a lot of information!
Eat at Blenders & Bowls
After the city tour, I walked to this super healthy restaurant, Blenders and Bowls where I had some coffee and an avocado toast. They had a huge variety of smoothies and acai bowls. It’s a must go place if you are seeking a healthy yet filling meal.
Visit Olive Industry Orchard in Dripping Springs
Just when I thought of going back to the hostel and taking some rest, I realized I had booked another tour of an olive industry that had cost me 6 USD. The location was 24 miles away from where I was having lunch. Tired and sleepy, I still booked a cab to this place.
While it was too late to realize that I have booked a 40 USD one-way cab for a 6 USD tour, I felt at ease when I started talking to my Uber driver – Mohsen from Iran. We talked non-stop for 45 minutes about similarities between Iranian and Indian culture and our lives in the US. It was like I have met an old relative of mine. As we were going towards the country-side, he got excited about the horses and the cows that we saw on our way. He was simply the sweetest.
Texas Olive Industry was situated in Dripping Springs, far between the farmlands. It was an amazing feeling standing in between rows of never-ending farms.
The tour was very informative. We were introduced to different varieties of olives, and ideal conditions for growing and harvesting them. Then we looked at the olive orchards where we learned more about the planting and the growing process. We could not enter it because of damp soil, but normally you can take a stroll inside the orchard and take a close look at the trees.
After that, we went inside to see the mill that is used to extract and process olive oil. We also learned about the difference between pure, light, virgin and extra-virgin olive oil and how to identify a fake or adulterated olive oil.
In the end, we were offered samples of different olive oils and balsamic vinegar to taste.
I was a little worried about if I’d get an Uber back to Austin. But luckily, the cab I got was already headed my way to drop someone in Dripping Springs. I drowsed off within 5 minutes after sitting in the cab.
I had big plans for attending a live music performance at night. I decided to take a small nap and re-energize myself before leaving again. Unfortunately, my “small” nap lasted for almost 4 hours and I woke up around 10:00 in the night. So, I decided to stay back and postpone my plans for some other day.
Day 2
Take a Free Austin Art Tour
Austin is one of the most colorful cities in the US. You can find such beautiful murals and graffiti around every corner of the city. Make sure to take some time out to see and appreciate the street art – a significant part of this city.
I booked a free East Side Art Tour with Tipster – you don’t actually need to pre-book but it’s polite to do that 🙂 . We walked through Eastern Austin and stopped at various points where Natalie, our tour guide, gave us insights into the artworks and their creator.
Visit HOPE Farmers Market
Austin is all about promoting local businesses and that’s why you’ll find a lot of people in a weekend farmers market.
HOPE Farmers Market operates on every Sunday in East Austin and you can find a variety of things there, including farm-fresh produce, food vendors, live music, yoga groups, and much more.
I treated myself with a Ginger Orange Juice, and I’ll admit it was one of the best juices I have ever had!
Eat Texas Tacos
Tacos were in the top of my list of Texan delicacy that I wanted to try. Torchy’s Tacos was a common suggestion in several food blogs for best tacos in Austin. So, I decided to go there. I went to the one closer to the university. That was not the best choice though, as it was super crowded with all the students. I ordered “Independent Taco”, one of the vegetarian options they had. I personally found the taste very average. But I would appreciate their quick and organized service despite being so full.
Go For A Hike At Mount Bonnell
After my lunch at Torchy’s, I booked an Uber to Mount Bonnell. I had to take a cab because the location was a little far from where I was and the buses as I said before did not have a very good connectivity.
The hike was really easy. Once you reach the top, you can sit and enjoy the spectacular views of the lake and the city.
After coming down, I decided to walk to the nearest bus stop and take a bus back to my hostel.
Rich Neighborhood of Mt Bonnell
Visit Texas State Capitol
A perfect example of a royal and antique architecture. After touring the building, you can spend some time strolling in the surrounding garden.
Later that night, I made friends with a Norwegian lady, who was in her 50s and a solo traveler since so many past years. She was super inspiring. We went to dinner together and called it off a night.
Day 3
Eat at Via313
I would like to admit that I look for pizza places anywhere I go. I had a light breakfast in the hostel and decided to have brunch at Via313. There are around 5 locations of the restaurant in Austin, and I decided to go to the one near my hostel. But I was too early for dining there since it opens later in the evening – so check the timings before you decide a location.
Partly disappointed, I took an Uber to the one near Texas University. I was hungry and craving for food that I ordered more than I could have eaten alone. Their pizza and garlic bread were too delicious and their tomato sauce was worth dying for!!
I got the remaining pizza packed and headed off to the next stop, Bullock State Museum (I won’t highly recommend it as it wasn’t very exciting – only if you are a history buff, then you can visit it).
Visit HOPE Outdoor Gallery
During the Art Tour on Day 2, our guide, Natalie told us about the HOPE Outdoor Gallery and I made sure that I visited it before I left Austin. After touring the museum, I went there and spent some time looking at the art and appreciating the art culture that this city supports.
Bring some paint and spray to leave your mark here!
Watch Mexican bats under the Congress Avenue Bridge
Later in the evening, I went for the Bat Watching and Sunset Tour with Capital Cruises. The perfect time to view a large number of bats is between March till November. I was a little early for that timeline, but I could still witness a few of them emerging from underneath the limestone bridges.
Apparently, it is the largest bat colony that migrates from central Mexico every Spring.
Attend a Live Music Performance
I was in Live Music Capital of the World and I had already missed attending live music in the last two days. Today I had to make sure, I go to one. As soon as the tour got over, I walked to The Continental Club for The Peterson Brothers performance they had that day. The music was great and it was the first time ever, that I danced without company (feeling of a mini accomplishment).
Watch a piece of the band’s performance below.
I did not stay after the performance and walked back to my hostel. Later, I finished packing and was ready for another early morning flight back to Seattle.
Before leaving for Prague, I did a quick online search to see if I would need a SIM card in Europe or could I survive without it. Both options seemed feasible, but I decided to not buy a SIM card and avoid the hassle of reading too many details on what company’s SIM card and what recharge plan to buy.
Countries that I had planned to visit were, Czech Republic, Austria, and Hungary, although I did not stick to the plan.
The two things that I relied on were offline google maps (that is the most important thing), and free WiFi hotspots.
I downloaded Prague’s offline map before I reached the city and had taken a screenshot of the directions on how to reach the hostel, i.e, the bus, and the tram options.
A funny story: When I reached my hostel, I spent around 5 minutes standing outside a wrong building and feeling desperate about not having a phone network. Incidents like these might happen a few times, but don’t be discouraged because you’ll be able to figure out a way 🙂
Google Offline maps were a great help throughout my trip and I made sure to download an offline map of the city that I’d be visiting next.
Directions to my hostel in Vienna
Another thing that I did was, have a rough plan of my next day ready including the restaurants that I wanted to visit that day. I would add all the stops in my maps and select the walking option (because that’s what I normally do) and follow that route.
Multi-stop directions saved in Munich
The problem with this was, sometimes I had to change the order of stops or add a new place in my itinerary, then I would either go by the traditional way of asking people for directions or just navigate using the car option and judge if it’s okay for walking or not.
Now, if everything above fails, all you have to look for is a free WiFi hotspot or go to a cafe/restaurant as most of them offer WiFi if you dine in. You can now do all the stuff, getting social media updates, talk to your family/friends, share pictures and navigate to your next destination.
I would say, it’s not very tough to travel without a SIM card, rather more exciting. It’s crazy figuring out a way when you are lost in the most secluded places and coming out alive.
All the best and safe travels!!
Why did I decide to join VP Bali? I had recently left my job and was in Mumbai for acting classes. I’d be free for the next 6 months and I wanted to travel and experiment with different things as I decide what I want …
Our first dinner in Prague was at a Vineyard, Viniční altán. We went there late at night, around 10, but this restaurant is on a small hill in the center of Havlickovy Sady Park and is a great spot for providing city views while you dine.
Food options were limited though, but if you enjoy wine with good views, this is a must go place 🙂
Ice cream/ Shakes
Ahoy Gelato
The Good
Our hostel was very near the Bohemians station, and if by any chance you are staying there or visiting that area, a must try ice cream place is Ahoy Gelato. It is actually just at the station when you get down. They have one of the best ice creams in Prague with a huge serving size and not expensive at all.aaa
The Bad
On my last day in Prague, I was craving a good frappucino, and I got to this place, I swear I have not had a worse frappucino – it was coffee blended in water. I must have ordered something wrong because there was an option of “with milk”. So, if you go to this place, and want to give a try to a Frappe with milk, do tell me how it was 🙂
Amornio – Oh you great good Mother of the best Frappucino ever!!!
If I go to Prague again, I am definitely going to this place. They had the best Frappe ever – 2 scoops of dark coffee ice-cream blended with vanilla – for me, it was a perfect blend of bitter and sweet.
They had amazing Lemon Bread too
My friends tried ice-creams there and I swear they were as crazy about the ice-cream as I was for the coffee.
It is a little more expensive than Ahoy Gelato. So if you are only in for the ice-cream, Ahoj is your place 🙂
Amorino is located just off Charles bridge and on your way to the Prague Castle.
Good Food Trdelnik
If you are in Prague, this is a must try, one because they are claimed to be traditional Czech pastry (not really true though), two they are extremely good. Have one and you’ll be full for rest of the day. More details here.
Pizza
Green Tomato
Europe has been a lot about Pizzas for me, so you might find a lot of options for that 🙂
We went to the place, Green Tomato. While I really loved their Margherita Pizza others liked theirs too, the place does not accept Cards and the staff was a little rude – we actually experienced this in quite a lot places in Prague, so just be calm 🙂
Indian
Bombay Express
If you are an Indian and missing home food or you are simply a fan of Indian food, head out to this restaurant, Bombay Express, near Institut Francais de Prague on Vodičkova Street. My European friends enjoyed their meal, I, on the other hand, would give it an average rating for the taste. But the host was really kind, especially when he knew I am from India. We were also given free dessert and Naan bread out of generosity
This is my friend, Carlotta who loved the food here
Additional Tip: While you are in the country, do try the Grilled cheese with bread. We actually had it in one of our barbeque parties
The motivation for this post is this VIDEO. It really made me question the type of upbringing we are doing and the kind of things we are teaching to the future youth of India. And we as a nation, hold responsibility for it. The elders …
Vineetha and I laughing casually post-shoot
During the shoot – while discussing something!
All dressed up early in the morning
And so it began..
I was completely lost at the moment!
Quick change of poses!
Thanks to Vineetha, I was able to jump more freely after multiple attempts!
A candid capture when I was managing my saree
Sleepy head after lunch
By the end of the shoot, we were happy about the success of the first day but too exhausted to have a full-fledged retrospective discussion. So, we relaxed for a bit and then separated.
Last pose of the last saree on the day!
Awkward poses in a public park!
I remember the first video I shot in a park in Bangalore. I was recording the introduction and the conclusion for 
Again I gradually got more comfortable with shooting outside and was able to care less about the people passing by. The best part throughout these uncomfortable moments was the support from Vineetha, her husband, and our mutual friend.
Posing on the footpath by a busy road!
From left – Vineetha, her husband, our common friend, and me!
Vineetha trying to make me laugh and feel lighter!
Phased out during the shoot- helped me pose better
Last saree of the day!
So, yes I along with a few other was caught in a rip. So the little time I had to overcome my fear of the waves, I was caught in an unwanted region of the sea.
Btw, I was able to catch a few waves successfully, a very few I mean!!
While this is all I have from the pictures clicked during the lesson, I really hope I do better in my next class!
Thinking much!!
On one of the self-reflection days, I started wondering why it is so easy and why I don’t think twice before opening up in front of the person I don’t know so intimately and am able to form that inexplicable bond with. Why words and stories come out naturally while talking to a dorm-mate, to an Uber driver, to a fruit vendor, and the list is endless.
A new persective is always a learning experience!!
So if you are only in for the ice-cream, Ahoj is your place 🙂
While you are in the country, do try the Grilled cheese with bread. We actually had it in one of our barbeque parties 
