Ella is cute, peaceful and completely mesmerizing. Spend a day in Ella and it will register as an unforgettable chapter of your life.

Ella (pronounced “Elle”) is a small idyllic village in the central highlands of Sri Lanka some 200 km east of Colombo. Perennially visited by tourists from across the world, Ella offers exciting treks with breath-taking views, peaceful stays and a quality nightlife which makes it a must-visit place in a lifetime.

You can spend as many days here, but those who are short of time may complete Ella trek in one single day, i.e. in two nights’ stay and bring loads of memories back home.

Ella was my final destination in Sri Lanka after climbing Adam’s Peak and exploring the famous hill station “Nuwara Eliya” aptly called as “Scotland of Sri Lanka” owing to its weather, setting, tea gardens and Victorian architecture.

I took a train from Nanu Oya to Ella. I bought the train tickets from railway station a day prior to my journey. I got the ticket of third-class reserved bogie, which turned out to be clean, spacious and comfortable. The small bogie was full of enthusiastic trekkers from different parts of the world. One can also take cab to Ella, which could be way expensive. Train travel cost me around INR 300.

The two-hour rail ride from Nanu Oya to Ella is famous for panoramic sights all along the journey. Travel writers have called it as “one of the most beautiful train rides in the world”. Dense forest with natural evergreen cover, majestic mountains, huge robust rocks covered with mosses and lichens, rapidly-moving clouds on the azure canvas of the sky as if playing “out-out” with each other, deep valleys with small scattered settlements dotting the lush green landscape, criss-crossing rivers, tea plantations resembling lawns, and a few dinky stations having tongue-twisting names makes the journey exciting.

I reached Ella at dusk. My accommodation “Ella Guest Inn” was at walking distance from the railway station. I kept my luggage in my room, got fresh and sat in the kitchen for a cup of tea. My idea was to explore as much as I can before dinner. I went out to take a stroll at the main street and voila, the rustic Ella looked like London Street! Multi-cuisine restaurants, cafeterias, spas, ATMs, lounges, parlours – what not! This street provides respite to the urbane crowd. I had dinner at an ethnic Sri Lankan food stall and planned my next day trek with the help of the owner of my accommodation.

ELLA ROCK: At 8 am I started for Ella Rock. It is a vantage point at a remarkable height some 5 km (one way) from Ella railway station. Easiest route is walking along the rail tracks and then taking the nature trail. Fog limits the views in the morning, but that’s a part of beauty! With clearer visibility, you will find yourself walking through banana plantations, carrot and chili farms and jack-fruit trees.

The trek is immensely refreshing. I walked leisurely. Natural oxygen will make you breath deeper. You are not alone. There are trekkers - solo and in groups - heading to the common destination at varying speeds. Apart from young trekkers, I was happy to notice seniors and kids with their parents enjoying the hike.

After a 3 hour trek, you reach at the top – the Ella Rock! Strong dry winds were blowing. You are at the highest point in Ella. The view from Ella Rock is magnificent. You get the feel of Mother Nature’s beauty.

After four-and-a-half hour I was again back to the rail track leading to Ella Station. A small roadside residence-cum-food-kiosk caught my attention. Women in typical Sri Lankan outfits welcomed me. It was their kitchen; open for trekkers. They cooked delicious home food, which made my day even more fulfilling.

RAVANA FALLS: Since I was back to Ella station and my hotel was close by, I decided to take a nap and recharge my cellphone and camera. By 1 pm, I set out to see the wondrous Ravana Falls. I climbed a local bus and in 20 mins I was at Ravana Falls.

Gallons of milky water was gushing down incessantly through the gaps and cracks of huge rocks embedded in a zillion year-old escarpment. It was a view to behold! Tourists were seen taking pictures. Some of them were bathing in the natural well formed at the plunge-pool (One should not take such risks though).

Indian tourists often try to relate places in Sri Lanka to the events of Ramayan and are curious to find such places.

People of Sri Lanka: A country is known by its people. Sri Lankans are hospitable, amiable, welcoming and co-operative. I have written about them here.

NINE-ARCH BRIDGE: After spending an hour or so at the Ravana Falls, I boarded a bus that took me to Demodara, a locality near colonial-era rail bridge – the Nine-Arch Bridge.

Walking up through lonely roads surrounded by tea estates, I reached the Nine-Arch Bridge at 5:15 pm. Tourists were here to see the 5:30 train pass over the iconic bridge. The bridge isn’t a “masterpiece of architecture” (*in my opinion*), yet, it should be in your list of must--see places of Ella.

The walk through the tea gardens, the grandeur and charm of bridge and the excitement of tourists will keep your tempo high. As the show ended, everybody walked back towards their respective accommodations.

Another attraction at Ella is the Mini Adam’s Peak (a smaller version of Adam’s Peak aka Sri Pada, Sri Lanka). I skipped this one due to paucity of time. I had an Ayurvedic massage planned at 7:30 pm. The 75-min massage rejuvenated me. Then I went to the main street for a continental dinner.

Ella is cute, beautiful, peaceful and completely mesmerizing. Spend a day in Ella and it will be register as an unforgettable chapter of your life. Next day after breakfast, I had a pre-booked Expo Rail which took me to Colombo in 10 hours. Expo rail travel is very comfortable.

How to reach –From Colombo to Ella – by train. Pre-booking is advisable.

Where to stay -Ample of hotel, homestays available as per budget. Rates can be as low as INR 500 per night. Pre-booking is advisable.

Where to eat - A lot of eateries in Ella town. A walk down the central street will get you restaurants and cafeterias.

Do’s and Don’ts– Carry sufficient cash. Sri Lanka has high food inflation. There is no need of map or guides as such. You may read a few blogs before embarking on journey. Keep Ella map with you.

Trek – Moderate ascent. Approx. 9 km uphill trek. Wear shoes with good grip.

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We human beings are always looking for a way to break the chain of mechanical lives. We are generally ranting about how mundane our existence is. On any such day, the best thing to do is to take a deep breath, pack your bag, sports shoes, sunscreen and book a trek.

Situated near Magadi town and 60 kms from Bangalore, Savandurga is one of the best trekking spots in Karnataka. If you want to kick back after a long work week or if you want to re-kindle the adventurist in you, Savandurga is one of the best one day treks. At an altitude of 1226 mts(4000 ft), it is the highest monolith hill in Asia.

Savandurga is formed by two hills known locally as Karigudda (black hill) and Biligudda (white hill). Trek starts from Lakshmi Narasimhaswamy temple. Once you reach the peak, you are welcomed by a Nandi statue and a spectacular view of river Arkavathi.

Getting there:

The nearest airport, Bangalore, is ~9o kms from Savandurga. KSRTC runs regular buses (non AC) to Magadi town. Private buses are also available from KR market. From Magadi (Ramanagaram road) any bus will drop you off at Nayaknapalya, from where Savandurga is merely 4 kms away. One can take rickshaws to the trek point. You can also drive down in your private vehicle from Bangalore via Nelamangala or Tavarekere. Irrespective of the form of transportation you choose, the journey will satisfy your travel buds.

Permits:

No special permissions are required for the trek.

Route and Guide:

One would not require a guide for the trek. As it is a monolith hill, there are no trails for you to follow. There are clear yellow and white arrow marks which can be tracked to the peak. You can also check for electric poles which in-turn will guide you to the top.

Highlights:

Distance from Bangalore - 60 kms by road

Difficulty Level - Moderate

Trek distance - 2 kms (one side) consisting of many steep climbs and no trees to take shelter during breaks.

Time to summit - 2 to 3 hours.

Best time to trek - Winter and Summer months are particularly advised. November to March is the best time. Avoiding monsoon serves in your best interests as the slippery rocks have been known to cause fatalities.

Food - At the foot hills, no hotels are available, there are a few shops where you can get juice and chats. For a proper meal one has to go to Hospet Gate or Magadi which is 12 kms away. Pack some eateries before you start your walk.

My Story:

I am always mind travelling and day dreaming. I am constantly researching places to visit and mountains to conquer. After doing my research about Savandurga, I filled my car with fuel and set out at 5 am.

The drive was pleasant and traffic free, passing through yellow signals, street dogs barking at vehicles, paddy fields and sunrise. We reached Savandurga by 7.00 am. From the local shops, we purchased juice and some snacks for the climb.

As it was only 2 kms climb, we assumed it would be a cake walk and that we were going to be back in a couple of hours. Only to our surprise, the climb at no point got easy, the rising sun definitely did not favour us. Huffing and puffing along with multiple breaks, we made it half way. At no point should a person with Acrophobia turn around and look below as it will fill you with vertigo and make the climb all the more strenuous.

We witnessed many locals walking bear foot as it provides better grip and less chance of slipping. Seems like a great idea only if the rocks weren't burning hot. Finally on reaching the top , we bowed down to Nandi and vowed to get in better shape for next time.

Savandurga is one such trek that any adventurist should experience. It is one of those activities that look simple but requires utmost courage to complete.

Bon Voyage!

“Everyone shines, given the right lighting.” ― Susan Cain.

May be I was in search of the right lighting too. Amidst the chaos and hustle of everyday life. Jobs, studies, bills, loans, peer pressure- you just feel exhausted and suffocated. This, exactly is the time to DISCONNECT with everyone else and re-connect with your self. Perhaps, I decided to ring people who really are important to me and escape. I am a solo traveler but I have learned a big lesson in life while escaping alone- to appreciate the beautiful people in life. This was the time I wanted to elope with my BEST people. We took a night bus from Chandigarh around 11pm and reached Dharamshala at 6am next morning.

The whole competition is in the middle and the bottom. Everyone in this rat race has confined their limits and are stuck in rat race. So let’s just imagine a race. How many winners are there? One. Right. How many people are not winning? Rest everyone except THE ONE. Correct!

That’s how it goes with life. We are all running in a race that we may even don’t want to participate in. The maximum competition is in the middle or so called being an average. There are just 1% of people at the top. That is where the least competition is because they realized their calling, they ran in the right race. They are OUTLIERS!

I realized I have to find my own race. So, while everyone was busy preparing for a trek to Triund, as this is what people do at Mcleod. We decided to take a shot and ditch that plan, instead stay in Dharamkot. It is small village with best cafes at a distance of approx 2.5kms from McLeodganj.

Dharamkot is a must visit. The cool and serene place with an amazing crowd from all over the world. If you are a passionate traveler, back -packer and love connecting with people from different parts of the world- it is your place. The night cafes are open till 2am in the night with best collection of music. Let's just not even discuss food. It is the best I ever had- be it Spanish, Continental, Pizza with 7 different types of Cheese or the most amazing pancakes. The place was a surprise, it was like a hip-hop culture town within a village. Also, the place to stay was very affordable. We got two rooms- 600 Rs/- each. There are a few hotels but people rent their houses. The room was spacious enough for 5 people to sleep.

While trekking to Shiva Cafe, it was a journey of stepping closer to what you aim for. Determination and persistence keeps onegoing. The view from the top was beautiful. You can see the Bhagsu waterfalls, sit in cafe and have the best honey lemon ginger tea,

The other best part of the journey was bike rides. I will recommend everyone of you to rent bikes. You can rent it from Mcleodganj market at price of Rs. 600/- per day. Remember, bargaining is the key always ;)

Mcleodganj markets have the best "Baby socks". And it will be worth buying the socks and woolen caps from there. Also, do visit Dalai Lama monastery in Dharamsala. It is important to disconnect to re-connect :)

Enjoy and safe travels.

About me:

Rachita Sharma is a young passionate woman who is always looking out to challenge stereotypes. She is a rebel and free soul. Writing and philosophy is food to her soul. She believes that only a purposeful life is worth living and is exploring the world to keep finding a new purpose. Her mantra in life is: “When you have decided what you believe, what you feel must be done, have the courage to stand alone and be counted.” – Eleanor Roosevelt [1884 – 1962].

You can read more posts on Instagram (@general_rsharma) and Rachita Scribbles.

Why Bamaeri?: Incessant rains all around, floods in many places, all wildlife parks closed down and a long summer vacation. We had a longer trip planned but trains got canceled, and so did our trip. Then after scouring for places to go to for a short weekend break, we decided to go to Bamaeri resort.

How we got there? Driving from Guwahati towards Nongpoh, around 9 km from the highway, is this beautiful resort, Bamaeri, the perfect place to enjoy the monsoons.

We planned to go during the weekdays instead of the weekend to avoid the weekend rush in these resorts. A short while after crossing Nongpoh, you have to turn left onto a narrow road that goes uphill. The road is not exactly bad but quite narrow in some places. It is a typical rustic scenery with rice fields, pineapple plantations and teeny-weeny tea gardens.

Our first impression of the place was that it was huge and green. The whole property is covered in green. Charges for a cottage is Rs. 5,500 per night, but the cost is totally worth it. Charges cover breakfast, unlimited use of the swimming pool and boating. The cottages are large with a sitting room, the bedroom and the dressing room along with the bathroom. The decor is unique and eye catching. A balcony out front gives a great view of the surroundings. The children loved it.

For entertainment you can go swimming in the beautifully located swimming pool or you can go boating in the small lake inside the property. With rains lashing down, we had to give the boating a miss, but the kids spent most of their time in the swimming pool. Or else you can take a walk around the place to enjoy the view and for some really fresh air.

Room service was good and the food was great, prepared exactly how we wanted it. We got to taste some lovely Khasi dishes too. It was two nights well spent, filling our lungs with the fresh air and having a relaxed and enjoyable time together. We enjoyed the scenery on the return journey to Guwahati and enjoyed a sumptuous lunch at a local Khasi eatery.

Often referred to as the Las Vegas of Asia, Macau is an autonomous region on the south coast of China. A tiny speck of land that has quite fashionably marked it's spot on the world map today. What's even more amazing is that as an Indian traveler you don't really need a visa to enjoy a quick getaway here. Macau can be classified into 3 areas - The Macau Peninsula, Taipa (where Cotai strip is at) and Coloane. Most people prefer to stay at hotels on the Cotai Strip as that's where all the action is.

While it's cousin Vegas is far more hedonistic in it's approach, Macau as of today hasn't really reached that peak. Don't get me wrong the casinos here are beyond excellent and the stakes are strong...stronger than even Vegas, but it's relatively new and the famed Cotai Strip is more about some of the best hotels clustered together with in-house shopping complexes, restaurants, bars, clubs and ofcourse casinos. Don't expect a lively atmosphere outside, the action happens indoors, and I have the perfect itinerary for you to enjoy a weekend here.

Day 1: Arrival, exploring The Venetian, Lord Stow's Bakery, Authentic Chinese Dinner

After a long-ish flight to Hong Kong we went directly to the Sky Pier ferry terminal at the airport to catch our ferry to Macau. It's important to note here that one must not head towards immigration at the Hong Kong airport if you are traveling to Macau immediately. Just hand over your boarding pass with the luggage stickers at the Ferry reception and they will get your bags on board the ferry for you. I had booked my tickets on the Cotai Water Jet and was pretty pleased with the service.

A one hour ferry ride later, we reached Macau at 3.00 pm only to be greeted by a thunderstorm. It was unbelievably dark and I wondered if my vacation was over even before it began. Nevertheless after collecting the suitcases we made our way to the pick-up point where the buses of all the hotels were waiting to take their guests to the hotel. We immediately spotted the Venetian Bus and in less than 10 minutes were on our way to an indulgent weekend ahead.

The check-in was swift and you are provided a map of the resort on check-in. It is much needed, only by the end of the 2nd day was I able to figure out all the nooks and corners of the place. We checked-in to our uh-mazing suites and eager to explore what else the resort had to offer we stepped out of our rooms after an hour of rest, I mean who wouldn't want to immediately sleep on these beds!

The shopping complex's architecture with the theme of Venice came with all the works; the canals, gondola rides etc. We decided to shop for a while and then head to Lord Stow's bakery which was within the premises of the hotel to try the famous Portuguese Egg Tarts. It was okay but not worth the hype, maybe not for my palate. I didn't really have it after that one trial, so I guess that says a lot.

Next we went to the Casino to see if if we wanted to try our luck at any of the tables. Barring the Casinos in Goa, I hadn't been to any other and this was so intimidating. While it looked like a lot of fun, I had absolutely no idea what the games were, how to operate the slot machines or the other stuff happening there. The stakes to join the tables started at 200 MOP going upto 500 MOP. I wasn't keen on wasting too much money when clearly everyone there seemed like accomplished gamblers! I found something called the Wheel Of Fortune, where you needed just 100 MOP to participate. I made a note of it and decided to try my luck after dinner. Dinner was had a a restaurant called the Red Dragon at the Casino itself, the food was great and they had a small list of vegetarian food available as well. We had had a long day and there was a case of a missing phone in between dinner as well, so the hunt for that took away some of the energy as well, so we decided to call it a night, but not before another round of the Canal Shoppes.

Day 2: Largo Do Senado, Ruins Of St. Paul, Guia Fortress, Koi Kei Bakery, Casino, Dinner at a Michelin Star restaurant.

The thing about great beds is that you never wake up early and in this case, I didn't really mind. Its not everyday that you stay in such a gorgeous suite, so why not make the most of it! But eventually we did get out of the room as we wanted to head to the old part of town which still had architectural remnants of it's former Portuguese administration. Obviously the rain had to play spoilsport, and we decided to have brunch at Cafe Deco (within the Venetian) first and wait for the rains to stop. The food at Cafe Deco wasn't really best, and that irked me a bit, I mean how difficult is it to make some good Eggs Benedict?! Finally the rains diminished and we decided to head out armed with umbrellas. We took a taxi to Largo Do Senado, popularly referred to as the Senado Square; a paved town square which is a part of the UNESCO Historic Centre of Macau World Heritage Site. It has many colorful buildings still standing from the Portuguese era and now the building house shops for different brands. It's a cute little area full of people.

We checked out St. Dominic's Church- a beautiful yellow building on the way to the Ruins of St. Paul. We walked around a lot of these buildings, often stopping for pictures. On my to do list was to pick up cookies from the Koi Kei Bakery. We went a little cookie crazy inside as we came back armed with 8 boxes of various types of cookies. Go for the Almond Thins, they are the best. Biscuits in hand we then went to see the Ruin's of the St Paul Cathedral. The facade itself was so pretty,once can only imagine what the entire structure would have looked like. A quick walk away is the Guia Fortress that can give you a Birds' eye view of Macau Old Town. We wanted to head to the Macau Tower for a Bungee Jump, but bad weather prevented us from doing so, I guess there is always a next time.

Tired we headed back to the hotel for a dip in one of the many Venetian pools (temperature controlled water- what a blessing you are!) and some cocktails and snacks. Now obviously one can't come to Macau, stay at the World's largest Casino resort and not gamble, so armed with 500 MOP we made our way to the only game we understood (Wheel of Fortune), but not before I googled -'How to play Wheel Of Fortune'. A game based purely on luck, that was the fastest I had lost money. Oh well, atleast I got to experience what gamblers feel like!

For dinner we wanted to have something more familiar to the palate, but more importantly the option to order vegetarian food as well. Luckily we found a Michelin Star Indian restaurant called The Golden Peacock inside The Venetian itself. This being my first Michelin Star experience, I had high expectations. For a cool Rs.10,000 or so we had a decent dinner which included Lamb Shanks Dhansak that tasted nothing like Dhansak, some Butter Chicken, Dal Tadka, Karare Bhindi, Kasundi Prawns, Dum Aloo, Rice and Rotis. Not to say that I wasn't happy with the food (it was actually good) but I have obviously had far better Indian food back home so maybe this restaurant is for Non-Indians or Indians craving Indian food abroad. Nevertheless it was a good meal and a perfect way to end the last night in Macau.

My family loves to shop, so after dinner we went back to the Canal Shoppes and did just that, besides what more can you do when you have pretty much covered all the things to do in Macau and shopping is a better way to spend money than lose it all at the Casino.

Day 3: Next morning we checked out of the hotel and made our way to the Ferry terminal that would take us to Hong Kong. Macau was fun and indulgent, but I was already looking forward to what Hong Kong had to offer!

The big question: Is Macau worth visiting?

I would say yes, but only if you are clubbing it with Hong Kong as there is not too much to do, unless you are an exceptionally skilled and affluent gambler who can make it rain money! So more than 2 days here and you will get bored. On the other hand a one day or a day trip from Hong Kong wont really do justice. While there are tons of hotels to choose from, I'd strongly recommend The Venetian as it is an experience in itself.

Traveler's Tips

1. Carry an umbrella, thsi was supposed to be summer but it rained everyday. You never know when to expect a shower.

2. Currency: Make sure you are carrying MOP and not HKD while in Macau. Most hotels including the Venetian don't accept HKD

3. Finding vegetarian food is not any easy feat. If you are vegetarian or traveling with a vegetarian, do your research. Most restaurants may have a vegetarian menu,which they may not give you till you ask for vegetarian options, so do try that.

“Jim Corbett”: Heard a lot, finally ticked it off from my bucket list. Setting off from Jamshedpur, we took a flight to Delhi via Ranchi. Next day, after Delhi-hopping, moved to Ramnagar by train.

It was an early morning arrival in the month of January, and yes the cold was awaiting us with open arms. Our cab was awaiting us and smoothly, traversed through the lonely night on the snaky roads to our resort: The River View Retreat. We had booked a cozy family bungalow, and to our pleasant surprise, it was really beautiful.

Although tired from the half slept previous night, I decided to give the resort a little visit, the first thing in the morning. I was attracted to a sharp call of few birds, and to my delight, the silhouette of three Great Hornbills were hopping from one tree to the other. The resort, set on the banks of River Kosi, is engulfed with trees and well maintained garden area.

The first half of our first day passed away, lazing away on the bank of the river, snapping various birds and landscapes. Second half was booked for a Safari (It was included in the package). We had opted for Jhirna Zone of Corbett for our first safari, and to uplift our excitement, the safari was an open-jeep safari. Tiger view from an OPEN –JEEP Safari… Sounds exciting!!!! Or Scary????

Half an hour journey from our resort, we reached the entrance of Jhirna Zone, where we met our guide for the trip. He was a young fellow, and was very passionate about his job. Pretty knowledgeable, and well versed with the rules of the jungle, he laid down the basic rules before us:

• Never, ever, at any cost, get down of the jeep, unless I say so.

• Remember, it is a safari, and not a picnic. Please maintain silence.

• Respect the privacy of the animals.

• Please tell me when and where to stop, I will do so.

• Phones on silent mode please.

• No songs to be played.

Loads of birds, deer, and monkeys later, we were dying to meet the king of Corbett. Many a monkey calls were heard, our jeep was raced towards the sounds, but fortune was not on our side. At one point, we heard a loud elephant trumpet at a distance. Some other safari jeeps coming from the other side warned us of an angry male who had faced a tiger attack. Curious, we waited at a safe distance for the elephant to cross roads with us. Yet, no luck! After waiting for about 20 minutes or so, we decided to move towards the call and there he was. The mighty male elephant, on a rampage, scared other safari jeeps, breaking trees as he was moving. It was a big guess as to who was scared of whom. After he crossed, we moved ahead to find a female elephant with her baby on the other side of the jungle. Perhaps, the male was trying to keep them safe. This adventure topped the day’s trip, yet no tiger for the day. We reached at our resort in the evening to learn from the guards that a while back a tiger and a leopard had been seen by the locals just a few yards from our resort. We missed him by a whisker.

The evening was reserved by a local dance troupe who danced and sang on local Himanchali songs, with a bonfire to beat the chill.

Second day, we had to wake up early for a morning safari, this time, it was another Zone: the Bijrani Zone. We were advised to leave early for a better chance to spot the king of Corbett, and so we did. Before the sun came onto the horizon we had entered the safari zone with our second guide. I must admit, this person ruined our safari. Busy with his cellphone, he got a sound hearing from us to get a bit serious of the job for which he was appointed. This zone is hilly in nature as compared to Jhirna zone, and passes through deep forest cover. We spotted few woodpeckers, cuckoos, sambars etc., but yet no luck.

15 mins towards the end of our safari, we were returning on a sully mood, when suddenly there was a monkey’s call. A sudden flutter of birds led to a pin-drop silence. We were surrounded by grasslands, unaware of our surroundings, reading our cameras for a view from far, when suddenly; our legs froze at its place. The king decided to pay us a visit.

Silky coat, bloodshot eyes, straight tail, and with a confident walk, the Royal Bengal Tiger appeared out of nowhere from the camouflaged grasslands, just about 20 yards in front of us. He stared at us and continued with his walk. Some vehicles gave him a chase for a better view, the tiger stopped, turned back, gave a short roar, which was enough for the vehicles to put their gears in reverse and race backwards. Our Safari was complete. The king was captured in our camera.

The afternoon was spent in kite flying, playing badminton and other games. Our resort team had organized a short movie on wildlife conservation. The next day, we woke lazily, roamed around in the resort lawn and riverside, had our breakfast, packed and moved back to Delhi.

A Group of 12 people started a journey for one of the most adventures and beautiful trek and high altitude trek [4300 Mtr] [14100 Feet] Bhrigu Lake Trek, we all are very excited for this trip and started our journey from Delhi Border on 22nd June 17. This is the first time for everyone to trek bhrigu lake and everyone is not aware about the actual beauty of meadows especially in june . In Evening sharp 6 pm we have started our journey and easily cross Chandigarh in Night itself and early morning everyone take a tea break after crossing Mandi .

23rd June 17 everyone reached Manali at sharp 12 pm and started our journey from Kulhan at sharp 1 Pm . we are so late so our trekking guide already faced a lots of challenges so we are decided to start our journey same day without taking any rest which is really very difficult decision because we have already spended more than 17 hr in tempo traveler and body need some rest. But the best part everyone is ready to trek the upper hills of manali valley. As per guide our original trek is starts from Vashishth Temple but we are late so they are planing to starts our trekking from kulhan . i am little bit disappointed with the decision but anyways one thing i know that hills beauty always fantastic and every step at top the hills come with different story. we finally decide to start our journey from Kulhan to Khori which is 8 Km trek and it will take 4 hr according to Trekkers but we have 12 people and every person have their own wheel power and stamina along with strength and i know that it will be 7 hr to reach the first base camp .

Their is three different route to Reach bhrigu lake from Manali.

1. Reach Gulaba from manali and then Trek Rola Kholi and then bhrigu Lake - 29 KM Trek [Gulaba to Gulaba]

2. From Vaishith to Pandu Roopa and then Bhrighu Lake - 32 Km [Vaishith to Vaishith ]

3. From Kulhan to Khori and then Bhrighu Lake [Kulhan to Vaishith ]

Best Time to Visit [June to October]

If you Anybody interested for this peak then let me know . i ll always available to provide you best information about bhrigu lake without investing any extra money for unnecessary services. Over all its a 35 km trek from starting point to starting point and Most of people people close this trek with multiple trekking group and cost is 5500 to 7000 Rs after reaching Manali and we people close this trip in 7700 Rs only from delhi to Delhi with Hotel /Food /Trekking .. My motive to encourage all the indian young generation for mountain trekking and provide them best guidance so that people easily trek all the place with good price . if somebody interested for mountain trekking and then join me on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000192171595

I always wanted to be in some new place for every New Year's Eve Party. Road trip was one plan, Me and couple of my roommates in Adelaide always wanted to execute but never got a common break from work. Somehow, three of us made up our minds and blindly took a break for New Year Party and decided to travel but not known where to. Those two proposals combined, we planned a roadtrip to Gold Coast, a place which was on my wishlist, 2100kms from Adelaide.

As it was fairly a long ride, we wanted a bigger vehicle though it was only 3 of us. So, we hired a VolvoXC60 from EuropCar. I must admit that we hired it for a real bargain, $745AU for 5 days!

The outback roads were a pleasure to drive this beast of a car. Comfort Luxury and Drive assistance were impeccable. Anyone's recommendation would be to have a good vehicle for long rides and I felt we did it the best possible way.

Frequent breaks are a mandatory thing when it comes to long drives. You do come across lot of Speed cams, Average speed cams and also cops on the side of the roads with speed guns. So, never think that you could speed your way through.

After over a day of driving, we were exhausted to every bit on reaching Gold Coast. So many things to see and activities to be done, as it always happens, nobody was sure where and what to start. I had already performed my Skydive, at SAskydiving, So other mate of mine booked for a dive at Goldcoastskydive and he said it was some view from 12000ft of the surroundings. It costed him about $375AU for the dive and $100AU for the soft copy of pictures and video. A bit on the expensive side but it is worth the money

We then found ourselves a good viewing spot, before people started to gather in scores, to witness the fireworks, and bid goodbye to 2016.

So, we had a full days time to plan our things-to-do list. First we headed to the SkyPoint. There needs a booking to be done in case you are interested to take a walk in the open air at the highest point in Gold Coast.

We then took a stroll on Surfers Paradise Blvd to have something to eat and then headed to a mall nearby. There we came across an information centre and were randomly browsing to see if we were missing out on anything. You can easily spot them and these are the places were you get great deals on Theme parks and heap loads of other activities for a dime. We purchased a $100AU ticket each which provides single entry to any three theme parks and has a validity for 7 days. If you chose to directly enter it would cost you at least $100AU for any of those parks.

You could get all the photos capturing those wild, crazy, frightening or surprised expressions of you and your mates while on the ride. All you have to do is get yourself a tag, select the photos at the photo store after each ride, and before you exit the park get them emailed or printed for a cost. The best part is that you could use the same tag ID for all the other parks as well that you would visit - Great! isn't it?

After WB Movie World, I wanted to visit an old friend of mine from Adelaide, now settled in Brisbane and would also get the chance to check out another major Australian metropolitan. It was an hour drive from Gold Coast. Late in the night, was able to reach him on his mobile and we caught up at his place., and then later went for a night ride around Brisbane.

Soon, time would arrive for the Sun to rise, so we headed to Mt.Coot-Tha, for witnessing Sun rise over this beautiful city. My mates who travelled from Adelaide, wanted to get some rest., so we, me my mate and his cousin, left them to get some sleep while the other bunch headed to Mt.Coot-Tha.

After an eventful day that I never saw the end of, my next day had already begun to beautiful view of the city, elucidating itself to a cloudy morning sunrise, atop of the hill.

What's going to happen when crazy friends meet even crazier ones? You guessed right - instant plans, abrupt change of schedule and going in to do anything with whatever that comes to mind without any hesitation. Though there was no sleep for two others apart from me, all five of us booked in for Scuba diving, $100AU each, in spite of being precarious of the time on hand to reach back to Gold Coast. Somehow, we made it to the location and headed to another adventure on this trip with two new entrants.

Though we enjoyed taking a dive underwater, first time for all five of us, the underwater view and the overall experience haven't really met our expectations with which we eagerly booked in to do this bit. People have recommended, a well known fact, that The Great Barrier Reef is the best place to get underwater. My later thought was - 'May be, next time.'.

We wanted to visit Sea World, first when we reached Gold Coast on day 2. So now we just had enough time to check that out, before we start our long ride back to Adelaide. My mates had to return home and so we dropped them off at a railway station nearby, so they could catch a train back to Brisbane. Then we headed straight to SeaWorld, listed in our 7 day pass.

Just including a couple of snaps from a few that we shot. As this was our last evening and a final stop, soon after which we would have to start to burn all the roads heading to Adelaide.

Just as the sun disappeared into the West, we got some dinner, refuelled the gas, and headed back to where we started from, 4 days ago.

It was a stormy and rainy last night as we left. But, managed to get past that phase and after rest here and there and some pit stops, we finally entered South Australia. As we got closer and closer to our home, Adelaide, we were feeling more and more accomplished to have completed this extraordinary trip.

After an intense 5 days of travelling, visiting new places, meeting old mates, new experiences and adventures, we have completed a trip that was never to be forgotten and I could only imagine a handful of people to have gone about to do something like this.

We reached home, safe and sound, to capture our accomplishment.

I admit to my repugnant inertia as a travel blogger. There is no other explanation for why I haven't jotted down my impressions of a city that deeply entrenched my fickle and flighty mind with its cacophony of emotions. My prior interactions with those who imbibed the city's cultural heritage have always left me in awe of its liberalism, intellectualism and artistic versatility. I was curious to get into the vein of this intriguing land of writers and filmmakers, scholars and poets, and unravel the mystery for my own understanding. So, I grabbed the very first opportunity that came my way to visit Kolkata - the City of Joy as its popularly known.

January 2016

My husband's bestie from college was getting married in Kolkata and there was no way I would let my chance slip. We boarded the Mysore Howrah Express from Bangalore City Junction at three in the morning on the 18th of January 2016. The train journey was uneventful and pleasant. We shared the compartment with a young jovial man from a village on the outskirts of Kolkata who worked as a cook with an online food delivery service in Bangalore. He was going home to attend his brother's wedding with a box of chocolate cookies he baked himself. I remember him for his cookies more than anything else. We reached Howrah Junction by 3 pm the next day. Commotion, typical to a railway station, heralded a mundane welcome to the travelers. A fleet of yellow ambassadors were lined up outside the prepaid taxi counters. We hired one of them to go to Hotel Lindsay in the bustling New Market area. As the taxi made its way across the iconic Howrah bridge, I marveled at the mammoth steel framework forming a canopy over the sea of vehicles and pedestrians. The dilapidated buildings with their hand-painted name-boards smothered with dust and age, the maroon and beige architecture of the 19th century monuments and the unobtrusive flow of human traffic deported me into a world that was still caught in the wide chasm between the pre-independence era and a fledgling modern economy. Sometimes the streets looked straight out of a movie scene with its wide roads dotted by yellow cabs and the dome of an ancient cathedral in the vicinity.

Lindsay Hotel is situated in the middle of a historic market replete with vendors selling all kinds of products from fresh produce and exotic varieties of cheese to fashion garments and accessories. The main market is inside a Victorian Gothic style complex overlooking a narrow lane filled with food stalls and hawkers. The location of the hotel was perfect for us - we were right in the middle of all the activity. That evening we visited the Prinsep Ghat on the banks of the Hooghly river - the lifeline of Kolkata. Hooghly has played a key role in the growth and development of this riverine port city, right from attracting the mercantile interests of the East India Company and elevating it to the first capital of British India to sustaining the local economy and enriching the culinary delights in this part of the country. 

We took a boat ride under the twilight sky on the tranquil waters of the Hooghly against the backdrop of the resplendent bridges with a euphonic Bengali song humming from some place beyond - it was almost mystical. The Palladian porch built as a tribute to the Anglo Indian scholar James Prinsep stood tall against the spokes of the Vidyasagar Setu. We hopped on a local train from the Prinsep Ghat station and walked past the Shaheed Minar and Eden Gardens to get to our hotel. There wasn't enough time to do everything but we tried to squeeze in as much as possible into those five days. The same night we grabbed a drink at a joint called Someplace Else on Park street, one of the oldest pubs in Kolkata frequented by locals for its live music and vibrant atmosphere. We walked back to Lindsay street with the satisfaction of a day well spent.

My partner was keen on experimenting with the Indian Chinese cuisine in Kolkata. Online sources confirmed that Terreti Bazar was Kolkata's very own Chinatown with the streets going live in the early hours of the morning. We are sure we reached the right place but we could not find the juicy momos and soupy noodles we were looking for. Instead we got to see life in action - fish and flowers laid out by the roadside and locals bathing and shaving and cooking all next to each other on the narrow pavements. We walked through the inside lanes to catch a glimpse of the despicable poverty and filthy living conditions Kolkata is often linked with. I feel the colour of the city is brown - brown with age, brown with dust, brown with dirt and in its varying shades, the color captures the earthy tones of existence in its crumbling brick walls and congested alleyways inhabited by a forgotten strata of society. The next on our agenda was Kumortuli - the globally acclaimed potters' quarter that manufactures and exports clay idols to different parts of the world. The artisans were at work as usual, adding a stroke here and a knot there. The straw and bamboo framework was plastered with paper mache and cow dung before the clay was applied. There were enormous statues of various Gods and Goddesses from the Hindu mythology fashioned out of clay dug out from the river side. We stopped to speak to an elderly man engrossed in his craft and watched him give life to clay right before our eyes. For lunch, we chose Nizam's inside New Market - the legendary restaurant that claims to have invented the ubiquitous Kathi roll. I must say the place lives up to its name. We attended the marriage that evening - a traditional Bengali wedding with all the hooting and snickering and chuckling that made it a happy affair. I watched intently as the couple underwent the various rituals with the holy fire bearing testimony to their lifelong union. The highlight was of course the sumptuous feast with an array of fish and mutton delicacies and the quintessential rasogolla.

The next morning we headed straight to the Victoria Memorial, a visual delight in Indo-Saracenic Revivalist style made from white Makhrana marble. The monument dedicated to the memory of Queen Victoria is distinctly European with a formidable collection of paintings and artifacts. The first half of the day was spent absorbing and assimilating the unparalleled historic wealth of a city that has somewhat lost its past glory. By noon we vacated our room at Hotel Lindsay and checked into Hotel Eastern Plaza on VIP road, close to the airport. Moving from the ancient quarters steeped in antiquity to the urbanized half of the city was a long leap. The former sported an old world charm that was lost upon the modern aura of the newer half. Post lunch, we visited Science City, the largest science centre in the Indian subcontinent and a distinguished landmark in post-independent Kolkata. Later that evening we caught up with an ex-colleague of Azal's at a nearby mall that had not yet come out of the festive mood of Christmas and New Year. The chit-chatting continued over dinner at her cozy little apartment where we hogged on authentic Kolkata biriyani from Arsalan and guzzled some chilled beer.

Shopping was next on our agenda. We battled the morning traffic to get to Gariahat market that is famous for its saree shops. That is when we inadvertently walked into Gupta's to experience one of the best mishti dois in town. We savored more of the freshly prepared sweets including the 'notun gurer sandesh' and bought a box of the delicatessens to take home with us. All the sweetness was followed up by some extravagant shopping at Indian Silk House and a hearty meal consisting of Mutton chaap, Biriyani and the best ever Shahi Tukda from Royal Indian Hotel which has a legacy of serving customers for more than a hundred years. Swarming in and out of the first metro railway in India, we plunged headlong into the intellectual hub of Kolkata - College Street. It is the largest second hand book market in the world with countless book stalls packed together on either side of the road. One can find almost any title here, all at throw away prices - from academic textbooks and paperback editions to rare gems which aren't stocked elsewhere. Many renowned educational institutions are located here including the Presidency College, the University of Calcutta and the Hindu School. I picked up a book to mark the memory of my visit to this book lovers' paradise - The Weekenders - Adventures in Calcutta, a collection of fiction and non-fiction travelogues about Calcutta by eminent writers from around the world. Back in Bangalore, I relived my personal adventure in this esoteric land as I flipped the pages of this gripping book.

We attended the wedding reception in the evening, conveyed our heartiest wishes to the newly wedded and feasted some more on the choicest culinary creations. On our last day in this eclectic city, we paid an early morning visit to the much revered Dakshineshwar Kali Temple. Both of us being non-religious, it was more of a sightseeing activity than anything else. Devotees thronged to the temple in large numbers to make offerings to Goddess Kali and take a dip in the holy waters of the Ganga. Ardent religiosity seething with vermilion was the concluding note to our Kolkata tale. There is a lot more to see including the Indian museum which is the largest and oldest museum in the country, Mother House, St. Paul's cathedral and Nicco Park. It seemed as if we had just scratched the surface of a fathomless sea of secrets. I hope to go back some day and delve a little more into the profoundness that is Kolkata. I wish to listen to an ardent fan passionately untangle the many threads behind Tagore's poetry artfully scrawled on the subway walls. I long to relive the heart wringing melody echoing on the distant horizon of the Hooghly. And maybe then, I'll find true joy in the deepest core of this singular city of idiosyncrasies.

Everyone has one thing in common on their bucket list and that's a Euro trip. Through the boring office routines, we find ourselves checking Facebook/ Instagram and looking at the pictures of our friends chilling in Europe and even when we deny it, we are secretly jealous.

I often found myself day dreaming about how cool it would be to do a solo trip to Europe but then knowing it is going to be expensive I used to generally leave it at that. This is the case with most of us and now that I have done the trip let me tell you it does not necessarily have to be expensive.

Below are some hacks which will help your Euro trip dreams come true and that too without burning a hole in your pockets.

Tickets:

First, plan a list of places you want to visit and the number of days available. Do not focus on the starting point yet.

Once you have a list ready, check flights from India to all those different places and select the cheapest place and start your trip from there. For example, flights from Mumbai to Brussels is cheaper than flights from Mumbai to Paris. This will help you save anywhere between 5-10K

Travel & Stay:

This is where people end up spending a bomb.

You can use Routeperfect to plan the route and then book your travels accordingly. If you are traveling longer distances and are not tight on schedules than you can consider taking trains else Ryanair offers cheapest flights in Europe and will also help in saving time.

If you are a solo traveler I would highly recommend using Hostelworld.com. Here you will find best hostels based on your budgets and with most genuine reviews. Try and book hostels in advance so that you can save on the extra cost for last-minute bookings. For a group you can go for Airbnb Tip: Always try to look for hostels closer to the city or metro/train stations so that it's easier for you to commute

Miscellaneous

Currency/Cash:

I would highly recommend using local currency and cards for transactions as most of the banks provide cards that can be used internationally. Also, keep cash handy for smaller purchases. Avoid using currencies of different countries in different locations. For example, if you use Euro in Budapest you might lose some amount in conversion. These smaller savings definitely help!

Food & Drinks:

For daily requirements like water instead of buying bottles which might cost you anywhere between 1-3 euros for a small bottle, always buy a bigger bottle from any supermarket/grocery store. It will be much cheaper. You can then carry the amount of water you need in a smaller bottle. Do not forget to carry a bottle of water with you and refill it wherever possible.

Europe is famous for non-veg food and especially beef. If you do not eat beef then do not forget to carry ready-to-eat food packets and Maggi. These will be your savior.

Sight-seeing tickets:

Most of the tourist attractions in Europe need a ticket and these tickets are cheaper by 10-15% online. Apart from the cost it also helps you avoid the long queues for tickets. If you are certain of visiting a particular monument/ museum, try to book the entry tickets online.

Intra-city travel:

Intra-city travels are tricky. We often are clueless and eventually end up taking a taxi which is super expensive. Most of the cities in Europe have a day pass with which you can travel using trains/metros/trams and buses. This is the cheapest and most convenient way to travel within a city. You can buy these tickets at railway stations or airports.

Local activities:

Most of the hostels have many activities organised like free city tours, pub crawls etc. Do not miss out on these. Also, they have tie-ups with many other agencies and help you get some extra discounts.

Hope these tips can help you plan a dream budget trip and save some bucks for extra beers!

Our journey started from "New Delhi" to "Jam Nagar" via "12478/ SVDK Jam Express" and after that we were only left with 3-4 hrs run from Jam nagar to reach "Dwarka". So we covered it from local trains.

3rd day we planned to visit the second most popular temple i.e. "Beyt Dwarka". Beyt Dwarka or Shankhodhar is an inhabited island at mouth of Gulf of Kutch situated 3 km (2 mi) off the coast of Okha, Gujarat, India. So firstly we reached "Okha" by bus and after that we went there by ferry and it takes around 30 min to reach this island. This place is mysterious and It is said to be the home of Lord Krishna.

Nageshvara Jyotirlinga is one of the 12 Jyotirlinga shrines mentioned in the Shiva Purana. Nageshvara is believed to be the first such shrine. It is around 17km from "Dwarka" and you can visit here while going to "Okha" for "Beyt Dwarka".

On 4th day, We were ready to depart for "Somnath" temple. We boarded "19252/ Okha Somnath Express" and it took around 8 hrs to reach "Somnath". The Somnath temple located in Prabhas Patan near Veraval in Saurashtra on the western coast of Gujarat, is believed to be the first among the twelve jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva.[1] It is an important pilgrimage and tourist spot of Gujarat. Destroyed and reconstructed several times in the past.

After exploring and knowing some mysterious facts about this place, Now we returned back. "Mountains...Beaches.. Hill stations.. Most of us want to travel such places only. But they forget that there also exist some marvellous historic places in India and this place is one of them. I urge you guys to pull out some days from your busy schedule and visit this place. "Gujarat"

Matheran - Asia's only automobile free hill station

Imagine a place where there are no vehicles allowed – not even a bicycle!!You might be thinking how the hell will you commute in the city??What if I say it is the smallest Hill station in India and the best way to experience it, is just by walking and hiking. Would you still be interested in visiting? Sorry for asking so many questions and making you anxious. Let me end the anxiety.

Matheran which means “Forest on the forehead” is the smallest hill station in India located in the Sahyadri hill range in Raigad district of Maharashtra State. It is at the height of 803 m above the sea level, and a narrow gauge railway line connects Matheran to Neral.

What makes this place stand out from the others is that vehicles are completely banned, making it very peaceful and pollution free. It has been declared an Eco-sensitive zone by the Indian Ministry of Environment and Forest.

How to Reach Matheran

Matheran’s proximity to metropolitan cities like Mumbai and Pune makes it a popular weekend destination.

From Mumbai take a Karjat bound local train and get down at Neral Station. If you are coming from Pune, catch any Mumbai-bound train and get off at Karjat. Now catch a CST-bound local train and get down at Neral.

From Neral, you can reach Matheran by following options:

• From Neral you can catch the famous Matheran Light Railway toy train which takes around 2 hours to reach Matheran. The train is often full, so turn up in good time to ensure you get a ticket. Due to frequent landslides in monsoon season, the toy train services are often terminated. You should travel by this toy train only if you have the patience to sit through the painfully slow journey. But, yes the views in the vicinity are just spectacular.

• Alternatively, just walk by the Neral station and you will find many shared taxis that will drop you at Dasturi Point. Beyond Dasturi Point no vehicles are allowed, and you can walk along the rail line and reach Matheran in about 30 min. The walk is through the jungles full of lush green wood, and you will enjoy every bit of it. You can also opt for a horseback or man-pulled rickshaw ride along a mud track.

Entry Fees

There is an “Entry Fee “to enter Matheran, which is to be paid on arrival at the toy train station or at Dasturi point. The cost is 50 rupees per adult, and 20 rupees per child.

Getting around Matheran

Being an automobile free Hill station, you need to opt for other options to get around. To enjoy nature to its fullest, walking is the best choice. All the trails have signboards, and the locals are very helpful to let you know the correct way. A stroll amidst clouds floating around you is majestic. If you are feeling a bit lazy, you can always opt for a ride.

Just the curiosity to explore the town where vehicles are completely banned was the foremost reason what brought me to Matheran. With an area of 7 Km sq., I chose to explore it one foot at a time. Around the mountains of Matheran, there are close to 33 designated look-out points and 2 to 3 days are required to cover the same.

All of them offer breathtaking sunrise and sunset views and in order to avoid the huge crowd, try to be at the less popular ones. So what exactly are these points I am talking about?

These points are gateways to delight you with breathtaking mountain and valley views. The popular ones being Panorama Point, Heart Point, Monkey Point, Echo Point, Porcupine Point, Louisa Point. Other than this I would also recommend you to visit Charlotte Lake, One tree hill, and the main market area.

I walked almost the entire day covering around 20 points and believe me it was one of the most exhilarating walks I have ever taken. The view of mountains kissing the clouds and the deep green valley at its foot is just mind-blowing. Oh, I dream about them each and every day.

Best time to visit Matheran

The climate at Matheran is cool and pleasant throughout the year due to its geographical location. However, the best time to visit is from October to May but the place is worth a visit any time of the year. It’s beauty only doubles during the monsoon. So you can also consider vacationing during June to September months. But beware of muddy slippery trails.

Budget stay in Matheran

If you don’t care about the rooms being slightly small, you can check out Krishna Villa. They charge around INR 250 per person. Due to increase in tourism several locals have turned their houses into tourist cottages. These are very cheap stay options for backpackers but don't expect too much service. You can find these near Pramod Bar.

Some useful tips

Take enough cash with you as there are just 1 -2 ATM’s there, mostly out of cash.

Carry a pair of comfortable walking shoes for the dusty trails.

Avoid carrying food articles in your hand or an open handbag. Monkeys there try to snatch and that could hurt you.

Matheran has something for everyone, from backpackers and nature enthusiasts to lovely-dovey couples looking to spend some romantic and peaceful time. What are you waiting for??The hill station is eagerly waiting for you.

For more cheap trips check out my travel blog On a cheap trip.

Cabo da Roca, also known as Cape Roca, forms the westernmost point of continental Europe. It is situated approximately 40 km from Lisbon, Portugal. This wild and rugged headland was once considered to be the "end of the world". Exploring this beautiful place gives a sense of achievement.

This area is completely isolated with just a lighthouse and a coffee shop, and the rugged landscape along the massive cliffs only adds to the allure of this location. It is at a location 38°47′N 9°30′W, southwest of Sintra. One can reach this wonderful location either by bus from Sintra or Cascais or can hitchhike from Sintra like the way I did since it is very easy to catch a ride from Sintra as hordes of people visit this place.

Walking along the massive jagged cliffs of Cabo da Roca as the raging Atlantic waves pound at the base of the cliffs is an outright pleasure. The attractive landscape, desolate scenery, windswept cliffs and wonderful hiking trails along the coastal path only adds to the unique experience of visiting Cape Roca.

This is the point where the land ends and the sea begins. One can stand here for hours, staring perplexed at the breathtaking views while battling the daring winds which sweeps you away with its majestic force.

The perfect time to enjoy Cabo da Roca is during sunset, undoubtedly. The Serra de Sintra here abruptly meets the Atlantic Ocean in a cliff of more than 100 m high. However, there is actually not that much to see apart from the Atlantic coast in all its splendour. You can get a certificate of your presence at the westernmost point of Europe as a souvenir.

This lovely place was the perfect "conclusion" to my journey, a place of greener grass and bluer sea. Idyllic, peaceful, serenity at its best. A must visit for anyone traveling to this part of Europe, undeniably unique.

Georgia is gaining its popularity on the world travel map very rapidly. Every traveller I met, who has been there had only one thing to say about Georgia; it is one of the most beautiful countries they have so far visited. The hammering of this fact, time and again, made me choose it as my next travel destination. Moreover, I am glad I picked it and that too just at the right time. In the coming few years Georgia’s tourism industry is expected to witness a steep rise which may spoil its pristine nature and disturb its serene vibes.

The country shares its south, east and north borders with Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia respectively while on the west the land terminates in the Black Sea.

This article will not only inspire you to explore this heaven on earth before its too late, but it will also serve as a comprehensive guide to trigger your further research and help you plan your trip.

Georgia is such a small dot on the world map that it requires some effort to locate for the first time. Standing on a significant trade route and acting as a bridge between Europe and Asia, it has witnessed numerous invasion attempts in the course of history but still managed to remain free. Zoom in one time to see the country’s location.

Being a former USSR state, Georgia also had its rough time dealing with the Russian attempts of invasion. The most recent war ended in 2008, and one can imagine that Georgia has witnessed stability only recently.

Georgia can boast of a vibrant and unique culture and language, the oldest wine recipes, being the bastion of orthodox Christianity for ages, being one of the most varied topographies even in such a small area, 25000 rivers which flow inside its boundary and being home to the highest continuously inhabited village in Europe.

“John Steinbeck, a famous war photographer once said the Russians admired Georgia so much that they thought of it as second heaven and Georgians as great lovers, drinkers, dancers and artists. They wished that they not go to heaven when they die but to Georgia instead.”

THE TEN TREASURABLE MEMORIES

- Receiving a bottle of wine from the Georgian Immigration Officer at the airport.

- Dancing all night to EDM in Bassiani in Tbilisi.

- Failing to hike through the snowy trail to the Gergeti Trinity Church Stepantsmida Sameba and getting lost in the dark while returning, with the town lights being the only source of direction.

- Partying with the locals in Borjomi.

- Making new Turkish friends in our hostel in Batumi, drinking their cocktail which came from hell, playing their crazy games and signing off with a win.

- Getting a private scrub massage in the ‘sulfur baths’ in Tbilisi to feel like a king.

- Gazing at the Shangri-La from the cave city of Uplistsikhe.

- Organising a CS meetup that brought together more than 35 people to party on the New Years Eve in Tbilisi.

- Driving our rented Pajero on the Georgian Military Highway.

-Riding the snow tuk-tuk to the top of a hill amidst heavy snowfall in Borjomi.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO!

Currency – Georgian Lari (GEL). Each Lari comprises of 100 Tetri. Take a look at the current conversion rate here. All the exchange centres in the country have different rates so do your research before converting your currency. Exchange at the airport is as always expensive.

Visa and Immigration – Georgia offers the facility of e-visa to most countries on the planet. The application procedure is simple, and the application processing time falls within four working days. You can submit the application on their portal – https://www.evisa.gov.ge/GeoVisa/

However, if you do not already have a European (Schengen) or a US visa stamped on your passport from your previous travels, I strongly recommend you to opt for a stamped visa from Georgian embassy in India. Otherwise, you hold decent probability of not being allowed to board the flight or being deported. Fresh Indian passports are the worst case in such a scenario.

Immigration can be tricky if you come from an Asian country. A policeman greeted us on arrival and verified our travel documents, stay bookings and cash in hand. After judging us by our body language and having a word with his senior, he allowed us to proceed to the immigration counter. We helped ourselves to the desk expecting another round of scrutiny, but to our pleasant surprise, the officer did not ask even a single question. To surprise us further and as if they had pre-planned to act funny with us, the officer at immigration gifted us a bottle of Georgian wine. Whoa! ‘Welcome to the land of hospitality finally’ we said to ourselves.

Prominent Airports –

Tbilisi – connects to major international airlines

Kutaisi – most of the low-cost carriers to Europe and neighbouring countries operate from this airport.

Driving License and Driving Conditions – As India and Georgia are parties to Geneva Convention, an Indian driving license in English or an International Driving Permit (if not in English) are valid documents to drive in Georgia for up to a month. You will find both left and right-hand drive cars in Georgia, but the country obeys the right-hand traffic system (opposite of what we have in India). Georgians driving habits are rogue, and the driving conditions back home make you a winner in such a case ????

You can mostly rely on Google Maps for navigation. The only exception is driving through Tbilisi city where you have to make sure you do not enter any one-way street or don’t make a turn in a no turning zone.

Safety – In 2005 Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili fired “the entire traffic police force” of the Georgian National Police to eradicate corruption. Since then the country has been very safe within the limitations of common sense. The separatist (pro-Russia) regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia are totally not recommended for tourists.

Food and Drinks – Being a vegetarian in Georgia is such an easy task. Georgian cuisine is rich, vast, cheap and therefore the country is a foodie’s paradise irrespective of what you eat. Khachapuri, Khinkali, Lobio and Ajapsandali are a few of Georgia’s famous vegetarian dishes. Mexican potatoes and pizza are an easy find as well.

Tap water is safe to drink in most places, while at the same time the super famous and exceptionally healthy Georgian mineral water ‘Borjomi’ is not expensive as well.

Georgian wine is legendary and cheap, beer is definitely worth the cost as well but Chacha, a strong alcoholic drink (brandy) made out of the residue left after taking out wine from the grapes, is what the locals will force you to drink if you ever happen to party with them ????

Accommodation – While Couchsurfing is definitely a difficult task in Georgia, alternative lodging options like Airbnb’s, cheap hostels and homestays come to the rescue. A dorm bed can cost you as cheap as 7 Lari per night, and booking an entire apartment is possible under 35 Lari without any fuss. Download Booking.com and Airbnb on your phones as these will be the only platforms you use to compare prices.

Transportation – Georgia is a tiny country and has an excellent and affordable network of road and rail transport for inter-city travel. If you are a group the best way to see the country is by renting a car. Marshrutkas (mini bus) are the most common mode of transport within the city/town with each ride costing 50 tetri (.5 Lari) irrespective of the distance. We took the bus 37 from Tbilisi airport to city centre (16 Km approx) for 50 tetri (12 Rs), the cheapest airport ride of my life.

Taxi drivers in Georgia are completely untrustworthy. The fares are very cheap in reality, but the drivers cheat you to the maximum possible extent. One of them charged me 25 Lari for a 4 Lari ride. A lesson learnt!

Cities and towns are easy to cover on foot. Prefer walking instead of using the taxis to enrich your experience with the otherwise ignored local way of life.

Weather – As an Indian, every season is equally impressive to be in Georgia since we do not have snow in most parts of the country. Preparing yourself for the winters when the temperature in the country falls as low as -10-degree Celsius is critical though.

The country is breathtakingly beautiful throughout the year but better known in the international community for its colours during the summer.

Budget – Georgia is a super cheap country to travel. A one month trip to Georgia during Dec 16-Jan 17 cost me Rs 75K (1000 USD) every expense paid (I splurged a bit). On a backpackers budget, each day should not cost you more than 35 GEL ( Rs 900 approx) including your drinks. I would say a month long backpacking trip from India to Georgia is easily possible under Rs 65k, inclusive even of the cab you take back home, while a luxury trip should be possible under Rs 100k.

To know the ways cut down the flight cost, which is inarguably the biggest expense of any trip, you can refer to my article – “8 SECRET TIPS WHICH CAN HELP YOU FIND A CHEAP FLIGHT“. It already has more than 158 K views on Tripoto. Hurray!

Wifi and Data – Any hostel or apartment you stay at and most of the restaurants will provide you with free wifi access. The capital Tbilisi also has a free wifi ‘Tbilisi Loves You’in the central touristy area. Rest of the places you need a data connection to use the internet. Data SIM from Magti and Geocell are very cheap and have a good network all over the country. I bought 5 GB data with a validity of 1 month for 20 Lari (Rs 500 approx) from Magti.

Language – Georgian language is like no other on this planet. It sounds like nothing you must’ve ever heard nor does it look like any script that you must’ve seen before. The roots of this individual linguistic system come from the very ancient Georgian script.

Most of the youth population speak English, and most of the older generation does not. However, that in no way is the roadblock to your experience in Georgia. The hospitality is so much into the culture that the Georgians do not care if you can communicate with them in words. To top up the experience enjoy a celebrity treatment all you need to know are the songs Jimmy-Jimmy, Disco Dancer and Mera Joota Hai Japani which are an integral part of the Georgian culture.

Festivals – According to the calendar of Orthodox Christianity, Georgians celebrate Christmas on 7th of January and the New Year on the 14th of January. Georgia is a deeply religious country, but still, the influence of West is gaining prominence rapidly lately. The major celebrations take place on 25th and 31st of January like as per the international trend. So if you wish to celebrate Christmas and New Year ‘twice’ in a given year, Georgia is the place for you!

Can I travel through Georgia by my own? Absolutely Yes! You do not need to worry about anything when the country is Georgia. Any money that you pay to any agency is completely not required. Although I travel without any plan most of the times, planning everything in advance for your trip to Georgia is easily possible as well. I will try and cover as much detail as I can, in this post, to be by your side virtually ????

What to pack? Apart from the usual travel gear, a list of which is available in my article – “A 15 STEP GUIDE TO PICKING AND PACKING YOUR TRAVEL GEAR OPTIMALLY“, you need to top up your gear with winter clothing namely a down jacket with temperature tolerance of up to 0 degrees and thermal wear.

Other possible Issues – Apart from the above factors, two important issues came up consistently during my trip and should be kept in mind – over the top smoking habit of the locals and the behaviour of select Georgian males.

Georgians smoke a lot. To the extent, that even if you are a smoker, a few hours in a confined area will leave your clothes and hairs noxious.

Secondly, the behaviour of a few Georgian males looked surprising. The first impression was that the Georgian females take care of the businesses and homes while the men make up for the more challenging and physical mountain life issues. On spending some time in the country and breaking the ice with a few Georgian ladies, I realised that the males are lazy and dominating in general. Sometimes I observed the boys in their early twenties yelling at their girlfriends in public. A few girls even confessed that they would not prefer to marry a Georgian male. A guy I supposedly became friends with on Instagram before my trip, successfully made some financial gains from me. I share this not to convey any negativity but only as a word of caution, real people are always just a shout away at any given place on this planet, and this information in no way should hold you back, like a true traveller!

YOUR VIRTUAL COMPASS TO GEORGIA

Starting with the capital Tbilisi in Dec 2016, I spent one-month backpacking through Georgia. A part of it was with a few friends who decided to join me on my trip once they came to know about it through the ‘Travel With Me‘ section of my blog.

There are several ways travellers make their journey through Georgia. Some stick to the famous cities and towns while other choose the road less travelled. Moreover, since Georgia is a small country, it makes it very easy to remain flexible with your plans. Also, although no guide can match the richness of exploring in a self-driven plan-less crazy way, I still pen down my experiences if they can be of any assistance to you.

CITY GUIDES

How to spend your time?

Walk up to the Narikala Fortress – Narikala is one of the two landmarks in Tbilisi you do not need a map to find. This ancient fortress sitting on the top of a steep hill overlooks the city and serves as an excellent vantage point for photographers. You can reach the top either by walking, starting from the most touristy point in the city called Meidan, or by riding a cable car.

City Walk – For me, the best way to explore Georgia including Tbilisi is to walk around. The important sights to make a note of are –

- Shavteli Street and Gabraidze Theatre – The Gabriadze Theatre famous for its puppet show and the adjacent ‘distorted looking’ Clock Tower renowned for the mechanically operated Angel, which comes out every hour to ring the bell, marks the start of this picturesque and narrow cobblestoned street. The old style brick houses on both of its sides now serve as hostels and hotels. Shavteli Street is also home to many excellent restaurants and wineries including two of my favourite cafes namely Café Leila and Café Kala. The ancient 6th-century Basilica of Anchiskhati is right opposite to Café Leila. Café Gabriadze right by the clock tower has got decent reviews as well.

- Freedom Square, Rustaveli Avenue and The Big Bicycle – Freedom or Liberty Square is the main commercial square of the city lying at one end of the primary commercial street of Tbilisi known as Shota Rustaveli Avenue. The Christmas market and both Christmas tree’s are set up right on this road during the festivities in December.

As you start walking from tourist centre located at the Freedom Square, you can find numerous restaurants, currency exchange centres, customer service desks of the telecom operators, supermarkets, hotels and hostels, etc. before the avenue terminates in the Big Bicycle. Spend some time enjoying the majestic view of the residential Vake District from the bicycle.

I have only seen a few clips from the Bollywood movie English Medium and most of them appear to have been shot in Tbilisi and even by the big-bicycle.

- Old Town – The most touristy and lively of all is the old town of Tbilisi with its central point referred to as Meidan and two of its principal streets known as Shardeni and Betlemi Streets. This area as a whole is cosy and full of clubs, strip clubs, sheesha lounges and bars. The best of the live music places are on these streets as well. Expect the prices to be higher than the average for obvious reasons.

- Plunge in one of the age-old natural sulphur baths and explore the waterfall behind them. If legends are to be believed, Tbilisi derives its name from these sulphur baths. ‘Tbili’ in Georgian means warm. King Vakhtang Gorgasali’s hunting falcon brought back a bird poached in these warm waters, and he ordered the shifting of the capital to what we now know as Tbilisi.

Lying on the ancient silk route, Tbilisi has always been a major gateway to Europe from Asia. All the traders on the way willing to enter the walled city were required to take a bath. Out of the many ancient baths, only 5 of them remain now. Bath no 5 is the oldest of them all, while I read a lot of good things about the Orbeliani Bath which is also the most distinctive with the Persian style of façade. Unfortunately, Orbeliani was under renovation when I was in Tbilisi, so I went with my hostel’s recommendation of Gulos Thermal Spa. A bit difficult to find Gulos is the rearmost of all without any signboard. Apart from these, you can also use one of the public baths just for taking a shower like most of the locals do.

The facilities in most of these private baths include an hourly paid private area, a paid scrub/massage service, towels/slippers and other essentials for a small price. The natural hot water is believed to have many therapeutic properties and do not let the apparently harsh behaviour of the spa owners deter you from going for this not to be missed amazing experience. An appointment is a must on most of the days.Spend a pleasant evening by the waterfall, which lies a few yards from these baths, after you finish spoiling yourself ????

Go bar hopping. Tbilisi has a flourishing bar culture. Alcohol is cheap and Georgia’s world famous unique wines make things even more fun. The following should be on your list, in the given order, if you are into alcohol and music –

- Canudos – My absolute favourite of all, I was informed about this place by my Couchsurfing friend Mary. The affinity to the bar developed in such a way that I always tried to plan my day in a way that I end up in Canudos by the time sun sets. It is the bar where you hardly find any tourists and is full even on the dullest evenings in Tbilisi, a local favourite!

Although making friends here is easy, carry a packet of cigarette and a lighter even if you do not smoke, Georgians smoke like crazy and often come up seeking a lighter.

Moreover, yes, expect a presence of a lot of interesting characters at Canudos always!

- Generator 9.8 – Another bar preferred by the locals, I will go to Generator if I am not going to Canudos. The atmosphere here is more relaxed than Canudos, and you also have the liberty to order food, which makes Generator a complete hangout place. Their Glintwine is a must try. Also, check if they have any live music evenings scheduled.

- Warszawa – The cheapest bar in Tbilisi with every drink priced at 1 Lari. Named after the Polish city of Warsaw, this bar tries best to give you that polish feel. Favourite among the students because of low prices, this place hardly offers any place to sit. Situated on the Pushkin Street right by the Freedom Square and adjacent to Subway, Warszawa is easy to spot with a dozen people always standing out in the corridor to smoke.

- Zoestan – Again difficult to find on the tourist map and in the guidebooks, Zoestan is another place always full of people. Situated in an alley close to the most touristy old town area this place is a bit expensive and classy. They offer good food and have an excellent drink menu, but their music! It might just make you revisit the place. Worth going at least once during your stay in any case.

- The Nali Pub and Dublin – Situated on the Giorgi Akhvlediani Street formerly known as Perovi Street, these places mostly have live music evenings. You find people from all age groups and the feel is more on the sophisticated side. The street is full of pubs and bars, but these two are the more known of all.

- Dive – The owner of this bar is an American expat. Dark and rugged, Dive offers both indoor and outdoor sitting options. The bar does not have a kitchen, but the idea is to order a Ronny’s Pizza (a pizza house run by another American Expat) while enjoying the game of beer pong here. Situated at the end of Mari Brose street, this is a meeting point of expats.

- Fabrika and Dive II – Fabrika is probably the biggest hostel in Tbilisi and also houses a huge bar, dancing area and a restaurant. Averagely priced and a backpackers choice, the locals go here to meet travellers and dance to international music. Fabrika is one of those rendezvous points in Tbilisi, and it is hard to imagine of empty spaces here.

An alley separates Dive II from Fabrika and acts as a crossroad for party people who wish to switch bars for a change.

- MacLaren’s Irish Pub – The only authentic bar worth recommending on the famous Shardeni Street. They play live music here at times.

Explore the nightlife. The nightlife scene in Tbilisi is something you do not usually experience in most places. The people like to move to EDM and Deep House, the clubs are dark and massive, everyone is dancing on his or her own, and the percentage of Marijuana in the air is more than oxygen. The state is of absolute Trance!

The party starts at around midnight and continues until sunrise. Allow me to take you through the club scene in Tbilisi.

- Bassiani – Arguably the biggest club in eastern Europe, Bassiani is situated in the basement of a football stadium and is a ‘Ravers’ wild dream. The new year’s celebration witnessed a whopping 3000 people on the dance floor. There are two halls for different music types and the best EDM DJ’s from the world perform in the bigger space called HOROOM. The craziness usually starts picking up at around 1 in the midnight, is at its peak at around 3.30 am and ends at 8 in the morning.

The smoke of Marijuana adds to the electronic music and lighting effects designed to take you deeper into your soul and results in ‘Rave’ like nowhere else. It is a place where Georgians explore freedom on the dance floor and in the deep dark alleys with couches, cave-like structures with mattresses to relax & prepare your joint and even beds to lay down in a few corners.

The joint is waved high in the air while whistling loudly to acknowledge the DJ when the trance is at its peak.

- Café Gallery – Cosy and situated on Rustaveli Avenue, Café Gallery is a café and bar until 11 PM before the tables are taken off, and the lamps lifted up, turning the small area into a dark space of freedom which carries a reputation of being Tbilisi’s LGBT club. Located centrally on the Rustaveli Avenue, Cafe Gallery has a reputation for playing very high quality of music and are very choosy for their crowd despite the limited floor area they have.

- Khidi – A relatively new EDM club and a competitor of Bassiani, although nowhere close to its scale. Situated under Vakhushti Bagrationi Bridge this place is a bit tricky to find and most of the cab drivers do not know about it. Divided into two sections, Khidi offers two music styles on weekends and major events. Choose the one which makes you move ????

The above three nightclubs have a super strict face control regime in place and can deny you entry without citing a reason. There are cameras installed at the entrance, and if your body language makes the authority feel that you are visiting the place for fun more than for music, you would straight away be refused entry. These clubs are dark and obscure, and they are possessive about that. Never try to enter with bright clothes as well.

- Art Café Home – If EDM or Deep House is not what makes you move, then Art Café Home, situated on the Betlemi Street in the old town area, is the only club left worth recommending in Tbilisi. The place has got multiple levels with the bar and dance floor on the 1st and couches on the 2nd. A favourite choice amongst the tourists and expats for dancing to international tunes.

Stags should not expect much of a hooking up culture in Georgian clubs. People pay for music, experience and rave more than for hunting. All the decent places usually have an entry fee ranging between 20 to 30 Lari. Also, nightlife in Georgia is confined only to these four clubs; rest are more of prostitution centres. I have been to a few and completely recommend not wasting your money on them.

Walk through the famous Bridge of Peace which is a bow shaped, nicely illuminated bridge standing over the Kura River and connecting Old Tbilisi to the new district. Two beautiful, tube-shaped metallic buildings you see by the bridge house a concert hall and exhibition space. You can even go for a peaceful walk just below the bridge and by the river bank. Being a famous attraction for everyone who visits the city, even you would be tempted to take out the camera to click a few pictures and selfies I bet, as everyone else does!

Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi is the tallest standing and the easiest to spot monument in Tbilisi. It’s beauty, when illuminated and seen from the Narikala fortress, is amazing. Being a major cathedral in the city and the country, it stands for and depicts the religious face of Tbilisi and Orthodox Christianity in Georgia.

A must visit for the fantastic view of the city and its gorgeous architecture even if you’re not religious.

Live Music. Movement Theatre, Café Pur Pur, Zazanova and Singer are the places to keep an eye on for live music events.These are the kind where you would like to spend your evening drinking wine and relaxing after a tiring day. The music played here is usually legendary, and their Facebook page can help you with the schedule. The location of most of these is very central and should not require an effort to find or reach.

Get Inked. Georgia is an inexpensive country. Getting a tattoo, which can otherwise be very costly in other parts of the world, is an excellent idea if you have been thinking of getting yourself inked. Tbilisi Ink Studio and Tattoo Studio – Andrei Aivazian are the places to keep in mind. Expect fantastic prices as I already said. Make sure to reserve yourself a time slot before you go.

Buy Georgian wine. To be in Georgia and not taking the Georgian wine back home is a crime. There are a few wine bars in Tbilisi to choose from, and the place I went to is known as Vinoground and is located at one end of Shavteli Street. They collect wine from a few dozen private vineyards in Georgia and therefore has got something on offer for everyone. From the cheapest to the super expensive, from a regular wine to an exclusive choice, Vinoground will make you taste most of them while sharing their histories and stories. It looks like a century old wine cellar from the inside and also offers a place to sit and order a bottle of wine and some food from the restaurant attached to it.

Where To Eat –

- Café Leila – This place is a vegan’s delight. Being an Indian vegetarian, I am always on the hunt for a vegetarian/vegan place to eat, and fortunately, this was the first cafe I went to in Georgia, and my taste buds could not have been happier. Fantastic choices of traditional Georgian recipes along with a few international favourites make their menu super confusing. It took us good 10 minutes to decide what to eat! Gorgeous Persian interior, super friendly staff, decent prices and a very convenient location makes Café Leila top my list of recommendations in Tbilisi. However, you just might need to reserve a place for yourself during a weekend.

- Chashnagiri – Located on the Leselidze Street in the old town area of Tbilisi, this is the restaurant you go to if you wish to experience traditional Georgian cuisine. Always full of people, Chashnagiri is equally famous among locals and tourists. The prices are low, but the service is just average. In fact, this average quality of service was the surprising front of most of the Georgian restaurants, in the otherwise very hospitable Georgian culture.

- Samikitano – Samikitano will be your rescue plan if you are a nightlife person. This 24-hour restaurant located right on the Liberty Square is a blessing in disguise. One ends up here a few times, after all the booze and dancing, even despite everything average that this restaurant has to offer. No one likes to sleep hungry after all!

- Khinkali House and the House of Khinkali – Khinkali is a traditional Georgian dish that resembles the Nepalese Momos. Although every Georgian restaurant will serve you Khinkali, Khinkali House serves you many varieties. Other traditional Georgian cuisines are on the menu as well. Located on the Rustaveli Avenue near the Rustaveli Metro, this restaurant is a local favourite. Cheap, massive and still full of people.

Very close to the Khinkali House is another similar place to try Khinkali’s. It is known as House of Khinkali. Head here if you cannot find a table at Khinkali House.

- Burgio – The best burger in Tbilisi but an expensive one as well. Burgio is the place to resort to when you’re craving an American-styled burger and a dark beer.

- Ronny’s Pizza – Set up by an American expat, Ronny’s is the most famous pizza in Tbilisi. I had one delivered to my hostel on the last day of my stay, and I would say it came as a nice change as I’ve been eating Georgian cuisine for a while.

- Café Kala – The best of all the touristy places in Tbilisi. Situated on one end of the Betlemi Street and in a very touristy area of the town, Café Kala manages to retain its local customers still. Great food, live music, an excellent collection of wine and professional staff for a change ????

- Café Mzuiri – You will not find this café in any guide book. Located inside the public park on the Chavchavadze Street in the residential district of Vake, this lovely and cosy café serves as the hangout place for the locals. They gather as a group here sometimes and enjoy Georgian cinema over a cup of coffee or a glass of Glintwine. Mzuiri can easily be rated the most authentically Georgian of all the places I have mentioned.

Where To Sleep –

- Hostel Pushkin 10 – Legendary will not be an overstatement while trying to rate this place. Their pancake breakfast is already world famous by now, and the people managing the hostel treat you like a family. They would stay awake until everyone returns, even if that is 6 in the morning.

Not the cheapest but not expensive as well, super clean and ultra comfy, this place is a gem and should be your first preference in Tbilisi. 20 on 10 for everything.

Moreover, if you ever happen to stay here and meet the wonderful people who run this place you have to tell them you’re my friend and I have sent loads of good wishes. Compulsorily!

- Hostel Anchi – This hostel is located on such a picturesque Betlemi Street that the moment you cross Anchi while walking around, you feel you should’ve stayed here. So the second time I was in Tbilisi, I booked this hostel and loved my stay. Decently priced and very clean, it is not huge but definitely deserves consideration.

- Tbilisi Rooms Hostel – This property deserves a heads up for its location on the Rustaveli Avenue. Not as fancy as the above two but clean and recommendable.

- Fabrika – The huge hostel in Tbilisi which is full of party people. A bit on the expensive side but it has got its pub and dance floor plus you get the added advantage of meeting loads of travellers.

- Hostel Leviathan – The cheapest of all the place I have mentioned. One of my friends was staying here, so I got a chance to have a look around. A good choice for people on a budget.

- Airbnb – Booking yourself an apartment when you’re travelling as a group can be very affordable, and Airbnb has made this easier than ever.

2) MTSKHETA & JVARI

The foundation of the town of Mtskheta dates back the 5th century, and it now stands as one of the oldest cities in Georgia. It is also one of the bastions of Orthodox Christianity in the world, the ancient capital of Georgia and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Merely 20 Km from Tbilisi, Mtskheta is either your first stop on the road trip or day trip from the capital. Take the metro until Didube station from where you can ride the Marshrutka to Mtskheta for 2 GEL (Rs 50).

Visit the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral. UNESCO declared the cathedral as a world heritage in the mid-1990’s and is the main attraction in the ancient town of Mtskheta. Georgia is a deeply religious country, and you get to feel the vibe as soon as you enter this headquarter of Christianity in Georgia. Walking freely inside the church should not be a problem until you decide to be a distractive element. The ladies must wear a black robe around their waist (available at the main entrance) before entering the cathedral.

Walk around the quaint Old Town. The town is easily measurable on foot and strolling on the maze of cobblestoned narrow streets while enjoying the picturesque old town was my best experience in Mtskheta. The town has got an immensely romantic setting, and it is hard to stop praising the beauty.

If you’re staying in Mtskheta until the sunset, the best idea is to buy a glass of fresh juice or warm wine from one of the many street stalls and head to the river bank to experience the sunset.

Enjoy a feast at Old Taverna. After all the walking around the town thing, feeding your stomach a nicely made Khachapuri at the Old Taverna feels like a desire satisfied. The outdoor sitting is the optimal choice to enjoy the great view of Jvari Monastery and Svetitskhoveli Cathedral.

Visit the Jvari Monastery. Overlooking the town of Mtskheta, on the hilltop, right by the confluence of Mtkvari and Aragvi rivers, stands a sixth-century monastery which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The legends say Jvari served as a prominent pilgrimage site for the people of Caucasus region and was believed to possess miraculous powers. The view of the town of Mtskheta lying right behind the confluence of rivers is just majestic from the monastery.

3) GORI & UPLISTSIKHE

Gori, the birthplace of Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin and the capital of Shida Kartli region in Georgia, lies in such a strategic location on the Georgian highway, that when in 2008 Russia took control over Gori, the Georgian president said the country was sliced in two. It also happens to be the last major town close to the pro-Russian separatist region of South Ossetia.

Walk or drive around the town. Gori offers a sneak peek into the Soviet era’s bland architecture, which definitely is a complete contrast to what you might have experienced in Tbilisi and Mtskheta. Going through the town will surely take you back in time by at least a decade.

All the residents had to abandon the city for a few weeks during the Russian-Georgian war of 2008 when the Georgian troops retracted from the city to address the greater interest of protecting Tbilisi. The city suffered massive damages of life and material.

Visit Gori Fortress and the Museum of Stalin. These two are probably the only two touristic attraction within the town. We skipped both of them, but if you’re into history, you might be fascinated to know more about the person who was responsible for the death of 20 million people during his rule and also pulled the trigger to push start the Korean War, Joseph Stalin. He was born and went to school in Gori.

Visit the cave city of Uplistsikhe – an ancient rock town lying at a distance of approximately 10 Km from Gori. This uniquely designed fascinating structure was founded in the late Bronze age and was a place of immense religious importance until the time when worshipping the sun was the only religion. It gradually started to lose its religious importance with the incumbent Christianity. It is divided into various levels and is located on the banks of Mtkvari river.

Experience immense peace while witnessing the sunset behind the distant Caucasus mountain range with the river still in sight from the highest level of this monastery.

Party at the Sports Café and eat at Chinebuli – While sports café is a cheap and basic place to enjoy your food and drinks, Chinebuli is more classy. The two storey Sports Café was visibly the local favourite with the upper level available for private events. I tried my first ever Khachapuri Acharuli at the Sports Bar, and it was so enormous and heavy, I could not finish it. My friend Amit tried his first ever Chacha here as well and could only finish that strong alcohol only with some real effort.

Sleep at Guest House Panorama. While I highly recommend staying with Nino and her lovely sister Sofie, there are a few other ultra-affordable choices of stay apart from Panorama.

However, our beautiful experience in Gori could not have been the same without our awesome hosts, and the night we all spent drinking and singing.

4) BORJOMI & BAKURIANI

Did you know the biggest export of Georgia is the natural mineral water coming from this town of Borjomi located in central Georgia! Flowing through the Borjomi Gorge, this water is believed to have curative powers. Borjomi also happens to be a resort town famous for having a huge amusement park which ends in natural hot water pools and the Borjomi Kharagauli National Park.

Visit the Central Park. The city park starts with an amusement section and a 2 km walk further through the park leads you to the natural hot water pools. Near the entrance is a cable car that takes you up to the hilltop for fantastic views of Borjomi. During the winters, renting an open snow tuk-tuk for 60 Lari, to reach the top is even more adventurous. With mesmerising views throughout the route and from the top, the ride is worth every penny.

Inside the park, a few yard from the entrance is the dome shaped shelter where you can top your bottle up with the world famous natural mineral water for free.

It was snowing heavily when we visited the park and the views were serene.

Hike through the Borjomi – Kharagauli National Park. The biggest national park in Georgia is free to access with a permit from the administrative office. Cheap but basic cabins are available for rent inside, but you need to carry some supplies and camping gear if you wish to spend a night inside the park. A map with routes and cabin locations is also available at the front office. A significant portion of the park lies within the Borjomi Gorge which is also the source of Borjomi water.

Party at Restaurant Metropoli and Eat at Café Tourist. Metropoli is situated right next to the railway station and offers a huge variety of Georgian dishes along with a few international ones. Café Tourist, on the other hand, is run by an old Georgian couple and offers traditional Georgian food only. The setting inside this tiny café feels cosy with old wooden furniture, a 21-inch, 15-year-old colour television, thick curtains and the walls decorated with the couple’s pictures and currencies from all over the world.

Metropoli was suggested by our Airbnb host, and fortunately, it happens to be the place where we realised that our talent of being able to dance to Jimmy Jimmy and Disco Dancer could make us the star guests. We were observing a group of locals celebrating a birthday while consuming our well-deserved pizza with a glass of Georgian wine after a long day, without realising that we were about to be invited to the party. We danced like crazy with the Georgians to the Indian and Georgian tunes while somehow managing to gulp the glass of wine each one of them was bringing to us in our honour ????

The story doesn’t end here. On the way to our apartment, we met a few Georgian gentlemen who invited us for another round of drink, singing and dancing on the road. We proudly sang ‘Mera Joota Hai Japani’ while the men moved to our tune. We were invited then to their home for some snacks and were gifted a big jar of homemade wine.

A legend of a night!

Bakuriani is a ski resort some 30 km from Borjomi and one of the most touristy places during the winters. Apart from the ski attraction, Bakuriani is also a photographers paradise. The clouds hover very low while the mountains hold the background, the whitewashed land and the picturesque homes add vibrancy to what looks like a painters dream.

Take a Ski lesson at Didveli Slope. Bakuriani has ski slopes for both beginners and professionals. Renting the gear is easy as the vendors have facilities right at the entrance to the cable car, which takes you to the slope. A beginner also has the facility of hiring a trainer for the first ever ski lesson of his or her life. Beginners get off at the first stop of the cable car, and the professionals go further at higher altitude. A café is located on the first level to feed you with the necessary dose of caffeine.

Enjoy a sheesha at the Sky Bar 1700. Our search for a nice pub that evening ended at a sheesha bar which was also our only sheesha experience in Georgia. The people running the bar are a few friendly Russians, and they have a vast collection of sheesha flavours to make a choice. The food was delicious, and the music was excellent. The quality and the prices were both higher than the Georgian average.

Eat at Café Mimino. One of those touristy cafés in a touristy place. Decent food, Khinkali wooden interior and a fireplace to keep yourself warm.

5) KUTAISI

Kutaisi is the new legislative capital of Georgia after the Parliament was shifted here from Tbilisi in 2012 and also the third most populated town in the country. The Soviet-era architecture mixes a strong Soviet vibe in the air, giving decades old feel to everything. Modernization has been seemingly ditching Kutaisi forever, and that is the high point of being in the area. Ancient and rugged infrastructure with even older looking lifestyle. However, Kutaisi’s most modern building, The Parliament of Georgia, stands out from the crowd in the form of an oval glass dome.

The low-cost carriers fly from the Kutaisi airport to connect Georgia to most of Europe. So if you’re coming from or heading out to any part of Europe, the chances are you will cross this town for sure.

Visit the Bagrati Cathedral. This 11th-century cathedral has been restored a number of times to its current state. It is situated on the top of a hill and is distinctively visible from many parts of the town. A UNESCO world heritage site, Bagrati Cathedral has been declining in religious importance but is a major tourist attraction in Kutaisi.

We started our day with a small uphill walk to the cathedral to only surprise ourselves, with the views of the Caucasus mountain range overlooking the town, so mesmerising that they would definitely be the reason I would go to this place if I am ever in Kutaisi again.

Visit the Prometheus Caves. Discovered accidentally by a group of students in 1984, this natural wonder is the biggest cave in Georgia. Only 10% of the area is open to tourists, and it still takes more than an hour to complete the tour. Our guide informed us that the formation is supposedly 5000 years old and is a result of the river gradually penetrating the base of the mountain.

It’s mind-boggling scale, and the fantastic views of stalactites, stalagmites, an underground river, lake and tiny waterfalls bring the child inside you back to life. A highly rated experience for sure!

Enjoy live music and delicious food at Café Palaty. This place deserves a thumbs up for the high quality and vast variety of food it serves, the choices of drinks (especially their cocktails) they have, their super friendly staff and the amazing local musicians they invite to play music. The place is full even on the most chilly evening in Kutaisi. Not the one to be missed.

Sleep at the super cheap Star Hostel. Without any intent of exaggerating how cheap this place is, I would like to share that we rented a bunk bed for Rs 250 (USD 3.5) per night. Of course, the shared bathrooms were small and not shining, but they still were upmarket for the prices. The location is central with public parking space easy to find, and the beds were comfy. Complete value for money.

6) BATUMI

The sheer pleasure of enjoying gazing at the smoke rising from a sailing ship in the black sea, with the mountains holding its back, from the coast of a beautiful town can only be experienced in reality. The description and this picture can only give you an insight.

Batumi is the most contemporary town regarding architecture in Georgia. It also has the country’s only port. Culturally I found it entirely different from the capital Tbilisi. A local guy I met through Couchsurfing told me that Adjarians (Adjara is the state Batumi lies in) are more conservative than the rest of Georgians. The girls in the region are still expected to remain virgin until marriage; religious freedom is way less than in Tbilisi, etc. Although I am no advocate to these assumptions and I enjoyed my time thoroughly in Batumi, I personally found the local community more closed

Spend time walking around the Square of Europe and Piazza Square. Most of the life in Batumi is happening around these two centrally located commercial but gorgeous squares. Spending a few hours doing nothing but trying to absorb all the beauty is easy.

Explore the Batumi Boulevard. The most impressive structures in the entire city are located on this walk. The Alphabet Tower, the Panoramic Wheel, the Statue of Ali and Nino, the Dancing Fountain and the Black Sea beach all fall in a line and spread like dots meant to be connected.

The infectious views of the sea, mountains, modern architecture, beautiful tree plantations, etc. make the boulevard my favourite part of the city.

Ride the Argo cable car and visit the Batumi Botanical Garden. Although I did not experience these either, I have heard only good reviews of them. Batumi looks amazing from the Anuria mountain, many people told me, especially during and after the sunset. The cable car takes you to the top to witness this view and make the whole experience a bit more fun.

Go casino hopping. Vegas of Georgia is another way to describe Batumi. Its proximity to Turkey where gambling is illegal has turned Batumi a casino heaven. However, since I am not a big fan of casinos, I decided to skip this experience. You might just want to check it out though. Expect a lot of Turkish people inside.

Eat at Shemoikhede Genatsvale Restaurant and do not eat at Munich. Shemoikhede is a local favourite place to have traditional Georgian food for good prices. Our Couchsurfing friend, after a walk through the town, took us here for lunch and we loved it.

Munich, on the other hand, is not a place for backpackers. With its classy and upscale interiors and international menu, it is more of a sophisticated place, and the prices exceeded our expectations.

Drink at Home Made Bar and ChaCha Time. We are so thankful to the lovely owners of the Home Made Bar to allow us to have a few drinks and even play our music on their system, just when they were about to close. They were our last hope that night as everything else closed, and we’re glad we decided to take our chances with them.

ChaCha Time is another famous place to socialise in Batumi. Unfortunately, we could not make it inside as it just closed when we reached, it is highly recommended and definitely worth a visit.

Nightlife in Batumi during the winters is completely non-existent. Only a few clubs are open, but they are more of prostitution hubs. During the summers the scene is entirely different though with more places on the choice card to choose from.

Stay at the Batumi Surf Hostel. Located in the heart of the city, Batumi Surf Hostel proved to be a gem with the very reasonable prices they offer. We got an even better deal when we booked online through booking.com. They have a fully equipped kitchen, super spacious lobby, comfortable beds and clean bathrooms. My friends were pushing me for renting a private apartment through Airbnb, but I insisted. My trip my rules I said!

And thankfully we met these Turkish travellers at the hostel and spent a crazy night drinking a large cocktail and playing stupid games. Some substance to bully my friends again when they demand a private apartment!

7) KAZBEGI & GUDAURI

No trip through Georgia is complete driving an SUV on the Georgian Military Highway to reach Kazbegi or Stepantsminda, the last town in Georgia on the Russian border and then hiking up to the Stepantsminda Sameba (which means Church) to capture fantastic views of Mount Kazbek, the highest peak in Georgia

The vistas were the best we experienced while on the road and driving in the snow was sheer fun. Until Gudauri the slopes are steep but all white, once you cross Gaudauri, you drive between walls of snow.

To absorb all the beauty seems impossible and the state of euphoria prevails all throughout.

Hike up to the Stepantsminda Sameba. I would call this a hike to heaven, especially in winters when the vehicles cannot go further than the town, and there are no tourists. One always comes across this dreamy picture of a church located at the feet of a humongous mountain, when looking for Georgia online. That picture was clicked here.

The view of the valley when you reach a bit higher is fantastic too.

This 3 km hike takes about 3 hours each side. Although you walk only on snow laden paths, the difficulty level remains average. Waterproof hiking shoes and a down jacket which supports temperatures up to -10 degrees are essential in winters. Carry some food, water and alcohol (definitely to keep the body warm) to make the most of your time; you would not find anything at the top. Ensure that you have an internet connection, a GPS enabled phone or a physical map. It is easy to get lost if it gets dark while returning.

I made two attempts to reach the top. The first was a disaster but so adventurous at the same time. I started late afternoon and had to return midway because it got dark and scary. I lost my way and had to slide a slope when I landed in a dead end. The route was hardly visible, and the only option left was following the town lights.

The second was successful, fulfilling and one heck of an adventure as well but in the right way.

Sleep at Guest House Panorama. If you read about my stay in Gori and remember the hosts from Airbnb, you also need to know that Nino has got a guest house in Kazbegi too. We could never get enough of staying with Nino! This time we met her husband and her super cute daughter Tamara. Without stressing on their amazing hospitality, I would like to share that it was Tamara that stole our hearts this time.

This view of Mount Kazbek and Stepantsminda Sameba with the starry sky in the background is simply out of this world and was clicked from the gallery of Nino’s guest house.

Eat at Café Mari and Shorena’s Hotel and Bar. Only a handful of cafes and restaurants are open in winters. Café Mari is located on the second floor of the building right opposite to the city bus station and serves traditional Georgian and a few international dishes. The food is excellent and cheap, the café is cosy, and I met many travellers everytime I went there.

Shorena’s is the second option if you’re fed up of eating at Mari. The food was nice, and they had some music too, but the owner of the place who happens to be a lady was shouting loudly on most of her workers. A good possibility that she had a bad day, but nonetheless that made my experience average.

Enjoy the panoramic view of the Caucasus while sipping your coffee at Rooms Hotel, Kazbegi. This vista is worth a thousand dollars. I had no intentions of walking up to the Rooms Hotel, as it is located uphill where the town ends, but the amazing pictures I always saw on Instagram made me do so, and gladly it was completely worth the pain. There is a beautiful outside sitting facility where you can order your drink and spend a few hours just staring at the moody clouds hovering over the mighty Caucasus.

Ski or Paraglide at Gudauri. The slopes at Gudauri are steeper, making it the optimal choice for trained skiers and snowboarders. Tandem paragliding is, however, possible for everyone. If you are not into any of them, Gudauri also has those jaw-dropping views of the mighty Caucasus for you to cherish.

THE WISHLIST

Even after spending a month in Georgia, I still feel I need to go back again one day. A few plans couldn’t be accomplished because my time was up and some new information always kept popping up, which I could never find in guidebooks, as I met more and more locals during my stay.

- Visiting Ushguli, the highest continuously inhabited village in Europe. When I began planning my trip, visiting this village was on the top pf my list. The things I’ve heard and the pictures that I saw from Ushguli were spellbinding. I knew it would be difficult in winters because of the subfreezing climatic conditions and limited transport facilities, but I still wanted to give it a try. I decided I will go and talk to a few locals on how the dream can be accomplished. As expected everyone informed me that visiting Svaneti (the region Ushguli lies in) and Mestia (another beautiful region in Upper Caucasus) isn’t a good idea in winters andI took their advice to drop my plan.

To reach Ushguli by road you need to take a bus from Zugdidi.

A couple days before my departure I met a Georgian girl who informed me that low-cost local carriers operate between Tbilisi and Mestia twice every week from each place. This information made me sad and happy at the same time as it was a great piece of data but my chances to benefit from it were zero.

The online booking facility is not yet available, and you will have to reach out the tourist centre to assist you with the same. The prices are low and cost only 50-60 Lari each way.

Ushguli will be the biggest reason I will go back to Georgia one day.

- Visiting the Rabati Castle in Akhaltsikhe and the Vardzia Monastery. Although I already knew about both of these places, the time wasn’t just enough to visit them in a relaxed way. The Rabati Castle has been restored significantly by Georgian government which spending a lot of money to bring it back to life. Vardzia, on the other hand, is a cave city close to Akhaltsikhe known for its fantastic views, huge scale and rich history.

- Taking an intensive wine tour through Kakheti. This is the region where most of the wine coming from Georgia is produced. The main city in the area is Telavi, and all the major wineries have their offices here. Me being a big fan of Georgian wine and the variety they have, Kakheti comes as a natural choice, but my curiosity to visit the area was just multiplied when I came to know that some of the wineries are so protective of their recipe that no visitor is allowed even in the vineyards. The romantic setting of the town of Telavi is the icing on the cake.

- Travelling through Georgia in summers ( June-August) to witness all the colours. Most of the western travellers visit Georgia in summers. They say it is so colourful and vibrant. And though winters for an Indian is more exciting than for a westerner, to witness the colours and the numerous possibilities of hiking and camping definitely make Georgia a great destination for visiting in summers as well. The topography is so varied in this small country that I’m sure I’d be left awestruck again but in a different way.

- Hiking and camping for a day or two in Borjomi National Park. While we were hanging out in the Borjomi City Park amidst the snowfall, I saw a lot of people returning towards the town with the backpack and other gear. Only later I came to know that the whole national park is open for camping and it takes a day or two to cover it decently. There are basic cabins inside the park available for rent, and it should be a good experience to go back to stay in the wild next time.

THE GREAT GEORGIAN ADVENTURE

NEXT TRIP -> ESTONIA, LATVIA & LITHUANIA OR THE PHILIPPINES in Oct 2017. Come travel with me for a trip of a lifetime :)

Air travel, in this era has primarily become a convenient means of commuting. The airline industry has picked up pace not only commercially but also in becoming providers to millions of people, a leisurely yet affordable journey all over the world. With a massive number of employees in this industry, I personally feel that the cabin crew sector of any airline for that matter is much more than what most of us formulate in our minds. Therefore, I strongly felt the need to write about my opinion on this issue after curiously observing my sister’s life as a flight attendant in a famous airline, also supported by some needful research. I assume that a lot of people are well read and informed about how the cabin crew department functions and what responsibilities and decisions they are accustomed to. The ones who are not quite clearly aware (I too wasn’t a couple of months back), this article is for them and primarily for those who understand yet choose to overlook facts.

Potential Flight attendants undergo an entire selection procedure before they are hired. A set process of written tests and few rounds of verbal interviews form its integral part. These are meant to test the candidate’s writing ability, communication skills, general knowledge skills, and their sense of tackling numbers, situation analysis and overall personality traits. Among the thousands of applicants, very few are shortlisted and hired in set of batches each for a training period of a few months thriving on which they are finally ready to fly with the airlines. Comprising of modules like safety, first Aid, service to name a few; the candidates study and go through innumerable exams, mock exercises and a practical understanding of their profession to be. This is a general procedure that they undergo which however may vary from one airline to another. When it comes to factual understanding, the cabin crew are officially certified first aid designation which rightfully gives them the power to provide aid to passengers in times of emergency. Also, on sensing unruly behavior, they can inform the pilot and get you arrested. During one of the regular routines at home wherein my brother and I would ask our sister questions related to her syllabus, we were surprised to see how she could recall names of medicines and enact the entire first aid process of treating passengers complaining of various problems whether it was a headache, cardiac arrest and a child birth delivery too. Having gone through a certified training comprising of safety measures, security of passengers and dealing with nuances and unwanted behavior 30,000 feet above ground level, the cabin crew embed within themselves religiously an ability to confront every situation calmly and tactfully.

There are a lot of people who misconstrue this profession and are wary of their nature of work. No, they are not waiters or waitresses, neither are they coolies that stand there to carry luggage. Due respect to all waiters and coolies. Work in any form, big or small is respectable and hard earned. However, what I am pointing out to is the nature of work that is being misunderstood. Having been a frequent flyer, I have observed and heard about incidents wherein passengers have behaved with the cabin crew in a very disrespectful manner. A lot many passengers call them with various names, irritate them on purpose, whistle and command in the manner that they themselves would never imagine to be treated in. People who can associate themselves with the description that I have provided regarding these passengers, please understand. Understand that when a flight is delayed, it is not the cabin crew that is responsible for it; when there is less space in the overhead bins, it is not the cabin crew that has filled in space with their personal luggage; when they say that a particular food item is not available, it is not them who have issued grants to the food and beverage department. Do not shout at them unnecessarily, try not to give them looks of resentment and disappointment, do not make them feel lower to any other being present on the aircraft. The Cabin Crew knows the aircraft system more than you and are there for your safety because your safety is their topmost priority. They are there to ensure that you experience a wonderful journey. They smile continuously without a shadow of doubt, no matter how bad their day has been. Be humble. Give them the respect that they deserve. For honour and pride are the souls of any existence.

Bhawana Bisht.

Ramayana is definitely one among the two epics written by Valmiki. The best thing about Ramayana is that apart from Lord Rama, it introduces us to many interesting characters on the way – One among them being Jatayu, the bird king!

Jatayu got himself brutally wounded in the process of saving Sita from Ravana’s clutches and breathed his last informing Rama about the kidnap and as per Srimad Valmiki Ramayanam, Taked village near Nashik is that holy place where Lord Rama met one of his great devotee – Jatayu!

A 42 km drive from Nashik Road (which consumes a lot more time than required due to the poor road conditions) is what it takes to reach the Sarv Tirth Jatayu Mandir, Taked. As the village lies on the outskirts of city, personal vehicles are the only mode of transport if you wish to visit there.

In order to pay a tribute to the legendary bird of Ramayana, A big temple is constructed at Taked known as the Sarv Tirth Jatayu Mandir.

Lord Rama sensed the end result as soon as he saw wounded Jatayu lying on the ground, so he hit an arrow at the ground to call all 7 sacred rivers a.k.a. Teertha to make sure that the bird king gets moksha.

After hitting the arrow, waters from the six rivers arrived instantly while one river failed to obey Lord Rama’s divine call but Lord Rama, being an incarnation of Lord Vishnu himself, forced the Gaya teerth to arrive at the spot. Finally the waters of seven rivers were given to Jatayu and he eventually attained moksha.

At present, you can find the 6 river waters in a single pond at Sarv Tirth, Taked. Whereas, the water of seventh river flows few feet away from the temple as a punishment for it’s late arrival – it is said that it mixes with the other 6 river waters in an invisible manner!

The village of Taked is one of the major tourist and religious attraction today though it still doesn’t get the required attention of the authority and lacks modes of transports and facilities to the core.

The best time to visit Sarv Tirth Jatayu Mandir, Taked is on the occasion of Mahashivratri festival as a fair is organized every year near the sacred water pond for the devotees.

Some memories are best left unperturbed floating in a feel-good bubble that you don't want to dissect with the "when, where, what, why" conundrum. That is probably the reason why I can't bring myself to blog about my travels immediately after I return home despite having a vivid account of it playing on loop on my mental screen. Months pass by and I just observe the passage of time. Sometimes they stretch into years. Then, I feel guilty of not having recorded some of the best moments of my journey as they begin to recede to the inaccessible layers of my mind. The urgency of the situation - the frantic attempt to gather all that remains in a massive sweep, brings me back to my photo journals. Whatever I mine out of them get condensed into a blog post with wistful flavors. This is going to be one such write-up.

Last November, Azal, Sammy and I took a short vacation in Coorg or Kodagu - the land of the valiant Kodavas. The place had been on our bucket list right from the very beginning of our courtship but for some reason we deferred it for about three years in spite of living in Bangalore during that period. The first time I visited Coorg was when I was in the twelfth standard. The untainted magic of school days lent a particular charm to my memory of this coffee haven. With the word 'Coorg', my mind would quickly conjure up images of wet forests, Buddhist monasteries and a bunch of uniform-clad teenagers on the brink of breaking free. However, my second trip changed everything. Now the only thing I can think of when I hear 'Coorg' is the insidious flavors of the rich and dark Pandi curry (authentic Coorgi pork) infused with the tangy notes of Coorgi vinegar derived from Gambooge/Malabar Tamarind locally called the Kachampuli or Kodampuli.

Coorg is roughly a five hour drive from Calicut, my hometown. We started a little after six in the morning and entered Madikeri/Mercara before noon. For the first night, our stay was booked via airbnb at Beans and Blossom Estate stay, a tastefully designed hideout in the heart of a privately owned coffee and pepper plantation in Napoklu, about 20 km from Madikeri. After checking in, we headed out for lunch at Tiger Tiger - a family run restaurant serving the best local food in town. An array of authentic dishes were laid out before us in no time - Akki roti (chapati made from rice flour), Paputtu (steamed rice cake inebriated with milk and garnished with coconut), Kadamputtu (steamed rice balls), Pandi curry and Chicken cutlets. The Kodava cuisine, a beautiful amalgamation of locally sourced ingredients like wild fruits, bamboo shoots and wild meat, is tightly bound to its geographic and cultural roots. Rice is the main crop cultivated in the area and therefore, forms the foundation of most dishes. The distinct flavors take us back to the history of this indigenous tribe that still carries ceremonial knives.

Delightfully satiated, we drove down to Kaveri Nisargadhama to unwind in the company of nature. A river island near Kushalnagar, it has beautiful hiking trails punctuated by tree houses, deer parks, boating facilities, hanging bridges and rivulets enshrouded by dense forest land. It is a popular picnic spot for tourists especially those traveling in large groups. Another prominent attraction for those visiting this part of Karnataka is the Golden Temple or the Namdroling Monastery in Bylakuppe, the second largest Tibetan settlement in India after Dharamshala. Elaborately ornamented, the temple is a grandiose structure that houses colossal statues of Guru Rinpoche, Buddha Sakyamuni and Amitayus. The walls are adorned with colorful mural paintings depicting images of Gods and demons from Tibetan Buddhist mythology. The monastery is home to about five thousand monks who play a key role in the dissemination of Tibetan Buddhist philosophy. On reaching the walkway leading to the temple, we were attacked by wasps. Azal got stung by one as he tried to get it out of my hair. Throbbing with pain he returned to the jeep to get some first aid. I caught a quick glimpse of the temple insides before heading back.

It was dusk when we reached our abode for the night. We got acquainted with our host Bopanna who promised to take us on a plantation trail the morning after. Thrilled by the novel settings, Sammy gamboled around the cottage as we sipped some Coorgi coffee by the warmth of the fire flaming right into the chilly night. For dinner, we were served generous portions of chilly pork, rice, dal, chapati, cabbage sabzi, salad and bananas. After a good night's rest, we woke up refreshed to take on the challenges of the day. We had a trek planned for the second half. Bopanna took us on a tour of the estate, giving us an insight into the technicalities of coffee cultivation and the day to day life of a planter revolving around this cash crop - growing it, tending to it and savoring it many times a day. A sumptuous breakfast followed.

Our next destination was King's cottage located in Kakkabe at the foothills of Tadiandamol, the highest peak in Kodagu district. Beset in the embrace of a lovely garden, the cottages overlooked the swaying reaches of the paddy fields below with the foggy mountains playing sentry to the picturesque setting. Coffee beans evenly spread out on the concreted courtyard got roasted in the unsparing heat of the tropical sun.

Being a trekking enthusiast, Azal wanted to hike to the top of the mountain and revel in the mesmerizing views from up above. I fell prey to his infectious spirits, nodding a yes to the adventure unbeknownst of what lay ahead of me. We lunched at a roadside shack called The Five Star Thattukada run by local Muslims who spoke Malayalam with a heavy Kodava influence. With close proximity to the Kerala border, the intermingling of cultures was visibly evident in the area. 

Before setting out on the trek, we visited the Nalknad Palace, which served as the final refuge of the last of the Haleri Kings of Kodagu before he was deposed by the British. With secret chambers and paling artworks decorating the walls and ceilings, the palace was a relic of the bygone era.

We started the trek a little after two in the afternoon, hoping to be back by sun down. At the outset, I was geared up for the challenge but as time went by, the uphill trek began to take a toll on my weak calf muscles. I was heaving and panting as my body blatantly refused to catch up with the thrill of conquering a goddamn mountain. My heart felt like it was being stumped down by the weight of the entire universe. I was at a point of no return; all that I could do was hurl philosophical abuse at my husband who tricked me into this futile sport of inflicting self-torture simply to appease the ego. Pardon me, but the pain was so mind numbing that the higher meaning of this relentless pursuit escaped the limits of my comprehension :/ However, we completed the trek successfully and returned to sanity before nightfall. Being up there among the clouds wasn't too bad after all. Lesson learnt: it's more about pushing your limits than conquering the mountain.

When we got to our cottage, Sammy was up from her midday siesta and looking forward to her biggest joy in life - food. We took her around the fields before dinner which comprised of a full meal similar to the one at Beans and Blossom. But this time we opted for chicken instead of pork. We retired to our beds soon after for a well-deserved break from the draining activities of the day. 

After a wholesome breakfast, we vacated our room and drove to Madikeri to visit the Abbey Falls. The magnificence of the waterfall was amplified by the greenery around it. Sammy was bemused by the vibe of the place but not the unsolicited attention bestowed upon her. Our trip was coming to a close and what better way there was to end it than with a generous helping of Pandi curry and its accompaniments from Tiger Tiger! Once again, we relished the inimitable blend of spice and meat, and licked our plates clean before bidding adieu to the exotic land of the Kodavas.

Baratang Island (Andaman Islands, India) – The Land of Jharawas !

Day 3 of our tour to the Andaman Islands was meant to visit this island called Baratang Island.   I had googled and read a lot about the Jharawa Tribe and was dying to see them.   This island is between South and Middle Andaman. 

 The island can be reached via the Andaman Trunk Road which further goes to Rangat and Diglipur.   After travelling by road one has to cross a creek on a vehicle ferry at Middle Strait to reach Baratang. One can reach Baratang island by Government, private buses or other modes of transport.

Can you imagine that some primitive tribes still exist on this earth? A tribe which still lives in the Stone Age?    A tribe which still drape with leaves, eats fish, fruits, coconuts and uses the stone to ignite fire?    A tribe which has no contact with the external world.    That’s Jharawas for you.   Sun Burnt black skin, cury hair and of short stature.   The Government of India makes every effort to preserve their tribe, whose number is slowly dwindling and presently less than 500.

If the above paragraph excites you, and wish to see them in flesh and blood, rush to Baratang Island, which is at a distance of 100 odd kilometres from Port Blair.   On the way, you pass through a dense forest with rich flora, fauna and foliage. It’s here, if you are lucky, you spot a few of them walking or just standing by the roadside staring at the passing vehicles. Before the start of the forest, you have a checkpost, where you need to produce your identity cards and your vehicle number is registered before you are allowed entry into the area.   There are entry timings every couple of hours.   All the vehicles are pooled up and sent in batches.   You are escorted by a police vehicle at the front and one at the behind.   You are not supposed to stop your vehicle, talk to Jharawas or offer them food or clothing or whatever.   It’s the rule to preserve the sanctity of their culture. The Jharawas you find here are very few.   A majority of them live in islands in Nicobar area which are completely cut off and inaccessible to even the enforcement authorities, because, the Jharawa tribe themselves shoot arrows when they spot a boat approaching their islands.

We left by taxi early at 06.00 AM from our Guest House at Port Blair. It took us roughly three hours for us to reach Baratang Island. On the way, we were lucky enough to spot first a couple of cute little jharawa children playing by the roadside.   Then a little ahead, a mother and her child were looking at us pass by. And on the return journey too, we first saw four adolescent jharawa boys.   We do not know who offered them clothes, but they were wearing shirt and trousers. A rare sight to see.

Baratang Island offers the tourists two things to see. First, it has lime stone caves and secondly it has mangroves.   You need to take a boat ride of roughly half and hour to see the lime stone caves and the crocodile infested mangrove creeks (Sounds scary?, don’t worry, the crocodiles live in the deep inside the mangroves, and the boatman knows where not to tread, so feel at ease).

It was 01.30 PM and we had our lunch and went to see the mud volcanoes a few kilometres away.

We started our return journey at 3.00 PM and reached Port Blair by 06.00 PM.   After having some Tea and snacks at the Guest House, we sat on the lawns of our Guest House from where we had a lovely view of the Jetty and the rest of Port Blair.   The night sky was draped in the lights, like a zari saree worn by a bride.

…Three days, and three islands, and life seemed so cinematic.   Two more days left, and our tour would end.   In our reminiscence, all our previous tours seemed pale.   Andaman Islands left that magical spell on us.   We slept like satisfied babies with smiles on our faces.

…Day 4 had another island in store for us. Which island is next? To know read my next blog.

The Walled City of Ahmedabad, founded by Sultan Ahmed Shah in the 15th century, has been declared India’s first World Heritage City. The World Heritage Committee (WHC) of UNESCO announced it on Twitter on Saturday after a meeting in Krakow, Poland. Ahmedabad was in the race for the prestigious title with Delhi and Mumbai.

This declaration was hailed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP chief Amit Shah and Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani.

Ahmedabad has 32 heritage sites, hundreds of 'pols' that capture the essence of community living and numerous sites associated with Mahatma Gandhi who lived here from 1915 to 1930.

With this title, Ahmedabad has joined the likes of Paris, Cairo and Edinburgh. Of the 287 world heritage cities across the globe, the only two cities in the Indian subcontinent which enjoy the status are Bhaktapur in Nepal and Galle in Sri Lanka.

The largest city of Gujarat, Ahmedabad is a city of legacies. The Sabarmati River runs through its centre. It is a city of many wonders, from centuries-old mosques and mausoleums to cutting-edge contemporary designs shaping the skyline of the city to various cultures and religions defining the character of the city.

Here is why Ahmedabad deserves this title –

1. Ahmedabad epitomises the UN's objective of sustainable development. On one end it is preserving its ancient heritage and culture, and on the other it is accelerating in its development as it is chosen to be one of India's first smart cities.

2. It has been the city from where the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, started his freedom movement. The Gandhi Ashram on the western banks of Sabarmati River show the life and struggles of Mahatma Gandhi and how he began the journey of India's freedom from Ahmedabad.

3. The pols in Ahmedabad signify the seamless amalgamation of tradition with modern. They are the backbone and heart of the city. A pol is a residential settlement with its own urban structure, making it self-sufficient for communities. Every pol has its own building of worship of whatever faith is prevalent in the pol.

4. The architecture in Ahmedabad is a marvel in itself. With elegant carvings decorating the Hindu and Jain temples, and buildings that are an example of some of the finest Indo-Islamic architecture, this city truly has heritage in abundance. Ahmad Shah’s mosque, Teen Darwaza, the Jama Masjid and Qutub Shah’s Mosque are some of the finest examples of the rich history of the city.

5. Ahmedabad has always been a thriving centre for trade. When the city was first established, the ruler, Ahmed Shah, invited all the merchants, weavers and craftsmen from all over the country and neighbouring countries to set up shop in Ahmedabad and sell their wares. Since then, this city has continued to flourish as a centre for art and trade.

Want to read more about the architectural marvels of Ahmedabad? Read this travelogue. 

It seems completely illogical why one would pick a rustic homestay over the fancy luxuries of a world-class five star resort. But there are some travellers, who despite having the capacity to afford such luxurious stays, choose instead to live and experience a destination through its homestays. The following homestays in India, situated in highly popular destinations, are capable of giving famous five-stars a healthy competition (if not a run for their money).

Disclaimer: The homestays are obviously not equipped with services such as in-house spas, infinity pools, jacuzzis or different restaurants for varied cuisines. But where they lack in high-end facilities, they make up for in character and experience.

La Belle Vie in Nainital

Made with natural stone and crafted out of reclaimed wood from the forests that surround the house, La Belle Vie is a manifestation of all things beautiful in life. Situated just 100m from the Naukuchiatal Lake, this cottage is tucked away from the chaos of city life and serves as a refreshing retreat. If you want to try recreational activities such as boating, paragliding and trekking, the host can help you arrange them. A stay at La Belle Vie will be accompanied with a full-time caretaker and cook (till 10:30pm) who will happily whip up local and continental meals for the guests at a cost. Doesn't that sound like a cozier option than the famed WelcomHotel The Savoy where a double room for night costs Rs13,000.

Price per night: Rs 11,988 for the entire cottage that accommodates upto eight people.

Shobla Pine Royale in Manali

Situated in the understated town of Old Manali, the Shobla Pine Cottage looks over the beautiful Jogni Falls and the Beas River. From your bedroom, you will get an unobstructed view of Rohtang Pass and Hampta mountain. The host serves a great breakfast to the guests and ensures a memorable stay. One of the most romantic homestays in India, Shobla Pine Cottage is ideal for couples who like scenic isolation in the lap of nature. A stay at Shobla Pine Royale is accompanied with a live fireplace and a hospitable staff of helpers. The cottage might not have an enviable spa as the one at Wildflower Hall, where a night's stay costs Rs 19,000, but it does promise that an evening by its fireplace with loved ones will be just as memorable.

Price per night: Rs 2,981 for a private room which accommodates two people.

Rosie's Lakeside Retreat Homestay in Udaipur

Rosie's Lakeside Retreat is a recently renovated but universally loved homestay in the Old City of Udaipur. Located behind the City Palace, Rosie's has an awe-inspiring lake view. This Airbnb property has also been mentioned in Lonely Planet's (March 2015) "30 hip homestays from Rio to Paris" and should not be missed! A housekeeper comes to clean the place once everyday (except Sundays) and there is a fully functional kitchen if the guests want to cook. In case you fall in love with a piece (decorative sculpture, pillow case, etc) during your stay, note that everything, except primary furniture items, are for sale here. If you are planning to stay longer and wish to experience how the past and present are celebrated in Udaipur without spending Rs 21,000 per night at the Taj Lake Palace, then Rosie's Homestay is for you.

Price per night: Rs 4,081 for a private room which accommodates two people.

Sea Hut Homestay in Kochi

As one of the highest-rated homestay in India, the Sea Hut in Kochi is a beautiful retreat by the Arabian Sea, which exudes the feeling of being at home, even when you are far away from it. The hosts are reviewed to be caring, comforting and friendly. Guests who have previously sought a treat at Sea Hut suggest asking the host to whip up local dishes which she specialises in. Throughout the day, the sound of the sea breeze and whistling trees fill the surroundings, making it an ideal place to escape to for some calm and quiet. And if you get bored, there are two adorable pets on the property: Tingu (dog) and Pillu (cat). Sea Hut might not have the luxuries of the Kumarakom Lake Resort, but a stay here will take you back to simpler times when happiness came easy amidst nature and loving people.

Price per night: Rs 1,620 for a private room which accommodates two people.

Curly Coelho Cottage in Goa

If you want to explore a part of Goa which is not synonymous with wild parties, then the historical town near Dona Paula is where you should head. Nestled amongst coconut and mango trees in a quiet corner of a small village, this villa has great access to more popular parts of Goa. A stay at Curly Coelho comes with a full-time caretaker and cook who will happily whip up a meal for the guests. The cottage is just a walk from the Mira-mar beach, from where you can also get a great view of the Vasco da Gama Port and the lighthouse near Fort Aguada. Your stay at the Curly Coelho Cottage with Old Goan vibe might not match the spoils of the Goa Marriott Resort where a night's stay costs Rs 14,000, but it will give you a peek into the heart of real and authentic Goan living!

Price per night: Rs 6,026 for the entire cottage which accommodates upto 10 people.

Necklace View Villa in Hyderabad

In the town of nawabs and near the legendary Banjara Hills, the necklace view villa is a great replacement for conventional haveli-turned-into-hotels. Located right in the heart of Hyderabad in a posh neighbourhood, the villa is at great proximity to city's cafes, fine dining restaurants and entertainment centres. And if you need anything else at all, Dasrath, the resident housekeeper will be more than happy to help. The host also allows parties and get-togethers, so you can book this regal villa for an extended stay with your friends. The Necklace View villa also serves as an austere replacement for the glorious Falaknuma Palace where a basic room for a night costs Rs 36,600!

Price per night: Rs 9,461 for the entire villa which accommodates upto 10 people.

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