An Abyss Of Imagination » Journeys Ahoy

Budget Travel

Nayna — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 04:30:09 +0000

We all would love to travel given an opportunity, with an unending supply of money, without a care in the world for anyone’s feelings or responsibilities. Unfortunately, not all of us have been entitled to this kind of luxury and good fortune.

Earning a decent income, fulfilling the basic requirements, managing a family takes a toll from the one source of income. Saving from that income to go for a luxurious vacation is unimaginable. But the desire to go for a holiday still lingers and that has given rise to alternate means of traveling.

Budget travel to Europe has gained a lot of popularity in recent times. While budget travel to India too has its charm but most international visitors tend to be skeptical. Backpacking is also an alternate way to travel if you have an adventurous bone in your body.

A lot of budget travel magazines offer a variety of destinations with exciting offers. Budget airlines, budget hotels and budget travel online websites surely lure a lot of stressed customers but the key is to find the right one.

Many people get cheated each year when they land at the destination and find out that things are not what it seems to be. What was shown in the brochure was not a reality and at times it is impossible to get a refund of the money.

Budget Travel Tips

1) Find out the background of the tour operator and their operation procedure.

2) Check with reviews online about the company and the number of happy customers.

3) Read about the destination that you wish to travel. If the package tour operator is taking you off season at a low price, understand what the reasons are. Most of the time, they plan winter packages which is not always a feasible option. You could be stranded at the airport due to bad weather and will lose out on days of the tour.

4) Always have a backup option if the tour operator has decided to call it quits. Surviving in a new city with strangers and not speaking the language can be difficult. Running out of money or political events can also pose a grave danger especially if you are traveling alone or accompanied with children.

5) Compare the prices and benefits of every budget holiday plan that a tour operator offers.

6) You may not always require a tour package to enjoy a budget holiday. You can use their facilities to get the visa done and book your flight but the hotel stay and sightseeing can be done on your own. For that a little bit of time should be taken to research and gather relevant information.

We all want to take a break from our mundane, hectic life but selecting the right means to enjoy the vacation within a limited budget is most crucial. A holiday should not be a nightmare but a journey to be cherished and shared with your loved ones.

Planning A Road Trip

Nayna — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 04:30:03 +0000

Road trip is a quaint way to explore your adventurous side. It is affordable, flexible, stress-free and leaves in you in-charge of your dreams and pleasures. Sounds divine doesn’t it? It truly is but you need to do a little bit of planning so that you don’t get stranded in the middle of nowhere, where your cell phone doesn’t get any network.

Personally, I enjoy road trips and add it to my chores list. If I don’t, I can never get away from the daily drag and seek out new thrills. So what do you need for a road trip? A good running car and a road map. If you have a GPS system in your car then you don’t need anything else, other than gas money.

Road Trip Essentials:

1) Decide whether you want to travel alone or want some friends along. Having someone along is relaxing as he or she can drive while you rest.

2) If you plan to go alone then make sure you have a list of all the motels, highway inns and hotels on the way so you can stop and rest for the night. Driving alone at night is not the best way to enjoy a road trip.

3) If you plan to go across states then make sure you have the necessary paperwork.

4) Carry plenty of snacks, energy bars and juices. You can refill as you go along.

5) Make sure you have a duplicate set of keys of the car. Very often people lock the car leaving the keys inside. To avoid such a hassle, keep an extra set in your jacket or purse.

6) Carry a first-aid kit and keep fire extinguisher handy.

7) You can throw in some blankets and pillows in case you are required to sleep in the car.

8) Avoid picking up hitchhikers. I am sure you don’t need to be warned about them.

9) Make sure you drive within the speed limit and not go overboard with deserted highways.

10) Stay in your lane and avoid taking unnecessary risk of overtaking on freeways and mountainous terrains. If you plan your trip in the monsoons or icy winters then be wary of your speed as roads tend to get slippery.

11) Avoid talking on the cell phone, listening to loud music and drinking alcohol while driving.

12) Make sure you inform your friends and family of your road trip and the pit stops that you will be encountering during your journey.

13) Avoid giving away too much personal information or getting involved with strangers.

14) Free your mind and experience the luxury of simple living.

Road trips are the best way to see the scenic side of the world. It is most economical way to travel without the hassle of booking agents and fixed itinerary. But some precautions should be taken to make the road trip memorable.

Suvarn Bhoomi, Thailand

Nayna — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 06:30:33 +0000

The new international airport Suvarn Bhoomi in Thailand captivates every onlooker. Read its details on our previous post Samudra Manthan, Thailand.

Samudra Manthan, Thailand

Nayna — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 05:38:05 +0000

The new international airport Suvarn Bhoomi in Thailand captivates every traveler. Samudra Manthan or the churning of the great ocean has been displayed here. This legend has been depicted from the Hindu scriptures of Devi Bhagwad and Vishnu Purana.

Even though Hinduism doesn’t play a pivotal role in the lifestyles of the people in Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia and Malaysia but they have taken this effort to pay respects to their forefathers who were originally Hindus. The grandeur in its display leaves every mortal spellbound.

India with its vast cultural heritage has influenced people worldwide. But its own people haven’t yet taken an effort to showcase their legacy so exquisitely. The Iron Age or Kaliyuga has really worked its way on their minds. Depictions like Suvarn Bhoomi does make one stop, think and pay a silent homage to the great Hindu culture.

Take a look at the extended version of this spectacular image of the arena in our post Suvarn Bhoomi. I am sure you will be speechless.

Read our post on Neelkanth Mahadev Temple, Rishikesh to get an in-depth understanding of the significance of Samudra Manthan.

Indian Street Food

Nayna — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 16:52:06 +0000

Hot dogs carts, Taco and Burrito stalls line the corners of American streets. Stir fried noodles, Momos and rolls add brightness to the Asian roads. Indian street food cannot be categorized so easily because of its endless varieties.

Every state of India has its own variation of street food. If I start listing all of them, then it will certainly become an encyclopedia of chaat. So I will highlight the most common and famous street foods of India.

Bhel Puri- This is a combination of rice puffs, sev (these are thin fine crunchy fried tiny noodle. Well noodle is not the right word but it looks like a packet of raw noodles when stamped on) boiled sliced potatoes, coriander and a variety of chutneys. It is sweet, sour and spicy.

Sev Puri- This is similar to Bhel puri but doesn’t have the rice puffs. It has papdi which are hard, crunchy, disc-shaped chips. This is too made with variety of chutneys, raw onions, lime juice and coriander. Sometimes raw mangoes are also added depending on the season.

Dahi Puri- This is prepared similar to sev puri but here the specialty is the addition of chilled, sweetened yogurt.

Dahi Bhalla or Dahi Wada- Dahi denotes yogurt. Bhalla or wada is made of lentils that is deep fried and then soaked in water. This soft ball is next coated and dipped in chilled, sweetened yogurt and served with chutneys both sweet and spicy. This image is of Dahi Bhalla ready to be served.

Dahi Papdi- This is similar to sev puri but the puris are crushed and yogurt is added with the variety of spicy chutneys.

Dahi Kachori- This is a chaat made with yogurt. The kachori is a spicy, crisp savory which is filled with delicious spices which adds a unique taste to the whole dish.

Pani Puri- Puris here are small, crispy balls which are poked in the centre, filled with boiled lentils and then dipped in sweet chutney, spicy chutney and then dipped in tamarind water mixed with powdered spices like rock salt, dry ginger etc. This spicy, chilled water is stored in an earthen vessel. The vendor serves it to you in a small dish. You stand next to the vendor as he individually prepares each puri and adds it in your plate. The fun part of eating this is that you eat this puri with the water contained in it. One can gobble down twenty of these without even counting them.

Samosa- This is triangular shaped savory filled inside with potatoes or sometimes with peanuts and a whole lot of spices. This is too served with sweet and hot chutney.

Samosa Chaat – This is a combination of spices, chutneys, sev and samosa. Sometimes even yogurt is added to this to make this more mouth-watering.

Cholay Samosa- This is another variety of chaat. Here is samosa floats in spicy cholay which a curried chick peas.

Wada Pav- This is a delicacy as well as a common man’s food in the state of Maharashtra. It is basically a bread and potato sandwich. This is an Indian version of the burger but definitely a lot spicier. Boiled, mashed potatoes are made into patties, coated and mixed with green chilies, ginger, garlic and a tempering of mustard seeds and turmeric. These balls are then dipped in an herb-seasoned batter made with gram flour, then it is deep fried. The finished vada is then wrapped in bread and served with mint, coriander or coconut chutney, red chili powder or green chilies (sometimes fried and salted).

Pav Bhaji- Pav denotes a certain type of fluffy bread and bhaji is vegetable. This bhaji is a mashed preparation with its base made of tomatoes. A variety of boiled vegetables are added to this base with onions, garlic, ginger and dry powdered spices. Dollops of butter is added and constantly mashed. This is cooked on a large Tava or hot plate. It is served with raw onions, lemon slices and mixed pickle.

Ragda Patties- Ragda is white peas. This is boiled and tempered with spices. Patties made of potatoes are prepared separately and added to this. Tamarind pulp chutney, sweet date chutney, green chilly chutney and finely chopped onions and coriander leaves are added with a dash of lemon juice.

Aloo Tikki Chaat- This is very popular chaat as well. Boiled potatoes are mixed with bread and deep fried. To this spicy, sweet and sour chutneys are added. Then sprinkled with onions, coriander and sev.

These are the basic street food or chaat commonly found in most Indian cities. So give it a try, experience a new sense of sensory gratification, exuberance to the taste buds and share your experiences with us.

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Is Taj Mahal A Tomb Or Hindu Temple? Controversies And Unanswered Questions

Nayna — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 04:30:14 +0000

Millions of Indians voted to include Taj Mahal as one of the Seven Wonders of the World. They rejoiced in ecstasy when their wish was fulfilled. But did all of them know the secrets behind locked doors? Few were aware of it; some read about it while other slaved for years to prove their point.

“Taj Mahal was originally a Hindu temple.”

This truth when it became headline news across all television channels on 24^th July 2008, many Indians woke up and were forced to pay attention.

Shri P.N. Oak has presented his own conclusions in his books, most notably Taj Mahal-The True Story (ISBN: 0-9611614-4-2) where he has provided an overview of his research and lists his 109 proofs of how the Taj Mahal was a pre-existing Hindu temple palace, not built by Shah Jahan but originally at least 500 years earlier in 1155 AD by Raja Paramardi Dev as a Vedic temple. His proofs are an eye-opener because he has really not left a brick unturned and explained in simple yet concrete proofs of his findings.

Besides P.N Oak, P. S. Bhat and A. L. Athavale have also thoroughly researched on the Taj Mahal controversy in “The Question Of Taj Mahal” (Itihas Patrika, vol 5, pp. 98-111, 1985). They all have provided detailed photographs to prove every statement. Links to their articles and detailed photographs have been compiled by Stephen Knapp on his website. Click here

Some questions still remain unanswered:

1) If these researchers and scholars have put forth their discoveries, then how come no one has come forward and proved them wrong? It only confirms that they did find the truth.

2) If this is the truth, then why are the experts not allowed to unseal the locked doors and find the real story?

3) History has shown that Kings have conquered territories and riches have been plundered from treasuries of kingdoms and temples. So if such was the case, then why not accept that and move on to see what else can be unearthed from the hidden past?

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If the readers can answer some of these questions or add some more light to this, it would help everyone to search for this silent truth. After all whether it is called Taj Mahal or Tejo Mahalaya, it is still a part of our national treasure and a distinguishing symbol of India.

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White Water Rafting in Rishikesh

Nayna — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 07:26:11 +0000

Cleansing your soul, learning yoga Asanas, inhaling mountain, fresh air are just some of the essentials needed for a perfect holiday. Rishikesh is a well-known pilgrimage centre but it is also a haunt for adventure seekers. The melting snow from the Himalayas passes through this city providing the optimum current required for rafting.

According to Hinduism, Goddess Ganga descends to cleanse our souls flowing from the Jata (Hair Locks) of Lord Shiva, who resides in the Himalayas. A dip in this sacred water washes all the sins and provides liberation to the departed souls.

The water flows down with such great speed that it looks white. The chilled water also reminds you of global warming. Inspite of the river and its tributaries getting polluted in various cities like Haridwar and Varanasi, you will still find the water here very clear and clean.

Rishikesh is the best place for adventure sports in India. Rafting is also available in Manali, Himachal Pradesh but that doesn’t have the current or the rapids like here. This sport is seasonal and usually opens after the monsoon, somewhere in the month of October and ends around March. These areas receive a lot of rainfall so it is best to inquire when the rafting season begins.

I was fortunate when I visited in October as the water levels were recorded the highest compared to the previous years. During this season, you do not have to book in advance as several operators offer this service. There are several packages depending on how brave you are. You can try 10 km, 15 km and so on. I am a daredevil so I took up the entire stretch of 32 km. There are kayaking options available as well.

I chose the Garhwal Himalayan Explorations to handle my rafting expedition. They were thoroughly professional and well-equipped to handle any emergencies. I was impatient for the expedition to begin but that didn’t change until the induction on safety was completed. The trainer covered every aspect of how to handle oneself, remain calm and maintain discipline so that safety of others was not compromised. Further instructions included steps on how to rescue one another and techniques to hold on if anyone fell into the water. This took around forty-five minutes.

The trainer who was handling my raft was a no-nonsense guy and didn’t like any jokes and laughter until he was sure everyone understood the possible dangers of rafting and not think of this activity as all fun and games outing.

There were twelve people in a raft along with the trainer. Each of us were given lifejacket and helmet. He checked every individual’s jacket and allotted where each one should sit. After understanding the commands, we finally set off. The full day rafting event started from Marine Drive to Munni Ki Reti, while other smaller routes are from Shivpuri to Munni Ki Reti and Brahmapuri to Munni Ki Reti.

Once I was in the raft, paddling and feeling the water gurgling around was magical. I felt in touch with my inner self, the surroundings and the higher beings.

The calm water suddenly got bumpy and the trainer yelled out commands how to steer the raft. People seated on the left had their set of instructions and the right ones theirs. As this was our first rapid, all of us were nervous and uncoordinated. This caused the raft to spin.

“Together,” yelled the trainer.

The cold burst of water, the attacking current was enough to panic even the trained swimmers. I had never imagined the calm water would have such a raging side. We managed finally and yelled out in ecstasy after we passed it. Each rapid had a name like roller coaster, butterfly and so on. The names befitted them appropriately as they behaved just like that.

My adrenalin rush was at its peak. It made my determination stronger as I took on every rapid with all my strength. Years of weight-training and building stamina were challenged to the maximum here. It was not all about physical ability but also the determination of the mind to see danger a few seconds ahead and yet have the steadfastness not to deter and surpass it.

If one member gave up, there were chances that the raft would capsize. But that was also a challenge on how to manage yourself and your fellow travelers safely.

White water rafting in Rishikesh is once in a lifetime experience and tourists from all over the world come to be a part of it. So buckle up, enjoy the nature and be a part of its wildness.

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Unexplored Vacations- A Guide To Best Holiday Hotspots

Nayna — Sun, 04 May 2008 04:30:18 +0000

Beaches of Goa like Anjuna, Baga, Calangute and Dona Paula, Marina Beach (second longest beach in the world) in Tamil Nadu, Kovalam Beach and backwaters in Kerala are popular holiday destinations in India. Similarly many like the beaches of Miami, Florida, Ninety Mile Beach in Australia, Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro and Mauritius. Tourists throng these place is large volumes and after a while, the holiday excitement dies down with the dense population.

A holiday is meant to be relaxing, a time to de-stress and away from the daily humdrum of a chaotic lifestyle. In short, a prison break. Here is a compilation of various destinations which are usually missed from our itinerary. The reasons could be many like lack of information, shortage of time, rigid hotel packages and so on. But an insight of these places helps if you really want to break free from the maddening crowd.

1) Kauai, Hawaii- This place is known as The Garden Island as half of this volcanic area is parkland. It has dense forests and cascading waterfalls.

2) Kiribati, Micronesia-This is 4,000 km southwest of Hawaii in the Pacific. It has 33 islands and known as the world’s largest protected marine reserve.

3) Tristan Da Cunha- It has many uninhabited islands and rises out from the South Atlantic Ocean like a prehistoric volcano.

4) Isla Vieques, Puerto Rico- This is an untouched paradise with long stretches of white sand, forest and rolling hills.

5) Patagonia, Chile- This region too is unexplored and has abundant areas of dense forests, glaciers and ice fields.

6) Morzine, France- Morzine is an alpine paradise, nestled in the heart of Portes Du Soleil. Staying here makes you get closer to nature in a way you have never imagined.

7) Fernando De Noronha, Brazil- This is located 300 km off Brazil’s northeastern coast. Its natural beauty is truly mesmerizing.

8) Algonquin Park, Canada- Algonquin Park is surrounded with rushing rivers, wind-sculptured pines and craggy shorelines. Make sure you camp out here and get united with nature, one on one.

9) Thornybush Game Reserve, South Africa- South Africa needs no introduction when it comes to its natural beauty. This game reserve is well-designed to cater to all the needs of the tourists. Safari is recommended on open jeeps to enjoy the landscape.

10) Cotswolds, England- This is located in Gloucestershire and a favourite haunt of many British celebrities. Its winding roads, acres of greenery and shimmering lakes makes the trip memorable.

So get set, back your bags and explore a new holiday destination today.

Managing Jetlag

Nayna — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 04:30:27 +0000

There are many adventures that we want to partake in our lives and make them memorable. But to fulfill these dreams, we need to leave the comfort of our homes and travel.

Traveling is enjoyable if the itinerary is well-planned, tickets and hotel reservations are pre-booked. You feel that nothing can come in between you and your well-deserved holiday. Here is where you are wrong.

Jetlag is one such hindrance which many people face across the globe but never give any importance to its do’s and don’ts. People traveling red-eye flights have to be even more aware of the possibilities so that they can revitalize themselves the moment they step out of their aircraft.

10 Tips To Minimize Jetlag

1) Have a good meal before you get to the airport. People are so stressed getting stuck in traffic, queuing for check-in, getting paperwork and boarding pass set that by the time they are about to board the flight, they are starving. It takes a while for the meal to get served on flight.

2) It is good to catch up on your sleep. The best way is to get a good seat, preferably a window seat. This helps as you can rest without getting disturbed by your fellow passengers. Ask for a pillow, blanket and eye mask and get ready for your snooze.

3) Eat and drink wisely on the flight. Avoid too much caffeine rich products like coffee, chocolates, colas and alcohol. Salted foods make you thirsty and cause a rise in blood pressure so watch out for them.

4) Keep yourself hydrated with plenty of water.

5) Wear loose and light clothing because many people experience swelling of the body and feet.

6) Set your alarm to wake up half an hour before the plane touches down. This will provide enough time to use the bathroom, gather possessions and acclimatize to the new day

7) Learn some simple stretches that you can do without disturbing people around. This is great for circulation. Even few minutes of walking down the isle to get a glass of water is good.

8) After you land, make sure you walk around, to improve your mobility and circulation.

9) When you arrive at your destination, take a shower and you will feel rejuvenated.

10) Consult your doctor before long haul flights. Take the prescribed medicine on time to avoid health risk and complications.

Bon Voyage…

Travels To Greenland To Witness Global Warming

Nayna — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 04:30:53 +0000

We are all aware of climatic changes, the extinction of cies and global warming. These topics we see almost daily either in newspaper, internet or on TV. Some of us are immune to it, while others use this as a topic of discussion which leads nowhere. But there are some who want to witness this for real.

Many people are now heading to Greenland to see first hand how the climate is really changing. Global warming in Greenland is Warming Island, a hand-shaped island off the east coast discovered in 2005 by Dennis Schmitt. Tourists are flocking here to see the melting snow and maybe getting a grip of reality. I guess the end is near.

It is time we do something about it. Maybe the people who travel to Greenland should give their suggestions on how to save this melting process of global warming.

An Abyss Of Imagination » Journeys Ahoy

Budget Travel

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Indian Street Food

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Unexplored Vacations- A Guide To Best Holiday Hotspots

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Managing Jetlag

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