AnandPatel, Author at Mark My Adventure

Places To Explore In Rameswaram, Madurai & Kanyakumari

September 22, 2019November 20, 2019 AnandPatel

Rameswaram, Madurai, and Kanyakumari are the three real gems of the South Indian state – Tamil Nadu. People travel often to Tamil Nadu to fall in deep with its surreal beauty and to spiritualize their soul by witnessing the decade long sacred rituals that this state is worshipping. Among the many other beautiful sites in Tamil Nadu, these three has long been regarded as the most famous of all and also registers the highest number of travelers every year.

Rameswaram, a small town stretched on Pamban Island is the place where the memories of Ramayana are celebrated. Madurai is the major cultural city of Tamil Nadu whose skyline is dominated by the 14 colorful gateway towers in the old-Dravidian style. Kanyakumari is the place where you can witness the magic of nature because on one side you will see a beautiful day and the other side will make you look at the dark night.

Below, is the list of all the places that you can explore in Rameswaram, Madurai, and Kanyakumari.So, do care to go through this list once and you can also check our Madurai Rameswaram Kanyakumari tour for more information.

Places to Explore in Rameswaram

Ramanathaswamy Temple

Ramanathaswamy Temple is a very popular temple living spiritualism in Rameswaram where millions of devotees pay homage to the statue of Lord Shiva. It is believed that it was this place where Lord Rama prayed for forgiveness from Lord Shiva for killing all the people during the war with Ravana. This temple is also revered as one of the twelve sacred Jyotirlingas sprawled in the different parts of India. There is also a holy water tank inside the temple premise where you can take a sacred dip to cleanse yourself from your past sins.

Pamban Bridge

Pamban bridge showcases nature’s beauty to its every visitor. It is the very first sea bridge of India which connects Rameswaram with mainland India. From the road that stands parallel to this bridge, you can see the ethereal beauty of this decade-old bridge. And if you can take out time to visit this place during sunset then, it will surely be the most magical experience for you. It is very disheartening that the government is planning to construct India’s first vertical lift bridge at the same place where this 104 year old bridge is located.

Dhanushkodi Beach

Dhanushkodi is a narrow 9-mile long sandy beach where the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean merge in a most surreal way. Late night walks at this beach will surely give you the exploration pleasure and will stay with you as one of the best memories of your lifetime. Tamilnadu tourism depicts the charms of this glimmering beach as there are thousands of tourists thronging to this each destination almost every day. The two most popular attraction that you can visit in here is Ram Sethu and Adam’s Bridge which is believed to be constructed by the monkey army of Lord Rama during the war with Ravana.

Places to Explore in Madurai

Sri Meenakshi Amman Temple

Sri Meenakshi Temple is Madurai’s sacred charm which is located on the southern bank of River Vaigai. The temple famously worships the idol of Meenakshi (I.e. divine consort of Lord Shiva – Goddess Parvati) and welcomes the highest number of pilgrims every year. The temple is presumed to be built somewhere around the 14 th century which has about 14 gateway towers that very beautifully dominates the skyline of Madurai. Also, the temple is reckoned as the cleanest iconic wonders in India. So, exploring this famous temple will be one of the most enchanting spiritual journeys for you.

Thirumalai Nayakkar Palace

Thirumalai Nayakkar Palace is a perfect blend of Rajput architectural style with that of the Dravidian style. It is believed to be the palace where the long-lived king Thirumalai Nayak stayed during his rule in Madurai. You can admire the old-architectural style where the ceiling beautifully showcases the intricate designs and strong pillars define its hard beauty. A light and sound show are also celebrated here in the evening where you can follow a small skit overlaying the life journey of King Nayakkar.

Gandhi Memorial Museum

Gandhi Memorial Museum in Madurai is among the other four museums exhibiting the historical evidence of Mahatma Gandhi’s life. The museum also displays the blood-stained clothes worn by him at the time he was brutally assassinated. Apart from that blood-stained garment, the museum also exhibits 14 other artifacts that were used by Mahatma Gandhi in their daily life.

Places to Explore in Kanyakumari

Vivekananda Rock Memorial

Vivekananda Rock Memorial is one of the most popular tourist destinations of Kanyakumari which honors the spiritual journey of Swami Vivekananda who is believed to attained enlightenment here. What makes this rock memorial a beautiful sight is that it is being surrounded by the Laccadive Sea from every side and gives away a surreal view during sunset.

Thiruvalluvar Statue

Thiruvalluvar Statue is a 133-feet tall intricately designed stone sculpture of the famous poet and philosopher of Tamil – Valluvar. The statue is built atop a small island where you can witness the magic of nature as two seas (the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea) and the Indian Ocean meet. You can also witness the ethereal moment of watching the sunset at one side and the harmony of a quiet day on the other side. If you want to meet your inner soul then covering this spot is one of the best ideas as the destination is filled with serene and tranquil ambiance which is quite alluring and appealing to the tourists visiting here.

Kanyakumari Beach

Kanyakumari beach is the most pristine beach sprawled beautifully in the town of Kanyakumari. You can witness the beautiful confluence of Bay of Bengal, Arabian Sea, and the Indian Ocean at this beach. You can either take those long quiet walks where you can talk every confession to your soul or you can just sit on a rock where every minute a strong wave will hit your foot. So, this will be the best place to contemplate about yourself and your dreams.

Handy Resources:

Below are the few resources you should check before making an itinerary.

Cheap Internation Flights: Best place to find cheap international flight tickets.

Best Deals On Hotels: Places to find best deals on hotels.

Amazon: Best place for all your needs. Also, find best travel accessories.

Agoda: Best place to book hotels of your liking. Agoda provides the best solution & great offer while booking a hotel.

Skyscanner: Skyscanner compares various sites & sort the flights based on the rates. A great way to check flight cost. Although the only drawback is that rates are flexible. Hence, the cost might change while you are making the payment.

Jetradar: Jetradar is a comparing site which is just like Skyscanner. But, is much more accurate & much more handy in use.

Booking: Best place to book hostel rooms. There are plenty of options available & with so many properties booking becomes much easier.

Couchsurfing: Best place to find free accommodation. It is as easy as filtering people & messaging. If you will get lucky you will find free accommodation in local resident house.

Travel Insurance: There are numerous options available to get one. So, you can choose anything which suits your requirement. Make sure you read the terms & conditions before buying one.

This post is by Sakshi Kaushik

Best Things To Do In Cape Town

September 20, 2019September 20, 2019 AnandPatel

Cape Town is full of effluents activities which will keep you busy throughout the days & nights. But if you are traveling only for the limited time then you will have to make a list to prioritize the things you want to do during your trip to Cape Town. So, here is a list of best things to do in Cape Town that you can do while staying at this beautiful place which is also known as Mother City.

Table Mountain:

It is a landmark place in Cape Town & a trip is not complete if you don’t visit this beautiful place. There are two ways to reach the top; one is by hiking to the top of mountain which will be time consuming & enduring & other one is by using cable car which will cost you some money but will save time & energy. It is recommended to hike this moutain it is very beautiful turst me.

Lion’s Head:

Another hiking place is Lion’s head which is simpler than hiking table mountain & unlike table mountain, there is no short cut to reach the top of the peak. The hike is pretty simple except the rare end of the trail. This is a half-day hike & can be carried out on holidays.

Signal Hill:

Popularly considered as a sunset point in Cape Town. The place is also home to paragliding. So, the sunsets are very beautiful here. You can drive your car to the parking point & from there you can walk enjoy the beautiful city of Cape Town.

Cape To Good Hope:

The southern west point of Cape Town. This point is practically the endpoint of the continent. The place is under the table mountain national park & it requires a vehicle to reach this point. It is very windy & secluded. The roads will run forever & many times you will feel that you are in between nowhere but you should drive to the place roads will take you. The endpoint is mesmerizing & one of the most beautiful sites you will ever visit. There is an entrance fee of R300 onwards applicable.

Simon’s Town:

Simon’s town will hardly ring any bell but boulder island surely will. This town is home to one of the rarest species on the planet earth & this is a great place to view these rare species in the wild enjoying life. This cute species is a major attraction & you should never miss an opportunity to visit this place. There is an entrance fee of R150 onwards applicable.

Robben Island:

Who would have thought that people will queue up in large numbers to visit a jail? But, this is not an ordinary jail it is a jail where the great Nelson Mandela was held during his jail time. He stayed here for 18 long years. A remote island near Cape Town is a major tourist attraction & it will take a step closer to the hard-lived life of Mr. Nelson Mandela. There is an entrance fee applicable. Check out the fee here.

Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden:

If you like gardens, trees, greeneries & some jungle portions. This place is heaven for you. This place is awesome to spend some quality afternoon time. You can find one of the rarest of trees & flowers. The whole place is close to nature; so you will be having a great time. There is entrance fee of R65 applicable.

Marine Activities:

Shark cage diving & whale watching are the two fabulous experiences that are a must. But, both these activities don’t happen in Cape Town. For these, you need to drive to the Gansbaai, a small town near Cape Town. If you are not sure of driving then it is advisable to book to pick up drop service with the vendors. But, the cost of the same will be high.

Helicopter Ride:

Helicopter rides are very famous in Cape Town. Throughout the day, you can witness helicopters flying across the city to pamper you with the views. One can see the whole city which is basically the point of this ride. The ride is very fancy & I would recommend trying only if you are having spare money.

Chapman’s Peak:

It is one of the most beautiful roads in the world. The scenic view is mesmerizing & road craved out on the cliff & vast ocean on the other will last an impression over you. The view gets beautiful with each passing curve & you will be finding it difficult to describe the beauty of the place.An entrance fee of R30 onwards is applicable.

Six District Museum:

Six districts is a very popular place in Cape Town. The place is converted into the museum. The museum covers the timelines & events that took place in the city. The bloody past of the city & why the discrimination was at such a prime high. An entrance fee of R55 onwards applicable.

Bo Kaap Museum:

Bo Kaap is one of the most color neighborhood in Cape Town. There are many houses soaked in vibrant colors. This is open to all & it will take hardly 1 hour to cover the area.

Camps Bay & Cliffton Beaches:

These two are the beach area in Cape Town. Camps bay is much more commercialized one & crowded with tourists & locals. However, the best of the lot is Cliffton beaches. These secluded beaches are surrounded by millionaire mansions & is treat to eyes. These beaches should not be missed in Cape Town.

V & A Waterfront:

V & A waterfront is shopping destination of Cape Town. One can still see shipyard & people working on it. The shopping center has all the reputed brands. The shopping center is a wonderful place to buy something & eat some local food. Don’t miss visiting this place.

These are some of the activities which one should keep in mind before planning a trip to Cape Town. Many people say Cape Town is good enough for 3 to 4 days which I highly disagree. I spent 1 week here & still missed on many things like Shark cage diving, whale watching, Robben island, etc. One can easily spend 2 weeks & cover all the activities mentioned above. If you have completed all these below is the list of few other things that one can do in Cape Town.

Stallenbosch wine yards for tasting best wines
Aquila Safari for a step closure to nature
Muizenberg is a surfing center in Cape Town

Handy Resources:

Hostel Review “Long Street Backpackers”

September 11, 2019November 20, 2019 AnandPatel

Long Street is a street which is lively & rocking throughout the night. If you want to stay in Cape Town; this street is one of the options you should look up to. Although, it is not near the coastal region this street has its highs. However, places like Signal hills, lion’s head , table mountain & city’s central are nearby this area. Hence, this can be a viable option to stay in Cape Town. During my trip to Cape Town, I stayed at this place & here is “Long Street Backpackers Hostel Review”

Long Street Backpackers Cape Town Hostel Review

Location:

The best way to reach this place is by bus or uber. So, if you are coming from the airport. Take a bus to the civil center & from there to long street. From the long street, the hostel is at walkable distance. The hostel is surrounded by many great pubs & bars. Thus, you won’t feel bored ever.

Why Chose This Place?

Young vibes, vibrant culture & great bartenders are some of the high points of staying at this place. Also, there are various night activities which will keep you active & full of energy. Also, the following points can help you to decide on the place.

Staff:

The staff is super friendly, they will go the extent possible to help you. There is no such issue here. They can book tours for you & will also help you to plan your evenings.

Travelers:

Being a hostel you can expect lots of crowd in the room, which can be great if you are traveling solo. Even during the off-season, the place was filled with the backpackers. It was quiet but you can expect a whole lot of crowd during the summer season which is also the peak season.

Rooms:

Rooms are bit compact, there are too many beds in a single room. It is like that 3 Bedrooms are converted into the hostel & people in these rooms use one toilet among them. So, this might be a disappointment while staying in the hostel.

Hostel Room Long Street Backpack Mark My Adventure

Cost:

The cost of the place is a touch on a higher side but this is the among the cheapest you can get. Expect to pay something around Rs 850 per bed per head. However, the price may vary depending on the season you book the place. Expect to pay a higher price during the peak seasons.

Extras:

There is a locker available for which you require a padlock. It is better to carry a padlock with you during your trip. It is among one of the most essential accessories while traveling. Also, you will need to deposit 50R for the key in case you miss it, you will lose on your deposit.

Kitchen:

There is an option of kitchen available. So, you can cook your meal. There is also a fridge where you can keep your food. This will certainly help you to keep your cost in check.

This is probably the best-located hostel at long street & may be among the wildest ones as well. You can spend quality nights here as all the major pubs & bars are at a walkable distance. So, next time if you are visiting Cape Town do plan to stay here for some time at least.

Do share your thoughts on Hostel Review of Long Street Backpackers in Cape Town.

Handy Resources:

Lion’s Head Cape Town Hiking Guide

September 5, 2019September 6, 2019 AnandPatel

Cape Town is known for its beautiful nature & there is no hiding from this fact. Cape Town is also known as, Mother city. At one end of the city, there is a vast ocean & on the other side are two major attractions Table mountain & Lion’s head. Lion’s head hiking is great outdoor sports for the locals during the holidays. The peak probably got his name because of its structure. From Cliffton beach, the peak will give you an impression of Lion sitting. Maybe because of this fact the peak is known as Lion’s Head & any person who visits Cape Town will hike Lion’s head for sure. So, here is Lion’s Head (Cape Town) Hiking Guide.

How To Reach Lion’s Head

The best way to reach Lion’s head parking lot is either through MyCiti Bus or by Uber. Check for Kloof Nek stop if you are traveling by My Citi Bus. Reaching Lion’s head is easy & so is the climb.

Lion’s Head Hiking

The starting 20 min of a hike is pretty simple & easy. You only have to walk on the elevated path which doesn’t require any skill set. You walk & encounter some of the best scenes of Cape Town City. While the first corner will give you a glimpse of a chain of mountains on one side & secluded Cliffton beaches on the other. Another corner will give you a glimpse of Robben island which is located in the middle of an ocean & can be reached by ferry.

Hiking Lion’s head is pretty simple & beautiful. Just below the difficult hiking point, there is a bench placed. The bench overlooks the massive ocean which from that altitude looks like a flowing river & Cape Town city which seems to be insignificant in such beauty. With no object to disturb in front of you this bench is perfect to watch the sunset during summers.

After this point the real hike begins, the sedimentary rocks are solid & bit slippery at few places. After hiking for about half an hour from the start point there are two paths to the top; one is a tougher one which includes climbing a ladder & staplers which saves 15 min of your hike time with ease & other one is much simpler but is longer. So, depending on your liking for an adventure & strength you can take either one of them. I took the longer route. There are few high steps that one have to take. This half of the hiking is difficult & with each passing step, one is closure to the top. The more upwards you hike the more beautiful the scenes get. After 45 min one only checks how far the top is as the energy is draining. During one such point, an Asian origin man was descending & he said, “Man, we are not meant for such things; but hang on you are about to reach the top.”

Later did I realize that Indians are not walking enough, not doing enough of outdoor activities. Thus, the sentence is appropriate. It is an irony that we have youngest of the population & still, we are not on the list of happiest, healthiest countries of the world.

The ascending is gets tough but after overcoming all the obstacle I reached the top of the hill & from there I can see table mountain on one side, ocean on the other, city of Cape Town on the other & Cape Town famous beaches on the other. The view is just mesmerizing from the top. You will want to spend some quality time at the top.

My Experience of hiking Lion’s Head:

I did Lion’s head hike on the last day of my trip as I wanted to enjoy the sunset from the top of the peak. However, it was cloudy so I missed the opportunity to watch it during my expedition. The first half of the hiking is pretty simple & easy there is a slight gradient walk. But, the real fun starts once you reach the stairs from where the real hikes begin. Steps are generally tough for new ones because of strength and endurance & not most of us are built for this hardship. But, with all the strength I went ahead expecting whirlpool ride. There is a bench in the middle of the path which overlooks the ocean. I sat there for some time & started thinking about all the possibilities in the world. This is what, a good place does to you. It makes you think about the things that you don’t do during your day to day life.

Walking upwards in slippery rocks are difficult & scary. There are few edges from where you need to step upwards; the path is very well marked so there is no problem in getting the right direction. At some of the places, you will have to use a little bit of rock climbing techniques to climb some of the rocks. But, this all is manageable. Reaching the top is a memorable experience. In the background, there is a mountain, ocean, city & whatnot. You can easily spend quality time & many people do this. I sat there wondering about my trip & how I came from a small town to my 7th country.

It is funny how things fall into the pattern. You know nothing is happening on a daily basis. But, soon you are 1 year older, 365 days gone from your life & you are one year wiser. This was my that moment where I thought how far I have come rather than thinking about how far I have to go. Here it was a short guide about Lion’s Head Cape Town Hiking.

Handy Resources:

Life Amazing Secrets:

Top book in the list of books for happiness is by Guru Gopal Das. A man who has achieved everything he wished for but still something is missing in his life. That something is happiness. One often forgets the simple joys of life. We are busy making a living that we forget to live life with joy & completeness. This man is having midlife crises. His relationship is suffering, his health is suffering & he is in a messy condition. One day he invites Guru Gopal Das to his home & from there the things change. Guru after seeing the pain in his eyes starts to explore & answers questions of his wandering mind with some sense. With various stories, Guru tries to bring stability in the man’s life. If you are also having trouble in your life, you can read this book & can look beyond the time & once again you can enjoy life.

Tuesdays with Morrie:

Morrie is a very famous teacher who is in the later part of his life. Many people mostly his students pay a visit to him. One of them is his favorite student who wants to do one last project with his mentor or teacher. The student lists down points he wants to ask Morrie’s views on. Topics like Relationship, wealth, life etc are on his list. How Morrie responds to such topics is a joy ride to read. I feel everyone should read this book for one simple reason how to form their life. The book covers all the minute details that we neglect.

How To Stop Worrying & Start Living:

A more psychological take on happiness. One can practice him or herself for happiness. There are many parameters that we select for happiness. Why we are worried all the time & what worry steals from us. The author has provided with the possible framework which can help you to stay happy & stress-free. I feel the author has covered most of the topics which we can encounter. Other than mentioning the reasons of stress, he has also deduced path to overcome them & stay happy. Greatest of the books available for a troubled mind.

Stumbling On Happiness:

Another psychological take on happiness. The book covers more of the scientific analysis of the brain & what triggers happiness & sadness. After reading this book your concepts will go for a swing. The reason why we feel happiness will shock & during the course of time you will get the feeling that the mind can be programmed which most of us are unaware of. This book is a national bestseller. So, read this book to explore why your mind behaves in a particular way & how can you reprogramme it to your liking.

Factfulness:

Factfulness is more like a psychological aspect of the world. The problem about sensationalization of an event & how we perceive the world. As per the news channels we are heading towards the extinction. But, as per the author, there are only a few key problems which are looming over human existence which needs an immediate resolution. However, for the rest, it is the usual business. So, if you are in the conundrum. Read this book & you might feel a bit relaxed & a touch happier from your previous self.

Bonus

Here is the best TedTalks that will elevate you from your current self.

The Secret Of Happiness

12 Truths I Learned From Life

The Beauty of Being A Misfit

A Rich Life

Something Extra

Top 5 Books That Should Be In Your Library

Top 5 Books Before Starting A Business

Top Books If Money Matters

Cape Town Experience For The First Time

August 29, 2019September 2, 2019 AnandPatel

I reached around 9 in the evening & it was dark & quiet. Cape Town doesn’t have a great night vibe. Many people will preach you to stay safe & use public transport to the maximum extent possible. I knew about My Citi Bus which is a public transport running across different routes inside Cape Town, I took a ticket to my destination which was long street & here is experiencing Cape Town for the first time.

There are hardly any bumps on the roads & people are following lane discipline which seems to be out of this world as the place from where I come is full of rush & haphazard driving methods. Soon I reached my destination in the loop street. It was Sat night so the night was still very young.

Cape Town Parties:

I changed & went to a pub. The place was dead & I thought this is not good; I stayed there for 1 hour & then the magic happens. Slowly the crowd grew bigger & bigger & by the 12 there was not an open space to keep your feet stable. It was so crowded. The DJ played his beats & people danced to his tunes. I have witnessed many parties each one was unique in some sense or the other. Here it was a mixture of all such parties. Few people danced, few people flirted with hot girls, few excess drunks & one or two arguments. Long street is known for its raunchy dance clubs & there are many pubs & clubs which run till 4 or 5 in the morning. But, this usually happens only on weekends unlike many other places in the world; where the party runs throughout the week.

Cape Town South Africa Mark My Adventure

Cape Town City:

Cape Town is known as a mother city & with so many things to experience it is surely a mother city. The nature adds beauty to the city; there is an Atlantic ocean on the one side & mighty mountain like Table Mountain & pristine beaches like Cliffton beaches along with few peaks. If you are an adventure freak you will be amazed by the beauty of this place. It is a picture-perfect city & demands visiting once for sure.

Numerous Indians are staying in the city & the influence of these people are pretty evident on the food. There are plenty of good restaurants which serve Indian foods which taste really good. You will never get disappointed with the quality & quantity of the food.

Cape Town Surroundings:

Cape Town has not so colorful past at one point of time, slaves were transported through the port & impression of which is still visible. The colored people were thrown out from their home & forced to relocate to the new colonies. However, now the time has changed & discrimination is vanishing. The gap between rich & poor is like every developing country which is the reason for the crime. During the nights, it is recommended to be safe & roam in groups. For commuting it is better to take an uber. Avoid going to dark places alone & check before going to any such places.

The people are nice & smiling & ready to help. But, you have to be aware of people you asking help from. The basic vibe of the place can be a bit rough. So, make sure you are aware of things & your surroundings. There is some disparity between rich & poor class so the crimes are still prevailing. But, if you are aware & sure of your surroundings you can avoid it with ease.

So, this is my experience of traveling to Cape Town for the first time. I liked the city for its closeness to nature which is just awesome to experience. But, only sad point is safety concerns.

Handy Resources:

Places Worth to Visit in India and Few Tips to Enjoy Your Trip

August 26, 2019November 20, 2019 AnandPatel

India is a diverse country with a rich history and beautiful landscapes. It has mountains, rivers, deserts and everything a man can imagine. It is bordered by Nepal, Pakistan, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and China. It exhibits great diversity with more than 15 languages spoken and a wide diversification in cuisines in each state we go.

Well, spending holidays in India could be a time taking thing so it is suggested to carry a bit extra things with you. There isn’t any need to take stress about the weight of your luggage because now there are many cargo companies who take great care of your this problem by sending excess luggage to India by air cargo and sea cargo as well.

One can visit a wide variety of possible destinations in India. From the chaos of cities to the relaxing scenery of the hills, this country has all one wants to see. Following are the best places to visit in India.

1. Ladakh

Ladakh is located in the north-most areas of India with beautiful snow-capped hills, jaw-dropping beautiful valleys and several monasteries that belong to the Buddhists It is located in Kashmir, which holds great significance due to it being a disputed territory. The town of Leh is the ideal place to visit in Ladakh, which is situated at a high elevation from sea level. Ladakh is full of Buddhist monasteries and temples, which are centuries old and hold great significance in Buddhism. The best natural places to visit in Ladakh are Pangong Lake, Nubra Valley and Zanskar River. The Hemis Festival held in Leh is also something a lot of tourists must experience when coming to Ladakh.

2. Jaisalmer

Jaisalmer is a beautiful city located in Rajasthan, which is also known as the ‘Land of Golden Sand’. It is located in the Thar Desert, which never disappoints you with its golden sand and enchanting beauty. There are many places to visit in Jaisalmer like ‘Salim Ji Ki Haveli’ and ‘Patwon ki Haveli’ which shed a great deal of light on the wealthy grandeur of Rajput Merchants. The desert festival held annually in Jaisalmer makes it a great occasion, and one which makes it a worthwhile holiday trip. Jaisalmer is one of the most vibrant places in India, and surely one of the most striking ones. Apart from Jaisalmer there is Udaipur which is a royal place to visit.

3. Sikkim

Sikkim is a beautiful city located in North-East Himalayas. It has beautiful snow-capped hills, immaculate lakes and wonderful monasteries belonging to the Buddhists. If someone wants to find peace and be alone for some time, Sikkim is one of the best spots to do so. Sikkim is famous for its Yak, so it is great to experience the ‘Yak Safari’. You’ll get hypnotized in the enchanting enchantress of the Lake Tsomgo, Gurudongmar Lake and Khecheopalri Lake. Overall, Sikkim is one of the best places to visit in India being a tourist, and if you’re looking for an ideal holiday destination, Sikkim is going to be one of your top priorities.

4. Goa

Goa is a holiday destination famous for late-night festivities and its beautiful beaches. It is a former colony of Portugal which attracts both national and international tourism. If you’re seeking a romantic place to spend your holidays, Goa should be the best place that comes to your mind.Candolim Beach and Anjuna Beach are one of the best sites to visit in Goa. To have a look at the beautiful coastline of Goa, you can always go to the Chapora Fort to have a look at the beauty of the Goa beaches from a new angle. If you’re still not satisfied, Palolem beach will make sure to satisfy you by all means.

5. Varanasi

Varanasi is also called the Spiritual Capital of India. It is situated on the bank of River Ganges. The city is more than 3100 years old, which also makes it one of the oldest occupied cities in the world.The biggest attraction in Varanasi is religious buildings. From Temples to Mosques, you’ll be amazed by the antiquity of the city. The main attraction is the Alamgir Mosque and the Sankat Mochan Temple. This temple is famous because it is full of monkeys. More than 65000 people go every day to take a bath in the Ganges River.

6. Agra

Agra is a city in Uttar Pradesh, located approximately 200km from Delhi. Generally, you can reach Agra from Delhi in under 3 hours by road. By train, you can take a train and reach Agra Cantt, the main station of Agra. The best time to visit Agra is from November to February with some great discounts as well due to November being the off-season. Agra is known for the Taj Mahal. It is located on the bank of Yamuna River. It was built by Shah Jahan who did it to house his wife’s tomb Mumtaz. It was built in between 1631 and 1648. It is a great attraction and is currently part of UNESCO World Heritage.

7. Dharamsala

Dharamsala is known as the residence of the Tibetan monk Dalai Lama. It is located at a distance of 18km from Kangra City in Himachal Pradesh. The city is comprised of two parts; the upper-division and the lower division. The upper area is Mcleodganj while the lower town is known as Dharamsala.

The best time to visit Dharamsala is in dry and sunny days as this city is also one of the wettest cities of India. The winter in Dharamsala is very cold while the summer is very rainy in the end.

Things to keep in mind while travelling to India

There are a few tips that will help tourists when they visit India. They are explained as follows:

1. Plan your trip

After you have finally decided to visit India, the next thing that should be in your mind is to plan your trip. India is a very big country so you should prepare a plan for yourself which contains the places which you will visit during your stay in India. If you’re not coming with a travel agency or a tourist group, then you need to plan your trip accordingly.

2. Learn how to bargain

India is one of those places where people adjust the rates of certain products by just looking at tourists. So, one needs to learn how to bargain with the Indian shopkeepers, which can save a lot of money for tourists. Visiting people can ask locals about the actual prices of products to know the difference and then bargain accordingly.

3. Go outside cities

The main beauty of India is not in its hustling and bustling cities. Its real beauty can be felt and seen by visiting villages outside the cities. Villages are much calmer than cities and their air is fresh. You get to feel the love and hospitality of the villagers, which gives a real sense of belongingness and importance.

4. Be a traditionalist

When you go to tour different places in India, try to blend in with the locals. This can only happen by wearing local clothes. Wearing skirts or other dress that doesn’t cover your body is not recommended at all because this can attract unwanted attention. Try to be as conservative as you can and be communicative to the locals.

5. Beware of pickpockets and scammers

India, like many tourist destinations in the world, is a place where pickpockets thrive especially in congested areas full of tourists. Beware of all kinds of pickpockets and keep everything you have in check. Make sure that your surroundings are safe.

Another issue that sometimes demotivates a lot of people from travelling is scams. Scams in tourist destinations are very common and tourists must keep their eyes open when touring places in India.

Handy Resources:

This guest post is from Isla Oliver.

World of India

August 22, 2019November 20, 2019 AnandPatel

1. Hundreds of cuisines In India

Maybe no other nation can offer you more cuisines than india. There’s nothing of the sort as normal Indian food ; from Kerala to Kolkata there’s a buffet of impressive territorial dishes to be found, past the well-known top picks of chicken tikka masala, rogan josh, malai kofta and baked margarine naan, which can regularly be more earnestly to discover in India than in the UK. Food is a feature of any Indian outing.

2. It’s low-cost

As per the biennial World Economic Forum (WEF) Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report, India positions is 10th best for “value intensity”. Luxurious accomodation is generally reasonable, and you can get around the nation via train for very low cost. An ongoing drop in the value of the rupee implies that trip to India is even more cheaper than usual. The pound as of now purchases around six percent more Indian cash than it completed a year prior.

3. The world’s most popular structure

“The Taj Mahal is the most popular structure on the planet and seemingly the most lovely” it is widely considered one of the most beautiful buildings ever created in history. “The design is grand yet the story the stones encapsulate that draws 7,000,000 guests every year.”

4. Also, the craziness of Delhi

India’s capital is a throbbing megalopolis that smothers and invigorates in equivalent measure (the same number of India’s urban communities do). In any case, hold on for this fuming settlement and it will gradually uncover a side you might not have expected; find verdant parks with their initial morning yoga classes, lose all sense of direction in its dusty bookshops, meander around its extravagant Hindu sanctuaries, tune in to the call to petition reverberation from timeworn mosques, shop at awesome markets, go to a satire club and take in a Bollywood appear.

5. You can observe the Wagah border function

Since 1959, at the wilderness among India and Pakistan, outskirt protects from the two countries have occupied with a strange fringe service that, as indicated by Jack Palfrey, an ongoing guest, summons “the balance and style of artful dance and the dramatic skill and hostility of expert wrestling.” Expect goose-venturing, yelling and much fervor from the groups that accumulate to observe each day.

6. And, stay in a royal castles

Live like a Mughal ruler in one of India’s previous castles, a large number of which have since been changed over into luxurious lodgings. There are such a significant number of to browse and discover some motivation further beneath.

7. The natural life is inconceivable

Experience Rudyard Kipling’s India with a natural life watching outing to one of the nation’s numerous national parks, where guests can see everything from tigers and elephants to rhinos and rufous-bellied bird of prey falcons. Eminent parks incorporate Ranthambore, Pench, Kanha and Bandhavgarh. This is not all India also has rivers which holds deity like position in India. Click here for 10 Longest river in India.

8. Indian craftsmanship is resurgent

As per the Spirit Bohemian Art manager, Alastair Smart, these are energizing occasions for Indian workmanship, which is experiencing something of a renaissance, driven by creatives in Mumbai. Peruse about it in his dispatch from the hot Indian city.

9. There are magnificent railroad ventures

Nothing very contrasts and going around India via train, an encounter that causes wonder, anxious expectation and exciting invigoration in equivalent measure. The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, a Unesco World Heritage site that breezes through the tight avenues of Darjeeling, is a conspicuous feature, yet there are numerous others.

10. You can do a boat trip on Kerala’s backwaters

Kerala’s backwaters are a labyrinth of winding streams, trenches and lakes extending about 50 miles, and they are best investigated on one of the old rice freight boats, which were earlier utilized for moving grain yet have since been changed over to ship vacationers around.

11. Or on the other hand observe Varanasi

“Varanasi is India for the accomplished,” composes Gill Charlton. “Its packed limited back streets can incite claustrophobia even in prepared voyagers: grievers convey their dead on caskets to the consuming patios over the waterway; sacred men and explorers wash in the honestly dingy waters upstream and counsel stargazers and palm perusers; and dairy animals, goats and worn out kids search for scraps on the ghats – the flights of ventures down to the Ganges.” Not for the cowardly at that point, yet a serious display.

12. There’s a Golden Triangle

The urban communities of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur are known as the Golden Triangle due to their social quality. These urban areas structure the premise of the great voyage through northern India, which incorporates the notable Taj Mahal and Ranthambore National Park.

13. You can climb the Himalayas

Despite the fact that the star fascination of the Himalayas, Mount Everest, lies a huge number of kilometers from India, on the boondocks among Nepal and China, the Indian part of this epic mountain range offers numerous eye catching vistas and fine climbing. Or on the other hand invest a little energy in the lower regions. Rishikesh, the north Indian town on the Ganges regularly called “the yoga capital of the world” ended up world-renowned gratitude to the Beatles, who came to remain 50 years back, and (with no undue surge) it’s currently benefiting as much as possible from its VIP association. The center is an intriguingly elective vacation destination – the remaining parts of the ashram kept running by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, a man with a triumphant line in moxy and a truly straggling whiskers.

14. It’s little bit French

At any rate it is in Pondicherry, a pocket-sized previous state which France administered somewhere in the range of 1672 and 1954. “They left an inheritance that uncovers itself in amazing ways,” composed Mick Brown after a visit.

“The long, clearing promenade – the Rue de la Marine – that fringes the Bay of Bengal conveys echoes of Deauville or Biarritz. The road signs would be at home in any French common town; and this is the main spot in India where the police wear red képis.”

15. There’s a cut of heaven

Goa is flawless, yet in the event that you need influencing palms, brilliant sand and turquoise waters, at that point head to the Havelock Islands. Coasting in the Bay of Bengal, this tropical archipelago offers maybe the best making a plunge India and is, by most meanings of the word, heaven.

This is a guest post by Spirit Bohemian. I am posting this on his behalf & all the content & photos is owned by Spirit Bohemian.

Handy Resources:

Hike & Life

July 30, 2019December 30, 2019 AnandPatel

Recently I hiked Table Mountain in Cape Town for an adventure. The mountain, whose one face seems to be in the shape of a table & when the clouds cover it as a table cloth, it is something. This doesn’t mean, the place loses any sheen without clouds. That view is amazing as well. So, hiking like many solo sports is done by a single person until & unless you are not hiking in a group. So, while hiking this magnificent mountain, lots of thoughts passed my mind & out of so many thoughts, one thought just stuck to my head. That thought was that life & hiking are related to each other in so many different ways, which lead me to write this post as per my understanding.

Initial Phase:

During the start of every hiking expedition, the starting few meters are always full of energy you walk fast, you take big strides, you watch more & you adore more. This is probably true for every one hiker. If not then for most of the hikers it is. So, the initial phase is always full of excitement & energy & with full energy we move into the ascending phase of the hike.

The early life of humans is also full of energy when we are a kid; we have the energy for everything, we are even amazed by the sound of a click. We look as if we are not going to see that thing again & we enjoy it to the fullest. We would like to keep on going & we like to explore as much as I can.

Ascending Phase:

After walking initial phases of the hike, we are slowly losing some energy we have come to certain height & from here the hiking gets real tough, suddenly the strides become big & the ascending seems tough. With each passing step, we feel like quitting the hike. Our energy is completely drained off & we want to give at this very instant. But, one voice from the inside rise & say gently one more step & with all the courage in the world, we lift our step again & walk a few more steps. But, to our misery, we are tired again & we stop to take a breather. While taking breather we enjoy the view, the breathtaking view for which we took this hike in the first place. After resting for some time, we again focus on our mission & walk upwards towards the top. The process of stopping, thinking of quitting, walking again crawl across mind several times during this tough phase of the hike. However, we always calm clutter of our mind by saying the top is where our destination lies. So, we continue walking upwards to reach the top.

Once we reach our adolescence we are constantly asked about the next step, as if we have already seen it all & in a better position to make the right decision. But, we take one step at a time, we finish graduation & wait to analyze what should we do next & then jump into the next adventure. We did something else which should have been a genius move. But, it was another way round. We again stop & then reach the working life, where we are constantly bugged with the toxic culture & surroundings. But, unlike hiking where we stop for some time to gain our energy & walk again. Here we are constantly running, some time we think of quitting everything & move to some known territory but one voice speaks louder than the others & we soon focus on the task uphill. With all these nonuniform thoughts we reach the peak of our life.

The Top:

Once we reach the top, we acknowledge the view & all the pain we took to reach to the top were worth the view. High energy is flowing in the body & we feel like superheroes after taking this drenching walk to the talk. We stay at the top for some time adore the beauty from after fully grasping the view we descend downwards.

After working hard for several years, we are at the peak of our performance & it all seemed to work the efforts, sacrifice & pain. We like the way we feel at the top of the world. We are good with our limited capabilities & try to stay at the top for the majority of the time. However, we ignore that nothing is forever. After our brief stay at the top, it is time for the next step.

The Descend:

After a much-energized stay at the top, we say goodbye to the view & descend thinking that it will be much simpler & easy to walk down if compared to the ascending. Little did we know that we have lost, lots of energy while ascending. So we use the start & stop technique for descending as well, where we walk few steps downwards & stop to gain energy & walk again. It is so funny that we only think about one aspect of hike & always ignore the other one. Thus, I feel it is a great sport, as you have to take those hard steps & those tough moments where you are beaten down, low on energy & still gather all your courage to walk few extra steps to reach the starting point.

We are untouchables at the top or this is how we feel. But, someone better, someone who has acquired new skills & talent overtakes us. We are late in our career & it is difficult to adjust to new ways of living. However, with all the experience which we gained early in the career, we maintain our dignity & perform best to our abilities & it is gone be soon that we will realize that it is now time to reach the latter half of our lives.

Finish Line

When we are walking to our abode we are constantly smiling for the fact that we have managed to climb such a mountain, where we beat ourself to deliver the best. We are lost all the energy but we are satisfied with the walk & loved the fact that we made the climb. We look at our efforts & pat ourselves on the back. We realize how strong we actually are, how courageous we were not to give up during that tough period of ascending & during descending where we totally ignored the pain of walking down. Whatsoever, was our feeling during the walk, we are still smiling at the end of it & still all geared up to take another hike.

We are done with our career, & feeling ecstatic to survive this chaos. We are happily living our lives & thinking about all the jargons during our struggling days. No matter how many times we felt on quitting but we persisted with our mission & completed it in the best of our abilities. We are old & sharing stories of all the troubles, our doubts, our journey & pain & after so many ups & downs we are much wiser & much happier.

This was my adventure of hiking. What about yours?

Best Places for Kayaking In Georgia

July 29, 2019November 20, 2019 AnandPatel2 Comments

Georgia is a land of endless wonders and adventurous activities. It is still untarnished by modern tourism and retains its authenticity to its core. Bounded by the waters of the Black Sea in the East; Turkey and Armenia in the South; beautiful Azerbaijan in the East and mighty Russia in the North – Georgia is the heaven nestled amidst the Caucasus Range.Kayaking is one of the activities that will pull you towards the nature. So, here is 9 best places for Kayaking In Georgia.

Top Places to Kayak in Georgia

Georgia offers a wide range of waterways to explore kayaking for adventure lovers. You can find scenic coastal areas, lakes, whitewater rapids, etc to match your idea of adventure in Georgia . Kayaking is a really entertaining way to explore the country’s natural beauty. Here are some of the best places to kayaking in Georgia!

1. Mtkvari River

The Mtkvari River is one of the major rivers of Georgia. Since the Soviet Union times the river has been a popular tourist attraction. The river is located in the Javakheti region which is highly forested and has deep river valleys. The paddling section for kayaking starts in Vardzia. The confluence of the Paravani and Mtkvari River is the take-out point and the location of the Khertvisi Fortress. The Fortress belongs to the 10th century and plays an important role in defending the region. It is an amazing sight during the kayaking tour. It has imposing towers and secret tunnels that can be explored while enjoying kayaking.

2. Paravani River

The Paravani River is also one among the best places to go kayaking in Georgia. It has steeps and falls in class 4 whitewater category. It offers 10 km paddling area. It is also located in the Javakheti region. The river belongs to the cave town of Vardzia. The town has a humongous cave network that was built during the 12th century. It has 3000 caves that could contain around 50,000 people. It is home to various kayakers and provides ample opportunities to enjoy adventurous rides.

3. Tskhenistskhali River

The Tskhenistskhali River is located in the lower Svaneti region of Georgia. The land is home to the typical traditional Georgian homes and has some of the most exquisite natural wonders. This reason also houses UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This river has big volume and stretches for 15 km in a Canyon. There are lots of Category 4 and 5 whitewater as well as rapids. This is one of the best places to go kayaking in Georgia that can be enjoyed by the tourists.

4. Kheledura River

The Kheledura River is also located in the Lower Svaneti Region. It is Tskhenistskhali River’s right tributary with a 7 km stretch for kayaking. The river is steep and is a category IV whitewater with medium volume.

5. Rioni River

The Rioni River is one of the best places to go kayaking in Georgia. This is also the legendary river of the country that has different sections for exciting kayaking. The river has class 2 and class 5 kayaking sections. The upper gorge is the most interesting part which stretches for around 50 km. The river is steep and continues as a whitewater kayaking destination.

6. River Mestiachala and River Tsaneri

River Mestiachala and River Tsaneri are located in the Upper Svaneti regions. They are two small rivers passing through Mestia. Mestia is yet another amazing tourist destination that houses some of the oldest remnants of Georgia’s History. Kayaking in these rivers is accompanied with gorgeous views of beautiful canyons and comprises of category 2 and Category 4 white water kayaking waters.

7. Inguri River

The Inguri River is known as the most powerful river of Georgia Country. It is also considered as the most difficult kayaking destination in the Caucasus mountain. From Category 2 whitewater to Category 4 + + White Waters; this river is the perfect site for the adrenaline junkies. The river offers lots of sections that can be explored and all of them are hidden in the breathtakingly beautiful and deep canyons. The river offers lots of places for expert Kayakers and the lower part of the river has really never been explored by many.

8. Mulkhura River

The Mulkhura River starts from the confluence of Tsaneri River and Mestiachala River. It is the right tributary of the Inguri River. The river passes to extremely deep canyons and thus offers vast stretches of category III to category V white Waters. The stretch of 12 km is really exciting and can be covered by the expert kayakers only. This section requires difficult scouting and rope work to be passed.

9. Nenskra River

The Nenskra River is also the right tributary of River Inguri. It is also famous as the most beautiful river of Svaneti Region. It has two interesting stretches that cover lots of category IV and categories IV + Rapids.

Georgia is just like heaven for the kayakers. They can enjoy an amazing camping experience while indulging in the kayaking all across the nation. There are plenty of campgrounds that are available at highly affordable prices. Hostels and other cheap accommodations are also available. There are many local and small restaurants located at all the famous kayaking spots

Why wait? Get a Georgia tour packag from UAE and unleash the adventure junkie in you.