**Goodbye, Pahalgam!** We were emotional about bidding goodbye to Saba and his folks. Although it had been only two nights, it seemed we were leaving good friends. The memories of Pahalgam, with its serene beauty and the warm hospitality that made us feel so welcomed and appreciated, still linger in our minds. As we set... Continue Reading →
**Road to Vaishno Devi** We met Bapi, Rakhi, and Shreya and decided to travel to Katra. The company we hired the car from was difficult. I suggest clarifying everything before hiring a car. Sometimes, they say yes to everything and then change their mind later. Katra is approximately 47 km from Jammu and takes around... Continue Reading →
Our first-night stay in my favourite Lahaul: When we arrived in Sissu at 9:30 p.m., Ajay, one of the hotel staff, explained the reason for the long queue before entering the city and how the situation was handled. 'A landslide at a nearby waterfall had dislodged large chunks of stone, creating a waterlogged path. Engineers... Continue Reading →
28/11 – Tues - Ella to Yala NP - Tissamaharama It was a pleasant surprise for us! Manjula stopped the car by a spectacular roadside Ravana Waterfalls, one of the most popular and scenic waterfalls in Sri Lanka. It is only a few minutes' drive from Ella to the south. Compared to the other waterfalls... Continue Reading →
Sigiriya to Kandy: We left Sigiriya and visited a spice garden in Matale. Even though we saw a few spices and herbal plants, I didn't find the place interesting. However, I was fool enough to purchase their stuff by paying three times more than the price in the market. Manjula took us to Nalanda Geidi,... Continue Reading →
Continued from Call of the Mountains – Enchanting Himachal Pradesh Part 1 Amazingly beautiful Shimla: The hotel staff at Woodville Palace Hotel went above and beyond to make us feel like royalty. Three dedicated individuals served us at the breakfast table, ensuring our every need was met. Their exceptional service made us feel truly special, and... Continue Reading →
Call of the Mountains: In June 2014, my friend Suvra messaged me asking whether I would like to join her on a trek in the Uttarakhand Himalayas. I planned to visit this part of the Himalayas last year, but it did not materialise due to a terrible natural catastrophe. Sadly, almost all the parts I... Continue Reading →
On the way back from Kanyakumari, we stayed in Kovalam for a day. Kovalam is a small coastal town in Kerala by the Arabian Sea. Even though the month was early January, it was sweltering. We took refuge in our hotel room straight away after arrival even though I was tempted to go and check... Continue Reading →
Have you ever felt the presence of God? I had a very unusual and calming feeling when I visited Dhanushkodi beach. I felt the spirit of God here. I felt like I could touch God. The surrounds were ethereal - with two oceans meeting - it felt like my pilgrimage. Dhanushkodi Aerial I was first... Continue Reading →
Day 1: On our way to China: Finally!!! I was excited to board the plane to Beijing tomorrow. The thought of leaving my daughter, Ria, on her own and my son, Rohan, in Sydney was unsettling me and kept me awake. I was also worried about not getting up on time. It was a very... Continue Reading →
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