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A solo traveller’s guide to Shimla-Manali-Sissu

Published on February 11, 2024February 11, 2024 by travelogue90Leave a comment

‘Travel far, travel wide, travel solo!’ I probably live by this quote now, since the time Himachal happened to me. I remember in 2022 I hesitated to travel to Ladakh owing to no exposure to any North India places. I have heard and seen several travellers urging to do treks or trips to Himachal and then go for Ladakh. So, I decided to put Ladakh on hold and head to Himachal in 2023.

‘What you seek is seeking you’ Yes, Himachal and a solo trip was all that I manifested. On March 2023, it finally happened! Since Covid, I was pretty much exploring my city, Mumbai and the nearby places within Maharashtra. Considering travelling alone was relatively a new concept for me, I opted for a group tour. I chose Shimla-Manali all girls tour with a trusted travel agency.

A lot of firsts experiences were involved with this trip: probability of snowfall, first solo travel, first time far away from home, and Women’s Day and Holi celebrations with strangers who eventually became a part of my treasure trove. Until you enter that flight from your home town, the jitters stay. But you feel at ease the moment you see those mighty snow-capped mountains from atop.

From Mumbai, I took a flight to Chandigarh airport (Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport.) Note that it is a civil airport, so the runway has cameras around. Make sure to avoid clicking any pictures once landed. The flight attendants and pilots make announcements of the same.

SHIMLA

Chandigarh airport to Shimla road distance is about 125 kms, approximately 3.5 to 4 hours distance. Although a long journey, the sights are beautiful. Right from tiny layered old-charm houses to street markets to hilly terrains, the scenes are straight out of a movie. As the journey proceeds, it feels like a slow-motion life. Coming from a fast-paced city like Mumbai, I absolutely soaked this calmness.

Shimla, the Queen of Hills, is the capital of Himachal Pradesh. It is a popular hill-station and often visited by families, couples, and travellers during summer mostly and now in winters, too. Situated at a height of 2,200 mts, it was once the summer capital of British India.

The hill station still retains its old-style architecture and pedestrian-friendly lanes. The town has an airport at Jabarhatti but there are not many flights from here. Shimla railway station connects to Kalka, which is a UNESCO World Heritage route.

HOTEL

Since it was an early morning flight, we stopped at a local hotel in Punjab for a hearty North Indian thaali meal. Later, we proceeded to our hotel in Shimla called Hotel Asia the Dawn. Per night stay is around INR 3,000. The best part about this hotel is it is closer to most of the tourists spots in Shimla. Note that a lot of hotels here do not have any buses to take you to the tourists spots as the lanes are narrow. So, you have Himachal Tourism cabs taking you to the desired tourist spot from right outside of your hotel.

SIGHT SEEING SPOTS

Shimla is known for some of the best tourists spots, many of them that were part of Hollywood and Bollywood movies.

The Mall Road – This place is segregated into three levels, each of them accessible through a lift that accommodates 60 people at once. The ticket for the lift is INR 40. The lift operates from 8 AM to 9 PM. At Mall Road, you can buy souvenirs for your loved ones. Do visit the Lakkaar Bazaar and purchase wooden items for your home.
Christ Church – The famous Christ Church is approachable from the top-level Mall Road route. The church is open from 10:30 AM to 5:30 PM.
The Ridge – It is a large open space where all the cultural events happen. You get a 360 degree view of Shimla from here. In the evenings, you can enjoy a lovely sunset and chit chat with your loved ones.
Jhaku Temple – The temple is situated at Jhaku hills, about 2,455 mts above sea level. This temple has a Lord Hanuman statue standing tall right outside the entrance. This statue is visible from any corner of Shimla.

PLACES TO EAT AND BEST FOOD

While our lunch, dinner, and breakfast were within the hotel, I did try out the local food items at the Mall Road. You can visit the National Bakers for their yummy veg burgers and rolls. You will also find numerous tea stalls offering different types of teas. Do not miss them, especially in the cold season. The swirl ice creams are also a must-try at the Mall Road.

KULLU-MANALI

KULLU

Shimla to Manali route is almost a day’s ride. However, you can pit stop at Kullu and buy gorgeous shawls from the factories on route. Shimla to Kullu is about 199 kms, which is a 5 to 6-hour ride. It is best to take a break and make the most of your shopping experience.

You also learn about how the shawls are made with the manufacturers providing a guided tour on shawl making process. The threads and other items are usually sourced from the smaller towns of Punjab and Haryana.

While we were at the factory, the weather turned gloomy and just the ideal time to celebrate Holi with my fellow tour mates. We danced our heart out and relished the pakoras and chai along.

MANALI

As we entered Manali, I probably entered into the Tamasha movie zone and started humming ‘Ooo Safarnama!’ The views reminded me of Tamasha’s movie scenes. Everything felt picture perfect. There were snowy mountains, long and peaceful journeys, and the right company. Everything a solo traveller like me hoped for. As mentioned earlier, Manali is easily a day’s ride. From Kullu, Manali is just an hour away. We reached Manali by night on Day 2 of your trip.

Manali is a magical hill station at the northern end of Kullu valley. This mighty town is often a stopover for many travellers or trekkers as it falls on the way to Ladakh or Spiti or Kashmir. A few of them spend some days in this town, preferably when it snows.

Kullu-Manali has an airport as well called Bhuntar, which is often a challenging one for the pilots as it is a single runway set in a deep valley. Air India is the only flight that provides direct services to the airport. The flight services extend to Shimla, Chandigarh, and Delhi.

HOTEL

We stayed at Hotel Kanishka, which is about 5 mins walkable distance from the Manali Mall Road. In this lane, you will find several hotels within budget. If you go for 3 nights and 4 days stay at Hotel Kanishka, the price is around INR 11,000. The hotel rooms are pretty lavish and the wooden furnishings give a cosy vibe. As it is almost always cold in this region, the rooms have heaters to keep you warm.

Again, it is best to walk down the Mall Road and explore the many cafes there by foot. The area is safe and you can check out the architectural beauty around.

SIGHT SEEING SPOTS

Manali has everything for all age groups and travellers. Right from temples to shopping to adventure activities, Manali offers the best of both worlds.

Hadimba Temple – An ancient cave temple, dedicated to Hadimba Devi will make you fall in love with nature. Nestled amidst 100s of pine trees, this temple holds a lot of importance for the localites.
Himalayan Nyinmapa Tibetan Buddhist Monastery – I have always craved to visit a monastery in North India and this temple comes close to it. I have never felt more at peace. Also, the architecture is a treat to the eyes.
Solang Valley – If you love cable car rides and want to play with snow, Solang Valley is just the place to be. This picturisque destination is 2,560 mts above and a cable car ride is the only way to get there. You can also do paragliding, horse riding, dress up in traditional Himachali attires, or enjoy a Yak ride. These activities are approximately INR 500 each.
Rohtang Pass – One of the popular mountain passes, it is open from June to October month. Due to heavy snowfall, they are shut during the winters. It is at an elevation of 3,987 mts and is usually the route to enter Leh Ladakh. Only taxis and personal vehicles can pass through this route. On Tuesdays, the route is closed for maintenance. The entry time is 10 AM and exit should be by 4 PM. Movies like Jab We Met and Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani were shot here.
The Mall Road – Unlike the Shimla Mall Road, this road is a straightforward one and you will find souvenirs, clothes, and accessories stores across the street. You will find most of the items for a price range between INR 150 to INR 350. You also have many food outlets and cosy cafes around.

PLACES TO EAT AND BEST FOOD

Manali boasts of some of the best cafes and food items. The most authentic Himachali item is the Siddu. It is sold at most of the food outlets in the Mall Road. Siddu is eaten with ghee during the winters to keep the body warm. It is served with a lentil broth or pudina chutney. It is a kind of bread made of wheat flour. The inside is soft and fluffy while the outside is golden-brown and slightly crispy.

Another highlight for me was Cafe 1986 at the Mall Road. They are the only cafe in India that hosts double live shows all the days accompanied with meals and drinks. During the evening time and after all your shopping, head to Cafe 1986 to enjoy a cup of coffee or hot chocolate along with fries and sing along the old and new Bollywood songs.

ATAL TUNNEL AND SISSU

If you truly love adventure, then an Atal Tunnel ride should be on your radar. This tunnel, named after former Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, is a highway tunnel built under the Rohtang Pass. This horseshoe-shaped tunnel that connects Manali to Lahaul-Spiti valley, reduces a 4-5 hour journey to merely 30 minutes. It is the world’s longest tunnel above 10,000 ft and is all-weather proof. On a heavy snowy day, it is impossible to visit Lahaul-Spiti valley. However, Atal Tunnel makes it easier to swiftly reach the destination.

P.S. Considering Atal Tunnel is at quite a height, make sure motion sickness people carry the required medications.

While you enter the tunnel from Manali, the other end of the tunnel brings you to Sissu that is surrounded by high peaks. The day we visited Sissu, the temperature was 1 degree. Just a night before our visit, the mountain ranges experienced heavy snowfall. While I experienced a nose sun burn, thanks to the direct UV rays, I thoroughly enjoyed my first snowfall experience. Here, you can watch the blue Chandra lake flowing, giving the perfect backdrop for your portraits.

Besides playing with snow, you can get professional pictures clicked by the several photographers present in the site. A bunch of 40 photos costs about INR 250. You can also do other snow activities here, but with a price. Ensure to cover yourself well and apply an SPF 50 sunscreen before visiting Sissu.

***

I do not think I could have asked for a better solo trip that was packed with adventure and so many enthralling activities. Since it was an all girl’s tour, we even celebrated Women’s Day by trying out the local Manali wine and danced till our legs hurt. Oh and not to forget, dancing along with the local Himachali folks on their songs. It was a night to remember!

Well, I hope I have woken up the desires of the solo travellers out there. If you are one of them, make sure to visit Shimla-Manali-Sissu anytime in the next 2-3 months to enjoy the late snow season. Trust this guide will make your journey worthwhile! 🙂

Brightland Resort & Spa: A safe haven amidst the Pandemic

Published on March 11, 2021January 21, 2024 by travelogue90Leave a comment

2020! What a year it has been! One cannot think of anything beyond the pandemic. On December 31, 2019, everyone thought ‘This will be a unique year for me, just as the number goes 20-20.’ But like a nail-biting T-20 cricket match, it took a U-turn and most of us were left spellbound.

It was a year filled with fear for life, losing a loved one, loss of jobs, financial instability, and other endless negativity. Although we saw many loss of lives and unemployment, a major hit has been to the businesses, be it big or small. The intensity, of course, differs sector to sector, but there are some that have been hit the most and might continue to suffer owing to the uncertainty loop.

Let us see how each of the sectors in India were affected –

Aviation: None of the domestic and international flights were on air for almost 7 months. Even after they resumed, the new variant dashed the hopes of any normalcy.
Tourism: The travel ban, border closures, event cancellations, quarantine requirements, and fear of the spread, have posed extreme challenges on the travel and hospitality industry. Guides, tour operators, hotels, restaurants, and shops, have directly or indirectly taken a hit owing to the pandemic.
Automobile: The automotive industry suffered about Rs. 2,500 crore loss daily and the job loss was approximately Rs. 3.54 lakh. All the major equipment production were cut down by 18 to 20% owing to less demand of vehicles.

One of the prominent industry here is tourism, particularly hospitality. It has been the hardest hit in the pandemic. The total job losses in travel and tourism industry since March 2020, when the lockdown began in India, has been around 5.5 million.

They say there will be over 65% decline in the hospitality industry in 2020-21. But there is a hope for demand with the vaccine in place by the end of 2021-22.

Rewinding to 2021…

We headed to Mahabaleshwar recently. We mustered the strength to travel, despite the spike of cases in Maharashtra again. This time, we ditched the normal touristy things and decided to stay within the resort. We opted for Brightland Resort & Spa. While viewing the property, one of my agenda was also to understand how Brightland faced the pandemic and what different are they doing now against old protocols.

I happen to speak to the Front Office Manager of the resort, Mr. Joginder. Mahabaleshwar is a top tourist spot in Maharashtra during the winters, i.e., between November to March. It was not the normal visits this time around in Mahabaleshwar though. During my talks with Joginder, he stated “The occupancy levels increased to 70-75% after September 2020. However, with the spike of cases, the levels have again dropped to 25% since February 2021.”

The occupancy levels according to ICRA survey across India saw a drop by by 65% and might witness further drop by 20% in 2021 with the spike in cases. Even the room rates might drop by 70 to 75% according to FY21 RevPAR.

However, like every other hotel, Brightland are taking precautionary measures, “We have con-tactless check-in, where they need to upload their Aadhaar card or any other ID proof, fill some questionnaire concerning COVID-19, etc., via email. Once done, you get the booking order ID on your smartphone.” At the entrance of the hotel, temperature checks and luggage sanitisation are mandatory.

Rooms and Villas in Brightland © Travelogue90

Brightland makes sure even the rooms are in top-notch condition during such times. Joginder mentioned there are touch points in the room. He said, “The housekeeper fogs the room using institutional grade disinfectants and the touch points such as knobs, switches, phones, and remotes, get sanitised. The room gets cleansed and sanitised once in 2 days to avoid minimal contact with the guests. If need be, guests can request for frequent housekeeping services.”

As for room food service, there is no requirement of contact with the staff as the food tray will be left outside the room and can be placed back by the guests once done with the meal. Joginder added, “The room linen gets changed once in 2 days. Meanwhile, the toiletries and soaps get replaced at the time of check-in and check-out. Additional requirements get fulfilled upon request.”

The best part about Brightland Resort & Spa is none of them lost their job during these months. It was upon the staff’s discretion if they were comfortable travelling to the Resort as most of them lived in and around Mahabaleshwar.

Olive Garden Restaurant at Brightland © Travelogue90

Brightland Resort & Spa have three restaurants at perusal – The Olive Garden that is an all-day restaurant, Angaare which is an Indian Barbeque, and Over The Edge which is an Lounge Bar by the pool side. I noticed immense crowd gathering during the breakfasts as the Resort offers free breakfast with the stay.

The way the crowd was managed is indeed commendable, especially during such times. While coming to take food from the buffet area, the restaurant manager Suresh, asks the crowd to compulsorily wear the mask. In fact, you are not even allowed inside the restaurant without the mask. Even the waiters and chefs wore gloves along with masks at all times.

I appreciated the efforts of Suresh and asked him what is new in the restaurant since the pandemic, “We used to serve food to the guests once it arrives on the table. Now, we just place the food on the table and let the guests serve themselves. Even during breakfast, we make sure the crowd sanitises their hands and wear masks.”

Most of the hotels thrive not only on room services but also the sumptuous meal. We have heard cases of chefs contracting the virus and thereby, the entire restaurant shutting down. Suresh said, “When the restaurant started its facilities in October, we had about 30 chefs. Now, we have full strength and all are comfortable staying here as we have provisions for the same.”

All the trays, utensils, plates, and glasses are thoroughly sanitised before offering the services to the guests in the restaurant or a room service. There are even digital menu accessible over the smartphones.

Brightland Resort & Spa have kept some amenities such as Swimming Pool, Discotheque, and Prana Spa shut owing to the Government mandate.

These measure ensured we had a safe stay and rejuvenated our minds as well. Indeed we cherished and savoured every moment in the resort. Brightland Resort & Spa have some expansion plans in place too.

Wedding preparations at Brightland © Travelogue90

However, Joginder expressed concerns that there could be another lockdown with the rising cases. This might then halt their business plans. The Union Budget in February 2021 ignored the hospitality sector. The only hope is the statement of ICRA chief who mentioned there will be growth by 13 to 15% in FY22. They also added the overall growth should be in place by 2023 or 2024.

It was a relief to watch some wedding preparations on the day we were heading back home. Hopeful of normalcy, somewhere 🙂

Why are we a sucker for sunsets?

Published on June 6, 2020January 21, 2024 by travelogue901 Comment

I love sunsets. I am sure everyone does. Sunsets leave me in thoughts, ‘how come such vivid colours leave us speechless every evening?’ I know there are many psychological and scientific reasons behind those hues, but it just makes our jaw drop every single time. Sunsets have the tendency to make us feel small, well in a good way.

It reminds us that the world can be a pretty place despite all the ugliness it throws towards us, for instance COVID-19. Even if it is not the pandemic, there is too much of selfishness, conflict, greed, strive, negative thinking, and stress that sucks the life out of us. This is when we thrive for peace. This is when travel and sunsets walk hand-in-hand.

We all have been a bit sulky off late due to the lockdown. The household errands as well as work drains us. The only thing accessible to us from our homes or terrace or balcony is the sunset. It is a wonderful way to infuse some wonder and awe into our regular routine.

As I looked back to some of the pictures, I was reminded how I took some time for sunset every day, wherever I was, and I am sure you will resonate with it too –

Touristy in your city: Every city has an undiscovered place where you get breathtaking sunsets. This was one such experience. Mumbai as we know is surrounded by the sea, You move to any corner, you will find the sun setting by the sea. After leaving from work, I went to show around a place to my friend before she headed to her hometown. Since she is also a sucker for sunset, the best place was the Bandra Fort, which not only gives you a history of the region but also a blazing sunset from the tip.

Work travel: The one thing I look forward to after work is sunsets. They are just beautiful and Instagrammable. I wish people appreciate the sky show at the end of the day, no matter where they are. By witnessing the beauty of the sunset, you can slow down the perception of time. By taking some time out to gaze out to the colour-soaked sky, we actually empower ourselves to regain control of the clock.

Local train sights, Mumbai © Travelogue90

Local train sights: When I set out to travel by the local train and it passes by the sea, I make sure to stand near the foot board and capture the spectacle of the sky. I am drawn to sunsets during work travel not only because they are pretty and all, but because they are fleeting, just like the commute and maybe, like life too. It is good to appreciate the small things, even if it is only for matter of minutes.

Desert Sunset: In deserts, sunsets are more colourful. The entire atmosphere acts like a filter, just like you add filter for your pictures on the camera or editing tool The colours stand out and that is purely because deserts are clear and less polluted. Oh, and less people as well 😉

Vacation: There is something about sunset that completes the vacation experience. The perfect end to a perfect day in a new city. It is not necessary to idolise sunsets and beaches always. There is something magical about waiting to watch the sunset from the top of the mountain or when you are walking around and exploring a new city. The sunset adds to the charm of it.

Heritage site: Sunsets are beautiful alone and add a heritage site alongside, you end up with something gorgeous. As you walk down to the exit of Burj Khalifa, you notice how the beast glorifies amidst the sunset. While others were rushing for the fountain show, I waited to soak in the majestic Burj Khalifa a little more that day. Mumbai, situated right next to the vast Arabian Sea, is breathtaking from every corner of the city during sunsets. One of the famous spots is the Gateway of India with the sunset paving a golden carpet to the Taj Mahal Palace.

Beaches and Sunsets: When it comes to sunsets, few places come close to Goa. You can witness the change of colours from yellow to orange to purple in a jiffy, whether you are with your loved ones or enjoying your solitude time. The experience becomes enjoyable and peaceful while you are at the pool with a sumptuous meal or a cocktail 😛

Healthy: Do you know the best cure to depression, anxiety, and stress are sunsets? Just by sitting and observing the sunset, gives a health boost. It is considered a chance to practice mindfulness. Research has proved practicing mindfulness reduces stress levels and improves cognitive behaviour. What better way to practice being aware of the moment than watching the time pass by as the sun sinks by the horizon?

So, here’s to enjoying many more sunsets, rising from the petty issues of life, and living abundantly, not just on holidays but everyday! 🙂

Beach Please! We all need some Vitamin ‘SEA’

Published on May 30, 2020July 3, 2021 by travelogue90Leave a comment

It is truly said, ‘an ocean breeze puts a mind at ease.’ The beach can make everything around better – life, body, mind, and spirit. Much of India’s coastline is about 7,000 kilometres and you could witness some incredible beaches around. You could either experience solitude here or party till the sunrises.

India’s population works so hard round the clock, that they reward themselves with a visit to the beach. What is so fascinating about the beach? The sun that sets the tone of the sea or the sparkling sand or the shacks or the sound of waves? It is a combination of all four that gravitates us over and over again.

While during this COVID-19 we secretly dream of living in a tropical island with palm-fringed trees or laying on the sun bed with a drink and book all day long like a crocodile, here is a throwback of some awesome beaches which you could visit post the pandemic:

Candolim, North Goa: Right from fishing to seaside yoga to flourishing markets to party culture to scenic views, the Candolim beach in North Goa offers it all. The beach is in proximity to a lighthouse and a church, completing the look and feel . The walk towards the beach is serene as you can see villas lit up on a cool December. The best time to visit Candolim is between November to April.

Varca Beach, South Goa: Another gem from the city and this time from the south, is Varca. One of the cleanest beaches in Goa, it is known for the calm and quietness. It is completely hawker-free and ideal for spending quality time with your loved ones. If you seek some me-time, this is the beach to be. There is some adventure for the typical ones, i.e. paragliding. Experience the view of South Goa from up above. Varca is best to visit between November to March.

Ganpatipule Beach, Ganpatipule: Maharashtra is known for its rich coastal areas. One such place is Ganpatipule. City dwellers seek a break and come to Ganpatipule Beach as it provides the right combination of privacy and entertainment. Another clean beach in the Konkan, there are number of activities you can enjoy along with complete relaxation and scenic view. The beach is closer to the famous Ganesha temple. Best time to be here is between October to February.

Aare Ware Beach, Ganpatipule: If you want to escape the crowd of Ganpatipule, head to the Aare Ware beach situated near Nevare Village in Ratnagiri. It is flanked by clean blue water and white sand. It is also one of the lesser-known beaches of Ganpatipule. The beach is 3km long and boasts of beautiful landscape. It captivates the solo traveller in you, thanks to the breathtaking views in the mornings and evenings.

Malgund Beach, Ganpatipule: You can find this beach 6 kms away from Ganpatipule. It is renowned for the birth place of famous Marathi poet Keshavasta. He wrote many treatises in the language. The beach offers space to enjoy some isolation amidst the realm of nature. You could easily spend quality time with loved ones as it keeps commercialisation at bay and the landscape is a treat for your eyes.

Alibaug Beach, Alibaug: It is one of the beautiful beaches in Maharashtra and often thronged by the locals. Thanks to jaw-dropping scenic views and impeccable sunset, there is no dearth of visitors. Enjoy the spectacular views of the Arabian Sea at the beach between October to May. Do visit the Kolaba Sea fort, take a motorboat ride, and the animal rides at the beach.

Juhu Beach, Mumbai: It is the most popular and crowded beaches in Mumbai. The beach is also closer to some of the luxurious hotels and celebrity homes. The moment you enter the beach, you will have street food calling you towards them, right from cheesy pav bhajji to chaat to ice candy. You can witness the sight of the aircraft landing at the airport, which is closer to the beach. It you want to get up-close and personal with nature, this is place that offers you solace. You might as well visit the ISKON temple nearby the beach.

Marina Beach, Chennai: Moving down South is the second largest beach in the world, the Marina beach which is breathtakingly beautiful. If the nature and spectacular views were not enough to lure the beach bums, the historical monuments close by adds to the attraction. Come enjoy some idli-chutney with some beach view between November to February and rejuvenate.

Mahabalipuram Beach, Tamil Nadu: Sunny days, sandy beach, and rich history, this place has everything that a beach lover and adventurous soul needs. The beach is white, beautiful, and clean. It is abundantly enjoyed by tourists. If you visit during a full moon, you could watch the jaw-dropping reflection on the sea.

Rock Beach, Pondicherry: This place has numerous rocks attached to it beautifully. If you want to capture some stunning pictures of the sunrise and sunset you must surely head to the most serene place in Pondicherry. The most enticing beaches in the territory is best enjoyed with a croissant and walking by the promenade.

Let’s raise a toast to the beauty of the world! Remember, carry those shells in your pockets and sand in your shoes always 😉

COVID 19: Shifts in travel industry and for travellers

Published on May 6, 2020July 3, 2021 by travelogue902 Comments

Since the pandemic came into existence, wanderers are left wondering if they will ever get to travel again. Cruise lines have suspended their schedules, airlines have stopped taking off, and public transportation has come to a historic standstill. As we continue to practice social distancing, tourists attractions remain shut and tourism industry are experiencing the ripples.

Although we are unsure whether this is a distant dream still or no, travel eventually will become a part of our normal routine. However, you could expect some twists there. Here is a prediction on future of travel:

Public transportation and business travel: Let us accept that taking a metro or calling for an Uber or entering the public bus will never be the same again. Several changes and implementations will take place for protecting the passengers and staff. Disinfecting the facilities and surface well would be a priority. You would notice people wearing gloves and respiratory protection for months post lockdown. The face masks is already mandatory in places like Thailand and South Korea currently. Social distancing will become the new norm. Moreover, companies will cut down on business travel costs and expect to have more and more discussions over video conferences.

2. Airports and Airlines: There is going to be a war against congested lines. This would not only be at check-in points but the entry gate and immigration as well. For far too long, airports have mulled over using technology for speeding these processes, especially domestic airports. Some changes expected in airports and airlines are –

Bringing in biometric screenings, temperature checks, digital documentation setup, are some of the systems that airports could implement.
As you are aware, Europe has been worse hit with COVID 19. Considering this aspect, Schengen visa applications could get tough as test results and vaccination documents might become a necessity while applying for the same. The information was updated on Schengen visa website.
Oh, expect some surge on ticket prices too!
Meanwhile in India, Mumbai airport have already released post-lockdown measures.
Delhi International airport will resume their operations post-lockdown from terminal 3. According to PTI, entry gates, self-check-in machines, and check-in bays would be allocated to airlines for avoiding overcrowding of passengers.
As for hygiene, KLM, United Airlines, and Lufthansa have made face masks obligatory.
On the other hand, Japan Airlines and Emirates are practicing social distancing.
Etihad are preparing passenger kits before passengers board the flight.
Passengers, on the other hand, are doing away with middle seats onboard.

3. Hotels: You cannot wait for things to get back to normal, can you? But the truth is, change is inevitable. This is going to impact the way you choose your accommodation as well. We could witness sudden increase in bookings for small and boutique properties or renting of private homes or villas. The best part is bigger hotels are already aware of your concerns and this is what the following brands have planned:

The ‘Stay With Peace of Mind’ program of Anantara aims to build one existing health and safety measures.
Marriott International has launched a new internal platform for promoting hotel cleanliness.
Hilton too announced new hygiene programme to reassure the existing as well as old consumers after the lockdown.
Hyatt international’s accreditation process by the Global Briorisk Advisory Council (GBAC) will include cleaning, infectious and disinfection disease prevention programme. More than 900 Hyatt hotels will observe this schedule.
Kempinski reassures that guests would require to wear white gloves.

Road trip from Pondicherry to Chennai © Travelogue90

4. Road trip rage: Experts already have opined that short destinations means welcome of road trip. Also, an open road, favourite track playing in the background, blue skies is not that bad after staying home for three to four months, right? Although the borders within the country might still experience restrictions, you may need to search for options within your state. The metro cities like Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Delhi, and Bengaluru in India have hosts of options.

5. Choice of destination and packing lists: At the moment, close-to-home destinations will matter. People will prefer to take their own vehicle, short-distance flights, and passenger rail to explore the nearby places. Densely populated places need to take a backseat for a while. Packing will definitely see a change with more of hand sanitisers and face masks taking space in the luggage. Soon, airlines could make the disinfectant a compulsory product onboard.

People will step out for travel again, be it for leisure or business. But being informed becomes a necessity after the pandemic. Several companies and country Government have launched apps which give you on-the-go updates about high-risk places, tracking of potential patients, and daily COVID 19 reports.

Hence, have these apps handy on your phones before you step out to experience the new world again. And yes, stay safe always!

COVID-19 halted your travel plans? Try these virtual tours

Published on April 23, 2020July 3, 2021 by travelogue901 Comment

The pandemic Corona Virus has bought the entire tourism industry to a standstill. As travel restrictions and social distancing continues across the globe, we travellers are confined to our respective homes. The demand for indoor activities and exploration is at an all time high.

But hold on, we need not scrap our travel plans just yet. Keeping in mind the urge for travelling, several tourism boards and travel pages are getting their country at your doorstep though virtual tours. Your discovery remains unhindered as you only need to shift from physical to virtual world.

Right from countries to museums to parks, there is nothing stopping you from stepping out anymore.

Airpano © YouTube

AirPano VR: Created by a team of Russian photographers, AirPano is a Virtual Reality project that focuses on aerial 360 degree photographs and videos of all countries, right from Jordan to Russia to China to Portugal to India. You name it, they have it. Every week, the team posts either a virtual photography or video tour. They also have their YouTube Channel.

2. Museums and Theme Parks: Leading museums, galleries, and theme parks are no exceptions to virtual tours. Yes, there are travellers who wish to go for hiking, explore the beach, enjoy the sunset and food, but then there are those who wish to dig deeper and bathe the culture as well as art of the country. You can walk around the masterpieces and examine the artwork alongside studying the intricate details. The museums and parks are –

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Zurich © Switzerland Tourism Instagram Page

3. Tourism Boards: Whoever said the business for tourism boards are done and dusted after the pandemic, should rethink what they meant. These boards are making complete use of the digital space and how! Let’s see what they are up to –

Switzerland tourism: You enter the website and you are taken on a visual treat. Click the cities or hotels you want to explore and enjoy all the information along with pictures.
Greece Tourism: Following the tagline, ‘until we can all be together in person again,’ Greece tourism is offering virtual tours, in association with Google. The website http://www.greecefromhome.com gives a holistic view of the people, food, and the place.
Austria: Through virtual Austria, you get to explore the cuisines, bucket-list spots, movies set in Austria, and stroll the streets casually.
Australia: The Australia tourism Instagram page sent all the love to people locked at home by taking them to the streets of the cities and wildlife through IGTV. The video is pretty self-explanatory.
The United States Of America: With the GoUSA TV app, you can uncover the best restaurants, experience thrilling road trips, checkout the next getaways, discover a world of wonder, and check out how to throw a party.
Spiti: Is Spiti on your bucket list? This virtual treat for now will guide you as to which place to visit the next time, physically.

Mumbai Live © Official YouTube

4. Drones: Ever wondered what a city looks like after lockdown? We are home and are clueless of the outside world. This is where drones come to our rescue. Mumbai Live recently conducted a drone video of the city during lockdown and every individual of the city were crying their hearts out on the beauty of the place. The drone video was done after seeking permission from the Mumbai Police and Commissioner.

Tripoto Community as well did an IGTV on how the Indian metro cities appear during the lockdown phase.

For now, all we can do is experience and tick our go-to destinations with these virtual tours. But hey, aren’t they dreamy?

Coronavirus lockdown? Wanderlust with these travel shows and movies

Published on April 12, 2020July 3, 2021 by travelogue901 Comment

Your travel goals, bucket lists, and plans suddenly washed off due to COVID-19 pandemic? I feel you. Being a travel enthusiast myself, I know how upsetting it is to watch your travel plans not seeing the light of day immediately. But that does not mean the virus can stop us from dreaming about all things travel, right? The best part about the lockdown across the world is we are blessed with laptop, smartphone, and television screens. Hence, virtual travel tours are the best thing to happen in these trying times.

While you are stuck at home quarantining, there are still ways to keep that love for travel ignited, thanks to the host of streaming channels and apps. So, plot your future travel plans by binge watching these shows and movies –

Travel Man: 48 Hours In…(FYI TV18 and Channel 4): If you have Milan, Zurich, Ibiza, and Ljubljana on your bucket list, then wanderlust with British Actor Comedian Richard Ayoade. He takes a ruthless approach to make the maximum from the city break. With a celebrity on board, Richard as the anchor shows us where we go wrong with our efficient vacation and removes the boring system out of the plan. The show holds an IMDB rating of 8.3.

Somebody Feed Phil (Netflix): The creator of the renowned and hilarious show Everybody Loves Raymond, Phil Rosenthal, took a leap of faith and travels across the globe indulging in some irresistible cuisines and cultures of the places he visits. In the two seasons or courses as he prefers calling it, Phil has travelled to Venice, Dublin, Cape Town, New York, Bangkok, Tel Aviv, Lisbon, and more. He also meets some celebrity chefs on the way. The IMDB rating is 8.1.

Tales By Light (Netflix): Whenever we visit a place, we tend to click lots of pictures. The interest in travel photography is a given. But this show will blow your mind and develop a new-found respect towards travel photography as 5 adventurous photographers and filmmakers from Australia and North America show you what is it to exactly capture the beauty of the world through their lens. You are ought to learn some tips and tricks of travel photography at the end of the lockdown with this show. IMDB has rated this series 8.3.

Dark Tourist (Netflix): Travelling is not only limited to the usual city escapes or island hopping or beaches, a true adventurer is the one who covers the dark side of travel as well. This show is not for faint heart travellers as popular journalist David Farrier ventures to a spooky journey visiting the most bizarre and mysterious places in the world. Some of the areas he covers are radioactive towns, war zones, haunted places, and so forth. The season one saw places like Latin America, Japan, the US, The Stans, Europe, South East Asia, and Africa covered. IMDB has rated this show 7.6.

Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown (Amazon Prime): No travel show lists is complete without mentioning the late Anthony Bourdain. You can always get a taste of unexpected from his shows. Apart from being a world-renowned chef and bestselling author, Bourdain had the knack of connecting with the places right to its roots. He always covered the places one could only imagine going to once unlike the usual and common ones. You can watch all the 12 seasons on Amazon Prime.

The Bucket List (Netflix): Old age and friendship is what this movie revolves around. In fact, these two aspects inspire travellers. The movie features an aged Morgan Freeman and a not-so-aged Jack Nicholson. The characters are diagnosed with lung cancer in the movie and decide to tick off every item on their bucket list right from the Great Pyramid to Taj Mahal to the Great Wall of China. It is one of the corniest feel-good travel movies on Netflix.

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (Amazon Prime): If you carry an adventurous soul within, then this movie is for you. Mitty’s job, played by Ben Stiller, gets threatened. The film revolves on how Mitty embarks on a global journey in search of a rare photographer, which thereby turns into an adventure filled with ordinary as well as beyond imagination events. It gives you the courage to face your life and about having the right people around when the going gets tough.

Before Sunrise and trilogy (Netflix): There are a few movies that capture the essence of an aimless wanderer when they arrive to an unknown city. Before Sunrise does just that and with a love story to it. The movie includes Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy. The movie also shows how the two meet after nine years in a different cities of Europe through the other two parts – Before Sunset and Before Midnight.

These probably might have been on your watch list since forever but work schedule never permitted the time. This quanrantine is the ideal time to add some more places to your bucket list and fuel your travel energies 😉

Life as a part-time traveller

Published on November 13, 2019July 3, 2021 by travelogue902 Comments

In the recent past I have noticed a sudden boom in the travel blogging space. Some have quit their jobs and invested their all for the nomadic experience. Then there are those who have taken Dalai Lama’s quote seriously, ‘Once a year go some place you’ve never been before.’ I fall under the second category and we group of people have a term as well – part-time travellers. It is a phrase that has been bandied around the travel community for a while now.

It is the focus of my blog, rather my ‘niche’ as some would say. However, the moment I mention part-time travel, I am welcomed with host of questions. People outside the travel ‘blogosphere’ do not get it. I was thinking of varied topics to write on and came across a discussion on Twitter recently.

One of the travel bloggers, Darcy Vierow, made a serious statement – ‘Guys, the struggle is real. Between the day job, some recent family obligations, and home life obligations, it’s been really hard to keep my head above water and still breathe some life into my blog. Please tell me I’m not the only one.’

It dawned up on me, she is absolutely right. She pretty much summed the life of a part-time traveller, in fact. I work almost 10 hours, five days a week. I have mortgages, career, home, and personal life that need attention as well. But that does not stop me from travelling.

I was not much into travelling initially until I headed to my first international trip to South East Asia. I had the knack of clicking pictures through smartphone and my regular Canon camera, but the thought of making a side hustle of it never crossed my mind.

I know this side hustle required all my time and attention initially for growing it. Hence, I started with an Instagram page. Since I got good response from the page, I extended it to Facebook and soon Twitter as well. The next hurdle was starting a website which needed complete attention. But my 10-hour job and other obligations, only gave me weekends to concentrate on it. Yet, that never stopped me from giving some life to my passion – travel.

Part-time travel, simply put, is travelling. The term for me typically means heading for a heritage walk within my city, weekend breaks, short to long haul getaways. These are all different forms of part-time travel which we all embrace today.

Nowadays, majority of people that love travelling do part-time travel. There are a few who are in a position for extended holidays or embrace the full-time role. I try to squeeze in my wanderlust as much as my annual leave allows.

Here are some reasons why I adore part-time travelling –

1) Excitement: Considering the work and personal stress consumes most part of the year, the eagerness to a visit a new place brings back all the happiness. The moments away from your puzzled mind and life at home are rare and precious.

2) Layer of security: A cushion of money that the 9-6 job offers me is something I can invest for the comfort of my next trip. Travelling requires sustainability, especially if you look at it from a long-term perspective. Budgeting and monitoring the funds is crucial while wander-lusting.

3) Flexibility: Ask any nomad and they will tell you how much they miss birthdays, weddings, brunches, the latest Netflix series, and so on. Adjusting your travel according to special events at home is a daunting task for full-time travellers. This year I had decided to head to Australia. Owing to a special family event, I had to push it back to next year. Thankfully, part-time travellers have that convenience.

4) New adventures right outside the doorstep: I stress on the fact that nothing beats being touristy in your hometown than any place on the globe. You could discover new restaurants or hangout spaces. I guarantee you that there is a whole new world unexplored right outside your doorstep.

5) Relationships: Exploring new places also builds new relationships. During my trip to Europe, South East Asia, and Dubai, I encountered people from different spheres and countries. There are a few who form a part of my memory while others are still in around me.

Over the past four years, I have travelled to 7 countries, apart from my home country India. Yes, with family, career, and financial obligations, it is not possible to completely divert all the attention to exploring several new places in a year’s time and inject some quality on your blog as well. But maintaining the right balance along with other facets, is what I love about my daily life. A balance that is slowly and steadily taking my travel passion a step ahead each day.

Here’s to those who manage all the spheres of life and enjoy time to travel. Here is to all my part-time travel bloggers.

Living in Mumbai city

Published on November 10, 2019July 3, 2021 by travelogue902 Comments

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Mumbai © Travelogue90

No matter how much you write about Mumbai, the city takes you by surprise each day. Every day is eventful in Mumbai or its new counterpart Navi Mumbai. The city is a dream for array of people ranging from hard labourers to celebrities to gangsters to artists to servants to fisher folks to millionaires to stray dogs and exotic birds as well. You will find every element in Mumbai – a prolific film industry, Asia’s biggest slum, largest tropical forest, financial powerhouse, and fashion capital.

The city has so evolved that they have their own language – Bambaiyya Hindi, which is a mix of Hindi, English, Marathi, and it goes on. You need to know certain lingo thoroughly before approaching a local here. You may believe you are celebrating or weeping or getting frustrated alone. But Mumbai knows it all. It is aware of all your emotions. It sometimes, celebrates or weeps or lifts your mood when angry. Here is how –

Local trains: It is the heartbeat of Mumbai. Travelling by local trains here is an art that you master eventually, especially if you are a first-timer. Before learning about how things work inside the local train, you should know about the different railway lines. There are four railway lines that interconnects the different regions of Mumbai – Western Line (Virar-Churchgate and vice versa), Central Line (Kasara-CSMT and vice versa), Harbour Line (Panvel-CSMT and vice versa), and Trans-Harbour Line (Thane-Vashi and vice versa).

Every railway line have some instructions after getting inside the local train. You need to adhere to them, else be prepared for a verbal spat. This verbal spat rarely turns to a physical clash and the surrounding people consider it rather a fun event. Some local train journeys are fun. You become part of a group, especially if you travel at particular time every day. These groups celebrate your birthdays and festivals, and listen to your patiently when in distress. Soon you will have a new WhatsApp group called ‘Train Friends.’ Other times, local train journey is also a ‘me time’ – reading books, enjoying some music, or taking a short nap.

Yes, everything happens inside a local train! Train travellers are fearless at times. Why so? They take the train during heavy downpour, they are aware of some overhead bridges being wonky and yet, millions stomp over them every day, or wait for hours despite knowing the trains are late.

Being touristy: I remember in one of my Instragam posts during World Tourism Day, I mentioned how much fun it is to be a tourist in your city. After living in Mumbai for 29 years, this place still makes me feel like a tourist. Be it the suburbs or central or South Mumbai or Navi Mumbai, every region has its charm. There is something new to look up to every day. My personal favourite spot in Mumbai is South Mumbai, not because it is closer to the Arabian Sea but because Mumbai made home amidst the ruins of the British architecture. There are travel groups that conduct heritage walk on weekends early morning in South Mumbai. It is when the roads are empty and you walk as a free bird.

The charm of South Mumbai is unmatched be it the famous Victoria Terminus or Horniman Circle or Fort or Kala Ghoda or the famous Wankhede Stadium or Nariman Point or Azad Maidan. You also have some age-old restaurants, cafes, and movie theaters that make you come back to this part of the city.

The other part of Mumbai where you can get all touristy is the Parsi colonies. The Parsi community, originally from Iran, is said to have created Bombay as it is today. Besides, they have also given Mumbai some iconic buildings that adorn the streets. The Five Gardens is what I looked past for years but saw it closely during their New Year called Navroze.

Festivals: Considering there are people of every caste and religion living in Mumbai, all festivals are celebrated with pompous. One of the festivals that sees entire Mumbai city coming together is Ganesh Chaturthi. Some of the famous pandals like Lalbaugh, GSB, Andhericha Raja, Parelcha Raja, begin their preparations for the next year as soon as the 10-day festival comes to an end. Dusshehra is also the festival where Mumbai’s bongs throng the pandals. Diwali is another intense festival in Mumbai. The Festival of Lights is a time for positivism and joy. You can view the entire city lit up from the Chowpatty Beach or Marine Drive. Festivals like Ramzan and Bakr Eid are also celebrated at a large scale.

Religious places: Be it in good times or bad, one place where people seek solace is the religious places. Some of the prominent religious spots in Mumbai are Siddhivinayak Mandir, Mahalaxmi Temple, Haji Ali Dargah, Mahim Church, and Mount Mary. Tuesdays are auspicious for Siddhivinayak, Friday’s are Jummah Mubarak for the Muslims, Mahim Church on Wednesdays, and Mount Mary is particularly famous during the Mount Mary fair which takes place every year around September or October.

Traffic: A recent study in Times of India revealed that the motorists in Mumbai face the worst traffic jam, not only from the city perspective but also at an international level. In the financial capital, people spend 65 per cent longer time on the roads during peak hours on an average than when the roads are free. The peak hours are typically in the mornings and evenings, i.e. when people commute for work. Mumbaikars have found solution to this as well. Nowadays, thanks to the assistance from Mumbai Police on Twitter, the traffic woes get resolved instantly.

Weather: Mumbai have literally learnt the art of weathering the storm, sun, and winters (oh, that does not exists in Mumbai). While people wait for the monsoons after a sultry summer, an extended one is what brings the city to a halt. Sometimes, floods force you to stay indoors. The July 26, 2005 rains tested Mumbai’s patience. Three days the city witnessed no electricity, no network connection, and every local transport stood still. People returned home on trucks the next day while others returned from their workplace and schools only after the flood receded. The spirit of Mumbai was lauded as those indoors, reached out to the ones stuck around their area and provided them food, from day to night. It still gets appreciated, thanks to the unusual weather.

Then you have sky porn, the weather beaming with joy and spreading happiness around. Makes you want to drop everything and dance with the clouds.

Food: Mumbai and food go hand-in-hand. The food ranges from street food to high-end multi-cuisine. You head to a Muhammad Ali road and you will find authentic Muslim and Turkish food items all day long. On the eve of Ramadan, they are open till 4 AM. Heading straight to Khau Galli in Ghatkopar and Mulund, you will find array of Maggie recipes, wada pav, varied types of sandwiches, etc. A food connoisseur should head to South Mumbai for trying restaurants and cafes such as Bademiyan for some awesome biryani, Cafe Mondegar and Leopold for burgers and Chinese food, Cafe Excelsior for their egg items, Haji Ali juice centre for their yummylicious falooda, Delhi Darbar for Indian meals, Cafe Noorani, Kyani and Co for its Kheema Pav, Britannia for some excellent Irani tea.

Come to the suburbs like Andheri, Bandra, Vile Parle, Khar, Santacruz, and Juhu, you will mostly find high-end restaurants as well as affordable cafes offering multi-cuisines (Italian, Thai, Chinese, Mexican, and American). Even central Mumbai (Lower Parel, Shivaji Park, Dadar) has become a prominent spot for lunch and dinner scenes, right from fine-dining to affordable lounges.

Navi Mumbai: One of the areas that is slowly and steadily matching the standards of Mumbai is Navi Mumbai. You can find all the restaurants, cafes, malls, and soon an international airport, as you would find in Mumbai. Navi Mumbai too is closer to the Arabian Sea and also near to holiday spots within Maharashtra such as Lonavala, Khandala, Panchgani, Mahabaleshwar, Pune, and Nashik. A road drive from Navi Mumbai to these places is what makes holidays worthwhile. Navi Mumbai also has awesome road connectivity taking you to places like Thane, Mulund, suburbs such as Bhayandar, Mira Road, Dahisar, Borivali, Kandivali, in a span of two hours.

Anyone would be a fool if they do not mention Marine Drive while writing about Mumbai. For me Marine Drive is a place where I find all my answers by just listening to the waves splashing the rocks. I find calmness with the warm wind in my hair. The sea, I believe, is the final piece of every Mumbaikars puzzled life.

So, when you visit Mumbai for a long-haul, give yourself time to soak in these facets. Appreciate its lilting cadences, its harmony of excess and restraint. Sit back, develop the equanimity, and dance to the tunes of Mumbai.

Hosting your wedding in Udaipur? Here are some must-visit places for the guests

Published on November 3, 2019July 3, 2021 by travelogue90Leave a comment

Surrounded by magnificent view of the lakes and royal residences, Udaipur makes for the most ideal destination for weddings. Right from luxury villas to royal forts to value for money hotels, this city offers venues in abundance and truly gives a royal treatment, just like in the movies. Also, the charm and grandeur provides a perfect backdrop for the wedding pictures.

These suggestions are awesome for the bride and groom. But what about the ones who travel the distance for your wedding? Do you have any plans for them around the city apart from your wedding events? This guide should help you out. Considering Udaipur is a land of extravagance, these sites should excite your guests:

Ranakpur Jain Temple: When you travel en route to Udaipur, one of the destinations you will arrive is Ranakpur. The place is famous for its Jain temple built in the 15th century. It pays tribute to Adinath, the first Tirthankar of the current half-cycle as per the Jain cosmology. The temple is famous for its marble carvings and top-class architecture. It has been called out as one of the most beautiful Jain temple’s in India. The temple is 1 hour and 50 minutes away from Udaipur city.

Kumbalgarh Fort: This huge fort is renowned for possessing the second-largest wall in the world after Great Wall of China. Your trip to Udaipur or Rajasthan largely, would be incomplete without visiting Kumbalgarh. The fort is famous for its astounding architecture and the fascinating history it boasts of. The best part, you can enjoy the famous light and sound shows during the evenings.

Lake Pichola: One of the human made wonders of the city dominated by nature is Lake Pichola. If your wedding is in one top-notch hotels surrounding the lake, you can consider a boat ride here at any time of the day. The boat ride would approximately cost INR 340 for adults and INR 170 for children. If you want to enjoy a sunset ride, the cost is INR 220 for a ticket. The ideal time to soak in the nature and click pictures is the twilight zone.

City Palace: Constructed in the year 1559 by Maharana Udai Mirza Singh, the palace is situated in the banks of Lake Pichola. The architecture is a blend of Mughal, Chinese, and Medieval style. It is the house to 11 magnificent palaces and were constructed by different rulers during different periods. Some conduct weddings here as well, so a tour around the palace becomes imperative. The size of the palace is awe-inspiring as it consists of courtyards, terraces, pavilions, hanging gardens, and many more. The timings of the palace is 09:30 am to 17:30 pm.

Fatehsagar Lake: It is one of the places where your wedding guests can enjoy the scenic view of Udaipur city. Boating on the blue water is an experience in itself. You could also have quite time at the garden located in the center of the lake, called the Nehru Park. The open-space boat-shaped restaurant will leave you with memorable time with family.

Saheliyon Ki Bari: Built by Sangram Singh 2 for his queen and her maids, Saheliyon ki Bari, is an awesome sight to behold. He made the garden himself and made it a relaxed place where the queen and the maids could relax for hours. Many people come here to get away from the chaos of the city. You could even have a meal at the multi-cuisine restaurant. The tickets are affordable ranging between INR 10 to INR 50.

Every venue has its charm and makes sure the big day is nothing less than fairytale. Udaipur also makes sure your guests leave with some quality memories for lifetime.