EXCELLENT STREET FOOD OF BANGKOK

In Asia, there is a big street food culture. If march to the main streets in the evening, be it any city the sight to catch your attention is street food.

The snacky delicacies with great tastes. Even in India, every region has its own street food. Forget region, every city would have its own street food. For example the Raj Kachodi Chat  in Bhubaneswar, Orissa would be different from the one in Bangalore, Karnataka.

Similarly the sausages in the streets of Bangkok would be different from the ones in Pattaya.  Its true and I have tried them both. I am a big fan from the street food of Thailand. There is an excellent range of Thai cuisine i.e Pad thai, Thain red curry, green curry, Thai noodles etc etc. However, when I go to Thailand, I just hog on the street food in Bangkok. Simply love the Sausages, the pancakes, the cookies with cream on top, the pork, crab and fish fries. The list is endless. Beside the taste of the food, I appreciate there effort to clean it clean and the hygienic habits of the vendor. They never touch the food with bare hand. Always use plastic or sticks. The platforms where they prepare is also clean.

Although I am skeptical to try the Indian street food while in India. I would eat the Thai street food almost everyday.

Strongly recommended :)

SMILE PLEASE # 4

This smile is coming from Cambodia again. I am tempted to share and talk about this little one.
Its the start of the day and the best way to start it is by a beautiful smile. The smile of this kid and then the smiles of the readers of this post.

While in Cambodia, I realized that its not necessary to ask someone to smile for a picture. Its very natural to gain smiles while you take their pictures. Some of the very beautiful smiles I have ever seen.

So while I finished my tour in Angkor Wat, there was this group of kids running around. It was very easy to be part of their group and share a moment with them. They were curious and wary.

However the moment I said picture, all were with beautiful smiles. I could capture the one of them who was very friendly.

Here is that million dollar moment filtered out from SIEM REAP for all :)

SMILE PLEASE # 3

Here is a new dimension to the SMILE PLEASE!! label in my blog.
For the first time its not from an individual but a group together. Together to celebrate.

It was Christmas and we all gathered at a Pizza place to celebrate and shout Merry Christmas.
The beautiful smiles of Portugal, India, Dubai and Cambodia coming together in Siem Reap, Cambodia to say MERRY CHRISTMAS. It was quite international as usual.

Beautiful indeed :)

A LITTLE MATH FOR 2013

2013 = 15

Very briefly, here is the math. Like the year 2012, when I traveled in 12 new countries, I had wished to repeat the trend for 2013 too. So was it repeated at all? Lets see :)

The year started with a positive note and in the very 3rd month, I stepped out on a long journey. I had plans to go 9 new countries and I went to 8. Then was a bit of rest and again I headed to 3 new countries. In all it was 11 new countries. It was not 13 new countries for the 13th year of 21st century. But this year, I realized that rediscovering the places we have been is as interesting as the new places. I might not have lived with the trend but it was more exciting to re visit the countries. So, I found a new math to equal my travel in the year 2013.

So I re visited 4 counties if we exclude my own country India where I quite did not travel this year.

New countries : 11
1. Brazil
2. Argentina
3. Chile
4. Uruguay
5. Bolivia
6. Peru
7. Equador
8. Colombia
9. Singapore
10. Philippines
11. Myanmar

Countries revisited : 4
1. Qatar
2. Malaysia
3. Thailand
4. Cambodia

2013 sums up to 2+0+1+3 = 6
The countries I have been sums up to 15 = 1+5 = 6

Hence, 2013(Year) = 15(Countries)

I am getting obsessed with numbers, isn't it ?
The answer is I am travel-hungry ;)

VISA ON ARRIVAL!!

Visa on arrival for travelers is a delight.

Imagine you land up at an airport without any queues at the embassy, no submission of 105 documents, no interviews which involves questions like why you are not married yet, no misbehavior from the embassy. 

You just arrive at the airport with your backpack and you are welcome. Sadly Indians do not enjoy this status for the ugly records in the past i.e to arrive in a foreign land and never return back. Illegal immigration. Indians do not cross the gate with same comfort as Europeans do. I read a survey that the nation which gets most visa on arrival in most countries is not an European country but from Asia. It is Japan.

This label is to share stories about visa on arrival and the tips.

However Indians do get "Visa on Arrival"

Little blessed although not like the Japanese or Europeans. Indians have Visa on arrival in 52 countries and territories. The trend so far is a positive rise in the number. The more we travel the more confidence we have for visa on arrivals. The more nations would get added to the list of nations welcoming Indian travelers.

So the mantra is lets travel more :)

WHERE TO GO FOR 2014!!

Where are the travel bugs heading for 2014?
To travel there is no boundary. Every place, old or new is always new for a reason. Its appropriate to say, the more you know about a place, the more you know the unknown. But if you have the thirst for new lands then there is a list from Lonely planet. An article published long back in October 2013. However, now is the best time to share here.

The destinations are fresh new and I have not been to the most of them. The places for budget travelers as the motive is travel more if you have less penny.

The shipwreck's cove -Greek Islands : A delight among the greek islands and I have seen this picture on various occasions. But I have never been to Greece and so never been here. Now in my list.

Puglia, Basilicata and Calabria of Sounthern Italy :  I have been to Italy once and dotted very few destinations like Como, Milan etc. The stay was very short and hectic. So hectic that I slept in the Duomo of Milan during the active prayer hour. Yes its very expensive. I remember ordering a half pizza for 15 euros. Had a complimentary drink. It was a fish. People were not friendly. But I was told by many that its different in the south of Italy. People are smiling and helpful. So says Lonely planet about Puglia, Basilicata and Calabria.

 Nicaragua : During my tour in South America, I started from Brazil and took a flight to bottom tip of South America. Then slowly I started going up. In Bolivia, I realized that its very cheap for food, living etc. In Colombia, I heard from many travelers that Bolivia and Nicaragua are the two cheapest countries to travel in the Americas. I admit for Bolivia and Nicaragua is certainly in my list.

Bulgaria : To travel in eastern Europe is a dream. Even before I applied for Schengen Visa to France, I always wanted to go east in the Europe as I expect it to be naive. In my head the imaginations play in that direction i.e everything in east would be way beautiful than the west. Lonely planet says Bulgaria is cheapest among the neighbouring countries in the east. I do want to go Sofia, although I am not sure about the recommended places Plovdiv and Varna.

Portugal : This is one country I have explored the most in the whole list. I have mapped a lot of the central - north places in this beautiful land. However yet to explore the southern spots of one of my favourite country Portugal. I was there in 2012 and dream to go back every year. I was almost there in 2013 but for my visa. lets see if I get lucky in 2014. If Portugal  happens then it would be a blessing

Fiji : An island destination in the Polynesia. Its too far and very expensive to fly from India. Although its a budget destination. It has to wait till we get more airlines to join the existing band of thousands of low cost airlines.

A Tip : Indians have visa on arrival for this island country.

Mexico : For me this country needs more time as I would like to explore it with the ease of time. Its beautiful and I would not worry about the budget when am there as its a country which needs time.

Karnataka, India : This is a place which is from my own land. A little bit information for those who do not know is that Bangalore in Karnataka is my second home after Bhubaneswar. I studied and work from this city. So I have been around to many many places and explore many cities and towns in this region. However there is yet to travel so much more like the north of Karnataka and Bijapur etc. The historical place Hampi is grand and one has to go there once while you are in India. I feel privileged to have travel there. So it does not count much for me in this list.

Palawan, Philippines : I have been in this country. However I have been to Cebu Island and Manila. Philippines is not a very expensive country and life is basic in the islands. Sad that the country was swept away by the natural calamities in 2013. However, while I was there it was so much nice. The smiling people, the warmth they share and always happy to receive foreigners. They say its more fun in Philippines and its very true. So I would certainly go back to this beautiful country and the recommend to all. If not Palawan, just go anywhere in Philippines.

A little tip : This piece of information is self tested. The visa in Philippines is on arrival for Indians if they are coming from Singapore with a valid Singaporean Visa and arrive in the airport of Manila. Its easy as if you ask visa from Singapore then its always valid for a year or two. So you save on the visa for Philippines. So what you waiting for. Head to Philippines.

Ethiopia : My steps in Africa has been very little. The only country I have traveled is South Africa. Ethiopia is a marvel of Africa. I agree its not possible to get around in one visit. I have heard many stories and read so much on Ethiopia that I have to go there one day.

In the end, I find it very applicable to say I havenot been everywhere but its on my list. I am an India who is travel Hungry.

To check on the article please click on the link below :
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/travel-tips-and-articles/lonely-planets-best-value-travel-destinations-for-2014

AYUTTHAYA IN MY TRAVEL MAP!!

The feeling is great!

A place dreamt long ago. Every time there is a problem, everything holds you back, everyone tells you its not so special may be next time. 

But if you are determined and yes some day you want to be there. So I said many times I was sick for the year end. Overwhelmed from the magical Siem Reap. Too much Indian food and the climate in Bangkok made me sick. The doctor not only gave me good medicine but also the courage to enjoy the beginning of the year. 

He said I am too young to rest in Hotel for the year end. I should enjoy Thailand.  :)

I being stubborn decided to go Ayutthaya. So took a bus to Ayutthaya. Once there then there was no looking back. I walked around the ruins, the various stops. Met fellow travelers and also saw the Portuguese settlements. 

Ayutthaya is not as grand as Siem Reap in Cambodia, not as stunning as Bagan in Myanmar but has its style. It was interesting to see the historical monuments and read the stories. The conquest of Burmese Emperors and the buddhist monks from Cambodia, Sri Lanka etc

I loved Ayutthaya :)

14 of 2014

Its new year already. The very first month is to dream. Speculations, resolutions, analysis for how would be the coming year.

To check online the beautiful destination, discuss with friends,  asking for tips etc

Between all this, Lonely planet has come up with 14 beautiful destinations in India for 14 weekends. After all the places are beautiful. Do you agree with this list or what is your list ?

Big hug and Happy Traveling :)

http://www.lonelyplanet.in/articles/4387/top-14-in-2014

GOOD MORNING AYUTTHAYA!!

A Happy Happy New Year to everyone. Guess where I am after all!!
Its Ayutthaya. The place I was longing for ages. Yes, I wanted to come here for many years.

Here I am!!
The very first day of the year I accomplished a long time dream.

Good Morning Ayutthaya :)

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2014

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Lets start this year with a smile and lots of travel.
I am already traveling. lets have our passport stamped more than before. If not then stamp on more lands of our own land.

 Here is a "Smiling Buddha" for a happy and smiling new year.

The is picture is from Bagan, Myanmar.