MY FIRST TIME # 6 : DIVING

I have no words because I am yet to wake up from my dream.

A dream which I realised. It happened for real and yet feels like a dream.  I am not sure if it was my dream or a real world which feels like a dream.

Yes, it is true!! I went to dive today. It was one of my first time which I am always scared to attempt.

My first time to dive in the history of Mankind.

MY TRAVEL MAP !!

Today my friend Laurent Floch shared his travel map in Facebook. I was very curious to see how my travel map looks like. So I immediately started ticking boxes against the countries to get my travel map.

Now I have a travel map and the count of countries I have been is 30.
Oh yes, it is beautiful.

SHARING IS CARING # 11

Visa on arrival is a blessing for Indian travellers. It is a blessing for any traveller but the amount of documentations and legal frame work we go through in India, Visa on arrival is really a blessing.

It could be stamping with prior online application or could be direct stamping. But it is all worth it. 

Not only the south east Asia, these days Indians get Visa on arrival in Africa, South America, Pacific etc. 

This Sharing is Caring is really caring as I am sharing some exotic destinations around the world to travel with VOA from www.skyscanner.co.in

Out of the list of 8 countries, I have travelled in Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia and Jordan with VOA without any hassle.

Visa on arrival travel for Indians

A vacation does not have to be preceded by a long wait at the visa office. Indians can now travel without a visa to various countries and get one on arrival at nominal costs. Foreign holidays have become less daunting for us now that visa-less travel for Indians is an option in more than fifty countries.Skyscanner lists our top picks:  

1. Thailand

Hot favourite for a quick vacation! With its countless shopping and party options in bustling Bangkok, to the never-ending days on its sparkling beaches – Thailand leads the pack when it comes to visa-less travel for Indians. All you need are your passport and a wad of Thai baht and you’re ready for the country of warm smiles and massages. Visit Koh Samui and Phuket for a beach holiday, Chiang Mai for some golf at a hilly getaway and Pataya if all you have is the weekend.

Visa on arrival: Baht 1,000

Read more: Best beaches close to India

The land of smiles has something for the beach-lovers, culture-vultures, party-goers and shopaholics alike!

2. Indonesia

Bali is the perfect getaway for a mix of beach, nightlife and shopping, topped with a dose of culture. Wear batik inspired prints and stuff your bags with handmade art and crafts. Head to the ocean for exciting water sports and snorkelling – it’s all there for you without a visa! 

Visa on arrival: USD 35

Time to explore the scenic sights of Indonesia

3. Seychelles

Beautiful Seychelles is where you should head to when you want to get away from it all. Start your vacation without the headache of lining up at a visa office and continue in that spirit onto the cheapest flight to the idyllic island. Waiting for you are its peaceful beaches, bluest of blue waters and a dose of natural beauty that will make you wonder whether the maker has been fair to the rest of the world.

Visa on arrival is free of charge

Sink your toes into soft powdery sands while soaking in stunning seascapes

4. Jordan

Get a peek into Middle Eastern culture with a trip to Jordan. Jordan has it all – hot springs, the unique experience of floating in the Dead Sea, landscape gazing in Wadi Rum, adventure and hiking in Petra, history at Jerash and teahouses and hip shisha cafes in Amman.

Visa on arrival: USD 30

Expect to see some of the most amazing rock formations here too

5. Kenya

The most beautiful safaris in the world beckon in Kenya’s Masai Mara. Pack the kids up and book yourselves on the cheapest flight to Nairobi, the gateway to the most famous wildlife reserve in the world. It promises to be the trip of a lifetime, considering you will have no trouble with visa offices and the kids will have the best time ever!

Visa on arrival: USD 50

Tell the kids this is real-life Lion King in action!

6. Cambodia

With political stability returning to Cambodia, it has become quite the destination for holiday makers. Cambodia is home to the World Heritage site of the Angkor Wat temple complex, which has been preserved almost intact, thanks to years of inaccessibility to tourists. Also hidden away in its dense hills is a lot of beautiful colonial architecture. These treasures can be reached by flying into the capital city of Phnom Penh or Siem Reap, the nearest airports.

Visa on arrival: USD 25

Explore and marvel at the grand temples of Cambodia

7. Mauritius

In need of a dose of the sun and some fun? Then get on a sandy beach in Mauritius with its sparkling waters and laid back atmosphere. The hospitable locals will ensure you have a cooler of choice in your hand. When the mood strikes, step into the water for some snorkelling or take the Undersea Walk for a relaxing and rejuvenating holiday like no other.

Visa on arrival is free of charge

Be bowled over by the sunsets at Mauritius

SHARING IS CARING # 10

It is almost december. It is the end of the year. It is time to think ahead. It is time to think of 2015.

Where to go in 2015. Like every year, all travel journals, magazines etc come up with a list of countries to visit. While some focus on the popular destinations, some are about budget travels. 

This Sharing is Caring is about Best Value destinations in 2015 from www.lonelyplanet.com. The best part is Portugal hits this list of Lonely planet every year. Why not it is one country I have been once and always want to go back every year. 

I have been to Portugal, Bali, Uruguay and South Africa out of the list of 9 countries. 

Best value destinations for 2015

1. Tunisia

Pin this imageDon your sunglasses and prepare to be dazzled by the multicoloured Al-Zaytuna mosque, one of Tunisia's architectural gems. Image by Yoshio Tomii / The Image Bank / Getty Images

When it comes to Tunisia, the conversation has moved on from safety to recovery for tourism, and a renewed appreciation of why the country is such a compelling destination. Most travel warnings have been dropped and travellers are once again tuning in to North Africa’s most compact package. This year prices will remain tempting to lure travellers back, and lower crowds will mean that those who do come will get a more rewarding experience whether they stay in cosmopolitan Tunis, head for Star Wars sets or explore the Roman remains that dot the north of the country.

Seasonal charters from European airports to Djerba can be an excellent-value gateway into Tunisia.

2. South Africa

Pin this imageCape Town under the dramatic outline of Table Mountain. Image by Mlenny Photography / E+ / Getty Images

Currency fluctuations mean that for certain travellers South Africa is more affordable than it has been for many years. Instead of just rejoicing in the undercooked rand, consider what South Africa offers value-seeking travellers at any time. How about fantastically accessible wildlife watching for all budgets, bargain public (and traveller-friendly) transport and free entry to many of the country’s museums? Most visitors will find something to please their budget, whether it’s a cheap-and cheerful Cape Town seaside cafe or an affordable safari campsite. Come in South Africa’s shoulder seasons (March to May, September and October) for the best combination of low crowds and comfortable weather.

3. Shanghai

Pin this imageThrow yourself into the throng of Shanghai's markets for a taste of local life. Image by DAJ / Getty Images

For all the upscale new openings in China’s most famous coastal city, Shanghai remains reassuringly affordable for budget travellers. No-nonsense dorms start at less than US$10, and the pleasing pricing continues through budget and midrange hotels until you hit the less-than-friendly international big names and trendy boutique accommodation. It’s a similar story when eating out: characterful street-treats for a dollar, and big portions in popular restaurants for little more. Best of all, walking the city’s safe and buzzing streets is the best way to take the pulse of this fast-changing metropolis. SmartShanghai (smartshanghai.com) is a great place to keep pace with new happenings in this ever-changing city.

4. Samoa

Pin this imageCrystal-clear waters, empty beaches, what more could a traveller ask for? Image by Michael Runkel / Robert Harding World Imagery / Getty Images

It feels like we’ve heard this one before: ‘Beautiful, undeveloped tropical paradise seeks underfunded travellers for discreet liaison. Applicants must enjoy no-nonsense budget buses and simple, idyllic beach hut accommodation (fales), owned by local families, who tend to throw in dinner.' So as with so many places before it, we’d say get to Samoa soon. Best visited by jumping off from New Zealand or Australia, these islands are one of the best travel deals in the Pacific.

The markets of Apia, Samoa’s capital and largest town, offer a great introduction to everyday life. Maketi Fou, the biggest, is the place to come for souvenir hunting and Samoan street food.

5. Bali

Pin this imagePalm trees, misty rice paddies and looming volcanoes - all part of Bali's exotic (and budget-friendly) blend. Image by Michele Falzone / Digital Vision / Getty Images

While many budget-traveller favourites have grown up and got proper jobs running overpriced resorts, Bali never stopped delivering the goods. In fact, while backpacker-friendly beachside bungalows and other affordable digs still abound, with reasonable costs for food and transport thrown in. Bali is also pretty stonking value for mid-range adventurers who delight in air conditioning, distinctive Balinese style and a large range of quality places to stay. And of course, Balinese spa treatments are rightly famous, and cheaper than in many other places.

Bali’s international popularity is evidenced by the large number of winter flights from Russian cities, offering the unlikely combination of a snowy Trans-Siberian journey and a week on a Balinese beach.

6. Uruguay

Pin this imageA beacon blinking out to budget travellers... or a lighthouse in Cabo Polonio, Uruguay. Image by Grambo Photography / All Canada Photos / Getty Images

While Brazil’s travel scene burgeoned as the World Cup rolled into town, Uruguay looks a better-value choice for a short excursion into South America. This proud buffer state has much to enjoy: sizzling steaks, laid-back Montevideo and a hip beach scene that tempts travellers further round the sandy coast each year. While you should watch out for peak-time costs on the coast, this remains an underrated, affordable corner of South America.

The sleepy riverside town of Fray Bentos is home to a memorable museum: the former factory of the world-famous beef processor of the same name.

7. Portugal

Pin this imageThe Dom Luis I bridge crossing the Douro River in Porto, Portugal. Image by Ken Welsh / The Image Bank / Getty Images

That Portugal’s Algarve region trumps prices at other European resort areas isn’t a surprise to regular visitors. This surf and family-friendly region remains the destination of choice for a more-than-sun seaside holiday, and it’s not all that great-value Portugal has to offer. Lisbon, as happening as Barcelona with fewer crowds, and cheaper, is set to get a whole lot more accessible as low-cost airline Ryanair opens a base in the Portuguese capital. Head anywhere in the country off the tourist trail, and costs come down further.

For a great-value tour of Lisbon hop on tram 28, which rattles around taking in many of the city’s highlights, including the Alfama district and the views from the Miradouro de Santa Luzia for €2.85.

8. Taiwan

Pin this imageThe roof of Fushan Temple in Jiufen, one of Taiwan's colourful temples. Image by Gillian Tso / Moment Open / Getty Images

Taiwan delivers great all-round value. Taipei is significantly cheaper than Hong Kong, Seoul or Tokyo, and while hotels are a bit expense, dorm beds and homestays abound in Taiwan and camping is common in a lot of the island’s national parks and forests. Rail passes are standardised and cheap on fast and modern lines. Admission to many attractions and temples is cheap, and even major museums are affordable. Eating, perhaps the main attraction in Taiwan, is accessible to all whether tucking into dumplings at a street stall or enjoying high-end fare at lower prices than comparable cities.

A large bottle of Taiwanese beer will set you back around NT$120 (US$4), or much less if you get one from a grocery shop.

9. Romania

Pin this imageThe splendid skyline of Brasov in Transylvania - within grasp of lighter pockets. Image by Doug Pearson / AWL Images / Getty Images

Eastern European nations frequently appear in best-value lists, but in Romania’s case the entry is entirely warranted. Now vigorously connected to the rest of Europe by budget airlines, accommodation compares well in all price brackets to bigger-name destinations in the region. Bucharest is a case in point, where hotel beds largely welcome business travellers, so holiday season is, unusually, low season. Away from here there are budget-friendly homestays in medieval villages, spectacular castles and the unique Danube Delta, best explored by inexpensive, if slow, ferries.

Private vans known as ‘maxitaxis’, together with buses and minivans, form the cheapest way to get routes, times, fares and departure points.

SHARING IS CARING # 3

 It is a brand new day and my exploration through my computer is on.
After a busy morning, I found some time in the afternoon to hop a little in youtube and the travel websites. I am reading a lot.

I see most of them on my Facebook wall, then one leads to another, I always have a bunch of posts to read and after screening them I share the ones which is really striking. Also I try to share the posts which are most appealing  for its honesty.

The pick of the day is from Lee Abbamonte. A traveller who is the youngest to travel all the countries in the world. I do not know how that is calculated but it is true as I google. His website is www.leeabbamonte.com.

His post is about 30 best man made sites around the world. The list is below and it goes from 30 - 1 as per the importance of the place. http://www.leeabbamonte.com/30-best/30-best-man-made-sites-in-the-world.html

30 Borobudur in Java, Indonesia
29 Eiffel Tower in Paris, France
28 Old City Sanaa in Sanaa, Yemen
27 Stonehenge in Wiltshire, England
26 Registan in Samarkand, Uzbekistan
25 Schwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, Myanmar
24 Polonnaruwa in Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka
23 Red Square in Moscow, Russia
22 Acropolis in Athens, Greece
21 Teotihuacan near Mexico City, Mexico
20 Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, Singapore
19 Sydney Harbour in Sydney, Australia
18 Prague Main Square in Prague, Czech Republic
17 Las Vegas Strip in Las Vegas, USA
16 Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
15 Auschwitz in Oswiecim, Poland
14 Colosseum in Rome, Italy
13 Machu Picchu in Aguas Calientes, Peru
12 Angkor Wat in Siem Reap, Cambodia
11 Tikal in Petin Basin, Guatemala
10 Djenne Mud Mosque in Djenne, Mali
9 Burj Khalifa in Dubai, UAE
8 Great Wall of China in Eastern China
7 The Vatican in Vatican City
6 Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet
5 Taj Mahal in Agra, India
4 Pyramids at Giza in Cairo, Egypt
3 Petra in Petra, Jordan
2 Moai on Easter Island, Chile
1 Tigers Nest Monastery in Paro Valley, Bhutan

I really like the classification because it very true. A big vote of appreciation to this great traveller as I like that he has considered both the new and old structures, the way he explains that he considers Tibet and China two different countries and his logic to include only one site per country. All this acclaims his honesty as a traveller.


Besides all the above I have an itching to mention that even before I read about this post today, I knew about him from Instagram. It happened one day when he had liked one of my pictures. I have been to 10 of the sites out of 30 which is 30% percent and 13 countries in the list.

Today I feel proud and it is very motivating. 

SHARING IS CARING # 1

Really sharing is caring.

I mean it more as I would be sharing someone's else column, writing, words, posts etc in my blog.  More meaning to it as it would be about traveling. It is because for a very simple reason as this is a travel blog.

No its not because I am out stories, that I do not have more experiences, or because am not traveling for last 8 months. It is because of my mood these days. My mood to read more and more on traveling. I come across these great articles that talk about 1000 things to do before you die, festivals of december, 20 incredible destinations from India etc

It is really nice to read about the ideas of traveling from other travellers. It is motivating to travel more, to travel like them, to do things which is missed, to check on things already done and sometimes to re do things done before.

This one in particular is about 30 things to do before you turn 30. This is from Tripoto.com.

Here are the highlights from the post :

1. Before you turn 30, take a long solo-trip to somewhere you’ve never been. How about Nepal?
2.  Before you turn 30, go to the The Burning Man in Nevada, USA
3. Why not jump-off an Aeroplane in New Zealand before you turn 30

4. Before you turn 30, volunteer your time and spirit to help animals and create a better world for them.

5. Before you turn 30, spend at least one day of reflection and honesty on the mesmerising ghats of Varanasi, watching life along the holy Ganga.

6. Before you turn 30, take a week to live a life of abundant sunshine and scarce internet in a simple hut on a faraway beach.
7. Before you turn 30, experience waking up to the sounds of the gibbons and the horn-bills of the splendid Bornean rainforest
8. Before you turn 30, spend a freezing night chasing the best of the Northern Lights in Iceland
9. Before you turn 30, crash at a stranger’s home during your travels. Chose a homestay or couchsurfing over hotels to add another dimension to your journey.
10. Before you turn 30, make sure you visit a place that has emerged from recent violence and tragedy. Visit Rwanda, Cambodia or Bosnia & Herzegovina to let yourself face the limits of inhumanity and appreciate the spirit of defiance and optimism.
11. Before you turn 30, try going silent and ascetic for 10 days at a Vipassana Meditation Center.
12. Before you turn 30, take a night to camp-out under a moonless sky in the wilderness
13. Before you turn 30, visit the Dalai Lama in Dharamshala
14. Before you turn 30, rent a convertible and take a road trip in the USA
15. Before you turn 30, walk on the otherworldly landscape of Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia
16. And witness the magnificence of the Argentinian Patagonia
17. Before you turn 30, travel alone, make friends and be moved to a teary goodbye for someone you’ve known only for a few days.
18. Before you turn 30,  go skinny-dipping somewhere pristine and untamed, like Madagascar.

19. Before you turn 30, make sure a witness a truly spectacular sunset and take a truly spectacular picture of it.

20. Before you turn 30, experience infinity in the deserts of Namibia
 21. And at the gargantuan Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe and Zambia.
22.  Before you turn 30, hike up an active volcano in Indonesia
23. And trek up the Inca trail to Machu Pichu in Peru along with friendly llamas.
24. Before you turn 30, take part in London’s annual World Naked Bike Ride for a chance to let the sun freely shine down on your paling pudenda.
25. Before you turn 30, do something you will probably be a tad too wise for in a few years, like the full-moon party in Koh Phagnan, Thailand
26. Before you turn 30, visit our friends down under on the Great Barrier Reef in Australia
27. Before you turn 30, enjoy a homecooked meal in a foreign land with friendly locals who don’t speak much English. Remember to take gifts.
28. Before you turn 30, travel to a place that challenges your beliefs and popular misconceptions. Visit Myanmar,Iran or Eritrea for a dose of reality vs. fiction.
29. Before you turn 30, spend at least a week with those who have less than you to understand and experience true gratitude.
30. Before everything, above all, discover what you truly care about. Before you turn 30, spend your years and your youth to seek adventure and inspiration. That’s what your 20s are for.

It is interesting that I did 14 out the 30 do's before turning my 30. For example I have done a day trip to Volcano of Mt Bromo, been to one of the seven wonders called Machu Pichu, think about traveling all the time, had meals with non english speaking foreigners in my friend Xay's house in Laos, been to Myanmar, Cambodia, done a 3 day tour in Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia and trekked in the Patagonia in both Argentina and Chile, I have seen some beautiful sunsets in Jordan, Chile, Sri lanka, Portugal etc.  As 14 out of 30 is nearly 50%, I think about other points. I want to do them all. Being 30 does not stop us, we can still move ahead by making inspirations from this post in Tripoto. 

Let's travel. . . .

WOW!! IT's 30!!

Today is the day of making lists.

Its a big coincidence as my count of countries to travel is 30 and the countries I have been is 30. So the immediate wish was to make a list of countries I have visited.

1. India
2. South Africa
3. Qatar
4. Thailand
5. Vietnam
6. Cambodia
7. Indonesia
8. Sri Lanka
9. Malaysia
10. Laos
11. France
12. Switzerland
13. Italy
14. Germany
15. Portugal
16. Spain
17. Turkey
18. Jordan
19. UAE
20. Brazil
21. Argentina
22. Chile
23. Uruguay
24. Bolivia
25. Peru
26. Equador
27. Colombia
28. Singapore
29. Philippines
30. Myanmar

So,  Wow!! Its 30!!

IDENTICAL TWIN BROTHERS SEPARATED AT BIRTH

It is same same but different.

Today there is something to share here in my blog which surprised me this morning.

Its been twice in the last one and half year that we celebrated Bali Jatra(Voyage to Bali) in my blog. 

Just to refresh, Bali Jatra is an annual festival celebrated in my region Orissa, India to remember the ancient maritime days of trade between the east coast of India and the Islands of Java, Sumatra and Bali. 

I have travelled in Indonesia and been to the Island of Bali twice. In my journeys I have found many similarities betwen the Bali and Orissa. Walking in the markets I have always felt that we have the same range of products. 

So coming back to my surprise, I came across one of the pictures of the Instagrammer I follow and it got me all excited. Her page in Instagram is called Ecogypsy and she shares beautiful pictures from her travel. Currently its about Indonesia and she had shared the famous Ikat & batik fabrics of Bali Island. I  was surprised that these fabrics are also very famous in Orissa and primarily hand made in the city of Sambalpur. 

Its very popular and happens often in Bollywood cinemas, where one fine two identical persons meet to realize they are twins who got separated at birth. 

So for the similarity like two identical twins these hand made & tie-dye fabrics must have originated in Orissa and gone to Bali for the exchange of trade or visa versa. 

As its same same but only from different places of the world. 

Sometimes our world turns out to be very small place. 

http://instagram.com/p/lywS79SOJJ/

MY FIRST TIME # 2 : MY FIRST DRIVING

To the end of June 2013, I have many many first times to share. However since I am in a remind mode at the moment, today would be one of my first times from the past. So my first time # 2 is from my favourite Portugal.

As kids we play with cars and dream that we are driving them. For me it was nothing different. The only difference was as I grew up to an adult, who never drove a car. I was not allowed by my family. That is why I never had driving classes or drove a car. However, my driving lisence allows me to drive four wheels and that is a different story altogether.

In India I am never allowed. However while driving to the Volcano of Mt Bromo in the Java Island of Indonesia, our driver offered to drive on the ash desert. The next moment my friend Jorge was with the stearing to enjoy the experience. How cool it is drive miles and miles on a desert made from the ash of the Volcano and the perk was Range Rover. You are a very good driver says our guide cum driver to Jorge.

With all smiles, the happy Jorge offered me to drive aswell. I who does not know how to drive, Of course I know some techniques but never had a practical lesson. So I was on the stearing and Vrummmmmmn......

Vrummmmmn....

Vrummmmm.....

Vrummmmm.....

Bunty, have you ever driven before, asked the Jorge. No, never was my answer and there is always a first time. I was too reluctant to give up and was insisting to learn in the middle of the tour on the ash desert.

However my first time driving never happened at the Volcano of course. I had to give up when I was promised by my friend that I would be allowed to drive on better roads.

So, My first time driving happened in streets of Sintra, Portugal. Where my friend kept his promise and allowed me to be on the strearing. I did a fair job with some lessons and drove back and forth.

I am still not driving yet, but my first experience of driving would be always huge from the beautiful Sintra in Portugal.

The perk this time was a Mini.....woooohooooo :)