Travel Diaries: The First Drops Of Rain

    The summer heat fades as the clouds burst into rain, bringing in the sweet smell of the soil and freshness in the air. The entire city is washed clean. Grass spreads all over the place and trees flourish adding more green everywhere. Flowers began to bloom slowly. If traveling during the rains seems like a wrong choice to make, then think again! Here are a list of a few things you could do this season:

• Long Drive: While taking a bike ride is thrilling, its not so easy to ride when its raining as the drops hit your skin and often eyes get blurry. So if your not a pro to take that risk, opt for a long car drive around the town. Enjoy the beautiful sight outside your window, while you stay safe inside your car.

• Beautiful Waterfalls:  Rainy season is the best time to visit waterfalls. You can take short trips to places like Lonavla  or Igatpuri and enjoy yourself under the waterfall. If you take a drive around the highway and the roads less traveled, you may find one yourself. 

• Lakes: The lakes are filled with clean flowing water. Make sure you check the depth by asking the local people around. Often you may find kids taking a dive. Join them if your quite a daredevil or looking out for the Life mein ek bar experience.

• Chai on the Highway: Whats better than sipping on a hot cup of tea or coffee on the highway. Explore the places around you and lastly do try a special masala Chai on the highway.

• Poolside: Fun for many, being in the pool while it rains has its experience of its own. Spend the day by the poolside on a rainy day and feel the drops of rain while you take a dip into the pool.

• Rains+Hot snacks= WOW: Hot corn, roasted corn, bhajjiyas, soup and much more are a must try during the rains. You'll be surprised to see the relief you get and trust me its feels good.  

• Let yourself free: Drench yourself in the rain. If you'r worried about getting sick, simply wear a raincoat and walk about freely. stretch your hands wide and let go. Breath in the freshness of the air, jump in puddles, walkabout, play football, dance in the rain and let your self completely free. If you'r someone who sticks to rules, this is something you should definitely try. Break all rules and especially a break from your daily life. Try something new!

                        Rainy season has its uniqueness of its own. Some prefer to stay indoors while making a short trip also seems fun. A short getaway during the rains is a must!! :) :P

Travel Diaries: All Roads Lead to Roam

 

They say: The more the merrier. But sometimes it is fun to travel alone like a free bird, or maybe with the company of a few close friends. Pick up your Bagpack with just the essentials like a Towel, set of clothes (if you decide to swim), penknife, something to eat, a Map, camera and not forgetting your wallet. Your car or bike keys in hand and your off to go for an unpredictable adventure. Hit the highway and off you go deciding which lane to go. Dont forget to keep a tab on your map or several mobile navigation apps that will help the road lead you ( perhaps if you have network even in remote mountain areas). It's always better to plan your trip but just incase your tired of doing that you can let the road decide for you. And trust me.. It works all the time!

 My family  is always used to unpredictable one day trips and we always end up finding a beautiful unknown place. Seems like a lonely planet that you can explore. A long drive with mountains on both sides and a delightful view that feels like paradise. Sometimes you get to meet and interact with the locals (who are shy all the time), covering their mouth trying to control their giggling laughing. You wont be surprised if they invite you over to their place and serve you their simple food, something worth trying if you not a fussy eater. There are several lakes and dams almost in every corner..but you need to be careful.Most of the time if you see the locals swimming, you can ask them the depth of the lake and then decide to take a dip.
The water may not be clean and sparkly, but yeah, totally worth the experience for an adventurous traveler.

The highway is the hub for what is popularly known as 'Dhaba Food'. You can stop by for lunch or dinner at one of these food joints on the highway. If you want to have an enchanted forest experience you can pick up food on the way and find a spot somewhere in the mountains or midway, where you are surrounded by trees and have your lunch there. Enjoy the silence and beauty of nature. Make sure you don't litter the place. When you visit such areas it is better to talk softly and be silent.

An unplanned trip feels great if you get things in the right place. Not forgetting with pros there are cons too. So make sure you have enough fuel in your vehicle, enough cash, identity proof, fully charged mobile battery and camera not forgetting sufficient mobile credit to make urgent calls, plastic bags (just incase you get travel sick or for wet clothes after a swim), a Map and you are off to go.

Take a day off and head somewhere.. just somewhere.. Feel the beauty of nature and the places around you. It is definitely worth the experience!

AHMADABAD: Culture walk

 AHMADABAD

Visiting the largest city and former capital of Gujarat had a charm of its own. Surrounded by some of its heritage and remains of old monuments and within the city, the growing  modernized infrastructure gives this city a different feel of its own. The marketplace within the old city was a different experience. Apart from getting the best bargains on Indian printed bed linens and ethnic wear, the market was surrounded with historical heritages and walking through them gives you the true feeling of being in Ahmadabad.