Dream Land...

My Future Trip! .... Marieta Islands

Each person in this world has a dream place which s/he would like to visit someday. For some it is an existing town, city or country. For others it may be something they have made up. The only opportunity to get there is to dream about it. However, sometimes even such dreams may come true. You just need to have a strong desire to make it come true. Here's my dream place to go.... Marieta Islands!

Located near the coast of Mexico, the Hidden Beach of the Marieta Islands, Puerto Vallarta is the most unique and awe inspiring beach. It is a hidden beach that seems to be aloof from the world outside. The hidden beach of Marieta Islands is an isle that has resulted from volcanic activity and has remained isolated since then. Since it has been discovered, it serves to be a recreational sites and also consists of a marine ecosystem that adds to the beauty of this Islands.

The hidden beach Marieta Islands has been developed over the years and remains secluded from any disturbance from the outside world or nature. Therefore, tourists who want to enjoy marine life prefer choosing the Hidden Beach Marieta Islands. You can enjoy a wide range of activities at the hidden beach including snorkeling and scuba diving. Another reason why the Hidden Beach Marieta Islands attracts tourists from all over the world is its virgin nature and its diversity.

The water of the Hidden Beach Marieta Islands is crystal clear and extremely refreshing. You can explore a wide variety of marine life including Humpback whale, dolphins and sea turtles. You can also explore this beautiful Islands and it’s scenery by taking a powerboat trip to the hidden beach of the Marieta Islands.

The hidden beach of Marieta Islands has a uniqueness of its own. The beach is isolated from the rest of the beaches of the group of Islands. The beach is estimated to have around 103 different species of reef fish in abundance. You can easily find these fishes in the beach and if you’re lucky enough you might even get to hear the “whale music’ which is a soothing sound made by the whales which are found deeper in the water.

Rohtang Paas

The Highest Place I had been to...

Rohtang Pass! At 3978 m it is easily the highest mountain I had been to! I had no apprehensions about altitude sickness. But people who had not been to the mountains had a lot to worry. You are entering a different world. The air is icy and thin.

As soon as I saw snow peaked mountains from Kullu, I knew I had to be there. My trip to Himachal would never be complete without doing so. Though I have been walking most of my trip in Shimla, I knew it wasn't going to work this time. Rohtang Pass is 51 km from Manali at an altitude of 3978m. It is not just any mountain I had seen. The word ‘Rohtang’ is literary translated in Bhoti as ‘pile of corpses’. People die all time from bad weather while trying to cross the Pass. Rohtang Pass is quite significant in this context. It connects Kullu valley to Spiti and Lahaul and the NH-21 highway to Leh also passes through this.

The road from Manali to Rohtang is one of the most precarious roads I had been to. Higher up, there are no trees but rocks and snow. The mountains are bare and you could see small road cut out of steep mountains. At every turn you tightened your grip and prayed that the jeep wouldn't just drive off the cliff. Statistically speaking, this road has very low accident incidence rate. Perhaps, they are daunted to drive safe by the road itself.

Marhi is a good place for Para-gliders. But the mountains and deep gorges can be more unnerving than Solang Nala. Here the wind is cold and the weather seemed to be changing all the time. The 16km road from Marhi to Rohtang Pass took more than 2 hours. After a certain point of time you stopped worrying about time and just hoped you’ll make it safe through the fresh lava like- sticky paste of mud and rocks. Many vehicles turned their way around and headed back to Manali without even reaching Rohtang Pass.

Hundreds and thousands of people visited Rohtang Pass each day. Most people came to see and play on the snow. I had dreamed of playing in snow since I was a kid. But when I reached there it was freezing cold. I stepped on the hardened snow and after few minutes my feet got a little numb. I was stunned to find makeshift shops selling cold drinks. But than again some people would drink it just for fun. Here, even a cup of hot tea gets cooled pretty fast. A piece of charred maize is sold for Rs.50. Popular sports here are skiing and quad biking.

Rohtang Pass is also the place where many rivers rise. I wandered off from the madding crowd towards the upper mountains facing Leh. The lower face of these mountains is carpeted with purple, yellow and pink summer blossoms. You couldn't see it from distance but these tiny flowers are perfect and beautiful. By autumn they will rot under sheet of fresh snow and will have to wait for summer to see the light of day.

Under the shadow of giant mountains, the air was getting cold. My fingers were numb and stiff. It was beginning to go into my head. Sometimes the beauty of nature belies its tyranny. I had never though of it this way. But as beautiful as it was, it could also kill fiercely.

Land of Kings!!!

A week in awe-inspiring Rajasthan!

Rajasthan scripts the rich culture and heritage of India. Well known as the ‘land of kings, Rajasthan recites the saga of the prodigious emperors and rulers that India had. Plan a trip to Rajasthan and reconnoiter its unique heritage, flamboyant culture, electrifying desert safaris, gleaming sand dunes, swanky forests and exotic wildlife.

During the trip, we started from the ‘Pink City’ – Jaipur, to the ‘Golden city’ – Jaisalmer, the ‘Blue city’ – Jodhpur and the ‘Lake city’ – Udaipur !

About Pink City...

Elephant Ride at Amer Fort - A Gigantic Experience

One of the most popular tourist attractions of Jaipur, an elephant ride upto Amer Fort can be a really interesting experience.  The fort itself, built by Raja Mana Singh I, is an interesting architectural symbol of the royal times. The architecture of the fort is a mix of Hindu and Rajput influences, and like other forts of Rajasthan, one can feel the ornate aura here too.

City Palace Jaipur - a story of the olden days

The capital of Rajasthan, Jaipur, houses the City Palace complex, which comprises of Chandra Mahal, Mubarak Mahal, and several other buildings belonging to the royal era. The palace dates back to the time of Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh and stands out for its architectural marvel. One can see several artifacts belonging to the royal era at the palace, which tell a story of the old times.

Jaisalmer...

Camel Safari - a rustic tour

We just cannot miss out on a quintessential rustic desert experience when in Rajasthan. The best regions of Rajasthan for a typical desert safari are Osian, Bikaner and Jaisalmer. One get to travel to some remote places of Rajasthan during the desert safari and explore some interesting ruins of the place. There is a story associated with the ruins and forts of Rajasthan, stories that captivate you from the word go.

Patwon ki Haveli

 

A historical masterpiece- One of the most prominent of all havelis in Jaisalmer is the Patwon ki Haveli. It is an ostentatious haveli which dates back to the early part of the 19th century. The haveli was built by Guman Chand Patwa, who is believed to be an influential trader back in those days. Walk through the haveli and marvel at the intricate architecture of it which is still in very good shape despite all these years.

Jodhpur...

Capture the blues in Jodhpur

 If Jaipur is the pink city of Rajasthan, Jodhpur can safely be called the blue city of Rajasthan. Most houses in the old part of the city are painted blue, making for a great photo-op. Try capturing the blues of Jodhpur in the early morning hours, when the sun creates an impressive visual effect.

See the Gypsy snake dance - you will forget Shakira

While in Jodhpur, don’t miss out on a performance by the Kalbeliya tribe. The women of the tribe perform the traditional Kalbeliya dance, where they move to some groovy Rajasthani music. Their movements are as lithe as snake, making for an impressive experience.

Umaid Bhavan Palace - a royal legacy

Udaipur is home to many beautiful forts and palaces, dating back to the royal times. One of these is the Umaid Bhawan Palace, one of the largest private residences in the world. A part of the palace has been converted into a heritage hotel, operated by the Taj Group. While a stay in the palace may be out of bounds for most, you can always take a tour and be awed by the legacy of it.

This Land of Kings is full of beautiful Havelis, few of them are open to visitors, and many other are decaying in silence...

"Not all those who wander are Lost"

“Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world.”  - Gustave Flaubert

Goa... My all time favourite..

This perfectly describes my thoughts regarding wanderlust. I just love to travel, as it is one of those few things, which makes me realize that life is so beautiful and there is so much to admire.

It gives us a chance to explore new places, witness different cultures, and traditions; a chance to meet people who are born in a different world than ours and have different mentality; to try different cuisines.

It is certainly a great way to get out of the worldly tensions for a while and relax. Not only does it increases our knowledge but also widens our perspective. Each travel experience teaches us something and helps us in adapting changes thus developing a natural ability of overcoming problems.

I have been fortunate to go with my friends to different places in our country like Goa, Kerala, Rajasthan, Chandigarh, Shimla etc. Be it the water sports in Goa, the palatial monuments of Rajasthan, or the heaven in Shimla gave me an opportunity to enjoy different flavours of our country.

Jaipur... The Pink City

Hidimba Temple... Shimla

 

The beautiful memories of all these trips will last with me forever, as they are very precious for me. Seeing the pictures brings out all those funny, cheerful moments and it is one of the best feelings to discuss about those times with the ones I have shared those trips. I believe it helps create a stronger bond.Those were few of the best days of my life!

In the future, I would love to see the hidden beach in the Marieta Islands near Puerto Vallarta in Mexico, one of the famous fashion capital-Paris, world’s only pedestrian city- Venice and the list goes on. Keep Travelling!!!