Kuldhara – The “Ghost Village”…?
Ek samay ki baat hai… Sometime in the 13th century, a man named Kadhan settled at a place not too far from the city of Jaisalmer. He dug a pond nearby. Soon, other people from the community – the Paliwal Read more…
Galotu – Kugti: Memories of My First Himalayan Trek
It was in my mid-thirties when I first heard stories of Everest Base Camp experiences that I first felt like experiencing what it feels like to walk in the mountains for days without what we perceive as basic necessities. For Read more…
Bled – Where Fairies Dance and Nature Sings
A long time ago, in a beautiful green valley surrounded by mountains, fairies would descend from the skies and dance on the luscious green grass in starry nights. During the daytime, shepherds from nearby settlements would bring their sheep to Read more…
Piran – Jewel of the Slovenian Coast
Pristine coastline, pastel buildings adorning the sea line and exuding charm and warmth, and a tall round tower at the farthest end of the road – at the first glance as I stepped out of the bus, I’d already decided Read more…
Ljubljana – The Dragon City with a Green Soul
I looked out of the window, my eyes still a bit heavy with sleep. Mountains on the sides of the road looked gorgeous in their newly acquired gray-white coats. Pine trees were sprinkled with fresh snow. I straightened a bit, Read more…
I Sang My Heart Out on a Street in Ljubljana
On a cloudy evening, I stepped out of the hostel in Ljubljana for a stroll by the Ljubljanica river. It had become my favorite pastime during my week-long stay in the capital of Slovenia. The sky was overcast and the Read more…
A Day-and-a-Half in Kanchanaburi
“Madness!…. Madness!!” says a distressed Major Clipton, the British medical officer, gritting his teeth, looking at the scene of carnage in front of him. The Bridge on the River Kwai, the movie that I watched over 3 decades ago, remains Read more…
…And That’s How My First Ever Solo International Travel Began…
It’s been 3 years since I traveled to Thailand (end of Dec 2016 – Jan 2017). It was my first ever solo, non-work-related, interantional travel! I’d dreamed of planning my own itinerary and traveling to some dream-like places for years, Read more…
Stone-Pulling Ceremony: An Age-old Tradition of the Angami Nagas
“A lot of people from different countries visit Nagaland during the Hornbill Festival, but we feel really happy when Indians from other states come here too. We want more people from India to see our culture,” said the man standing Read more…
Hallstatt – A Piece of Paradise
Settled on the shores of a calm, glassy lake is a small little piece of paradise. Majestic mountains rise from valleys and stand tall around the little paradise as if guarding its sanctity, its tranquility. The tree- and snow-covered mountains Read more…