Eat Shop Travel

Birthdays are special and I have always been excited about mine since childhood, after all, it comes once a year when I pamper myself with best things in the world. This birthday I gifted myself a getaway to Sri Lanka. It was easy to fix on Sri Lanka as my brother had recently moved to Colombo. Cool drip Traveling to Sri Lanka is absolutely hassle-free and cost effective with low airfare and visa easily available. A spontaneous traveler like me doesn’t need an itinerary; however, there are lots of us who like to plan their getaways. I booked my flight from Hyderabad to Colombo via Chennai with a layover of 2 hours. I landed in Colombo at half-past one in the morning. Immigration was a kid stuff and I reached my abode in Colombo by the time clock struck thrice. You don’t have to worry about jet lag as India and Sri Lanka falls in the same time zone. But care for a beauty sleep when you have an action packed next 5 days. Day 1: Mornings be like this facing the calm ...

You know you’re aging the moment you meet your parents, it holds true for those who stay away from home and don’t get to see their parents quite often. The guilt of not being around them may daunt us but we can always compensate it by vacationing with them. I know, the thought of traveling with parents may not sound very appealing but it is one of the best ways to spend some quality time with them and create some precious memories. Also, if you have parents like mine who get ecstatic with the thought of exploring new exotic destinations then try to backpack with them at least once a year.   Mom & Dad Last year, I traveled to Amritsar and Agra with my parents which led to an impromptu family get together as well. Traveling with parents gives you an opportunity to bridge the gaps which build over the years of staying away from them. E.g. I never knew that my father had a desire to see the Taj Mahal on a full moon night or my mother loved exploring local markets as m...

Being impulsive doesn’t always result in a bad decision. I set myself for 10 days of adventure called Vipassana, with a strong determination of not giving up in between, not for anything. I had read about Vipassana and always wanted to give it a try, just out of curiosity.  As someone rightly said curiosity is the mother of all inventions. Vipassana helps you reinvent yourself; this technique penetrates through the deepest layers of your subconscious mind. Vipassana means to see things as they really are. It’s an ancient meditation technique designed as a 10-day residential course with more than 10 hours of meditation every day, with breaks for food and rest in between. Daily sessions would conclude with a discourse by S.N. Goenka. The entire 10-days are designed through a very strict daily schedule starting from 4.30 am and concluding at 9 pm. Meals were simple and vegetarian and didn't include dinner. Yeah! you read it right. Vipassana attempts to rid the mind ...

Bali exudes immense charm through its breathtaking beaches, remarkable temples, beautiful countryside, amazing rice fields and friendly people. Bali is a total package and the best part is it’s inexpensive. Bedgul Temple Bali is an amalgamation of culture and fun. There are numerous beautiful temples for sightseeing like Tanah Lot, Uluwatu temple, Bedgul temple, Besakih temple and the list is endless. At the same time, Bali is blessed with beautiful sandy beaches, crystal blue water and buzzing night life.  Chicken Satay with Steamed Rice and Shrimp Cracker Bali has world class pubs and the food is finger licking good. If you are a Pigeterian or a seafood lover, then Bali is bliss for you. Don’t forget to gorge on crisp red snapper, juicy prawns served with garlic sauce, salad and rice, deep fried calamari rings, chicken satay. If this is not enough to tickle your taste buds then try the famous Bintang beer. However, my personal recommendation is Sta...

Staying fit is one of the difficult battles of our lives. It needs a lot of discipline and perseverance. At times, you would feel that the hard work you have put into exercise is not giving you desired result, but don’t give up. Along with a daily routine of exercise, it’s very important to keep a check on mindless munching. It is difficult to make a choice between pizza and green salad. I know it’s hard but not impossible. Until you are not blessed with an excellent genetic makeup and awesome metabolism which efficiently burn your calories, you can’t ignore exercise and healthy eating.                                                                             With our dynamic lifestyle, it’s very difficult to stay in shape. Many a times I have been haunted by guilt, fo...

The snow-capped mountains, hairpin roads surrounded by the mighty Himalayas, steep curves, Maggie accompanied with a cup of tea, colorful monasteries, turquoise blue water, burning sun, white sand dunes, double humped camels, freezing wind, tall popular trees, camping and dipping in the Pangong Lake, the hustle and bustle of the Leh markets and influence of Tibetan culture will live in my memories for the lifetime Leh The road trip from Manali to Leh was a feast to my eyes and soul. The hairpin roads of Rohtang pass led to the steep curves of Keylong followed by the beautiful roads of Balarcha and Tanglang La pass left me spell bound . Never in my life have I been so close to the nature. The eateries on the way serve delicious Maggie, Aloo paratha, Thukpa, kaali dal – chawal , and of course tea. Maggie on the way :) After a spectacular journey of two days on the curvaceous roads of Himalayas brilliantly maintained by the Border Roads Organization (BRO) we reac...