My Roaming Spirit
Mohit Daga(@Mohit881923)Traveler | Photographer | Co-founder of myroamingspirit Anyone can find themselves trapped in a high-cost, materialistic lifestyle which makes them appear wealthy, but in reality stops them building sufficient wealth to become financially secure. I am not saying travelling would lead to saving money, not at all. Traveling costs money.
When someone doesn’t know what is important to them in life, it is more likely to lead to poor financial decisions, which can make happiness and financial security elusive. You’ll make much better career, spending and investing decisions if you take the time to gain clarity about what a “good life” looks like to you" Making a bucket list can often feel like daydreaming, especially with far-off destinations like Bali and the Maldives. Traveling doesn't have to break the bank, however, and even if you're living off a modest salary, here are the steps to take to reach your travel goals.
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Kumar Chandak(@ChandakKumar)A Friend | Ordinary Guy | Extraordinary Natural skills | #moviefreak #love everything natural. It has been one of the most mesmerizing new year with the sighting of snowfall exactly on the eve of the new year. The plans were all set for the next stop to the mountains. One of the most holiest place for the Bhutanese, THE TIGER’s NEST!! also known as Paro Taktsang. The monastery is located 10 kilometers to the north of Paro and hangs on a cliff at 3,120 meters, about 900 meters above the Paro Valley.
We could feel the Dragon calling. It was about 5 hours of drive from Phobjikha Valley to Paro Taktsang. The drive came to an end just at the time of Lunch. And nothing works better than Aloo paratha for Indians to lift up their spirit. We had an average of about 2.5 hours of climb ahead of us. It was already 2:45 and the gate to the monastery closes around 5 PM. We obviously had a time crunch but what could stop us. It contains steps as well as straight paths, so there is no correct numbers on how many stairs we climbed I remember the days where we could play endlessly for the whole day and not get tired. Well that has surely changed in last couple of years. Its been nearly two third of a decade that any of us had the taste of it. So now you know what happens when you put a club boxer in the ring with a Pro. Our hearts were pounding and we could feel the blood flowing through our veins directly to our head. Each gust of winds felt like shrapnel piercing into our body. That said and done, half way through we fell on the ground catching our breath, but it was the race to reach the top that kept us going. That wasn’t the only thing but the scenic view of the mountain covered with the pine trees, the clouds, the waterfalls and the people all around us made the journey worthwhile. We talk about discipline a lot in school but you can really experience it in Bhutan, there were no wrappers or garbage anywhere on the streets. People of Bhutan made sure
Everyone who loves to travel has their own list of can’t-miss, once-in-a-lifetime trips. Whether they’re bucket-list worthy destinations like the whitewashed homes of Santorini over the turquoise Aegean or do-before-you-die expeditions like summiting Mount Everest, they are extraordinary experiences that promise to change your life. Exploring the “lost city” of Petra, a walking safari in Zambia, a cruise to Antarctica: This isn’t your average trip. These experiences expand your global perspective and prompt you to reevaluate what really matters. Life-changing trips are about visiting an iconic place in person. Few spend the money on 5* properties or Michelin star restaurants whereas others make their impact through authentic experiences, local connections, and cultural insights. “A person cannot have a trip of a lifetime unless they open their mind,” says Thomas Stanley, COO of luxury trip planner Cox & Kings, The Americas. “The most thrilling locations can fall flat without the willingness to be spontaneous. It is exceptional moments—seeing a cheetah being born, a true lifetime friendship being established across languages and cultures—that make travel great.” According to me once-in-a-lifetime trips “allow us to stretch, go beyond limits and face fears—or conquer them. Travelling solo gives you the time to know yourself and Travelling with Families develop lifelong bonds that don’t easily happen any other way.” No matter what your reasons for traveling, make sure to experience at least one life-changing journey. Just bring your 'camera' and your 'hiking boots'—and a 'willingness to let go'. For ideas please visit TRAVEL + LEISURE. They have one of the best suggestions on this topic. Do Read. click here ! CategoriesJaipur, the city of palaces and alluring architecture, is named after its founder Maharaja Jai Singh II. The Pink City is famous for its cultural heritage, mouth-watering cuisine and colourful bazaars. With so much on offer, it is actually very difficult to experience the city in its entirety if you are short on time. Therefore, we have listed some of the best things to do based on our personal experiences to ensure that you can cover it all and take back the best memories from Jaipur. AMER FORT (9am to 4pm; Entry fee – Rs.100; Elephant ride – Rs.1,200 for 2 people; Light & Sound Show – Rs.200 for English at 7:30pm and Rs.100 for Hindi at 8pm) Scenes from the movie ‘Bajirao Mastani’ may start flashing in your front of your eyes once you are here. The fort, built in 1592 by Raja Man Singh, is the most famous tourist attraction in Jaipur. Famous for its endearing mirror work, the fort and its history come alive with the evening light and sound show. JAIGARH FORT (9:00 am to 5:00 pm; Entry fee – Rs.70) The Jaigarh Fort, built by Maharaja Jai Singh II in the 18th Century, is a magnificent palace located on the "Cheel ka Teela" (Hill of the Eagle) promontory of the Aravallis in Jaipur, Rajasthan. The fort was built to depict the affluent culture of the city of Jaipur and mainly served as the residential building of the kings but later on was also used as the artillery warehouse. The fort also houses the world's greatest cannon on wheels known as the 'Jaivana Cannon' NAHARGARH FORT (9:00 am to 5:00 pm; Entry fee – Rs. 50) Situated high on the Aravali hills, the fort offers enchanting sunset views overlooking the city. The fort exhibits a beautiful Indo-European architecture housing several beautiful structures inside. The structure is two storied building with suites for king and his twelve queens. The movie Rang de Basanti had many scenes from this beautiful fort. BIRLA MANDIR (6:00 am to 12:00 pm and 3:00 pm to 9:00 pm) According to history, the Birla temple was built on the land given to the Birla family by the Maharaja, for just a token sum of one rupee. The temple, originally known as Lakshmi Narayan Temple, is situated below the Moti Dungri Fort in Jaipur. Built in pure white marble, the Birla Temple is unlike the traditional ancient Hindu temples, and is built with a modern approach. Inside this magnificent shrine, beautifully sculpted idols of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi, as well as other Hindu Gods and Goddesses, can be seen. Visit this temple and relax your mind and body with its calm spiritual aura. ELEFANTASTIC (10:30 am to 6:00 pm; Average Cost per person – Rs.4,000) http://www.elefantastic.in/ One of the most popular tourist destinations, Elefantastic is a small elephant farm in Jaipur. Here you can be friends with these royal creatures, walk with them, wash them, learn their lingo, feed them & feed yourself with home cooked veg meal. The wonderful initiative is aimed at elephant welfare along with a positive and mutually beneficial human elephant interaction. Visit this farm to know more about the cute Asian elephants up-close in a personalised way and have an experience of your life time. HOT AIR BALOON (Rs. 7,500 to Rs.12,000 per person depending on season) http://www.skywaltz.com/rajasthan-balloon-safari.html Sep – Nov: 6:15 am and 4:00 pm Dec – Mar: 6:30 am and 3:30 pm Apr – Jun: 5:45 am (no evening flights due to heat) Live the most thrilling time of your life with the balloon rides in Jaipur. The Sky Waltz Balloon Safari is a safe and fun way of getting a panoramic view of the Pink City. You will surely be mesmerised as your drift slowly over the Amber Fort. SHOPPING AT JAIPUR If you are the shopaholic types, Jaipur will be a paradise for you with so many options. You can visit Johari bazaar for precious gems, stones and jewellery or the Tripolia bazaar for lac jewellery and its beautiful variety of bangles. And if you want a one stop option for all your shopping desires, look no further than Bapu Bazaar where you can buy traditional clothes, footwear and novelties. However, be prepared for a hard bargain ! a. Johari Bazaar (10 am to 11pm – open on all days): Ultimate shopping destination for buying gems & jewellery. Most of the shops are authentic and wholesalers. The Jaipur speciality ‘Kundan’ and ‘Thewa’ jewellery is also available in this splendid bazaar. Apart from jewellery, you can also shop for fabrics, suits, lehengas and textile material. b. Tripolia Bazaar (10 am to 7pm – open on all days): Known for its lac jewelry and the beautiful varieties of bangles, Tripolia bazaar is crowded throughout the day. The popular Bandini tie and dye fabrics with rich embroideries are also available here. You can also buy designer carpets, brass ware and other traditional wears. c. Baapu Bazaar (10:30 am to 7:30 pm – open on all days): Not just shopping, you can also enjoy the old city view from this market. Situated between Sanganer Gate and New Gate, the market is known for its alluring Rajasthani quintessential products including textiles, handicrafts, brass works and precious stones. You can shop for Mojari, ethnic jewellery and textile items and dresses. d. Other markets you may explore – Chandpole Bazaar, Nehru Bazaar, Sireh Deori Bazaar & Kishanpole bazaar. FOOD AT JAIPUR Jaipur is known for one more thing and that is its delicious cuisines. Dishes ranging from Daal bati churma to Ghewar Kulfi will surely leave you tongue-bound! Here are some of the items you can relish without a second thought a. Rajasthani thali at Chokhi Dhani (Entry fee Rs.450; Village Thali starting from Rs. 700 per person) : Situated 20 kms south of Jaipur, it is an artificial village setup inside a luxury heritage resort. It is a miniature model of the ethnic Rajasthani villages which provide you a dining experience you can never forget. Relish dall baati churma soaked in pure desi ghee. b. Gulab Ji ki Chai (Rs. 100 for 2): This is the must visit place for all Chai lovers. Gulab Singh Ji Dheerawat established his tea stall 70 years ago and it is famous for it’s tasty and refreshing masala chai. Other than the masala tea, the savouriness of the bun muska samosa, samosa bun and kachori bun served here is also a craze among people. c. Rawat Misthan Bhandar’ pyaaz kachori: Your Jaipur visit is going to be incomplete if you miss out on these onion kachoris. The kachori is not served with any sauce / chatni so that you can savour the real taste of the Kachori. The Kachoris are served from 6 am to 10 pm on all days. Other than its signature Pyaz ki Kachori, there are almost fifty varieties of Indian sweets and Rajasthani food as well. You can take your pick from Ker Sangri, Gatta Curry, Dal-Baati-Churma, and many more. d. Purana Pandit’s Pav Bhaji: Don’t wait for your Mumbai trip to fulfil you Pav Bhaji desires. Head straight to the Pandit’s Pav Bhaji in front of the Birla Mandir. It’s perfect food at the perfect location. However, be careful as you will find many stalls with the same name. Ask the locals about the real Pandit Pav Bhaji e. Kulfi faluda at Bapu Bazaar : Tired of shopping in Baapu Bazaar. We have got good news. The Indian Ice cream and Kulfi Faluda is the place to go. This 35 year old outlet serves faluda loaded with Kulfi and Rabri. At any time of the day, you will find this place loaded with people OTHER POPULAR PLACES YOU MAY EXPLORE IN JAIPUR a. Hawa Mahal b. Jantar Mantar c. Jal Mahal d. City Palace e. Sisodia Rani ka Bagh The city of forts and palaces, scintillating views and spectacular architecture is sure to leave you overwhelmed. Keep our list of best places in Jaipur handy while you are out in the sun… With a dream to go around the globe and the passion to fulfil it, two friends – Kushal & Mohit have taken upon this task to share the beauty of their dreams with others. Myroamingsprit.me is a travel bogging website to inspire others to take the leap and experience life like they should. Myroamingspirit also offers an opportunity to all travellers and bloggers to share their experiences with the world by publishing their story on the website (Visit the ‘Contribute’ section to know more).
From my adolescence, I have been a mountain admirer and this made me pass through various peaks and passes located in extreme north of India. However, this time I wanted to change the rules of my vacation and chose to visit Munnar, Kerala or as they say it is Gods own Country.
Munnar is green paradise which during British raj was one of their favourite vacation spot. The stunning destination is a 5-hour scenic drive from Kochi airport passing through bends and blind spot but as soon as you approach your destination you’ll witness the lush green valleys, ubiquitous Tea estate and dense fog that would cut down the visibility to less than 5 metres. The view of widespread immaculate tea gardens is indeed bliss and seems like nature has placed a green carpet over the town. The stupendous valleys, grandeur tea plantations, Spice and Ayurveda gardens will keep you enthralled throughout. The place is ideal for nature lovers and the views of high ranging mountains and skyline is just majestic. For the ones looking for some adrenaline rush, this place is also a biker’s paradise and you can witness Royal Enfields to Harley Davidsons cutting through the misty roads of Munnar. Munnar also welcomes adventure seekers with its variety of day and night forest trails, trekking options and a rich wildlife. I would recommend spending atleast 02N/03D and not miss even one of below mentioned places: 1. A visit to Kanan devan hills plantation (Tata Tea Factory) is must and will be “Jaago” moment for everyone and if you are complacent about your tea making skills then I am sure you will be amused after the insights gained during the session. The educational and entertainment tour edify history, origin, types of tea leaves & garden, tea preparation traits and finally a brief of the entire process from plucking of leaves to packing of final tea crushes. While you are leaving, you can have a pot of fresh tea and buy tea leaves as souvenir for friends and family Mohit Daga(@Mohit881923)Traveler | Photographer | Co-founder of myroamingspirit For many, Leh & Ladakh are dream vacations. From Pangong Lake to Nubra valley terrain steeped in history, plus the mountains and the landscape, that Nomadic life has much to love. But now it is witnessing population influx to the core. But, in under-appreciated Spiti, that Himalayan dream can be experienced and you can actually see mountain view without any human traffic. Spiti is largely undiscovered by Indians. For most of the 20th century this place has remain under the shadows. That time is over, and now Spiti’s stunning landscapes, world-class mountain range, ancient Tibetan foods, and welcoming people are open for business. Here’s why this under-visited place should be next on your Himalayan bucket list-
they will teach you why we want to protect the environment.
Thanks to Spiti Holiday Adventure founder Mr. Ramesh Lotey, to take good care of us. My Himalayan love affair started with him and it was so strong that it made us start our own travel website. For the ones who are wondering where is Spiti is, please follow the map below. Mohit daga (@MOHIT881923) Traveler | Photographer | Co-founder of myroamingspirit BUNGY JUMP- Is more exciting than scary. A few Years ago, I bungee jumped off the 233 meter Macau Tower and plummeted towards the concrete floor below. It was one of the most thrilling and exhilarating experiences in my life. Not when they weighed me, not when they started to gear me up, not when I was called to stand outside on the deck, not when they harnessed me, not when they asked me to stand at the edge of the deck. It was only when they started the countdown, I was biting my tongue and I started breathing heavily. Being scared isn’t easy but it’s fun. Listed below are few of the things that Bungy jump taught me.
A big thank you to AJ Hackett Macau for giving me the experience of the lifetime. Bungy Jump starts @ approx. $ 500. There are host of other activities such as Skywalk & Tower Climb, the details for which can be found in the link below. https://www.ajhackett.com/macau/book-now/ If you found this blog helpful, leave a feedback / comment and share this post. This will motivate us to improve further. "Being brave isn't the absence of fear. Being brave is having that fear but finding a way through it." @ Bear Grylls Kushal Jhunjhunwala (@KushalJ2w)Traveler | Photographer | Co-founder of myroamingspirit On a lazy afternoon, you just lie by the side of a secluded little beach island listening to the sounds of the sea along with a few other enthusiastic souls around you. Sounds soothing? Well, that’s Krabi for You! In the daily grind of life, we all seek to steal away a few moments of silent happiness and store its memories under our pillows. The rewind which plays in our dreams does not always reduce the pain of the daily grind, but it surely makes it all very easy to tackle as you wait for your next beautiful encounter with mother nature. If you are the midst of such a situation, it’s time that you take a break from your daily grind. And what better place to unwind than the beautiful sand beaches of Krabi...! Here’s 6 reasons why Krabi should be your next best escape along with all other details that you need to know before you plan: 1. Beautiful white sand beaches on hidden islands: Krabi is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. The soft white sand adored by the tall palm trees and fascinating limestone walls that surround most beaches take your mind and heart to a world of fantasy. You can see the varied marine life and their beautiful colours without even dipping your head into the water; it is that clear! You need to be there to feel the magic that these beaches create… It’s a beach lover’s paradise and the heavenly warmth it offers can be so addictive that you start disliking any beach which doesn’t live up to the ‘Krabi standard’. Though there are numerous beaches scattered along the coast line and most offer the same fabulous feeling, here are some of my personal favorites. a. Wang Long bay: If you are looking for a semi-private beach to spend some romantic lazy time with bae, nothing comes close to this beach located in the south of Koh Phi Phi Don. This hidden gem is not known to most tourists as it is situated as a thin channel between enormous limestone cliffs making it virtually invisible. Due to the thin entrance, not more than 3-4 boats can stop at this bay at once and hence most operators avoid it. Some operators (mentioned later in my article) do stop at this serene beach depending on weather conditions. b. Koh Tup Island (also known as Tub, Thap and Tap): Unlike Wang Long, this beach is quite popular as it is one of the islands covered in the famous 4 island day tour. An ideal site for snorkelling, this picturesque beach is also unique for another reason. ‘Talay Waek’ which means ‘divided sea’ is a common occurrence here during low tide. A sandbar is accessible during low tide which connects Koh Tup and Koh Mor (another adjacent islet) to the Koh Kai (Chicken island) situated about 500 metres away. Despite this being a common phenomenon, it is quite an unbelievable sight for someone visiting the first time. However, do carry good water shoes as the sharp corals/shells beneath the water may hurt you. c. Nui beach: Just like Wang Long, Nui beach is desolated by most tourists in the fervour for more popular beaches. But it’s best to keep this secret to yourself, else this beautiful abode of heavens will soon become another haven, flocked by tourists. The black rocky walls of the beach are an ideal contrast to the white sands and the big rocks in front stand out magnificently on the clear turquoise water. Its a sight you will cherish for a long time.
Mohit Daga (@MOHIT881923)Entrepreneur | Traveler | Photographer | Co-founder of myroamingspirit Fueled by a desire to take better photos? But you are always confused with the technical stuff; ISO, EV, MACRO, APPERTURE, and SHUTTER SPEED, oh my-gosh! So many things to consider before taking a photo! Do not worry I am equally confused. But taking awesome pictures is not just about the technical stuff. For me it’s all about creativity and individual style. And that’s what makes it so interesting. There are lots of tips and tricks available on the internet, most of which makes you go haywire. Here, listed below are some of the simple thumb rules to follow to get your photo appreciated across different social media platforms or you may never know you could even get your photo featured in some Travel Magazine.
The Composition - The heart of a photograph is its composition—the position of different elements in a frame. Try and align the subject of your photo into the frame. Don’t just capture the subject right in the center and miss out the environment. This gives you a more dramatic, visually interesting shot than one where you subject is located dead center. Mohit Daga (@MOHIT881923)Entrepreneur | Traveler | Photographer | Co-founder of myroamingspirit We will continue from where we left in the first part...
The word ADULT printed on the ticket proved that Ocean Park’s not for kids only. Hehe .. so I consoled myself. A single day in Hong Kong is a sensory-busting experience. Get an early start at the massive Ocean Park — Hong Kong’s answer to SeaWorld, but much more animal-friendly (they don’t have Orcas). We were welcomed graciously by the staff at Ocean Park, a rather far cry from Genting Highlands Theme Park where you marched in and the attendant at the gate would only glance at your wrist, not your face. Once entering, do not rush but instead take your own sweet time preparing your own itinerary. Grab a map and the daily show schedule available at the entrance, and plan your erm … “journey” else you’ll be running around in circles wondering when and where the shows are being held. But rest assured all the shows and feeding schedule are presented at least twice a day, and some may not be worth spending time on. Located in the Southern District of Hong Kong, Wong Chuk Hang, Ocean Park is one of the top tourist destinations in Hong Kong. This marine-life theme park features thrill rides, world-class entertainments and animal exhibits. It is the first Asian winner of the Applause Award, the most prestigious awards in the amusement and theme park industry, in 2012 for its outstanding entertainment. Are you wondering what we did there? Oh well, we did nothing but had fun! So if you are also planning to go here, I am giving you 12 reasons to try its diverse selection of world-class marine attractions, rides and shows! |
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