New Zealand, not clearly on the tourism map until the early 2000s, is a fascinating little island country in a little corner of the world. Beautiful and scenic, this is now everybody’s favourite. With the release of Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings (LOTR) trilogy, the world discovered this wonderful country. It has since become...
The Aurora Borealis, also known as the Northern Lights, is perhaps the most beautiful natural wonder you will ever have the opportunity of seeing. It is a swirl of magic illuminating the sky, dancing and teasing you at the same time. Travellers from far across have thronged the Arctic to watch this celestial disco in...
The most elusive part of the great Himalayan Mountains is, perhaps, located in Bhutan. Also known as the “Mountain Fortress of the Gods”, the only surviving Buddhist kingdom is home to some of the highest unclimbed mountains in the world. Naturally, no trip to Bhutan can be complete without a salute to the many renowned...
The crowds, clamour and contamination may not be conducive to love at first sight. But give it time, and chances are you’ll be charmed by Bangkok’s intricate temple designs, unique longtail boat rides through floating markets, bustling daily life on the streets, bold gastronomical experiments, shop-till-you-drop escapades, exciting nightlife… Once a minor trading centre and...
Bhutan defies generalisations. In this Buddhist Kingdom, you’ll find harmonious co-existence of serene monasteries and adrenaline-pumping adventure activities. While the northern regions get freezing cold, the southern provinces stay warm and humid. Bhutan’s weather depends upon the altitude. So, what’s the best time to visit Bhutan? All through the year, provided you choose the right...
The only thing that can compete with a Gujarati’s love for food is his love for travel. Ever been on a journey with a Gujarati? Chances are you’ve fond memories of the soft theplas, tangy dhoklas, and crisp khakhras. Unfortunately, there are many misconceptions about Gujarati cuisine, which is predominantly a vegetarian fare. For instance,...
Necessity is the mother of all inventions. The astonishing root bridges of Meghalaya were not built by the local tribesmen so that one day a dollar doling tourist would come across it and announce their exotic existence to the world. Instead, the tribesmen must have figured out the way to make these bridges out of...
Mirror-mirror on the wall, which is the wettest place of ‘em all? For years there’s been a rivalry between the famous Cherrapunjee and the not-so-famous Mawsynram as who which destination receives the most rainfall in the world. While it was the more famous neighbor that consistently won the podium since the comparisons began, last year...
‘A walk in the clouds – that’s exactly how one would describe the picturesque settings of the state of Arunachal Pradesh – no wonder the Eastern neighbor wants it really bad. Ouch! Jokes apart, Arunachal is a land steeped in the mysticism of an ancient Buddhist culture as well as an awe-inducing natural habitat that...
In 1959, as the Southern Hemisphere saw Comrade Guevara and his rebel troops march into Havana, the North saw Tibet’s beloved spiritual leader walk into exile in India fearing Chinese annihilation after the great uprising. Aided by CIA’s Special Activities Division, as the Dalai Lama and his followers set foot in India, it was the...
