Life Lessons that Travel Taught Me

And then, in the blink of an eye, the vacation is over and you are back to where you started. The first couple of weeks is when you are deeply philosophical, playing the vacation like a recorded video in your mind, smiling at the memories that you will more likely than not, relish for the rest of your life. All the missed trains, lost bags and muddled bookings will now become amusing (and fond) anecdotes that you will tell whoever makes the mistake of asking you about your vacation!



As I go through this phase right now, I also reflect on all the lessons that travelling has taught, and some of them the hard way :)

1. The journey is more beautiful than the destination:

As clichéd as it may sound, the journey is often more beautiful than the destination. We often traveled at night, just so that we could spend the entire day on something more fruitful, like exploring local cuisine or searching for that hidden treasure that no guide book speaks about. Our perspective changed, when we took the picturesque drive from Shimla to Manali along the river Beas, stopping every now and then, to admire the stunning landscape. The pristine blue river separating the road from the mountains and the snowy peaks that looked so within reach was our awakening.

2. We make wrong choices, but what’s wrong with that?

Well, taking a non-Malayalam speaking driver to Kerala heartland is faux pas. But then you have to make this mistake to learn. And rest assured you will find a way out of this minor inconvenience, either calling your malayali friend to translate over phone or serendipitously finding a local who speaks your language. We make wrong choices, more often than we want to, but will we dwell on those wrong choices or find our joys, is a choice we make!

3. The world is full of friendly and interesting people:

Whether it was the young student from Scotland who decided to take up an online certification from India, the auto driver who turned out to be our guide for the 3 days we spent in Jaipur or the security guard who went out of his way to overcome the language barrier and tell you about this wonderful place that you should not miss, the world is full of friendly and interesting people who you will hardly notice on your home ground.

4. Patience is a virtue:

How many times have you assumed that a distance of 200 kms translates to 4 hours of travel time and fretted because of the extra hour that you had to spend on the road only to be rewarded with a beautiful orange sunset over the desert horizon?

To be frank, it has happened to us more times than we care to count. As countless photographers swear, patience is a photographer's best friend; We have learnt that it is a traveler’s best friend too!

5. A dark cloud with a silver lining is a real thing, not a myth:

All dark clouds have silver linings. When we did not spot a tiger in Ranthambore, we did witness the rare sight of a spotted deer chewing on the calcium rich discarded antler of a Sambar deer, not to mention the thrill of a close encounter with a nilgai!

When we did not find the elusive sunset at Azhikkal ferry (that boasted of a km long granite walkway, at the end of which you are surrounded by the sea), we ended up finding a hinterland ferry that ferried locals from one island village to another. And spending a whole hour island hopping, talking to locals and watching the sunset from the ferry was just as blissful and exciting!

6. Always have a story to tell:

A missed/misplaced bag might seem an un-surmountable problem when you realise it 100 kms later, but once you have scaled impossible odds to retrieve it, it is an amusing tale that you will never tire of sharing with anyone who is willing to listen. Whether it was about how we outsmarted the unreasonable cab driver in Kochi or how we made a smart move that saved a couple of thousands on that hotel room, you always have a story to tell.

This is a guest post by Pradeep Roonwal, a constant dreamer, passionate traveler, avid reader, inconsistent writer, movie freak, yoga student and lastly an IT guy! When you don't find him preparing project plans or planning his next travels, you will probably find him deeply engrossed in a book, blissfully unaware of all the chaos around. His idea of a perfect getaway - A beach home with an exhaustive library and a bicycle.

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Guest Post: Yogyakarta-The Ultimate Insiders Guide to the City

For tourists exploring Indonesia, the laid back city of Yogyakarta in Central Java is not to be missed. Ruled by the Sultan of Yogyakarta and steeped in Javanese culture, this assured and bustling city thrives in the shadow of the countries most active volcano. It is a perilous existence, yet the city continues to attract students and tourists from all over the world.

Places to Stay
Most of the popular tourists hotels in Yogyakarta are centered on Malioboro road. Even though I'd normally steer clear of tourist hotspots, this part of the city has a nice feel to it and the best nightlife, a perfect combination. Regardless of where you decide to stay there are a huge variety of hotels to choose from in Yogyakarta and new places keep on popping up all of the time. So whether you’re on a tight budget or you want to rent a penthouse suite, there’s something here for everyone. However, it’s worth keeping in mind that during the holiday season Yogyakarta gets packed, so it’s worth booking ahead of time.

Getting Around
Getting around Yogyakarta is pretty easy. The city also has a great public transportation system with nice air-conditioned buses, but this is not my preferred option. Personally I would advise renting a motorbike, which costs about $5 a day. Granted this is not the ideal solution for a family! For short distances you can also get a skinny old man to cycle you around while you sit in the front of his rickshaw (it's actually quite romantic if you're travelling as a couple).

The Best Things To Do
Shopping, famous historical monuments, beautiful beaches and yes, the chance to climb the active volcano are all great things to do in Yogyakarta. Of these activities, only two of them can be done within the city limits, but all of them are within easy travelling distance.

Shopping
The most famous shopping mall in Yogyakarta is Malioboro, a corruption of the name Marlborough (a reference to the English Duke and not the American cigarettes), which Indonesians had difficulty pronouncing, but not smoking. Stalls spill out of the mall onto the high-street making this a bit of a shopping district and a great place to find bargains. If you’re looking for things to do in Yogyakarta and you want to buy some handicraft and other goods then you can’t go wrong with Bantul market, which is on the way to Parangtritis beach. The market and indeed the village are famous locally for the numerous artists that live here.

Historical Monuments
There are so many temples in and around Yogyakarta that it would be like sitting through a history lecture if I listed them all. Suffice to say the most famous of them are Borobodur and Prambanan. Both temples predate the arrival of Islam to the area. Prambanan is the older of the two and dedicated to the Hindu religion, while Borobodur is one for the Buddhists. Of the two sites I personally prefer Prambanan, which has slightly fewer tourists and more shade. For those of you who want to make a schedule of things to do in Yogyakarta, I can tell you that these two sites can be done in a day.

Beautiful Beaches
Everyone, including the guidebooks will tell you to go to Parangtritis; it's the Javanese equivalent of Bondi beach, except everyone is covered up and nobody is swimming. My advice is to miss this place and head for the little known Ngrenehan beach. Situated in a cove, this is the only beach around Yogyakarta where it is actually safe to swim. Make sure to try the fresh barbecue fish at any of the small huts near the waters edge. The food here is simple and delicious.

Climb Mount Merapi
Depending on how fit you are the climb will take you anywhere from three to six hours plus. The way down on the other hand took me just forty minutes and made me glad I have long legs. If you do make the journey, try and overnight in the cave at the top. It's perfectly sheltered, comes complete with a furry friend and offers you an incredible view of the valley.

Places to Eat
After weeks or months on the road you might just want a taste of home. If pizza and pasta sounds tempting to you then the best place to go in Yogyakarta is Nanna Mia. This place is a hit with the tourist crowd and has been busily expanding over the years since I first lived in Yogyakarta. If this doesn't tickle your fancy then no need to worry. The street is packed with small restaurants offering everything from vegan dishes to tender chicken kebabs with peanut sauce.

Things to Drink
Coffee Luwak is the caffeinated equivalent of gold. In a strange twist of human nature, people pay a lot of money to drink coffee beans that have been defecated by a shrew like animal (a Civet to be precise). Personally I put it down to a case of the Emperors New Clothes and some clever advertising. Still, if you're interested in having a cup of this delicacy then head to Malioboro Mall. The cafe at the top offers a great view of the city and cups Coffee Luwak for the bargain price of US$10. If you fancy something more down to earth, head round the corner to the Bintang Cafe, which is one of the cities most popular drinking spots.

Best kept Secret
I was in two minds about sharing the location of my favorite restaurant in Yogyakarta. In four years of living in Indonesia I have never once met another foreigner in this restaurant, which shows you how much of a secret this place is. The most famous traditional food in Yogyakarta is Gudek, a dish that takes 12 hours to prepare. While you can find Gudek just about anywhere, the best place I’ve found is a little traditional home restaurant on Jalan Profesor Dr. Soeporno. The restaurant has no name and only opens at 10 in the evening and closes as soon as it sells out, which happens very quickly. This might make it sound like you’re going to have problems finding it, but if you stop anyone on the street and ask for Gudek then they’ll point you in the right direction.

About the Author: Nico Prins is a traveller who realized that life waits for no one. He is a blogger who wants to explore the world and a journalist who works on TV to make ends meet. You can keep up with his adventures on A Travellers Journey.

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Guest Post: Rock Climbing at Ko Phi Phi, Thailand

If you are a rock climber, you know that Ko Phi Phi in South Thailand is one of the top rock climbing destinations in the world. Since I was at Ko Phi Phi a couple of weeks back, I did not want to miss the opportunity of climbing here. This post is an account of my rock climbing experience here.


There are 7 major walls in Phi Phi:
1) Drinking Wall
2) Ao Ling Wall
3) Hin Tak Wall
4) Hua-Ling (Monkey Head)
5) Ao Pilay Wall
6) North Face wall
7) Tonsai Tower

Climbing on Phi Phi started in the late 80’s mostly by the Dutch and the French. Phi Phi offers some of the best walls in Thailand with walls of steep limestone overlooking pristine beaches. Some of the best easier grade multi-pitch climbs in Thailand are to be found here, most of which are done over a mesmerizing blue sea. For a beginner, Tonsai Tower on it’s own offers about 20 routes from grade 5 to 7b+ all in a row. 

There are a couple of rock climbing shops around the island who will help you in providing accessories as well as help you in climbing. In case you want to learn, these shops also provide 1-3 day training courses. While searching for these climbing shops, I found out spider monkey and on understanding the demographics, cost and difficulty levels, I decided to climb the Tonsai tower. I took the one day package of 2000 baht that included gear and a lead climber to belay me.


The Tonsai tower, located at the end of the Tonsai beach offers close to 25 routes graded from 5 to 7b for single and multi-pitch climbs. This is the only climbing area in Thailand with such a fantastic concentration of easy climbs. This wall is a must. Some of the multi pitch climbing here is steep and unless you know how to back-clip on rappel you can easily get stuck dangling way into the dark.

In the morning I headed to the shop from where we took the equipment and headed to the rocks. It was a 7 minute walk from the main town. I could see the other  rock climbers busy climbing and I couldn't wait any more. After checking map, I figured out that the maximum toughness was 7b. So we started with 5 grade. It was pretty easy but a different experience as there were grooves everywhere and one needs to decide which one to use once one reaches the spot. It took me around  ten minutes to complete the route. The second I picked was 6a. I did it easily within 15 minutes. After reaching the top, the view of the island was beautiful. One could see the two sides of island separating the sea. The afternoon sun lighted the corals beneath the sea and hence the green color literally was remarkably contrasting. I waited there for 5 minutes just to feast on the view.

The third was 6b grade and 35 m high. I was getting tired as I was out of practice for the last three months. I took rest for some time and started the climb. It was really tough and I had to stop at one point as there was no way i could go forward. So  I decided to  change my direction. Now this required proper bouldering and it was tough to move towards the right for 5 meters at the overhead extension. Slowly, I started inching towards the right ensuring that I was getting a good grip.  Finally, I managed to reach the Point for where I cold easily climb to the top. I was just 7 meters below the top when i realized that the rocks were slippery as water was dripping from the rocks. It had rained heavily yesterday and this area was under shadow thereby still wet. It was very slippery and my chalk powder was of no help. I didn't have any other option but to change my route. So slowly i used my feet to get good grip and relied more on the foot and not on the hands. I ensured that somehow even if my one hand slips, my legs would be strongly grounded to support my weight. This last part took some ten minutes to cover. Well it was slightly scary but i managed to reach the point and standing at 35 m I looked at the sea below. I wish I could have taken my camera. The view was again stunning. The next path we picked was 7a. After climbing for 15m I got stuck and realized that I will slip and hence asked my instructor to tighten the ropes to control my swing in case I slip down. I slipped after one meter. My instructor was really good as he managed to make me sway away from the rocks. I tried again but I realized that my arms had pumped up and hence I could not  go further up. I still tried however I slipped this time again. So I decided to stop . One should know his/her limits and  should push accordingly as adventure sports can lead to a life threatening situation.

I came down, unwrapped myself from the harness and headed back to shop. After leaving the equipment, I chatted with the shop guys to understand more about rock climbing. They asked my experience and I told them that it was a different experience from India as the rocks here were loose, difficult to make the route at the start and hence posed a new challenge. Also, there were no such groves, there were holes and holes only. The best part was where I needed to take rest and I squeezed myself in a small crevices , supported myself on my back and rested there for 4 minutes. The area was so small that I could snuggle into it and perfectly fitted into it. I wanted to cover the other routes also, but since time was of essence here, I think I will return in an year, stay for a week or more and try out all routes.

About the Author: Vishwadeep Anshu is a close friend, fellow traveler and an amateur rock climber who in his free time teaches rock climbing to kids at Urban climbers in Bangalore, India. Note: The pictures in this post were taken by Vishwadeep Anshu and is his copyright.

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Guest Post: Tips for Traveling to India

If you are someone who is invested in traveling to India, you’ll find that you have a wonderful experience ahead of you. Whether you are traveling to India for business or pleasure, there are a few tips that you should keep in mind to ensure that you have a great time.

Limit Your Trip India is big, and there is a great deal to see and do. While you might want to shop in Delhi and hit the beach in Goa before you take a look at the tigers of Madhya Pradesh, you’ll find that it is best to confine yourself to one or two areas. It is very easy to get worn out if you try to see everything, and the truth is that you’ll have a much better time if you simply slow down. By limiting yourself to several areas, it allows you to see a lot more during your stay. Madhya Pradesh has nine national parks, making it a great destination for travel. This is one area you want to be sure to visit. When traveling to India, think about doing it as a part of a tour. A tour will make sure that you get to see every place that you want to see, and it will also help you take things easy. Talk to a travel agent about picking up a package deal and make sure that you outline the places that you want to see.

Eat Carefully It is very possible to get sick from food and beverages that has been poorly prepared in India. When you eat fruit, make sure that you peel it yourself, and when you want to drink water, stick to the bottles. Skip tap water and make sure that you don’t eat anything that has been rinsed in tap water; this means that raw salads are right out. Most people find that it is very easy to go vegetarian in India. You will not be missing out on much of the local cuisine; vegetarian food is prevalent throughout all of India, and in many cases, it is safer than eating meat that has been stored in questionable circumstances.

Dress Light, Dress Conservatively Both men and women should be aware of the heat in India; dressing in loose, light clothes is an ideal way to beat the heat. While most people are comfortable wearing Western clothing in the major cities, it is a good idea for women to adopt conservative clothing when they are traveling. Skip the shorts and low-cut or tight-fitting tops and opt for things like cotton shirts with long sleeves and loose linen or cotton trousers. Consider picking up a salwar kameeze set of matching tunic and trousers, which is what many local women will be wearing.

About the Author: Steve Reid is a life-long traveler who writes about a variety of travel topics. He often writes on behalf of Liberty Travel, a leading travel agency located in the United States. Liberty Travel offers all inclusive vacations to many locations.

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Guest Post: Top 10 Treks in Ladakh

Ladakh is a land of varied experiences. There is spirituality to be explored, adventure to be had and the bliss of nature to be felt. While you can explore Ladakh in plenty of ways, trekking is one of the best ways to do it. Trekking in Ladakh brings together all the different experiences to be had in Ladakh- a trip to monasteries gives you a spiritual experience; walking through varied landscapes lets you be with nature; and trekking to the top of challenging peaks gives you an adventurous experience. There are plenty of trekking trails in Ladakh to explore. However, here is an arguable list of top 10 treks in Ladakh which you shouldn’t miss:


1. The Frozen River Trek
The name says it all. You get to walk on a frozen river and make your way through remote areas of the land and enjoy the bliss of nature. The trek happens in winters, when the Zanskar River freezes and is the only route to get from Kargil to Padum. Also known as the Chaddar trek, this 20 day trek is meant for professional trekkers and not for beginners.
Best time to trek: January to February

2. Sham Valley Trek
While the Chaddar Trek is meant to be adrenaline pumping, the Sham Valley Trek is meant to be a spiritual experience. It takes you through various beautiful monasteries of Ladakh, including the ones which date back to the 11^th century. This 5 day long trek is not too demanding and includes a visit to the monasteries of Alchi, Lamayuru as well as Thiksey.
Best time to trek: June to October


3. Stok Kangri Trek
If you love scaling heights and feel adrenaline pumping through your veins, the Stok Kangri trek is meant for you. This majestic peak, with a height of about 6137 meters above sea level, can be quite a challenge to scale. It takes about 9 days to reach a summit, and you encounter steep climbs as well as some gorgeous camping locations on your way. While the trek can be quite demanding, the views you get from top of Stok Kangri simply take your pain away.
Best time to trek: July and September

4. Rupshu Valley Trek
Lying in the south-eastern region of Ladakh is Rupshu Valley. A trek through the valley takes you varied terrains, with the altitude ranging between 4500 and 5500 meters. The valley has green pastures every now and then, but largely, the land is not suitable for agriculture. That makes the region sparsely populated. However, it is a popular route for nomads, and you can spot quite a few of them while on this trek. Watching them make their way through the arid land with their sheep and yak gives you glimpse into the local life of the people of Ladakh.
Best time to trek: June to October


5. Indus Valley Trek
The Indus River has carved some gorgeous gorges in the valley, apart from some other beautiful sights. The valley has scintillating mountain peaks in the background, which give it the awe-inspiring factor. Located at quite an altitude, the trek can be difficult in parts. That’s why, it is necessary that you have basic levels of fitness before embarking on this trek. On the way, don’t miss the Spituk Monastery, which is one of the oldest in Ladakh. Likir offers nice camping grounds, and an opportunity to interact with the locals.
Best time to trek: May to July

6. Kang Yatse trek
If the Stok Kangri trek sounds exciting to you, the Kang Yatse trek is even more so. The peak is a little higher than Stok Kangri and requires considerable level of fitness to reach the summit. However, the trek to the top is not technical, which means you don’t have to be a trained mountaineer in order to reach the summit. Nevertheless, as you continue rising to the top, the ascent keeps getting steeper and more challenging. But despite the hardships, it is must have experience if your fitness allows it. The top of Kang Yatse gives an amazing view of Himalayan peaks, including K2, which is the world’s second highest peak.
Best time to trek: June to August

7. Nubra Valley trek
If you would rather have a more relaxing trek than being too adventurous, consider taking the Nubra Valley trek. Nubra valley is known as the valley of flowers, and it has a variety of blossoming flowers in the summer season. Along the trek, you get to cross the beautiful rivers of Shyok and Siachen, visit the Esna monastery, which is a remote monastery of Ladakh, as well as visit the hot springs of Panamik. Finding hot springs in such a cold destination is one of the many delights of nature.
Best time to trek: In the summer months


8. Lamayuru to Alchi trek
This trek could easily be called the spiritual trek of Ladakh. Lamayuru and Alchi have two of the oldest monasteries of Ladakh, which dates back to the 11^th century. Along the way, you get to see some other Ladakh monasteries of Ladakh as well, such as those of Thiksey. The trekking route from Lamayuru to Alchi is pretty undemanding, which makes it perfect for beginners who want to enjoy the joys of trekking in Ladakh.
Best time to trek: May to September

9. Markha Valley Trek
Walk alongside the mesmerizing Markha River and make your way through some really high mountain passes, including that of Stok La and Kongmaru La, which lie at a height of 4,800 meters and 5,200 meters above sea level respectively. As you make your way through the valley, you get to explore the diverse terrains of Ladakh. You can even spot ibex as well as blue sheep along the way, as Markha Valley is a part of Hemis National Park. If you are lucky enough, you could even spot the majestic snow leopard. Watch the terrain change from green pastures to barren lands, with towering peaks in the background.
Best time to trek: June to September


10. Zanskar Valley Trek
Trekking through Zanskar Valley isn’t just a delight in the winter months only. It is equally exciting in the summer months as well, when the Zanskar River is flowing in full force, and remote villages of the place have bustling activity. A trek through Zanskar Valley takes you through some important monasteries of Ladakh, some remote villages as well as some wild canyons. There is rafting in Zanskar River to be done too.
Best time to trek: June to August
About the Author: Divij is an adventurer, a budding photographer and a writer. He has been to various trekking trails and to many offbeat destinations in India. His passion is to explore all the offbeat destinations in India. Currently, he writes articles on travel for Thrillophilia’s blog.

Note: All the photographs in this post belong to the author.

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