A memorable sojourn( Travel Tales)

We discussed, we planned  and we executed our maiden long distance travel to Panjim . so it was all decided that we are going to delight ourselves with a train journey from New Delhi to Madgaon .I started counting the days when I'll be with my soul on a sojourn that was going to be captured in my mind and thoughts forever and ever.  I still remember the date 24 Jan '05 , we were suppose to catch the Rajdhani express from New Delhi . Trains always fascinated me since childhood . Many train memories are still crisp in my mind, especially when the whole family travelled together for summer holidays. From playing cards,ludo and antakshari to eating snacks at different railway stations all reminds me of the happy and content life we use to live  our adventure began at Rajdhani Express one of the finest trains of India. I never expected that travelling with a soul friend can leave a deep impact in my life. Our talks were never ending. Maybe coz we liked each other a lot a...

so I am driving at a speed of 100 km an hr on the national Highway, feeling the thrill of long drives and empty roads at 6 am in the morning ,rejoicing my heart and mind with the beats of Beatles. The scenic beauty is mesmerizing and enchanting  . The sun , the birds , the clean road, the green pasture , grazing cattle, a group of women with pitcher on there heads walking on a straight path  which  are all coming along my way. we were rolling in euphoria when our bellies started feeling hungry. To beat the traffic we left early and didn't pack food for the journey  as we were aware that many Dhabas would come along our way." Alas! where is the Dhaba  " said my 10 year old daughter. Finally we stopped at a decent dhaba to fill our HUNGRY BELLIES.  These dhabas are actually the lifeline of bus and truck drivers and also some crazy people like us who love to travel by road. mainly basic cuisine is cooked here like Dal(pulses) , rice , breads(chapati an...

Heena adorns the hand & music add life to celebration Bright , colourful, vibrant  are the names with which you can  associate Jaipur . one can easily spot  beautifully dressed men and women in there traditional attires. Since my childhood I have always known Jaipur as a place of palaces and Forts . My long desire was to know Jaipur apart from these tourist destinations. Jaipur is a live example of rich heritage and culture that we owe from our "once upon a time" rulers. The city touched my heart when I came across communities who are singers since ages. Even the little member of the house sings and enjoys. All kinds of musical instruments are found here. Jaipur specializes in Harmonium and Tabla. Music lovers from far off places come here to learn music and dance. Till date we hunt for Rajasthani mehndi(Heena) artist to apply mehndi on the hands of bride . This is another community in Jaipur who  survives on age ol...

A walk in the Valley Some Walks are meant to be taken alone... I was at sangla on August of 2009.sangla is a  valley which is surrounded by snow capped mountains  and picturesque pine forest. It was a chilly morning that day . My sojourn for couple of days was a guest house near the Baspa river. I was all set and geared up with my camera  for the walk near river. As I went down the river I noticed beautiful tiny houses and people sipping there cupa chai ( Tea) in there lilliputian portico. They seem to be calm and relaxed with smile on there face.These merry men ,women and children who were coming along my way were so unlike the community which I have seen in the course of my life. Maybe the scenic beauty had cast a magic spell on them. The long walk was looking for answers about soul . Pondering of thoughts lead me to the river . I washed my face , looked at my self into the water and thought what a lonely walk it was!! The Bank of the river is so enchanting t...

The adventures of deep blue sea.. Awestruck.. our hearts were bubbling with joy when we saw a tantalizing glimpse of the wonder creature " Dolphins, Siberian cranes and many more ...." It is indeed a memorable sojourn and one of my fantastic road trip from kolkata to chilika in orissa ,India. one can break the journey by halting at puri where you can enjoy the sea and make sand castles on the beach. After refreshing ourselves we headed for the destination.  Chilika lake is about  to 50 to 60 km from puri. The drive is pleasant as trees are present on both side of the road . on reaching chilika we contacted orissa tourism for a boat ride which is absolutely safe and sound and well managed by the orissa tourism. Chilika lake is a water lagoon, spread over the Puri, Khurda and Ganjam districts of Odisha state on the east coast of India. It is the largest coastal lagoon in India and the second largest lagoon in the world. The lagoon hosts over 160 species of birds in t...