Adeus Lisboa!

So, its my last hour in Lisboa. In a short while I will be leaving back for home. I leave with mixed emotions; sad that my holiday has come to an end but also happy to go back home refreshed after a fantastic holiday.

This trip has been memorable one as I after a while I have traveled alone  and once again it was a fantastic experience. I've never felt as confident of independent travel as I did this time around. Indeed, there are many advantages of traveling alone which I will go through in  separate post.

This trip gave me an opportunity to revisit a country I love traveling to, meet old friends, make new ones as well as discover new places. I go back happy, confident and refreshed.

Where will I go to next? Stay tuned!

A strange occurrence

So yesterday I went to Fatima as a visit there was long overdue. I didn't go with much expectations as I heard the place was very commercial. However I'm glad I did go, as contrary to what I had heard, I had a lovely time there. It was was so peaceful!

Well, soon I was back at the bus station waiting for my bus and suddenly there were these 3 Indian men who came walking towards me. One of them was trying to say something but I ignored them. However, the guy then came up to me and said " Sir, sir! You are from Goa no? Portuguese Consulate no?" I looked at them shocked and  nodded my head not knowing what to say but finally I did say "yes". The guy then said "Sir, you attended to me at the consulate twice. I remember your face very well". I was so amused by now and started laughing. They introduced themselves and said they were from Daman and we there on holiday. The chat ended with them inviting me to visit Daman when I got back.

Now what are the odds of that?

Marky in Barcelona

I took an early morning flight from Madrid to Barcelona. Leaving Madrid wasn't easy and a couple of my new  flatmates were up early to say goodbye to me. A huge thank you to Jose and Carole and Carole's flatmates for making me feel so comfortable while I stayed in Madrid.

The flight to Barcelona wasn't long. It was hardly a one hour flight. I had already booked a three night stay at Kabul hostel, recommended by many of the travelers I had consulted online. Off the airport bus and a walk down the La Rambla, I was at Plaza Real, an old quarter in a charming  part of town. Kabul hostel was perfectly located. I checked into a 20 bedded dormitory and there were already signs that Barcelona was a place with a crazy nightlife. All around me, slumped on their beds were young travelers, who had definitely had a long night. It was 1:30pm and they were out cold.

Kabul hostel is a perfect Backpackers hostel with plenty of facilities, games, a bar, a lounge area with funky furniture and full of backpackers all with one mission, "party till you drop". Making friends was easy and fun. Nights out with these fun youngsters from all over the world was a great experience. The couple of nights that I did go out, were unforgettable. Barcelona has a buzzing nightlife, great pubs and clubs all over the place. A night out at Opium, one of Europe's most famous clubs was a highlight of my visit to Barcelona. I have to admit, I let the sightseeing take a back seat and rather spent my time making friends, have fun conversations and sampling a variety of foods.

Even though I didn't go sightseeing much, I did walk around town and the old quarters and honestly, Barcelona has the most breathtaking architecture I've seen till date. Owing to the sunny weather I was able to spend an afternoon at the beach which was absolutely packed with tourists. When on the streets of Barcelona, you hear so many different languages, see so much street art and musicians and fancy restaurants serving mouth watering food. This is truly a cosmopolitan town with a strong Catalan flavour to it.

I will miss Barcelona.

Halla Madrid

Three days in this wonderful city was all I spent but  it was mission accomplished. Touring the Santiago Bernabeu and watching a captivating Flamenco concert rounded off what was a splendid three days in Madrid.

Jose and Carole were great hosts to me. Everytime I went back to their apartment I felt I was entering my home. Indeed, what leaves a lasting mark on you is not the monuments that you visit but rather the people you meet and the warmth that they bring  you when you are in foreign land. Once you have that warmth, the monuments that you visit have more meaning, epitomizing the culture and civilization of the country or city that you are visiting.

Worth a mention is the beer in Madrid. It just tasted so different and so good that 1 glass was never enough. Jose also took me to try "sidra" at a traditional Asturias taverna, which I absolutely enjoyed. The pouring of the sidra into the glass involves a special technique that is hard to master but I did okay for a first time.

I gorged on the delicious "jamon" , drank beer, and wandered the streets of Madrid while trying every now and then to practice my Spanish.

The visit to the Santiago Bernabeu, the stadium of the Real Madrid football team, was a special experience. Yes, I'm not a supporter of Real Madrid, but as a football fan, there is nothing about the Santiago Bernabeu not to love. I couldn't believe I was actually there. Too bad I couldn't watch a game there. However, I didn't miss the opportunity to touch the turf, photographing myself while at it, a special feeling. LOL!

The last few hours that I spent in Madrid was at the Las Carboneras where we were captivated by the fantastic flamenco artists on display. Indeed, the sound of those heels tapping into the wood still resonate in my head while I write this.

I'm now at the airport boarding the flight to Barcelona. Once again, it will be my first time in Barcelona. Come on Barcelona!! Show me what you got!!!

Train to Madrid

I made it just in time to catch the train to Madrid from Oriente station. My delay and rush was my fault. I was too caught up listening to street musicians at Bairro Alto that I completely lost track of time.

The train was stuffy and the seats didn't recline. It was to be a twelve hour train ride from Lisboa to Madrid. I made several trips to the cafetaria, not to eat but rather because it was cooler in there. Finally I did fall asleep, but it was a broken sleep and not very relaxing. I was rather amused to hear the lady beside me say "que frio" (it's so cold) while I was finding it so stuffy.

Jose, my cousin, got in touch with me just as we were rolling into Madrid Chamartin station. A few calls later, a short train ride to Nuevos Ministerios and a few frantic texts before my phone battery died, Carole, Jose's girlfriend picked me up and gave me directions to where I was going to stay.

Madrid looks looks splendid. The temperature is a few degrees lesser than Lisboa. The Spanish on the streets sounds so exotic and I'm excited to be here.

The much awaited holiday

From my posts, it might seem that I'm always on holiday. But that's far  from the truth. I work, I save and then I travel. Maybe I spend all my money on travel, return home a pauper and leave it all to be done again. But it's worth it. Every single rupee. As they say, work hard, play hard. My philosophy of life.

I'm back in Portugal, after six long years. It seems like an eternity but boy, am I glad to back. Just like Cambodia, Portugal as a country is extremely close to my heart. That I am from Goa, does play a big part in this.

It has been six years but what's strange is I still remember everything, every turn, the smells, the restaurants, the cobblestone and the vibrance of this city. The warmth of this city is unbelievable, in spite of the cold weather.

A week has passed since I have returned and it's been six beautiful days. I have not intended this to be a rigorous backpacking trip, but rather one to relax. A trip to soak in the atmosphere and one to meet up with old friends and continue from where we left off. As always,in Portugal, I've had people open their house to me. My professor Miguel Lume, friend and mentor welcomed me with open arms. So have his daughter and son in law. While with Prof Lume,I've stayed at Lisbon and at Charneca da Caparica with Rebeca (becky) and Rui. Meeting up with old friends and making new friends has been the epitome of this first week in Lisboa.

I now head to Madrid to spend a few days. It would be my first time there and I can't wait to see what Madrid has to offer.

All good things come to an end

28-03-2014

After five blissful days at Neil Island, it was time to leave. Leaving was hard and we kept wishing we could stay longer. A week in the Andaman's is not enough but it was all we had. Nonetheless, I couldn't be happier that I had a chance to experience Neil Island. Memories were made here and so were friends, friends who became family. Neil Island brought us together from different parts of the world.  Our Neil Island family was huge; Erik and Marcella (Germany), Simon, Avitel, Guy and Dan(Israel), Mik, Alexy, Allan (Switzerland), Dvorah (Russia) and Harish and Utpal (owners of BreakWater).

If we thought our last day at Neil Island would be slow and sad, it was not. 1 hour before our departure we learned that that the ferry that was scheduled to take us to Port Blair broke down and we were to board the earlier ferry!! We (Erik, Marcella, Ashok and Dvorah) rushed on our bicycles to the jetty while we sent our luggage in an auto rickshaw. But when we reached, the ferry was already full and was leaving. We then had to wait for a replacement ferry that was sent from Havelock. The boat was late by two hours but we didn't really mind. We got to witness a beautiful sunset from the jetty. Later we boarded the ferry and stayed on the upper deck and enjoyed a smooth ride to Port Blair.

Bidding farewell to our friends was emotional, but we were happy we had had a chance to meet. All good things come to an end, but with it comes the hope of more good things in the future.

Giving back to society

26-03-2014

Our two friends who had been staying at Break Water, Erik and Marcella had decided to collaborate with a local school and organize a beach cleaning drive on two beaches, Beach No. 4 and Beach No. 5. I thought it was an exceptional idea, for we as travelers needed to give back something to Neil Island. So at 9:00am, Erik, Marcella and I headed out on our bicycles to Beach No. 4. Gosh! The beach needed cleaning up and I’m glad we could play our part in it. Around 40 students and their teachers were present. Beach No. 4 kept us really busy but we did all we could and then headed to Beach No. 5. Two other travelers staying at Break Water joined us on the way. Beach No. 5 was largely clean but we still managed to get a fair deal of plastic bottles and bags and we were delighted by our work. The school teachers later invited us for a sumptuous lunch at the school. We felt very happy and proud of ourselves as we had contributed to keeping Neil Island clean. We have a social responsibility as travelers and we are hoping that we have set a precedent for other travelers and local authorities. Neil Island is majestic and beautiful and the people so charming and friendly. We owe the land and its people.

Para-para-paradise

25-03-2014

The third day at Neil Island had a big surprise in store for us. We rented out bicycles and decided to search for Beach No. 1. The Beach No. 3 had been fantastic the first two days. Heading to Beach No. 1 was a long, hot and dusty ride. We initially couldn’t find it but then we asked a villager and he agreed to show us the way to the beach. We had to walk through a couple of fields and then a palm orchard which looked more like a forest. However, we weren’t prepared for what we were about to witness. Suddenly before us was the most magnificent beach I have seen till date. It’s really difficult to describe it but it seemed out of a fairy tale. In seconds, the tiredness and the heat were forgotten. We had reached paradise. The next one hour we spent in the water and it was hard to leave the place. Only hunger could get us out of there and it did. We had seen paradise and our day had been made

Total Bliss

24-03-2014

The first day at Neil Island has been nothing short of delightful. Cut off from the modern world of internet and telecommunications, coupled with meeting travellers from all over the world, I couldn’t have asked for more. We’ve been staying at Breakwater, beautiful little huts in a coconut grove, two minutes walk to the beach. The beach is beautiful, rocky but calm and the waters so clear. After a delightful swim we sat late in to the night chatting with other travelers. So many interesting stories to hear and the open mindedness of our new friends is like a breath of fresh air.  Its been simply wonderful and I have felt so relaxed, its unreal

Humiliation.....but shit happens

So this is really hard for me to write. I didn't have to hug the Chelsea teddy bear but instead I had to wear the Chelsea jersey and have a smile on my face!! Yes, Arsenal were humiliated 6-0 by Chelsea. But hey, I at Port Blair. This is a holiday! I'm in the Andaman's and besides...... shit happens!

The Lounge Experience-Calcutta

So, I've never been in a lounge at an airport. However, courtesy Ashok, I finally get a chance to be in one. The three hour wait doesn't seem long when you have a buffet and drinks at your disposal and internet as well. Of course, I've never minded a wait at an airport. There is something about an airport that lifts my spirit! Maybe its the promise of travelling! So yes, my first lounge experience was great, so great that we were the last to board the flight to Port Blair!!!

EPL weekend in the Andamans?

So even before Ashok and I have set out to travel the Andaman islands for a week, we already have a bet in place. I would be lying if I said I wasn't a little bit scared about it. My favourite EPL football club, Arsenal will be taking on Chelsea on the 22nd of March, in the English Premir League, a crucial encounter, which is coincidentally our first day in the Andaman Islands. Ashok, being a huge Chelsea fan made me accept a bet I was quite unwilling to, but I did accept eventually. If Chelsea beats Arsenal, I (a massive Arsenal fan) will have to swallow my pride and have a picture clicked of me hugging a Chelsea teddy bear soft toy and it will be posted on facebook. But if Arsenal wins, Ashok hugs the Arsenal teddy bear (which incidentally he gifted me)! Either ways, the picture goes up on facebook and would be fairly humiliating to either one of us!!

 Well, we haven't figured out what happens if the teams draw!

But nonetheless, it should be an auspicious beginning to what promises to be a delightful trip to the Andaman islands.

Just two days to go! I can't wait!

PS: Stay tuned for the result

Smiling faces: An account of Cambodia

While on the flight to Siem Reap, I opened the Lonely Planet and what caught my eye was this "do not be fooled by the smiling Cambodian faces. They have all had a tragic past but do not show it"

Indeed during my six days in the country, I realized how true those words were. The Cambodian people, are among the warmest, friendliest and most humble people in the world. And I do find it hard to believe how Cambodians could submit their very own people to such hardship. I'm referring to the Khmer Rouge, the Communist ( to the point of being agrarian) regime that took over Cambodia after overthrowing the government. My visits to the Killing Fields, where a million Cambodians were tortured to death and then buried in mass graves and the visit to the Torture Chambers also called the Tuol Sleng or S21 really filled me with a deep sadness and grief that was hard to even express. Tragic, horrific, ghastly, brutal, inhuman, uncivilized, is what comes to mind when I think of the Khmer Rouge genocide. Yes, this happened 40 years ago but I would be sure that the wounds are still fresh in the minds of the Cambodians, all of whom have lost loved ones during the massacre. And yet, the smiling Cambodian faces were there to greet us all through our trip of Cambodia.

Moving on to happier things. Yes, I finally fulfilled a dream of mine, to visit the Angkor Wat and the other temples of Angkor. Exploring the temples, scattered through the jungle was an exhilarating experience for my co travellers, Chriselle and Sherin and me. Our tuk tuk driver who doubled up as a guide whenever he could, was the epitome of Cambodian hospitality.

Cambodia, you have left an imprint on my heart and I promise to return one day.

My dream destinations

Ever since I began college and the travel bug bit me, I had a few places that I dreamt of visiting. It wouldn't be surprising that Macchu Picchu figured first on my list. Why Macchu Picchu? Well, I learnt about Macchu Picchu in the 5th grade in school and it completely filled me with awe. I remember the first time we bought a PC at home and got an internet connection, I immediately searched for images of Macchu Picchu. Being a history buff is what got me going about Macchu Picchu. Well, it still remains on the to do list.

Varanasi, formerly known as Benaras intrigued me after reading a book in the 4th grade called "Kim" if I remember correctly. Pictures of the "ghats" and the Ganges fuelled my interest of visiting Varanasi. And yes, I made it happen and had a chance to explore Varanasi in the summer of 2012 and there was something that drew me to the place. Not the cleanest place on earth and not a place I would like live in, but there is a certain charm about the place that keeps you there longer that you planned and so it happened with me. I have fond memories of the place and the people I met, locals and travellers alike. I can never forget the Englishman Jan Kornas, Jessica the Australian and Olivier the Frenchman and of course my travel partner, my cousin Carmen from Canada. Good times with great people

The Angkor Wat! What a place! Its a place I could keep going back to. Located a few kilometers off the Cambodian town Siem Reap, scattered through the jungles of Cambodia are the beautiful, majestic temples and ruins of Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm, Bantey Serei to name a few. Cambodia, will always remain close to my heart. I have the fondest memories of the place However, I shall talk about Cambodia in another post.

Ta Prohm Temple ruins

I have a few more dream places on my to do list, them being Morocco, Papua New Guinea, New Caledonia, Morocco and Namibia. Of course, I won't limit my travel to just these. The world is out there to be explored!.

Andamans, here I come!

So finally I do get the opportunity to travel the Andaman and Nicobar islands albeit just for a week. It didn't take me too long to decide on a place to travel to for a short trip.

 I had just decided that day that I would be taking a week long trip to some part of India but I didn't know where. Later that night, we met for a family dinner and my cousin Daniel shows me photos of his just concluded trip to the islands and I just knew it at that moment that that's where I was going to head to.

I had always fancied travelling the islands from a young age. I recall that in the 8th grade I had made the Goa Under 14 state football team and the tournament was to take place at Port Blair, the capital of the Andaman and Nicobar islands. However, shortly before we were to leave, we received the news that the trip was cancelled. What a bummer!

However, I do believe that everything happens for the best and had that trip happened, I wouldn't have decided to go to the islands now, and see and travel the islands with a mature mind and with freedom!

Still a month and a half to go before I do leave for the islands but the excitement is already building up. I can't wait to get back on the road!