Wednesday 29 January 2014

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!.

Tuesday 28 January 2014

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!