Destinations to Visit for 5 Types of Personalities
Different people have different tastes, of course, and this applies to travelers as well. You may not know it, but whether consciously or subconsciously, you and the people around you chose destinations according to their personality type and most of the time, consistently. In this blog, we cover 5 major types of personalities – Introvert, Extrovert, Adventurer, Historic, and Romantic – and what destinations you can visit according to your personality type, or if you’re in the mood to explore places you usually don’t go to. Here are 3 of the best destinations for each personality type! [1] Introvert Most people have an introverted side to them, but some are always or most of the time in that personality category. An introvert is characterized by the likely characteristics of wanting to be alone/with a smaller group, keeping to themselves, preferring quiet and less crowded places, and having low social batteries. All these features, while not necessary, make an introvert the perfect candidate for destinations with peace and fewer surprises as well as people. 1. Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh – This serene, high altitude destination is perfect for those looking for a quiet and beautiful getaway. Whether you’ll be sipping coffee in a cafe or trekking in the mountains, there is an abundance of peace and space for all travelers. 2. Ratnagiri, Maharashtra – Overlooking the Arabian Sea, this quiet and unexplored town in Maharashtra is surprisingly less known and the perfect destination for those looking for a getaway with less crowded beaches. 3. Kausani, Uttarakhand – Kausani is a quaint village situated in between mountains, offering majestic views and an unforgettable experience all in a quiet and unobtrusive setting and town. [2] Extrovert Extroverts by nature are, well, extroverted – they like putting themselves out there, meeting new people, being around others most of the time, and finding new experiences, all the time. These locations in India will help you make new friends, find new trinkets, explore places better, and have an unforgettable experience. 1. Kargil, Ladakh – Although this town is not as big as its famous counterpart Leh, Kargil offers the best combination of stunning views with bustling life in a small town where you can meet a host of different people and enjoy as a group. 2. New Delhi, Delhi – The city of Delhi is very well known, and its people are very friendly too. It is perfect for extroverts – with its many destinations, varieties of cultures and people, and different crowds in every corner, you’ll never run out of things to do and people to meet! 3. Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh – This city, although quaint, is very well known to have a wide range of people in its midst – it is one of the ultimate hippie hotspots of India and you can meet people from a wide range of countries and walks of life here. [3] Adventurer Being addicted to an adrenaline rush is a very real thing, In India, there is never any shortage of adventures you can go on, but these places will give you the memories of a lifetime: 1. Bir Billing, Himachal Pradesh – The village of Bir, situated in the midst of mountains and a distance of two hours from Dharamshala, is very well known for the adventure sport of paragliding, although you can also trek and do a variety of other activities in this village. 2. Har ki Doon, Uttarakhand – Har ki Doon is a beautiful valley situated in between the Garhwal Himalayas of India and the valley is perfect for trekking. With this beautiful cradle as the destination, a trek to Har ki Doon will definitely boost your adventure spirit! 3. Manali, Himachal Pradesh – The city of Manali is perfect for all kinds of travelers, but especially suited to adventure travelers since it offers access to the thrilling Rohtang Pass trek, and has a variety of treks and destinations to offer – you can trek, do paragliding, and even bungee jump in this magnificent city. [4] Historic Whether you’re a historian or just a passionate learner, you’ll love these destinations. Although there is something to learn from and in every location, these places have a deep history rooted in them that will excite your inner academic and keep you in awe. India is a country with a long and expansive history, and nothing shows this better than these places. 1. Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh – Home to temples as much as 1000 years old, this city’s exquisite architecture and culture will stun you. There is something to learn at every corner, and the city is known to be one of the oldest in India. 2. Hampi, Karnataka – A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this city is known for its magnificent history spanning decades and well-preserved ruins. It used to be the wealthiest city of India hundreds of years ago and still boasts structures with histories that will astound you. 3. Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh – The city is well known as the setting for the epic Ramayan and is believed to be almost 9,000 years old, previously the stronghold of the kingdom of Kosala around 2,000 years ago. There is much to explore and see in its jilted streets, old buildings, and protected sites such as the Kanak Bhavan, Hanuman Garhi temple, etc. [5] Romantic A romantic is not often vocal about their romantic characteristics – but all kinds just want a good swoon-worthy story and a beautiful place to spend with their soul mates. These destinations don’t all have a wonderful story, but they are destinations where there is just enough crowd to not get boring, and just enough peace to spend time together. 1. Imphal, Manipur – the city of Imphal has a history and an untouched charm –
India’s Strained Foreign Relations With China And How It Impacts Tourism
Since independence, all of India’s successive governments have worked on building better relations, particularly in trade, with its neighbors and other countries. This policy was pushed on more with the advent of the Modi government in 2014, with a major focus placed on creating better and stronger ties with other countries. In the past few months, however, India has been facing a major challenge in its northern borders with China, an issue that started in May and continues still, getting more and more worrisome. Historically speaking, this relation has always been rocky at best, but placed mostly in the backburner for the sake of trade, because India does, after all, trade goods worth millions with the country. With the rising border tensions concentrated in the Ladakh region and the death of Indian soldiers due to a face-off with Chinese troops, there has been a wave of nationalism that has affected the country. With a prominent boycott of Chinese goods and software still taking place within the country, the process is slow but successful. This wave of nationalism has brought to attention the other fragile relations India is dealing with consistently with its neighbors like Nepal, Tibet, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, etc. that can, in fact, be traced back to China. What does this have to do with the tourism industry? It’s important to keep in mind, firstly, that a large number of countries in Asia, predominantly smaller ones, have debts to China and India, two of the fastest-growing economies in the world who can afford large loans to other countries, which establishes them as two giants, not just economically but also through land space, in Asia – relations between the two affect a number of countries. Secondly, and most importantly, multiple countries in the continent are dependent on tourism as a revenue generator, for example, Maldives, Indonesia, Thailand, Bhutan, India, etc. They are dependent financially and/or for employment on tourism, whether it is a big chunk or a small sector. With these facts established, let’s get into the 3 most important ways that China-India relations can affect the tourism industry, either directly or indirectly. 1. Border tensions and land disputes The beautiful but currently dangerous borders of India China is, of course, one of the countries India is currently having a land dispute with in terms of claimed territory and borders, concentrated towards the border in Ladakh which India shares with Tibet, officially a part of the republic. Did you know, however, that India is also facing land disputes with Nepal and Pakistan? the two countries earlier released new political maps of their countries which claimed regions in India as theirs, with Pakistan claiming the whole of Kashmir and sections of Gujrat as a part of the country and Nepal releasing a new map with towns and sections of Uttarakhand (Kalapani, Limpiyadhura, and Lipulekh areas) as Nepal’s territory. Many political experts believe both had been influenced in some way or the other by the Chinese government to carry out these changes. Whether this is correct or not, the fact is that these map changes are not only complicating relation issues for India but also hinting to more disagreements that can cause land loss. While it is unlikely these maps will be accepted, it still means that the land being fought over may just get more dangerous and even cordoned off for tourists. Ladakh, Kashmir, and Uttarakhand are some of the most tourist-heavy destinations in India and an escape from the densely populated southern cities for many. These issues, whether remaining stagnant or becoming more problematic, will cause many problems to the tourism industry. Small vendors and shops in the areas dependent on tourism, already hit hard enough by COVID-19, will suffer even more due to these border issues. Potential Problems: A hit to tourism in the areas where there are land disputes with other countries, mainly Ladakh, Uttarakhand, Kashmir, and Himachal Pradesh. This can cause a hit to revenue, increase in danger and possibly lesser enthusiasm in travelers to these spots. 2. The Indus Water treaty The mighty Indus River The Indus river is one of the main sources of water for many states of India. It originates in Tibet, which is a part of the Republic of China, and runs in Pakistan, India, and Tibet. The treaty has, for years, made sure of fair usage and distribution of the water between the countries, mainly India and Pakistan, who have upheld the treaty now for close to 60 years. Next to the town in Tibet closest to India, there is a giant hydroelectric dam built on the Sengge Zangpo River (Indus), just 80 km from Demchok, a Ladakhi village that sits on the undefined Sino-Indian (China-India) Border. China has, in the last few years, rapidly ramped up development along the river, with satellite images showing multiple projects that have sprung up in Tibet funded by the Republic. Although the government says these are for faster development of the region, multiple experts share concerns about the nature of the development. Many say this is one way China is trying to impact India – and this will leave a huge scar. The river runs through Ladakh and provides water for irrigation and other purposes to provinces in Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Punjab. These states will be directly impacted, and so will tourism – with the flourishing tourism industry in Himachal and Ladakh, as well as the role of water sports in these attractions, any changes made by China such as controlling the water source through built dams, redirecting within Tibet, or more dams and hydroelectric projects that can majorly impact the water flowing into India will hit these states hard in multiple industries. Potential problems: Any control or hold back of the river to even the smallest extent can drastically hit infrastructure based along the river and in the states hit the hardest. Agriculture will be hit
10 Hollywood Movies Shot in Stunning Indian Destinations where you should travel
With beautiful architecture, deep history, multiple cultures, and natural beauty, India is a mix of different people and locations, providing a great background for different movie scenes and shootings. The people are loud and welcoming, the places historic and awe-inspiring. Many directors from the US, Canada, and Australia, among various other countries, have chosen India for the scenes of their movies due to the contrasts, history, and rich cultural background it provides. Some directors may play up this and make it a big part of their movies, others yet may choose to let the richness of the setting be, framing the characters well. If you’re looking to travel and personalize your own experience, head over to our travel support page now! “India is a curious place that still preserves its past, religions, and history. No Matter how modern India becomes, It is still very much an old country.” Anita Desai We’ve picked some of the best Hollywood movies based on India, some you may not have heard about and some you never knew were shot in India. Either way, we recommend you watch all of them, if not for their fabulous storylines then for the stunning Indian destinations they feature! Salaam Bombay The Namesake Eat Pray Love Viceroy’s House The Darjeeling Limited Jobs Trishna Lion Dark knight rises Million Dollar Arm 1. Salaam Bombay Features – Outskirts of Bombay, Bombay city Year – 1998 This highly acclaimed popular film directed by Mira Nair broke many hearts and garnered international praise for her risky choice of plot and sensitive topics touched upon with all the expertise of brilliant direction. The film follows a little boy, Krishna, who is taken into the chaotic, brutal, and unforgiving slums of Bombay following a string of unfortunate events. Nair introduces a range of characters to the setting, centering them around the city’s brothel, touching upon topics such as poverty, prostitution, child rape, enslavement, drug addiction, and child labor. Although she does so smoothly, incorporating them into the setting, viewers get a brutal glimpse of the unforgiving streets of Bombay and its state in the 80s – 90s. The movie captures the rush and adrenaline of Bombay, its old streets, older monuments, and the ever-present poverty. This movie will give you shots of what Bombay is, and make you see the glamorous city in an entirely different light. 2. The Namesake Features – Calcutta, Agra Year – 2006 The Namesake directed by Mira Nair is a movie that touches upon Indian-Americans and the cultural identity crisis that is often experienced by them. The movie, screened in India, Japan, US, and Canada, did well in theatres and received praise for the topics it tackled. The story follows Gogol, a man born and brought up in the US and estranged from his Indian heritage unlike his parents, who then goes on to explore and understand his culture through the city of Calcutta/Kolkata where his parents lived before moving to America. The movie captures the contrasts of both cultures, depicting scenes of the beautiful, messy streets of Kolkata, with a focus on Howrah station and Shantiniketan. The scenes range from Gogol exploring the old city streets of his hometown to getting off an auto near the busy Howrah station. It also has short depictions of the city of Agra (filming the iconic Taj) and its busy streets, along with the older tuk-tuks used in some parts of Kolkata. The movie succeeds in capturing the best parts of Calcutta – its people, its culture, its language, and its history. Visit the locations of Kalighat, Howrah station, Howrah Bridge, Shantiniketan, Bengal markets, and the winding, rich streets of the city of Calcutta for a feel of the movie and the culture that eventually sways all Indians back. Travel to Calcutta now 3. Eat Pray Love Features – New Delhi, Pataudi, Mirzapur, bits of Gurgaon Year – 2010 Elizabeth Gilbert’s 2006 memoir Eat, Pray, Love (one of the classic Hollywood movies based on India) was a game-changer for many readers across the globe and adapted into a film four years thereafter. Directed by Ryan Murphy, the blockbuster follows the journey of Elizabeth (played by Julia Roberts) across a journey of self-discovery where she ‘Eats’ in Italy, ‘Prays’ in India, and experiences the balance of ‘Love’ in Indonesia. What we loved about this movie is that the director and producer chose locations, people, and lines with care while filming in India, not wanting to get details wrong or offend the culture in any way. Elizabeth sees in her journey Delhi, a city which’s speed and chaos she is fascinated by. You’ll spot famous places like the India gate and bustling Hauz Khas market, but only for a short time as Gilbert moves to the quiet village of Pataudi, Haryana, where she has her real spiritual experiences, exploring the town and its devoted residents, the famous Hari Mandir ashram, and other spiritual locations. The filming places special emphasis on the ashram, its quietness, the history of the architecture, and the beliefs of the people, respecting the details and importance of each. Some shots are also taken in the town of Mirzapur (yes, like the show) in Uttar Pradesh, showing its small local eateries, the chai stalls, and its small colorful buildings. We highly recommend you visit Delhi with its bustling markets and streets, then on to Pataudi, exploring the quaint town and the famous ashram, and Mirzapur, with its unique layout, busy roads, and colorful buildings for the complete Eat Pray Love experience. We recommend you read this blog by Breathe Dream Go on her take on the movie, the story of Julia Roberts’ amazing experience in India, and what the film stands for. 4. Viceroy’s House Features – Jodhpur Year – 2017 Viceroy’s House is a British-Indian historical film with multiple storylines
Why Millennials Are Opting For Sustainable Travel: 5 Effects of Travel on The Environment
A little under a year ago, Greta Thunberg, a popular climate change activist, spoke passionately and strongly about the need for change, urgently and sustainably. Although this brought a lot of publicity to the massive youth movements against global warming, it did little in terms of real change that can be created and implemented. Greta would even refuse to travel by air when she was invited to different countries due to the large carbon footprint left behind by air travel and instead relied on a small boat with a small crew. Large protests around the world have for years demanded change The effects of travel on the environment are far and wide, but also relatively unknown or ignored. Not only does travel speed up global warming, but it also causes harm to ecosystems, communities, and the use of finite resources. This issue is pressing, important, and something that needs to be understood and addressed before its too late. We know that as a travel company, it may come across as odd that we speak about this. But awareness is important, and so is the promotion of sustainable ways to live and travel. At The Tarzan Way, all our experiences are targeted towards sustainable change in communities, small societies and villages, and individuals such as farmers and fishermen. But we still have a long way to go – and understanding and accepting the problem is the first step to making a change towards and for it. There are some really great blogs too that we were inspired by and recommend reading, such as this one on sustainable travel and how to do it. Here are the main effects of Travel on the environment, that you can change and work towards fixing because even small steps matter in every way. Global warming and Travel – the humungous carbon footprint Flights are a drain on resources – but experts say they won’t stop anytime soon It is estimated that around 6-7% of total year-on-year global warming is caused by travel by flight, and a few points less than this number is the share of cruises in the same. The two methods of travel use up huge amounts of fuel, and not much is really going to change because fuel usage is convenient and cheap, although incredibly harmful for the environment. One average round trip from a place and back in a flight can cause the same amount of greenhouse gas (GHG) pollution as 50 cars in a year, per person. It takes a lot of fuel for flights to fly and land safely, and many companies get close to bankruptcy due to the expense of running planes that use so much fuel on a daily basis. Although some American airlines like Delta have pledged to use more sustainable fuel and change the way fuel is used by planes, long term change won’t start until companies are pressurized into it and realize the cost of their actions. Fuel used to power flights is dangerous not just because of the carbon footprint but also the consequences of exhaust emitting carbon molecules into the stratosphere. Oil is a scarce resource – and the cost at which we guzzle it every day in all our activities is simply not worth the convenience it brings. There needs to be a shift towards green energy, and it needs to be fast. There are various resources you can read on sustainable travel and sustainable flying in specific, which is a less developed idea and movement at this stage. What you can do – as much as possible, pick alternative modes of transport when you’re traveling for short distances. For longer distances, flights are pretty much a necessity – what you can do is chose wisely. Research on which companies have implemented change, which are investing in low fuel planes, etc. These factors are important and will help the money you spend on flights go to a good place, even if it’s for years onwards. Don’t put for cruises – they’re an unnecessary luxury, generate a lot of waste, use up too much fuel, and are especially dangerous due to the risk the COVID-19 pandemic brings. Reduction in Biodiversity If we continue our wasteful use of resources, there won’t be any biodiversity We know you see it on the news every day, read about it frequently – some species or the other is endangered or extinct and this is increasing at a rapid rate. You may wonder, how does it really matter or impact me? It’s a good question, and something to address first. Biodiversity is extremely important because of the ecosystems dependent on them – each and every species has a relation with multiple others and their existence, no matter where their position is in a food web or triangle. When one species reduces in number or goes extinct, it threatens the entire ecosystem – this is bad for us because we’re dependent on a number of them for more things than you’d guess. Each species has its role and place – disturbing that can have devastating impacts. For example, take bees – their threatened existence is something to worry about not just in terms of our honey supply, but also for the essential process of pollination that bees carry out. Without them, seeds wouldn’t get from one plant to another, our agricultural systems would collapse, and the ecosystem dependant on them (they control the population of small worms, pests, etc) would face the same fate. So what does travel have to do with this? We bet you’ve visited a park or two in your travels, or seen the interactive zones in large ecosystems. More often than not, human encroachment actually results in reduced populations and a disturbance in their systems. Some parks do follow proper procedures, but many don’t too. Moreover, those deep jungle resorts and hotels in forests mean clearing the land completely, damaging
