Exploring Mumbai with a Student Budget
Mumbai is known as the city of dreams and surely is a dreamland with its mesmerizing vibe and fantastic nightlife paired with the city’s historical importance. Mumbai is also one of the country’s most important education hubs. The city is a residence to lakhs of students who yearn to enjoy and explore the city. However, the student budget isn’t much and must be taken into consideration. Here is a list of the fun yet cheap activities to do in the city this weekend. via Travel.Earth Imagica theme park Long drive in Bandra Worli sea link Hanging out at the Marine Drive Watch DDLJ at Maratha mandir Visit the Gateway Of India Shopping at the Causeway Market in Colaba Cycling tour around the city Visit the Haji Ali Dargah Go to the famous Sidhivinayak temple Imagica Theme Park via imagicaaworld.com Imagica theme park is one of the most thrilling and fun activities to do around the city. The park caters to people of all age groups. It is well equipped with fun rides, theme parks water parks and is the best spot for a weekend getaway. The park also has a lot of hotels that provide delicious lip-smacking food. Long Drive on the Bandra Worli Sea Link MakeMyTrip The Bandra- Worli sea link is one of the most beautiful places in Mumbai. Originally known as the Rajiv Gandhi sea link, a drive through the bridge will make you mesmerized by the beauty of the horizon where the city meets the ocean. The Bandra Worli sea link was made to reduce the distance between South Mumbai and its Suburbs and successfully does so while also giving passengers the time of their lives. Hanging out at the Marine Drive via Budget Wayfarers Marine drive is the most loved spot by people and tourists in the city. It is connected to the ocean by forming a “c” shaped bay which is adorned by rocks and a pathway. Marine drive is the best spot to visit to get away from the best spot to visit to escape your hectic life and relax for a while. The beauty of the place added with the subtle sound of waves of the ocean take your mind away from your worries. Watch DDLJ at Maratha Mandir via IndiaTimes Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge (DDLJ) is an iconic Indian movie that has been screened in the Maratha Mandir theatre in Mumbai for over 25 years. Shah rukh khan and Kajol starer was the most famous movie of its time and even now is adorned by youngsters of the country. Watching DDLJ in Maratha mandir is a Bollywood cultural experience one must-have when in Mumbai. Visit the Gateway Of India via Guide Tour The Gateway Of India was made in the early 19th century to commemorate the landing of the first British king to set foot in India. The Gateway Of India tells the story of a major part of the country’s history. The monument hence becomes of great historical importance. You can also board a fairy ride and watch the Gateway Of India from the ocean during your visit. The monument is made near the port and you can see many boats and even ships at a distance. Shopping at the Causeway Market in Colaba @padhaaro on pinterest The Colaba causeway market is every street shopper’s dream destination. The market is located between Colaba and Old Woman’s Island. The market is located in between buildings that were built around British rule and depict the ancient architecture of the city. Colaba market also has cheap but trendy clothes accessories miniatures toys and is the best place to shop for jewelry. Cycling tour around the city MySA Mumbai is considered to be one of the busiest cities in India. However, the city’s nightlife is much calmer. Nights in Mumbai are filled with subtle winds of the ocean the quiet after the storm and amazing buildings and spots illuminated by aesthetic lamp lights. A Cycling tour in south Bombay will show you the most iconic spots in the city such as Colaba, Bandra-Worli sea link, etc. of the city in its best form. Visit the Haji Ali Dargah via Adotrip The Haji Ali Dargah was made in 1916 on top of high lever rocks. It is located near the Mumbai shoreline and is home to the tomb of the Muslim saint Haji Ali Shah Bukhari. The Haji Ali dargah also holds a masjid inside it and is visited by people of all religions due to its beautiful structure and spiritual peace. The Indio Islamic structure is one of the sacred gems located in Mumbai with not too much weight on the pocket. Go to the famous Sidhivinayak Temple via MumbaiMirror Originally built in 1801 the siddhivinayak temple dedicated to worshipping lord ganesha is one of the mist famous temples in hinduism. The temple is a gigantic structure which is home to the ganesha deity as well as huge amount of gold that adorns the thorn of the deity. People from far away as well as from the city come to visit this templem with about 2 lakh people walking its steps everyday. The sidhivinayak temple is a sacred landmark in the city one must visit to get its full experience.
How to reach Sikkim
A lady merrily performing at Sikkim festival Beautiful snow-capped mountains, waterfalls in every turn, enthralling nature’s beauty, grand Tibetan-styled Buddhist monasteries is a paradise of every nature lover. The rich breathtaking beauty of the Sikkim flora will always stay fresh in your mind. How to get around Sikkim state Transportation to Sikkim is never a problem. All means of transportations are well rooted here. Despite being a hilly terrain the accessibility of Sikkim is never a question. By air:- Morning sunrays waking the mountains Airplane Sikkim can be accessed from two airports of which, one is in the Sikkim capital-Gangtok and the other is in West Bengal. Pakyong airport which is the first airport of Sikkim is just 35km away from Gangtok, whereas Bagdogra airport is 125km away from Gangtok. But people mostly prefer flying to Bagdogra airport as a number of airlines from the main cities operate to Gangtok. Pakyong airport of Sikkim is a recently constructed airport and the systems are not fully functional. So taking a flight to Bagdogra airport is the best choice. Helicopter Sikkim tourism also offers a chance to explore Sikkim in a different view, the helicopter experience from the Bagdogra airport to the Sikkim capital is simply awesome. By train:- A picturesque of Tsomgo lake The nearest railway station to Gangtok is Jalpaiguri railway station, which is located at a distance of 120 km from the Sikkim capital. Siliguri railway station in West Bengal is also a railway station close to Sikkim. Trains from most of the cities connect to Sikkim, and from outside the railway station, you can take a bus or a cab to reach your destination. By road:- The road not taken @saileshsharma The national highway 31A is the best route to Sikkim to travel by road. The scenic beauty of Sikkim, the Buddhist monasteries, the lakes, and the waterfalls adds to your
POST PANDEMIC TRAVEL AND CARAVANS
Traveling across states, smooth roads, captivating sceneries around, be it mountains, through the Gangetic Plains, the hot and bustling areas of Thar Desert, or with sea waves crashing alongside is something each traveler yearns for. At least once in a lifetime, a road trip finds a sweet spot in their itinerary. Road trips are an adventure at a different level garnished with multiple surprises and a level of comfort. I think nothing beats driving your car and vibing on your favorite playlist and surprising views impending as you’re speeding through your journey in pursuit of reaching the destination early. Bidding adieu to the Sun; Image credit: Abhishek Pawar on Unsplash With the outbreak of the pandemic, all such trips on the bucket list have been flushed into strangeness. It has become really hard to predict what crosses ways with our lives next. Travel, like other sectors, has been tarnished to the ground. Its revival is going to be slow and with a lot of effort. With the decline in cases of the coronavirus after the shocking second wave, the community is slowly coming to terms with the new version of travel guidelines and precautions. This time around, getting back to our favorite destinations is also going to be difficult as we have seen even isolated or less-populous areas were grappling with the pandemic, unlike the first wave of infections. Additionally, traveling on a bus, train, or taking a flight to start your vacation is as scarier as ever. Our transit from our towns to the destination is safer in private vehicles till the time all of this mess subsides. Also, road trips in either our coupe or SUVs are better for gaining new experiences and indulging in more insightful traveling by exploring the various dhabas, villages, or towns you pass. Another much safer and convenient option is traveling in a caravan in these distressful times of COVID and the virus scare. What are caravans? Now caravans are nothing new to us, right? At least for all of those who’ve heard Mohan Bhargava (Shah Rukh Khan) vibing with a Fakir on Yun Hi Chala Chal Rahi in Swades as they voyage through India in a big van with all amenities. A caravan is perfect for those who wish to explore new destinations in every leg of their trip and also stay away from the hassle of finding hotels. A caravan is a motor vehicle that also has space for travelers to accommodate for relaxing during their journey. The safety aspect of traveling in COVID times is also intact, minimalizing exposure to the outdoor environment. Caravan, the whole package; Image credit: Darya Py on Unsplash Indian states have recently started giving consent to caravan tourism projects wherein travelers are allowed to hire a fully-equipped vehicle with simple, and modern furniture and fittings. The best part about a caravan is you are not forced into rushing over places within the given time frame. Rather, you can spend as much time as you wish to at any desired location, and behold any view to its maximum beauty. Basically, your travel itinerary is liberated from external factors. There is no worry about taking your time to enjoy any landscape till it fills your heart. All of it, and also, you will save a lot more than a conventional trip. Ordinarily, you will have to go out for dining, look for accommodation charging on a daily basis, and find a commute from point A to B. Another excruciating task is looking for pet-friendly places that let you take your travel buddy with you. Some places often do not allow you to take your pets. So, if you’re traveling with your buddy, it limits the places you go to and you have to hurdle over to just the pet-friendly places, missing out on a lot of cultural and historical monuments. All of the research takes a lot of time and is energy-inefficient. So, as far as a caravan is concerned, you get it all covered. With a caravan, you just need to pack yourself for isolated travel home. Worrying about extra charges, or googling too many queries for your itinerary is avoidable when it comes to traveling in a caravan. Plus, you can take as many people with you too, a circle of college friends, your family, or your partner, and actually get to spend quality time with them over the vacation. For all the unexplored destination in the Himalayas, caravan is the better choice; Image credit: Bhai Rankar on Unsplash What makes Caravans a safer alternative in these times? Earlier, there was not much speculation when it came to zeroing down on the mode of transportation for your desired and well-planned vacation. You used to spend a couple of weeks googling about the desired destination, make a substantial plan for the itinerary, get done with the bookings (both accommodation and commute), pack your essentials, and head out. It seems normal, right? Well, this is not the case right now. If you ask a traveler nowadays, after the pandemic has struck (for twice now), you are going to find a completely different response to how they prepare for a vacation or even a road trip now. If they based their research around economic traveling, ease, and comfort; they will have different concerns this time around. Keeping their health in mind, they would prioritize their physical safety over other filters. A general traveler would go about preparing their itinerary around details that provide legitimate answers to their apprehensions about safety. So, this particular transition has a lot to define what post-COVID traveling is going to be like. Safety: Even if you’re traveling to states or tourist places that have been vulnerable to the virus, you have an edge in terms of personal safety as you won’t be looking for stays, meals, and transportation like in a convention vacation. Hence, your physical distancing aspect is comparatively sorted or you
Workation in Uttarakhand: The Ultimate Guide (2022)
During the pandemic, when working from home became the new norm, an exciting alternative popped up. And we all love the thought of it and we bet you did too! So, are you tired of being stuck inside the four walls of your home, sitting on the same couch, and following the same routine every day? There’s good news for you. The only thing that can safely rescue you from this monotonous loop is Workation. It is a wonderful way to combine work and vacation and maintain a balance between professional and personal life. In India, there are ample of the best Workation destinations like Coorg, Goa, Bir, Nainital, Shimla, Chakrata, Kausani, Mussoorie, Wayanad, Srinagar, Assam, etc, which you can choose as your Workation destination. If you live or work in Delhi or nearby Uttarakhand, then Workation in Uttarakhand where you can work from the mountains is the best option for you. Image Source: Reyka Illyes via Unsplash Workation in Uttarakhand Uttarakhand is a state in northern India. It is often called the “Land of the Gods” due to the many Hindu temples and pilgrimage sites located here. Uttarakhand is also home to some of the most beautiful scenery in the Himalayan Mountains. If you are looking for a workation destination that is both beautiful and spiritual, Uttarakhand is the perfect place for you. In this blog, we will explore some of the best places to stay and work in Uttarakhand. 1. Why go on a Workcation in Uttarakhand? 2. What can affect your Workcation? 3. Where to go on a Workation? Rishikesh Mussoorie Nainital Auli Dehradun 4. Where to stay on Workcation? Why go on a Workation in Uttarakhand? Image Source: Euan Cameron via Unsplash Located in the foothills of the Himalayas, Uttarakhand is blessed with India’s most beautiful locations. This state offers everybody from mesmerizing hill stations and mountains to beautiful lakes and rivers. The beauty and peace around the place will rejuvenate your mind, body, and soul. Here you can begin your day with yoga or meditation in the pristine, peaceful surroundings and experience the pleasant weather and fresh air. The change of scenery, fresh Pahadi cuisine, and panoramic views all around can make you more productive and help you break the monotony of staying at home for so long. You can go on small walks to the forest whenever you need a short break. And once you are done with your work, you can explore nearby destinations, and immerse yourself in fun activities on weekends like hiking, camping, cultural programs, etc. What can affect your workation & how to deal with it? Image Source: Dessidre Flaming via Unsplash Work is the first and primary part of Workation. If you do not work on your Workation, there is no meaning of Workation. Here are some barriers that you might face while working and how to deal with them. Distractions: Working from these stunning locations it is natural for anyone to be distracted by the beauty of the place. You might find it hard to focus. So, to get away from distractions create a static work desk in your room or any other place. Establish a stable routine, if your routine is not fixed you will struggle to achieve all your targets. Time Management: Time management is very important if you want to enjoy your Workation properly. If you are one of those who tend to get too excited with work, make sure you plan leisure activities for the afternoon or weekend days. Stable internet connection: Without a stable network & internet connection you are totally cut out from the outer world and it would badly affect your Workation trip. Make sure you have a stable high-speed network at your location, to continue working digitally. Comfortable homestays: Your workplace should be comfortable and have all the essential facilities which help you to achieve your targets. If you are not comfortable at your workplace and not getting enough rest, you’ll find it difficult to focus on your work, making it difficult for your Workation to be successful. Your destination should be in a quiet location away from the chaos. So must do proper research before booking your stay. Where can you go for workation in Uttarakhand? Uttarakhand has plenty of locations for an ideal Workation. Let’s have a look at some of these. Workation in Rishikesh Workation in Mussoorie Workation in Nainital Workation in Auli Workation in Dehradun 1. Workation in Rishikesh Image Source: Narinder Pal Rishikesh is an amazing destination to attract yoga and meditation. Bunkstay is the ideal choice for those who seek to work in the divine Himalayas. This beautiful co-working space is just a 3-minute walk from Laxman Jhula. Bunkstay gives you an unobstructed view of Laxman Jhula, the holy river Ganga and the surrounding mountains. The breathtaking beauty of this place is ideal for long stays or Work from the Mountains. Aside from the spiritual realms of Rishikesh, the adventurous aspect of Rishikesh makes it a great choice for a workation destination. On weekdays, you can work alongside the imposing views of rocky mountains and the gushing sound of the Ganges. And on weekends, you can go out and venture into adventurous activities for a thrill. 2. Workation in Mussoorie Image Source: Alin Anderson Mussoorie is one of the best workation destinations in Uttarakhand. The tranquil environment, untouched villages, and natural atmosphere are ideal Workation destinations. Here you can take homestays, 5-star resorts, and hotels easily. Charming Cottage, a 3 bedroom home in Landour is perfect for a Workation. It has a dedicated workspace, free parking, wifi throughout the building, and beautiful outdoor space. It is within walking distance of the Landour, so you’ll love this adorable abode. Apart from the comfort and facilities of stays, Mussoorie is laden with exciting and beautiful sights to visit. After a day of work, one can stroll
10 WATER SPORTS IN GOA, YOU SHOULD TRY BEFORE TURNING 30.
The one place that comes to everyone’s mind while thinking about a trip in the summers, is Goa. The beautiful scenery of the seaside and the refreshing feeling of being so close to nature. The limitless water, and an opportunity to explore that water. Goa might be the smallest state but the significance it holds is surely big. After all, there’s a reason why Goa is called ‘Queen of beaches.’ Amazing thrilling water activities are held there as an opportunity to live the best of your youth. While we have activities like exploring the water with Yachts and Cruises, but for an adventure lover what can be better than high-level adrenaline activities that thrill you up to your toes. Here are some high-level adrenaline activities for you to enjoy at the peak of your youth. 1. Parasailing Parasailing is one of the most thrilling and famous water sports in Goa. The beautiful view of the ocean from up above is ethereal. You will be flying on a parasail harness which is fastened to the speedboat with a 30-40m long rope. And as the speedboat moves with great speed you will be moving up more to the sky. With the beautiful view of nothing but blue water beneath you and the fascinating view of nothing but the blue sky above you, you will feel like you’re inside a painting. Truly, this is once in a lifetime experience that you can not afford to miss at all. Where you can try? You can experience e thrill at Dona Paula, Anjuna, Calangute, Colva, Candolim, Vagator Beach. Cost – The cost per person is INR 850 for 1-2 minutes Best time to parasail– The best time to try parasailing in goa is the sunrise and sunsets of winters and summers. 2. Scuba Diving credits : hallie heeg @ unsplash The first thing everyone suggests after planning a trip to goa is, of course, Scuba Diving, and it is definitely worth the hype. Because of the magnificent view of the underwater world and the joy and thrill, it gives you. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to see SpongeBob but you can definitely see how marine life is doing. It’s definitely worth trying. After all, a trip to Goa is incomplete without trying scuba diving. Where you can try? For once in a lifetime experience try it in Majorda and Grande Island. Cost– The cost might differ according to the season and off-season. Off-season cost is around INR1500 while on season cost might go up INR3500 Best time to scuba dive– The season for scuba diving is from November to February. 3. Windsurfing credits : brett jordan @ unsplash Windsurfing is the magical combination of surfing and sailing. It’s the perfect example of “wherever the wind takes me.” All you need is the equipment that is, the board, and have fun. The thrill of this activity lies in handling the board and riding the water. This is one of the most thrilling activities, if you’re an adventure lover and haven’t tried this, what are you waiting for? Where you can Try? Dona Paula Beach, Bogmalo Beach, Vagator Beach, Calangute, Colva, Palolem, Miramar, Baga Beach. Cost –INR 400-600 per person. Best time to windsurf- January to March, If you’re an expert then in the afternoon when winds are strong. If you’re a beginner then in the morning when the wind is calm and soothing. 4. White water rafting credits : tom fisk @ pexels Even though Rishikesh is known for white water rafting, Goa isn’t left behind either. You can give it a go enjoy yourself fully. White water rafting is underrated in Goa Because of other activities but I’m telling you that’s not the truth. The thrill this sport gives has its own charm and you’ll be swayed away with it. The white water rafting is usually 10 km long, and it is bursting with areas where the flow is fast and current strong. Don’t think twice and go for the white water rafting. Where you can try? The popular places to try white water rafting in Goa are the Tilari River and Mandovi River. Cost – INR1500 onwards per person. Best time for white water rafting– The season for White water Rafting is From June to September 5. Jet skiing credits : Steve Donoghue @ unsplash The list of high-level adrenaline water sports is incomplete without adding the infamous Jet skiing. Short training and you are ready to zoom your way into the waters. The exhilarating experience and the instant serotonin boost, this is exactly that activity that you have been looking for. Try this once and you’ll understand what’s all the hype about. Remember all the movies where actors are shown Jet skiing and how much fun they are having? Yeah, the reality is just the same. You will feel like you’re in your own movie cutting through waters and going off with a show. Where you can try? Famous places for Jet skiing are Calangute, Candolim, Majorda, and Miramar Beach, Goa. Cost – INR500 per person. Best time to Jet ski– October to March 6. Water skiing credits : pixabay @ pexels Water skiing is one of the most thrilling activity where you feel the adrenaline pumping through your heart to your veins. It’s the type of activity where you’ll be yelling with joy and happiness. Water skiing is the type of water sport in which an individual will be getting pulled behind a boat with a cable, as the boat races you’ll be water skiing your way behind the boat. Truly, a water sport to try before you die. Where you can try? Some of the beaches that are famous for this activity are Baga beach and Calangute beach. Some other beaches where you can try this are Candolim Beach, Arossim Beach, Utorda Beach, and Mobor Beach. Cost – INR1949 per person. Best time to water ski – October to
13 Reasons Why Your Vacations Will Drastically Change Post COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically changed things around the globe, some particular to countries and others felt all over. It continues to cause the loss of many lives and jobs all over the world but has also allowed the earth time to recover from human activities and families to spend more time together. Travel, which is something we all probably took for granted before this pandemic, is going through a huge shift. There are many safety issues that have come into focus with traveling and many changes to come with the way we traverse between even the closest and most common destinations. Forget about that backpacking across Europe trip, because now even traveling between the grocery store and your house is a dangerous journey. Yes, there will be drastic changes in the way we live and travel from now, but are all of them bad? Are all these new changes necessarily as depressing as they seem to be? Let’s look at our handpicked 13 reasons why (pun intended) travel is going to change! 1. Masks, gloves, and sanitizer – the Golden Trio of essentials Masks have now become the new smartphone The new alpha delta beta has arrived, and it’s unfortunately not as exciting as it sounds. Masks, gloves, and sanitizers will now become literal essentials for all kinds of trips, be it to the local hardware store or a short business trip. You’ll be hard-pressed to find people without their masks on for at least the next 8-10 months in all kinds of public spaces, whether internal or external. When we talk about air travel, this will be a definite show, and you should ensure that you carry at least your mask and a small size sanitizer when going anywhere – if there’s one thing research and experience has proved, it’s that personal hygiene and distance is a sure way to protect yourself from the virus. There’s a blog on The Unicef website that has a lot of useful, research-based information on staying safe and keeping your family safe during the virus which we recommend everyone should read. TTW Pro Tip: Make sure that when you come back from a trip to the grocery store you wash/clean with sanitizer all your items for precaution against the virus – we don’t know how many hands have touched that block of cheese or box of cereal. 2. Old school road trips will make a comeback Road trips are memorable, less expensive, and much more fun A report published by The New York Times said that interest in RV and car purchases has risen exponentially due to Millenials preferring to hit the road. The interest in road trips has been on the rise for a while now as generations start to prefer the freedom and unrestricted nature of the same and this interest is only going to rise as people take to the most easily accessible way to travel and get out. Road trips are a built-in way to socially distance and explore uncharted territory, something you can’t do in other forms of travel. They offer not just safety and health protection but also convenience and flexibility, although long road trips may not be feasible for some time to come. This article by the Los Angeles Times talks more about how road trips will change and be more popular post COVID-19. TTW Pro Tip: Most countries have an official government-mandated/created app for contact tracing of coronavirus patients which will help you identify which areas are safe and which aren’t while traveling, sometimes down to the street or specific road. You can see the full list and find your own country’s app on this Wikipedia page. 3. Hotels will adopt higher standards Hotels will need to adopt new processes Many hotels and other hospitality companies in the industry are facing the heat of COVID-19, not just financially but also through the media – various hotels have been accused of not following proper protocol and existing hygiene standards for the safety of their consumers. Top hotel brands and chains such as Marriot, Taj, etc. have recently started announcing a string of measures they’re taking in their properties to ensure not just current safety and precaution for guests staying in their hotels but also essential hygiene and safety for the months/years to come. These permanent changes are supposed to drive for change in the rest of the industry and experts predict major shifts in how hotels will be cleaned, managed, staffed, checked for safety and health precautions, etc. Guest interaction with staff aside from the essentials is said to reduce in the future and practices of personal hygiene and tmperature checking (both of guests and staff) said to be strictly followed later on in hotels. However, it is always recommended you follow your own practices and methods to stay safe and healthy – check out this article on essential hotel hygiene for more information. TTW Pro Tip: Avoid staying in hotels as far as you can, but if you chose to/have no other option, call the hotel ahead in time and tell them you want a spot-clean in your presence – this way you’ll be able to make sure the sheets and pillows are fresh, the glasses are new, etc. 4. Villas and isolated ways to stay will be preferred Villas afford space, privacy, and safety Experts predict a rise in the number of villa bookings in the future and a growing preference for isolated ways to stay, for example, homes to rent, cottages, luxury villa resorts, motorhomes, etc. There has already been a surge of pre-bookings for villas seen by many (mostly in the US) travel companies spread almost a year from now. It’s easy to see why – isolated ways to stay, such as villas, not only allow for social distancing but also afford a larger space to stay for families and a place to cook their own meals
