Travel Time

The Theory of Relativity couldn't have been explained better than this.

Get this.

You may think - a road is a road and distance is distance and that it takes the same time to cover the same distance - no matter which road you're on. But I'll have you reconsider your theory shortly. Let me show you how.

Let's look at some of the popular roads of India:
1. Bandra-Worli Sea Link Road - a bypass through the sea.
2. Khardong La Road - one of the highest motorable roads in the world.
3. Stilwell Road - once the most expensive road in the world.
4. Grand Trunk Road - one of the oldest roads in the world.
5. Magnetic Hill in Ladakh - one of the strangest roads in the world.
6. Hyderabad-Bangalore Highway - one of the easiest roads in the world.
7. Rohtang Tunnel Road - the longest tunnel-road in India at 10,200 feet elevation.

Geography. Landscape. Weather conditions. Speed limit. Magnetic forces. Unforeseen and uncontrollable forces.  And the driver's disposition towards driving. All contribute to the variation in driving speed and experience.

Now picture this....
1. Bandra-Worli Sea Link is an 8-lane cable-stayed bridge road which is 5.6 kms long and serves as a bypass to the Mahim Causeway, through the sea and is built to reduce travel time by 20 minutes between Bandra and Worli. Though the road may facilitate 60-km drive-speed, the traffic-congestion still brings the vehicles to a grinding halt for more than 15 minutes at both ends. It is one of the best roads in the world and still can't expect to reach on time.

2. Khardong La Road is perched atop a 17,600-feet high mountain in Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir. Speed is secondary on this road - safety comes first. With all the perennial snow and ice mountains, finding a road beneath the sheets of snow is top priority.

3. Stilwell Road - also called the Ledo Road, was named after U.S. Army General Stilwell and was built during the World War II as an alternative to the Burma Road which was cut by the Japanese Army. In terms of construction costs, this road was once the highest in the world! It's the zigzag that will make you dizzy if you attempt speed on this road.

 





4. Grand Trunk Road - one of the oldest and longest roads in the world which connects Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Afghanistan. This route was first initiated during the Mauryan Empire  and was renovated and extended during the 16th Century by Sher Shah Suri of the Muslim Sur Empire who took control of the Mughal Empire in 1540. Now this road would be ideal for high-speeds in most parts of its entire length.

 

 

5. Magnetic Hill in Ladakh - thousands of curious tourists visit this area to check this strange behaviour of this mountain/hill which is 27 kms west of Leh in Jammu & Kashmir. Tourists who visited this place at 11,000 feet altitude, have reported that this hilly area has magnetic properties which are strong enough to pull vehicles uphill. If this theory is fake, then why do aircrafts increase their altitude while flying over this area? As it is this hilly landscape is not speed-friendly and then this magnetic force which has a mind of its own?

 

 

 
6. Hyderabad-Bangalore Highway - they say you can drive on this road with your eyes closed. There is some reality to that - though should be attempted literally! This is almost a straight road that runs north to south without any deviations. During the day, you would barely see any traffic on the road. And the highway is 4-track road. You can easily cover this 570-km drive in 7.5 hours during the day in a car as opposed to the 12-hour drive in the night. Well.....I did!

7. Rohtang Tunnel Road - the current longest road tunnel of India which is at 10,200 feet altitude under the Rohtang Mountain Pass in the Pir-Panjal Range of the Himalayas on the Leh-Manali Highway. The tunnel is 8.8 kms in length and is supposed to reduce driving distance of 60 kms between Manali and Keylong.

 

By this theory, you ought to know better than to apply the same formula of distance, time and speed to all geographies alike!

Pix courtesy: Wikipedia, Placeforholidays, Tinsukia.gov.in, team-bhp, walkthroughindia.

A Backpacker's Guide to his Galaxy.

He stands out from the regular pack of travelers who travel on packaged deals to prominent tourist spots. He mingles-not with tourist masses but rather that he jingles with the locals. While most others set off on cozy holidays, he depends on his shoes, strings and their budget! While they take guided tours, he takes the road less traveled. All hail the Backpacker as he changes your definition of a true vacation.

With a growing need to stretch the buck, travelers are getting more and more creative at exploring new travel dimensions and at extracting the maximum out of a minimalistic holiday.

Backpacking is a state of mind. You certainly have to shed your extravagant ways to find out if you enjoy this new phenomenon. And believe me…. it got its own rugged charm! The essence of backpacking is to get as close to the action as possible – be it the local culture, sightseeing or discovery of newer aspects of the place –while sticking to the least possible budget. So seeking newer economical ways and means to doing so in itself is a thrilling experience. At the end of it all, I’m sure you don’t mind the bank-balance that remains. Ofcourse, this could be difficult to do with kids who would require their personal space during the trips and let’s not forget the other travelers who need their personal space from your kids – especially if you opt for the dormitory accommodation.

Whether it’s another cosmopolitan city that you’re visiting or trekking through dense and rugged jungle terrain or scaling up a 14,000-foot snowy mountain, a backpack can be your soul-mate – holding all your ‘inevitables’ on the trip. Here are a few tips for the backpacking wannabies – straight from the seasoned and the newbies:

1. Research about the place that you’re backpacking to. The season; the weather; the landscape; the type of accommodation; the food culture and the duration of the trip will all determine what and how much you need to pack for this trip. You could also rent camping or trekking or rafting gear from the Tourism Departments or private tour operators which would drastically reduce your backpack load. For instance:

a. Mountain-trekking would demand that you carry winter-wear in all seasons plus canned food and camping tents and mattresses as none of these are available on the mountains.

b. Nature-treks in the jungles in tropical forests which are seen mostly on the Western Ghats demand that you wear socks daily per day of trek as these forests have leeches which manage to crawl into the trekkers’shoes. Socks are to be worn and the pants to be tucked into the socks in order to prevent leeches from getting onto the skin.

c. Decide ahead as to the type of the trip – whether plain leisurely or touristy. I cannot emphasize this enough. Read up travel-blogs online to see how many backpackers regret not planning ahead and leaving behind their professional cameras with tripod; or night-vision binoculars or GPS, assuming they wouldn’t need them and then regretting this decision upon reaching the destination.

d. What you carry in your backpack would be determined by the destination you choose. Click these links for destination-specific backpacking:

Mountains # 1

Mountains # 2

Mountain Trekking

Frozen River

Hills

 Hill Station

National Park

2. Do not compromise on the quality of backpacks or haversacks or your travel experience would get compromised. Especially when you go to remote places such as mountains and national parks where you can’t get an immediate alternative, you can’t afford your backpack giving way to sub-standard. Like a seasoned backpacker would say “you’re only as good as your backpack!”.

3. Packing a backpack is not just an art; it’s also a science these days. Distribute load evenly while packing and refrain from overloading with ‘not-imperative-for-the-trip-items’as you need max space for the ‘must-haves’. While medical associations have mapped the weight of the backpack in accordance to the weight of the person carrying it, maybe you cannot be so precise so avoid the unrequired stuff. One of the important chapters in the Mountaineering Course held at the base camp of the Himalayas is training in load-carrying of backpacks on the mountains. There is a reason why training in load-carrying is emphasized. With exception of few places, you have to carry your own backpacks throughout your trip so your shoulder, neck and knees better be up for it. Infact, the Himalaya Institute of Mountaineering in Darjeeling mandates one month of running and strength-training prior to enrolling in the course of mountaineering. And you should see some of the stuff they make you carry!

Travel-guides, medicines, sunblock, water, camera, umbrella and such must go into the outer pockets while the clothes and the likes go into the main compartment of the backpack.

4. Do not confuse ‘backpacking’with ‘flashpacking’. The difference between the both is that flashpackers are not budget-conscious.

5. Smart accommodation is equal to smart savings. Internet, local tourism departments and friends who’ve been there are your best sources of information on accommodation options such as tourist lodges that are alternate to the regular hotel stays. So be aware that in some places which are extremely remote, hotel and tourist lodges and cottages cost the same. Explore the homestay option with the locals which is cheaper than the rest. Opt for stay and dine option instead of buying food in restaurant which would increase your budget. Refill your water bottle at the place of stay.

6. Local travel must be mostly on foot or by bus whether it is in Kalimpong or Kolkata. Taxis eat up your money without your knowledge. For a quick tour of the place, opt for the State Tourism Department’s guided tours. For specific destinations, ask your own hotel for their travel options as some provide minivans or sumo at nominal charge. In hill stations, choose pony-rides which would cost lesser than taxis as they take longer to reach. In this case you will need to factor-in more time for travel.

7. Here are popular backpacking destinations of India:

       a.    Leh

b.    Gulmarg

c.    Zanskar

d.    Pahalgam

e.    Hemis National Park

f.     Dras

g.    Kud

h.    Darjeeling

i.      Lolegaon

j.      Kalimpong

k.    Lava

l.      Gorumara National Park

m.   Singalila National Park

n.    Haflong

o.    Majuli

p.    Simen Chapori

q.    North Lakhimpur

r.     Tinsukia

s.    Digboi

t.      Nameri National Park

u.    Dibru-Saikhowa National Park

v.    Rishikesh

w.   Shimoga

x.    Coorg

y.    Kalpetta

z.    Vythiri

aa. Topchanchi

ab. Gangotri

8. Caution:

a. Do not venture off into the wilderness alone. Professional guides are provided by the local tourism departments and private tour operators. Else, request or hire a local to take you around in the forest or on the mountain.

b. Inform of your backpacking expedition to atleast 5 different people who should send out a search-party or rescue-team should you not return on time.

c. Carry the contact information of the local tourism department, local police department, your hotel or lodge, your folks back home –all written down or printed. Also exchange phone numbers of your co-backpackers if you’re going in a group. Most backpacking places would have no cell phone network so you need to keep your folks informed of that.

d. Carry your medicines and your physician-prescribed tabs for unforeseen circumstances as well. Click here for details. Your own first-aid kit is a must. If you are a diabetic, do consult your physician before your trip. Depending on your trip prepare amply to treat nausea, sea-sickness and altitude-sickness. Read the links above for pointers.

e. You must carry 5 photocopies of your ID & residence proof plus your passport-sized photos in your backpack as they would be required to be submitted at several checkpoints especially in the northeast states of India. Take photocopies of all your credit cards and debit cards and leave one set of all your documents at home with a family member. Foreigners need to keep handy their passport photocopies and passport-size photos for submission at the various checkpoints.

f. Credit cards would not work on most backpacking circuits. Carry enough cash to last the whole trip. As for foreigners, exchange your money in big places while you can.

g. Keep your camera loaded and handy and do carry extra batteries.

h. Learn to use the GPS and the compass. They certainly would come handy on backpacking tours.

i. Load your mobile phone with all your favourite music or pack your Ipod.

j. Walking shoes are of paramount importance. But do not wear brand new shoes. Always wear pre-worn shoes while touring places. You don’t need shoe-bites to slow you down.

If you've had backpacking experiences different than the ones mentioned above, do leave a comment below and I shall add it to the writeup.

And don't forget to pack the towels which have supreme utility in this intergalactic travel. 42 !

Mongmong Festival in Nagaland.

Come September, the extreme eastern state of India – Nagaland would be the perfect place to visit as these agrarian mountain-folk whose lives revolve and depend on agriculture, celebrate the harvest festival – ‘Mongmong’ which in the local ‘Sangtam’ dialect means ‘togetherness forever’. Mongmong is celebrated week-long during the first week of September.

Mongmong Festival celebrates harvest and friendship that has kept these mountain tribes of Nagaland together always. The festival starts off with the village priest (beburu) announcing ‘Zangnyuo Mongmong Nung Eh-Lehe’ or the commencement of the festival with prayers and rituals at midnight.

·        On the first day – which is called ‘Singkithsa’, the oldest person of the area is asked to perform the festival rituals at the well. The villagers spend the day collecting millets, vegetables and firewood from the fields. Livestock (cows, pigs and mithuns) transactions are closed on this day.

·        On the second day, as the gathering of the firewood and the vegetables continues, meat for the festive delicacies is arranged.

·        On the third day which is called ‘MÜSÜYANGTAP’, people worship their three oven stones in belief that these stones represent God (Lijaba). Families eat food only after this worship is done. Local rice beer dancing, tug of war and other merry-making activities take over next.

·        On the fourth day which is called ‘KIKHA-LANGPI’, the Priest and the men-folk spruce up the village by clearing the weeds; clearing the roads and pathways leading to wells and fields and then head to the Priest’s home where a party awaits for all the men who toiled all day in trying to make the village look neat and nice.

·        On the fifth day which is called ‘SHILANG WUBA NYUMONG’, people visit their families and friends in the same village and in the neighbouring villages and exchange drinks and meat as gifts – pretty much like the Muslim custom of ‘Bakrid’.

·        From the sixth day onwards which is called ‘SHILANG WUBA NYUMONG’ the actual harvesting process begins in the fields. People invoke the blessings of God on their crops and their families and pray for a good harvest and good health.

Among a host of others, Nagaland folk songs, Millet harvesting shows, Paddy sowing shows, fire making, tug of war, war dances and archery competitions are showcased during the festivities. Thousands of people from Nagaland, Manipur, Assam, Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh converge for the festival during these days.

It is a mélange of colourful cultural displays of 15 different tribes under one roof. Angami, Ao, Chakhesang, Chang, Khiamniungan, Konyak, Lotha, Phom, Pochury, Rengma, Sangtam, Sumi, Yimchunger, Kuki and Zeliang being the largest Naga tribes in Nagaland, converge for this harvest festival Mongmong in Kohima – the State Capital of Nagaland.

Kohima is perched atop a ridge at 4200 feet above sea level (same as Kalimpong in WB) with 70% green cover, and is surrounded by lush green mountains and meadows covered endlessly with emerald hued wild grass and wild flowers. The scenic, serene and fresh environs, the salubrious climate and the lovely sunsets would have you anchored to this place for longer than you scheduled. Kohima is perfect for adventure sports such as mountain-treks; para-gliding; rock-climbing and camping. Mix all this with a cultural fiesta and you’ve got yourself a complete holiday package – the best that your money can buy!

The nearest airport to Kohima is in Dimapur in Nagaland at 74 kms northeast of Kohima. Regular flights from Guwahati in Assam and Imphal in Manipur connect Kohima. The nearest railhead to Kohima is in Dimapur. National Highway 39 connects Kohima to Dimapur on the north and Imphal on the south.

If you can’t make it to Kohima for Mongmong festival during the first week of September, then the next best time to visit Nagaland is during the first week of December for the Hornbill Festival.

Peace Out !

Pix courtesy: the hindu, photoblog.nbcnews, northeasttoday, demotix, govisitnagaland.

Monsoon Tourism in India.

Rains pouring on all your holiday plans? Well…. show them who’s boss! Step outside and brave a little wetness this monsoon. And discover wonder in the wetlands of India.

Pondicherry

Pondicherry is Tamil Nadu’s answer to Goa – only quieter, serene and French! Facing the Bay of Bengal on the Coromandel Coast of Tamil Nadu State is the lovely 17^th Century French Colony with French Colonial bungalows, Gothic Churches and 45 kms of coastline and beaches. With turquoise-blue waters which are game for sailing, boating, canoeing, kayaking, swimming and fishing, Pondicherry is a fantastic place for sunbathing and beach-treks. Of course that would be a challenge in the monsoons but when it rains, Pondicherry transforms into a gorgeous honeymoon resort - seeming secluded and cozy.

Cuddle up with delicious local sea-food, wine and music on the beach or in one of the numerous beach-resorts and watch the tides and the rains slashing down on endless waves of water. Take off your shoes and drop that umbrella and feel the wet sand slip away from under your feet as you try to leave your footprints on the wet sands of the beach.

Monsoon months: November to January.

Get There: Pondicherry has excellent roads and road-network with National Highways 332, 32 & 66 passing through. It’s a great drive to Pondicherry from anywhere. Chennai Airport is the nearest to Pondicherry and Villupuram is the nearest Railway Junction to Pondicherry.

Wayanad

Where better to see the rain than in a rainforest! And which better rainforest than the Wayanad’s! Climb the Western Ghats to 6890 feet to Lakkidi to experience one of India’s highest degrees of rainfall – it’s overwhelming, incessant and borderline fearful. And this is what rain-buffs rush to Wayanad for during the monsoons -to watch the rain in all its fury!

This is not where you take off your shoes and prance about in the rain. You check-in to a forest-resort and sit on the balcony and watch the rain transform the dense forests into a maze of streams and waterfalls. And when the clouds take a break, quickly hop into a jeep and go explore the aftermath in the breathtakingly picturesque green mountains, valleys, lakes, and meadows on long and winding scenic roads in moist and cool weather. IF the skies clear up, put on your walking shoes and trek through the luxuriant forests of Wayanad to see just how the hill wilderness responds to rain. Don’t jump out of your skin if you feel a trickle of droplets down your spine now and then coz that’s how the tall and wet trees respond to rain-buffs! Take a guide and he’ll ensure you return in one piece as abundance of wildlife is another forte of Wayanad - apart from spices.

Monsoon months: June to September.

Get there: 270 kms from Bangalore by road, Wayanad is easily accessible from Ooty and Mysore. Kozhikode has the nearest international Airport and Railway Station at 100kms from Wayanad.

Udaipur

Not so much an outdoorsy person? Love life’s indulgences? Like to be treated like Royalty in the rain? Check-in to Udaipur’s 17^th Century Lake Palace in the middle of the Pichola Lake – hailed as the Venice of the East. Only accessible through royal ferries and boats, the Palace occupies the entire island of 4 acres in the lake and holds mini-ponds and water fountains within. This all-marble Palace has rich, extravagant and Kingly rooms; with ornate and plush interiors; wide arched-balconies; pillared terraces; and the service of the Royal Butlers that will spoil you. Order-in some Rajasthani delicacies and drinks; put your feet up on the velvety futon, and do what Queen Elizabeth, America’s former first lady Jacqueline Kennedy; Viceroy of India – Lord Curzon and Gone with the Wind lead actress – Vivien Leigh did - enjoy. And when it rains, be sure to live in the moment and watch the rain envelope the Palace and shower on the lake. Rated as one of the most romantic destinations of the world, the Udaipur Lake Palace hotel is bound to spice things up for you even in the drenching rain. Feel brave? Step into a royal boat and cruise the lake in the rain and soak up the monsoon ambience of the Lake.

Monsoon months: June to September.

Get there: Within 25 kms radius of the Lake Palace hotel, are the Udaipur Maharana Pratap Airport and Udaipur Railway Station.

ArunachalPradesh

Tired of fluttering with the same kind of ‘birds’? Want to hang out with different kind of ‘animals’ for a change? Want to get out this monsoon? Want to push your limits? Want to go where no one’s been? Five problems – one solution - the Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary in Arunachal Pradesh. Perched on the Himalayan foothills at 10, 663 feet, is the home of the flagship wildlife – the rare bird – Laughing-thrush and the Asian Elephant, plus more than 454 species of birds; 15 species of animals and 165 species of butterflies. But what makes Eaglenest unique is that unlike the other Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Parks in India which are closed during the monsoons, Eaglenest can be visited during the Monsoons as well. Camp in the wilderness or homestay with the Tibetic tribespeople on the Mountain slopes and play hide and seek with the wildlife in the rain. Else just stay in Tezpur (160 kms) in Assam and visit Eaglenest during the day. Mountain and nature-treks are must-do here even in the rain. At this altitude you’d be wining and dining with source of the rains.

Monsoon months: July to September.

Get there: Arunachal Pradesh may be the tip of the country but is fairly easy to get to. Bomdila in Arunachal Pradesh is the nearest town which connects to Tezpur in Assam.

·         Guwahati > Tezpur > Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary – 4 hours (flight between Guwahati & Tezpur and jeep-ride between Tezpur and Eaglenest).

·         Guwahati > Tezpur > Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary – 5 hours (bus + jeep)

Pix courtesy: thinkingparticle, indiatravelblog, hammockholidays, greengates, kerala.gov, adventurediva, mattconsidine, brummieandwurzel.blogspot, S karthik, vinchel.

Travel - make it slow & take it easy!

Did you just return from your vacation and feel like you need another vacation from that vacation?

Were you subject to ‘Army-drill-tourism’ with someone else ringing your alarm-clock every dawn?

Did you just visit all the favourite tourist-spots of your Raju-guide’s?

Did your tour drive you breathless with the non-stop shuttle from one spot to the other?

Has your camera done more sight-seeing than you?

Did you just spend your money on a tour that you do not remember?

Well….you’ve subjected yourself to ‘power-tourism’ – not ‘power’ in ‘power-games’…..it implies ‘power’ in ‘power-yoga’ – action-packed solid workout! With any luck you might’ve burnt some calories too!

It’s time you remedy this.

Travel and tour at your pace – for your own pleasure!

Don’t know how? Here are a few options to get you started:

1.    Take a River-Cruise on a ship for a few days– skiff up a river and laze around on the deck all day and all night. Choose to keep your eyes open or not. Wake up in a new place each day without moving a muscle. Have food & drinks of your choice served to you wherever you are on the ship. Pay to get pampered!

2.    Get wild in the wilderness – pick a jungle-themed Eco-camp in any Wildlife Sanctuary or National Park to stay at and hop on to an elephant or a jeep and visit your favourite wildlife – One-horned Rhino, Asian Elephant, Royal Bengal Tiger, Snow Leopard or even the Great Indian Hornbill and Dolphins. You want to stretch your legs, go nature-trekking in the wilderness.

3.    Moped around in those British or Portuguese Colonies along the beach or on top of mountains wearing comfortable clothes and no makeup. Make random stops at beach-shacks for cocktails or mocktails or just juices. Drive to feel the fresh cool breeze in your face or chase the sunset.

4.    Check-in to a log-cabin and explore the gorgeous and scenic lush green Mountain-meadows swaying with millions of wild-flowers. Park yourself there with your favourite book and music or go mountain-trekking.

5.    Tired of the tropics? How about you chill in the snow? Most mountain-resorts are easy to reach with well-developed flights network and bus-connectivity. You just need 5 days for a trip to Leh and back. Explore the mountains on Yaks, Donkeys or Ponies.

6.    You’re neither fond of beaches nor crazy about mountains? Then pick a quiet but enchanting hill-station and stroll around Tea Gardens, Orange Orchards and Orchid Farms.

7.    You want to explore your spiritual-side? Check-in to an Ashram or a Buddhist Monastery and get in touch with your inner-self. You don’t have to be or become a Buddhist to visit a Stupa.

8. And if you're looking for an even slower paced holiday then check-in to a Spa. Get a full massage in ayuvedic oils or dip into a mud-bath daily. Get a back-rub or a foot-massage twice daily.

Now imagine all this.