A million dollar question – Who are going to join me on this trip?

Whomever made this is absolutely right 😉 😀 Because, group travels will be always like this! This time, I thought of exploring the east coast and asusual had put-forth the plan infront of my friends. My goodness, everyone was ready – Maithreyee, Bhojnadh, Meghna, Eshwar, Sharat, Naveen, Praveen, Divya, Shruti and ofcourse I was already there! Just 10 days before the trip, Praveen informed us that he won’t be able to make it as he had to attend some official work in Pune, Naveen can’t because his exams were around, Divya can’t coz she can’t skip her classes of Big Data, Shruti is going to Delhi to join her Civils Mains classes and Meghna is going on another trip with her other group of friends. There we go, the Toyota Innova became a Maruti Suzuki Swift D’zire!! 😀 😀

5 days before the trip, Sharat called me only to say that his Section Officer didn’t sanction him leave and so he can’t join us on the trip. Still, we stuck to the Maruti Suzuki Swift D’zire! 4th day while I was in the office, my phone beeped and when I unlocked it, the next obvious thing happened –  A photograph of Maithreyee with a huge Plaster of Paris bandage  around her left leg popped up on my WhatsApp. 😦 Therefore, the Maruti Suzuki Swift D’zire became a Maruti Alto!! 😀 😀

Finally, it was Eshwar, Bhojnadh and I who were left to go on this trip if we are not to cancel it. I made up my mind and told them that we are going to Odisha anyways, no matter who else joins! There is no proper plan as such, but we made a point that we all will meet in Vizag (Visakhapatnam) and then decide what we gonna do.

Stay tuned to see what happened next 😉

Exploring the least explored…

I hail from a state which is rarely found on a travel itinerary, and that’s a pity, for it homes some of India’s oldest history and culture. And it always makes me feel low when I see such lists. This is my attempt to bring out some hidden gems of Andhra Pradesh and also fulfilling my wish of travelling to the least explored destinations. This trip came as a surprise as one of my friend called me and asked me whether I am going to visit Anantapur during a long weekend in December, which we discussed earlier and I asked him to give me a couple of days to decide.

It took me a day to decide and here’s the outcome of that decision 🙂 . This trip is also one of my most memorable trips as I have traveled almost 2500 kms in 4 days that to only by buses (public as well as private transport)! Though I was exhausted a lot after the journey, I thoroughly enjoyed my trip and feeling so happy to share this travel tale with you all 🙂 . Hope you love it and start exploring my state a bit more from now!! 🙂

Sorry for the break!!

Hi friends! Sorry for not turning up as I was travelling 🙂 🙂 .. Will be sharing my travel tales soon 🙂

The Jewel of Sahyadris – Lonavala

13.11.2016:

Discovered in 1871 by Sir Elphinstone, the Governor of the Bombay Presidency, Lonavala lives up to its name, which means ‘city surrounded by caves’. One of the most famous hill stations known for it’s lakes and breath-taking views is also well known for it’s chikki and fudge, Lonavala is a must visit place for every tourist or adventure-lover. If I have had enough time with me, I would have definitely gone for a trek around one of the circuits here, but as time is a constraint now for me, I would just go around for this time!! Come, soak along with me in the beauty of this place 🙂

14.20 hrs – The plan is to explore Lonavala first and then proceed to Khandala. We kick started our journey and proceeded to one of the most famous tourist point of Lonavala called the ‘Lions Point’. Now don’t ask me why was it named so?  😀 . Lonavla – Known as the ‘Jewel of Sahyadris’, is a perfect choice for a quick visit that to if you have got less time with you. A hot spot for Mumbaikars and Pune-ites, Lonavla is the most popular weekend gateway. Whenever we think of Maharashtra, the first thing that strike our minds will be Khandala and Lonavala as both Bollywood and Tollywood has romanticized this place for a very long time 🙂

The up-hill road is narrow and curvy and it took us around 30 mins to reach the Lions Point. We started walking toward the cliff and the beauty in front of us is beyond description. This point gives us a panoramic view of the entire valley and hills and a few waterfalls. Though this time or season is not the right time to visit this place, I will leave the beauty of this place during monsoons to one’s own imagination. Well-known for it’s weather, Lonavala is really an ideal place to break free all our worries and fall in love with the nature.

We have gone around the area and looked around the area on the other side of the road too! It too gives some fantastic views. Our next stop is the Bushi Dam that was mentioned by my cousin to us earlier. One has to walk for 10 minutes in order to reach the dam. It was almost dry except for the water in the reservoir. Another 3 min walk from the dam would take you to the reservoir where one can sit with their feet being washed with the cool waters. This would be definitely a hot-spot during the monsoons as the water gushes down and the place is ideal to play as it’s not too steep or dangerous. And I heard many of my Mumbai friends saying that they love to throng at Bhushi dam, where water runs over the steps of the dam, creating a beautiful waterfall.

The third spot is the Lonavala Lake and again there was no much water and we just walked down for some distance and resumed our journey. The fourth point that was included in my driver’s list is a children’s park and we turned it down :-p . Though we were a bit disappointed as most of the places were dry and looked like some routine places, I could very well imagine how beautiful this place would be in the monsoon. So, it was decided, Mythri and I would be visiting this place again, that too during one of the monsoons 🙂

Khandala is waiting!!

Kappil – the confluence of sea, river and the backwaters

About 53 kms from Trivandrum and 7 kms from Varkala, Kappil beach is one of the most picturesque destinations of Kerala. It is not just another tourist spot, but a must visit place.

On the west is the true blue Arabian Sea and the east is Edava Narayan Lake. The true confluence of backwaters and sea with some lush green coconut grooves.. Road runs as such for about 1 km. Kappil has its own fishing community, and the true fun is the backwater ride.

Ponnumthuruth Island:

Situated about 12 km south of Varkala. Have to board a country boat from Neduganda and take a tour through the backwaters for about 30 minutes to reach Ponnumthuruthu. Ponnumthuruthu, the name literally means Golden Island. This lush island is a perfect gateway for those who seek a break from the hustle and bustle of the urban life.

This island is known for the Shiva Parvathi temple, which is more than 100 years old. A royal family owns the island and the temple.

In all, this place is for a good drive and fits in for a short trip.. 🙂 🙂

TTT – TIRU’S TRAVEL TALES

I have started this blog, with a plan of writing on contemporary issues and subjects related to my preparation of UPSC. But it took a U-turn and recently, I came up with a new series “Three Phenomenal Women of My Life”, in which am sharing my journey with those three beautiful women who has helped and helping me in becoming a good human being. Now, my mind has turned out to another passion of mine. It’s TRAVEL.

And here is my new series. “TIRU’S TRAVEL TALES”. The title itself indicates what this series is going to be. Yeah, it’s going to be about my travel experiences. Some of my fondest memories are from these travel tales. I think, I have inherited this trait of travelling from my dad, who always loves to travel to one place or the other. Though I have not traveled extensively, I explored quite good places in India so far.

Eventually I became an outdoor enthusiast who loves adventure. I often travel alone, sometimes with friends and at times with family. I travel to the remotest destinations as well as the cosmopolitans. I wander through the jungles, sail on the seas. I search for the lost spiritual world in these modern times while exploring the most modern places. It’s not always easy to experience what all these places have to offer, yet I go to them just to enjoy the beauty of the places and experience their colorful stories.

Often travelling gives me a chance to understand many things about the people, their culture, and their food habits. It gives me a chance to interact with more people, change my perspective towards something which I was unaware till then, it breaks down few barriers which I carry with me. Above all, personally I feel that travel makes me feel more confident, it gives me more courage, it teaches me how to deal with the challenges that comes in my way, keeps me focused, and it teaches how to be comfortable when am out of my comfort zone. All in all, I believe that travelling makes me a better person.

Though am not a professional writer, like a little kid so excited to share her experiences,  I hope I can bring an account of some of the most beautiful places on this earth. Come, join me in this beautiful journey of mine and enjoy!