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Travel Diary – Gothenburg, Sweden

Travel Diary – Gothenburg, Sweden

If you have been following the chronicles of my travel diary series , I would like to share my experience where I had spend two days exploring the astounding Gothenburg city on my own.

Set in the Swedish west coast, Gothenburg is the second largest city of Sweden. Most people would dream to visit Stockholm as their first preference when traveling to Sweden, but in order to seek something unconventional, I determined to hit Gothenburg this time and to my gratification it was no doubt a gorgeous experience. 

Scenic aerial view of the Old Town with Oscar Fredrik Church in the gorgeous sunset, Gothenburg, Sweden.
Scenic aerial view of the Old Town in the gorgeous sunset, Gothenburg, Sweden.
Central Gothenburg city in the evening.
Central Gothenburg city in the evening.

Sustaining its roots into Noe-classical architecture, beautifully designed around picturesque canals, the moment I stepped down, I was already fallen in love with the city. It was the month of March, still in the span of frigid winters, I was all set and ready to unravel this ultimate trip. My flight landed on Göteborg Landvetter Airport, I approached further to find my way towards my accommodation into this shivery night. There were two things I had kept notes for in order to make use of trouble-free transportation.

  1. Purchase a return ticket for “Flygbussarna” bus which connects promptly to city from Airport. I directly went to Information center to get the ticket which included my valid return journey as well.
  2. Day tickets which in my case I had purchased 3-day ticket. It includes unlimited travel on buses, trams, ferries and trains. I purchased it directly from the “Pressbyran” (convenience store) which you can easily locate at the airport.

The ride on the airport bus was calm and comfortable. Since  I had reserve an Airbnb accommodation, I had to change and catch tram after two stops at “Goteborg Korsvagen”. Infused with peculiar excitement in my heart, the first glimpse of the city was itself magical. Standing next to my tram stop among the group of people, the cold breeze rushing into my face, enwreathe by glittering mix of modern cum classical architecture, it was something pristine to experience. The tram finally took me to my accommodation which was a small walk from the nearby stop.

My Airbnb home, where I was sharing a studio room, was located in a serene and tranquil neighborhood of ‘Skår’ surrounded by some beautiful and delightful private cottage houses. Residing in such a place like dream in-itself.

Skår District
Skår District
Skår District
Skår District

Drizzle of breezing rain rushing across as I walk along these streets next morning to my way towards the tram stop, fancying in that moment, how a life in real would actually felt to live here. Since my childhood I was always fascinated towards the architecture and nature of the Scandinavian life, the essence of which is enriching yet calm in its own way.  As I walk further, I was thrilled with exquisite nature reserved within the vicinity of the neighborhood that I even decided take a small walk amidst them before finally making it to my tram stop.

A walk along the nature around “Skar”
A walk along the nature around “Skar”
A walk along the nature around “Skar”
A walk along the nature around “Skar”
A walk along the nature around “Skar”
A walk along the nature around “Skar”

After boarding the tram, my next stop was “Brunnsparken” which is considered to be the prominent central square in Gothenburg. It also acts like a central junction where all the tram stops merges together and therefore also recognize as a famous meeting point for people.

I decided to take a quick nimble around the central square. The sight somehow reminded of places like Amsterdam and Germany. The elegant architecture all around, filled with the blend of alluring art and history, with lovely fountains and chirping sounds of birds, bold statues boasting Swedish history and cris-crossed by tram lines on the other side, a graceful canal with clean and clear water flowing away, apprached by steps in the front,  where I sat down to enjoy this spectacular view.

Brunnsparken
Brunnsparken, Gothenburg
Brunnsparken, Gothenburg
Brunnsparken, Gothenburg

The plan afterwards was to head towards the famous Archipelago Islands, It was a direct ride from this central square only and it directly takes you to the ferry terminal. The short trip to the archipelagos was breathtaking. To know more about my short trip experience of Gothenburg Southern Archipelago islands, click here to check it out.

 On return, I reached back at the same place of “Brunnsparken” and It was already evening by then. My body was feeling a bit tired, freezing in the chilly winter, my heart was still striking the beats of excitement, I began to explore further this amazing city by night.

Gothenburg at night. trams and people in motion
Gothenburg at night. trams and people in motion
Architecture in the city of gothenburg, sweden
Architecture in the city of gothenburg, sweden

I kept walking and exploring the silent peaceful night, charting my ways amidst the calm and soothing nature and beautiful surroundings.

A night time view of Gothenburg
A night time view of Gothenburg
Gothenburg Haga at night
Gothenburg Haga at night

It was finally time to catch some dinner as I was feeling hungry and a bit physically exhausted by then, so I strolled all the way to the famous ‘Haga’ area where I discovered a delightful vegan restaurant known as ‘ Solrosen’.  Haga is one of happening district of Gothenburg, which is particularly known for its magnificent wooden houses, and where also you could unearth some offbeat restaurants serving delicious food. The best things I loved about this restaurant was their free/buffet salad bar where you can have all types of various salads to satisfy your hunger pans.

Solrosen gothenburg
Solrosen, gothenburg

After enjoying my gracious food, it was time to head back to my apartment. My first day exploring this charming city had been just amazing and incredible. On the way back, I was already thinking about how I was planning to spend the second day of my trip, to visit the beautiful botanical gardens, to explore those pleasant central parks of ‘Slottsskogen” filled with auspicious greenery and peaceful nature, to discover the famous ‘Haga” district and its spectacular architecture, and much more where my heart could follow and explore its own way.

Traveling for me is not only venture to new places but to explore and connect with the surroundings. To observe the nurturing the new life, the way the people live and more importantly the nature, the very source which has given the definition to our lives.

If you would like to know more about my journeys around the world, feel free to subcrise and follow and look out for my new upcoming post! And if you have comments, questions and any experience of your own travel you would like to share, feel free to send below. I would love to read them! 🙂

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Northern Lights in Lofoten: See Aurora Borealis

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Gothenberg Sweden Travel Blog Travel Destinations Travel Diaries Vacation

Gothenburg’s Southern Archipelago Islands In Sweden

Gothenburg’s Southern Archipelago Islands In Sweden

The Archipelago Islands are spread along the coast of Gothenburg, Sweden and easily accessible by Ferry. I was doing my small Scandinavian trip in March 2017 where I stayed in Gothenburg for few days and decided to visit the archipelago. Although there were many small islands within the archipelago, due to rains and little bad weather, I only had time to visit one Island, so I decided to take the ferry to the farthest once known as “Vrångö”. 

March is usually considered as winter months, it is windy and cold, so it not exactly the right season to visit these islands. But for travelers like us, when it comes to travel and exploring, seasons doesn’t matter and on the plus side since there aren’t much crowds, you get to explore the places by yourself which is more fun and peaceful!

Gothenburg Archipelago Map
Gothenburg Archipelago Map

After reaching Gothenburg, my first stop was  Archipelago only.  Gothenburg has either 1 or 3 day transportation day tickets. Ferries are included in the both tickets. So I bought a 3 day ticket and took a tram 11 from center towards “Goteborg Saltholmens Brygga” ferry terminal. All the ferries for Archipelago Islands starts from here. They have small information/ticket kiosk where you can also get free maps and guidance on the ferry times and they also explains you the preferred number of islands you can cover in the remaining time of the day. I waited for my ferry for almost half an hour to 45mins and finally boarded to head towards the last Island “Vrångö”. The time from the main terminal to the farthest island takes about an hour approx and you get to see the view of the other islands on the way.

View Of Archipelago, Gothenburg
View Of Archipelago, Gothenburg

Have you even been in a ferry marching towards the sea when its actually cloudy? and the more closer you go into the sea, the more you feel excited and scary at the same time. On my way to Vrango, every time I look outside, in the those moments of nature, I was filled with the feeling of excitement and adventure at the same time. As I sat closer to the window and saw the ferry gushing through the water, tiny small chunks of land untouched in the lap of nature in the middle of the sea, far somewhere few pitched houses resting on ground, and on the other side, the never ending extent of the ocean, as I moved forward , my eyes captured all these beautiful moments I haven’t seen before in my life.

My ferry finally reached the Vrango terminal. It was raining and there were only few people along with me to step on the Island. I quickly saw a coffee shop next to it, so I directly went there as I was really craving for hot cup of coffee! I ordered a coffee with a small piece of cake, sat down close to window, outside it was still raining and inside the coffee shop, there were only 2 people who might have to come to visit but seems to be afraid to go out because of the rain.

While looking at the window and having the hot sip of the my coffee, watching the rain getting strong every second, there was bit of silence in that moment and I thought am I really scared? I don’t have an umbrella, just a jacket with a hood, my passport in the pocket (unwrapped) and vulnerable to rains, I dont know the way inside and there is not a single person present on this small island I can see, maybe I will get lost, maybe by the time I come back I wont be able to catch ferry, maybe….!? But then I thought, all my life I have been always scared to take chances and the only time I have felt happy when I actually took them. So, I finished my coffee, wore my jacket, put on the hood and went into the island to find the last spot where it ends!

But wait……Lets take a look what I saw on the way 🙂

Cottage houses built on the Vrångö Island in Gothenburg Archipelago

I walked by some beautiful houses on the way, it was as if walking into a canvas drawn in front of me and only me as there was not a single person I could find, It was still raining, the intensity was increasing every second I went further, but my heart was pumping with loads of excitement  and all it desired to see more and more of what was coming!

After exploring, getting lost and coming back and forth, I finally managed to find a spot on the farthest point which was built on top of rocks. Although because of rains it was all wet, still I carefully find a way to climb the rocks (even slip for few times :D) but eventually after a bit of struggle I managed to climb on the other side and what I saw then was just magical! At that very moment, I forgot the rains, opened my arms wide spread and just enjoyed the view! I was just connected in that beautiful moment of nature and nothing else mattered to me at that time!

View from Vrångö Island in Gothenburg Archipelago
View from Vrångö Island in Gothenburg Archipelago
Ocean View from Vrångö Island in Gothenburg Archipelago
Ocean View from Vrångö Island in Gothenburg Archipelago
Ocean View from Vrångö Island in Gothenburg Archipelago
Ocean View from Vrångö Island in Gothenburg Archipelago
Ocean View from Vrångö Island in Gothenburg Archipelago

It is breathtaking isn’t it? well after spending a good time in the rains, I was already sneezing by then. As I turned around I had literally no idea how to reach back again on the other side. At least 4 times I climbed and came back to same spot and by then I was slightly getting worried a bit. But the good part was, I was still enjoying the views!.. I  found a small route between rocks but further again lost my way couple of times and somehow made it back to Vrango ferry terminal.

I again went into the same coffee shop, there was no one there by then. I ask the swedish lady if I can dry my clothes somewhere there and she was nice to help me out. Well there was no one else to help out otherwise. I asked her out of curiosity if anyone lives here now in this season and she told me she still lives on the same Island and I was happy to finally find a local person to ask questions! 😀

I sat down again on the same window side with a hot cup of coffee, trying to relieve my new cold I have recently catch upon, looking at window, watching rains, feeling proud to live the moment which I will always remember in my lifetime! 🙂

Have you been to Gothenberg archipelago before? or what was your last daring cum magical experience? Feel free to share in the comments below as I would love to read them! 🙂

“Live for the magical unforgettable experiences, they are the only ones which will be there with you in your last moments of life”

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My 5 best travel experiences of Scandinavia!!

Read about 5 best travel experiences of exploring scandinavia and watch some breathtaking experiences...

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Norway Travel Blog Travel Destinations Travel Diaries Travel inspiration Tromso Vacation

My 5 Best Travel Experiences Of Scandinavia!

my 5 best travel experiences of Scandinavia!

Read about the 5 best travel experiences of the scandinavian destinations!

The best part of traveling are all those amazing experiences you collect and cherish along your journey. These are moments which brings an element of surprise, excitement and are ocassially filled with your own dreams and desires. Pursuing them sometimes even changes you from inside and open your eyes to see the world from a new perspective.

I love visiting Scandinavia countries. There is so much of nature to see and explore there. Below are my my 5 top favourite travel experiences of scandinavious destinations:

Tromso, Norway
Tromso, Norway

As you may have read in my earlier posts, where I shared my all time “Winter Bucket List” I want to accomplish in my lifetime, Tromso (Norway) was the first item on the do-list. So I visited this place in the March 2017. During my trip, I traveled on a full-day countryside tour where I was driven between breathtaking snow-cap mountains. I had the best time of my life watching those amazing fjords coming live in from my eyes. It literally felt a dream come true. 

Northern Lights, Lofoten Islands, Norway
Northern Lights, Lofoten Islands, Norway

As they say, if you have not visited Lofoten Islands, then you have not visited Norway! It is indeed one of the most breathtaking places on earth. In winters of Feb 2019, during my Norway trip, I visited this amazing destination where I got the chance to witness the beautiful and mesmerizing view of Northern lights. It was like a different world altogether. Its something you should experience if you get the chance to visit Lofoten Islands.

Skógafoss Waterfall in Iceland

Skógafoss is a beautiful and biggest waterfall situated on the south-coast of Iceland. I visited this astounding destination while completing my Iceland tour of December 2017. Most people dont try to get that close proximity of this huge waterfall, especially during winters, when all the area over the ground is super slippery, but I couldnt resist to walk over until the edge to experience the massive look of this giant waterfall has to offer. A great thing to see while on the trip to Iceland. 

Glacier Hike In Iceland
Glacier Hike In Iceland

Glacier hiking is one the best ways to experience Iceland in winters. On my Iceland trip of December 2017, while visiting Iceland South-coast, I got a chance to visit the famous “Sólheimajökull glacier” which is a part of Mýrdalsjökull, Iceland‘s fourth largest glacier! I was with a small group where I spend almost 30 minutes walking on the glacier, and was indeed one of the best moments of my life!

Cruise in Norwegian Sea
Cruise in Norwegian Sea

Imagine going on a cruise during the winter along the Arctic ocean? Do you believe it to be exciting? Well for me it was the most exciting thing I ever did in my travels. In the winter months of Feb 2019, I went on a cruise along the Norweigan sea. Although it was super freezing to even step outside, but I was able to capture some of the breathtaking pictures along the ocean!  Every second of that journey was filled with spectacular views of fjords and snow covered mountains!

Traveling is I believe is that inspiration which ignites the soul of our heart, its gives a directions to explore life, its a meaning that give purpose to some and its a journey full of incredible experiences. The above 5 experiences of Scandinavia lets say are just the tip of an iceberg, there are many more I have been through and many more yet to experience. 

Have you been to Scandinavia? Do you have any such experiences on your travel? Or Do you wish to pursue them ever in your life? …I would be glad to know your thoughts, so feel free to share on the comments below! 🙂

The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.
- Marcel Proust
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Northern Lights in Lofoten: See Aurora Borealis

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Travel Blog

Are you window seat flyer? Whats your best memory of window seat view?

Are you window seat flyer? Whats your best memory of window seat view?

As a traveler I always love flying on airplanes and my first and last choice is always window seat. Being on the top of the world, watching the views as the planes take off and land, getting the glimpse of the city and its life, watching the clouds play around you, it has always been one of my most unforgettable moments!

My best memorable window views has mostly in places around Europe. Whether its Aegean sea or Norwegian Sea or snow wrapped fjords or just a neat blanket of white-blue clouds, I have always cherished the views! Below are some of the few collections :

A closer view of Helsinki, Finland in the midst of snow
Window seat plane view
view over Oslo, Norway (Gives a more stronger feeling)
View over Tromso, Norway (it was bit cloudy, but the fjords were incredible)
View over Tromso, Norway (it was bit cloudy, but the fjords were incredible)

Even sometimes when people starting flying regularly, they get tired or bored of watching window view, but for me watching the world out from there has always been fascinating! 

View from airplane window on the sea and coastline in Iceland
View from airplane window on the sea and coastline in Iceland
View from airplane window in flight
View of Brazil from airplane window in flight
View from airplane window on fields in wing with top view of Vancouver,Canada
View from airplane window on fields in wing with top view of Vancouver,Canada
View from airplane, Leh Ladakh
View from airplane, Leh Ladakh, India

Watching aerial views is one of the best thing to do when flying around the world. Do you have memory of such view? Are you actually a window flyer or Aisle one? 🙂

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Incredible Aerial Views Of Greenland!

Check out some incredible aerial view of breathtaking Greenland!…..

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Travel Blog Work

Travel Volunteering – is there anything wrong with it?

Travel Volunteering - is there anything wrong with it?

Thousands of people go abroad to volunteer each year. Volunteer traveling is one of the biggest growth markets now. Even a lot of young people are send abroad hoping to experience something out of volunteering. And some of the people who are reading this post may have decided once or even may have pursued a volunteering program in their life. But, has anyone ask this question whether is there anything really going wrong with volunteer traveling? Whether the initiative we take when we travel to the other parts of the developing world hoping to trying to make a difference or make world a better place, is that really happening in the longer run?

Travel Volunteering

But first, let me be honest and put it straight, I  have personally not done any Volunteering travel yet, but being brought up in a country like India, I know a bit about how life actually works in a developing country and that is the reason I have decided to share my thoughts about it!

Well from the moment my passion of travel begin, I have been reading about volunteering travel quite a while and I thought lot of people travel every year to explore such opportunities so why not I try to do it myself. It make sense right? So, I started to google out all the volunteering options in India and began to read about them. I was having this conception that to volunteer is to give something to society, maybe you are expert in something that you will be involved in such similar activities or maybe anything random where you could help! Well partly it was true but what I didn’t knew was for even doing that you will have to pay something in the end. These Volunteering agencies were like another set of travel agents who were making package tours for people to come and help the poor in need. When I tried to send inquiries to them to offer help, I never got any response! Wondering why? Well how would they be able to sell a travel package tour to someone living locally!? That was the first time it made me think that is it really one face of travel volunteering!

Lets keep this travel part one side and understand what do the people get to offer when they travel for volunteering.  Most of the time I have noticed is that they are offered to teach orphanage children related to anything, language, music, dancing etc. or even they are connected to some public schools in remote villages. When these young people get involve with these vulnerable children trying to teach them, they believe they are going through some therapeutic self conscious healing in their life. But little do they know what could be the reality happening in the shadows. What it does that it gives rise to “Orphanage tourism”. Where there is money there is business and doesn’t matter what shape or form it comes, it will happen! That’s the cruel truth of developing countries. These volunteering agencies ties up with mere orphanages and invite travelers in lust of earning money. These orphanages then ties up with extreme poor living families to send their children to their orphanages or even abducts them in order showcase them to these regular hoards of travelers. And these vulnerable innocent children who are sometimes separated from their living parents just play along unknowingly. Well this is another part which makes me think sometimes is that what our young generation signed up for in the name of volunteer traveling?

I currently live in New Delhi and everyday when I am driving and crossing a red light,  small children beggars approaches me requesting to give some money to eat something. Sometimes I saw some ladies carrying small babies in their arms and begging for any money they could get. What do you think a normal light heart-ed person would do at that moment? you would want to donate some money to help those poor people right? or maybe that what people traveling from another corner of the world would think of doing at that moment! It make sense right? But if they knew the reality behind all this, they will do the exactly opposite. Those little babies which are carried in the arms of the ladies are drugged everyday so that they could remain calm in their hands all the time. Those vulnerable children are abducted and forced to beg everyday. They are fixed a daily cost which they have to earn from begging and give to the person who runs this entire begging nexus. So donating even a single penny would end up promoting this begging industry in itself. The only thing I give to these children when they approach me is some food which I am carrying with me sometimes which can be fruits, candies etc. anything I could get hold of! why? because they eat those things at the very moment and they don’t have to give it back to their superiors.

So what we need to do to make volunteering possible? We really need to learn first before we can offer to help others. The reason why I have not participated yet in any volunteering exercise is because I am still on the learning phases, trying to find the right path rather than causing more harm than doing any good. And that’s what all the parents need to teach their kids this lesson before sending them abroad to participate in volunteering programs.  And that also applies to the young generation like us who wants to do something in life!

I recently visited an NGO named “Goonj” who seems to be doing a great job here in India. Though I still don’t 100% vouch for them, but after visiting their service center, I was really amazed by the work they are doing within the community.

Recycling service area at Goonj
Recycling service area at Goonj
A photograph depicting ways of community interaction at Goonj
A photograph depicting ways of community interaction at Goonj

What it does is it recycles all the rejected clothes and household they get from people in donation and covert them into useful products to distribute it to the poor or in need. And by rejected means anything you think you want to dump in your home, literally anything! They have very thoughtfully made each and every section of how they utilize anything that comes to them in donations and properly segregate and recycles everything in a thought-provoking manner even the Sanitary napkins! Wikipedia says, it collects and delivers 1,000 tons of material every year through a network of 500 volunteers and 250 partners. And there way of donation/distribution is not simple as it sounds, they do that in the form of community interaction and self learning process where the communities has to work together in the benefits of their growth!

For me it was a learning process to understand how volunteering can be really done in life. How much thoughts and efforts and perseverance we have to put in to actually make that happen and it is not just a flip of coin. And that is what I believe people from the traveling community needs to do. They need to first learn and understand the complexities involve in the phases of volunteering and then implement them later in the most efficient ways possible!

So tell me what do you think? Have you done any volunteering in life? What was your experience? Or what is your thoughts on volunteer traveling? Please feel free to share any comments or even any stories you have come across on travel volunteering! 🙂

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What Kind Of Traveler Are You??

Explore Different Types Of Travelers & Their Experiences. Read more about it here..

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Travel Blog Travel inspiration Travel tips

How much traveling have you done in your life?

How much traveling have you done in your life?

This is one of the questions I always ask every second person I met in my life. There are lot of facts one can easily find on internet or in various articles about how many people understand the meaning of travel but for me it always important to know from someone whom you meet in your everyday life. So what do you think how much traveling people actually do in their life?

Well to my surprise, almost more than 90% percent of the people I met have hardly done any traveling. Why? Because either they believe they don’t have enough time for it or otherwise they simply cant afford enough money to do any traveling. Travel for them was simply a luxury or merely unwanted use of time. And when they really get time lets say once in year or two, to plan a vacation, they presume traveling to be as a black & white picture! What it means, that for them to travel, it has to be perfect scenario with best accommodations, best airlines, per-designed itineraries etc. and for that they usually pick any tour operator and opt for available group tours. I called it as a white side thinking. The black side would be opposite of it which means a totally low cost budget tour . For such people there is no grey area present for them. And they live with this mindset throughout their life.

How much traveling in life

What do you think how do these people find their happiness then? well the easiest answer would be shopping, movies, clubs, home decorations, beauty salons, spas …list can be really long or they would find their passion in boosting about high end luxury cars or their hoards of investments.

Lets talk about another 10%. These are the people who find their ways to travel from all the varying circumstances of their life. These people usually look life from that grey area where the travel part does not means to be a unique or expensive experience which only certain people can afford. But what led to these 10% help to change their outlook of seeing the life of travel?

When I started to travel couple of years back, I thought for that moment I was doing something out of the ordinary and unique. But when I went to new destinations and met new people, I realized travel is the most down-to-earth experience one can experience in their life. You will tend to see and meet people from all age groups and ethnic religion who are just traveling to experience the life on the other side. Every country or city has its own life and to experience that life in the form of buildings, nature, food, people was just life-changing in-itself. This very realization helped me changed my outlook to believe that traveling can be a part of living your life.

As far as money is concerned, its all about setting your priorities and changing the mindset. Spending less on materialistic approach and saving more for your travels, if you truly desire to travel, you will find your way out accordingly. There is no rocket science behind it. It simple willingness to pursue your travel dreams.

Our life as it says is a very small part of the whole universe  merely a stardust. The future is always unpredictable, even though you try to work hard and save more today, you can never be sure in the face of nature how long you will live or how your life will actually turn up. Our life is really short, you only have chance to live once, so the question is, do you really want to live the same old usual life which you are living now and want to pursue a life full of amazing experiences!!

So tell me how much traveling have you done in your life?

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What Kind Of Traveler Are You??

Explore Different Types Of Travelers & Their Experiences. Read more about it here..

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Travel Poems

Why Do I Travel?

Why I Travel?

I travel to experience a life,
a life full of pain and smile, which is filled with rainbow of inspiration;
I travel to live an imagination,
Imagination which dwells the dreams of my life;
I travel to meet new people,
people who helps me smile through those moments of the life;
I travel to fill my voids,
voids which I have forgotten to replenish all this time;
I travel to face my fears,
fears which never allowed  me to feel free spirit;
I travel to live adventures,
adventures which sparks the excitement in my life;
I travel to venture new places,
the beauty of which fills the passion in my life;
So why do I travel?
I travel to chase the dreams and follow my heart keeping the faith that no matter what happens along all this way, at the end, it will definitely be a hell of a ride! 🙂
…..
So tell me why do you travel?

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What Kind Of Traveler Are You??

Explore Different Types Of Travelers & Their Experiences. Read more about it here..

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Hong Kong Travel Blog Travel Destinations Travel Diaries Vacation

7-Hours Layover Trip Of Hong Kong!

7-Hours Layover Trip Of Hong Kong!

As many of you may know Hong Kong Airport is on the busiest passengers airport in the world and serves major connectivity to Mainland china and rest of Asia. Due to this, most of the tourist traveling on and off to these Asian destination usually have a transit route through Hong Kong and most of common question which originates in most of our minds is whether can you reap the benefits of the small layover in Hong Kong to explore & experience this beautiful destination. Well recently I made it possible and I would like to share my experience. 

My original flying route was from New Delhi to Manila and was planned in a way that I departed Delhi late night around 12am and reached morning Hong Kong between 9:30am- 10am.

Since my next departure to Manila from Hong Kong was schedule at 5:30pm, I had around in total around 7 hours of layover.

The only twist was that I had booked the same airlines Cathay Pacific flight because of which my main luggage was directly transferred to Manila and with only one hand luggage it was perfect hold for exploring the city.

Since it was Sunday which is usually crowded tourist day I decided to pick only one main sightseeing attraction which was “Hong Kong Peak tram and Victoria peak”. Victoria peak is basically a mountain which is situated on the western part of Hong Kong Island and being also the highest point, its one of the hot tourist attraction among travelers. Being fond of traveling, the only thing I always recall about Hong Kong were the huge panoramic photographs spanning over the city and its waterfront and always made me dream about experiencing it myself one day. And finally I had the opportunity to make it real even if it was for a small time.

As soon as my flight reached Hong Kong, my main focus was on my time which I needed to utilize it efficiently. After getting freshen up at airport, I exchanged some Hong Kong dollars and headed towards immigration. Since there was a separate line for Indian visitors, I was able to clear the immigration with an half an hour or so. (Usually because of rush it even takes more time). Just soon after immigration I bought the ticket for MTR Express train which connect directly from Airport to Hong Kong Central station. Before heading to Airport station, I picked up a coffee and a cinnamon  roll from  Mc cafe to have my mini breakfast!

Subway in Hong Hong. MTR Station and Train
Subway in Hong Hong. MTR Station and Train

The MTR express train ride took about half an hour to reach Hong Kong Central Station. It was a decent comfortable ride with only handful of travelers. There was a feeling of nervousness and excitement at the same time as it was my first of solo layover experience. On the train journey I could have a mild glimpse of surrounding neighborhoods which was pretty interesting till the time it went underground. When the train finally stopped and I stepped out of the metro, to me it seems a little complicated to actually locate the exact exit as it was 3-4 storey upwards from where I was actually standing, but people there are quite friendly to ask and you can find plenty of guards on duty who can direct you the way out. On exit, I thought to walk down my way to Peak Tram rather than taking a taxi, it was little hot and humid, but it worth the fun in the end.

On the way I found saw some amazing high rise skyscrapers and shopping streets which were filled with vendors who were preparing to open their stalls but the best part was watching the Hong Kong trams passing by.. 

Hong Kong Trams
Hong Kong Trams
Hong Kong Trams
Hong Kong Trams

I was a bit lost in the beginning but the little help of google maps in my phone, I was finally able to locate the Peak tram entrance which actually surrounded by a nice symbolic water fountain.

Since it was Sunday, the entrance was pack with long entrance queue whose tail actually ended along the periphery of the water fountain. I had to wait till 45min-1 hours to buy the tickets and enter into the peak tram, but I believe this is pretty normal waiting time required among all the iconic buildings you must have seen around the world. Although the funicular tram journey to the peak top was a quick journey but the route designed was made pretty steep and I could literally feel as if my entire body weight was hanging on the top of the seat while it moved upwards which for a small instance look little scary but it was a fun experience. 

Retro tram moves to Victoria Peak. Hong Kong..
Retro tram moves to Victoria Peak. Hong Kong..
Retro tram approaches to Victoria Peak.

The top terminus of the peak which is also known as peak tower looks more like a shopping mall in-tself with full range of various tourist shops, restaurants, cafe and entertainment venues. On one side of inside this peak tower you will find the famous “Madam Tussauds” celebrity inspired theme attraction where you will find wax figures of famous celebrities. Most of the people usually visit them to have some cool snaps for their Facebook pictures! But the most eager part of this peak tower was its terrace top which is also know as Sky terrace. When you reach there, they will give you some auto-guided handset with headphones which act like an Audio guide while you enjoy the super amazing panoramic views of the grand Hong kong on the top.

Hong Kong view from Peak Tower
Hong Kong view from Peak Tower
Hong Kong view from Peak Tower

Indeed the views were breathtaking! From Hong Kong highest financial tower, to famous IM Pie building and canvasing its edge from auspicious convention Centre… It was all just mesmerizing.!! I waited there for a hour or so, listening to my audio guide while watching these amazing views I was having one of the best moments of my life. After a little while, I walk around the rear side of the terrace where I could see the beautiful view of the Hong Kong waterfront. To my surprise it was more like a jackpot for me, to have grand look of Hong kong modernistic skyscrapers skyline on one side and on the other the real beauty of the grand nature like a perfect landscape image filled with small islands and foggy skyline.

After spending a good time, I finally hopped down towards the shops and restaurants, grabbed some coffee and snacks and headed towards the peak tram for my return journey down. It was comparatively less crowded as compare to the way up. I guess a lot of people pay for one-way journey and then decide to go down by another route down the hill mostly by trekking down.

The downwards quick journey was also pretty interesting as it gives you a quick steep side look of those panoramic skyscrapers views making it a ending note of your visit there. By now I only got 2.5 hours left before my boarding starts for my flight at the airport, so  I though of picking up a Uber ride from here. There were a lot of general taxi’s available but since I have never used Uber in Hong Kong before, I wanted to give a try.  Well it turn out to be an expensive experiment as by mistake I ended up booking the highest price option for luxurious car with almost 3 times surcharge. But you know everything in life is an experience, and to my surprise what came was I could never imagine – a high class long volvo with a grand entry to pick me up at the stop. For me it was like a dream come true. I mean its not like I have never ride in a volvo car before, but to have a special ride in a destination like a Hong Kong was super cool experience. While sitting back in the car enjoying my last ride to the airport I was feeling relax and with a feeling of content-fullness of the fact that this 6-7 hours layover was one of the first and best layover experience I ever had in my life.

Next time, If you  are flying through Hong Kong and If you have at least 5 hours time gap, don’t think twice, hop out and explore the city. Believe me its the best adventure bargain you can ever get! 🙂 Hope you enjoyed reading…feel free if you wish to leave any comments!

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Travel Blog Travel bucket list Travel inspiration

Thinking Of The Life You Have Chosen? Make A Bucket List & Live One!

Thinking Of The Life You Have Chosen? Make A Bucket List & Live One!

Most of us, at some moment of time, must have thought doing something new in our life, something out of the routine, something silly, something stupid or some left over wish which you wanted for so long. But what happened? Why did we left these thoughts or wishes on the way of our life journey? And why are we keep doing this even now?

Dreams and Wishes

For a long time, I always dream to visit Paris and see the Eiffel tower one day. It was a far fetched dream for me living in India as I always thought, that the life I have chosen today was actually given to me by the circumstances wrapping me all around. To me it felt like an extraordinarily dream in my ordinary world. On the other hand, I was per-occupied in the race of chasing career goals, earning money to establish myself and feared risking myself for such a dream will only be foolish thing now. So, scrapping this thought I moved ahead towards my normal life and tried to keep myself happy by involving into all those materialistic activities, you know like shopping, movies, investments, home improvements, gadgets etc. you name it!

But, somewhere, even after doing all such things, I could never felt that moment of happiness inside. It felt as if I was tied up in my own restraints. It was like a black and white feelings where inside it was lacking the blend of colors. So one day, while reading a magazine, I bumped on the this idea of “Bucket List” which people has been doing nowadays. (For those who don’t know what it means – Its a list of all those things you want to do in your lifetime before you die). After learning what it meas, I thought for a moment what harm in making my own bucket list, even for fun! So I finally sat down, opened my notepad, picked a pen and just wrote down all those things I so wanted to in life. And from the moment when I started writing till the end of that list I could literally feel the goosbumbps and streak of excitement which was rolling all over my body,  as if, I was really going to do all these things in real. But was I? I kept that list with me for a while and again moved on in my usual day to day life. But, I just could not let go this amazing feeling of accomplishing all these things in real. And to be honest, how could I? It was my only ticket to start living my life again.

So, finally I decided to plan a small euro trip to Paris and once for all cross the first item of my bucket list. After re-searching for few months and planning, I finally went for it and believe me the happiness I experienced just cannot be expressed in words!!

Paris
Eiffel Tower, Paris
View of Paris from the Arc de Triomphe. .Paris. France.
View of Paris from the Arc de Triomphe. .Paris. France.
Montmartre in Paris, France
Montmartre in Paris, France
The Louvre Museum in Paris, France
The Louvre Museum in Paris, France
Opera square with Garnier Palace in Paris, France at night with city illuminations
Opera square with Garnier Palace in Paris, France at night with city illuminations
Notre-Dame Paris
Notre-Dame Paris

From this moment there has been no stopping and I am still chasing my dreams. All you need sometimes is patience and faith. If you keep your life and needs simple, you can even pass all the financial restraints of life.

In the end, I would like to leave you with a nice quote I picked up from a movie called “The Way” where a 40 year old guy (who recently quit his doctorate & going to accomplish a pilgrimage trail in Europe) was with 60 years old father (and a famous surgeon) in his car who was dropping him at the airport. His asked his dad to accompany him on this trail along with him but his dad denied saying its the life he chose to live…..After few days his dad received a call while he was playing golf that his son passed away and the father finally left everything to complete the journey which his son left behind.

The quote was :

” You Don’t choose a life Dad……you live one!”

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Travel Blog Travel bucket list Travel inspiration

Discover A Life, Experience A smile, Live A Moment In This Time!

Discover A Life, Experience A smile, Live A Moment In This Time!

When was the last time you did something which had been a real living experience in your life? What if you could go on for discovering a new place which you always dream in life? Imagining a moment where you could walk on The great wall of china or watch The northern lights in Iceland Or go on a Trek to famous “Machu Pichu” in South America or watch “Whale watching” on your way to arctic Or watch the famous sunset in Santorini in the vast Aegean sea….looks like a dream?

The Great Wall of China at Sunrise
The Great Wall of China at Sunrise
Northern lights in Iceland in December over looking a lake
Northern lights in Iceland over looking a lake
The city Machu-Picchu,Peru
The city Machu-Picchu,Peru

Well, there was a time when I always used to think about that elusive “If I could have” thought round and round, again and again, while regretting for so many things I always wanted to do or wished to visit in life, but was always struck with in our so called mechanical world which we live in everyday or the financial or social fears that surrounds us all time. Its like a viscous circle, you wake up in the morning, go for a morning walk or jogging, fetch a cup of tea or coffee, pick up a newspaper, get freshen up and leave for your work, slogging your day off between  the bureaucratic world and then returning back in the evening all tired up, filled with the world of insecurities and debts of your car or home and all materialistic things which you feed on everyday and finally had the dinner with your family talking about all the pending things or future investments which rule your very own world all the time.

Typical Work-Family Life Concept
Typical Work-Family Life Concept

But, what if, for a moment, you believe that things can be different or non – predictable? what if you except these fears and strike a pin on that rolling viscous circle to make it stop for a moment?

Well, to be honest, the life around you in which you are living is not going anywhere for too long, but, the one thing which has to come to end once for all is you, your own life! For sure we never know when that journey will end, but when the day finally comes, the only things which you will remember will be your regrets!! Nothing else matter and nothing else will go away with you.


Its a choice you have to make, to step out of your comfort zone, take a step out of the usual box of life, and start discovering a life around you by going to places you have never been before. Whenever I travel to a new place anytime, I always try to visit places in local buses, or metros or trains, try to meet new people or just watch the moments happening around which shape itself in this new fabric of this very place. Capturing the smiles of people whether they are kids playing on the rainy streets of Delhi or a group of friends sharing their evening time along the Bay of Manila,  or a couple standing in front of glowing Eiffel tower in night looking at each other with shining happiness or of an old man in his 60-70s waving a smile of achievement while walking the small famous hiking trail of Santorini Island or maybe a live wedding couple hugging each other in front of a church in Zurich….its feels like re-living the life itself.

Couple Getting Married in Zurich, Switzerland
Couple Getting Married in Zurich, Switzerland

Well if the idea really coins your mind, I would like to leave you behind with a nice inspirational quote to start perusing your travel dreams :

To move, to breathe, to fly, to float; to gain all while you give; to roam the roads of lands remote; to travel is to live.” ― Hans Christian Andersen

If you like reading my blog, Please feel free to share your comments and don’t forget to subscribe and follow for tuning to more blog post in future !!

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