Connections
Cliff overlooking the fork on the Shyok River Valley. On the way to Yarma village that lay beyond the last mountain in the valley on the right. Sometimes there is … Continue reading
Legacy of a Past Life
This post is not about art or culture… Once upon a time I had a little venture called IQ Club. The idea came from working with my own kids and … Continue reading
An Extraordinary Feat
So at the top of Khardungla pass in a small cafe I saw this other solo traveller. Since two of us were the only ones there I asked about his … Continue reading
Himalayan Peaks – Journeys of the Soul
A few photos of some Himalayan Peaks taken over many journeys over the years. These spots evoke in me a great longing for journeys that I will never undertake …. … Continue reading
Walking on Water – The Zanskar Chadar
Come winter and the roads in the Himalayas are closed. But, as a way of compensation, the rivers freeze and create a path for those who must travel. Many villages … Continue reading
The one thing I’d like to abolish… Goodbyes
The one thing I’s like to abolish is the “Good-bye” or its milder form – “Farewell”. Friends leaving for other cities where their jobs take them and children leaving for … Continue reading
Inspirational People from the Himalayas
When people push themselves beyond the limits of normal human capability, it is always admirable. A few years ago I’d read about the kora or parikrama that Tibetans performed as … Continue reading
Nomads in the Himalayas
Found these photos taken in March 2016 in my folders – waiting silently for my attention. A sighting of a nomadic settlement – a split second decision to stop … Continue reading
Travel Plans
A good traveller has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving (Lao Tzu) I long to evolve to this level of life! Maybe I will plan my next … Continue reading
My kind of Palace
After a long time I have been able to afford the time to take a little solo trip. And here I am in a charming palace sipping green tea! in … Continue reading
That Place
That unforgettable place … I cannot seem to get it out of my mind. It had no name. There is no village to note the location. I had no compass … Continue reading
Back into the Home & Hearth of the Himalayan Aryan People
October 2016 The kitchen is a very intimate space. It is where many facets of my habits, my work style, my skills, my character, my thinking are revealed. And so, … Continue reading
Living in the Lap of the Himalayas
Notes from a visit in 2016. This village is roughly 200 km away from the nearest airport. The Indus has created a gorge for itself over the centuries with two … Continue reading
A Walk in the Himalayas
A small video taking while walking along the Indus river in the Himalayas
The City of Benaras
“Yeh Benaras Hai” Literally it means “This is Banaras” but the tone included pride and an assurance – a way of saying “Don’t worry – it’s okay – this is … Continue reading
External Article: The World Nomad Games
Sounds like something I’d like to experience! External Link:
A Journey for the Bucket List
An addition to the Bucket List….
It appears that I might need a second or third life to accomplish it all!
Palace on the Ganga – Art in Architecture
Just pictures of a lovely place that has the atmosphere of serenity and quietude. The opulence is in the atmosphere created – rather than in its fixtures. … Continue reading
The Land of the Sufi
Istanbul – almost exactly a year ago, I spent almost every evening eating at a small place near Topkapi palace. It was an open air restaurant with a basic menu … Continue reading
I played with the Big Cats
Not art. Not Culture. Just a travel experience. One that has me craving for more. One that will feature on my list of answers when asked Q: “What did I … Continue reading
When Life Happens…
Sometimes life happens too fast. And there is hardly any time to keep up with reality -leave alone document it! No time to blog out the memories for a future-self … Continue reading
Waiting to Grow Old
A friend reminded me that at 50, we are the youngest of the old people. But I cannot wait to get to the next stage and become the oldest of … Continue reading
WHY I travel
A note on the ‘Why’ of travel – by a woman who lived a hundred years ago and traveled solo in those days [with servants]
The Kiss of a Komodo Dragon
The concepts of mythology was always one that could not explain itself. For, ideas like dragons and demons (and flying chariots) were always written off by the modern world as … Continue reading
Jewels of Serendipity
When I look at the whole picture of my life, I have no doubt that I am on the right side of the luck line. But in every segment of … Continue reading
Indonesian Archipelago Diaries
Traveling through active Volcanoes that spewed ash just 2 months ago! Ancient Temples & Prehistoric Dragons, Coral reef snorkelling (and a few lectures) beckon! The villages of Borobudur & Prambanan … Continue reading
Interesting Istanbul 2 – The Shoe Shine Men
Just outside the Topkapi Palace…. A shoe shine man with a glamorous set up! This was not just a scene of a service provider and a customer. It was a … Continue reading
Interesting Istanbul 1 – Artistic Locks
After hearing a story of my friend’s credit cards being stolen from the overhead compartment on a flight on one of the world’s best airlines, I have begun using locks … Continue reading
Who Knew! Forts of Maharashtra
Who knew that Maharashtra had over 75 forts!! Seventy Five!!! And who knew that there are nearly 200 groups that organise trekking & hiking day / overnight tours to … Continue reading
A Walk through the Grand Bazar of Istanbul
Too often as I stroll through a market and like something, I do not buy it right away – thinking that I will pick it up on the way back. … Continue reading
Lost & Found – An Ancient City in Northern Thailand
An experience from 8 years ago almost lost in my memory… revived through photos. In 1984, some ancient tablets were found at a site about 5km from Chiang Mai in … Continue reading
Intrigued by the Past – Cappadocia 1
The viewing is done, the guide’s explanation of possible theories has been heard and some basic material on the land formations and subsequent habitation has been read. But questions remain … Continue reading
Life begins at the End of your Comfort Zone…
This timely advice was given to me by my daughter when I was choosing a travel destination. The other options were 2 places near Singapore – Bagan & Bali. But … Continue reading
Caving in Halong Bay – First Adventure
Well ‘almost’. Caving is the recreational pastime of exploring wild generally non-commercial cave systems. The beautiful Halong Bay in Vietnam with its 2000 towering limestone islands and islets offered me … Continue reading
Strength to Nepal Earthquake Survivors
Love & strength to all Nepalis. 😦 Memories from a few years ago. All these places are beautiful and it is sad that some of these did not survive. … Continue reading
The Charm of a Small Town – Sihanoukville, Cambodia
Until my ship sailed to Sihanoukville I did not even know that such a town existed. Cambodia is usually all about Angkor Wat and being the blind tourist that I … Continue reading
A Resting Place
Somewhere in Sikkim – a place of complete silence. What a desirable resting place that is! jm April 2015
Wealth of South Asia – Sun, Sea & Islands
Some phenomena, try as we might, cannot be conveyed in words. They can only be experienced. Try as I might I cannot convey the taste of Pani Puri with words. … Continue reading
Asia Travelogues Coming Soon
The Wealth of South Asia – Islands, Sun & Sea Vietnam: Caving in Vietnam Vietnam: Just what were you thinking? Guerilla Jungles & Tunnels Vietnam: The Tale of a Refugee … Continue reading
50 Shades of Blue
Not actually 50 … but many many shades of blue. This post has nothing to do with culture or art. But in my pursuit of these two aspects of life, … Continue reading
A Temple Lies Locked
Many temples are run by trusts. Trusts that are made up of people. Sometimes people disagree. And fight. And over time, with the addition of ego and the passage of … Continue reading
We all love a good story! – Street Photo – Lambani Gypsies
We all love a good story! We all love some details of other lives. This inherent trait of humans across cultures is probably one of the biggest advantages of the … Continue reading
Transport in the Olden Days
I have not travelled in ANY of these! Or even SEEN any in use! 1. A hand-pushed Rickshaw 2. A rough Palkhi 3. A Palkhi 4. A Bullock with wheels? … Continue reading
Going Solo Again
Another speaking assignment – another fantastic cruise ship and a whole lot of new places waiting to be seen! A month ago I was in the Andaman Seas – stopping … Continue reading
A Walk through Penang
Well – not exactly a walk! I rode through Penang in a cycle rickshaw. Driven around by the most entertaining & the most spirited driver I have ever met – … Continue reading
Shedding Draupadi’s Sari before the Ocean
Yes – these are the true colors of the ocean in Phi Phi island, near Phuket Thailand. Yes I am extremely fortunate to have seen such waters several times in … Continue reading
