Never Like Before

Early than usual was ready & boarded the train with thebest company of a book. Fast forward got down at Coimbatore station &landed at Relax rides, then the drama begins due to impulsive decisions. Nobikes available apart from Avenger which didn’t suit my length, Aprilla(gearless)which wasn’t desirable was only available. After 2 hours of struggle withlunch, Duke supposedly wasn’t available either. Through another contact sortedout the bike & yes it was Pulsar, may be that’s what I was destined too. Metthe agent who also lended his hands to mount the bags firmly, filled the tankand now all set!!!!! Rode till Aliyar from Coimbatore, getting used to the newpositioning.


Never like before...

Modern Spiritual Uplift at Auroville

Jammed Mind with numerous plans & reluctantly pushed myself to explore AUROVILLE. How will I keep myself occupied for 10 days was a constant threaten, finally convinced “Okay, let me come back after 4 days & plan other place later”.....

Colorful Curtains - Rajasthan

11 days, 5 cities, under 20k Budget & a solo spirit

Jaipur 

Sawai Madhupur

Jodhpur

Jaisalmer

Udaipur

Place of Stay
Jaipur : Nevereland Hostel
udaipur : Banjara/Moustache Hostel
Jaisalmer : Blue eyed Hostel
Jodhpur : THC Hostel

Stillness Speaks - Journey towards Gandikotta

Quick decision to join differently a group & head to Gandikotta, Belum caves. Casual conversation enticed a known explorer joining the crew. Swimming with excitement since packing & sustained through the day as romancing the travel gears after 9 months (similar souls will be smiling, rest move on). Reached the spot late by 15 minutes & got socialized to 12-member group. Journey began around 11.30 PM, driver had his self-amusement stopping when(where)ever required and I was solicitously taking the role of night owl. Reached around 7 am in the morning to Haritha resort (only resort available nearby)

To to Day 1 & Day 2

Volcano - A mountain with Hiccups

What new experience has Indonesia attracted me for 10 days as a solo backpacker, check out!

Day 1 : Yogakarta - Prabhamam Temple, Jomblang Caves

Day 2:  Borubudur, Arjuna Complex

Day 3 : Sigulri Hills, Diang Complex, Crater & Batu Padang

Day 4 : Mt Bromo, Sea of sand and crate

Day 5 : Ubud - Tanoh Temple, Monkey Forest,

Day 6 : Ubud - Campuhan Ridge walk, tegalalang rice terrace, Kuta beach and Kuta market

Day 7 : Nusa Dua beach, Padang Padang beach and binbin beach

Click to know the details of Accomodation, Place of interest, expenses etc.

Go with the flow - Water falls trek

Go with the flow - Water fall(s) trek

Day 0  

Taken a day off , took a bus from chennai to bangalore and reached around 8.30 PM at silk board. Dinner was a refreshing mudka tea and bruchetta which also served the dinner for my travel partner SS. Met up SS around 9, Bangalore was quiet busy with no cabs and we hopped onto Auto and found the bus to Ujire. Boarded the bus on time and sleeper was bit amusing in the way pillow was laid which had cut short the sleep place. within few minutes the bus entered the dead end and struggling to turn back.  Roads was pretty bumpy and could sense from the motioning of the bus. Cold wind was slowly blowing in the bus and was rolling with the bus to sleep off.

A simple travel might spark for mighty decisions, Click here to read

Lanka Tales

Itinerary is prepared based on my neck deep research which will suit debut solo backpacking for 9 days with 30k budget inclusive of flight charges. Did i over run the budget? Why SRILANKA? Srilanka being a diversified island with culture, marvelous beaches, water rafting, hiking, blue whale watching etc., As am inclined towards beaches & mountains, shortlisted SL and went ahead. 

Initial Plan:Colombo -> Anuradhapura -> Sigiriya & Dambulla -> Kandy -> Dalhousie -> Ella -> Tangalle -> Galle -> Colombo

So which places i missed?

Almost moved the base everyday, new people, new place, new experiences. Even before the trip, decided to blog the experience. Have captured the most I experienced on a daily basis. This blog is intended for any traveler who would like to visit srilanka :)

Click on the below links to check how the 9 days were turned!

Day 1: Chennai -> Colombo ->Anuradhapura

Day2: Anuradhapura to Dambulla

Day3: Dambulla to Kandy

Day4 - Kandy to Dalhouise

Day 5 : Dalhouie

Day6 : hatton to ella

Day7 ;Tangalle to hikkdadua

Day8 : Tangalle to galle

Day9 : Galle to Colombo to Chennai

P.S TO REMEMBER :)

• With travel comes the eventualities, Do the booking for homestay/hostels/stay through booking.com/airbnb for 2 to 3 stay for the same place you would stay. Research the place, book and cancel the backups.  When there is a need you could rebook them, as cancelling the last minute has $7-$10 attached with it. Was quiet helpful when was in a situation to replan. Though many people don’t book their stays, for me staying at a safe place was priority :)
• While choosing the home stay consider the feedback from women travelers
• Ask for directions or any information to shopkeeper’s/police constables/traffic police/fellow travelers but not to tuk tuk as they mostly redirect you or market you for ride.
• Always bargain with Tuk Tuk drivers, before reaching the stay call them up and find out the prices/direction/time taken
• Never smile at tuk tuk drivers who smiles at you continuously with no reason especially in south srilanka
• Being an Indian has its own advantages and disadvantages, some people really annoy you. Make wise decision and stay quiet at times
• Srilanka is well very connected through trains/buses, avoid taxi and take public transport
• Language: Northern region speaks Sinhalese majorly and hard to find English speaking, while the central and southern part we can find people who talk English, at least most of them would understand if you speak English slowly.
• Anyone planning srilanka divide them into (North & a part central region) or (south & a part of central region). Would require 20 days to cover complete srilanka
• Roads & Traffic: from Apura to coastal areas, highways are of 2 lanes and encountered only one speed breaker. People follow traffic rules diligently except pedestrians, they have a privilege to cross anytime, the vehicles will pull down whatever speed they are if they see people in pedestrians. 2 wheeler drivers and pillion riders wears helmet & its mandate. 
• Petrol - 2 types are petrol are available ask for the 2nd grade if you are just riding for few days
• Food portions are usually large, certain places they accepted to provide half portions
• Expenses subject to the place

          - Water 60-100 LKR

          - Aerated small bottle 75-110 LKR

         - Tender coconut 60-100 LKR

         - With my filtered bottle didn’t spend much on mineral water