Indian Excursionist

Author Shelly Sharma is 24, single and an independent girl who moved out of her home for studies at 17 and is now settled in Mumbai, working as an Assistant Director in films and a freelance photographer.

She feels, this country and its beliefs for a girl, binds her. She said, '' I'm in a process where I'm getting to know myself better and I'm still evolving for who I should be. I don't want to stop, I don't want to limit myself and nor will I let anyone else do that for me. The world would be a much better place you know, if we let others be what they are and more importantly if we stop trying to change ourselves from being what we are meant to be. "

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IT’S SAFE OUT THERE

With our over protective parents around we become too scared to go out on our own. And well, the kind of men we come across in those public transports, government offices and sometimes in our daily lives, some of our own guy friends who turn out to be such perverts, we are ought to be scared. Though, it is safe when you go out there on your own and when you travel around with the help of localities, live in their small cottages, eat with them and accept them for who they are like they accept you. When you are able to see their hearts, it is then that your faith in mankind is restored.

PERIODS ARE NOT THAT BIG A DEAL

The over exaggerated advertisements and all that hype seems true when you have to choose between your work place or bed but when you are out there with no other choice left, you realize it isn’t even that big a deal. You can trek up high mountains, jump around & get lost in the forests or ride a bike for days. On my trip to Ladakh, I vividly remember as soon as I crossed the Rohtang pass I got my periods. I had to trek down a hill and find a place to do the necessary and I realized what lay ahead was three days of nonstop biking without a comfortable place to spend my nights in. It took me a while to soak all that in and then I told myself “If you can deal with that kind of blood each day, you are brave enough to deal with everything else”. Guess what, I was brave enough and so are you.

YOU GET TO CONNECT WITH THE ENERGIES

The philosophical books and places of worship might not have done much to help you connect with your inner-self, but your feminine side always needs its soul. We, as girls need good, motivating, appreciative and friendly energies around us. When you begin to travel, you slowly start recognizing the energies around and then you can differentiate between the good ones and the bad ones. I remember how the little things people said around me and the flaws they pointed out bothered me so much until I went out and realized that those are just people and things, they aren’t there forever and shouldn’t be. It’s the energy that I give out to the world and take in back which surrounds me and truly that matters.

THE NO MAKE-UP LIFE

A little kohl, a little gloss never harms anyone, that’s what I told myself all these years and I did not realize when I got used to it. We want to put those little & big things on, every time before stepping out in a crowd, stepping out in front of that cute guy not to impress them but to make ourselves feel good. Now while traveling I go to places, where I have to keep traveling for many days in a local bus, on the mountains, on the roads and in the forests, where I can’t even take a bath because there is no place to take one. Honestly this has made me so satisfied, happy and confident about my real self that I’m glad to have miss out on these comforts. There are situations when time is so less that I have to choose between watching the sunrise somewhere afar and checking my face in the mirror and somehow the sun always wins.

& YOU DON’T NEED THOSE MANY CLOTHES

Can you imagine carrying ‘your kind’ of luggage all by yourself? So, that is when you cut down on that extra bag of shoes and accessories. After a while you realize, all you need is a 50 Liters bag pack with some essential attire to handle the cold and the heat, the one pair of shoes to fit every journey and you are good to go.

MOBILE PHONE IS ONLY ANOTHER GADGET

Now this does not limit to us girls only, this one is the problem with our entire generation. We have gradually made our cell phones a very essential part of our lives; we forget to realize that we once lived without these and can do it again, happily. Looking at those birds flying in the sky, sipping from a glass of chilled lime juice by the sea or staring into the space on a starry night is far more interesting than checking your Instagram and Twitter notifications every minute. There, you won’t get bored because there is something to admire and appreciate in each moment.

I DON’T NEED FEMINISM

No, it does not mean that feminism is unnecessary. A very large part of our society and the world needs it but you for your own self, you do not anymore. When you are climbing up those high mountains, swimming alone in the ocean, riding through the highways, at times when your guy friends are lost behind you somewhere and you actually are the one leading the way, you just know you are no less than any of the men out there. Once you know it for yourself, you won’t feel the need to prove it to anyone else. In the end it’s all about discovering yourself and not proving a point.

THERE IS SO MUCH MORE TO THE WORLD

And there is so much more to life than the little world you’ve always been living in and living for. Family, boyfriend, friends & society cannot bind the free spirit that you really are. Take a break girl, let go off, of the things which hold you back, get over the work pressure and take a deep breath. “Break out of that shell and create a free, brighter and happier world for you”. I remember saying it to myself once and I want to tell you the same now. You need to stop thinking so much because you know when you close your eyes you can see yourself singing and dancing, if left alone in the wild and yes this is what you were born to do; to be wild & free.

Shelly is an inspiration to all the girls at her age, who dream to travel but are scared to do so, because of the age old customs which binds them. Traveling is not just for fun and leisure, but it revitalizes your energies and broadens your mind.

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This really beautiful and alluring sculpture is kept at the entry of Suvarnabhumi International Airpot in Bangkok. As you complete all of your immigration checks, you enter this large building with this sculpture of ' Samudhra Manthan' as known in India.

This scene of churning of milk ocean has the Vishnu avtara as a turtle who ease the process churning the ocean. The king of serpents, Naga Vasuki is curled around the mountain Mandara.

The demigods and demons were churning the water and incidentally they churned out a lot of good and bad things, which they divided amongst themselves as required. In the end the Amrita was churned out and the demigods tricked the demons to have it all, instead of dividing it as agreed.

I think, in those days the demigods and demons used to fight like small kids for immaterial needs. Needs which were so immaterial, sometimes even you would think even humans are better then them. So all these fights had nothing to do with humans but still they suffered. In the end the three mighty ones of Indian mythology Brahmaji, Vishnuji and Shivji sorted things out . The demigods and demons were compelled to follow the solution provided by any of the three. This incident was one such event where in the end when poison came out of the ocean, Lord Shiva drank all of the poison and sorted out the problem after the name Neelkantha became popular.

Well the above photograph was clicked by me at the airport, but I imagined the sculpture and the ambiance as shown in below photograph. I imagined the atmosphere at time of the real manthan. Those sleepless nights for thousand of years just for the nectar with dark skies and heavy rains would have made the scene as I have represented below.

The description of the same event goes like :

Scene of the Churning of The Milk Ocean

' The scene depicts the Vishnu Kurmavatara and the churning of the Milk Ocean. The king of serpents, Vasuki, is curled around the mountain Mandara. Vishnu, incarnated in the form of a giant turtle, supports the mountain on his back. Devas (demigods) ad Asuras (demons) pull on the naga's body to churn the water of the ocean for the thousand of years in order to produce the nectar of immortality, Amrita. From the churning, numerous opulent items were are produced, including Dhanvantari carryint the pot of Amrita. In the end, the cooperation between Devas and Asuras is shattered. The Devas, fulfilled their plan of acquiring all Amrita, disperse the Asuras out of Heaven to the Underworld. '

A couple of months back, I headed to Hua Hin for my first ever taste of Thailand for attending a wedding and for some serious exploration. Given my packed schedule and rather ambiguous sightseeing plans, I found my abode at Sheraton Hua Hin (also the wedding destination). The picturesque resort and spa in the lovely Hua Hin district truly delivered Comfort in Style.

It really is a unique destination where memories are made for every moment of your stay.

As we arrived at the resort from a 3 hours comfy bus ride from Suvarnabhumi Airport, we were given a traditional Thai welcome with a background score by Indian drummers. The welcome was followed by a chilled glass of sweet coconut water. It tasted so sweet and fresh as it was served right from the tree.

The fantastic beach side location is the USP of this resort. The magnificent winding lagoon style pool meanders through the resort, connecting every suite and rooms on the ground floor and ending at the sea. The construction of this beautiful property is done so well that if any resident wanders there, will feel like having a stroll on the river bank with water gushing by side.

When I entered the room, my eyes were bloated, experiencing the comforts as well as beautifully designed room for the residents to rest properly. The bed had proper cushioning for perfect relaxation for the spine. The bathroom was quite luxurious and clean. The big circular bath tub was decorated with freshly plucked orchid flower which were replaced every day. Couple of house keeping guys came to carry my luggage and escorted me to my suite. One thing that I experienced in Thailand was that Thai people are usually smiling, helpful and honest [except for the shop owners at markets)]. The rooms were cosy and clean with a sweet fragrance of orchid.

The staff at the resort was no different than other 5 star properties. Right from the receptionist to the security, housekeeping, waiters, etc. everyone was supportive and never delayed with their service. Again they were all having happy faces with genuine smiles all around. They were all polite, attentive and so incredibly friendly. Almost 70 % of the staff was Thai, their English was not so perfect, but they will always grasp your needs, so if you encounter any such person who just nods to everything you say without any reaction, do not panic as you will get what you want. The cute musical accent the Thai have is really candy floss to the ears.

Finally, to the most important part of life ; food, which, at the Sheraton , was an generous affair combining Thai and European delicacies to suit all tastes. I loved trying the different fresh tropical fruits which are easily available in Thailand, but not until I’d fueled up with a huge helping of crunchy bread and various types of cheese, of course. The restaurant was pool side and also at beach side so it was again a soothing experience to eat experiencing, the pure winds of Hua Hin. The decor was certainly very different and really creative, while the service was all class and the food was really tasty.

When you visit Thailand you should never miss the opportunity to enjoy the taste of Thai culture. There is something for every plate even if you are vegetarian, vegan or non-vegetarian. I am a vegetarian so I was bit nervous about what I would eat, as I heard a lot of rumors about not getting vegetarian food at all. But I was relaxed after I had my first breakfast after arriving. Thailand is blessed with an abundance of high quality tropical fruit, and you will find fruit throughout the country. So you could find a lot of fruit dishes even in lunch menus. Although I am not much of a foodie myself but I try new dishes whenever I am allured to do so. Food service at the "Infinity Pool" includes à la carte snacks, salads, sandwiches, and ice cream as well as cocktails and soft drinks. All you have to do is relax and enjoy.

Relaxing was easy in the incredible setting of the Sheraton. The views, the fantastic service, the beautiful atmosphere and – of course the food, all made for a truly wonderful experience and in spite of my jam-packed schedule over the two days I was able to completely unwind whenever I came back to the hotel room. Given the perfect location, this was the ideal place to base myself for two days of intensive exploring, the wedding and the little touches of luxury really made the trip perfect. It was a wonderful experience and one I hope to retreat soon – I miss that wonderful view!

What to pack for a trip to Ladakh?

From being a place that was difficult to locate onn the map, Ladakh has a come a long way as a tourist destination. Known for its arid mountains, pristine and serene lakes and deep gorges and ravine, Ladakh attracts adventure junkies and holiday goers alike. The destination is a mystical and alluring, but one must prepare before they head out.

If you have been planning a trip to Ladakh, then these are some of the essentials to be carried:

1. Outdoor Shoes : Walking on the rocky terrain wearing sandals or flip-flops are a big no-no. Carry a pair of good Adidas or Woodland outdoor shoes for a good fit. Make sure the soles have grooves for improved traction and grip.

You can find all types of terrains when traveling to Ladakh. From Deserts to lush green landscapes, from Plains to Mountains and from smoothest roads to no roads. You may have to step into icy cold water of Baralachla, which can numb every inch of your body if not proper footwear is wore, to push your ride or drag your gear from the sand dunes of Nubra Valley. Your footwear should be able to bare all such conditions.

If hiking or sports seem too heavy, then a pair of Fila walking shoes is a good alternative. Carrying hiking boots unless the activity has been included in your itinerary.

2. A Jacket/Wind-cheater : If Depending on the time of the year you are going at, thickness of your jacket shall vary. Temperatures during summer can soar as high as 30 to 32 degrees Celsius and at some areas freezing temperatures are also reached at nights, hence carrying a UCB or Puma quilted jacket will be redundant.

However, when you visit the Tsomoriri or Pangong Lake, you will need a light Berge wind-cheater to beat the chilly winds.

3. Sunscreen Lotion: During daytime, the sun's rays shine bright and the hear is scorching in Ladakh, Moreover, daytime lasts till seven o clock in the evening after breaking five in the morning in summer. Therefore, to protect your skin from exposure to harmful UV rays while sightseeing and biking, carry a good Thalgo sunscreen lotion with SPF 30 or 50.

4. Sunglasses : Keep your eyes protected from the sun's glare, reflected from the barren surface of mountains with sunglasses.

Choose Ray Ban aviators, IDEE wayfarers or over sized glasses in darker hues, which have been polarized to minimize the effect of reflected glares.

5. Rucksack : To make carrying your belongings easy, a Wild craft rucksack is the best option. It is very spacious within and can contain all your essentials for the trip. Moreover, it is easy to carry as it can be slung over your back for the most of your journey and can be easily tied to your motor cycles with the help of Bungee cables.

Traveling to Ladakh is a beautiful experience for its myriad sights and sounds. Carrying these essentials, will only make it more comfortable and you can enjoy the trip without any hassle !

Juley !!

Author Bio : Minakshi Pharswal is a blogger working with one of India's leading online fashion destination. Being a part of the Fashion Industry, she loves to write about travel tips, fashion and beauty trends.