7 Reasons Why India is a Perfect Place During Monsoons

Written by: Rohit Agarwal

You should be ready for the weeks of rain that will come around with the monsoon season in June. Enjoying the rainy weather is not difficult, as the rain alleviates the summer heat and brings on a refreshing change. Rain can remind you of fun times during childhood where you could jump into puddles and play football on the muddy field.

With monsoon being such a big deal in India, here are some great places to enjoy the rainy season in. So remember to pack up your raincoats and umbrellas!

1. Shantiniketan, West Bengal

A small town owned by the Tagore family, Shantiniketan is famous for the ashram Rabindranath Tagore. A centre for culture and arts, its full glory comes out during the monsoon season.

Photo by Kaustav das Modak CC0 1.0

If you want to learn more about the local culture and food, it is best that you lodge at a homestay. Classes in the university established by Sir Tagore are held in an ancient gurukul style, out in the open underneath a tree. You can find many local artisans who sell handicrafts here for cheap prices as well. Shantiniketan really makes monsoons beautiful and enjoyable.

How To Negotiate a Taxi and Auto- Rickshaw Fares in India

Written by Rohit Agarwal

Taxi and Auto-Rickshaw (often shortened to just "auto") is the most popular mode of transport in getting around the city, especially for tourists. You must exercise caution and keep informed before you hire any of these modes of transport. The drivers often quote unreasonably high prices to foreign travellers or simply include unnecessary extras making travel rather inconvenient. To save yourself from these problems, you need to be careful about certain things. Here are some of the tips to help you...

Auto Rickshaw : Photo Credit - Terry Whalebone - CC by 2.0

Your first time:

1. You need to hire a taxi or an auto from the airport that will take you to the hotel. It is at the airport and in major tourist spots that you can find prepaid taxi or auto counters.

Jessica Hill of Oregon USA

36. Featured Traveller 

Jessica Hill

Writer : Teacher : Student : Traveller 

(Oregon, USA)

                               

“Believe there is good in the world.” 

― Buddha

Welcome Miss Adventure. Yes, Jessica is an adventurer. Teaching English in Asian countries is one of the ways she has explored the differences in customs, traditions, and mannerisms around her. 

Jessica hails from Oregon, USA, but is currently living in Fort Collins in Colorado, USA. She's been in and out of the country to teach English in countries where she can stay longer and be a part of the community. She would recommend it to those with a little sense of adventure and a laid back attitude. "There'll be no regrets", she says.

Though the entire world is on her bucket list, Jessica has already explored countries, like Canada, Mexico, Colombia, Spain, Switzerland, Croatia, Italy, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, India, China, Hong Kong and Korea. There isn't anywhere that doesn't interest her, at least a little, and she has Peru, Argentina, Iceland, Cuba, Nepal and Tibet on top of her wish list.

Jessica is inspired by anything new and different from her own norm, but what keeps her motivation running is the special encounters with locals that prove how many good people there are in this world, over and over again.

Now, let us hear from Jessica what she has to say. For I am sure, her story will be an inspiration to her fellow travellers and the readers, in general.

* * * * *

My travel story? Well, MissAdventure Travel started when…

You know, I have no idea when it all started. Was it the trips to Disneyland and Disneyworld my parents took us on as kids? Was it my first backpacking adventure, across Europe, or the study abroad one to follow? Was it my first solo experience, to teach abroad in Thailand? Surely, all have played their part, and I’d argue each has taught me something new to love about travel.

It’s no secret to anyone who follows my blog that I’m a wee bit obsessed. Travel is my lifeline, my drug. Even though I’m currently holed up in lovely Fort Collins, Colorado, USA while I work toward another bucket list item – a M.A. degree in English/Creative Nonfiction – I dream of escape daily. I’m new to Colorado, however, so even my weekend escapades to snowshoe or hike in Rocky Mountain National Park, or to snowboard Steamboat Springs keep me exploring new lands, meeting new people.

I won’t lie though. As much as I love exploring my own backyard, it’s international travel that fuels my inspiration. Seeing new lands so very different from my own, meeting locals with extreme religious devotions, who speak different languages, who have everything or who have nothing, who let me see a glimpse of their lives…these are the experiences I crave.

Join Me for a Taste of Punjabi Culture

Written by Angel de la Flor

A trip to India was one of the craziest experiences I have had in any country. I was one of the delegates from several countries to participate in the International Youth Peace Festival (IYPF). One of the organizers approached me to become a part of the cultural fashion show. I went with other five representatives from China, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan and experienced the unique way of the Punjabi culture.

I was dressed in a traditional Indian wedding attire as a woman participant in my own mock wedding ceremony. I was so fascinated with the traditional Punjabi wedding dress, Lehenga, and all parts of being dressed up.  How can I forget the students who did the magic of making me look like a real Indian bride. To complete the preparation, one of them painted Mehndi on my palm, a ceremonial art decorated to a bride’s hands, arms and feet. These young women really did an awesome job.

Himanshu Nagpal of New Delhi INDIA

35. Featured Traveller 

Himanshu Nagpal

Senior Business Analyst : Traveller 

(New Delhi, INDIA)

                               

“Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world.” 

― Gustave Flaubert

We are, indeed, lucky to have the opportunity to feature Himanshu from New Delhi. He works in a corporate world and spend Monday to Friday at his desk working to earn enough to live his travel dreams. You won't believe it. It took months for us to finalize this interview and publish his story. Understandably, my invitation came in time for his trip to the United Kingdom.

Flag of India

Being a traveller, he is keen on keeping his travel budget intact. "Budget and planning are the most important part of any trip and plays a very important role", he says. "It is necessary and quite helpful to keep an eye on the travel fares months before so you can capture the best deal. Also, it is best to plan so that money is not wasted on places which you do not want to visit or are over-hyped", he adds. Himanshu still believes that most of the beautiful places are natural and free to visit, so much so that one can reduce travel expenses.

Himanshu has been travelling to cities and towns of his country. Outside of India, he has travelled to Thailand and very recently explored England. It is his first time away from family during the Diwali festival. He spends most of the holiday season, including Christmas in the United Kingdom wandering the beautiful places in England.

Beach Shack in Goa INDIA

Just like most travellers, he believes that the beauty and happiness in travelling is just around his backyard. There are many places in India that is waiting to be discovered. Himanshu invites his fellow travellers and readers of this blog to re-discover India. He can tell you many stories about India in his own travel blog, Being Traveler.

Continue reading his story.....

Phebe Bay of Singapore City, SINGAPORE

31. Featured Traveller 

 Phebe Bay

 Blogger : Traveller

 Singapore City, SINGAPORE

"Travelling awakens the dreamers, thinkers and believers in us"

Phebe is a talented travel blogger and writer from Singapore. She writes her experiences in her travel blog filled with tips and anecdotes of her "career of travelling", which began at a tender age of 19. 

Flag of Singapore

And yes, she has travelled to India, China, Myanmar, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Laos, Cambodia, Taiwan, South Korea, the Netherlands, Russia and taken the Trans Siberian.

Despite having been to many top destinations, India continues to remain as Phebe's favourite place. She has a bad sense of direction but continues to travel; sometimes alone because of her quirky habits and intensely inquisitive mind.

Phebe feels that it used to be discovering a new place that motivates her to travel. Now, she thinks that some parts are about reminiscing the happy times she had there.  "Always ask yourself what makes you want to travel. Quite interestingly, it's mostly not because of the destination", she says.

When asked how important budget and planning is for a trip and how she manages to cut cost on each trip, her answers are very helpful, and I quote, "Planning in advance helps to negate unnecessary costs. That being said, it is advisable not to stick to too tight a budget. I've learnt that after some time it would be wise to spend on the best the destination has to offer".

India, where a thousand smiles await you!

Phebe has many tips and advices when it comes to travelling. "You don't have to have a great sense of direction to travel. I personally don't, have gotten lost very often but was always able to find a way. Common sense is most important", she added.

I, myself, is very excited to hear what Phebe has to say about her travel experiences. I do not want you to wait any longer, so, here it is .....

Rafting in Rishikesh

Written by Zara Jones

The holy Ganga River is one of the strongest anchors of the Hindu religion. It holds the faiths of millions of people and is looked upon as a saviour. The journey of a Hindu life begins and ends in Ganga. The river immerses not only the sins of the people but also the bodily ashes of the departed souls.

The sacred waters of Ganga originate from the mighty glaciers of the Himalayas and after a journey of 250 kilometres, it reaches the plains of Rishikesh (in Uttarakhand).

River Rafting Tour Rishikesh  Photo Credit : Bhandariseo

Rishikesh is the base for undertaking the ‘Chota Char Dham’ pilgrimage comprising - Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri. The city is also famous for its Yoga and Ayurvedic treatments. The rejuvenating effects of the therapeutic practices get more enhanced through the spiritually enriched in the  picturesque land of Rishikesh.

There is one more facet of Rishikesh for which it has become renowned world over - the adventurous side of the revered land. Rishikesh offers various enthralling activities like river rafting, body surfing, cliff jumping, rappelling, rock climbing, waterfall trekking, kayaking and canoeing. Among all of them, river rafting, which is famously called white water rafting, is the major sparkling attraction, bringing thousands of people to Rishikesh.