Nainital 'CHarming hill station'

Nainital is a charming hill station which is located at the Kumaon foothills and is distinguished for its scenic charm in all over India. Formerly it was inhabited by several royal figures and was the most favored summer retreat of the British as well. Nainital is beautifully nested around the mesmerizing Naini Lake and is also an important stopover for the tourists who are on their tour to North India. You will feel the colonial charm lingering in its winding streets and the impressive buildings that were built here. There are many tourist attractions in Nainital that must be visited by the tourists. Some of the major tourist spots are:

Naina Devi Temple:

This is a highly venerated temple of Nainital and is located on the northern shore of Naini Lake. In the year 1880 it was destroyed by a severe landslide and was later rebuilt. Maa Naina Devi is the chief deity of this temple and is represented by two Netras or eyes. You will also come across the deities of Mata Kali and Lord Ganesha that flank the main deity.

St. John’s Church:

This church occupies an important place among the tourist attractions in Nainital and was established in the 1844. It is one of the oldest buildings of Nainital and is visited by tourists frequenting Nainital during their vacations.

Governor’s House:

It is also known as Raj Bhavan and was built in the year 1899. Its design is in the Victorian Gothic domestic style and was constructed by the architect F.W. Stevens. At present, Raj Bhavan is the official guest house for the state governor and visiting state guests. It is a two-storied mansion consisting of 113 rooms, a garden, a swimming pool, and golf links. You have to obtain prior permission before visiting.

Snow View:

It is a magnificent point and is located at a height of 2,270 meters atop the Sher-ka-danda Ridge and is conveniently reachable by cable car. It commands fantastic views of the snow-clad Himalayan peaks, including Nanda Devi, Trisul, and Nanda Kot on a clear day. It is must watch among the tourist attractions in Nainital and an ideal spot for the nature lovers.

Naina Peak:

This peak is also popular as China or Cheena Peak. It is the highest peak in Nainital with an elevation of 2,615 meters. The top of the peak offers awe-inspiring views of the snow-capped Himalayan Mountains as well as of Nainital town.

Tiffin Top:

Located on Ayarpatta hill, this tourist site also demands a visit by the tourists and is among the major things to watch in Nainital. This point is also popularly known as Dorothy’s Seat. This scenic spot commands lovely views of the nearby countryside.

Your tour to Nainital will become a memorable affair in your life as you will get a good opportunity to take delight in the natural exquisiteness of this splendid town and spend some tranquil moments away from the cacophony of the city.

Fast Facts

Area 11.73 sq. km

Population 29, 837

Altitude 1938 metres above sea level

Languages Hindi, Kumaoni, English

STD Code 05942

Best time to visit: March and June, mid-September to October

Best Season, Climate, and Clothing

How to Reach Nainital

By Air: The nearest airport from Nainital is Pantnagar (70kms) with direct flights from Delhi. But Delhi and Lucknow are more convenient airports for reaching Nainital since none of these places are too far from Nainital and are well connected with the rest of India.

By Road: An extensive network of roads connect Nainital with prominent cities in Uttarakhand and other north Indian cities. You can reach Nainital by road from Delhi (310kms), Haldwani (40kms), Dehradun (300kms).

By Rail: It is quite convenient to reach Nainital by rail. Kathgodam (35kms) is the nearest railhead from Nainital. A well laid network of broad gauge railway links Nainital to Delhi, Kolkata and Dehradun.

Nainital should be visited between the months of March to June. Besides, you can also visit this town from the months of September to October owing to pleasant climatic conditions. However, monsoons should be avoided that take place from the end of June to August. As far as clothing is concerned cotton clothing would be perfect for the summers and light woolens are advised for the winters.

Mysore 'KNOWN FOR FINEST BUILDINGS'

Mysore is a traveler’s delight and is known for some of the finest palaces that were built here by the former rulers. This fascinating town of Karnataka is rich in culture and traditions and is thronged by travelers from the neighboring states and distant corners of India. Mysore is located at the foothills of the Chamundi Hills atop which the famous Chamundeshwari Temple is located. The huge and impressive statue of Mahishasura is the most famous landmark of this magnificent town. The tourist attractions of Mysore have their individualistic charm and have interesting incidents and stories associated with them.

There are many things to watch in Mysore. Some of the major ones are:

Maharaja's Palace: This palace occupies a prestigious place among the tourist attractions of Mysore,. The magnificent structure was designed by an English Architect, Henry Irwin and is an architectural marvel featuring marvelously sculpted pillars, elaborately carved doors and golden howdah.

The Jaganmohan Palace: Jaganmohan Palace was the other retreat for the royal family of Maharaja Krishnaraja Wodeyar and it is a magnificent building with three storeys. It features stained glass shutters and ventilators and also has a lovely garden setting that has now been transformed to an art gallery. Some of things this museum has on display are paintings, sculptures and musical instruments.

Chamundi Hills: Mysore is located at the foothills of Chamundi Hills. On top of the hills there is Chamundeshwari temple that serves as a famous landmark. Nearby to the temple, there is a statue of Mahishasura, who was a demon killed by the goddess Chamundeshwari. You will also find the monolith Nandi, the bull, which is located near the temple.

St. Philomena's Church: This church is a lure for the religious traveler and is a must watch among the tourist attractions of Mysore. This church is a Gothic structure whose structure is based on the Cathedral at Cologne. You will also come across the statue of St. Philomena on the altar who was a third century saint from Greece. This magnificent church is visited by a large number of tourists every year.

Mysore Zoo: This is a magnificent zoo which was established in the year 1892, and houses a diverse collection of animals, including magnificent species kept in natural surroundings. There are various places of tourist interest in Mysore that will help you make your tour to Mysore an exclusive one. A look at its tourist attractions is the best way to learn about the history and tradition of the town.

How to reach Mysore


By Air: The nearest airport from Mysore is Bangalore, which is also the capital of Karnataka. Bangalore at the same time is an industrial city. Several numbers of airlines operate regular flights to and from Bangalore and nearly all major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata.

By Road: A convenient network of roads connects Mysore to important cities in Karnataka. A state highway links the city with Bangalore (139kms).

By Rail: Mysore has a railway station with in the city. It is linked by rail to Bangalore and many other cities in south India. Prestigious luxury trains and many other mails and express trains service this station regularly.

Athirapally waterfalls 'FALLING BEAUTY'

The traveling is always taxing on your body, though you forget everything once you reach your destination. The picture changes drastically once you reach the top as the sudden rushing sound of the cascading waterfall makes you feel that the water has begun to fall only now. Though the fact is that the waters have maintained this suddenness for a long time and they are still persevering. The Athirapally waterfalls are 80 feet high which start at the high ranges calmly and come crashing down through the gorges.

There is a rocky road that moves around the mountain providing you with a magnificent view of the Athirapally waterfalls. Visiting the Athirapally waterfalls in September is a good idea as the waterfalls are in full force just after the monsoons.

The Landscape

As you move nearer through the beautifully landscaped road to Athirapally, you can enjoy the views of Arecanut Palms on one side and the Chalakudy river on the other side. First the river seems winding and then it crashes down suddenly, white with challenge. Only after a short distance, the river is back to its normal self again. Trekking is a wonderful way to explore the nearby areas, especially if you do it along the banks of the Chalakudy river.

The waterfall is located at a height in the Sholayar forest ranges and is very near to the Valparai which is a popular hill station.

The Surroundings

There are some vendors here who sell jute hats and plastic flowers, they definitely make the place more tourist friendly. The presence of the waterfall is unmistakable everywhere in Athirapally as it is present either in the form of a painting or a topic of conversation.

Nearby Attractions

Valparai: It is a hill station known for its sprawling tea plantations. The elephant density of the place is among the highest in India.

Vazhachal Waterfalls: It is a picturesque waterfall as well as a popular picnic spot located on the periphery of the Sholayar forest range in Kerala. This waterfall is also a part of the Chalakkudy river.

Anakkayam: The place is about 20 km away from the Chalakudy and is known for a lake with calm and soothing waters. So far Anakkayam has remained untouched by human encroachment therefore has a pristine beauty that never fails to captivate the tourists.

How to reach Athirapally

This is how you reach the spot.

By Air: Kochi airport is the nearest airport; is 55 kms. from Athirapally waterfalls

By Train: Thrissur & Kochi are two major railways junctions & are 78 kms. & 66 kms. from Athirapally waterfalls. Chalakudy Railway station is the nearest railway station & just 31 kms. from Athirapally waterfalls.

By Road: It is 55 kms. from Kochi. There are plenty of good coaches - both private & government - plying between Bangalore & Cochin. There is plenty of luxury Volvo coaches plying between these 2 cities & it's just an overnight journey from Bangalore to Cochin by road.

Slice of Lhasa in Delhi

Tenzin, who belongs to the third generation of a Tibetan family was born and raised in India and has only visited his home town through a number of his grandparent’s stories told to him over the years, but ask him anything about a land he wishes to go back to and he has all the answers. This was evident when he gave me a tour of his homeland via a map of Tibet, a land that he hopes to see at least once in his life.

Meeting my Guide for the day 
It was around 3:00pm when I got a call from Tenzin telling me to get off at the Indian oil petrol pump right opposite MT. In the next five minutes, while approaching the petrol pump I saw a man dressed not older than 27 or 28,  dressed in all white standing and reading a news paper. I got off from the auto and confirmed, “Tenzin?” to which he shook his hand and asked “Nikki” and I knew I was with the right guy and the right place. I don’t know what he thought of me but his next question sort of confused me, “you can cross the road, na?” We crossed the road just fine to reach the small entrance that takes you to a world that looks as if it does not even exist from the guarding walls.

“I have seen this place so many times sitting inside the Volvo while going to Dharamshala” I tell Tenzin, he smiles in return. The entrance of MT is a small temple shaped door coloured in red, green and blue. A normal passerby cannot even being to imagine the vastness of this place and the world that exists inside. Nevertheless here I was and Tenzin’s first question for me was, “So where would you like to start from?” Surprisingly, I didn’t know what and where did I even want to begin because the moment I entered there were just so many things already cropping up in my mind.
Kangyur, Tengyur and Lobsang 
My first stop was a book store run by Lobsang Tharchen for the last 30-35 years. What caught my attention were the red rectangular books at this book shop. Tenzin, an absolute gentleman explained the purpose of my visit to almost everyone in the shop. “Ask me whatever you want but let me tell you that won’t be of much help” and this was said in fractured Hindi and a huge smile but good enough for me to understand.
Lobsang, like Tenzin was also born and raised in India and has never seen his motherland Tibet. I ask him about the various books that were kept in a specific order and some were numbered too. “These are all Domang, as we call them in Tibetan language. The big one that you see is Kangyur and the other ones are called Tengyur but beyond that I won’t be able to help, you need to speak to a lama to get more information” he said. Besides the Kangyur and the Tengyur there were many other books stacked up and numbered that Lobsang explained that these were books which had specific prayers in them taken from either the Kangyur or the Tengyur. Lobsang picked up a book from the stack and started to explain how the various prayers have been picked up from the main religious books to pray for a particular reason or an ailment. While all this happened I noticed Tenzin buying a book and before we even left the shop, he said “this is for you”. And when I looked at the table Tenzin had presented me with book that would help me learn Tibetan language, a very welcoming gesture.
An Art Galore 
As we explored further into the narrow yet extremely colourful lanes of MT. Small shops, workshops really, covered the lanes one after the other making Silver items. I stopped at one such shop run by Subhash. He learnt this art at a young age and has been running this shop for around 3 to 4 years. Originally a Nepali, Subash along with his business partner Raj both learnt the art of carving silver into beautiful pieces of craft back in Nepal. They were making Ting and Chukun while I was there. Rajesh proudly showed and told me that ting is used to keeping water during puja and Chukun is used by the Tibetans as a diya holder. “It is mostly bought by the Tibetans living here” Rajesh told me.
Tenzin gave me a running commentary about small things that I otherwise would have totally ignored, like the carom board competition going on my left. “This is a regular feature every day” he said. “People here are very friendly and accommodating, if you want you can just sit next to them watching and before you know it, you’ll probably be playing as one of the tem members” he added more. But I sort of turned down the offer but watched all the excitement from a distance, careful not to disturb the players.
Shopping at MT 
As I walked out, my attention was caught by a small shop (only from outside) whose walls were covered with colourful Thankgas and one wall dedicated to H.H. Dalai Lama. Gylasten was taking his afternoon nap when we entered and of course he was happy to see Tenzin as I could make out that they definitely knew each other. Gyalsten, has been running this shop for the last three year. He however, does not know much about the history or the technique of the Thankga paintings. Communication can be a bit of a concern at MT, and I was thankful that Tenzin was there to willingly help translate for me and for Gyalsten. “He does not paint the Thankgas, he only buys them from lamas from various monasteries and gives them a finishing look” translates Tenzin. “The silk that we use come from Hong Kong and Varanasi” Glaysten manages to say in his broken English. I asked him how much can a Thankga cost, to which he looks at Tenzin, as he starts to rattle in his mother tongue only to say that it can be anything between Rs.6, 000 to Rs 100,000 and more, but it all depends on the kind of work done on the Thankga.
Apart from the Thankgas, I really fancied the book covers made out of pure silk in all sizes and colours to keep religious books. I actually bought a couple of them, to give my books a Tibetan feel, well at least from the outside.
Tibetan secret 
I had heard somewhere that Tibetan medicine has some secrets of its own. To find the answers to the many questions that I had, I was now sitting in the waiting lobby of the Man-Tsee-Khang MT, Branch. The Men-Tsee-Khang is a charitable, cultural and educational institution of H.H. the Dalai Lama. Here I met, Dr. Tenzin Zompa, a young doctor who had recently finished her medical degree and has ever since been with this institution, helping the research department. Dr. Tenzin told me that like ayurveda in India, Tibetan medicine, too, relies upon the three doshas in the body, namely, the vata, kapha and pita (lung-tipa-pheken respectively in Tibetan) and when there is imbalance in any of these doshas, disease is the answer. In Tibetan medicine we are taught that the main cause of disease is Ignorance which is built because of attachment (vata), hatred (pitha) and obscuring (kapha).
But to cure these ailments, Tibetan medicine follows a crucial combination of 98 per cent herbs and two per cent mineral based medicines. Detoxified mercury is also used in various Tibetan medicines.
Savouring Delicacies 
It was 4:00 pm by the time we left the Tibetan clinic and I was famished by now. I had heard from one of my friends back in college that the food at MT is simply to die for, well now was the time to test it.
Tenzin took me to Tee Dee restaurant which is apparently one of the most old and popular one in MT. A fact proved by the number of occupied tables in the restaurant. Since I knew nothing about Tibetan food, I gladly let Tenzin order. In about 15 minutes I was served with Tingmo ( round Tibetan bread made of flour) along with a non-vegetarian stew which tasted as delicious as its aroma with a fruit beer.
Tibetan food for years only meant, Momos and Thukpa, I for once was happy to try something different. “You should try the butter tea, it’s absolutely delicious” he said while biting into his Thukpa. He further informed that yak yoghurt, butter and cheese are frequently eaten and well-prepared yoghurt is considered something of a prestige item in a Tibetan household. What I appreciated the most about this food was that it wasn’t too spicy, just right to enjoy your Tingmo or your Balep Korkun(flat bread).
Well, it all looked so sumptuous that could not really wait to find out more about the cuisine and finally gave into the demands of my tummy. While I gorged on this delicious food, Tenzin took a break from answering my question about the various Tibetan holidays and festivals by concentrating on the India – Sri Lanka match that he was so interested in.
After finishing lunch, we stepped out to some shopping recce, I mean you can’ just not buy anything when your out right. So my next stop was a small stall which had these really pretty handcrafted bags and mobile phone covers that had me pulling towards them. I met Topkey here who has been making his living by his art.  Topkey really surprised me with his immaculate hindi. His spoken Hindi was as good as mine and that got me more interested in him, “my schooling was done in hindi medium unlike many Tibetans and that’s is why I can speak Hindi well”. He answered my question. And now I was mostly concentrating on his beautiful work of Tibetan handicraft using, stones like coral, turquoise and more. “These stones are jewellery for Tibetan women but of course they wear only the original stones” he told me. “In olden times wearing these stones was a sign of prosperity, one could easily find out looking at a person how rich he/she was if they were wearing a Kepu( necklace made out of pure gemstones)” he told me. So as a souvenir for myself and to thank Topkey for his time, I bought a beautiful bag and left.
On my way back to I passed the same bunch of guy playing carom-board, only difference was that this time they were the spectators calling me to join in. After about 20 minutes of a rather shameful performance that I gave, it was time for me to head back and do what I did best. Look back on a very interesting day spent and cherish it.

Source: HT Media

Experience the TRAVEL

While you study this particular, Mahek Shahani, someone in the purse content label Princesse Nited kingdom, is most likely caught just like a maniac, packaging on her long-held desire: a visit in order to Argentina as well as Peru. The actual 25-year-old Mumbaikar may depart a few weeks to place the Latin-American rewrite about the The spanish language she’s already been understanding within Mumbai, and to twirl as well as distort, Buenos Aires street-style, within much less official variations from the Latina ballroom dances she’s been understanding. Simply because with regard to Shahani, Argentina indicates a lot more than only a vacation. It’s designed to become a understanding encounter as well – actually.
“Peru could be more of the hiking vacation, however in Argentina, I’ve subscribed to courses within The spanish language – I wish to discover a brand new facet of the actual vocabulary – as well as courses within interpersonal dance, ” states Shahani, bubbling more than along with exhilaration. “The tango originated from Argentina; I wish to dancing this how they perform. Therefore I’m additionally staying in the tango-themed resort. Besides the décor, additionally, it organises courses as well as training courses. ”

Such as Shahani, just about all in the united states, a brand new type of traveler is actually rising. This particular individual is generally within their 20s or even earlier 30s; your woman generally believes associated with journey because much more regarding performing as well as taking part compared to basically viewing; he's generally interested in additional ethnicities as well as methods for residing; your woman generally really wants to consider himself from the woman's safe place and find out exactly what otherwise your woman may learn about himself; he or she understands exactly what he’s thinking about as well as searching for as well as will go just about all away to pay attention to which upon their moves; she'd dedicate committing suicide should you known as the woman's the visitor and never the traveler – that’s following eliminating a person very first.
We’ve stated ‘usually’ a great deal within the section over. That’s simply because it’s not possible in order to generalise as well as state which everybody believes associated with journey such as this nowadays. However sufficient individuals (generally dedicated vacationers on their own) possess realized that journey has obtained a brand new sizing within the last couple of years, as well as these folks possess replied through placing their own cash, time and effort exactly where their own values tend to be.
Therefore within the last couple of years, an enormous number of little journey businesses came upward, providing towards the brand new traveler. Meaning, nowadays, you can remove towards the Himalayas not just in order to journey, host or even hill ascend, but additionally in order to celebrity look, associated with somebody who’ll help to make the actual heavens significant for you personally. Or even you can whizz to the jungles not just in order to monitor large felines, but additionally to view swarms associated with fireflies dancing. Or… something. You can perform in your vacation whatever you wish, regardless of whether you’re going on it's own, going along with buddies, or even going along with loved ones, regardless of whether you’ve obtained cash in order to burn off or even you’re much more shattered than the usual reflection that’s dropped unusual.
The important thing term, nevertheless, is actually ‘do’. Since the brand new traveler isn’t fascinated just within viewing. They really wants to help to make journey an event associated with some kind, therefore outdoors pursuit additionally becomes a good back to the inside trip.
End up
“As a youngster, We just continued bundle vacations along with my personal mother and father, ” states 26-year-old Smriti Ahuja that functions upon interpersonal tasks and it is the co-founder associated with Lacking With/out Depart (AWOL), the endeavor which stimulates young adults to visit in the united states, residing just upon R1, 000 per week – including every thing. “Even right now, my personal mother and father choose which type of vacation. However We obtain absolutely no feeling associated with location from the bundle visit, and so i started to journey by myself. ”
Ahuja offers backpacked within Indian as well as overseas, as well as favors to visit locations along with minimum preparing – she’d instead simply appear someplace as well as consider points through presently there. It’s a terrific way to truly become familiar with a location, your woman states, simply because you need to discover your personal method close to which means you discover every thing.
That’s the actual considering at the rear of AWOL, that your woman setup as well as 25-year-old interpersonal business owner Keith Menon, additionally the persistent traveler that loves to remove round the nation, residing upon less than feasible to see the life-style that's unusual for that center course.
AWOL isn't the journey organization. Actually, it’s an additional associated with Menon’s interpersonal issues (Menon can also be the co-founder from the eco-awareness marketing campaign, Batti Bandh). Low quality journey, these people think, could be healing, and thus each month, AWOL programs in order to provide 2 youthful vacationers struggling with quarterlife downturn along with R1, 000 per week, the laptop computer as well as Web connection along with a cell phone, to allow them to remove with regard to 3 months, discover any kind of the main nation these people such as as well as weblog about this because they proceed.
“Living on the little spending budget truly goes to a different location, ” states Menon. “You need to get from your self and get others with regard to assist – request elevates, request accommodations, request guidance. You need to endure using what you’ve obtained, and when you’ve invested just about all you’ve obtained currently, after that you need to manage in some way. Should you have the ability to manage, then you definitely understand some thing much more regarding your self compared to you most likely do whenever you trigger. ” Understanding some thing regarding your self is actually exactly what hard disks 25-year-old Akshai Narian, the previous business professional that right now works together with the actual Train with regard to Indian basis within Delhi, to visit. Actually, it had been just about all their introspective journey – such as volunteering in the Osho Ashram within Pune instead of becoming a member of the ‘work because meditation’ program, as well as staying in Buddhist monasteries within Thailand, which influenced Narain to stop the organization existence as well as look for an additional approach to life.
“Like many people, We went like a kid along with my personal mother and father have been total opposites within exactly what these people desired from the vacation, ” states Narain. “On the holidays my personal mom might insist upon likely to all of the visitor places as well as my dad might state, ‘we’re right here in order to relax’ and never wish to proceed from the resort. With time, We realized which nor of those extreme conditions suitable me personally. In the event that I’m heading out, it’s simply because I wish to learn about the area I’m within. I ought to go through the location in a manner that can make me personally realize personally. As well as that’s generate an income began my personal type of journey. ”
Within their very first 12 months associated with university, Narian revisited a little slope city he’d previously attended together with his mother and father. He or she proceeded to go on it's own as well as remained with regard to 10 times. “I simply roamed close to as well as allow points saturate within, ” he or she states. “It had been the very first time We really was by myself, as well as We discovered real life. Roaming close to a new atmosphere, We additionally recognized my very own acquainted atmosphere, reasons for my entire life which i hadn’t appreciated previously. This created me personally return home having a higher feeling associated with that belong. ”
Celebration, Celebration, Celebration
Journey nevertheless, is really as a lot regarding character because other things is actually, so the low-budget existence isn’t appealing to everybody. Definitely not in order to Sohil Modi, proprietor of the fabrics company, that generally moves overseas as well as likes experience sports activities, however who had been fascinated sufficient through the idea associated with the newest journey organization, Outings Eliminated Insane, to register together with his fiancée as well as 2 additional partners for any celebration vacation.
“It appears fascinating to take a vacation that’s not really regarding normal sightseeing, however regarding nightlife as well as clubbing, ” states Modi. “We’ll end up being likely to Barcelona as well as Ibiza. Within Barcelona, individuals generally proceed and find out the actual well-known chapel, however that’s not really the reason why we’ll end up being presently there. ”
Outings Eliminated Insane had been co-founded through youthful Mumbai-based entrepreneurs Akhilesh Lakhotia as well as Chirag Khandelwal, each associated with who visited university in the united kingdom as well as had been really used with a nightlife picture which incorporated holidays in order to locations such as Ibiza just for the actual clubbing.
“Youngsters within the Western will often have an event vacation one per year, as well as all of us noticed a large marketplace for your within Indian, ” states Khandelwal. Provides Lakhotia, “The idea of clubbing is actually opening right here – plenty of worldwide DJs carry out within Indian, you will find celebrations such as Sunburn as well as shows from reside songs locations such as Azure Frog. Individuals are really conscious of globe songs, as well as understand that the very best DJs tend to be. Why not really visit a location such as Ibiza, in which the world’s greatest DJs perform from substantial night clubs that are the very best on the planet? ”
Outings Eliminated Crazy’s very first journey is actually removing in a few days in order to Ibiza. About the credit cards tend to be additional outings, for example in order to Munich for that Oktoberfest then clubbing within Berlin. “Though all of us don’t stipulate any kind of age bracket, all of us anticipate which ninety percent from the individuals who may subscribe to the outings is going to be older in between twenty one as well as thirty-five, ” states Khandelwal. Provides Lakhotia: “These times individuals are searching for various things once they journey. We now have investing energy within Indian right now, and thus individuals are considering celebration outings, bachelor's outings as well as a myriad of outings. ”
Obtain fresh
This particular mindset to visit couldn’t came regarding in the event that this weren’t for the net, states Keith Menon associated with AWOL. “Everything is actually upon Search engines nowadays, ” he or she states. “There are extremely couple of places a person can’t discover something regarding, which starts upward journey for everybody. ”
The web is actually exactly how Mahek Shahani come up with the woman's tango day at Argentina as well as Peru. And also the Web is actually why is 33-year-old Jigmar Parmar, that functions within property, truly pleased whenever he’s preparing vacations together with his spouse as well as infant child. “I perform lots of investigating online after i strategy the outings, about the location, things you can do, dining places and so forth, as well as I must state, I really like the study nearly around I really like the particular journey, ” he or she states fairly sheepishly.
“Travel for all of us is actually a lot more than simply observe, observe, store. I wish to go through the lifestyle, the meals, wines, individuals, ” he or she states. “I’m additionally an avowed scuba diving diver as well as adore experience sports activities, and so i try to complete 1 insane point each time We journey. It’s about pressing personally towards the restrict. After which, whenever I’m exhausted, in order to unwind by having an superb dinner along with nearby wines, inside a location that’s about nearby flavor. ”
Attention is actually exactly what inspires Parmar to visit – there’s a large globe available as well as he or she really wants to observe just as much from it because he is able to. As well as it’s individuals the same as Parmar – fresh vacationers – that inspired 20-something journey fanatics Manjari Verma, the previous marketing expert, as well as Avani Patel, the previous sea biologist, to prevent fantasizing about this and also setup their very own journey organization – Damaged Compass, a business which customises journey for you personally, precisely how you want to buy, where ever for you to do this, what ever your financial allowance.
“Both people frequently prepared vacations with regard to friends and family, as well as we’d obtain truly annoyed to determine individuals stop towards the standard locations as well as perform standard points, ” states Verma. Provides Patel: “And whenever we’d return with this outings along with pictures as well as encounters, exactly the same individuals might state, however exactly how? Exactly how perhaps you have return with this particular? ”
Exactly how Patel as well as Verma ‘came back again along with this’ is actually a mix of openmindedness as well as investigation. “There’s keenness as well as fascination with journey, however an excellent insufficient understanding, ” states Verma. “Sometimes individuals request all of us in order to arrange a visit towards the ALL OF US or even Europe, after which whenever we let them know exactly what otherwise they might perform, there's keenness. Individuals are available to tinkering with vacations right now. ” As well as that’s in which the Web is available in once again, states Patel. Whenever individuals such as the Damaged Compass duo publish pictures as well as create weblogs regarding their own moves, these people appeal to individuals who experienced absolutely no indisputable fact that they might additionally journey like this. This particular produces curiosity, therefore much more individuals journey, and much more individuals reveal their own encounters on the web, that will get others thinking about journey and so forth.
Simply discover
As well as here’s the actual fascinating point. Discussing encounters online offers resulted in a different type of vacation choice completely – journey with regards to pictures. As well as expert photography enthusiasts possess noticed this particular like a great chance – you are able to guide several newbees interested in pictures on the visit of the panoramic location, coach all of them on the way – and obtain to visit your self.
That’s exactly what 24-year-old movie college move on as well as expert digital photographer Parthiva Nag has been doing together with his journey organization, Outings in order to Click on. “I’ve usually cherished going, since I will keep in mind, and so i place 2 as well as 2 collectively as well as created Outings in order to Click on, ” he or she states. “Most individuals consider photos once they journey as well as prefer to publish all of them online, therefore even while a spare time activity, they would like to consider great photos. 10 years back, something similar to Outings in order to Click on couldn’t possess been around – there is absolutely no system to talk about photos along with buddies. However these days, pictures is a good motivator with regard to journey. ”
Obviously, not really every thing is all about discussing. Akshai Narain doesn’t go weblog or even twitter, he or she moves simply because he or she likes to. Mumbai-based HUMAN RESOURCES expert as well as filmmaking aspirant Anand Sirwani therefore enjoys the thought of understanding the planet as well as every thing close to him or her he will take off anytime he is able to, on a single event actually motorcycling in order to Ahmedabad per day. “And after i can’t, We purchase the R25 all-access coach move within Mumbai as well as discover the town, ” he or she grins.
As well as that’s Sirwani’s stage. For that brand new traveler, journey is all about discovering. It may be regarding attempting to observe some thing currently acquainted for you – like the town you reside within – from the various viewpoint. Or even it may be basic old-fashioned discovering. Simply attention to determine exactly where this particular street you’ve in no way already been upon might guide a person, states Harshit Vendor, co-founder associated with Exoterra that organises generating vacations in your vehicle, filled with every thing, such as tents with regard to outdoor camping from locations exactly where absolutely no resorts can be found.
This isn't just for company, however simply because Vendor enjoys generating as well as discovering. “India truly offers huge things, ” he or she states. “But a person don’t view it until you receive from the freeways, consider the actual poor highways as well as undergo towns. Individuals would like to visit Goa, however if you prefer a seaside vacation, I will let you know associated with seashores therefore remote, you can proceed skinny-dipping. ”
In the event that journey is about the knowledge, exactly how is definitely an ‘experience’ described? Here’s exactly what Vendor needs to state: “If you had been thinking about going to Leh, Ladakh, you can travel presently there. You can remain in the exact same resort when i may, you can lease an automobile as well as generate on a single highways which i perform. However basically visited Leh, I’d generate presently there, through Delhi or even Chandigarh. Whenever you key in Ladakh through street, the thing is points you’d not have observed in the atmosphere. You have the actual trip along with the location. ”
And also you keep in mind this, everything. That’s a good ‘experience’.
That’s exactly what the brand new vacationers want.
Exoterra leisure time hard disks
Setup through Harshit as well as Anjani Vendor, Exoterra organises generating vacations via a few of the country’s the majority of beautiful locations. It’s team journey, however, you proceed in your vehicle inside a free convoy, and also the organization organises from lodging whenever there’s absolutely nothing appropriate on the highway, in order to treats whilst generating as well as break down providers
Damaged compass
Getting prepared vacations with regard to family and friends for a long time, journey fanatics Manjari Verma as well as Avani Patel lastly stop their own day time work as well as setup Damaged Compass which customises journey for you personally depending on your own journey user profile (gauged from the set of questions these people request you to fill up), your financial allowance as well as your period, where ever you need to proceed as well as what ever for you to do
Outings in order to click on
Increasing numbers of people tend to be trying out pictures like a pastime simply because they may showcase their own photos upon social network websites. Expert digital photographer Parthiva Nag noticed the chance as well as setup Outings in order to Click on that organises pictures team excursions in order to locations such as Ladakh as well as Pushkar, exactly where Nag exhibits the actual team how you can consider excellent photos
Lacking with/out depart
This isn't the journey organization, much more of the interpersonal issue, setup through Keith Menon as well as Smriti Ahuja to assist individuals older in between twenty one as well as twenty-eight cope with their own quarterlife downturn. Lacking With/out Depart types via programs through children, as well as each month, chooses a couple to consider away upon three-month outings inside the nation, residing just upon R1, 000 per week.

supply: TECHGURU.

Haridwar: A Gateway To Salvation 'Holliness'

As most religious places, Haridwar too has its fair share of supporters and detractors. While the former vouch for the soothing touch of prayers, pundits and aartis that give them strength as they come to immerse the ashes of their dear ones, for the latter it is akin to going to a chamber of horrors, being accosted by beggars, guides and gurus of all shapes and sizes who speak in an irritating English accent, tugging at your emotions, imploring you to loosen your purse strings, leaving no stone unturned to hoodwink you.

Now, whether you love it or hate it, Haridwar with its unending flow of tourists who transit the town as they move up to Rishikesh, Dehradun and beyond or the spiritual seekers who come and stay in one of the affordable ashrams that dot the city for weeks and months at end, learning yoga and meditation, is finding a lot of takers who want to just visit Haridwar and stay there for 3-4 days. They can be seen sipping a cuppa by the Ganges, not paying heed to their laptops and mobile phones and just allowing their spirits to soar as they try seeking answers to existential questions and dilemmas. For me, a resident of Haridwar for over three decades, I still retain a childlike sense of awe when I see the magic and power of prayers, community gatherings and stories of miracles that make me aware of a new and emerging side to a city that never sleeps.

Holiest of the holy
Haridwar is regarded as one of the seven holiest places for Hindus. The river Ganges after covering over 250 kms from Gangotri glacier in the Himalayas reaches the plains at Hardwar. Etymologically speaking, ‘Hari’ means Lord Vishnu, and ‘Dwar’ means the Gateway. Hence to reach ‘Badrinath’ the temple of Lord Vishnu, pilgrims begin their spiritual ascent from Haridwar .On the other hand, Haridwar is also called ‘ Hardwar’ where ‘ Har’ means ‘Lord Shiva’ and Kedarnath, the holy shrine of Shiva ,the journey to which too commences from Hardwar and hence the names.
Stories abound in this holy city and if you are lucky you can end up spending time with some of the most interesting story tellers you are ever likely to encounter. The advent of Ganga has an interesting myth backing it. The legendary king, Bhagirath is said to have brought Ganga from the heavens through years of penance for the salvation of his ancestors. A tradition, which is adopted by all devout Hindus, who bring the ashes of their departed relatives to the banks of the Ganges.
The ‘pandas’ of Haridwar keep genealogical records called ‘Vahi’ of all Hindu descendents as per their ancestral lineage. They serve as keepers of a repository that houses vast family trees which go as far back as seven previous generations. Mythology has it that Haridwar, Ujjain, Nasik and Allahabad were places where the holy elixir of immortality accidentally spilled from the pitcher while being carried by the celestial bird ‘garuda’ after the ‘sagar manthan’. This occasion is also celebrated as the Kumbh mela every three years in each of these cities and thus every 12 years in Haridwar. Kumbh mela is also the largest congregation of people, where a crowd several thousand strong take a dip at the Brahm kund. Pilgrims throng Haridwar to visit the hilltop temples of Mansa Devi, Chandi Devi, Daksh Prajapati and Shantikunj to seek redemption and be expiated of their past karma.
Haridwar itself has ‘panch tirth’ within its periphery. The Har-ki-pauri, Kushawart ghat at Kankhal, Mansa Devi temple, Chandi Devi temple and the Neel Dhara. The evening aarti at the Har- ki- Pauri is an ethereal experience for any pilgrim visiting Hardwar. The aarti amidst the chanting of mantras and floral lamps floating in the river is an enchanting view. As the pristine waters flow quietly, the raging fire from hundreds of wick brass holders set afloat by pilgrims and visitors, against a scarlet sky conjure a sight that makes the human spirit seek oneness with god in what is a moment of great energy and peace.
Abundance of art and culture
Haridwar, is hardly your quaint sleepy and unassuming town in Uttarakhand. It finds a laudable mention in history as an annexe of Mauryan and Kushan empire in the 3rd century. The archaeological findings from the terracotta culture also give us good reason to believe that there was plenty of art that existed in this region. Little wonder then that there are some prominent references that hark back to Haridwar, in the famed travel accounts of Chinese traveller Huan Tsang. The Mughal emperor Akbar religiously drank water from the Ganges. His attendants ensured that he received its waters – dispatched in sealed silverware to wherever he was stationed. His minister, Raja Man Singh of Amber laid the foundation of the present city of Haridwar and constructed the ghats at Har- ki- pauri.
The Sikh guru, Guru Nanak Dev and Guru Amardass frequently visited Haridwar to meditate and preach. In fact the holy ‘Tap stal of guru Amar Dass, Dera Baba Dargah Singh, in Kankhal, is a revered destination for the Sikhs. Today, it is managed by a young mahant, Ranjai Singh who has studied at the prestigious Doon school and is currently studying at Delhi university. Its cultural lineage is evident when you see the exquisite murals and intricate stone carvings in the old havelis in Kankhal.

Going beyond religion
Piran Kaliyar, the dargah of one of the most revered Muslim saints Alaudin Sabir Kaliyari, is situated at about half an hour’s drive from Hardwar. It was built by Ibrahim Lodhi in the 13th century.
The Neel Dhara Pakshi Vihar and the Rajaji National Park are popular with nature lovers and trekkers. Neel Dhara also bears the remains of an ancient port while Rajaji Park is accessible through various gates, namely the Ramgarh gate and the Mohund gate, Motichur, Chilla and Ranipur gate. Known for the reserves of many extinct as well as migratory birds, tigers, antelopes and elephants; the jungle safari is a must- do for the adventure thirsty.
River rafting from the month of October to February is a thrilling experience for water lovers. It is monitored by expert divers and intrepid brave hearts who can also enjoy cliff jumping into the deep waters while enjoying sighting waterfowl. The Devsanskriti Vishwavidyala is known for diploma and certificate courses in theology, yogic sciences , alternative therapies and spiritual counselling. The Sanskrit university here, is the only university in the world dedicated to studies of ancient Hindu scriptures. The building is an eclectic mix of various Indian architectural styles. The Gurukal Kangri University is one of the oldest Indian university and a must see for those who want to be taken back in time to the guru-shishya parampara.
The ones who have known Haridwar only as a humble transit destination, would be surprised to note that there is a strong industrial side to the town too. The Bharat Heavy Electrical Limited, a Navratna public sector undertaking has over its 15 kilometres campus a mini township with schools, recreational clubs, squash and tennis courts, swimming pool and hospitals. Then there is the State Industrial Development Corporation of Uttarakhand, a public sector township again with over 5000 plants and an integrated industrial estate with business houses like Hindustan Lever, Hero Honda, Havell’s, Dabur, Mahindra & Mahindra and ITC. Most of them allow visitors a day tour.
Gastronomic delights by old timers
The almost 100 years of service in terms of finger licking food is provided by the well known Mathurawale and Mohan puriwale. Still warped in a time and age of its own, they serve simmering gravies and puris that have no equal and mithai that makes it impossible to quell the impulse to indulge.
The main shopping area is the ‘Moti bazaar’ which connects the town to the har- ki- pauri. This is a narrow alleyway that resonates often with deafening music blaring from bhajan CDs, trying to reinforce the sanctity of the town. The shops sell knick- knacks from Chinese footwear, cheap synthetic fakes of Versace and D&G t- shirts to mounds of vermillion and rice puffs. Every other shop sells rudraksh and semi precious gem stones to those seeking to resolve their problems through divine intervention.
The ochre cloud over the city has finally been shrugged off to reveal a more urbanised lifestyle, with an inverse mix of pandas and entrepreneurs from the industrial sector bearing eloquent testimony to changing times. It is not unusual to see sadhus on swanky bikes, flaunting Gucci sunglasses and mobile phones. And whether you are travelling by train or road, you will find as you move out of the city, that the river is still with you, keeping pace, flowing calmly alongside, leaving you with its eternal message for life, “journey on….”.
Fact File 

• Fly in to Jolly Grant airport, Dehradun which is a 45 minutes drive from Hardwar city
• The nearest international airport is the Indira Gandhi International airport, New Delhi. The National highway 58, with a proposed six lane highway connects Delhi to Haridwar
• The railway network from Haridwar is connects you to major cities and metros with numerous Shatabdi trains
• Day trips can be planned to Ananda resort, The Glass House by Neemrana and Haveli Hari i Ganga
• Stiff gourmet dining can be sampled at the Sarovar Portico, Godwin Hotel and Radisson at a price ofcourse
• If looking for affordable places to stay, opt for any of the dharamshalas lining the banks of the Ganga. There is the Gujranwala Bhavan, Mohyal Bhavan and Shri Harmilapi Dharamshala where rooms can be had for a meagre Rs200 upwards While religious/ceremonial compulsions drive people to come through the year, tourists and “peace seekers” are advised to visit during September-December
• Best to carry cotton garments with a shawl or light sweater for breezy evenings

Last few days:

• Check all your paperwork - tickets, passports, visas, is all in order ?
  
• Is your webmail account working? If not get a replacement and then distribute your email address.
  
• Is your travel blog working? Have you tested it and are you happy with the way it works ?
  
• How are you getting to the airport ?
  
• Arriving late - book a hostel in advance - piece of mind on arrival. How do you plan to get from the airport or train-station to the hostel ?
  
• Money - do you have some of the local currency ? If you are arriving in a popular place in the middle of the day then you can get away without it, you'll be able to find a money exchange or a ATM/cashpoint easily. Make sure you have some US dollars and some Euros for exchanging in emergencies.
  
• Tied up all the loose ends at home? Get them sorted - you want to be able to enjoy the trip.
  
• Make sure mom and pop are happy with email - show them how to check it and how to get to your blog.

This is currently the end of the Beginners Guide to Travel - thank you for reading and I hope you found it useful. I appreciate your feedback - you can write down your opinions AND SUUGESSTION BY COMMENTING AND LIKE THIS POST.

COOL STUFF

Technical Equipment

Laptops

There will always be some travellers either too attached to their laptop to leave it at home, or who need one for work purposes. When choosing a laptop to take along - choose one that is light in weight, durable with good battery life, and with a CD burner - for putting digital photos on to a CD and then sending home. More about that later.

Panasonic make a laptop specifically designed for this - the Panasonic Tough Book - but many travellers have been fine with laptops not enhanced for toughness. Treat your laptop well and it will last.

Things to check - power supply, check that it will cope with the range of voltages that you will be likely to encounter on your travels. If it copes from 100V - 250V that is the range that you'd need to deal with. If you are buying new - look for wifi compatibility - you'll be able take advantage of free wireless internet access in a surprising number of places, airports, cafe's, train stations, and even plain simple high streets. (link to wifi finder)

Music and the Ipod

How much music you listen to on an extended travel is very much down to your personality. Certain diehard travellers will tell you to leave the music at home and concentrate on the ambient noise of wherever you find yourself. If music is an important part of your everyday life you will miss it, and on a long journey there will be times and places where listening to music will be much more preferable to the ambient noises. The noise of your fellow passengers snoring and chatting on a long haul flight is not interesting, on a overnight bus journey it's a case of sleep, read or relax to some music. Whilst not essential, some music is a good thing to have.

There have never been as many choices as currently available, from the much-coveted Ipod to the Walkman, the first portable music system playing the now-old-fashioned cassettes. All have their own place, convenience and price-tag.

Walkman - cassette player
15 years ago these were the best option, now they have been superseded by a host of options. The chances are that if you have one its old. The sound quality isn't the best, the tapes are bulky.
Capacity: 1 cassette stores up to 120mins of music.
Description: Easy to record a cassette of your favorite hits from your music collection, but becoming increasingly difficult to find replacement tapes, on the road your collection will not grow, so you'll be listening to the same music as you leave with.
Cost: Very low.

Basic portable CD player.
Ranging in size from only a little larger than a CD case to some nasty bulky models.
Capacity: 1 CD up to 80 mins of music.
Description: Easy to make a best of CD on a home computer, you'll find that you can swap music at some internet cafe's or when you meet a sucker carrying a laptop. Down side - a large collection of CD's becomes bulky quite quickly. They also tend to have a short battery life, continuously spinning that CD requires power. Often skips easily, so not suitable for listening to whilst moving (brisk walking upwards)
Cost: Very low

MP3 portable CD player
Looking exactly the same as a standard portable CD player, the only give away a small stylized MP3 somewhere on the case. MP3 is digitally compressed music, by losing quality of sound (mostly in frequencies that you can't directly hear) music can be compressed to much smaller sizes. By losing some audio quality, the sizes can become extremely small.
Capacity: 1 CD around 10hrs good quality music up to 40hrs at low quality.
Description: A little more complex to make CD's of music, you have to use some software to rip the music from your CD collection. Tend to have better battery life than standard CD players, and skip less. Much less bulky music collection - 10hrs of music on one CD is a huge amount. Most people's entire collection will only take 4 or 5 disks.
Cost: Medium

Minidisk
One of the smaller options, around half the size of a cassette player. Again incorporating compression to allow 100mins music to fit on a 3.5inch disk.
Capacity: 100mins per disk.
Description: Superseded by the current generation of players, the minidisk is on the way out. Updating your collection on the road will be difficult. Although less bulky than the cassette and standard CD player options, a large music collection will take up a significant part of your luggage.
Cost: Medium


Portable MP3* players (inc. Ipod shuffle), flash memory based.
The smallest of all the options, ranging in size from about the size of a packet of chewing gum. Example; Ipod shuffle.
Capacity: From 1hr to 20hrs at good quality.
Description: So small that the headphones will be more of a burden, doesn't skip, solid state. Only draw back is that you would be limited to the music that you load initially.
Cost: Medium

Portable MP3* players (inc. standard Ipods) hard drive based.
Of all the products of this type the Ipod from Apple is the most well known. Basically a laptop hard drive in a sleek case, with hardware decoding for compressed music.
Capacity: From 40hrs to 600hrs at good quality.
Description: Ultra portable and with so much capacity that carrying additional music would be pointless. The Hard drive based portable MP3 players are the ultimate option for the traveling music buff. It would be extremely rare that it skips. Looks good has massive capacity. Only drawback is the cost.
Cost: High

Travel Guitars

Quite a few people travel with guitars. The cheapest way to travel with a guitar is not to take one, and buy a cheap second-hand guitar at each point that you'll be not using air travel for a while. It's pretty easy taking guitars on buses, but carrying a full size guitar on a plane is a hassle. There are other options: a range of guitars specifically designed for travel are available:


Martin Co, The Backpacker Guitar: an acoustic guitar designed for being as easy to travel with as possible. It looks more like a lute than a guitar to the untrained eye, consisting of a full size neck with 15 frets, and a small narrow bell-shaped body, of about 70cm by 15cm. Considering the size, its tone is great, but compared to a 'real' guitar it's tinny. Needs a strap to be played whist sitting down, because the body is not shaped in a way that nestles on the thigh.

Not specifically designed for travel but a real alternative:
Hohner G3T, inspired by the Steinberger guitars, is an electric guitar, shaped somewhat like a cricket bat which is ideal for the traveller who cannot be parted from his axe. It's also a cracking electric guitar in its own right. The humbucker pickups give the full range of tones expected, the Stienberger tuning system stays in tune almost indefinitely once the strings are settled, and includes a whammy bar. The Hohner G3T, plus a small effects pedal with headphone output, would be the travelling electric guitar afficionado's ideal choice.

TOUR PACKING

What to Take

The biggest mistake the new independent traveller ever makes is taking too much. Trying to be prepared for everything you will encounter in an extended period away, will mean that you have too much in your pack and are not prepared for the everyday reality of travel, when you have to carry that pack. Even if you are strong, a heavy pack will dig into your shoulders causing pain and backache a lot faster than you might imagine.

TravelTip! - 15Kg (33lbs) should be your maximum. To weigh your pack, stand on some scales, note the weight, put on your pack, and stand on the scales again. Subtract the first number from the second and you have your pack weight. Or you could simply put your backpack on the scales and get its weight without having to do the maths.

Now that said, some people will of necessity carry more. The photographer, musician, or diving instructor will often take extra heavy but essential equipment. That's a decision for them and no doubt there will be days when the extra weight is quietly cursed.

Essentials:

• Backpack or suitcase
  
• Clothing;(Hot/Normal Destination)
  
• Wind and waterproof jacket - try to get one that is breatheable.
  
• Fleece, designed for under the jacket when cold and wet, or used on its own when just cold.
  
• 2x Lightweight shirts/blouses - long sleeves - for warm nights with mosquitos about, and which can double up as slightly smarter wear.
  
• 2x Light weight travel trousers, long legs, suitable for trekking. Consider zip off trousers/pants that turn into shorts.
  
• 3x Tshirts
  
• 2x shorts/skirts.
  
• Socks and underwear - matter of some debate, between 5 and 10 pairs.
  
• Shoes - designed for hiking/walking, but also not so shabby as to look out of place in a restaurant.
  
• Sandals - for when you're not wearing the shoes.
  
• Plastic slippers - known as thongs, flip flops as well, for use in showers or just lounging around.
  
• Second bag - light weight, collapses down to a small size, designed to be packed away 90% of the time
  
• Duct Tape - essential, massively strong tape good for fixing just about anything. Black electrical tape, slightly different uses.
  
• Guidebook - maximum two - one for your destination and the next area, you'll have to pick up the rest as you go, carrying too many is crazy.
  
• First Aid Kit - bandages, disinfectant wipes, antiseptic cream, pain killers.
  
• Sun glasses - get a good quality pair that protects against UV in your home country, those on the streets often come from dubious origin and may not protect your eyes again harmful UV rays.
  
• Swimsuit
  
• Sleeping bag - for the occasions where you don't have bedding provided, or you don't trust it.
  
• Silk or cotton sleeping bag insert.
  
• Earplugs - if you can wear these, they are an essential. You will be in dormitories where someone snores, where the doors bang, where the sound of the motorway next door is too loud for sleep. Earplugs will allow you to sleep when otherwise you can't.
• Eye-mask - dormitory lights go on, go off, go on - so do bus lights.

Nice to Haves:

• Fiction books - take two paperbacks, when you've read one, trade it for another - hostels often have a trade bookshelf.
  
• Music Player - CD Player, Ipod, Cassettes, Minidisk - what you take is up to you. (See the techie part of this guide).
  
• Camera - SLR or digital - as long as you have something to record your adventures. More in the toys section.
  
• Torch - small one - a LED head torch is perfect, as it allows your hands to be free when in use.

Onebag.com - a great site with lots of packing tips aimed at getting down to that one carryon.

Backpacks Versus Suitcases

Ok so you are planning to travel, and considering taking a suitcase:

Advantages of a suitcase are: easy access to the contents, less likely to get caught in baggage conveyors, easier to store, great in airports and hotels when the little wheels touch down and smoothly roll on the concourse floors.

Disadvantages You can't carry most suitcases for more than a few minutes. This is the main and most important disadvantage. From the point you decide to take a suitcase instead of a backpack you are tied to taking taxis, cars, booking your hotels and hostels in advance. You lose freedom. This is the advantage of a backpack and for the independent traveller freedom is one of the most important features of the journey.

What to look for in a backpack.

One of the biggest problems with backpacks is that they get your back really sweaty. So look for one with good capacity and straps or a frame, which allow a gap between your back and the backpack.

Some of the convenience of a suitcase can be regained by having an un-zippable front to your pack. Have a look at Mac packs. (link to follow)

DayPacks

A good daypack is as important as your backpack. This is bag that you will be using even more than your backpack. Get a daypack that you can strap to your front whilst wearing your main pack. Ok, you become a beast of burden, but you want to be able to carry both bags if you need to.

How to Get There

This depends on how long you have to travel, because of commitments at home, or different budget options. If you have a longer time available, consider making the journey part of your adventure, if you have only a short time, the percentage of time used as travel time should be minimized.

Travelling Overland

Discover the vastness of the world, retrace the steps of Marco Polo, visit places that people wouldn't normally see. There are many advantages to the overland journey, but you will need time. Travelling overland is much slower.

Budget

If budget is your biggest consideration, then make it cheap! Cheap ways to travel - hitchhiking, budget flights, buses, second class trains. Hitchhiking isn't necessarily dangerous - in some locations you won't even have to put out your thumb. There will be instances where, when hitchhiking, your chief source of transport will be other backpackers who have gained their own transport - be cheeky and ask if there is a chance of a lift to your next location. New Zealand is the ultimate example of this. However, in many parts of the world hitchhiking is absolutely not recommended under any circumstance.

Buses

From local services to modern coaches, the bus is one of the most cost-effective and enjoyable ways to travel on the ground. Compared to international buses, local ones are much cheaper. If you are prone to travel sickness, however, a bus can be almost as bad as a car.

Train

Advantages: you can walk around, fewer restrictions, go to the toilet when you need, overnight sleeping carriages. Disadvantages: can be slower, and in many parts of the world is really expensive eg. British Rail. Solution : Inter-Rail. The main disadvantage of Inter-Rail is that you can't buy a ticket anywhere except in your home country. There are also restrictions on age, and time limits on tickets, so Inter-Rail is not always suitable for the more elderly traveller or for those who like to take their time.

Cruises

Why go to the world when the world can come to you ? Or at least it can seem that way when cruising. A community floating from your home shores to exotic places of the world, with luxuries, entertainments, your every need catered for, your body pampered. You get to relax in your own floating hotel with the scenery changing everyday. Disadvantages - very expensive, and you only get to see the destinations where there is a port, on someone else's timetable.

Ferries

Covering everything from crossing rivers to the high seas, the ferry is an often overlooked form of transport for the independent traveller. If you are taking a car or a camper van you will not have much other choice for some parts of your journey. Be aware that if you get travel sick on buses, a ferry will often be a very rough experience for you. Ferries can be slightly expensive in places such as Europe. Budget airlines will often be cheaper. You will need to book in advance for ferries and they often only have a fixed number of berths. The advantages of a ferry are numerous, especially in areas with lots of islands, where the views can be amazing. On a ferry it is possible to walk around, get a cabin and even get a good nights sleep, travel sickness permitting.

Air travel

The single most popular form of travel for the independent traveler. Fast, economically the cheapest, with a high safety record, the jet plane has revolutionized the travel industry. Had Jules Verne been alive today we would have been reading "Around the world in 80 hours", which gives some idea of the revolution that the jet has brought about. Unfortunately, despite its many advantages, there is one large negative to jet travel, which has been largely ignored until today. This is the huge amount of CO2 released during each flight. It is possible that as the world grows in knowledge and concern about the damage that this release causes, the cost of jet travel will rise. Combined with jet travel's dependency on oil, the age of cheap flights that we currently see might be limited.

Now back to the good news. Flights are at the moment cheap, plentiful, and go to just about everywhere; it seems in this day and age that there is nowhere in the world that is more than 48 hours from anywhere else.

Single tickets

Buying single tickets from place to place in the course of your travels is the most flexible way to travel. It is also more expensive than a return flight, or a Round the World Ticket. However - it is possible to pick up cheaper local options from local travel agents than you may find on the Internet, or from travel agents back home.

Driving

Hire a car or buy a car ? Buying a car in New Zealand is really popular. For some the road trip is the ultimate form of travel. Independence, complete and total, and you can go places that no bus or train could get you to. Two major options - buy a car, only applicable in some countries, and you have to consider insurance requirements, and other legal requirements. Also if you own a car and it goes wrong you bear the cost of putting it right. Renting a car is a simpler option - but can be more costly. However, it has the ultimate flexibility of not having to be responsible for any repairs, or selling the vehicle at the end of your travels. Do be aware accidents and claims against the insurance of the vehicle might apply to your insurance when back home.