On the occasion of women's day, I had the opportunity of collaborating with a fellow blogger who I admire immensely. Renuka from Voyager for Life , is a solo woman traveler who weaves magical stories of her escapades. As a passionate wanderer, she breaks away from the traditional stereotypes that a woman cannot travel alone . Through her vivid travelogues, she transports us to offbeat and exotic destinations in India , many of which cannot be found in guidebooks. She, is truly an inspiration!
As part of the collaboration, we have each written about our experiences as women travelers. This is our individual take on how we interpret our travel experiences.
My Travel Experiences
As someone with an insatiable hunger to see the world, I have been fortunate to have some incredible experiences on my travels. From discovering hidden springs in New Zealand, to exploring the exotic marine life in Seychelles, every experience has been unique and enriching . I have often accompanied my husband on work trips and while he would be in office, I would explore the cities with a camera in tow. Along the way, I have met friendly locals , explored offbeat paths and found a renewed sense of fulfillment.
Getting Lost in Seychelles
Sometimes, losing your way is the best way to explore a new city. Here, I was , frantically looking at a map trying to figure out where we were, when I looked over my shoulder and gasped! Miles and miles of pristine ocean dotted with little islands greeted me. As someone who hates fixed itineraries, I love stumbling upon new and untouched places on my travels and getting inspired. This, for one was an incredibly inspiring experience.
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Witnessing hot springs in Rotorua, New Zealand
After driving a few hours from Auckland, I entered a different world all together. Natural hot springs surrounded us as the smoke hovered above creating a perfect silhouette . Even though the smell of sulphur lingered in the air, experiencing a natural wonder like this made me appreciate nature even more.
Stepping into the clouds at Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
While driving along the hilly terrains of Sabah, the road ahead was quickly engulfed in a cloak of mist. The sun light seeped in through the clouds led to an ethereal experience . The clouds, the sun and me.. this was the perfect idyllic setting. An experience of a lifetime.
The Creepy Crawlies at Jakarta
Let me start off by saying that I detest snakes! Even though, they are an integral part of nature, they still send shivers down my spine. So, what on earth am I doing with a snake around my neck? Well, this is probably the most interesting and creepy experience I have had till date. I was accompanying my husband on a work trip and decided to head to the outskirts of Jakarta to 'mini Indonesia Indah' and explore the place on my own. While walking around, I came across an enclosure which had snakes and komodo dragons. The keeper was a friendly man and he asked me if I wanted to see the animals up close. Throwing caution to the wind , I agreed! In hindsight I was probably too intrigued to refuse. Anyways, in went the man and out came this long, slimy, huge snake! I probably died right there ! The keeper asked me if I wanted to hold the snake.. well, as you can comprehend , I'm too much of a sucker when it comes to adventure. Even though I probably haven't been as creeped out or frightened in a while, this experience really freaked me out. I still can't recollect how I ended up smiling then!
Indulging the Lara Croft in me at Angkor Wat, Cambodia
An explorer at heart, I had always wanted to visit the Angkor Wat temples in Cambodia and when the opportunity came , I was understandably excited. These are not just ancient ruins, they are a reminder of how life used to be thousands of years ago. Even on an incredibly hot day, a walk through the temples was enriching and informative. For a history lover like me, these ruins provided a unique perspective to life. Even to this day, these temples are a shining beacon of a bygone era.
Catching the Snowflakes in Gulmarg, Kashmir
Of all the places I have visited, Kashmir remains my favorite destination . Its scenic valleys, vibrant blossoms, organic produce, pristine lakes and snow capped mountains are just some of the reasons why its known as a paradise. For a novice like me who had never seen snowfall, catching the powdery flakes in Gulmarg made it an experience I will always cherish.
The Baby Elephant at Pinnewala Elephant Orphanage, Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka has seen its fair share of war and atrocities. While humans did suffer, some of the silent sufferers were the island's animals. The elephant orphanage at Pinnewala has rehabilitated many elephants that were injured during the LTTE occupation. Some of them lost their sight and many lost their limbs due to bombings and landmines. When I visited Pinnewala, I felt a heart wrenching pain towards these animals. The little baby elephant pictured below was born from a female elephant who had permanent injuries yet she tried to take care of the little one. Often, on our travels, we come across stories of courage and resilience and sometimes they don't come from humans but from animals.
Travel should liberate you, not restrict you.
Shed those inhibitions, tear those guidebooks, create some splendid memories as your discover the world!
Happy Women's day!