LONGING TRAVEL
  • Home
  • Features
  • India
  • SE Asia
  • Trending
  • contact



When you have traveled a route and experienced its beauty and wealth of culture and cuisine it is a given that you would want to share it with others. From detailed descriptions to family and friends over photo slideshows to putting up pictures on Facebook and Instagram; waiting for a few likes or a comment to strike up conversation.


We engaged in many such discussions over the past years with us trying to explain how beautiful the sculptures of Elephanta look when Shiv towers high above you in a cave, sculpted some 100s of years ago. We read about all of these in our books and none of the books has come close to explaining the grandeur of Kailasha temple at Ellora. A temple cut out from a hill, with a chisel and a hammer. Even for architects like us it is difficult to imagine how much time and sweat this single cave temple would have demanded. And every time we try to explain it our word fall short and we are left thinking if only we could show you that.
Kailash Temple at Ellora 

photo credit: patrikmloeff via photopin cc

It is this feeling which many travelers would know that made us think about leading tours. We wanted to share with others what we have experienced travelling through India. Agra, Delhi, Jaipur would have been the logical choice for many and it irritates me to see most tourists go back thinking that is all that India has to offer. They would never know the vast expanse of Hampi’s ruins of the calm of cruising over Backwaters of Kerala. Keeping what was logical aside we decided to take up the South Indian route not just because of its cultural heritage and beautiful landscapes but also for its food.


Charminar
photo credit: Eustaquio Santimano via photopin cc

I have rarely found a traveler who does not travel for food. I have found many visitors who do not care about any other food or culture but their own. If you have been to Malaysia and never tried nasi goreng or chicken satay and if you have come to India  and gone back without trying at least one of our street food you have missed the biggest journey your could have been on while travelling.


India is a foodie’s delight with a different cuisine every few 100 kms. Keeping true to the tradition of variety we marked a route which would take you from vada pav of Mumbai to fish fry of Alleppey all the while tasting Hyderabadi biryani, Haleem and cooling ourselves with falooda and icecream. They are spicy and they are sweet and they are one of the biggest reasons we have been travelling. They are also one of the deciding factors of why we are taking a certain route for our tours.



After we knew where all we wanted to take our friends it was time to decide upon the group number, so we went to studying how others and the big guns were doing it. We found that there would be around a group of 10 lead by one person. We have been there, and though the groups are awesome many times one of us would miss out on something and real interaction with the host. According to us three people per host would take care of our concerns of interaction and a personal tour experience, so we restricted the group to six.

This meant giving up a lot of profits or raising the price to exorbitant amounts. This is where having a regular salary comes in play, since we are not living off the income made from the tour (which was now to be very less) we could afford to keep the price same as others even though we were offering a lot more and a smaller group. Also the prices which might be less from a western point or for those with a good income they are still a bit higher for many.



On a government run tour of Ajanta and Ellora at many points it so happened that we had to cross quite a few souvenir shops and after travelling enough we know that this was not by chance. This is a way to get business to locals and souvenirs to those who want them, but it can get a bit irritating. We decided to put up a few merchandise on sale only for those who are going to be a part of our group tour. They can now pre-select their souvenirs and even take requests from friends and family for what to get them. Even if they want to buy it on ground they will know what to look for, be it the Himroo craft of Aurangabad, Bidri artwork of Bidar or pearls of Hyderabad.

It has been a few days since we have launched the tours and we expect to see them growing year after year. Hop onto reserve your spot.

  • 0 Comments

We have all been trained to worship our work; while there is nothing wrong in giving due importance to your work worshiping it is taking it a bit too far. Many will not agree with this especially in a country like mine where we are trained from childhood that there is only one sure shot way of being successful in life and that is by working day and night, and treating your job like your life. I am sure most of us have seen our parents working with his mindset and many of us do too. This post might come across as me deterring people from working and therefore succeeding in life, when I am trying to  lay foundation of a lifestyle which is not just sustainable it is also satisfying and you will end up hating your job a little less.

The first step is to realize that there is a lot more to life than work and chores. There is nothing wrong if your life revolves around your home and office, as long as that is what you want. In most cases we all want a little bit extra and some of us want a lot extra from life. None of us are wrong it is our life and we all have all the right to demand what you want from it as long as you are ready to work for it. It is easy to want to be  a guitarist (ask me) but to actually get to playing and practicing is a tough job. It means that you need to take out time and maybe some money and get to it. It also means that you stop procrastinating. The 'YOU' in these past few lines is me, it has been over 5 months since Aj bought me a guitar and it has been almost the same time since I have picked it up to learn or play. As of now I know more about how NASA works than how to play that guitar. It is still in my things to do but I haven't being doing this.

Meet David Robert Hogg Travelling with his two kids 

It is more than just travel

Longing travel and Travel with job series are much more than travel, yes I believe travel is one of the best ways to claim your life but no one shoe fits all. This is about creating a change and impacting life of others both those close to you and those you barely know. Over past few years I have had people look at us travelling and say you must be earning good, do you have any work load and you must have the best boss in the world. We make decent pay but nothing out of the ordinary, in fact many who have asked that earn way more than us. We also have regular workload with spikes every few weeks, we just manage it better. We have to agree we have a great boss but that is because we rarely spring surprises on him.

So if we are in the same bracket as every one else why we can do it and they can't. Those who look at us and then run around looking for an excuse as to why they can't travel or so something else they want don't want it as bad. If for you life is fine if nothing happens then who am I to tell you otherwise. The saying that we deserve the politicians we have extends to this scenario too, if you have done nothing to change it you deserve the life you have.

Meet Cory Lee who is travelling the world on his wheelchair


How we got here

When I joined my first office in 2009 I had rosy dreams of travelling every weekend and living my life to the extreme. I had the dreams but working to realize them was too much and meant planning, getting around parents and their permissions and simply learning to stand on ,my own two feet. The change came when started travelling for GoUNESCO, on our very first trip to Ajanta-Ellora we came across a British couple who had sold off everything and were now travelling the world. Before them I had never heard anybody doing that and I vividly remember going all polite and treading around their property sell off story. Till March 2013 these things never existed in my immediate universe and by extension in the world.

Meet Lainie a single mom travelling with her son Miro

To my surprise they were happy and I envied their freedom, as we traveled more we felt drawn to traveling and experiencing something new every day. When I started this blog in May 2013 I had nobody reading it, some old colleagues would come across it and they would say it is a great blog. When I think back to my earlier posts they were terrible, ramblings of someone who just wanted to catalog her journey through a challenge. Had I known that simple act of travelling to World Heritage Sites for a day or two will change the way we look at travel and the world around us I would have done it earlier.

When it came together


For us it did not click till we came back from Srinagar with a trip which had been changed more times than any other trip ever. From a trip across northern India it became an unforgettable journey to be a pat of a friends marriage and experience Kashmiri hospitality first hand. We wanted to see all that there was to see, all that we could experience and take everything that he life throws at us in our stride. The decision of the British couple we didn't even exchange names with was making more sense. As we challenged ourselves to sleep in trains every night for a week or going to Sri Lanka without booking any accommodation we learnt more about ourselves than about the place or the journey.
Ajay with a Kehwa pot 

It took us over a year to understand what we wanted from our lives, maybe we still don't know. Our future plans change every few days, one day we are working hard on a project and then we are hard pressed with office work. We know how quickly things can change and how fickle we ourselves are. We all behave like a kid in a candy store more times than we would like to admit. Let me be the first one to tell you it is OK, there is nothing wrong in wanting a lot. The truth is if you do not demand and want how will you work towards realizing it.

Take an action


You would know I am running a series which talks about the How of Traveling with your full time Jobs, I believe it is important that we understand the Why associated with it. For me the important thing is that you understand and accept that there is more to life, whether you want it or not and whether you work for it or not is your choice and I respect it. If the line ' I am supposed to ...' is how you wish to live you life no problem , but if you want to mold it on your terms and get your independence back it is time that you start and we are here to help you through it.

Tell us in comments what you want from your life and we will try to help the best we can.(on a side note we are broke ourselves.)

  • 0 Comments

We tackled asking and getting leaves in the last installment of Travel with Job series it is now time to talk about advance planning. Even as I write this I can imagine a lot of you sighing and giving up. Don't! It is easy to plan for your travel and if you have a full time job and a boss you report to you there is no other way to get travel in your life.



Before we start on the how of the planning let us talk about the Why's.

1. You know all the answers

There are a few questions which define any trip- When, Where, How, For How Long. If you have all your days free or dedicated to travel many of these questions might not be as important to you as someone who has to manage a job along with travel engagements. Unless you know and decide on all of these factors chances are you are not going anywhere.

2. You can schedule your obligations

Unless you go on to become a perpetual nomad you are going to have quite a few social and family obligations that you have to fulfill. right from grabbing a cup of coffee with your friend to throwing a dinner party for your parent's anniversary. It is all important and requires time. Most of these can be pushed around or decided last minute but  things like birthdays, and reunions do require some advance planning.

3. You can ask for leaves on time

If you have ever been a supervisor you know how irritating it can be to get a last minute leave application asking for a week off. Not only is it inconvenient for all parties concerned it can also lead to disagreement and unwanted strain in the work environment. For detailed reading about Leaves and how to ask for them read this.

4. You will save a lot of money

Have you ever heard that because you are booking jut a day in before the flight you will get a huge discount. Most probably not, because that does not happen. As you get closer to the D-day everything becomes expensive especially if it is the holiday season. I have seen 12000 Rs ($200)  flights get to 27000($450) during Diwali, Christmas or Durga Puja. If you want to be travelling on those dates you better plan early in the year. Even if you are not travelling during peak times it is better to decide early and book early.
We were able to book Hyderabad to Delhi flights for two for Rs 2400 because we knew our dates and took up the airlines on their offer as soon as it was launched. The same flight today are over Rs 6000, and we would have probably taken the train than spent 12000 total on flights. Everything is cheaper when booked in advance and you can take better advantage of deals floating around.



Now that we are clear about why we need to plan in advance it is time to get to the planning part. For that you need a bucket list, no not the scrap of paper where you scribble all your wishes, instead you need something like what I have below. You can either make your own in a excel file or copy this Google Doc to fill your own.



Great now you have the biggest tool you need to increase your travel time and decrease your cancellations. Let us get started and go through how to get the most out of this Ultimate Bucket List.

1. Where

Plan Travel
Where Are you Going?

Where are you going?
This is the basic question of any travel expedition whether it ranges from a few hours to a few days. Fill in the places you want to be visiting this year. Yes, the entire year and fill in only the places you can visit, be realistic you might not be able to trek in Nepal and go on a cruise to Antarctica in the same year so choose one and put it in. In general there should be 4-5 places where you can reach in maximum 4 hours journey and 2-3 places 8 hours or more away.

2. How

How Are you Traveling?

How do you plan on going to the place?
Will you drive, fly or take the train? This will change the category of the place and the time it takes to reach it. For example a flight to Andaman is just 2 hours but a cruise ride from mainland India can take nearly 3 days!

3. How Long

How long will you be there?

How long do you plan on spending at the place?
 Keep it real most of us would be lucky to get two 10 day trips in a year, so hoping you will get two months off to go ad explore turkey is not going to help anyone. But in case you can get those kind of leaves put it against the destination you have selected.
All of the above were your wishlist almost like the way bucket lists are supposed to work what follows now is the stuff which will make or break the deal and require you to do some extra work than jotting stuff on paper or your excel file.

4. When

When Do You plan to Travel?

When are you going to travel to a certain place? 
This will require you to take out the calendar ( You can get a printable calendar here) which shows holidays and can be used to mark your leaves. It can be both physical like a printout or table calendar or a digital one like Google calendar or Ical.
You should know when you can travel to the destination of your choice. Very few people would like to travel to Alaska in winters, or to a desert in summers. Here you need some basic but invaluable research which you can get by just entering Best time to go to---- in Google. Write it down in the best time column under when section of the list.

Look out for long weekends and situations where you can get 4-5 days total by taking a day or two off. Plan your longer trips next to the long weekend and smaller trips in the in-between months so that you do not feel deprived. Most people find it comfortable to travel for 3-4 days in a month with a week or ten day vacation once every three months.
By now you should have exact dates for your travels. Highlight your leaves on the calendar and enter the dates you want to be travelling in the bucket list.

5. How much

How Much will you be spending?


How Much will you be spending?
This factor can lead to quite a few changes in your previously prepared list, but it is important you take it up in the end. It is time now to decide how much is the trip going to cost you and what budget you want to assign to it. Take into consideration the time you have, time of the year you are travelling and how you plan on going there.
There are many books and blogs which will tell you how much you will end up spending in a destination. If it is too costly to fly at that time of the year change your dates or go somewhere else, and if you have to go there at that time look into cheaper stay and entertainment options.

All done


Now you have your travel plans and the days you are going to take off marked and clearly detailed. It is now time to get your leaves in order and start looking for great deals to book your travel and stay. Look out for the next post in the Travel with job series dealing with the best credit card to support your travels.
  • 0 Comments

Most working individuals long to take some time off and destress there are those who manage to go off for a week or two in a year and then there are those who are either too scared to ask for a day off or who just want to save up their leaves. You can be in any one of these categories but since you are reading this it is more likely you are in the fourth category which wants to take leaves but doesn't know how to go around and ask for them.

We get 18 days of Annual earned leave, 7 days each of casual and sick leaves for a total of 32 days in a year. Looking around the world it can seem a good deal, or too less. France is known for weeks of off days while it is more of a norm to hear about 10 days of paid leave in US. If you get only 10 days off a year and you want more (naturally!!) you have a lot to do which may involve changing your job. More often than not it is quite possible to get a few days off to go and visit a close by destination. Actual problem is when you want more than a couple of days off to visit a place far away. Here's a guide on how to get those leaves without becoming a liability for your boss.

Know your contract

All of us have a certain number of leaves we can take in a year defined in our contracts or through company policy. It is very important for you to know what types of leaves you can take and under what requirements. Most offices allow you to call in sick for a day or two without a note from your doctor. While many restrict you to club sick leaves with annual paid vacation time. To use your leaves and avoid friction in office it is important you know what you are entitled to. There might be a case where your boss would let you combine a few things at her discretion but it is better to never bet on it.

Do your job well

It goes without saying that unless you work well your interests will never be considered important by the company. But there is a catch, if you do not delegate responsibility well and become the only person who knows about something, it will be difficult to get days off. Being a part of the team and contributing in it always pay off. If you do see people getting days off easily even if they are the slacking at their jobs, don't go on a tirade about it. Every employee is allowed to maintain their own kind of relationship with the employer and it is better to improve your's without commenting on other's.

Do not make it a habit to stay late.

Not only is it detrimental to all other employees it is not sustainable. If allowing you take a week off means the employer looses one and a half worth of work guess what you are going to find it really difficult to get leaves. We as architects have really weird schedule and are known to work huge number of hours a week. After my first office I realized it is not just possible to finish work in prescribed hours it is also difficult to get leaves when you are in office 12 hours a day. It doesn't matter if you are a bachelor or you have nothing to do, get out on time and find something to do with your life.

Plan your leaves in advance

To get the days you want it is important to know what days you want off. It might not be fair to other last minute planners but if you are the first person to declare your intentions there are high chances of your leaves not being declined. I know what you are going to say, I can't decide so much in advance, my wife has to finalize or my friends can't commit or what ever... Guess what mate, if you want a smooth leave approval it is better to know what all days you want off WAY in advance. And as far your friend are concerned ask them to commit now if they can't their loss. There are many benefits of advance planning and if you are not filthy rich you should be doing it anyway. Still not convinced sign up for the next post which is about how and why of planning.

Intimate your supervisor strategically

Great you now know by the 10th of January what all days you are going to take an off do not go and vomit the information on your supervisor. It is a strange psychological response to deny anyone who is asking for multiple things even if it is all justified. If you do not believe me think back to your childhood days when your mom would happily give you one thing but as soon as you got greedy and started asking for more, in a few cases she would even take the one she gave you back.
A good time is around 3 months for a week long holiday and a month or two for a couple of days or a long weekend. If it sounds way ahead of schedule and you worry that your supervisor will forget write a mail after verbal approval and ask her politely to confirm. That way even if your supervisor forgets you have some proof that you did inform them. We put up a calendar of our future leaves marked at our bosses table. If he forgets we just point to it.

Remind people of your leaves when the time comes near

Around two weeks before you are about to leave inform people concerned of your impending absence so that they cna clarify their doubts and priority work can be finished before you go. This will also make sure that there are less people looking for you when you are vacationing and you work will be in a better condition when you come back. There should never be a situation where your boss calls you up asking where you are and you remind him of your leave starting today.

Be Transparent

I have seen people lying to get leaves and if you are travelling in that time there are high chances your boss will know you lied. Pictures are almost every where on the internet and if one person form your office knows there are chances everyone knows. This is never good for any professional relation ship. Also remember these leaves are within your right you should not have to lie. If the only way to get leaves in your company is a health or family emergency rethink if you want to be working there in the first place.

Here's and Infographic showing how exactly to get what you want... leaves.


Click here to view the pdf version of the infographic

Be Firm yet Polite

If you want a day off and you are entitled to it there is no reason your company can stop you from taking it. If every day off is met by a veiled threat of being fired go to the last line of the previous point. As with any professional negotiation it pays to be firm. Remember you are just asking for a few days off  maybe a week or two, and plan on coming back and working with the same people. Being firm about your requirements does not mean you have to be rude or wave regulation in their face the moment you get in the discussion. Be civil and remember you are going to be working with these people even after you come back, there is no need to add strain.

Be clear about your accessibility while on leave

Can you be reached by phone or you will be off the grid? Can you and will you be working a few hours a day even if to reply to a few mails? All of these questions need to be answered if you are going off for a week or so. It is always better to inform relevant people you are not sure about connectivity and might not be available, if you are not sure you will be able to entertain any work related phone or mail. put up the out of office reminder so that your clients and colleagues know you will not be replying to them and they should approach someone else. This for one will help you get leaves in future much easily.

Be back on the day you promised

Unless you get stuck in some unavoidable circumstances or weather plays a spoil sport be back on the day you promised to be back. When you flippantly take additional days off your boss is definitely not going to be happy and in most cases will inform you in no uncertain words. If you are coming in late inform, if you are stuck or need another day call up and inform your boss if not you team. If you don't want to do that be there on the day you promised.

More often than not above pointers will get you the leaves you want. Remember every culture has a different view on days off and travelling, most of the old time views are not in our favor. It is our responsibility to train our employees and when our turn comes be generous with our employees.

A note to our employers

No one should be forced to work on days they don't want to. Unless there is a life and death situation let people live their lives you will have a place people will love coming to.

If you found this post helpful help other out by sharing.
  • 2 Comments
This guide is a hand guide and is in no way meant to be used as an exclusive guide for all sites or any for that matter. It is meant to give you a brief preview of the sites along with basic information.
In case you find it difficult to read and process the information on the blog you can also download the pdf after signing up here.

Srilanka Heritage

Sri Lanka an island country in the Indian Ocean just off the southern tip of India, offers a huge wealth of cultural, natural and built resources which for the lack of better phrase will ' make you feel alive'. From the ancient sacred city of Anuradhapura to the rain forests of the highlands there is not just a lot to see there is a lot to do as well. You can climb the Sri Pada (Adam's Peak) along with the pilgrims or you can bear witness to beautiful rock paintings of Sigiriya, and this is without factoring in the non world heritage sites sand activities like whale watching and surfing.

UNESCO lists eight World Heritage Sites there are actually ten with three of them joining together to form a bigger site. These include both cultural and natural sites which showcase built monuments and traditions as well as last remnants of rain forests and the endemic species. All of these sites can be easily visited in the prescribed 30 day time period of your visa though if you want to see more than these sites and also if you want to spend good enough time to truly take in the wonders, you might need the visa extension.

Transport

Travelling around Sri Lanka is quite easy and the country has developed its infrastructure in past few years. Trains and bus linking most of the big cities are quite frequent, the size of the country being an advantage it is possible to cross from east to west in one day on road. Buses are the lifeline of the country and if you are in doubt about whether or not you can reach someplace locate a bus stand and ask around chances are there will be a direct bus or a connecting option.

Currency

Currency of use is Lankan Rupees; you can exchange your currency both at the airport and at various money changer around the town including banks. Though if you are flying in from India, do not carry cash as of Feb 2014 Indian Rupee was not being exchanged anywhere. Indian debit and credit cards work well though.

Entry and Access

Remember to check up on transport and entry fees before you leave for a site. Cultural triangle ticket was recently scrapped and lead to many deciding to skip one site or the other because of high entry prices.

Accommodation

 Accommodation is easily available and reasonable though many find it expensive compared to India or other South-east Asian countries. We did not have any problem finding walk in stays even on a very busy weekend at Adam's Peak. The links that I have included are affiliate links and even though I would be happy you book using those I still recommend you try a few un-booked stays as they abundant and cheap.

About the Guide


This guide is a hand guide and is in no way meant to be used as an exclusive guide for all sites or any for that matter. It is meant to give you a brief preview of the sites along with basic information.
In case you find it difficult to read and process the information on the blog you can also download the pdf after signing up here.

The World Heritage Sites


Sacred City of Kandy

Kandy temple of tooth
View of the Temple complex Photo Credit: POTIER Jean-Louis
Year of inscription: 1988
Entry fees: Free for Sri Lankans 10$ for foreigners you can buy online ticket as well
Closest base point: Kandy

Description

Kandy has been the seat of Sri Lankan royals for over two hundred years and if the legend is to be believed it is because of the relic housed in the Temple said to house the tooth relic of Buddha, hence the name ‘Temple of Tooth’. It is also believed that who so ever has the relic rules the land. Many of the struggles in Sri Lanka's ancient history were because of the relic and each ruler took great pains to secure the relic. The temple was constructed as a part of the Royal palace enclosure.
As the seat of Sinhalese rulers Kandy has always played a very important part in politics, with the temple it has become one of the most revered place for the Buddhist. The temple organizes prayers and events in the evenings and every Wednesday evening there is the bathing ritual for the relic. The herbal preparation used to bathe the relic is collected and distributed among the visitors as holy water, believed to cure many problems.
Thought he Temple is best known the complex contains much more than the just the temple. Along with other buildings it also consists of a sanctuary which is home to the endemic bird species of  Lanyard’s Parakeet.

Getting There

Kandy is well connected with rail and road to major cities of Sri Lanka especially to Colombo. A three hour bus ride from the bus terminal near Airport will get you to Kandy City Centre which is walking distance from the Temple of Tooth enclosure. All the buildings are located in the complex while the entry for the sanctuary is a bit of the walk and lies on the right side of the Tapovanaya Monastery.

Accommodation

Kandy is full of sleeping options to suit all kinds of budgets and needs. There is also a decent couch surfing group. I have not seen any meets but we were able to get quite a few accommodation requests in a day or so. You should be able to find clean basic accommodation with attached toilets for around 800 LKR. As with most places in Sri Lanka you are quoted a cheaper price if you just walk in. For budget accommodation, look at Kandy City Hostel or Olde Empire. Both can be booked online like most of the places in Sri Lanka.




Ancient city of Sigiriya

Sigiriya
Frescoes of Sigiriya

Year of Inscription: 1982
Entry fees: foreigners 30$ including museum visit. 50% off for SAARC nationals
Closest base point: Dambulla or Sigiriya though you can visit easily from Kandy

Description

Constructed high up on a rock Sigiriya is both a palaces complex and a fort. Surrounded with beautiful planned gardens the rock stands tall and is considered the eighth wonder of the world by many. The 200m high rock can be climbed with 1200 steps both carved in the rock as well as steel steps hung from the side of the rock at a much later date.
As you go higher the steps get steeper and on the last leg you might see many clinging to the railing as they move up. Before you reach the summit of the rock to the actual palace ruins you will come across various stops. All of these are actually checkpoints, your ticket will have each one of them mentioned and a ticket checker will take the relevant part of your ticket as you cross the stop.
Mirrored wall is a stucco covered wall that runs along the steps. It is said that the polishing of the stucco was maintained such that the king could see his reflection in the wall. The wall is now covered by graffiti from 8th to 10th century, talking about the abandoned fort as well as the frescoes.
Frescoes of Sigiriya are perhaps the next image you will see after the beautiful sky shot of the rock. These frescoes believed to be of the king's ladies, some believe covered an entire face of the rock. If this was the case then it would have been a huge picture gallery. The paintings look a bit like Ajanta caves but are believed to be of the same time period as Anuradhapura, though they are of a completely different style than the ones at Anuradhapura.
Almost three fourths of the way up you will reach the terrace which has the famous Lion feet stairway. It is believed to once have been a grand lion edifice with a gateway protecting the entry to the palace. This is where you will find most of the climbers resting. Summit and the palace ruins are now close by maybe another 10 minutes and you will be in the ruins which once saw the grandeur of a King's palace.
There are many gardens all around the rock varying from a water gardens to Boulder garden. Look below from the ruins at the top for a grand view of the citadel. The citadel in its glory can be seen at the museum with a well done model of the site. The museum is well designed and the collection mostly related to Sigiriya is good. The entry for museum is included in your ticket price so there is no reason to skip it.

Getting there

The heritage site of Sigiriya is well connected by bus which arrive every half an hour or so from Dambulla. You can also hire a tuk-tuk or a taxi to drop you here or for a return journey. It is best to base yourself at Dambulla if you are only visiting Sigiriya rock.
Do Not get off on the main road if you have hired a private vehicle, insist on getting dropped at the ticket counter, it is quite a bit of walk from road as well as the parking.

Accommodation

If you want to stay at Sigiriya you will still have a wide variety of choice in accommodation as you move towards Dambulla on the main road. Though available most of the guest houses you will find online are not really as cheap as you will find in other parts of the country. Staying is Sigiriya is recommended if you plan on climbing the Pidurangala rock nearby which is free.






Golden Temple of Dambulla

Golden Temple
Buddhas of The Golden Temple

Date of inscription: 1991
Entry fees: Foreigners pay a flat fee of 1500 for all nationalities
Closest base point: Dambulla or Kandy

Description

The rock temple of Dambulla is situated high up on a rock and houses various Buddhist statues and paintings. Accessed after climbing a lot of steep steps the temples are in a series of five caves. Dedicated to king and Buddha the caves feature Buddha in various poses from standing to sleeping. Though these are the caves most of us visit there are around 80 documented caves in the area. The area is considered to have been a prehistoric settlement with a burial ground found nearby. I could not find a way to reach the ancient site or other caves.
Most important thing to remember is to buy ticket. Visiting the museum is free for foreigners but the temple requires a ticket. You might be told by locals that ticket is not required because it is free for them. In case you do forget to buy the ticket you will have to come down climb up steps to the ticket counter and then climb up again. It will not be pretty. The temples should not take an entire day and many visit both Sigiriya and the temple on the same day, which is easily done but hard on your legs.

Getting There

Like most of Sri Lanka Dambula is well connected by bus. You can take a non-ac bus for around 100-150 to Kandy and Colombo and vice-versa. Bus from Sigiriya starts a bit further down the road near the market, and will drop you there too. Do not go to the bus stand it is off the Kandy road by 1 KM or so.

Accommodation

Dambulla is usually considered as the base point for visiting other WHS cities in the area. You will find accommodation in all price and comfort ranges. Prices usually start from 1500 upwards for a double room though it is possible to negotiate as you walk in the place. It is also possible to visit Dambulla from Kandy. We did a Day trip to both Sigiriya and Dambulla from Kandy in a single day and though the climb was tiring the entire trip was easy and we did not skip anything.

Sacred city of Anuradhpura

Anuradhapura
Ruwanwelisaya Stupa Photo credit: Roberto Saltori

Date of inscription: 1982
Entry fees: 30$ for foreigners and 50% reduction for SAARC Nationals
Closest base point: Anuradhpura or Dambulla

Description

Centre of Sinhalese empire for 1300 years the city has seen various developments as well as invasions. The invasion of 993 by Cholas the capital was shifted to Polonnaruwa. The city was once even held by Pandayan kings who returned it to the Sinhalese monarchy in return against ransom. Though the city was established long ago it saw major development when Buddhism was introduced and the Bodhi tree was planted. The city has various monuments ranging from stupas to museums and monasteries spread over kilometers. You would require a tuk tuk or a bike to navigate the old town or the historical city.
Stupas of varying sizes can be seen all around the city including Ruwanwelisaya which is still a place of worship. The oldest and most voluminous of all stupas in the city it has been fully restored and painted in white.
Another stupa called the Jetavana or Dagoba is under restoration. The stupa standing at 120 m was once the largest structure in Sri Lanka and the tallest ancient stupa. It was indeed the third tallest structure after The Great Pyramids of Giza. Some do believe that the stupas were much more than worship centre owing to their layout which represents three stars on Orion's belt much similar to the layout of The Great Pyramids of Giza.
The citadel itself is a sight to behold though most of the structures are now ruins.  The city was located in the dry part of the country and many tanks were built to supply adequate water which still stand. It also had one of the most complex irrigation systems in the ancient world.
Another structure not to miss is the Brazen Palace. Thought to be a nine floor monastery currently around 1600 pillars of stone can be seen. Called as Lovamahapaya because of the bronze roof it was right next to the Bo tree brought to the city by Asoka's daughter Sanghmitra. The city tells stories of various times all through stone and the remnant of its citizen which can be visited in two of the museums.

Getting there

Bus from Colombo take 5 hours and run every 30 minutes or so. Buses are also available regularly from Kandy. Anuradhapura has two train stations with train from Colombo to Anuradhapura running earliest  at 5:45. It is always advisable to check and book tickets in advance for the train journey especially if you want to travel first class.

Accommodation


Anuradhapura has many budget as well as upper end accommodation options though budget to middle range are easily available but not so much online. A decent room with TV and fridge can cost you around 3000 LKR.






Ancient city of Polonnaruwa

Polonnaruwa
Gala Vihara Photo Credit : Mahesh Kularatne 

Date of inscription: 1982
Entry fees: 30$ for foreigners and 50% reduction for SAARC Nationals
Closest base point: Polonnaruwa, Dambulla or Kandy

Description

One of the best planned cities of ancient time Polonnaruwa became the capital after Chola invarion in 993 when Anuradhapura was abandoned as the capital. The city has one of the most efficient rain water harvesting and irrigation system which still supplies water for paddy cultivation during the dry and hot season. A huge shallow moat called Parakrama Samudra encircles the entire city, acting as a safety from the enemy and a lifeline for the citizens. The moat is so wide that it is difficult to see the other shore. Gal Vihara is the most visited monument of Polonnaruwa with beautiful monolithic statues of Buddha carved into stone it is considered to be place where the King used to have congregation of religious leaders.
Several story high Royal Palace stands tall in the centre of the city with a audience hall nearby. Made of thick brick walls and wood parts of its edifice remain today. It is said to have been burned during an invasion. Remains of many other buildings like the shrine for tooth relic can be seen. It is better to hire a tuk tuk or a bike to shuttle between the sites.

Getting there

Polonnaruwa is a 6-8 hour bus ride from Colombo. It is around 3 hours from Kandy a distance of 140 Km. Buses are readily available and are quite reliable though they can get a bit crowded. A daily train runs from Colombo to Trincomalee connecting Polonnaruwa. The train journey takes around 6 hours and train runs at 6 in the morning.

Accommodation

Many budget guesthouses are available near the Batticola road with prices ranging from 800-1000. Higher end accommodation is also available and can be booked online.


Old Town of Galle and its Fortifications

Galle
Old Town Roads of Galle

Date of inscription: 1988
Entry fees: free for most part though there is a 5$ fees for the museum.
Closest Base Point: Galle, Colombo  or Matara

Description

Galle is one of the biggest reminders of Sri Lanka once being a Dutch colony and is one of the best example of fortified city developed by Europeans in south, south-east Asia. Covering an area of 52 Ha the city was defended by 14 bastions. Laid on a grid pattern adopted to suit the terrain the city housed around 500 families and was the centre of development and later designated the administrative centre for south of the country by British.
Present day Galle retains its charm of a fortified city and walking along the ramparts is one of the best ways to enjoy the fort city. These walls sustained the tsunami which led to massive destruction along the coastal parts of the city. Though many do stay in the city it is an easy day's trip from the neighbouring famous beach towns on the south coast. The city is considered as a heritage site for being an urban settlement which resonates with both European and South Asian vibes and traditions.
The fortified city houses a private museum apart from the government run museum. The museum displays collection of one man. As you move around you will see people engaged in crafts like weaving the lace and polishing stones. You will also be directed through the shops in the museum which sell gems and other valuables.

Getting there

Galle is around two and a half hours journey by train to Colombo and an hour or so to most of the neighbouring beach towns of Hikkaduwa and Mirissa. Buses are easily available and run at regular intervals. Bus to Colombo may take 2.5-4 hours depending on the service and traffic. Train and bus station is right across the fort entry.

Accommodation

Galle has perhaps the most luxurious of hotels in Sri Lanka along with the southern coastal areas. Many budget and cheap guest houses and hostels can be found though they come at a relatively higher price compared to other areas in Sri Lanka with the cheapest accommodation option around 1200LKR.


Sinhraja Reserve forest

Sinharaja Forest
Sinharaja Reserve forest Photo Credit: Nadeera Jayasinghe

Date of inscription: 1989
Entry fees: 660LKR plus compulsory guide
Closest Base Point: Galle, Deniyaya or Weddagala

Description

Though to be the last haven for lions of Sri Lanka and definitely the last of undisturbed rainforest area in Sri Lanka Sinharaja national park is around 3 hours drive from Galle. The park houses most number of endemic bird species in the island country, around 18 of the 20 found in Sri Lanka have been spotted in these forests. The 189 sq km area of the reserve consists of ridges and peaks with Hinipitigala being the highest peak at 1171m.
The forest receives around 3000mm of rain each year going over to 5000mm a year. The drier months of August September and January to April are the best time to visit the reserve. The humidity remains at about 87% with a constant temperature of 24C. Be prepared for leeches as there are many along the way.

Getting there

There are three access ways for the reserve
Access ways
Kudawa entrance - Colombo --> Kalawana --> Kudawa
Pitadeniya Entrance - Galle or Matara --> Deniyaya --> Pitadeniya
Morning Side Entrance -- Galle or Matara --> Deniyaya --> Morning Side Estate
The most convenient way is to hire a tuk-tuk or a private vehicle and drive to the entrance. You can easily get a bus to Deniyaya from Galle and then hire a tuk-tuk. Getting to the park is not very convenient  and you might end up spending a night at the nearby town.

Accommodation

Accommodations in all ranges are easily available around Deniyaya and Weddagala. Budget places are available starting around 10-15$ or you can opt for higher end lodges for around 150$+.
Contact number for forest department run places and other details can be found here.


Central Highlands of Sri Lanka

Adam'e Peak
View from top of Adam's Peak

Date of inscription:2010
entry fees varies while climbing the SriPada is free you might pay around 30$ for entry to Horton Plains.
Closest base point: Varies covered below

Description:

Home to the sacred mountain of SriPada held in reverence by four religions the peak wilderness protected area joins in with Horton plains and Knuckles Conservation Forest to make the central highlands of Sri Lanka. The highlands rise to 2500 m above the sea level and are one of the last remnants of Montane forests. With famous World's End the highlands are a not to be missed while visiting Sri Lanka.

The Peak Wilderness Protected Area.

Though a large part of these forests were cleaned to make space for tea plantations around Nuwara elliya the remaining areas were declared a sanctuary in 1940. Though you can enter the forest with permission from Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Department you will not find any lodge in the forest to spend the night in. Care should be taken during rainy season as the weather is unpredictable and you can be stranded in life threatening situations in case of sudden floods and heavy downpour. To get a bird's eye view of the sanctuary climb the SriPada.

Horton Plains

Horton Plains
Baker falls in Horton Plains Photo Credit: Sankara Subramanian

Covered with grasslands interspersed with Montane forests and cloud forests. With its low hanging clouds the forests are known for world's end where you see nothing when the mist and cloud settle in valley formed by this sheer cliff with 4000ft drop.  It said that Indian Ocean, which is 81 km away to the south, can be seen during clear visibility days. The forests are home to a wide variety of flora and fauna some of which are not just endemic to Sri Lanka but some of those are found nowhere else except Horton plains.

Knuckles Conservation Forest

A vast of expanse of forest covers these ranges and are subjected to almost all climate variations found in Sri Lanka. These forests present a great opportunity to trek on undisturbed paths and are easily accessible. The forests are not just a must visit because of the flora and fauna you will spot or the trek you will enjoy, they are a great visit for their prehistoric sites many of which have been recently identified. Many drip ledges and caves associated with Iron age have been identified.

Getting there and Accommodation

All of the three sites are easily reachable and closest base points for each are.
Peak Wilderness Protected Area- Hatton is around 3 hours by train from Kandy. Stay at one of the places in Nallathanniya if you are climbing the peak. If not you can stay at Hatton.
Horton plains are around an hour's drive from Haputale. It is easiest to hire a auto rickshaw which may be available for 2500 round trip. Be sure to ask around town. Here you are best suited to walk out of the train station and walk in to your accommodation options. We stayed in the first place from the station.
Knuckles Conservation forests
From Colombo through Kandy, Matale Rattota and Illikkumbura ir tajing a route from Colombo through Galeweka, Navyka pallegana, illikkumbura ,a five hour journey.
Through Kandy, Teldeniya, Bambarekka and through Ragala, Thangappuwa Kobert pass, Lullwatta, Deenstan , each route take about 6 hours or little more , depending on traffic and weather changes.
Two more routes to reach Dumbara forest are through Hunnasgiriya, Lullwatta and Kobert pass, Kaikawala , Meemure.
Accommodations are available around Ragala and Hunnasgiriya with limited budget options though higher end resorts and accommodation are easily available.
Contact number for forest department run places and other details can be found here.

A Few More Things

Sri Lanka has started to see many more tourists ever since the end of civil war. Though there are many more things to do and places to see these world heritage sites will provide you a window into Sri Lanka's history as well as natural reserves. The country has launched many programs and conservation efforts and the same reflect in many places. The entry tickets are exorbitantly high though to be fair there is a lot we get to see when we pay 30$ for Anuradhapura.
You might come across some tuk-tuk drivers who will offer to show you around without tickets for price that might be way below the ticket price. This happens in both the cities of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa. Though they might not be able to get you in all the ruins many have had no problem while on such a trip. It is your choice if you want to contribute to local economy or conservation.
It is important to be respectful not only of the nature abut also the traditions and beliefs of the locals. While visiting the sacred cities you will be required to take off your shoes. Do not take photographs with your back to Buddha as it is considered disrespectful. All around the country you will find helpful people who will explain these traditions to you apart from the same being posted up as a sign.

  • 0 Comments


When we stick to a brand or a product without giving others a chance it is us clinging to our way of life and the need to walk in a comfort bubble.
Travelers swear by the airlines they fly and the bags they own. All that is good but there is a flip side to brand loyalty. If you have ever spent extra money to get something you already know because all the other options are foreign, you have already experienced the expensive side of brand loyalty. From the pizza and burger you have been craving instead of the rice plate to the expensive brand of shampoo you have packed in multitudes just to make sure you pamper your hair well. Hey ladies I know what I am saying is second nature to all of us, but tell me how long is the supply going to last if you are on a RTW trip and visiting all the humid South Asian cities. I have carried a lot of toiletries for my two day trip and I have spent three to four time for my lunch simply because the restaurant seemed up class or because I knew the brand.

Giving up brand loyalty is not just for those who are travelling a lot or travelling without their jobs it is actually far far more important for those who are traveling with their jobs simply because it saves you money. When you travel with your job you have people who depend on you, obligations you have to fulfill, you are still not a nomad who can wipe her hands and mind free and think only about herself. you need money not just to sustain travel but to maintain roof over your head when you along with paying for those hotels as you travel. Commute is a daily thing and so are utilities and social commitments. Saving up and making it a habit will surely keep you travelling happy and working happy.

When we travel for business it is usually for a week or two at max and many of us come back without knowing what that place offered. Stuffed with hotel breakfast and office lunches it is very rare to have business traveler sit down in a local shop or trade their shampoo for something local. We rarely take chances and I believe that takes a lot away from travel just the way it did for me when we went for our honeymoon.

Ever paid more to get your brand of Beer?
Before we go in depth on all the issues that brand loyalty can create for a traveler who is either traveling or saving up for her travel it is important that you realize some major things up front.


Currency changes the ball game:

Are you earning in Dollars and planning to spend it in Ringgit or Rupee? If so than you will have a lot less to worry compared to people earning in those currencies simply because your money runs way longer than theirs. But do remember if your favourite brands are present in the country you are going to there are high chances that the same stuff is going to cost you less when you land in the foreign land. 2$ go a long way in SriLanka.
Bottom Line: earn in an expensive currency and spend in a cheaper one or else learn to survive on less and forget those 50$ bottles of whisky.

Somethings cannot be replaced

Most of these things are medically related, but after the recently comparing cost of insulin injections in India and US I am inclined to say you will be better off visiting a high end hospital in a developing country and still save a ton. Tim Ferris had a lot to say about this in his book-----. Now when things are not medically related there are always things that you simply can't compromise on. Maybe you HAVE to use tampons but they are not available in most parts of the world so you stock up. Maybe there is only this specific shampoo which is saving the last hairs on your scalp so you stock it up and leave behind something else.
Bottom line: if there is really something that you cannot live without (or you will come to some harm) it is no problem being brand loyal or stocking them up.

The world is getting smaller

No seriously this is the truth, most often than not you can find the exact same thing in a remote country though you will pay more. There are cases when I have heard people exclaiming that they got their home brands cheaper in India than wherever they are from. If you look carefully there will be a Made in India/China/Vietnam or something similar on most things. So in case you are planning to pack everything stop and do some research that thing might already be available in the country you are heading to. If what you want satisfies both above requirements and is not available stock up otherwise you will find a way.
Bottom Line: You might get your brand where you are going, maybe even cheaper or better and you don't even have to compromise.

Sure you don't want to try something- Different?
There are reasons why choosing a local brand will help your travels and experiences even if the regular you is a bit uncomfortable.

They are usually cheaper

We all know and agree you need money to travel and you need to spend smart if you want to travel more. If you have a million at your disposal please feel free to laugh at us mortals. When you choose a much cheaper product compared to your usual you are cutting down from your established expenses. Not only will this now become a recurring saving you will more often than not start applying it to more and more consumables. Trade off between local chocolates and the dark chocolate you are used to at home can be worth a lot as soon as you start comparing prices. In India most chocolates start from 10 INR but imported dark chocolate will rarely start below 40-50 and that is actually the entry level pricing.

You are experiencing more

Living like a local, experiencing things their way is what most of us dream of when we travel. What better way to experience local culture than to accept and enjoy local produce and products. Lettuce tastes good but have you tried some ripe mangoes or a dragon fruit. You might not be able to put it in a sandwich but really you want a sandwich when you can eat from a Mamak shop and savor piping hot nasi goreng? While in Malaysia for a month I realized potatoes were very expensive and lemon was too much pricing at 99sen per piece. In India that would be a rarity though now produce has gone higher here too. That meant no homemade lemon water and no potato but I filled up my cart on pineapples and watermelons and some very different mee than I was used to.

You are supporting a local business

Well local or not all businesses have dubious policies but supporting a local company makes much more sense than filling up coffers of a multi-national. Eating local, buying local helps the economy and money goes directly in the hands of the people you came to visit. If you have an option drink from a small tea shop and skip the expensive cafe. When you stock up you are supporting your own local business but stocking up usually results in heavier baggage and rarely lasts the whole trip.

Your baggage is lighter

When you stock up or carry what ever is important to you, baggage becomes heavy from the get go. I love shoes and made the mistake of carrying 4-5 pairs for many trips and had over 10 as we left for our honey moon. I wore 2 pairs at max and now travel with just two or add up another if it is required for a specific task. Not only were we marginally spared form paying for extra baggage, that weight was a nuisance. Another issue you risk facing is bursting liquids. Hopefully nothing will actually burst but there are high chances of leakage and when you have multiple bottles the chances multiply.

You save up

Though this follows from the first reason of avoiding brand loyalty when you are traveling it is always better to reiterate because not only will you save money while you are traveling you can keep on saving money when you come back or start when you are building your kitty. Remember most of us cannot recognize varieties of rice but a slightly cheaper but comparable variety will probably do the same thing for you once it is a part of your meal.


If you are traveling with your job and will probably not take a round the world trip until later in life do remember all of this applies to you too. Whether you are an Expat or you are a student or you have a regular salary funding your family coffers staying away from brand loyalty both while travelling and at home can be a savior and breathe fresh air into declining bank balance.We came across Jeera Soda in Hyderabad and loved it. Stuck to coke and other well known aerated drinks I had never looked at the local variety in them until recently and some of those will surprise you.

Not just that when you restrict yourself to a certain brand or product you are letting go of all the experiences and tastes you might get with the other brand or product. We buy a certain kind of oil for daily cooking, if you have been in India you would know that these vary according to regions and you will find people cooking in Ghee to people cooking in olive oil. Though any refined oil works for most of the population now my travels have introduced me to mustard and coconut which I now love because of the flavors they impart. These same ones were at some point discarded because of their distinctive taste.
Delicious Dosas on the Highway near Kadpakkam 

If you think that the chains or big name restaurants are the place to eat, I do not disagree with you completely. Sometimes comfort of something you know and a familiar taste can ease all the discomforts of a hectic trip in a dusty mini bus filled to its brim. I have whenever possible grabbed a burger and coke in other countries and other parts of India just to see if it tastes different. I now know that mayo is way sweeter in Srilanka than anywhere else, and so is the coke apart from being VERY expensive. Seriously I had a veggie KFC burger there. Just like I know No Subway really puts right amount of veggies in Malaysia, no clue why but that's how it works and I could go on and on.
But when you stick exclusively to the top brass of the restaurants not only are you doing a disservice to your pocket but also to the local cuisine. Any part of South India has its own version of Idli which can cost you 20 for 4 pieces in a local shop to 100 for 2 pieces in a well established name and way above that in a five star hotel. The choice is always yours but I am yet to find a big place which does idli sambhar better than the local shops.

There are many things in which brand loyalty can pay you in the long run. Airlines and Hotel miles are one such example but you have to be prepared to spend for the first few nights before you get a free night stay or fly a while before you get some free flights.

I have observed that when we stick to a brand or a product without giving others a chance it is us of clinging to our way of life and the need to walk in a comfort bubble. Though I would probably never tough a live octopus let alone eat it I will travel to japan and may be eat something else which is local and vegetarian, there always is something.

If you have ever felt restricted because of your comfort needs or because you seek a certain product or brand let us know also if you have had any positive or negative experiences with local produce or product put it in comments. All those who tasted Durian or Durian candy I feel you unless you liked it (HOW?).

  • 0 Comments
Older Posts Home

About Us

a


Parul &Ajay +1

We are a couple travelling the world one country at a time with our full time jobs since 2013. Our daughter has joined us from 2018.


Follow Us

  • twitter
  • pinterest
  • instagram
  • facebook

NEVER GO OUT OF STYLE

Banner spot

recent posts

Labels

50$ Travels Andaman Blogging Books Couple Travel Diu Dublin Ecourse Europe Food Gear Get days off Get Travelling Goa Green Travel. Guide Himalaya horror Hostels Hotels Hyderabad Hyderabadi India Interviews jail Job JustOneRhino Musings Photographs pondicherry Puducherry Responsible Tourism Reviews Road Trips SCUBA diving Slider Srilanka Stories The India Prep Guide Tip Tours Travel impacts Travel Inspiration Travel Tips Travel with Job travelogue Travelogues Trek Trek Report TWJ Series UNESCO Weekend Guides World Heritage Sites

instagram

Template Created By : ThemeXpose . All Rights Reserved.

Back to top