Being gifted is luck Or Ixigo :)

iXiGO is a global travel search engine. They search 150+ travel sites to find the best flight, hotel deals.

Their mission: to aggregate travel information and make it searchable and useful.
Their passion: technology that brings speed, usability and transparency to the travel world.

                                          Globally Yours or Mine? :)Gift from Turkish Airlines at my home

Turkish Airlines, one of the most preferred leading European air carrier with global network coverage thanks to its strict compliance with flight safety, reliability, product line, service quality and competitiveness while maintaining its identity as the flag carrier of Turkey

Kobe vs Messi: Legends on Board - Turkish Airlines

Skytrax, a traveler website based in the UK, rated Turkish Airlines Europe’s best for 2011.

                                                                                 Small colorful cute purse 
                                                          KTO or Korea Tourism Organisation @ SATTE 2013

Following its miraculous development over the last 50 years, Korea is now a modernized vibrant nation that still maintains its traditional culture.

      Gifts from Turkey @ SATTE 2013

The Lucky Eye or Evil Eye bead is an amulet that Turkish people believe it protects against the Evil Eye.The Evil Eye amulet is very typical in Turkey: can be seen hanging above doorways, or hanging from the rear-view mirrors of cars, or hanging around someone's neck, and especially pinned to the shirts of newborn babies.

The naturally gifted Gods own country @ SATTE 2013

Wedged between the Western Ghats on the East and the Arabian Sea on the West, the narrow strip of land known as Kerala is a destination of a lifetime.

  Gifts from Orissa@ SATTE 2013

Anuj Nigam's Delhi Darshan

                                                                                           The Being Anuj Pose

Last week,I posted the Delhi Challenge on my blog,and look what I have got,my first post on the subject contributed by Anuj Nigam.Anuj is one of the travellers from Lucknow,and one of my facebook page fan.We are regularly in touch for quite a while through likes and comments.

Note:The writeup and image are first hand experience of Anuj Nigam.Reproduction of  his image or his experience in whole or part on the internet is prohibited.Images are optimized for better page load.


                                                                                    Nightout at India Gate

He was also part of the Delhi Travelers Meet,and is a very vibrant photographer.He is planning to travel to Leh and Bhutan this summer.

You can also be part of the The Delhi challenge and here's how

How to be part of the Delhi Challenge?


The super excited Anuj's initial response about Rashtrapati Bhavan

"Simply Beautiful, awesume trip... I guess ther will be no othr as lavish and Kingly palace in our country as RB... i Kept my cam shutter ON till reception Area nd clicked numerous pic's till ther. (even getting Scolded by Security Pepl)...aftr reception area My cam,cellphn,even my pendrive was taken away frm me... the Palace is Beautiful, i got to see every ceremonial halls(Durbar,ashoka,marble hall),Kitchen Museum,Press room,Mughal gardens etc.nd even Gandhi ji's last blood drops are preserved in thr Museum!!"

Rasthrapati Bhavan has recently opened its doors for Commoners, and here's how you can be part of it

Visit the President House


1)Which are your favorite food joints.Tried Karims,Paranthe wali Gali or Kake da Dhaba?If yes,then which and what is your best?


On my recent trip, I managed to visit Paranthe wali gali in Chandni chowk being tempted with their variety of paranthas. Though I don't remember the name of outlet which I shortlisted among all, on the basis of Celeb pic's as their visitors. I had Mix veg and Paneer paranta @ 75Rs each

2)I am visiting Delhi for the second time,and I do not want to repeat or regain my historical education?What do I do then?

                                                                                           Along the path

Rashtrapati bhavan is a great treat for monuments and palace lovers, both from outside and inside. I got online permission to visit this Palace from inside, which was far better and grand of what we see from outside.

 I got to see every ceremonial hall i.e. Durbar, Ashoka and marble Hall , their museum's, Kitchen, Library, big dining halls, well preserved ages old paintings and Art  etc.


                                                                               Inside the Rashtrapati Bhavan

Plus on every sunday morning 'A change of Guard' ceremony takes place at India gate.. A show worth watching.. ( Told by a Air Force personnel posted at India Gate)



3)Which is the best bar, best creative cafe and best disc in Delhi?Please do not mention very high end places,we all are normal people with limited budget ain't we?

Haven't been to Cafe's and discs much in Delhi. I liked Kunzum travel Cafe @hauz khas

4)How can Delhi be adventurous for you?

                                                                           The road travelled not so often

On my next trip to Delhi Cycling on Rajpath would definitely be on my things to do list.

5)What is the one thing that you'd love to change in Delhi and why?

To change and remove all the impractical rules meant nd made for Photographers, which hinders us to take crazy nd beautiful photographs of people and architecture ;-)

6)Delhi is so symmetrical with style that almost everyone is up to date with fashion.Your favorite fashion joints,favorite dress material,favorite places to go for stitching your dress.Everything




For shopping  I found Karolbagh  good and cheap to shop (bargain is must)..For suitings nd formal Wear- I found Vaish at CP  good. Bit expensive bt worth it.

Going on Dona,Bihar

                                                       What is the cow staring at ? @ Dona,Bihar

A village is always laid back. A village is where your mobile towers or wifi's aren't that important to substantial living.A village has its own way of making every morning a new beginning.A village is unlike urban where we dwell on our daily routine.A village is to enjoy life as it comes.

All Posts on Bihar
The Being Bihari Conversation
Explore the Undiscovered Bihar

A video on my rural + rich adventure in Bihar




"The sweet smell of the Chulha made chicken in the interiors of Dona in Bihar freshly prepared with fragrance that lit up all the senses in a way unimaginable to the otherwise urban me,made me stand up and look closer at the gravy which was as rich.The chapattis were made thin as a paper with Desi ghee.The combination was intense."

I quickly gulped down,one two three four five Chappatis with countless pieces of chicken,a little embarrassed about my new and untold foodiness to guests.But as every villager,they too were happy to serve,as I was more than happy to enjoy every bite.

                                                        The naughty small cute kid teasing me @ Dona Bihar






This wasn't a first time thou

                                                  A breakdown of a car doesn't have to be tragic @ Haryana

Contrary to my otherwise western image,this wasn't the first time we were in a village.The All India Road Trip was my first encounter to the villages of Haryana where we gorged on the thick lassi made of pure curd,curry made of locally grown vegetables and people as sweet as my extended family.No I wasn't in a home stay but an accidental break down of the car made us take a turn midway in the interiors of Haryana where we stayed.

                                     Being Indian is not about how you project or dress up@ Rajasthan

While passing through the fields of Ludhiana,me and my brother posed joyfully in the field still wet with the morning due drops.I often used to think how is it that the fields are maintained,how does it feel to plough how does it feel to cross fields..and my imagination wasn't wrong.They say wishes have a cosmic energy to make things happen and with Dona I did which was a small yet important dream to fulfill.

                                                                  In the fields of Ludhiana @ Punjab

ABCD to a sad WXYZ

A past is sometimes beautiful sometimes sad.It was my maid who died an unnatural death at the age of 17.It was her innocence in her words for the passion she had for her village"Ap hamare gaon ana,she used to say,yaha kya rakha hai?".It was her destiny that made her choose the domestic chores,or may be it was her mother.But she always wanted to study,and I made her do that,stealing text books from the lost world of my own educational racks,trying to understand the mathematics once again with her.I admit I had forgotten the tables after 12.I admit that it wasn't easy.But I knew that if she was to succeed or she has the will to,she might one day.She was intelligent to grasp everything quickly.

We discussed black magic,the witches,and the stories of despair from her village,we also discussed her past,and how she was working to save money for her younger brothers.And I thought 17 was young!I must be in my 10th or 11th.We discussed how Punjabis eat,how Marwaris eat and how Biharis eat,it seems she has observed every community minutely.At times,the elders in the family told me to be not that close to the maid.

But whenever I looked in her innocent eyes,it never felt to dishearten her goals or ambitions,or doubt her unfaithfulness.She was from Jharkhand.She died in a year,an unnatural death of which we came to know late.She was on her way to home by train.Since then,her words resonated in my mind to visit at least a village and properly stay once in a lifetime.Though it wasn't solely because of that.As I discussed it was my brother's persistence and my own curiosity to discover my roots.

Nalanda to Dona

The journey from Nalanda to Dona wasn't long,or strenuous. The roads were clear,the roads were beautiful..

In next post,I make you plough the field virtually,running with bulls is a task and how we enjoyed the Thai temple in bodh gaya.Till then tada :)

"Blogging is the new emerging art,a dynamic method of self expression,a way to connect the seemingly unconnected and communicate with the online space in a more personal way.The world is full of inspirations,ideas and guidance and all of us in one way or another impact the change in the society till now being ignored by the traditional press."

We all know about blogs and how big they are.


                                                           Type of Bloggers,Image Source:Flowtown.com


Lenka who is currently working on a brand new,exciting and unique blogger project "The Big Blog Exchange" says

"The basic premise of our unique, once in a lifetime project is simple – 16 bloggers exchanging lives, cultures, places and blogs for 10 days simultaneously. We understand just how well recognized, inspirational and influential bloggers are in today’s society and so we believe that together, we can change the world using the power of blogs. Selected bloggers will be flown across the globe by HI, to their exchange destination. There bloggers will be able to explore the area, experience new things and immerse themselves in local traditions and cultures. It’s going to be a once-in-a-lifetime trip and an experience like no other, so we are really excited to be hosting it!"

What if we could change the world using the power of blogs?-An Initiative by Hihostels

With over 170 million of them on the web at the moment, there is no doubt about the fact that blogs are fast becoming a popular news source, a place for everyday inspiration and a social hub.

Haven't experienced hostels before,here's what it is all about



Have you ever thought about swapping lives, places, cultures and BLOGS with someone across the globe? Hi Hostels is offering a unique, once in a lifetime change to do just this.Introducing, "The Big Blog Exchange."

The Big Blog Exchange Launch:Register Below

Subscribe for The Big Blog Exchange

The launch of the main competition site for the exchange will take place on 1 st March 2013, where potential travellers can log on, create a profile and start encouraging others to vote for them. On this
unique site, bloggers will also be able to divulge why they want to take part, or more importantly –how they think they can change the world using the power of their blog.

100 finalists will then make it through to the final shortlist, which will be narrowed down to just 15 by an international jury. The final ‘sixteenth’ blogger will be a wildcard choice, hand-picked by HI to
personally undergo the project, based upon the quality of their content and their reason for taking part.





Anyone can take part,New bloggers,Old bloggers,Bloggers with few hits,Bloggers with million hits

So, even if a blog is brand new and doesn’t gain any votes on the competition site, they are still in with a chance if the inspiration and content is great.

Wherever you live, whatever language you blog in and no matter what you write about, the search for the world’s most passionate bloggers is ON.

Let's change the world,one blog at a time.

Confession:I am an obsessed Femina Fan

                                                                      The Femina Pyramid at my home

Femina is part of my life since school,college,breakups,makeups,marriage,style,my gloomy days,my happy radiant days,my bad hair days,my dreams,my inspiration and my travel plans.With a tagline apt for every edition "For the women you are",it is one of the best magazine with quality content that hit the stalls every month.I eagerly wait for the edition to arrive,and when it does,I grab it as fast as I can to not miss stories,ideas and trends.Every night before I sleep,I turn the pages and voila,my sleep turns into a dreamy world of positives.The feeling of  "Yes I can" imbibed in me through various editions of Femina

Femina is my granny who fights for wrong,who tells the world openly the otherwise conservative topics still considered a taboo to discuss in open.A friend who shares the dresses and the good girlie stuff.No matter where I am traveling,I do not forget to get a copy from the nearest railway station stall or the airport lounge.Heaps and bundles of Femina lie in my home,making a pyramid of useful information I love to browse through time and again.Love you Femina

So passionate about Femina I am that I  found a video interview of Tanya Chaitanya,the editor of Femina and her travel plans on youtube,and here it is for all of you to know her :)



 Femina and Me

1)Dreams of Travel:We all dream,some less some more.Femina has made me realize how can dreams be turned into reality.Siting examples of hundreds of successful women in their relative fields,I set my next goal to conquer the world.I have already traveled 25 states in India,and 4 countries abroad,and looking forward with some of these in the next few months.



2)Setting the Stage:I quit my corporate job of 4.5 years, last year with a goal to fulfill my wanderlust with an intention to help people realize that the world is not as expensive and the adventure sports are the new ballgame in India and worldwide.I started my travel adventure blog "ankionthemove.com" a year back,made videos of every place and wrote a first hand experience to help people tread my path.Conducted Traveler's Meet in Delhi and Bangalore to help the travellers connect.Hundreds of appreciation in forms of awards and print media followed.And my source of inspiration,none other than Femina.With the savings of my last job,and practically no such free flow of cash I did what I could have only imagined in my rarest of rare dreams.I now have the courage to take up freelance assignments to get going and explore more countries

I wish to be on Femina someday!That's a dream come true for every women Indian



3)The perfect nude and cut:I admit,I am tomboyish.I hardly apply makeups,but the recent developments like attending events have made me realize how a perfect shade of foundation is not only rare but make you shine through.A foundation need not be ghostly or bizarre.Pixie was something I wanted to sport since long,but never got the boldness to cut short my hair almost 3/4 its length.Last year,I skipped the general questions in my mind "What will my husband and in laws think","how will I look","what if my hair grows untidy" and did what I wanted.The inspiration again "Femina for the make up and hair tips"



4)From Never to Forever:"I never imagined I'll marry my boyfriend who is so different from me".The article is a symphony of my real life experience.Yet I am glad that I didn't marry the conventional husband and we gel up beautifully!



5)Personal Stories that made sense:There are umpteen number of magazines which talk rubbish,Femina deals with issues head on,making sense.I love Femina to be true,to the daily emotions we deal with



6)Dress me up:Cinderellas are for gowns and fairy tales.The ideas and the what's not in to what's in is helpful in ways only an addict Femina reader can tell.Femina helped me evolve in terms of being fashionable



Femina Made By You Issue

This isn't the first time that Femina is gathering inputs from everyone.We have had issues with cover of real women,interviews of people like us.



But this is the first time that a magazine will be full of stories and ideas from us.So

If you have confidence in your innate talent and creative instincts and several stories & write-ups to share

Submit your articles for Femina Made By You issue - http://on.fb.me/13LDVaf

                                               The Delhi Challenge:Are you ready to be part of it?   


Video Trailer Delhi


The Love Of Temperature

Aha! The video on Delhi is almost done,but lets just start with a trailer.Delhi is cool,Delhi is hot.Delhi is very very cold,Delhi is very very hot.Well I echo for one simple reason.I never felt it was very cold or never felt it was very hot,because my body is accustomed to temperatures which I can ignore.When I lived in Kolkata,Dec-Feb was the winter season when people really felt cold.I never did.When I lived in Chennai,I admit I felt it to be more hot than Delhi in Summers for the humidity in the air.Parts of Rajasthan and Gujarat can sometimes become unbearable in summer.For some reason or the other I feel Delhi is pleasant pleasant,not that pleasant as Bangalore or Pune but not that extreme as Kashmir,North East or Ladakh in winters and when I say this,I have lived almost two years of my life in Delhi :).



                                                     Wearing just a Tee in Snow Clad Kashmir

"It is a fact however that if you are born and brought up in a place,then that place relatively becomes more colder or hotter to you."

The place I remember feeling really cold was Nathula Pass,Sikkim in early Feb.The chilly wind made me appear pink almost.The soldiers were covered and wore caps.The chill wanted me to taste a sip of brandy right away.But I didn't.The elevation was itself a high!


                                                                   Turning Pink at Nathula,Sikkim

The Delhi Challenge

Delhi is ancient.Delhi is historical.Those red stones are part of architecture as much as they are part of our magnificent past.But what if what if if you are not into history?Not everyone is,so lets begin with a challenge where your inputs become a benchmark to youngsters who have no other option than to shop in Delhi.

Lets not exaggerate.Lets accept the fact that you have been to 7 major points in Delhi already (Qutub Minar,Red Fort,Lotus Temple,Humayun Tomb ,Lodhi Gardens,India Gate) and to the 4 popular shopping joints(Lajpat Nagar,Sarojini Nagar,Janpath,Dilli Haat).These are names I have been listening to since childhood.Been to Qutub Minar twice,India Gate many many times and now I do not want to repeat it to everyone who is or will be in Delhi.And yes "how can we forget the gardens - Lodhi, 5 senses etc"



                                                  Kolkata is one of the best places for Any Dish Fish

Delhi is the one of the best cities for foodies.Though I find Darjeeling great in terms of western food and cafes all along the mall road.I even find Kolkata too good for street food and fish.If you haven't tried Phuchka in Kolkata,its high time you should.A golgappa that melts in your mouth,and when I say this I mean I have tried Golgapa in Punjab,Delhi,Bihar and other parts of the country.If you are a non-vegetarian,Kolkata is an excellent example of fishes served on your platter fried steamed and wrapped in Banana leaves.If you are a chicken lover,Kolkata is still good with Spices.Going Down,Kerala is also equally great with fishes,but sea food not a fish bred in ponds.The best biryanis are in Hydrabad(we all know) and best paranthas well I find it to be Amritsar.Kashmir for the best Kahwa and Rajma I tasted.Himachal for the apples,Pondicherry for duty free liquor and Karnataka for a mix of everything.

Is Delhi still the right place for you?If yes,help the others explore

                                                                         Skip the regulars for a change

1)Which are your favorite food joints(Please do not copy from else where) and be original.Tried Karims,Paranthe wali Gali or Kake da Dhaba?If yes,then which and what is your best?

2)I am visiting Delhi for the second time,and I do not want to repeat or regain my historical education?What do I do then?

3)Which is the best bar, best creative cafe and best disc in Delhi?Please do not mention very high end places,we all are normal people with limited budget ain't we?

4)How can Delhi be adventurous for you?

5)What is the one thing that you'd love to change in Delhi and why?

6)Delhi is so symmetrical with style that almost everyone is up to date with fashion.Your favorite fashion joints,favorite dress material,favorite places to go for stitching your dress.Everything

I do not really know why so many questions remain unanswered on net or otherwise.

I take you to the usual because

In the next blog post,I will take you to the usual spots,not all but some.And I leave up to you to help others,in a way that could be beneficial and not a random any database.

You can also contribute guest articles(100 words),which would be merged with the next post,if that's appealing,interesting and helpful.Scratch your minds,your help could make Delhi more colorful to everyone.

Mail me your ideas or post at ankionthemove@gmail.com with subject "I love Delhi because"

If you have a blog on Delhi,you can also mail me your blog name with a little description(within 100 words) and a photograph of yours.

Lets do it because if you wouldn't then who would.

A Big Applause for the Delhi Travelers

I am happy that it happened.The Travelers Meet.The travelers from Delhi are sharing their travel plans actively,sometimes pictures,sometimes exchange of numbers even though I might not be available all the time.But they are there,to help each other to travel

A big Claps for the travelers from Delhi

                                                                      Image Source: hihostels.com


Beyond The Roaring Lions

South Africa is a land of adventure,culture,beauty and wildlife.Before the South Africa Road Show,I had an impression of South Africa as the Jungle Safari in the open,nothing more nothing less.I can visualize,me walking with lions side by side and scared pretending not to be scared.I often dreamt of South Africa as a big beautiful Jurassic Park with the Dinosaurs replaced by the Big 7 species of animals running in the wild while I take out my camera and feel the excitement run through my spine.

While Interacting with folks at South Africa Road Show,Le Meridian Delhi I realized that there is so much more to Africa than the wilderness.The South Africa we know,is different from South Africa today.Just as France isn't just Paris,Africa isn't just Safaris.Africa has evolved beautifully,in ways you would not have imagined.In ways you are yet to discover.

                                                                South Africa Creative Art At IITF,Delhi

I met Sherry from the Tourism Board,another great lady who has her own blog on her personal experiences.She shared her world's highest commercial bungee jump experience with me almost making me feel envy of the life across the border.Till now,I had an impression of the Bungees = New Zealand,but when I got to know that the world's highest bridge jump is situated right there in South Africa,I was happily Surprised.

An Interview with Kai Schulz from Canopy Tours,South Africa

A Canopy Tour takes you on an unforgettable adventure as you slide from one platform to the next along a series of steel cables set amongst magnificent natural surroundings.The scenery high up within the forest canopy is spectacular. Enjoy the view from above while taking in waterfalls and spotting birdlife amongst the surrounding trees.Recently Vidya Balan had been to South Africa on her honeymoon,and canopy tours was one of her favourite experience.To know more,watch video



Important Facts You Need To Know 


                           Daru Desi And Tumhi Ho Bandhu Shot in South Africa,Behka Me Behka in Ghajini
                                                               Image Source: Bollylocations.com


1)Population of 49 million beautiful warm people
2)11 Official Languages
3)Home to deserts,mountains,escarpments,plateaus,grasslands,wetlands,and UNESCO World Heritage Sites
4)South Africa,largest Exporter of Fruit
5)It has the longest wine route in the world
6)South Africa is GMT +2 time zone
7)Weather generally warm and sunny
8)Currency is Rand = 100 Cents
              1 Rand = Rs 5.95
              1 Rand =0.11 $
Notes come in R10,R20,R50,R100,R200 and coins R1,R2,R5,10,20,50 cents
9)Visa and Mastercard acceptable everywhere,and credit cards essential for car hire
10)Driving is on left hand side of road
Wearing seat belts is compulsory,talking on mobile phones while driving prohibited
11)Non residents can drive with a driving license that's valid in their own country,provided it bears a photograph and a signature of the holder and is in English.Alternatively,an international driving license in required.
  
South Africa Tourism Board Video





In the World - Highest,Largest and More

1)Tsitsikamma-the place of ancient forests,exquisite coastlines and the highest commercial bungee jump in the world
2)The Vredefort Dome,a UNESCO World Heritage Site,is the site of the largest and most ancient visible meteorite impact on earth,the scars of which can be seen even today
3)Vilakazi Street in Soweto is the only street in the world to have housed two Nobel Peace Prize Winners - former President Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu
4)Durban's uShaka Marine World is the 5th largest aquarium in the world
5)The Spectacular Blyde River Canyon may not be the biggest,but it is the world's only green canyon
6)Kimberley is where you'll find the largest man-made hole in the world-not surprising when you learn they were digging for diamonds
7)The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is one of the largest protected eco-systems in the world.The park is bigger than Switzerland or Taiwan
8)The lost city Resort Hotel at Sun city is the largest Theme resort hotel in the world
9)Hermanus is the only town on the planet with the official whale crier

Planning South Africa - How To

1)How To Reach

Mumbai - Johannesburg roundtrip is around 38k by Ethihad airways.Mumbai - Johannesburg and Durban by South Africa Airways is around 44k roundtrip.There are plenty of planes of different carriers flying in and out to Johannesburg from different cities in India

2)Visas

VFS has listed the visa process as under
http://vfsglobal.com/southafrica/india/

3)On a Backpacker's Budget

5 Days - Cape Town . Johannesburg

Long Street Backpackers Hostel,Cape Town

Consistently voted as Africa's best hostel and featured in world's top ten hostels to stay,Long Street Backpackers is a great way to party and live.The hostel also helps visitors book tours, safaris and overland trips — especially popular are the day tours of the winelands and the Cape Peninsula.Cost Rs 550 per night or pound 7 per night

Moafrika Backpackers,Johannesburg

Very close to JNB Airport,and a clean and nice youth hostel

Rs 900 per night

Mbizi Backpackers Lodge ,Johannesburg

Situated only 15 minutes away from Johannesburg's OR Tambo Airport, Mbizi Backpackers Lodge offers relaxing 'home-away-from-home' accommodation for all travellers with Spacious and vibrantly decorated rooms.They also organise Bazbus and Kruger Park Safari's.

Rs 1000 per night

Blue Sky Mining Backpackers & Lodge  ,Durban

Around 900 per night

4)Transport in South Africa

Standard bus lines is Baz Bus (www.bazbus.com), which caters almost exclusively to backpackers and other travellers. It offers hop-on, hop-off fares and door-to-door service between Cape Town and Jo’burg via the Northern Drakensberg, Durban and the Garden Route.

For more information on transport in South Africa read: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/south-africa/transport/getting-around#ixzz2KH3sDl3x

South Africa Provinces

1)Eastern Cape

The rugged province of Eastern cape offers pristine coastline and is a Big7 destination(lion,leopard,rhino,elephant,buffalo,South Right Whale,Great White Shark)

Famous For

Addo Elephant National Park,Shamwari Game Reserve and birthplace of former president Nalsen Mandela

To Do

a)Highest Bridge Jump in the world - Bloukrans
b)Hike the Otter Trail(or Dolphin Trail)
c)Take a 4*4 into the valley
d)Visit Port Elizabeth('Friendly City') for the blue flag beaches
e)East London for coastal fun
f)Visit Grahamstown(Studenttown) for National Arts Festival(July)
g)Jeffrey's Bay for Surfing

2)Kwazulu-Natal

This is the 'Zulu Kingdom' and has one of the largest Indian communities outside of India and a strong British Heritage

To Do

a)Local Holidays with Sun,Sea and Sand - Durban
b)Visit the Big 5 game reserves and iSimangaliso Wetlands Park
c)uKhahlamba Drakensberk Park one of the highest mountain ranges in Africa

3)Northern Cape

A exotic lunar landscape brought to life with unique flora and fauna and colorful culture to match.That's the magic of northern cape

To Do

                          Namaqualand in Spring;Image Source www.where2stay-southafrica.com


a)Visit the Diamond Capital of the world 'The Big Hole'
b)For cultural experience ,discover the san,known as Africa's First People
c)Visit the Namaqualand for endless flowers spread across beautiful landscape
d)Combine flower safari to Augrabies Fall National park,one of Africa's Largest Waterfall

4)The Free State

Known as 'Breadbasket of South Africa' is known for fascinating history and landsvapres

To Do

a)Spectacular Gardens at Bloemfontein
b)Celebrate with cocktails at Naval Hill Lookout Point
c)Enjoy Franklin Nature Reserve
d)Head off to Arty Clarens
e)Explore the cultural village Basotho,and stop over at Golden Gate National park
f)Enjoy white water rafting at Vaal and Gariep rivers
g)Visit the Vredefort Dome which is home to world's oldest Meterorite impact

5)Limpopo Province

Best known for its rich tribal cultures and wild territories where Big 5 roam free.   

To Do

a)Visit the legendary Rain Queen,the site of an African kingdom
b)Ancient 'Upside-down trees'(baobabs)
c)Perfect stepping stone for Krugar National Park
d)Enjoy the Mythical stories of Limpopo
e)For bird lovers,visit Nylsvley Nature Reserve

6)North West

Famous for vast mineral wealth,also known as 'Platinum Province'.Sun City is the Africa's most famous conference,casino and entertainment complex

To Do

a)Big 5 viewing at Madikwe Game Reserve with the Magaliesburg mountain range providing outdoor activities.
b)Enjoy hot air balloon ride over Pilanesberg

7)Gauteng

Johannesberg,'the place of gold' is the commercial heart of south Africa.The urban hubs fir Gauteng is for everyone providing jazz joints,concerts,clubs,world class sporting and shopping.

Around Gauteng is The Cradle - The old mining town of Cullinan
and Vaal River

8)Mpumalanga

                                                          Mpumalanga.Image Source:Pleasetakemeto.com


The home to world's largest green canyon,Mpumalanga is also known as 'the place where the sun rises' among locals.

To Do

a)Visit the Blyde River Canyon
b)Visit Kruger National Park
c)Enjoy at exclusive Sabi Sand Reserve

9)Western Cape

Cape Town is the heart if this beautiful province and a major cosmopolitan hub

To Do

a)Take a trip to Robben Island(where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned)
b)Soar to the top of Table Mountain in Ariel Cableway
c)Enjoy Wine Tasting Sojourn to the wetlands
d)Venture out and discover West Coast National Park
e)Go whale watching in Overberg
f)Enjoy Gourmet Safari along the garden route
g)Visit V&A waterfront in Cape Town if you love to shop

                                                                                     South Africa in TOI

Need help on South Africa?

Ping me.I might just give an idea on how tos :).Hopefully I get to go soon,but if not,do not forget to share your South African stories right here on my blog.Looking forward.

Delhi Traveler's Meet : A Glimpse



Meetups are fun.Period.No matter where in the world you are from,there should always be a get together for us to know each other.Like a party next door.Like a celebration.And it rarely happens so..

"When we start working,when we have our spouses,when we get married,when we have children,when we go onsite,when we grow old,we gradually change our methods of traveling.Sometimes,an old friend is too busy to accompany,and sometimes being on our own gives us the space to explore more.There is,and always a point,when many of us are at a void."

Many times we have our own personal glitches,either its financial or lack of support from the nomads long forgotten.When I decided to start my blog "I had no plans".I just wanted to help people out there on the online sphere and not confuse them with loads of data.I wanted to fill the gap.

When I started Traveler's Meet,I wanted to help every person connect to each other and not just on a virtual platform.I might be an altogether different person virtually,and a very alternate person in reality.With the boom of social media,we find friends to connect we might never know anything about except their twitter handle or may be just an Indiblogger account.Things have to change,if we all want to open up and travel together.

The meetups become more formal as we age,and it wasn't a surprise to me when I got questions like

This is my first meetup,what is the agenda?


When I do meetups,I do it in collaboration with the funkiest cafe in town,and not so expensive.It is my sole responsibility to get it forward in an interactive manner,and the folks from cafe are sweet to help me with whatever lil help I need.Most of the time,the agenda is a simple ice breaker session with discussion on future travel plans.Apart from that,we have some random friendly games where people get to know each other.

Can you brief us about the MOM?

MOM or the "Minutes of Meeting" remind me of my corporate days.The MOM's are usually the fun events,you can be part of.Nothing much can be written about it,but you have to come and feel the ambiance or the people:)

What do I gain out of it?

When people ask me question like this,it is usually confined to "what monetary gains",the sessions are charged based on the time space allocated for the cafe(4-7pm) ,that's the peak time for business/leisure.So for my gain,nothing..

Except some new friendships,new nomads,and new ideas!

Why Traveler's Meet?

Why not!

Delhi Travelers Meet What We Did



When it started,it started with a few folks getting in the Kunzum Travel Cafe a little before time,confused on "Are they at the right place" as the cafe was getting renovated with new set of interesting pictures on the wall, taken by Ajay who is the owner of the cafe.Finally the few newbies were relaxed and at peace and started sharing their work,their travel stories with me and others.We were just 6 of us initially at 4 pm,and we knew that people would come when the traffic would ease at Hauz Khas!Yes,the deadly traffic we all got stuck in :)..They had to,there were 104 registrations,so many that I had to put a hold on RSPV's at the end.

..And slowly and slowly people started coming in,each of them with their own stories,own ideas,own plans,own hobbies,own creativity.And the more the folks walked in every time,the merrier the gang began to open up.We started with our group games on maps and places to go on budget and we had winners who came up with interesting itineraries and discussion on what to include and what not to.Some funny,some real and some to just win.And the winners got the "Kuch Meetha Ho Jae" as a small token of appreciation.We had 'Thumba','Wanderers','Mad Men' and 'Who cares!' as groups.So now we know how to cover Kathmandu in 12.5k all inclusive 6 people 5 days,and Nagtibba also on a budget and with camping.



Similar to the judges call on 'Silence please',we had bells to hold and do 'Tring Tring',so that one listens to each other and not just chit-chat.Many of them blew shankhs,and yes the evening ended on a wonderful note as Preeti sang for all of us on her guitar with her song 'beautifully self-composed'.



We had sabbaticals on move,we had a nomad at heart who has traveled to 80 countries(How lucky!),we had Anuj who came to DTM(Delhi Travelers Meet) all the way from Lucknow,we had Bela who was a part of a gang for not so long,but we enjoyed her presence.We had a tattoo artist,I hope I learn the art someday :). We had Avanish,he's been commenting on my blog since long,and it was great to have him around.We had even someone who missed his first Karate class!We had a mix of all travelers from everywhere under one roof,all set for their next destination or plan.And yes,we even discussed Couchsurfing.

All Pictures Delhi Traveler's Meet : DTM All Pics

It was a lovely evening,thanks for being part of my nomadic sojourn.

For those who love the "Action of Fighter Planes In The Air" do not miss the Aero India 2013,starting 6th Feb,Bangalore.Awesome show!Tickets Here: Aero India 2013 General Visitor Tickets

                                                                                  Me, in Aero India 2011