10 Travel Tips for Ubud- Bali

Spas Spas Spas

Ubud is by far the most intense and yet chilled out place I have ever been to! It's... It's not a tourist spot even though thousands of tourists are here cause in a couple of days they just blend in with it's people and methods because it simply IS the place to Eat.. Pray.. Love! 

Here are my top tips while in Ubud:

1. Don't pack too many clothes: Trust me your wardrobe just isn't equipped to handle the weather here. Just pack your pure cottons.

Cottons ONLY

Have fun with your clothes

2. Forget the makeup and creams: It's a tropic island! Hot and Humid as hell! Just don't even bother with all your fancy SPFs. You could use the sprays if you can resist not wiping your sweat.

No Make Up

3. Don't shower everyday: Haha! Kidding! The Spas here are dirt cheap and just such a pleasure. Why take a simple bath when you can have someone relieve all your stress, massage you, scrub you and then ask you to dip yourself in a flowered bath all for like Rs. 1000 or $15 right?

Blisssssss

4. Fruits: Oh my god! Eat the Fruits! Eat the Fruits! Eat the Fruits! They are absolutely organic and heavenly!

Passion Fruit and Snake Skin Fruit

Local Food

5. Local Food: Try the duck here and must try the tofu and tempe with rice and crisps

6. Kombucha: Champagne of the Gods! This is Organic wine. Yup! You read it right! It's fermented tea and tastes great actually. I believe the best place for this is at the Clear Cafe. Try it!

7. Ecstatic Dance Party: I'll give you details in my write up but just put it on your list for now. You have gotta attend one of these.

At the Ecstatic Dance Party

8. Yoga Session: Try to take one of the Yoga classes. The way they handle yoga here is most unique and its a lifestyle here.

9. Sound Therapy: I don't know if you have heard of this before; I hadn't! It’s actual healing by sound and is absolutely scientific. Try to attend one of these sessions or atleast talk to the experts who practice it. Its enlightening!

10. Apps: Uber doesn't work all areas here so get yourself the GrabCar app for taxis and more importantly GO-JEK for the scooter taxis. Oh GO-JEK is my absolute fav app considering they will even get you your coffee or food orders whatever and deliver it. They were my saviour after my accident there!

Go-Jekkinnnn Haha!

Most Importantly:

Don't be You: Take this one seriously! Just for the few days you are in Ubud; forget everything you know and believe in and listen to everything this cosmically charged place says to you and shows you... Unlearn.. Relearn and Love Yourself!

Unlearn.... Relearn... Love Yourself!

Paris- Love Letter to a Stranger

Je T'aime Paris

Yes Paris is romantic! Love is just in the air; it's true! How can anyone deny it? The art, the architecture, the culture sprawled all over the walls and ceilings and floors of every corner. From the touristy places to every little coffee shop on the paths less travelled; from the elite French restaurants to the lanes selling the Asian food or the cheap pizza slices being sold by Italians; Parisians love Love and Loving!

Eiffel all day

In my four days in Paris; I had it all. There were the late night walks with endless conversations, staying up late to watch the Eiffel sparkle, lying in the parks aimlessly, drinking coffee and tasting exotic chocolates in the quaint streets, the serenade from a stranger and my taking a leap of faith and falling in love and finding the happy ending. My 4 days in Paris were right out of the classic Audrey Hepburn movies with a twist.

My Airbnb flat in Paris was in one of the tallest buildings and I was on the 25th floor. I had romanticised meeting Mr. Eiffel since I can't even remember. And my first view of him sparkling like diamonds in all his glory had left me frozen in awe. With the Sacre Coeur on my right glowing in soft yellow lights on the hill and the Eiffel glittering I had sat up in the chilli balcony till late in the night. Very late.

No matter who says what about the Eiffel, I promise you, it will take your breath away. I spent a whole day just looking at it from all angles and spent the evening on the lawns, watching it come to life as the sun set. No I didn't do the Louvre as it takes a whole day and I don't like the idea of being forced to follow a path, when I have limited time and am so keen on the Impressionist era.

Limburg Orange at Sacre Coeur

The next day I went to Sacre Coeur (Sacred Heart) Cathedral. Once you take a day pass in Paris, you can use it absolutely anywhere for public transport. To reach Sacre Coeur, you need to first get to Montmatre. The best stop is Pigalle (Metro Stop). Here is the funny part; you need to walk past Moulin Rouge to get to the Sacred Heart Cathedral! IRONY eh?

Once you take the Funicular, you will reach the mountain top with the view of the entire Paris. And again, it will take your breath away! I was very lucky cause not only was the cathedral absolutely gorgeous on the inside, but I was there at just the right time. The choir was singing. Wait, now picture this; you are at the top of a mountain, with the view of the Eiffel, the wind whistling in your ears, the grandeur of the Sacre Couer behind you, you turn around and enter into a cathedral with frescos and the sun shining in from the dome on top and the choir singing with the voices of the angels. It was ethereal and heavenly. I felt overwhelmed and for no particular reason, my eyes welled up. I think I was just so at peace. Each wall, each turn was full of history and angels and Jesus.

Art everywhere in Paris

My friend Craig had flown in from London to join me and as I walked out from there with a bit of a heavy heart, I was avoiding all eye contact with him. When suddenly the air was filled with the joy and sounds of fanfare. Up on the steps of the cathedral, a brass band of old chaps in Orange tees and White pants was revving up the air with "Angels by Robbie Williams". Oh how my mood becomes a slave to music! Forget minutes, in seconds I was already dancing with the women of the band. Craig started talking to one of the players Peter, who ended up knowing about Travelling Boots! Wait, What? So I meet a Dutch Brass Band in Paris and one of the guys knows about me and has read Travelling Boots??? Can you ever imagine my shock? It was my first spotting ever!! Peter introduced me to Claudia and the others in the band as the Indian woman who travels alone and invited us over to Moulin Rouge for their show at night.

Moulin Rouge

I went through the day almost absent mindedly and even though Craig was tired; he was a darling to come back for me. But at night.... the only busy looking Moulin Rouge area; was a full blown naughty street for adults only (wink wink!) with neon lights and all sorts of description of naked shows. So what did I do? Craig and I took crazy, creepy, naughty pictures infront of the red neon lit Moulin Rouge windmill (Haha!) But in the roll of all that fun we forgot about the band momentarily, and then suddenly tried to look for the sound of a brass band. We had no idea where they were so started asking strangers for the Irish Bar..well that's all we knew really!

Soon we heard them... ummm.. the cacophony of the trumpets honestly.. and Craig and I dashed towards the sound like the rats of the Pied Piper. And sadly our luck had run out; the band had just finished their last tune! But I was glad to get a warm welcome from familiar faces (not really.. I was terribly heart-broken to have missed all the music). Claudia and Peter, took me by the shoulders and pointed me towards George, the band manager and asked me to hustle him..George looked serious so I mentally prepared a whole speech to ensure I impressed him so maybe they'd play one more tune.

Claudia and me

But I was wrong, George could barely hear me when I spoke to him, but he knew I was kind of pleading for music and stepped out into the area where the whole band was. Wait, picture this again.. a group of musicians, all over the age of 40.. who had been playing since morning on all sorts of percussion instruments, some were too tired and drunk and sleeping on the tables. He came out and yelled in the midst of them; asking them to wake up for an Indian girl wanted to hear them play. And you know what...they all got up.. cheered for me.. made a circle around me and played Angels for me.. Only for me again... While I stood in the middle.

I was in Paris, travelling alone, and now had a Dutch band called Limburg Orange playing me their favourite tune in the wee hours of the morning.. all looking at me ... tired and yet smiling... For me! Yes only for me! They serenaded me! My first ever Serenade! I broke into tears... cmmmon.. wont you? If you had a band of over 20 strangers Serenade you the to a song called Angels while you were a solo traveller in Paris?

Wait; this wasn't even the best part.. Claudia later asked me what my plans were. I was still overcoming my most precious moments on earth, and told her my vague plans plainly. I hadn't really decided on my dates and plans so told her that I would go to Belgium for a bit and then Switzerland and then Netherlands. When I said Amsterdam, Claudia's eyes sparkled and she announced that she was barely 2 hours away from there and that I should come and see her.

I was a few beers down honestly; so I looked at her square in the eye and said.. "I'm a man with no plan woman, if you gonna make an offer.. I just might take it", and I meant it! She asked me to take her mobile number and to message her later with my dates.

Limburg Orange post my Serenade

She was serious. You know the song by P!nk; Glitter in the Air, hear it.. it has a line .. Have you ever invited a stranger to come inside? Few weeks later, I was in Maastricht. A place I had never heard of, with a woman I only met for 5 minutes in Paris. With her gorgeous and intelligent daughter, their adorable dog, in their home and being driven around in her convertible singing songs out loud.

We both are years apart, grew up in different geographies and cultures and yet.... somehow connected so deep and so spiritually that it's hard to explain at all. We walked in the rain and drank wine while she narrated the rich history of the town to me. I joined Claudia for her band practice where kids from the age of 10 were syncing up some wicked classic tunes along with the old chappies.

I can't put my finger on what happened to me after this experience. I... I've changed! When you meet someone with so much trust and unconditional love for an absolute stranger.. what can I say.. it changes you. Inspires you. Ignites you and Illuminates you.

Yes, Paris is romantic. I for sure found true love there and my happy ending with a friend for life, bound together by the strings of music. With all this news about hatred, I found love! And that is what Paris will remind me of for all my life.

Travelling Boots

Some related videos.. :)

Tired Limburg Orange Serenades ME!

The Choir as Sacre Coeur

Eiffel Sparkles!

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My Road to Perdition- Prague to Krakow (Auschwitz) 2

The day had already been a series of unfortunate events. There was a missed train, a cancelled train, no food, no sleep, sores on my hands and a stop over at a haunted hostel on a full moon night. I swear at that moment, standing at the train station of Ostrava again, in my head the scene from the Bollywood movie Jab We Met was playing. Where the lead actress was praying to God to not make this night any more eventful. All I needed was to get to Krakow on a decent seat.

On the train.. and the only place I found to sit!

As the train whirred in, it felt like a never ending chain of bogies. All of us waiting at the station cheered looking at each other saying, "Finally!". A little clueless we all just got in anywhere and since we did not have reservations on this train, we all just got in and groups of friends took up any empty sleepers they found. I kept looking for first class cause my God knows I needed the pampering. I walked across many coaches but couldn’t find the first class nor any official. I reached a connection between two coaches that couldn't open so decided to sit there and wait for the Ticket Checker. We soon stopped at the next station and I popped my head out the door, too scared to step out without knowing how far I would need to walk and may miss the train. I looked around for the men in uniforms, but none of them responded to my asking about the first class. So I just hung on till I would find someone who would understand me and give me some information. I looked around, stared at the board giving details about the next train and the stops for the train I was in, just staring blankly. Tried to pronounce the names of the stations to amuse myself, when it suddenly struck me. Like a bolt of lightning. It did not state Krakow. I totally panicked! I saw a man in orange overalls and just looked at him and pointed to inside the train and yelled, "Krakow?" he looked around, looked at the board and just nodded, "No Krakow". What?? What?? I was in the wrong train??? When was this hell of a day going to be over? So I signalled again to him, "Where Krakow?" And he looked around cluelessly, and pointed to the train across the platform and said, "Krakow!" My eyes searched for confirmation and felt silly cause Krakow was written all across the coaches. I jumped right out and made my way to the train, and as I stood there catching my breath, I panicked again. All those people I had met at Ostrava, all were going to Krakow, and now were sleeping all over the longest train I had seen. I couldn't possibly leave them! But I had a suitcase I couldn’t lug anymore! And didn’t even know when the train would leave! I stood smack in the middle of the platform with all these questions, and finally said to myself, "Chuck it, can't live with the guilt!" I left my suitcase there unattended for anyone to steal and ran all the way back knocking windows waking up everyone looking for the faces I had seen at Ostrava. And making violent gestures begging them to come out with their luggage cause they were on the wrong train. They got up and hurried right out in their PJs and socks and luggage and shoes in their hands.

Once I told them what had happened I got hugged and loved by all and we went into our supposed last and final train to Krakow. Now nothing could go wrong! Wrong!

We finally got food and tears came easy

Remember we didn’t have reservations? Now this was a small train and the uniforms of this train somehow just refused to even acknowledge our presence, forget talk to us or listen to us. So we all just huddled into this 1 coach which had one section of 6 sleepers unoccupied, and waited for the Ticket checker to give us his time and assign us some seats somewhere. We all just sat on the floor of this coach. Tired, hungry, clueless, hopeful. Hopeful that once they heard what we had been through they would help us. I got the place outside the toilet which was locked thankfully. When the train started the Ticket Checker got in and walked right all over us, opened the locked cabin as we looked on like puppies, got in and locked the door and drew the curtain. That’s it! We all just stood there. Completely unable to understand what was happening to us. A bunch of girls who were in their cabin, also saw the whole situation and were as dumbstruck as us. Finally one of them asked me what had happened and why were we on the floor even though there was place in the train and I rambled on and on about the entire day. She didn’t interrupt me! She just kept looking at me and nodding in sympathy. When she finally spoke, she said something that broke me.

The Spanish Angels who fed us

Something I just wasn’t prepared for. She said, "Are you hungry? Do you want some food? We have lots of it!" We had been through such cruelty all day, that when she said the most obvious human thing to say I didn’t know what to say. A little awkward, a little ashamed, and very hesitantly I said, "Umm no! I'm ok" She put her hand on my shoulder and said, "Really, we have lots of it. It's no problem!".

We still found some smiles and sleep

I nodded hard and said, "Yes, yes please I'm very hungry!" No words can explain how I was feeling as these girls spoke to each other in Spanish and started giving me all their food. Packets of chips, water, muffins. One boy even gave his half eaten sandwich apologising and asking if it was ok. Ofcourse it was ok! Tears rolled out of my eyes unstoppably. And as I walked around coach waking all the others on the floor with food in my hands, we all broke down.

We were crying because of kindness. We were smiling at our state and crying at the same time. A system that was meant to help us sat in an over-privileged surrounding while we grovelled for the basics. Much like our societies!

The whole moment was melancholic with a strum of tears and vague smiles. Dawn was breaking. We were crossing Auschwitz (one of the worst concentration camps of the Nazis). We were sprawled over the floors and I was still able to sleep next to the toilet, leaning on its door. A layer of haunted fog over the horizon which had seen some horrid cruelties.

No matter how long the day had lasted, it was over. I had connected with people without knowing where they were from. No matter what background I was coming from, there, in that moment, on that train, we were all just travellers. We were borderless. We all cared for each other. I had found love in a hopeless place. The Swedish couple next to me, shared their stories with me to help pass the time. An onlooker from the other side of the locked coaches, Chris also made conversations to help us feel better. I was bruised and battered. But my soul was enriched. Enriched with random acts of kindness all through the day. I was stronger than what I had thought. People were still nice. I had learnt lessons which no school could teach. I knew something in me had changed. Made me better.

The dawn breaking at Auschwitz

Fashion Tips for the Smart Traveller

My Traveler Look!   

1. Sun Block: Never carry one from your own country; you will get the right SPF value one from where ever you travel. Also; your skin may react differently in a new country.
2. Hats: Pick one up from where you travel again, use it and throw or carry back for memory
3. Scarf: A definite must have and must carry. Pick one of those soft cotton ones which you can use anyhow. I used mine to cover my legs while cycling, as a head gear and also wet it and used around my neck and shoulders for those very hot day
4. Lips: Keep your favorite shade of lipstick, gloss of balm always handy, just one. Just for prettier pics.
5. Mascara: Avoid eye liner and use the Mascara instead. This is perfect to make your eyes just pop bright for those close-up pics. Avoid the kajal too, it will smear.
6. Base: Use one only in the evenings or night, it’s too Darn hot! All pics can be fixed for an even skin tone on your phones.
7. Sun Glasses: Keep options of cheap sun glasses, they help change the look easily. Carry a couple and rest buy from flea markets. It’s fun!

   

   Try Different Sun Glasses

8. Hair Care: Just carry your shampoo, your hair will behave strangely in new weather conditions and then pick a serum from where you travel to. My soft curled hair went dry and dead in Europe, went to the closest Sephora and asked for help and was given the perfect Serum. Avoid conditioners they will make your hair limp because of the sweat.
9. Hair Styles: Carry bright colored clips and hair bands and oh try all sorts of styles for sure. Braid it, puff it and try different ponytails.
10. Shoes: Don’t carry more than 2 heels, you won’t need them in Europe. Carry fun colored sneakers or walking shoes and 1 comfy slip-ons
11. Shorts: Carry just 1. Pick a shade best suited for most of your Tees.
12. Skirts: 1 Black and 1 White is my best suggestion, they can match all your tops and you can change your look with your hair and tees
13. Tees: Keep a good combo of lengths and colors. The long ones can be tied up in different knots and change the look from morning to evening. Try not to exceed 15. With all the combinations you could be totally set for many many days.

    

    Different Lengths of Tees

14. Purse: Don’t bother with any I’d say, carry a sling bag, small enough for your lip care, tissues (not wet ones cause you need your sun block to STAY), mascara, your cards and some cash. Carry a backpack for the rest.
15. Thread: For the quick fix for those upper lip hair, learn the figure of 8 self threading.
16. Body Hair: OK, this is tricky, the great news is, Europe is cool about body hair but if you are conscious (I’m really not) pick a cream hair remover from where you travel and DO NOT keep it for any longer than advised, you WILL get skin burns (I’ve done this.. haha!) no matter how coarse the hair growth. Shave the underarms. I won’t advice the cold wax strips as unless you are practiced this can lead to many skin problems.
17. Jewellery: Just carry all sorts of earring. Necklace and Bracelets could be a pain in summers and leave tan marks.. Well also in winters actually. Take a couple of scarves instead.
18. Nails: Keep them short, I've chipped my nails more than once while carrying the suitcase but definitely carry fun shades of nail colors.
19. Night Cream: Make sure you remove make up and apply your favorite night cream before sleeping, your skin will love you for the pampering.
20. WATER: Water, Water, Water. Drink, Drink, Drink. I can’t stress enough on this. Don’t worry about going to the toilet, you barely will. Your body will need a lot of water as there is a lot of walking to do. Keep a small bottle and keep refilling any place you pause at.

And Most Importantly.... HAVE FUN!

Travelling Boots

Universal Travel Checklist

I have often made a checklist before I travel and hoped that somehow there was a checklist somewhere which I could easily refer to and then just add a few personalized items.

So, instead of looking for it; here I've created it :)
Please feel free to add items personal to you, this is a Universal Checklist for all sexes and ages (well grown ups :))

ü  Passport and Visa
ü  Tickets and Insurance
ü  Currency and Travel Card
ü  Camera, charger
ü  Phone and charger
ü  Universal Adapter
ü  1 pair comfy walking shoes
ü  1 pair slippers/floaters
ü  Socks
ü  1 pair fancy shoes for the fun nights
ü  1 cargo pants
ü  1 pair of jeans
ü  12-15 Tees (no matter how long your travel, do not exceed this)
ü  Jacket (if needed)
ü  Shorts
ü  2 party wear
ü  Under garments
ü  Night clothes
ü  Medicines
ü  Toiletries (Toothbrush, Paste (small), Shampoo, Creams, Razors, Nail Cutter, Wet ones, Make up)
ü  Deodorant/ Perfume
ü  Travel Pillow
ü  Music
ü  Reading Material (Books or Kindle)
ü  2 fun belts (Optional)
ü  Sun Glasses
ü  A little bit of your favorite snack (I carry matthi and dry achaar) for those nights when you crave home food or you’ve missed the food timings or had bad food. It can be almost soul food sometimes J (Optional)
ü  Towel: Carry a thin one which can dry easily

Finally.. have a great trip and TRAVEL LIGHT! :)

Sri Lanka- No Strangers Here! Part 1

Sri Lanka.. The most unplanned of all my travels. I decided to travel to Sri Lanka over a traveller's meet at the Hauz Khas Village by Airbnb. A couple had mentioned it, described it and within days, without any research what so ever I had booked it. Did not even bother checking areas or distances or currency.. I was told I will love a place called Galle and I looked up for a place to stay near Galle on Airbnb and booked it. Simple!

There is something about travel.. which makes all of us a little more positive and expressive and so willing to share and help. Like an old college friend reached out to me after 14 years to give me the number of a reliable cab driver in Sri Lanka so my solo travel would be safe; along with a list of to-dos and to-avoids. I wish I had trusted him blindly!

Airbnb Colombo home

I reached Colombo pretty late in the night and my wonderfully helpful landlord for my only night in Colombo; Dijen had already organised a cab to pick me up and bring me to him house. The drive was nice and lead me to a beautiful, very colonial style house. A very big house with large door like windows all over. The beds were comfy and I think I slept right away from the fatigue and excitement.

The next morning, the moment I opened my door, I knew Christmas was around the corner with my senses being overwhelmed with the sweet smells of fresh bakes and cakes. Dijen's wife was a brilliant baker with a home based business and was stocking up for the Christmas orders. The breakfast was the best I've ever had in my Airbnb stays. At the breakfast table was an adorable couple from Russia and another German couple. Alexander and Tatiana from Russia were going to be taking a car on hire and driving all over, and the only thing we were hoping for was that it would stop raining.

Gangaramaya Temple

Dijen organised a tuktuk for me to take a quick tour of the city along with getting me a local sim card and currency too. But like I said, I wish I had blindly trusted my college friend Deepak and skipped Colombo totally. The Gangaramaya Temple was my first stop and lacked any and all instructions and you are also forced to pay donation for keeping your shoes without any prior intimation. There is nothing written in English anywhere so there is no way you can know any history or why what is placed where. I was even yelled at by a local man for taking a picture while there were no signs of 'pictures not allowed'. The Buddhas everywhere were a beautiful sight inspite of the rains but I had no clue what I was looking at. And then there was a room filled with glass cupboards and many things inside them kept shabbily... even a shelf full of watches.. and sunglasses. Again.. dirty, dusty and unexplained. The temple by the lake was a bit more serene but full of people sleeping all over the floors. And the last stop at the Beira Lake was even more dreadful, with lovers making the best of the rain and umbrellas all over the benches and canopy. Oblivious to the monitors who lurched all over the lazy, wet grass. I walked with my eyes digging the walking path around the little island as lovers made sudden movements of adjustments.. haha!

The love zone of Beira Lake!

I had thought I'd leave by 7 in the evening to reach my next stop at Galle but was on my way already by 3:30! Belinda, my host in Hikkaduwa, Galle had kept constantly in touch with me and before I even met her or saw her home I had the warmest feeling of being welcomed and like she was waiting for me. And she waited and waited and kept calling to check on me as my one and a half hour journey became over four hours long due to the rains. She had some friends who had also been waiting for my arrival from Spain. Finally she suggested I get off at the bus-stop and her tuktuk guy Kumara would be waiting for me and would bring me to the bar they were heading for and then would safely drop my baggage at her place. Now under normal circumstances I would have been sceptical, but Belinda's voice was so warm and worried that without a thought I had agreed to the entire plan; not caring about me or my baggage's safety after the disappointing day at Colombo and the laboriously long journey in the bus. What a good decision!

My new Spanish friends and family!

Belinda is a gorgeous, confident red head with a smile that could light up the skies. She waiting for me outside the restaurant in the slight drizzle and came across the road to welcome me and without any hesitation we were already holding hands as she protectively made me cross the road. It was like we were never strangers! At the bar I met all her Spanish friends and within 15 minutes flat we all felt we were meant to be sitting at that table together.. like it was the plan all along. The bar had a karaoke night and the beach was right next to it. The sea was calm, the weather was damp, the music was full of energy and our group of 7 was connected! Within moments Belinda and I had taken to the stage and were hollering the songs we sang with all our emotions poured in...

Post our night of fun and my new friends Jose, Sergio and Inma saving me from drunk Sri Lankans and an extreeemely friendly Russian woman, we all got on scooters and made our way home. I held on to Belinda for dear life cause I was on a two wheeler after many many years. We crossed a railway line and then entered a forest feel place.. and shortly reached the Dragon Fly house. My room was the first room with red walls and a simple four poster bed with a white net on it and my bath area was in the open. Yes!! My shower and facilities were under the open skies and on pebbles. Five of us; Jose, Inma, Sergio, Belinda and I sat up for a while around the dining. Jose, Inma and Sergio are best friends and were travelling together through all of Sri Lanka. While in Hikkaduwa; Jose and Inma were helping a friend, Eva with the construction of her house and Sergio was taking a diving course. Too tired to think or talk I crashed in moments after being guided by Belinda to cover Hikkaduwa and Galle the next day and she promptly organised for Kumara, the tuktuk guy to take me around.

Tsunami Monument Site, Hikkaduwa

It was the 24th of December; Kumara and I were on our way by 10, it was not raining thankfully. We started with the sand Buddha, a Tsunami Memorial site. It was located facing the sea in the middle of a lotus pond. I soaked in the calm while Kumara started telling me about the devastation the Tsunami had brought to Sri Lanka and Hikkaduwa in specific. I recall just sitting at the back of the tuktuk with my hand on my mouth in complete disbelief. We paused at another Monument site where they had made a brass painting of sorts on what the Tsunami had done and how people had hung on to trees; dead or alive; thousands died inside a train... oh the tragedy of it had my heart sinking already. But the last stop broke me; it was the Tsunami Photo Museum.

Tsunami Photo Museum, Hikkaduwa

A shabby shack with hand-written charts wrapped in plastic giving details, prayers, numbers... stats... stories... events... blow by blow description. Hundreds of photos from all over the world donated by so many people. Ohhhh the story each picture told... thousands of lives destroyed by death and devastation... by nature's fury. None of us had even known a term or word like Tsunami before that day.. 10 years ago... Children being the worst hit cause they could not outrun the waves. They never stood a chance! I stood still in front of all those walls with pictures... and photos and news articles... I stood still and stared... for hours.. and even though I didn't know any of them... my eyes had welled up. I sat down on the floor for a moment with my head in my hands with the room full of photos spinning in my mind and the pain I was surrounded in. Yes there was hope that so many had come to this country as volunteers and tried to rehabilitate this beautiful and peace-loving place. Belinda was one of them. She had been invited by Joy; a social worker in 2006 and now both of them were living here ever since.

Tsunami Surfer's Remembrance, Hikkaduwa 

My heart was too heavy as I hugged the woman who ran the place and also had lost someone to the Tsunami. I just could not ask her who it was and what her story was. I requested Kumara to just stop somewhere by the beach so I could collect myself. I just stood there watching hundreds of tourist and people by the beach and then I stared at the sea... the sea they had come to enjoy... It must have been a day like this 10 years ago I thought. As I kept sulking, Kumara came to join me and said... I know just the place for you... I quietly walked behind him and sat in the tuktuk.

And he was right.. he took me to the best place.. the Turtle Hatchery... Perfect way to forget about Nature's fury is to start seeing Nature's beauty. As the owner started showing me the whole process of how they rescue the soft shelled eggs of turtles and then take care of them. They allow you to touch them and send as much time with them as you'd like. They have turtle of all ages; from a few weeks old to the few years old. The special part is that they have a rescue zone for the handicapped turtles too. The cutest reptiles ever... as I interacted with them and tickled them over their shells and let them rest on my out-stretched arms...  I kept smiling for hours. This is definitely a must do in Sri Lanka!

Turtle Hatcheries, Hikkaduwa

We decided to head to Galle from there to check out the Galle Lighthouse and Fort. Umm... Honestly.. the structure was just nice.. nothing out of the ordinary but the view was amazing and for me personally; it was the quaint food and shopping areas all around it that made this place unique. I walked around idly and ate and shopped for souvenirs.

It was Christmas Eve and Belinda being the fabulous woman she is; had been kind enough to invite and include me in her friends and family group for a proper sit down Christmas Dinner with crackers and everything. We all got home by 7 in the evening as Sergio made Mojitos for us at home and we girls got into pretty clothes to celebrate. We headed to the Crab Restaurant and were joined by Dave, a Welsh man married to a gorgeous Spanish lady and they live in Dubai, Aaron was from Australia with Anna from Switzerland, and then there was Eva, absolutely hot looking woman who is  also a ranger in Africa for a few months every year. It was a very International table of friends who were away from family and yet sitting cosy on a rainy night at a dinner table to celebrate Christmas. As we cheered we all made our prayers in our own languages and as the wine kept pouring we heard everything from Spanish chorals to songs on flamingo dancing and then came the naughty songs which were all translated for me and Aaron.

My Christmas Family in Hikkaduwa, Sri Lanka

The next day I had planned for my Christmas to be spent at Yala National Park with leopards and elephants, and for that I had to leave Hikkaduwa at 5 am. Hence I decided not to drink and stay up all night. And my god we the women DID! Post the dinner Belinda, Eva, Inma and I went crazy party hopping and danced the night away... Saw an old man who trips on trance in his lungi, saw a couple of men dressed with Christmas tree decorations all around their heads.

Girl Fun at Christmas in Hikkaduwa, Sri Lanka

One caution to be taken for all women travellers here is.. Umm the Sri Lankan men can be trouble and can get touchy, its best you stay safe and a bit distant.

More in part 2.....

Washington- Absolutely Expected! Completely Unexpected!

When anyone mentions Washington DC, we all get the visual of the White House glowing in all its glory in the bright sunlight.. it's almost instantaneous. And having watched every American crime series and reading American literature and stories I was really looking forward to DC. It was the only city where I wanted to see the maximum number of places... and I had just one full day. But above all, unlike most... Washington for me was all about Forrest Gump and all its romance. I mean who can forget how Jenny screams out to him at the Memorial and runs through the lake.

I landed in DC early evening and reached the house I was going to live in by about 6pm. I was greeted and welcomed by an elderly gentlemen and the house was absolutely perfect. It was almost a mansion and had 3 more rooms to rent out and the house was fully booked. Each room was well lit with white upholstery, a homely feel and an air of comfort. Joe, my landlord gave me a grand tour and even helped me with my bags till the first floor which he didn't need to nor would I have expected considering his age. I settled-in in a matter of moments. I had been very proper with my packing and would always keep clothes for laundry at the bottom of my suitcase and the clothes I'd need for that city right on top. I was in US for 3 weeks and did all sorts of weathers and yet had managed everything in one decent sized suitcase.

World War II Memorial

Leslie, Joe's very sharp and smart wife came in shortly and was the best person evvvver to ask what I could do for the evening? She had an air of confidence and sophistication that just could not be ignored. The pair had diligently laid out brochures of all kinds for their guests to be able to plan exactly what they wanted. I figured where to go and how to get there easily for the next day and then asked her what could I do on my first night in DC... and she.. with an air of sexiness said.. "If it were me, I'd get into something pretty and get to the W Hotel, get to the top floor bar and just see the entire city lit up". I noticed I was smiling just listening to her and in my head I had already reached there.. so I did exactly that. Got dressed and reached the W Hotel. Not knowing what exactly to expect made my first view of the view even more breath-taking. The terrace had the most amazing view of the White House and the monument.

I made some lovely conversations there with some Indians and other visitors, but one person stood out... Special Agent Vic from Homeland Security. It was purely cheap thrills to be in America's Capital and running into someone from Homeland Security as I looked upon the White House from the Terrace Restaurant. He was a lovely man and of-course didn't share anything about his work with me.

The next day I got up well rested and with my spirits super excited about seeing all the places I had only seen on TV. The weather had been gorgeous and sunny. The bus tours of DC are probably the most efficient and cover the entire city. A good tip again is to wear very very comfy shoes here... There's a lot of walking up stairs and dashing to and fro from the designated bus stops.

I started with the World War II Memorial. It was perfect with 56 granite pillars in a semi circle with a fountain in the middle. Pillars have the names of all states of the US and a wall which holds 4048 gold stars each representing 100 Americans who lost lives or remain missing and a quote reading "Here we mark the price of freedom". I can't really explain how I felt exactly.. the place was very peaceful and yet even though I obviously didn't know anyone nor was it my country but I felt a deep sense of sadness.. just sadness.. how many lives had been lost.. families destroyed because of these wars... How and when did lands and religions become more important than humanity. I couldn't imagine losing a family member even to old age and then there were these wars and acts of terrorism that had been destroying humanity and ruining families forever. People had lost family members in moments... just like that.. It felt so depressing and well... unnatural in every way.

And yet what a thoughtful way of giving the soldiers this honour. 

The Reflecting Lake at the Lincoln Memorial

My heart was a bowl of many mixed emotions, and the next few hours had to be crisp, attentive and focussed cause I had so many places to 'hit and run' and so will the next few paragraphs.

My next stop was the much awaited Lincoln Memorial.. iconic for its history and its importance in movies like Forrest Gump and Planet of the Apes. With the entire structure basking in the sun in all its glory... the Reflecting Pool in-front and the clear view of the monument... makes one just smile. Here I was.. standing where Abraham Lincoln was being enshrined, where Martin Luther King gave his "I have a dream" speech. It's a good idea to just sit here and breathe it all in.

I didn't have time to see all the spots so had been selective and very time managed. But then, the open top bus made a stop in-front of the Spy Museum.. and I sat still contemplating whether I should.. could miss this bit and the answer was a clear NO. I've been such a Bond movies freak... so I just jumped right out and went for it. Ok.. so I'll be honest.. I was hoping to see a lot of stuff on James Bond... but somehow they had a section for only the Bond Villains.. little let down! There is a segment where they ask you to take up a role play and try to make you feel like a spy with a cover name and stuff but... ummmm I wasn't too impressed. And was a bit expensive too.

United States Capitol

Then I went on to the United States Capitol, the seat of the US Congress. Again an absolutely gorgeous structure with the big dome and everything white. . Ofcourse it had crazy security all over but I was honestly tired and though there is a walking path all around it and everyone was only on the path I couldn't understand how and why were people not sprawled all over the absolutely gorgeous lawns all around. I was just about to walk nonchalantly but it suddenly occurred to me what if they saw it as a crime or something and arrested me ... so I took some steps back and walked up to the guards and just sweetly asked.. "umm .. will be ok if I cut through the grass for a better view?" They looked me up and down and said "Sure, just make sure you don't go too close to the bushes, they are loaded with motion sensors and alarms" GULLLP! I said thank you and obviously didn't walk on the grass.

Next stop was the Smithsonian and my main focus was the Air and Space Museum and it was every bit as amazing as every article claims. There were components of space shuttles, explanations on their working, all the success and failure stories, aircrafts of every generation hanging from the ceilings with stories about their inventions and advancements. I was absolutely wowed by everything there.

Air and Space Museum

I must mention that in the hop-on hop-off buses you don't always travel with the same set of people but then there are chances that you see someone who was with you in the previous trip through the day and familiarity comes easy with a smile and conversations flow in with suggestions and plans. I made friends with a group of 8 African American women of all ages who were from Tennessee and my god what energy levels they had.. absolute fun women. All sisters with their kids.

Another interesting spot is the Lock Keepers House. We crossed it a few times and I don't quite know the history but it was a stone built hut in almost the middle of all these new age buildings and structures. But it was a pretty site.

The Lock Keeper's House

The last stop was ofcourse the White House. Took some pictures and ofcourse I tried to look at every window hoping I'd probably see President Obama.. N no I wasn't that lucky! As I walked out to take a seat on a bench next to a lake right outside and just sat staring at the fountain a young boy in a suit came to share my bench, we both smiled and nodded. Andy Brown had just joined as staff in the White House and was an absolutely cute and adorable company. So we sat for about five minutes, I praised him for what he was doing, he praised me for what I was doing and both wished each other success and just like that became friends.

The White House

So I had planned that since I was so tired, I'd go home, rest for a while and then head towards Georgetown for an early dinner and be home as soon and get a good night's sleep before my early morning flight the next day. I had no idea what was about to take me by storm. So the cab driver who drove me home that particular day was particularly peculiar. I had got a call from my love while in his cab and after over-hearing my love talks.. he totally abruptly asked.. "You Married" ... I said "umm.. Yes... why?" hesitatingly.

To which he said in the most animated way.. "My wife never speaks to me like that.. she horrible.. always screaming screaming..." and went on and on and on... "She remember old fight and bring up after months.. I no even remember...I love her but oh my god hate living with her... she never talk sweet sweet...." and on and on... And then just suddenly asked me.. "You live here? Or visiting? Wait... you looking like tourist.. Ya?" and I think I just nodded... he just kept talking.. and then asked "So you go party party at night? Where you go?"

I till date don't know why I immediately blurted "Georgetown".. I mean who was he.. I didn't even know him but he spoke to me so easily all about his life that I almost felt like I must know him... and he immediately said "Oh Georgetown?? No Georgetown... Georgetown is like.. how you say.. umm it is very white... all rich rich ... you wanna see REAL DC?? You no go Georgetown... You go Adam's Morgan.. that is real DC... real underbelly".

Madam's Organ at Adam's Morgan

He even gave me directions and bus numbers to get there and everything... Just like that.. a complete stranger had planned my evening. I walked to my room with a smile and in awe of this peculiar character who had met me.. praised me.. opened his life to me.. and also known what I may like while I had probably just spoken seven words to him.
Adam's Morgan... Oh my God... Adam's Morgan.. Everything had been so white and prim and manicured and and... and NICE the whole day that nothing could have prepared me for Adam's Morgan. I had never heard of it but even if I had... nothing could have described the life.. the energy... the vivacity of Adam's Morgan. It was a street full of options.. and the interesting part was.. my options were not restaurants or cuisines... they seemed to be.. Countries! Yes.. Countries... It was like the funnest UN area.. There was Brazilian, French, African, Mexican, Middle Eastern, Ethiopian, Indian... and no they were not just the cuisine but looked like they all were carrying a bit of the best of their countries... the layouts.. the interior designs... the fragrance of the foods... and last but not the least... the music... oh my god the music...

The Adam's Morgan Street

Let me try and make you walk my shoes... imagine a small street and you walk past a quaint looking French restaurant with a little seating on the outside with the fragrance of fresh breads and cheese lingering in the air and some classic French music playing and you take a peep inside and in an instant you are there... on some street in Paris on a cool romantic night.. and you smile to yourself blissfully. And you carry on walking and a few steps further, you feel a sort of thumping in the ground below you and suddenly there is an African live band playing some reggae tunes and smiling at you while you walk past them and the air gets loaded with the smell of heavy oils and spices and you are already in Africa.. Oh the bliss.. the madness of Adam's Morgan! Just a street with no barriers and love for only fun, food and music. There was no way I wasn't going to enjoy as much of this street as I possibly could.. So decided to go restaurant hopping and soon made friends with a bunch of girls who were doing the exact same thing as me and asked me to join them. Soon we girls were trying to get as much of the street as we possibly could.. Our last stop was the landmark  of the street named "Madame's Organ" and had three floors of music.. of all kinds and graffitis all over the walls. I guess the best way to sum it is that... This street was a traveller's haven! 

DC was everything I expected it to be but more importantly it was everything I never expected it to be... Another wonderful lesson learnt.. Talk to cabbies and expect the unexpected!