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Things You Should Know When Caring for an Aging Parent

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Watching parents progress through age can be challenging, to say the least. The person who raised you and acted as a strong, powerful role model slowly loses their faculty as they grow old—and before you know it, you’re caring for the person who cared for you since you were a baby.

This transition could happen gradually as their condition worsens, or it could happen overnight if they unexpectedly slip, fall, and break a bone.

That’s why it’s critical for families to be proactive and plan for this chapter of life before anyone is caught off guard and thrown into a caretaking role they’re not prepared for.

 

Mix this with your travel plans and your lifestyle, and it gets tricky. Today, we’ll talk about  3 things you should know when caring for an aging parent.

Daily Living Requirements Must Be Met

How do you gauge whether your parent needs additional assistance as they progress through age? It’s a delicate line to walk. You don’t want to offend their dignity or autonomy, but you need to know that they can safely meet the daily living requirements essential to their emotional and physical well-being.

Keep a close eye on their condition to ensure they independently perform the following activities every day:

  • Self-feeding
  • Dressing
  • Bathing or showering
  • Personal hygiene (grooming, brushing teeth, etc.)
  • Toilet hygiene
  • Functional mobility (getting in and out of bed, sitting down and up from a chair)

Many seniors develop age-related illness or mobility issues that impede their ability to conduct their daily activities with ease. They might show signs of cognitive decline and forget to take their prescriptions, or it may prove unsafe for them to walk up and down the stairs after recent surgery.

Whatever the case may be, you’ll need to find them the appropriate help. This may be in the form of you stopping by at lunch to make sure they took their meds, hiring a qualified professional for help, or retrofitting their home and installing the proper safety equipment.

This transition is inevitably challenging. Adult children may be in denial, not ready to accept their parent’s decline in health, and elderly parents may be reluctant to ask for help due to guilt, shame, or stubbornness. However, taking an honest look at their condition and identifying where they need support is the first step to helping them live out the last years of their life most comfortably.

There are Ways to Pay for Senior Care

As health weakens and parents show increased symptoms, many adult children worry over how to pay for senior care. You want the best possible treatment for your parents, but how can you afford it without placing a financial burden on your own family? And how do you know which type of treatment program is best?

Fortunately, there are several ways to pay for senior care without mounting expensive medical bills. Take a look at the options below:

  • Medicare Part A – Original Medicare includes provisions for different types of inpatient care during temporary stays at a hospital or skilled nursing facility. This form of senior health insurance also provides hospice care for terminal illnesses and may cover the costs of at-home nursing care in severe cases.
  • Supplemental Medicare – Also known as a “Medigap policy”, supplemental insurance can be used to bridge the gap between services not covered under Original Medicare Part A and B. This offsets the out-of-pocket costs for dental care, dentures, eye exams, hearing aids, and more.
  • Investment Accounts and Retirement Savings – According to LongtermCare.gov, the average monthly cost of living in an assisted living or nursing facility ranges from $3,600 to $6,800, which could be very difficult to afford on Social Security alone. When your parent can no longer safely age in place, they can receive the treatment they deserve by tapping into the interest accrued on their investment portfolio or the money they’ve placed into a savings account.

Be sure to take advantage of the publicly funded programs that offer financial assistance for the elderly if you need extra help covering medical expenses.

Charities such as Meals on Wheels can provide your loved one with warm food and friendly smiles when you can’t be there, while the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development may be able to find your parent an affordable place to live.

Estate Planning Should Be Aligned

Unfortunately, it’s not a matter of “if” your loved one will die, but “when”. As they develop signs of age, it’s wise to go over their estate plan to ensure their affairs are in order. It can be uncomfortable to discuss what will happen once a parent passes, but it’s crucial to talk about it in advance.

Having a plan laid out will not only minimize stress following their passing, but it will also help minimize the amount paid in taxes, court costs, and legal fees. It’s likely that your parents began preparing their estate when their children were born, but it’s worth reviewing in case any changes need to be made.

For example, a divorce in the family or the birth of grandchildren could warrant names being added or removed. Your parent may have acquired a business since then, in which case they’ll need to formally document who it will be transferred to, or they might have opened a bank account but have yet to record the information necessary for an heir to access the funds.

Go over the documents in detail to confirm nothing’s left out, and if they haven’t already created a plan, make it a priority while they’re still in good health. Talking through various options from the comfort of home will make you and your parents feel much more comfortable as you prepare.

Conclusion

It’s important to have these conversations with your parent(s) well before their condition deteriorates and they have their full mental faculty. Otherwise, family members might feel rushed into a decision and emotions can run tense. Difficult conversations are never easy but going into them prepared helps smooth the discussion.

Come to the table with these talking points in mind and your loved one can rest assured they’ll receive the best care possible.

Author Bio

Kaelee Nelson received her Master degree with an emphasis in Digital Humanities and pursues her career as a writer in San Diego, currently writing for 365 Business Tips and GoodLife. She enjoys informing readers about topics spanning industries such as technology, business, finance, culture, wellness, hospitality, and tourism.

 

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Travel Inspiration, Travel FAQ, Volunteer Travel, Vagabond Lifestyle, Digital Nomad, Did You Know, Travel Preparation

Sustainable Tourism: The Future Of Travel Depends On It

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With growth comes prosperity. With prosperity comes an increase in travel and tourism. With an increase in travel and tourism comes pollution, ecological damages, and pandemics.

No, this post is not about Coronavirus. This blog is about the future of travel. This blog is also about how you can practice and promote sustainable travel.

Sustainable Tourism

By 2050, with all other economic sectors having greatly reduced their CO2 emissions, tourism is likely to be generating 40% of global carbon emissions.

The main cause is an increase in the average distance traveled by tourists, which for many years has been increasing at a faster rate than the number of trips taken.

In other words, more people are traveling to faraway international destinations than they did in the past.

Travel and tourism is related to traveling for leisure, business, or visiting friends and family. Tourism also involves primary transportation to the general location, local transportation, accommodations, entertainment, recreation, food and dining, and shopping.

Approximately, 72% of tourism’s CO2 emissions come from the transportation aspect of travel (moving from point A to point B), and 24% from accommodations related activities, and roughly 4% from local activities including eating.

Airline travel alone accounts for more than half of all travel-related CO2 emissions. Do whatever you can do to minimize this part.

How To Promote Sustainable Tourism

The world is massive and has endless possibilities. There is so much that we haven’t seen, and if we don’t travel, we aren’t going to either. Looking at Instagram photos and YouTube videos can only do so much for our wanderlust.

Traveling is adventurous, exciting, and stimulating, and I believe that everyone should make an effort to reach out beyond their borders. That said, it is important to be environmentally conscious while you are traveling. Hence, the promotion of sustainable tourism is essential.

In today’s post, I am going to discuss 10 practical ways to promote sustainable tourism.

Sustainable tourism is the concept of visiting somewhere as a tourist and trying to make a positive impact on the environment, society, and economy.

This can be done either by staying at a place longer than a few days and visiting adjacent countries, attractions, cities in a single trip instead of making multiple long-distance round-trip flights.

The future of our planet and climate change is in our hands

When Possible, Take Direct Flights

Planes are responsible for a significant amount of carbon emissions, and they are an essential part of traveling, yet we can start moving on sailboats to avoid these emissions.

So, how can we make our travel more sustainable and decrease the impact we have on the environment.

Did you know? Planes emit most of their carbon emissions during takeoff and landing. This means that connecting flights are more damaging to the environment as compared to direct flights.

Therefore, whenever you have the option, choose a direct flight, these flights maybe a little more expensive than connecting flights. Still, they are more convenient and use less fuel as well, which is also suitable for sustainability.

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Find Sustainable Accommodation

Mykonos, Greece

If you are planning to stay at a hotel or a hostel while you are traveling, make sure that the place you chose is environmentally conscious. This will allow you to decrease your carbon footprint. Moreover, you should try to be sustainability-conscious as well.

For example, try not to waste any energy, water, or food. Make sure that you don’t cause any noise pollution, either.

Finally, you should also try to find accommodation that is locally owned so that you can support the local economy.

Only Use Reusable Stuffs

Reusable coffee cups

While you are traveling, you should try to minimize the use of disposable items such as plastic cups, bottles, and straws.

We know that plastic isn’t good for the environment, therefore, when you are traveling, make sure that you keep some useful accessories with you, like a grocery bag for shopping, a glass water bottle, a travel mug, etc.

Leave the Place As You Found It

A clean beach in Greece

This is an essential rule to follow when you are traveling in nature; for instance, if you are hiking or camping. You should try your best to have no adverse effects on your surroundings.

This means that you shouldn’t damage any local plants or trees and be as eco-friendly as possible. In short, you should leave the place as you found it.

Support the Local Food Vendors

A local fruit seller

If you are a foodie like me, you can appreciate the local cuisine and street food or exotic locations. Whenever I am traveling, I take some time to check out the local street foods, and when I’m visiting a restaurant, I choose one that is locally owned.

Instead of eating at fast-food restaurants owned by global conglomerates, I prefer eating at local establishments so that my travels can benefit the local economy.

Moreover, trying out local foods allows me to experience a whole new array of flavors and cuisines. So, make sure that you give it a try as well.

Pack Light and Smart

Carry only the necessities 

One of the first lessons to becoming a master traveler is to pack light. You should always aim to travel with a single backpack or small trolly case.

If you do have a large bag, then traveling in the local transport will be more difficult for you. You will have to take a taxi or use an online ridesharing app, which can result in extra carbon emissions.

Moreover, this is bad for your budget, and if you are using ridesharing apps like UBER, you are once again benefiting large companies rather than the local economy.

Therefore, pack light, but more importantly, pack smart. This is a skill that you will develop with time, so keep making an effort. For instance, once while traveling, I got a painful ear infection; luckily, I knew how to treat an ear infection at home.

Now I always keep some medications with me, because it can be challenging to find a good doctor sometimes, like when you are on a camping trip.

Volunteer to Help Local Communities

A group of UN Peace Corps Volunteers in Ukraine

One of the best ways to travel on a budget and have a significantly positive impact on the world is to volunteer with organizations like the peace corps. Not only will they fund your travels, but you will get a chance to help communities in need all over the world.

If you don’t want to make a long-term commitment with the peace corps, many other non-profit organizations will allow you to volunteer for a shorter time.

Use Sustainable Transport Wherever Possible

A bike parked in Amsterdam, Holland

When you are visiting another country, you will need to move around. Now, what form of transportation should you choose? Your objective should be to minimize your carbon emissions; therefore, for longer routes, choose public transport vehicles like busses and trains.

You can also use public transport to move around locally, but these days, most big cities have electric scooters that everyone can apply through an app. These are quite affordable and convenient as well. You can also consider renting a bicycle for the day.

Respect the Practices of Local Culture

When you are traveling to a foreign country, you will encounter different religions and cultures. To be a sustainable traveler, it is also essential that you respect the practices of the local people.

This means that you should try to be discreet when people are praying or doing cultural rituals. Also, make sure that you follow the appropriate dress code when you are visiting places of worship.

In short, don’t be insensitive and do some research.

Gondola in Venice / Climate change and its impact on Tourism

Raise Awareness About Sustainable Travel

Lastly, apart from following all the tips mentioned above yourself, you should always try to raise awareness in others.

This can be achieved by sharing your sustainable traveling experience with others through vlogs and your social media accounts. Moreover, you should talk to fellow travelers about sustainable traveling as well.

Author’s Bio

Katherine Joseph writes this article. She has been wearing hearing aids for over twenty years and still is a veteran of the audiology industry. She gives a holistic view of the hearing aid industry and the equipment available at DoctEar.

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Travel FAQ, Travel Hacks, Money for Travel, Vagabond Lifestyle, Digital Nomad

Best Tips On How to Find Work & Travel Around the World

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If you love traveling, then you have to admit at some point in your life you have envied the airline and cruise employees because they get to travel to so many destinations (for Free)!

Well, up until just a few decades ago, people were very, very limited with regard to where they could work unless they specifically had a job that involved international travel.

Most people never had the opportunity to work from another location (whether a farm or factory or an office building), let alone work across the globe.

This meant that not only you could never enjoy the experiences of those that were lucky enough to travel for work (example: traveling salesmen) but also you were bounded by “how many vacation days you get”. 

Time & Money Equals Travel

You need both the money and free days to travel. Without a job, there is no money. And even with a job which pays money, if they only give you two weeks of vacation, how can you fulfill your dream of traveling the world!

In other words, you need flexibility in life and work to be able to travel.

How to Find Work Abroad

Depending on the type of work you do, you may find that you can work from anywhere in the world.

This is great for those who want to expand their horizons by traveling but do not want to give up on their ability to earn a living doing something they have experience in.

The Rise of Remote Work Culture

Find work where all you need is an internet connection

Of course, these days, with the rise in the gig economy and remote work, this has all changed. The digital age powered by cheap and fast internet connectivity has made it possible for people from many different backgrounds and industries to collaborate and work around the world.

Not only is this made easier by being able to work remotely from another location but also because learning new languages has become more accessible.

For instance, you can take online French, Spanish, or Japanese lessons from Live Lingua to help you get to grips with the lingo so you can work more efficiently and score a higher chance of finding a job when living abroad.

Making business partners in Kenya

With some types of jobs, all you need is a computer and internet access, and you are all set to enjoy the working adventure of a lifetime.

American Peace Corps Volunteers in Ukraine

Some tips that can help when it comes to working efficiently abroad include:

Research the Area Properly

One thing you need to do is make sure you research the area or areas you are planning to work from properly.

This doesn’t mean just checking out the best sights and attractions to explore in your spare time – it means looking at factors that could affect your work such as internet access and speeds in the area.

Also, look at things such as living costs in the area, as this could impact the viability of you heading over there to work.

Learn the Language

When it comes to working efficiently, it is important to learn the language for the destination you plan to work from.

There are all sorts of times where you may need to be able to converse, whether it is with local clients in relation to work or whether it is with service providers when it comes to services you use for your work.

Learning how to speak the language will make life far easier for you when it comes to working abroad.

Make Sure You Have Necessary Visas

It is important to remember that there may be different VISA requirements and requirements for other official documentation depending on where you plan to work from.

You don’t want to end up working there illegally, obviously! So, make sure you are well aware of the documentation you need and make sure everything is in place before you head off to work abroad.

You can get plenty of information online about what you need, so you should be able to get it all sorted out in plenty of time.

Learn About Cultural Differences

Another thing to do is to look at cultural differences between what you are used to and what the culture is like in the area you will be working from.

If you are unaware of these differences, you could end up offending people without even knowing it, which is definitely not good for work if you will be dealing with the locals.

Respect the Traditions

So, make sure you look into the culture before you head off, as traditions may be very different where you are going compared to where you are at the moment.

Another thing to keep in mind is clothing. Try to wear as much ethenic or neutral clothing as possible because that shows your willingness to mingle with the locals and it also demonstrated you are respecting their values and traditions.

Research the Currency

You should also take some time to research the currency in the area you will be working and/or living in and compare it against the living costs in the area.

Again, this will enable you to determine the viability of living and working in that area in terms of finances. You can get online to look up this information but bear in mind the fluctuations with some currencies – you will need to keep a close eye on this.

Avoid Politics and Religion

Discussing politics and religion in a workplace setting is often considered off-limits, and perhaps for good reasons. When you are living and working in a foreign country, be extra cautious and avoid taking sides, picking favorites, or insulting or dismissing someone’s beliefs and values (whether right or wrong).

If you have strong opinions, one way you can express those is through Twitter and blogging. If your opinions are critical of the people in power in those countries, and if your main objective is to travel and not start a revolution, then it is also wise to keep yourself anonymous on these online platforms.

Practice Common Sense Safety Precautions

Read these tips:

The World Is Your Oyster

Thanks to digital technology, the world really can be your oyster when it comes to working around the world. The above tips will help to ensure you can work efficiently and that you have everything you need to start working in destinations around the world.

Once you have picked up a skill that is in demand and can be done online (or something like teaching certifications), have mastered the local language, and learned about local culture and traditions, you will find it much easier to settle in destinations you are not familiar with.

You can then get on with doing your work, earning money, and enjoying an adventure all rolled into one!

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Travel Quotes, Travel Inspiration, Vagabond Lifestyle

30 Best Funny Travel Quotes

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How to portray the feelings of travel-fun in words? Sometimes, it can be difficult to look at the bright side when you have to go through the airport security and wait for 45 minutes for your baggage.

But if you look at your travel misadventures, oftentimes there are some wise experiential gems that you can pick up and perhaps even laugh about.

Below is our pick for 30 best funny travel quotes, to make you quit your job and have some fun.

Funny Travel Quotes

1) Traveling is like flirting with life. It’s like saying “I would stay and love you but I have to go; this is my station”. ~ Lisa St. Aubin de Teran

2) When you come to a fork in the road; take it. ~ Yogi Berra.

3) I dislike feeling at home, when I am abroad. ~ George Bernard Shaw

4) I travel a lot, I hate having my life disrupted by routine. – Caskie Stinett

5) I have been to almost as many places as my luggage. – Bob Hope

6) A cruise ship is a floating town of lazy people. – Garrison Kellor

7) It is easier to find a traveling companion than to get rid of one. – Art Buchwald

8) It is impossible to travel faster than light, and certainly not desirable, as one’s hat keeps blowing off. – Woody Allen

9) Gosh that takes me back… or forward. That is the trouble with time travel, you never can tell. – Dr. Who

10) Airplane travel (in the economy class) is nature’s way of making you look like your passport photo. – Al Gore

11) Kilometres are shorter than miles. Save gas, take your next trip in kilometres. – George Carlin

12) People travel to faraway places to watch in fascination the kind of people they ignore at home. – Dagobert D. Runes

13) A journey is like a marriage. The certain way to be wrong is to think you control it. – John Steinback

14) Travel plans are dancing lessons from God. – Kurt Vonnegut

15) Jet lag is for amateurs. – Dick Clark

16) If we were meant to stay in one place. We’d have roots instead of feet, he said. – Rachel Wolchin

17) The world is your treadmill, run all over it. – Anon

18) Don’t live the same year 75 times and call it a life. – Robin Sharma

19) Forget champagne and caviar, taste the world instead. – Anon

20) I am a travel addict on the way to recovery, Ahaan! I am on my way to the airport. – Anon

21) It is bad manners to keep vacations waiting. – Anon

22) Unless you are my backpack, yes I can live without you. – Anon

23) To reduce stress I sit in one corner and read book. Just Kidding. I read books on my flight. – Anon

 

24) My friends having babies, and I am like, “which country am I going to next?” – A popular meme

25) Gypsies don’t travel and move. They wander and groove. – Anon

26) Why catch feelings, when you can catch flights? – Anon

27) I prefer to be an incurable travel addict than being a sedentary morphine druggie. – Anon

28) If you do not wake up in strange beds everyday, you are traveling wrong. – Anon

29) You think you are dying? No darling, its travel asphyxia. – Anon

30) I don’t pay rent, my suitcase is my home. – Anon

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30 Best Short Travel Quotes

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Need some inspiration to explore the wide expanse of the earth? Here we have compiled the best short travel quotes to get you inspired to hit the road or maybe board the plane.

These quotes are easy to memorize and share. Travel, discover, and explore!

Short Travel Quotes

1) “Once a year, go someplace you’ve never been before.” – Dalai Lama

2) “Traveling makes one modest, you see the tiny space you occupy in the world.” – Gustave Flaubert

3) “I haven’t been everywhere, but it is on my list.” – Susan Sontag

 

4) “A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving.” – Lao Tzu

5) “To travel is to live.” – Hans Christian Anderson

6) “Traveling. It leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.” – Ibn Battuta

7) “The world is a book and those who do no travel read only a page.” – St. Augustine

8) “Not until we are lost, do we begin to find ourselves!” – Henry David Thoreau

9) “There was nowhere to go but everywhere, so just keep rolling under the stars.” – Jack Kerouac

10) “I would rather own a little and see the world than own the world and see a little.” – Alexander Sattler

11) “Travel far enough and you’ll meet yourself.” – David Mitchell

12) “Man cannot discover oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore.” – Andre Gide

13) “Wherever you go, go with all your heart.” – Confucius

14) Travel is never a matter of money, but a matter of courage. – Paulo Coelho

15) You must go on adventures to find where you truly belong. – Sue Fitzmaurice

16) Little by little, one travels far. – J. R. R Tolkien

17) The World is big and I want to have a good look at it before it gets dark. – John Muir

18) Travel is the most intense mode of learning. – Kevin Kelly

19) Explore the World with an open mind, a sturdy carry-on, and clothes that don’t wrinkle. – Madeline Albright

20) With age comes wisdom, with travel, comes understanding. – Sandra Lake

21) The traveler sees what he sees. The tourist sees what he has come to see. – G. K. Chesterton

22) Travel tends to magnify all human emotions. – Peter Hoeg

23) You do not travel if you are afraid of the unknown, you travel for the unknown that reveals you within yourself. – Ella Maillart

24) There are no foreign lands. It is the traveler only who is foreign. – Robert Stevenson

25) All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware. – Martin Buber

26) The more I traveled the more I realized that my fear makes strangers of people who should be friends. – Shirley Maclaine

27) Travel brings power and love back to your life. – Rumi

28) Don’t tell me how educated you are, tell me how much you have traveled. – Abu al-Qasim Muḥammad

29) If you don’t know where you are going, any road will get you there. – Lewis Carroll

30) We travel for romance, we travel for architecture, we travel to be lost. – Ray Bradbury

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5 Ways to Fund Your Travel by Working as Freelancer 

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Money is absolutely a huge aspect if you want to plan traveling and most people don’t travel simply because they don’t have enough money. But if you think deeply, traveling can be cheaper and easier than you ever imagine.

Travel by Working as Freelancer

In fact, you can fund some really good extra bucks by providing freelancing services. Here are five useful tips to earn some good money and fund your next travel by doing some freelance work.

1. Work as a Virtual Assistant

There are many companies around the world that provide virtual assistant jobs. You only have to do simple work as an administrative assistant or office manager from the comfort of your own home. 

Small things like email composing, social media posting, logo designing, and online research are some of the things that virtual assistants do and surely you can do as well. The virtual assistant jobs are the perfect way through which you can generate good income and fund your travel plan.

Related: 9 Smart Tips to Travel on a Student’s Budget

2. Data Entry Jobs

If you can type 60 words or more in a minute then data entry jobs suit you perfectly and can be useful to fund your travel plan. You can do as much data entry work as you want according to your liking.

There are websites such as Fiverr and Upwork that can provide you with some quality data entry work. If your planned traveling destination is expensive then you can support it easily through data entry work.

3. Freelance Writing

One of the easiest ways to fund your travel is to do freelance writing jobs. There are lots of freelance writing projects that you can avail easily and make some extra bucks.

As a freelance writer, you can write for travel magazines, online travel sites, business ideas and more that pay anywhere from $50 to $150 an article.

There are some good academic websites from which you can take assistance also such as Assignment Help UK, and Custom Essay.

Moreover, one of the best sites to find the freelance writing work of your own choice is Freelance Writing because of the huge variety of work available.

4. Travel or Lifestyle Blogging

 

One of the best ways to fund your travel plan is to start blogging. There must be something that excites you or in which you feel as an expert and want to write about it. Simply start blogging and share your writing in front of people as a consultant.

You can take a good consultation fee for your expert opinions. Also, you can put pay-per-click ads on your blog such as Google Ad sense so that every time people visit your blog and click the ad, you get a share of revenue. So by blogging, you can generate at least two possible income streams to fund your travel.

5. Earn Affiliate Sales

Just imagine if you make money while sleeping? This is quite true and the affiliate sales commission is definitely the way to go. There are many companies in the world that offer handsome sales commission when you make a sale for them by sharing a unique link.

For example, Amazon, eBay, and many other websites have affiliate programs. You can join one and share your affiliate links for products you like. If someone then clicks that link and goes on to buy something, you earn a small percentage from that sale.

So now you know five easy to implement and fun ways to fund some extra money towards your future travel plans. 

Good luck and enjoy some time off! 

Author Bio

Emily Jones works as a senior content developer at Assignment Help. She is from Melbourne, Australia. One of her passions is to travel around the world and discover unique destinations. She loves to write on Custom Essays topics related to traveling and share her experiences in them.

Travel Quotes, Travel Inspiration, Vagabond Lifestyle

25 Best Lao Tzu Travel Quotes (Tao Te Ching)

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I love Tao Te Ching and often re-read it. This rather small and compact book is full of Taoist wisdom. More so, as a wanderluster myself, I find great connection with Lao Tzu’s spirit of wandering and yet staying still within.

Below is my selection of 25 favorite Lao Tzu travel quotes on setting on a journey, traveling without any fixed destination, and on arriving.

Lao Tzu also known as Lao Tze

I hope you enjoy them and find personal meaning in them as I did.

Lao Tzu Travel Quotes

1) “If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading.”

2) “I drift like a wave on the ocean,
I blow as aimless as the wind.
I am different from ordinary people.”

3) “To a mind that is still the whole universe surrenders.”

4) “The way to do is to be.”

5) “Stop leaving and you will arrive. Stop searching and you will see. Stop running away and you will be found.”

6) “The further one goes, the less one knows.”

7) “If you realize that all things change, there is nothing you will try to hold on to. If you are not afraid of dying, there is nothing you cannot achieve.”

8) “Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.”

9) “The reason why the universe is eternal is that it does not live for itself; it gives life to others as it transforms.”

10) “There is a time to live,
and a time to die
but never …to reject the present moment.”

11) “A man with outward courage dares to die; a man with inner courage dares to live.”

12) “Care about what other people think and you will always be their prisoner.”

13) “The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”

14) “A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving.”

15) “To hold, you must first open your hand. Let go”

16) “He who knows that enough is enough will always have enough.”

17) “Do you have the patience to wait till the mud settles and the water is clear?
Can you remain unmoving till the right condition arises by itself?”

18) “Go to the people. Live with them. Learn from them. Love them. Start with what they know. Build with what they have.”

19) “Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you.”

20) “In the end, the treasure of life is missed by those who hold on to things and gained by those who let go.”

21) “Spring comes, and the grass grows by itself.”

22) “A good traveler leaves no tracks.”

23) “Every step is on the path.”

24) “To be worn out is to be renewed.”

25) “The road you can talk about is not the road you can walk on.”

26) “The Sage travels all day yet never leaves his inner treasure or peace.”

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International Travel, Travel Hacks, Vagabond Lifestyle, Digital Nomad

9 Tips to Master the Art of Long Term Travel

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For some, being a tourist simply will not cut it. For true-blue travelers, traveling means more than just sticking to the guidebook. Instead, it is seeking profound experiences by mixing with the locals, savoring their food, and taking part in their everyday life.

For long-term travelers, this is especially true since they spend an indefinite time at one place, not knowing when or where their next destination is.

The Art of Long Term Travel

If long-term travel is your ideal adventure, you must first understand the realities involved. It might look like it’s all sunshine and roses with endless Instagrammable snapshots and fantastic posts. That could be true, as well, but there are some concerns that you first need to face before embarking on this long-standing journey.

Everyone would love to travel for as long as they can but how to make it a reality?

Conquering the Challenges of Long-Term Travel

Here are a few of the most basic things that you should get a firm grip on when going on a long-term excursion:

Do Your Homework

This step will serve as a foundation for all your travel plans. Read up on the places you want to go. Get down to the more practical information like how to get around, local customs, rules, and regulations, and currency and exchange rates.

You can also try to learn the language or at least pick up some important words and phrases to help you get by in a new place.

Related: The Ultimate List of (all kinds of) Travel Hacks

Plan (But Not Too Much)

Going on a long-term journey requires some planning but not to the extent of jotting down every single activity in a spreadsheet. It’s good to be organized but having every second accounted for can take out the fun in your adventure.

Instead, plan the more major parts of the trip like long-haul flights or accommodations in places that are typically busy (especially if you’re sure that you’re going to that place).

You can usually get promo rates if you book ahead of time on airlines or get early-bird discounts in hotels. Leave some wiggle room for you so you can adjust your travel plans accordingly if in case you decide to stay longer in one place or need to skip one location for a more interesting one.

Related: The Ultimate Travel Resource (everything you’ll ever need)

Take Precautions

Travelling can be taxing. All the walking and lugging your (usually heavy) backpack can take a toll on your health.

Before you leave, see your doctor and undergo a complete physical exam. Ask what shots you need to protect yourself as well. Also, check if the country (or countries) you’re going to require you to be immunized.

If you have any health conditions that require special medication, request for a prescription. Better yet, bring a considerable amount of your pills as pharmacies in their countries do not always honor local prescriptions.

Don’t forget to pay your dentist a visit as well.

Related: Most Common Travel FAQ

Visas, Passport & Other Documents

Double check your passport and visa expiration dates and other entry or exit rules and regulations when planning your travels.

It is best to check what travel documents are needed for each country that you plan to go to, too. Although filling out forms and collating all official travel documents can be tiresome, they are absolutely necessary.

Related: Apply Travel Visa

 

Read Next: List of countries Americans can visit without needing a travel visa

Ready Your Finances

Unless you have hordes of cash or parents who can bankroll your travel, you better be ready with financing your trip.

Some travelers work their backs off for some time to save money then go country-skipping while others prefer to work while on their trip (there are Couchsurfing, volunteering, or online job opportunities for travelers).

Whatever the case, you have to make sure that you are ready with your credit cards, debit cards, and cash.

Inform your bank that you plan to travel for an indefinite time so your cards won’t get frozen in case they suspect fraudulent overseas transactions.

While on your trip, try to stay on budget if the sky is not the limit. Even if you exchange services like manning the reception for free lodgings (yes, this is possible in some countries), you still need to pay for food, transportation, and other basic essentials.

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Get Travel Insurance

It is a must to get yourself travel insurance. It is a reality that some unfortunate incidents can happen while you’re on your trip so it’s better to be on the safe side.

Lost luggage, health emergencies, and other untoward events sometimes occur and having yourself covered can minimize stress and cost.

 

Store Your Belongings

If you plan to be out of for quite some time, leaving personal belongings behind can be a cause for concern. It’s not much of a problem if you’re living with family as you can trust them to look after your stuff for you.

However, if you’re renting or sharing a flat, it would be wiser to simply store your belongings in a safe and secure warehouse facility.

Simply go through the motions of setting up an account and the corresponding payment terms, request a family or friend to check in on your things from time to time, and voila, you can leave with a much lighter heart.

Back Up Important Documents

You don’t need to be a pack rat and store every train ticket, museum pass, or leaflet as these may accumulate fast and add to your luggage weight. If you can’t part from these physical mementos, just take photos of them as souvenirs and just leave the actual documents behind.

 

Also, keep copies of important travel documents in your email or Google Drive so you can access them easily in case you need them.

It is also a good idea to print (and even laminate) copies of your passport and visas so you won’t have to take them out every time you have to which heightens the risk of you misplacing or dropping it.

Soak It Up & Enjoy

Finally, when you’re finally at your destination, open your mind and free your soul to get the most out of the experience. This doesn’t mean that you can throw your cares to the wind completely (although it is an option for some) but if you can still enjoy while retaining a semblance of order and safety.

Get to know the locals, try their food (or learn how to cook their dishes if you’re staying long), respect their customs and traditions, and experience how they live their lives on their side of the pond.

Mantoo, an Afghani traditional food

Walk, bike, take public transportation. Learn the language, make friends, and simply learn more.

Long-term journeys are not for everyone. It can be exhausting and things may not always happen as you’ve imagined.

If you have determined that your level of optimism to roam the world is commensurate with the understanding and accepting the realities of being away for so long, then, by all means, go where your heart leads you.

Author Bio

Chris Humphrey is the General Manager of Easytruck Moving & Storage. In 2013, the company combined their expertise in professional moving services & storage to create an entirely new approach to the business – and mobile storage was born! Easytruck now operates over 30,000sq ft of air-conditioned facilities in three convenient locations in Dubai and is the only Mobile Storage operator in the UAE.

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30 Awesome Travel Quotes To Inspire Your Wanderlust

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Sometimes, we find ourselves on the road and at other times we seek inspiration for our next adventure. In this blog post, I am going to share with you 30 awesome travel quotes to inspire your wanderlust.

1) Travel made me more aware of me. I learn more about myself while on road than anywhere else. – Jessica Johnson

2) Palm trees, ocean breeze, salty air, sun-kissed hair, endless summer, take me there. – Anonymous

3) Take every chance you get in life because some things happen only once. – Karen Gibbs

4) I am not born for one corner; the whole world is my native land. – Seneca

5) Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer. – Anonymous

6) To stay is to exist, to travel is to live. – Hans Christian Anderson

7) If you don’t get out of the box you’ve been raised in, you won’t understand how much bigger the world is. – Angelina Jolie

8) Certainly travel is more than seeing sights; it is a change that goes on deep and permanent, in the ideas of living. – Mary Ritter Beard

9) Time flies, it is up to you to be the navigator. – Robert Orben

10) Live with no excuses, travel with no regrets. – Anonymous

11) Have faith in your journey. Everything had to happen exactly as it did to get you where you’re going next. – Mandy Hale

12) We don’t choose where we come from, but we can choose where we go from there. – Anonymous

13) Not until we are lost do we begin to find ourselves. – Henry David Thoreau

14) Roads were made for journeys, not destinations. – Confucius

15) The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. – Lao Tzu

16) Take it all one day at a time and enjoy the journey. – Kristi Bardett

17) I am learning to trust the journey even when I do not understand it. – Mila Bron

18) The middle of a journey is always the hardest. This is where the weak ones panic. Whether you decide to return or press onward, you have a long way to go. So keep your eyes fixed on your goal and keep moving forward. – Salil Jha

19) I love the feeling of being anonymous in a city I’ve never been before. – Anonymous

20) Nothing behind me, everything ahead of me, as Is ever so on the road. – Jack Kerouac

 

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21) Just round the corner, there may wait, a new road or a secret gate. – J. R. R. Tolkien

22) I don’t know where I am going from here, but I promise it won’t be boring. – David Bowie

23) The only trip you will regret is the one you do not take. – Anonymous

24) We are almost there are nowhere near it, all that’s matters is we are going. – Gilmore Girls

25) I travel because I would rather look back at my life and say “I can’t believe I did that” instead of “if only I had…” – Florine Bos

26) You do not need magic to disappear, All you need is a destination. – Anonymous

27) So much of who we are is where we have been. – William Langewiesche

28) You leave marks behind, however small; and in return life and travel leaves marks on you. – Anthony Bourdain

29) It is not a trip or a vacation. It is a second life. – Anonymous

30) Because the greatest part of a road trip isn’t arriving at your destination. It is all the wild stuff that happens along the way. – Anonymous

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30 Best Wanderlust Quotes

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Here’s to all those wanderers, gypsies, nomads, and adventurers who dare to set foot in unknown realms, let the magic of wanderlust seep into your soul. And those who seek inspiration to wander, below are our selection of the best quotes on wanderlust.

Wanderlust Quotes

1) Your feet will take you where your heart is. – Irish Proverb

2) The world is big and I want to have good look at it before it gets dark. – John Muir

3) Let us wander where the wi-fi is weak. – Anonymous

4) Now more than ever do I realize that I will never be content with a sedentary life, that I will always be haunted by thoughts of a sun-drenched elsewhere. – Isabelle Eberhardt

5) Born to wander, Born to roam; blame it on my gypsy soul. – Anonymous

6) My soul is full of longing for the secret of the sea and the heart of the great ocean sends a thrilling pulse through me. – H. W Longfellow

7) Always roaming with a hungry heart. – Alfred Tennyson

8) Smell the sea and feel the sky, let your soul and spirit fly. – Van Morrison

9) Not all who wander are lost. – J. R. R Tolkien

10) I am restless. Things are calling me away. My hair is being pulled by the stars again. – Anais Nin

11) My favorite thing to do is to go where I have never been. – Diane Arbus

12) Some beautiful paths cannot be discovered without getting lost. – Erol Ozan

13) Wanderlust consumed her; foreign hearts and exotic minds compelled her. – D. Marie

14) A journey of thousand miles begins with a single step. – Lao Tzu

15) So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore, Dream, Discover. – Mark Twain

16) The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes. – Marcel Proust

17) She was free in her wildness. She was a wanderer, a drop of free water. She belonged to no man and to no city. – Roman Payne

18) There is no great joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun. – Into the Wild

19) Getting lost is not a waste of time, To travel is to evolve. – Pierre Bernard

20) We wander for distraction. But we travel for fulfillment. – Hilaire Belloc

21) Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

22) Take only memories, leave only footprints. – Chief Seattle

23) The wanderlust has got me… by the bellyaching fire. – Robert W. Service

24) There’s something about arriving in new cities, wandering empty streets with no destination. – Charlotte Erikson

25) Wandering re-establishes the original harmony which once existed between man and the universe. – Anatole France

26) Wherever you go, go with all your heart. – Confucius

27) Your heart is free, have the courage to follow it. – Braveheart

28) I suppose that every wanderer started in a garden somewhere. So few of us are born into motion. – Candas Jane Dorsey

29) I followed my wanderlust. It bruised me sometimes and took me to all kinds of highs. – Elisabeth Eaves

30) To move, to breath, to fly, to float, to gain all while you give; to roam the roads of remote; to travel is to live. – Hans Christian Anderson

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30 Best Inspirational Travel Quotes

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1. The biggest adventure you can ever take is to live the life of your dreams.

2. Live your life by a compass, not a clock.

3. I have an insane calling to be where I’m not.

4. Traveling is my drug of choice.

5. Travel is the only thing that makes you richer.

6. Your wings already exist, all you have to do is fly.

7. Adventures may hurt you, but monotony will kill you.

8. Getting lost (somewhere good) is never a waste of time.

Read: 10 Synonymous Words for Travel Lovers

9. Travel begins at the end of your comfort zone.

10. You should experience being foreign at least once.

11. Let’s go somewhere where the stars kiss the ocean.

12. Traveling isn’t always about running away from things, sometimes it is about running into what you truly want.

13. We travel initially to lose ourselves, but we continue to travel to find ourselves.

14. The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes. But in having new eyes.

15. If we were meant to stay in one place, we’d have roots instead of feet.

16. I see my path but I don’t know where it leads, Not knowing where I’m going is what inspires me to travel it.

17. Traveling is not something you are good at. It is something you do like breathing.

18. To travel is worth any cost or sacrifice.

19. Please understand, I have been waiting to leave ever since I figured out that there were roads willing to take me anywhere I wanted to go.

20. Travel is like knowledge, the more you see the more you know you haven’t seen.

21. A nomad, I will remain for life, in love with distant and uncharted places.

22. We have nothing to lose, and a world to see.

23. The impulse to travel is one of the hopeful symptoms of life.

24. Live the life, that people write novels about.

25. Jobs fill your pocket, adventures fill your soul.

26. I’d rather die on an adventure than live standing still.

27. All you’ve to do is decide to go and the hardest part is over

28. Travel to fill your life with adventures, not things. Have stories to tell not stuff to show.

29. Man cannot discover oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore.

30. I ‘d rather have a passport full of stamps than a house full of stuff.

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57 Paulo Coelho Travel Quotes You Will Love

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Most of us are perhaps already familiar with Paulo Coelho and his beloved masterpiece “The Alchemist.” I have always admired Paulo for his deep insights into the human nature. He is one of my favorite authors.

Did you know, all of his books (including The Alchemist) are based on his travels and journeys across the world!?

In this blog, I am going to share 57 of my favorites Paulo Coelho Travel Quotes. I am sure these will inspire your wanderlust.

1. “No one wants their life thrown into chaos. That is why a lot of people keep that threat under control and are somehow capable of sustaining a house or a structure that is already rotten. They are the engineers of their own prison.”

2. “None of us knows what might happen even the next minute, yet still, we go forward. Because we trust. Because we have Faith.”

3. “People are capable, at any time in their lives, of doing what they dream of.”
― Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist

4. “We are travelers on a cosmic journey, stardust, swirling and dancing in the eddies and whirlpools of infinity. Life is eternal. We have stopped for a moment to encounter each other, to meet, to love, to share. This is a precious moment. It is a little parenthesis in eternity.”

5. “I can choose either to be a victim of the world or an adventurer in search of treasure. It’s all a question of how I view my life.”

6. “People never learn anything by being told, they have to find out for themselves.”

7. “Why people are sad? That’s because they are the prisoners of their personal history. Everyone believes that the main aim in life is to follow a plan. They never ask if that plan is theirs or if it was created by another person. They accumulate experiences, memories, things, other people’s ideas, and it is more than they can possibly cope with. And that is why they forget their dreams.”

8. “Anyone who has lost something they thought was theirs forever finally comes to realize that nothing really belongs to them.”

9. “I don’t live in either my past or my future. I’m interested only in the present. If you can concentrate always on the present, you’ll be a happy man. Life will be a party for you, a grand festival because life is the moment we’re living now.”

10. “How much I missed, simply because I was afraid of missing it.”

11. “Life is too short, or too long, for me to allow myself the luxury of living it so badly.”

12. “When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.”
― Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist

 

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13. “It’s the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting.”
― Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist

14. “Everything tells me that I am about to make a wrong decision, but making mistakes is just part of life. What does the world want of me? Does it want me to take no risks, to go back to where I came from because I didn’t have the courage to say “yes” to life?”
― Paulo Coelho, Eleven Minutes

15. “When someone leaves, it’s because someone else is about to arrive.”
― Paulo Coelho, The Zahir

16. “Remember that wherever your heart is, there you will find your treasure.”
― Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist

17. “When I had nothing to lose, I had everything. When I stopped being who I am, I found myself.”

18. “A child can teach an adult three things: to be happy for no reason, to always be busy with something, and to know how to demand with all his might that which he desires.”

19. “No matter what he does, every person on earth plays a central role in the history of the world. And normally he doesn’t know it.”
― Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist

Read: Top 10 Travel Books That Will Surely Inspire You

Read: 10 Best Travel Movies That Will Surely Inspire You

20. “When you find your path, you must not be afraid. You need to have sufficient courage to make mistakes. Disappointment, defeat, and despair are the tools God uses to show us the way.”

21. “Life does not look back. A week is more than enough time for us to decide whether or not to accept our destiny.”

22. “The two hardest tests on the spiritual road are the patience to wait for the right moment and the courage not to be disappointed with what we encounter.”
― Paulo Coelho, Veronika Decides to Die

23. “Certain things in life simply have to be experienced (and never explained).”
― Paulo Coelho, Maktub

24. “Life always waits for some crisis to occur before revealing itself at its most brilliant.”
― Paulo Coelho, Eleven Minutes

25. “I am two women: one wants to have all the joy, passion and adventure that life can give me. The other wants to be a slave to routine, to family life, to the things that can be planned and achieved. I’m a housewife and a prostitute, both of us living in the same body and doing battle with each other.”
― Paulo Coelho, Eleven Minutes

26. “Every blessing ignored becomes a curse.”

27. “Choosing a path meant having to miss out on others. She had a whole life to live, and she was always thinking that, in the future, she might regret the choices she made now. She wanted to follow all possible paths and so ended up following none.”
― Paulo Coelho, Brida

28. “Be crazy! But learn how to be crazy without being the center of attention. Be brave enough to live differently.”
― Paulo Coelho, Veronika Decides to Die

29. “You will never be able to escape from your heart. So it’s better to listen to what it has to say.”
― Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist

30. “The universe needs none as it travels through endless time. It is the pure Language of the World.”

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31. “You have to take risks. We will only understand the miracle of life fully when we allow the unexpected to happen. Every day, God gives us the sun–and also one moment in which we have the ability to change everything that makes us unhappy. If people really pay attention to their everyday lives, they will discover that magic moment.”

32. “Don’t allow your mind to tell your heart what to do. The mind gives up easily.”

33. “Don’t listen to the malicious comments of those friends who, never taking any risks themselves, can only see other people’s failures.”

34. “All you have to do is to pay attention; lessons always arrive when you are ready, and if you can read the signs, you will learn everything you need to know in order to take the next step.”

35. “A fall from the [tenth] floor hurts as much as a fall from the hundredth. If I have to fall, may it be from a high place.”

36. “Sometimes, we are so attached to our way of life that we turn down wonderful opportunities simply because we don’t know what to do with it.”

37. “It’s the simple things in life that are the most extraordinary.”

38. “There is only one way to learn. It’s through action. Everything you need to know you have learned through your journey.”

39. “Life takes us by surprise and orders us to move toward the unknown, even when we don’t want to and when we think we don’t need to.”

40. “It is always important to know when something has reached its end. Closing circles, shutting doors, finishing chapters, it doesn’t matter what we call it; what matters is to leave in the past those moments in life that are over.”

41. “Making a decision was only the beginning of things. When someone makes a decision, he is really diving into a strong current that will carry him to places he had never dreamed of when he first made the decision.”

42. “Travel is never a matter of money but of courage.”

43. “When you can’t go back, you have to worry only about the best way of moving forward.”
― Paulo Coelho, Aleph

44. “People want to change everything and, at the same time, want it all to remain the same.”

 

45. “One day you will wake up and realize there won’t be any more time to do the things you’ve always wanted. So, do them now.”

46. “If you think adventure is dangerous, try routine. It is lethal.”

47. “There is a force that wants you to realize your personal legend; it wets your appetite with a taste of success.” 

48. “People are capable, at any time in their lives, of doing what they dream of.”

49. “If you are brave enough to say goodbye, life will reward you with a new hello.”

50. We have to stop and be humble enough to understand that there is something called “the mystery”.

51. “Imagine a new story for your life and start living it.”

52. “Life has a way of testing a person’s will, either by having nothing happen at all or by having everything happen at once.”

53. “You drown not by falling into a river, but by staying submerged in it.”

54. “Everything you need to know you have learned through your journey.”

55. “Most people see the world as a threatening place and because they do, the world turns out, indeed, to be a threatening place.”

56. “Courage in the path is what makes the path manifest itself.”

57. “We are travelers on a cosmic journey, stardust swirling and dancing in eddies and whirlpools in infinity. Life is eternal. We have stopped for a moment to encounter each other, to meet, to love, to share. This is a precious moment. It is a little parenthesis in eternity.”

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Gangtok Tales: The City of Snowy Peaks (Part 1)

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Ever thought that roaming around is tiring? For me, it wasn’t until I encountered altitude sickness that I began to agree. I was on my way to Gangtok from Darjeeling when the height of 6,700 ft. caught up to me.

I advise that you fill your tummy before you get in a car for Gangtok because if you aren’t full you are going to get super-sick. It is also going to take away the pleasure of watching the glorious scenes unfold before you if you feel ill.

SLEEP AND SHOPPING

After three and a half hours of journeying, I finally reached my destination. And whereas my Darjeeling’s home stay was a delight to stay in, in Gangtok I got a stinky room at that same price.

My whole day was all about sleep, sleep, and sleep. But even though my hotel room was stinky, it had a convenient location. It was just on the M. G. Marg. Since it is the market area, when the shopping fairy hits you, you can go and shop anytime.

That is what I did during my first day at Gangtok. Sleep and shopping. It was time to get some rest, as the next day I was heading out to see the North Sikkim, and it was going to be exciting!

PEAKS AND RUMTEK

On May 2nd, my guide Pravin and I set out for a long drive to North Sikkim. My first stop was at the Hill View Point, from here I saw the mighty peaks of K2 as well as Annapurna. It is a joy to see the highest peaks of the world laden with snow.

The Hill View Point was on my way to the Rumtek Monastery, which is one of the largest in Asia. It has the Dharma Chakra Center and is also home to the Golden Stupa. Vehicles do not go to the Monastery.

You need to walk half of a kilometer uphill before you see the face of the Monastery. Do not forget to bring identification with you because it is mandatory.

I was the first tourist to visit that day. Since it was off season and I was pretty early I had the monastery all to myself. You can see in the picture below the Hall of the Monastery. On the right-hand side, there is a signboard which reads – “Way to the Golden Stupa.”

THE STUNT

From here, I climbed and reached the Stupa. The Military Guards are at the doors of the Golden Stupa, and there will always be a monk inside. There is a signboard indicating No Cameras, but I sneaked in my cell phone.

Once you step into the room, you are going to think “What is this?” But then the monk comes in and switches on the light. That is when you see the glittering Golden Stupa. And by Golden I mean Golden, there are all kinds of riches in there. You can see it through the glass. Alas! You can’t touch it.

I took all kinds of risks to click a picture of the Golden Stupa. So, the picture is kind of blurry. After my daring stunt at the Stupa, I went to the Nalanda Institute, which is one of the first in the world.

 

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WATERFALLS OF SIKKIM

One of the top tourist destination in Sikkim is the Ban Jhakri Water Falls. Unlike the Monastery, the Ban Jhakri waterfalls were overloaded with tourists. 

Many of them were hung on tight harnesses, trying to cross the rope bridges across the waterfalls. And even though, I can dare a photograph in a Military secured zone, I shun water. So, crossing the rope bridge was a no-go.

But I did something interesting. I wore the traditional Sikkimese dress and clicked pictures with my sister. And as you can see I totally look like a typical Sikkimese Woman in the pic, don’t I?

CLOUDY PEAKS

It was past lunch time at the falls, and I was super hungry. We set out to the Tashi View Point because my guide told us it is where we could eat lunch. Sadly, the only thing available there was pineapple.

The view of Kanchenjunga from the Tashi View mount is stunning. Luck wasn’t on our side though, the clouds shrouded the peaks and even the afternoon sun did nothing to blast it away. Yet, I viewed all the other peaks that were visible to my glassed eyes.

THE HOWL

After seeing the best zoo in India, Padmaja Naidu Zoological Park, I wasn’t sure I would like the Sikkim Zoological Park. But mate! I was wrong. Where PNZP is man-made and skilfully organized, Sikkim Zoo is wild and untamed.

I loved the raw, untamed beauty of the park. You have to walk around in the woods to see the animals. It feels surreal. First on the list was the common leopard, then came the cute red Pandas followed by a leopard cub.

I was on my way strolling alongside my sister when I heard a deafening howl. We were on our way to see the Himalayan Wolf. But after following the directions, we reached a point where the road was blocked with a sign “Himalayan Wolf Under Treatment.”

That was when we heard the howl again. You can well imagine, walking through the woods on a snowy day and hearing the howl of an ailing wolf. It still gives me chills.

FLOWERY DELIGHT

A long day of sight seeing was coming to an end and my guide wanted it to be special. So he took me to the yearly flower exhibition that takes place in Gangtok. I have very little knowledge about flowers. But what can I say? They are pretty.

ROPEWAY DARE

I have a long list of fears, and the top on the list is water, in the second place is heights. I even fear taking escalators. But it was a trip where I wanted to try new things. So, I took the chance and rode the ropeway.

The view of the mountains beside and the city below was astounding. You can see the picture of the city below. We rode until we reached Deorali, flying over the traffic and through the valley. And after riding 20 minutes on the ropeway, I thought “Heights can be beautiful.”

So, that is how my second day at Gangtok came to an end, with me fighting my fears. That is what traveling does friends; it frees you.

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Darjeeling Travel: Tales From City of Hills (Part 2)

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The Darjeeling hill station story continues in this next chapter of Darjeeling travel diary. The City of Hills is a hidden paradise full of natural beauty and serenity all around.

I could not sleep the first night because I had luggage to look after. But still, I was refreshed and all set to hit the road. Taxis were waiting in the parking lot of the station. You can simply go up to the drivers and ask around for one who is going to your location.

SILIGURI TO DARJEELING

I choose a guy who was decent looking but Ohh Boy! It took him about an hour to fill up the taxi. Then we finally started the long awaited journey. We drove through Military bases and it was unlike any experience I ever had.

  “On my way to the Military Base near Darjeeling “

ROADS OF THE HILLS

After driving through the military base, we started our ascent. I had never seen how a city on the hill looks. But once we started ascending, the sight was just “wow.” In the picture below you can see the road that we used to climb higher and higher into the hills.

“Roads cut on Hills”

Just at the middle of the mountain we stopped and had breakfast. This was the first time I got a look at the wooden houses which are popular in Hill stations. The little Dhaba (hotel) where we had our breakfast in is in the picture below. Isn’t it cute?

“A Cute Little Dhaba“

After breakfast, we ascended again, and reached, 6,700 ft above the ground level. The town of Darjeeling is dolled up for everyone to see, there are flower pots decorated in each and every house. Nothing looks prettier than the wooden houses adorned with varieties of flowers. I had kept my GPS on, so when I reached my hotel, I asked my driver to drop me there.

All the taxis head to the Chowrastha or the Market area. But you can ask the driver to drop you at your hotel if it is on the way. After hours of sitting in a jam-packed car, it was hard for me to carry my luggage and climb to my hotel. That is when I learned the first lesson of Hill Station tourism: you have to climb a lot.

Climbing is like walking here. And those who don’t have strong legs will get toned legs if they live here for a month.

 

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THE COMFY HOMESTAY

I stayed at a homestay which I booked online. It was only my second online booking, so I had some doubts. But once I took a look at the hotel my hopes sunk. It wasn’t like I was expecting a 5-star, but I thought at least, no harm in looking for a hotel, right?

I was told to wait, as my room wasn’t ready yet. Then walked in the owner, and I was struck by her beauty. Shoyeta introduced herself and asked if I would care for some coffee. My hopes were dashed, but a coffee sounded heavenly.

“A Hot Cup of Darjeeling Coffee“

As soon as I said yes to the coffee, the receptionist showed me to my room. And Oh-boy! I was totally wrong. My room gave me a spectacular view of the mountain ranges, and it was more than comfy. The tiny coffee mugs, with all the Sikkimese prints, looked beautiful.

SPINNING CYLINDERS AT DALI

Day one in Darjeeling was uneventful by far, except the lucky room I got. In the afternoon though, I couldn’t sit still. I headed to the nearby Monastery – Dali. It was just a 5-minute walk from my hotel. At the time I visited, about 3:30 pm, there were no tourists around to block the views or photo bomb my pictures.

“The High Flag of Dali“

Dali was empty, except for the massive furry giants moving everywhere. The dogs here may look scary, but they are harmless. I roamed free in the monastery, and also went to the prayer room. There was an old lady there who was adorable; she let me spin the giant cylinders in the room.

On my way back, I sat in the coffee shop at the monastery. The coffee was from a coffee machine- nothing fancy. However, you get to sit in the open and have a stunning view of the Darjeeling town. After my coffee, I headed back from the Monastery.

My next stop was the Chowrastha market. Even though it is summer in India, Darjeeling is unpredictable. One moment it will be all sunny and the next you see clouds rolling in. If you are a tourist, you can get confused on where to go. I followed a girl, who shared a taxi with me. She led me to the old market, where you can get cheap woolens, cheaper outfits, and the cheapest umbrellas.

Quick tip: If you are traveling to this part of India, do buy one of these because, in Darjeeling, you can get very cold at night. Plus, your clothes won’t dry easily in a cold weather, and it rains here frequently.

JAMMING WITH A STRANGER

After a whole lot of buying, haggling, and burning a hole in my pocket, I got back to my Homestay. Once I cozied myself up with an oversized sweater (which I had bought that day for my Paa), I flipped through a book of mine – “Mrs. Funnybones.”

I couldn’t concentrate because I heard someone playing guitar. I tiptoed to the reception desk, and there he was the receptionist Amrit. He asked me to join him, and then when I made myself comfortable on the sofa, we both started hitting notes together.

I felt over-the-top happy because it was the first time in my life where I was in a strange place, with a complete stranger. Still, never in my life had I felt so free. Our jamming session came to an end when his little angel daughter popped in and asked to go to bed. That was when we bade our goodbyes. But we promised to make a video of us jamming the next day.

“The Jamming Session with Amrit“

I had to sleep early because the next day was going to be interesting. I was going to see the best scenery of Darjeeling, the sunrise at the Tiger Hills! I quickly filled my stomach with chicken and rice and turned off my bed lamp. The next day was going to be epic….wait for it… Dear Dairy!

Read the first installment of my Darjeeling Travel Diary (Day 1 & Day 2). Trip reports and stories from The City of Hills.

 

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Trip Ideas, Travel Inspiration, Solo Travel, Vagabond Lifestyle

Darjeeling Travel: Tales From City of Hills (Part 1)

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My hometown (in Odisha, India) is not just an ordinary town, I wish it were Darjeeling but no, it has to be the town with the highest temperature in the summer. In winter you can get frostbite, in summer you can get sunstroke. Talk about the weather (lol). What can you expect at 50 degrees Celsius?

What can you expect at 50 degrees Celsius? So, this summer I planned to go to a hill station I hadn’t been before. My first choice was Kodaikanal and Ooty, which are in South India. But after scratching those options, I finally went straight to the City of Hills – Darjeeling!

DARJEELING TRAVEL DIARY

My journey started on April 27th. To say the first day of the journey was uneventful would be a big mistake. You know what happened? I had booked my tickets way ahead of time (over two months). I booked lower berths so that I could sleep well. But traveling alone in India makes people think you are helpless.

A guy who had not got his ticket confirmed asked me to change my seat and go to the upper berth. It was so annoying, yet I patiently said: “No, thanks”. He started blowing his bad breath voice louder and louder in my ears and then it started getting on my nerves. It was in the evening around 7 pm when he brought in the railway police and tried taking away my seat. But thank goodness, the Railway Police told him to grow a brain because I already had a confirmed ticket.

GIRLS FIGHT BACK

Later that night, he again picked a quarrel. Now, I was already at my breaking point. I was done being the decent girl, who was quiet as he kept misbehaving with me. I was so done with him now. As he started to quarrel, he was also getting back retorts from me.

The quarrel became so severe that the Railway police came in and helped us cool down. That guy even threatened me, so the Police stayed up all night beside me to ensure I was okay. Now, that is a benefit of being a woman in India. The police were so helpful to me. Four of them stayed close to me so that I wouldn’t face any problems.

The first night of my journey and I was already about to smash someones’ head! But the next day was so much better.

FIRST STOP: HOWRAH

I did not have a direct train to my destination. But you should know that no Hill station in India has direct trains. You need to go to the destination using a shared taxi. The next morning, April 28th, I arrived at Howrah. The weather was “oppressive.” Thankfully, my train was at 11 am, so as soon as I boarded the train, I was all good.

My first step into my compartment and I was like “Whaaaaa!?” It was full of guys, and by guys I mean a whole lot of testosterone in one place makes me uncomfortable. I went straight to my seat, and it was occupied by a gang of rowdy looking North Eastern guys.

But when I said to them it was my seat, and I needed sleep because I had a rough night they were very understanding! Even though they were a lot in number, they agreed to give me my seat and sit uncomfortably.

 

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NO SLEEP (TRAIN WAS FUN)

I wanted to sleep but I really couldn’t! Why? Because the train in which I booked my ticket was not a train but a running Super Market. All kinds of Vendors came, they sold sarees, t-shirts, watches, blankets and all kinds of food, especially the Macher Jhol (fish curry) and rice.

When I was done trying to sleep, I woke up and all the guys were giggling in front of me. They started our conversation talking about anything and everything. Our major fun started when a vendor came by. He sold water bottles and before he came near our seats he would give us an imaginary phone call and said: “Hello, Hello!” When we all started giggling, he would come nearer and sell water in all kinds of voices “Pani, PANI, Pani.” All the “Pani” were different, one shrill, one loud, one in a low bass and one falsetto.

These guys were so much fun that I didn’t even have to put on my “ tourist mask.” We laughed we talked and even shared “Paan” – the authentic beetle leaf of India. Soon came the Bridge which is built over the Padma River. I even made a video of it, you can see it on The Art of Travel Youtube Channel.

“Bridge over the Padma River“

MAKE FRIENDS WHEN TRAVELING

As dinner time came closer, all my packed food was exhausted. Do not blame me, I am a hardcore eater, and I eat when I am bored. So, when one of the guys saw me whining in hunger, he offered me a packet of his snacks. I know, I know, we shouldn’t eat what a stranger offers. But I was so hungry I didn’t give a thought. It was like “do or die”.

These awesome fellow passengers were too adorable for words. One offered to buy me a saree, the other tried to buy me a watch, and the other one was wise and bought me a “Paan.” All in all, my second day of traveling was eventful and fun! You rarely meet such guys in India, but I guess, I was lucky that I did.

THE CITY OF HILL

When my destination arrived, that is Siliguri aka the NJP Station, I didn’t want to leave, but adventure called. Once in the station, I had to find the resting rooms. I had to take a morning taxi to Darjeeling, as nobody drives to Darjeeling from Siliguri at night. That is why I had booked resting rooms online at the NJP Station.

“New Jalpaiguri or Siliguri Railway Station“

The Railway Police here are helpful and they guided me to the rooms. After two tiring days of travel, I wanted a clean bed. That is exactly what I got. The room was clean, the bed made, clean sheets and the adjoining bathroom was also in good condition.

I breathed a sigh of relief as my head hit the pillow. The next morning when I would see the Hills of my dreams was yet to come. Darjeeling, here I come!

Read next: Darjeeling Travel Diary (Day 3 & Day 4). Trip reports and stories from the City of Hills.

 

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