Macau – Fancy hotels, flashy lights and a Facade

One of the most unorthodox trips in my kitty. I mostly crave for either nature or history when I travel and try hard to stay away from flashy lights and crowds. So this was not what I would have chosen to do on my own. Let’s call it family influence but I did find myself among the crude, lights, sounds, and architecture of this cousin … Continue reading Macau – Fancy hotels, flashy lights and a Facade

Cappadocia – Fairy Chimneys and Alien Landscape…

Let me start by saying that if you are looking for details on the hot air balloon rides, you won’t find much on this blog. A mix of weather issues and some laziness meant we never ended up on those beauties. However, there is still enough to see around Cappadocia and many things that will still blow your mind with your feet firmly on the … Continue reading Cappadocia – Fairy Chimneys and Alien Landscape…

Istanbul – 2 Continents and a Riot – Part 2

There are some cultural experiences so core to Turkey that anywhere else you will only find poor mimicries. A Turkish Hammam is one of them. Most of the hammams are not designed for tourists, they are used by the locals and are still as traditional as used to be. They are gender-segregated in the strictest of fashions with most of them having separate entrances. You … Continue reading Istanbul – 2 Continents and a Riot – Part 2

Istanbul – 2 Continents and a Riot – Part 1

There is no end to the amount of intrigue and awe this city generates. From the vibrant and flourishing Constantinople of pre-medieval times to the cosmopolitan Istanbul of today where Daniel Craig can be visualized driving a motorbike across rooftops chasing some supervillain, this city has it all. The amalgamations of cultures, architecture, and even politics is like nowhere else. Blue Mosque a highly revered … Continue reading Istanbul – 2 Continents and a Riot – Part 1

Turkey – The Amalgamation of Cultures and Continents

It has been a while since I spent this amazing week in Turkey and a lot has changed since then, mostly politically, in the country. A long period of riots and a near coup have come and gone but none of that has impacted its stunning architecture and mind-blowing natural phenomenon. They did impact my trip though as the first major riot on Taksim square … Continue reading Turkey – The Amalgamation of Cultures and Continents

Tokyo – Shinto when Happy, Buddhist when Sad!

Tokyo is more a city to experience than to see. Where there is no dearth of modern buildings with flashy lights, there are quiet trails with wide roads and greenery all around. The residential areas have several small coffee shops that serve fantastic coffee with cookies and snacks. The train stations are like cities by themselves and are very easy to get lost in and … Continue reading Tokyo – Shinto when Happy, Buddhist when Sad!

Japan – So many choices!!!

Japan had been high on the wish-list for a while. It has pretty much everything I look for in a destination – beautiful nature, a vibrant and unique culture, delicious cuisine and the most modern architecture of them all. It is not the cheapest place to visit, especially because of the cost of hotels, but the cheap flights from India make up for some of … Continue reading Japan – So many choices!!!