WHEN IN TURKEY, do as the Turks do. Eat local turkish food – and that’s the number one rule of thumb. From turkish delight, baklava, borek, kebabs to Turkish coffee, I just had to try each one of them. I had my own fill, but it was always never enough. Spending nine days in Turkey will […]
If there was a Disneyland in ancient times, it will be Cappadocia–a history-rich, adventure-full destination in central Turkey. My first trip to Turkey back in May 2015 has set high standards for any of my future travels–why wouldn’t it be, the country totally captures who I am as a ‘traveler.’ It has so much history, so much color, […]
IN AWE. I wrapped myself in the air of majesty as I entered the sovereign walls of ancient Hagia Sofia in Istanbul, Turkey. I almost kissed the floor – the same floor where a thousand other important ancient people sashayed and trudged in. Thought it’s too pagan for me to do that anyway. The morning sun lit the […]
SAIGON OUTCAST, Ho Chi Minh City. With bright-colored vandals decorating the entrance, I knew I was in for a real hipster treat. It started as a slow, lazy Sunday and I straightway ordered a bottle of beer at the bar counter. I contemplated whether I should order fresh coconut instead, but decided to stray away from being […]
Confused — is how I describe the city of Ho Chi Minh / Saigon. I can sense the urgent clamor for progression, but their facades are still chained from their brutal past. The mix of French colonialism, yet carrying the heart of nationalism and local pride. Beneath the tarnished walls and daunting back alleys, the swift motor bikes and flamboyant mosaic […]
It is a crime not to fall in love with the City of Lakes. Udaipur is as romantic as it is luxurious. Unlike its neighboring Rajasthani towns, Udaipur is more relaxed and laidback. A single trip isn’t enough to appreciate fully Udaipur’s beauty and charm. I stayed at the lovely 5-star Trident Hotel, and although the property […]
It was David Rocco in his TV show ‘Dolce India’ that first inspired me to visit Rajasthan. My fourth day in India (and second day in Jaipur) was supposed to start with a hot air balloon ride, but the humidity that morning didn’t really permit us to fly. That also meant I didn’t have to […]
IT TOOK US FIVE HOURS to travel from Agra to Jaipur by car, and the road to the Pink City was another eye-opening journey on its own. Around 50 km away from our destination, we were greeted by an old goat herder by the roadside who was hoping to earn a bundle of rupees from us by selling his goats. We took […]
WHILE ON THE ROAD FROM DELHI TO AGRA — I woke up dazed from a nap: “Are we there yet?” For someone who is used to sleeping at least eight hours a day, the past few days of transiting from one place to the other with little amount of sleep has been physically taxing. Right before I checked […]
I DREAMT ABOUT INDIA. And the next day I woke up there — amidst the saffrons, the maharajas, and the sacred cows. At first, it was but an elusive dream. Possibly on top of this year’s personal bucket list. And yet I mustered the courage to embark on a solo journey to a destination no one dared […]