Exotic India - A must for all travellers!

So we’ve all thought about it at least once… snake charmers, colour, Taj Mahal and Bollywood! A trip to India is definitely on most of our bucket lists, but where to start? Easy, travel north, travel Punjab!

Punjab – the land of the five rivers, is undoubtedly a great travel destination. Let’s just say, you definitely wont feel at home!

On my recent trip to Punjab, I stayed in a beautiful village called ‘Haraj’. The amazing thing about villages is the tranquility and peace that constantly surrounds you. Everyone’s a morning riser (except me of course), being awake in the early hours of the morning is a surreal experience in itself. All of the farmers prepare for their days, women are cooking breakfast in the outdoor kitchens, the village children are travelling in big groups to the other side of the village where the bus stop is, you can make out the silhouette of the village Gurudwara (Sikh temple) – and it’s foggy, really, really foggy. Naturally, I just had to take a photo!

Haraj in the early hours of the morning

The brilliant part of Punjab is the natural scenery. Wherever you travel, you will be surrounded by beautiful fields of canola or wheat. Once again, getting out and taking photos is a must! Morning walks definitely become part of your holiday routine.

Following my brother on our daily morning walks

Watching farmers ride off to their fields

Despite the natural attractions that surround you, when in Punjab it is an absolute necessity to travel to the Harmandir Sahib, otherwise known as the Golden Temple. Undoubtedly the most beautiful place in Punjab, the Harmandir Sahib is completely made out of gold. Located in Amritsar, West Punjab, the Harmandir Sahib also runs a free kitchen for all visitors of the temple everyday. People from all countries, religions and social classes are invited to feast in the company of others visiting the temple. 

(Oh, of course, another photo taking opportunity!)

Tourist and Local sides of Fiji

Some of the beauties of Fiji

As an Australian born Fiji-Indian, I've had variety of cultural influences throughout my upbringing. Although this being true, I've lived in Australia for most of my life and some aspects of my Fiji-Indian cultural heritage were lacking. In essence, I’d like to revisit elements of my past to get a feel for some aspects of life that I have been missing out on in Fiji.

In the summer of 2010, my family and I took a trip to Fiji that entailed the usual visits to friends and family. To my surprise, my dad had said that we would also be doing some of the touristy things that we haven’t done in any of the trips before. One bonus of this style of trip was that we didn't have to sleep like backpackers at friends’ places who for me seemed like strangers. Instead we were accommodated at the wonderful beach side accommodation at Denaru that has frequent boat trips to and fro small neighbouring tropical islands.

Hotel accommodation at Denaru

The day after arriving, we set out on a small sized passenger ship to one of the small islands for the day. As we cruised along the ocean we passed many islands, and they were what you would see on brochures and magazines, picture perfect shots of golden sand surrounded by clear blue water that stretched far past the shore line. There were many interesting activities on the island that kept us entertained including para-sailing, jet skiing, snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, feeding turtles and just straight up relaxing under a palm tree being served cuts of meat and fresh fruit.

Snorkeling in some of the clearest waters

During the day

All the activities were great but the best part of that day is probably when we were leaving the island and my dad decided to tip one of the locals so that I could get a ride back on a small dingy sized boat where small supplies would usually be carried. The day started off sunny but mid-way through the boat trip, a storm had quickly formed and I had found myself on a boat with a local that didn’t know much English, nor I know any Fijian. 

Right before the storm

To make matters worse, the boat had broken down 4 or 5 times and we had been stuck there for over an hour more than we should have. But something about being in a boat in a middle of a storm made me realise some of the real tropical beauty of Fiji.

Mud crab that my uncle speared

The second half of our trip actually did encompass us staying with close family, where surprisingly I had more of a liking to in comparison to staying in hotels. It was this part of my trip to Fiji where I actually had the most fun. The idea of me living as a local attempting to catch mud crabs, haggle for items and climb coconut trees seemed most fulfilling. 

Rope swing over the waterfall pool

This was reconfirmed when my uncle who we had stayed with took us to a local rain-forest that tourists had not visited much. Following a forty minute trail spiraling down the forest we had come to a small waterfall and natural pool that had an over swinging rope swing allowing us to jump off into the pool, that the locals had kindly shown us how to do. Learning to live like one of the locals, sure did embrace my cultural attachment to Fiji.

Eurotrip!

In just under two months I will be heading to Europe to visit the countries where my grandparents were born. I have never traveled to Europe so I am very excited to see where my heritage began and also to meet some relatives. My trip will take me to Spain, Italy and Greece. My paternal grandparents were born on a tiny Greek island near the Turkish border called Kos. Although not as big or well known as other Greek Islands such as Santorini or Mykonos, from what I have heard Kos is still a popular tourist destination with beautiful beaches, a chilled vibe during the day and a pumping nightlife. When visiting Kos, I hope to also visit a watermelon farm that my grandfather's family used to own and run. I have also been made aware that an uncle owns a popular nightspot in the main town which should also be fun to visit!

After visiting Kos, I am travelling to the east coast of Italy to visit my maternal grandparents' home town called Francavilla. I have met some of these relatives before when they visited Australia two  years ago. It will be an awesome experience to see them in their environment rather than as tourists in a distant country, especially their interactions with food (they were very critical of the pizzas we cook here, particularly the notion of using pineapple as a topping). Unfortunately none of the relatives I will be visiting speak English which will make communicating difficult, but a part of the experience all the same.

My leg in Spain will be to visit my girlfriend's family and relatives. She is hoping to achieve the same objectives I am with regard to seeing where our ancestors are from. I have always been fascinated by Spanish culture and it will be interesting to compare the Italian and Spanish way of life. It will also be exciting travelling to Spain in July as the World Cup will be finishing and with some luck, could result in me pretending to be Spanish and supporting the team with thousands of other Spanish (except if its against Australia, Italy or Greece!).

The countdown has begun and I can hardly contain my excitement to be visiting the motherland and see where my family came from.

Trip to Saint Martin Island in My country (Bangladesh)

Last year I had a amazing trip to Saint Martin Island in my Country (Bangladesh), one of the most attractive tourist place in Bangladesh. St. Martin's Island is a small island (area only 8 km2) in the north-eastern part of the Bay of Bengal. The old name of this island is "Narikel Jinjira" means coconut garden. We have stayed there for two days and one night in a beautiful decorated cottage with my few friends last year. Blue sky, Sandy beach, coconut tree and turquoise sea make the total place awesome. This island made us feel heavenly especially in the night time with full moon. We have visited few restaurants and had some delicious fresh seafood and they very cheap too. Local people and guide were very helpful to us. We had a Bar-B-Q party on the beach under the full moon night.it was one of the nicest and memorable party I have ever had with my friends. We have visited the most attractive sight in St.Martin called Cherra dwip (detached island). This is a tiny part of this island which becomes detached from the main island during high tide. Water is so blue and quiet and life under water is so nice to watch here as we did scuba diving. Undoubtedly one of the best and memorable trip I have had in my country.

                                                                                                           

Md Sadiqur Rahaman(ISYS100)

The land of the Mummies - walk like an egyptian: Where to travel in Egypt embracing the wonderful ancient culture

Travelling to the land of the Mummies 

If you are planning to travel to the land of the mummies aka. Egypt here is a few tips on where to go and what to see:
Egypt is a great nation with loads to do and see mostly known for the Pyramids there is much more to see than just the Pyramids. There is loads of history and culture to see and do. 
Of course the first place to go is the Pyramids of Giza in Cario. 

We even enjoyed dressing like Egyptians 

Pyramids

becoming real Egyptians

Here my family and I are in Awee of the view seeing it in real life is different than just looking at pictures

The next thing to do is to go on the famous Nile cruise in which there is much more history to see. Here you can choose to travel on many different boats varying in nights on the boat. Most boats even do a Galbia night (as you can see below our family and friends embraced our own culture whilst on the boat 

Galibia night

There is so much to do on the Nile cruise as you can see my family and I really enjoyed seeing the history of this beautiful land.

walking around 7 times brought luck according to the Egyptians 

saying peek a boo

After a long day it was good to enjoy a rest 

One thing i recommend everyone to do before leaving Egypt is to go to Sharm el Shick it is just a short flight from Egypt and is located on the beach with beautiful view. 
Though we travelled in winter so we didn't enjoy the full pleasures of it (which would include swimming at the beach or snorkelling) but we also got to go quad biking in the desert for me this was one of the highlights (though i didn't drive the whole time) being young i didn't really take in the great history of Egypt and also being a thrill seeker i think what i enjoyed most was not only being in Egypt with my family and seeing family whom i haven't seen in ages but Sharm el Shick

Enjoying each others company whilst at a pitt stop 

Taking in the view of the desert 

Able to see the beautiful creatures of below