Friday, March 7, 2025

My travel Map to this day

 The countless blessing includes my passion for travel and the job that allows to me to see more places than i could have imagined. I have lately been thinking about documenting and marking the places I go to with my runs. It's been a few years now exploring this thought, but I am finally taking a plunge to draw a map of words around the places I have been to and what better way to start than from the extreme tip of the south Asian continent Srilanka. 

Sri Lanka Travel Log

1. Basic Information

  • Name of Place: Sri Lanka
  • Country/State/City: Sri Lanka (Colombo, Kandy, Galle, Sigiriya, Nuwara Eliya)
  • Date of Visit: December 2019
  • Duration of Stay: 10 days

2. Travel Experience

  • Reason for Visit: Vacation & Cultural Exploration
  • Mode of Travel: Flight to Colombo, then road trips within the country
  • Accommodation: Mix of hotels, beach resorts, and a homestay in the hills

3. Highlights of the Trip

  • Top Attractions Visited:

    • Sigiriya Rock Fortress
    • Temple of the Tooth (Kandy)
    • Tea Plantations in Nuwara Eliya
    • Galle Fort & Unawatuna Beach
    • Yala National Park Safari
  • Memorable Experiences:

    • Climbing Sigiriya at sunrise for breathtaking views
    • Taking a scenic train ride from Kandy to Ella
    • Seeing wild elephants up close in Minneriya National Park
    • Relaxing on Mirissa Beach and watching blue whales
    • Exploring the colonial charm of Galle Fort
  • Food & Cuisine Tried:

    • Traditional Sri Lankan Rice & Curry
    • Hoppers with spicy sambol
    • Fresh seafood in Galle
    • Ceylon tea tastings in the highlands
  • Cultural Insights & Local Traditions:

    • Learned about the significance of Buddhism in Sri Lankan culture
    • Witnessed a traditional Kandyan dance performance
    • Experienced the warm hospitality of locals in homestays

4. Reflections & Learnings

  • What I Loved Most About This Place:

    • The mix of history, nature, and beaches
    • The warmth and friendliness of the people
    • The incredible variety of landscapes in a small country
  • Challenges Faced:

    • Humid weather in coastal areas
    • Some long road journeys between destinations
  • Would I Visit Again? Why/Why Not?
    ✅ Yes! Would love to explore Jaffna and the northern parts next time.

5. Photos & Souvenirs

  • Best Photos Taken:

    • Sunrise from Sigiriya Rock
    • Elephants in the wild at Yala National Park
    • Colorful tuk-tuks in the streets of Colombo
    • The picturesque tea fields of Nuwara Eliya
  • Souvenirs Collected:

    • Handcrafted wooden masks
    • High-quality Ceylon tea
    • Batik fabric from Kandy
  • Hong Kong Travel Log

    1. Basic Information

    • Name of Place: Hong Kong
    • Country/State/City: Hong Kong SAR, China
    • Date of Visit: October 2018
    • Duration of Stay: 5 days

    2. Travel Experience

    • Reason for Visit: Vacation & City Exploration
    • Mode of Travel: Flight to Hong Kong International Airport, local transport via MTR, trams, and ferries
    • Accommodation: Stayed in a hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui

    3. Highlights of the Trip

    • Top Attractions Visited:

      • Victoria Peak (The Peak Tram & Sky Terrace 428)
      • Tian Tan Buddha (Big Buddha) & Po Lin Monastery
      • Avenue of Stars & Symphony of Lights Show
      • Disneyland Hong Kong
      • Temple Street Night Market
      • Star Ferry ride between Kowloon and Central
    • Memorable Experiences:

      • Watching the skyline from Victoria Peak at night
      • Exploring the bustling streets of Mong Kok and its vibrant markets
      • Taking the Ngong Ping 360 cable car to see the Big Buddha
      • Experiencing the thrilling rides at Disneyland Hong Kong
      • Enjoying a traditional dim sum meal at a local tea house
    • Food & Cuisine Tried:

      • Dim sum (Har Gow, Siu Mai, BBQ Pork Buns)
      • Egg waffles from a street vendor in Mong Kok
      • Roast goose at a famous local restaurant
      • Pineapple buns & Hong Kong-style milk tea
      • Seafood dinner at Sai Kung
    • Cultural Insights & Local Traditions:

      • Learned about Feng Shui influences in Hong Kong’s architecture
      • Experienced the Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations with glowing lanterns
      • Noticed the balance between modern skyscrapers and historic temples

    4. Reflections & Learnings

    • What I Loved Most About This Place:

      • The dazzling skyline and harbor views
      • The efficiency of the public transport system
      • The fusion of Eastern and Western influences in the city
    • Challenges Faced:

      • Crowded streets and busy tourist spots
      • Humid weather and occasional rain showers
    • Would I Visit Again? Why/Why Not?
      ✅ Yes! Would love to explore more islands like Lantau and Lamma, and try a junk boat experience.

    5. Photos & Souvenirs

    • Best Photos Taken:

      • Panoramic night view from Victoria Peak
      • Giant Buddha at Lantau Island
      • The neon-lit streets of Mong Kok
      • A bustling dim sum table full of delicacies
    • Souvenirs Collected:

      • Lucky cat figurine for good fortune
      • Hand-painted Chinese fans
      • Traditional Chinese tea from a local shop

Monday, March 3, 2025

From Strangers to being Strangers !!

It all Started on a way to a cycle to nowhere
On a morning, I knew nothing about. 
There you were on, starting a journey, to become unknown
A string here and a string there
Tangling like a rope, over time
Bond was like I had never known
Shared every morning lost in the due
Like it was a dream not wanting to be Woken 

Then came the summer and all it went 
Into the dust like wind swept on the shores
Bellows of memories nothing to hold
I know I cannot Sail
But who can stop for a cycle to nowhere
what began on a morning ended like a storm

In that I found my soul and lost it too
For the journey was never to be alone 
But lost in it were the two, holding but a hay!!
Trying to put together a Journey to the unknown 
From strangers to behaving like strangers
I have come a long way, looking for no one but you again.....