POST PANDEMIC TRAVEL AND CARAVANS
Traveling across states, smooth roads, captivating sceneries around, be it mountains, through the Gangetic Plains, the hot and bustling areas of Thar Desert, or with sea waves crashing alongside is something each traveler yearns for. At least once in a lifetime, a road trip finds a sweet spot in their itinerary. Road trips are an adventure at a different level garnished with multiple surprises and a level of comfort. I think nothing beats driving your car and vibing on your favorite playlist and surprising views impending as you’re speeding through your journey in pursuit of reaching the destination early. Bidding adieu to the Sun; Image credit: Abhishek Pawar on Unsplash With the outbreak of the pandemic, all such trips on the bucket list have been flushed into strangeness. It has become really hard to predict what crosses ways with our lives next. Travel, like other sectors, has been tarnished to the ground. Its revival is going to be slow and with a lot of effort. With the decline in cases of the coronavirus after the shocking second wave, the community is slowly coming to terms with the new version of travel guidelines and precautions. This time around, getting back to our favorite destinations is also going to be difficult as we have seen even isolated or less-populous areas were grappling with the pandemic, unlike the first wave of infections. Additionally, traveling on a bus, train, or taking a flight to start your vacation is as scarier as ever. Our transit from our towns to the destination is safer in private vehicles till the time all of this mess subsides. Also, road trips in either our coupe or SUVs are better for gaining new experiences and indulging in more insightful traveling by exploring the various dhabas, villages, or towns you pass. Another much safer and convenient option is traveling in a caravan in these distressful times of COVID and the virus scare. What are caravans? Now caravans are nothing new to us, right? At least for all of those who’ve heard Mohan Bhargava (Shah Rukh Khan) vibing with a Fakir on Yun Hi Chala Chal Rahi in Swades as they voyage through India in a big van with all amenities. A caravan is perfect for those who wish to explore new destinations in every leg of their trip and also stay away from the hassle of finding hotels. A caravan is a motor vehicle that also has space for travelers to accommodate for relaxing during their journey. The safety aspect of traveling in COVID times is also intact, minimalizing exposure to the outdoor environment. Caravan, the whole package; Image credit: Darya Py on Unsplash Indian states have recently started giving consent to caravan tourism projects wherein travelers are allowed to hire a fully-equipped vehicle with simple, and modern furniture and fittings. The best part about a caravan is you are not forced into rushing over places within the given time frame. Rather, you can spend as much time as you wish to at any desired location, and behold any view to its maximum beauty. Basically, your travel itinerary is liberated from external factors. There is no worry about taking your time to enjoy any landscape till it fills your heart. All of it, and also, you will save a lot more than a conventional trip. Ordinarily, you will have to go out for dining, look for accommodation charging on a daily basis, and find a commute from point A to B. Another excruciating task is looking for pet-friendly places that let you take your travel buddy with you. Some places often do not allow you to take your pets. So, if you’re traveling with your buddy, it limits the places you go to and you have to hurdle over to just the pet-friendly places, missing out on a lot of cultural and historical monuments. All of the research takes a lot of time and is energy-inefficient. So, as far as a caravan is concerned, you get it all covered. With a caravan, you just need to pack yourself for isolated travel home. Worrying about extra charges, or googling too many queries for your itinerary is avoidable when it comes to traveling in a caravan. Plus, you can take as many people with you too, a circle of college friends, your family, or your partner, and actually get to spend quality time with them over the vacation. For all the unexplored destination in the Himalayas, caravan is the better choice; Image credit: Bhai Rankar on Unsplash What makes Caravans a safer alternative in these times? Earlier, there was not much speculation when it came to zeroing down on the mode of transportation for your desired and well-planned vacation. You used to spend a couple of weeks googling about the desired destination, make a substantial plan for the itinerary, get done with the bookings (both accommodation and commute), pack your essentials, and head out. It seems normal, right? Well, this is not the case right now. If you ask a traveler nowadays, after the pandemic has struck (for twice now), you are going to find a completely different response to how they prepare for a vacation or even a road trip now. If they based their research around economic traveling, ease, and comfort; they will have different concerns this time around. Keeping their health in mind, they would prioritize their physical safety over other filters. A general traveler would go about preparing their itinerary around details that provide legitimate answers to their apprehensions about safety. So, this particular transition has a lot to define what post-COVID traveling is going to be like. Safety: Even if you’re traveling to states or tourist places that have been vulnerable to the virus, you have an edge in terms of personal safety as you won’t be looking for stays, meals, and transportation like in a convention vacation. Hence, your physical distancing aspect is comparatively sorted or you
An offbeat Rajasthani Village near Jaisalmer
Khuri (locally pronounced as Khuhdhi) is a small village in the Thar Desert. It is located around 48 kilometers from the historical town of Jaisalmer, towards the southwest. It is a small village of laborious people, thriving on minimum subsistence, yet with a smile. It has found its way to satisfaction without hoarding itself in the run of securing urban comfort. The people here have a different philosophy of life. Their primary objective is to enjoy their days of presence on this beautiful planet, their village in particular. The people here have identified their USP in keeping the village off the grid of far-fetched luxurious hotels and comfortable and focusing on minimalistic, cozy, and traditional huts as homestays for their guests. House to serene sunsets, Khuri is the place to go for offbeat travelers. Image credit: Rahul Chakraborty on Unsplash Due to being uniquely away from the main tourist trails, this little village helps you find solace away from crowded cities. The number of activities you get to enjoy here is less. Meals are not as fancy, largely centered towards the Rajasthani traditional cuisine. The means of commuting to and from Jaisalmer are not as many. Yet, this place is sought by many travelers for its ability to captivate the soul. The joyous demeanor of the people is welcoming, they are always friendly with outsiders, enticing that you’re one of them. It should be mentioned explicitly that you won’t feel away from home in this small village. Their compassion and hospitality will level a bond between you and the villagers that will always etch in your memory. For those seeking an offbeat stay within close proximity of the famous Khuri Sand Dunes and a calming fascination in their travel itinerary, this place is a must-go. How to reach Khuri Village? Khuri is a small village falling under the Jaisalmer district of Rajasthan. For coming to the village, you will have to first reach Jaisalmer. From there, you can either board a public bus ( that is the cheaper alternative), suitable for budget travelers, or hire a taxi from Jaisalmer. Air: The nearest airport is Jaisalmer Airport in Jaisalmer. It is at a distance of about 50 kilometers from Khuri Village. You can book a private taxi to your accommodation from the airport costing around INR 500-1000. However, Jaisalmer Airport does not receive regular flights from major Indian cities. Alternatively, you can book a flight to Jodhpur Airport which is about 280 kilometers away from Khuri. You can easily book a taxi from the airport to the village at negotiable prices. Railway: The neighboring city of Jaisalmer has its own railway station which is well connected by trains from popular cities of India like Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, and Kolkata. The station is at a distance of 48 kilometers from Khuri village and you can either book a private taxi which is going to cost around INR 500 or board a local bus from Gadisar Chowk during the day. Road: This small, and unpopular village can be accessed by road via NH 11. NH 11 connects it with Jaisalmer. You can reach Jaisalmer easily from major cities like Jaipur, Jodhpur, and Ajmer. Further, you can stretch your road trip towards this beautiful village at the south-western border of Jaisalmer. Typically, the distance of 48 kilometers between Khuri and the main city will take less than one hour to complete. What to expect? This Rajasthani village is known all for its unconventional experience. If you’re looking for a stay that is centered on the rural lives of India, this is definitely something meaningful to you. In other words, this is an uncanny village experience, devoid of the glittery resorts and hullabaloo of a big city, and without many things to do. There won’t be any fancy restaurant serving multitudes of cuisines, or places to go shopping. But, the level of joy, and tranquility is what makes this place worth exploring. The long walk through the village streets, interacting with locals, learning about their lifestyles, culture, traditional practices, and challenges, the captivating sunset at the Khuri desert dunes make it more special than most crowded destinations of Rajasthan. Life moves slow in this desert village. Image credit: @manojchoudharyphotography on Instagram What sets the bar higher here in terms of providing perspective is the simplicity and enriched lives that the people here have happily subjected themselves to. You will be amazed that this village has no urban materialistic channel of thought. The houses are simple, the type of food they eat is usually the traditional cuisine. The modern signs of development are hard to find. People are religious, a little superstitious too. They are warm and can spend hours with you in free willing conversations with some valuable life lessons from their limited experiences and knowledge about their lives in this primitive village. What can you explore during your stay at Khuri Village? The village has a lot to offer that will leave you spellbound. The slow and culturally rooted life here is one such attraction. There are innumerable instances that will expose you to the peaceful life that the villagers have adapted themselves to. Their humble smile is a reflection of how deeper things matter in human lives, that we often overlook. The village elderly, women, men, and children welcome you like a family member. Another famous element that can and should find a place in your itinerary is the desert dunes and the moments of dusk and dawn. We all are fans of either watching the sun coming over or bidding adieu to us or both sometimes. The Khuri Desert Dunes are famous for the sunset. You can trek towards the famous spot or take a bumpy camel ride to the sunset spot. Also, the sunrise (if you are a fan) is as serene as the sunset. So, if you are one for waking up early and seeking the pinkish-red east sky, head towards
Why is now the best time to head on a workation?
Over the past few months, every one of us has remained largely around our hometowns or cities where we work in. With the pandemic coming hard, for the second time now, the need for a break from this repetitive nature of isolation is felt. There is no denial in the fact that our travel goals were flushed and we still can’t pursue them to the fullest and in the best manner possible. These stressful times have worked up our anxiety levels and the fear of moving out is imminent. The days have got boring with being locked up in our houses, failing to catch up on work most of the time, pending tasks, and not being able to do ‘friends’ stuff anymore outdoors is really disheartening, isn’t it? So we often wonder to ourselves, is it just a hallucination or is any of this real? This question is common in all of our hearts now. This is, in fact, very true. After all, we are social animals. But, desperate times require desperate measures. So staying a little cautious and calm about outdoor life is not bad at all. The fight against the pandemic is also supposed to be fought psychologically. Another lockdown following the resurgence in COVID infections; Image credit: Economic Times With most of the cities grappling with the resurgence and now the fungal infections, a culture, a phenomenon rather, has erupted to cope with the stress that comes with living in an urban setting. Most of the millennial working population has started debasing themselves from urban hubs. The shift from populous cities to quieter destinations provides a pristine experience with advantages unaccountable. To places that feel quieter, less troubled, and with less threat of being exposed to infections, people tend to shift. Finding comfort and tranquility while being prompt with work targets is something that we all desire. Physical and Mental Safety With all the stress of the destruction caused by the pandemic knocked off, you really come closer to appreciating the little things. Every action of yours comes to an understanding, you look forward to the exciting get-along with fellow visitors at your stay, and everything in your life makes absolute sense as you meet the horizon of thoughts with conclusions about your behavior. Staying away from the bustling and troubled cities enriches you. The havoc, about which you’ve felt helpless, is away from you. With staying away from messed up situations, like at a workation, the seamless worry tends to get eased away. These stays are another opportunity to revise the nursery lessons that your actions towards the environment are what is served back to you. A bigger and definitely more important purpose seems significant, that is, the discovery of the self, which is facilitated by the peacefulness that surrounds you. You feel elated and energized, beginning your day in a 100% better mood, and thankful for every moment that persists in your life. Losing yourself into the wilderness of the Himalayas, Image credit: Pinal Jain on Unsplash Taking a workation in a safer, less-crowded town has incredible impactfulness. For starters, you are physically safer than in any city. The infections at tourist destinations are way less than in major Indian towns like Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur, or Lucknow. Working from the mountains gives you a level of freshness in your life. You begin appreciating what is around you inwardly in order to heal what’s within. Not to forget the physical benefit of staying in a close neighborhood of the naturally enriching niche. The air, the quality of food, and the water are all so pure when it comes to mountains. Living off the grid helps you appreciate the surroundings and grow with them as much physically as mentally. The towns are with few inhabitants, making the spread of the virus a little less effective than in regions with denser populations. The Larger Meaning These tourist attractions have, contrary to densely populated cities, better to offer for everyone. Here, you are at a place where the tension is reduced due to limited human demands, nature has its dominance and people’s efforts are subordinated to the larger interest of environmental peace. Somehow, you will feel a strange level of content even while away from home. These destinations can’t fail to surprise you. The destinations are nowadays not hosting a significant number of tourists or visitors. So, you would get what you really want: PEACE. Additionally, people in these small towns or villages are living with a sense of satisfaction as they feel a close connection with the environment, not attempting to harness material maximization, which you will find sadly in your metropolitans. There will be a limited number of cafes or maybe none- just a simple tea stall, a Dhaba serving not fancy but tasty food. Hence, conducting your daily life here, even for a brief period of time, can be a good learning experience. This experience will enable you to appreciate nature and its varied set of elements rather than just coming to terms with material happiness. The context to the fabric of life is simple: have gratitude towards nature and find a perspective. That can be attained only when one has come closer to their salvation. Team building and growing your company With most of the offices shut due to the spread of the virus, now, smaller companies and startups from across the country have taken cognizance of the vitalness of knowing how your subordinate or colleague feels or if they are safe or not. This paved the way for a drive towards popular tourist destinations for setting up their secondary offices. A perk that comes with it is you get to know what each person’s thought process is. Living with your colleagues, you learn better and share each other’s experiences in a better form and
INDIA’S BEST KEPT MARINE DRIVE
The website of Odisha Tourism’s tagline goes like India’s Best Kept Secret. This cannot be untrue. The state is a hidden gem with most of the mainstream travelers often not finding it on their lists. A particular landscape isn’t famous here like some states known for their gigantic mountain ranges, some are famous for their beaches. A typical experience of Odisha in its entirety should not be tagged with a particular geographical landform. It has different regions, namely North, East, West, and South Odisha, to uniquely cater to your wishlist. Odisha is largely inundated by pilgrimage tourists. The most popular town being Puri, one Hindu holy city forming the Chaar Dham Teerath circuit. Like many, my visits to the states have been to Puri in particular, without exploring much of the other regions. Puri lies in East Odisha, a little over an hour from the state capital, Bhubaneswar. The general itinerary I followed was going about Puri, Bhubaneswar, and Konark (known as the Golden Triangle). These three cities won’t ever disappoint any form of traveler, be it a solo traveler, a geeky one, a family vacation, or explorers. I’ve been to the state so many times, it almost feels like a second home now. The last time I’d been there, it was different. With the blistering cyclone Fani hitting in 2019 April-May, a lot of it has changed. The restructuring by the state tourism has been centrally focusing on making it more organic and real than it ever was. It wishes to attract more visitors by making it hassle-free and facilitating more exposure of the ritual travelers to nature. This short Odisha journey, Bhubaneswar-Puri-Konark, is not apt but it captivates the soul. A particular leg, which I find interesting and surprising is undoubtedly the Puri-Konark Marine Drive. It covers a short distance with well-built roads, windy almost every time, low traffic, and ecstatic natural beauty with the magnanimous sea running alongside. Imagine yourself driving on a smooth highway with the Bay of Bengal’s waves crashing at a close distance! I would pay the world for such an experience. This experience is really like the most scintillating ones in India. Every meter you move, another picturable scene welcomes you. You won’t get a hold of the excitement that comes from the road trip: the thick forest covering the roads, an excellent shade; the sea that never fails surprising its spectators, numerous temples and awesome beaches on the go; surfing stations, resorts; lastly, the Sun Temple in Konark to end (or begin another leg towards Bhubaneswar). The covered Puri- Konark Marine Drive Road; credits: Anindita Das on Unsplash The Marine Drive, what I’d recommend, should be tried with a personal car or a hired taxi or even bikes on rent. The sight-seeing shuttle bus services from Puri will only halt at Chandrabhaga Beach before reaching the Sun Temple in Konark. There’s a lot more exploring and a lot of photos to be taken before reaching Chandrabhaga Beach that only a private taxi or a personal vehicle can enable. During this 45 minutes ride, you can stop at various fascinating hotspots. There’s also a great chance to spot an animal crossing your way. A few hidden gems that are bound to surprise you on this road trip. The journey will, nothing but compel you to wonder (as it happened with me) why didn’t I plan this trip earlier? Balukhand- Konark Wildlife Sanctuary The Balukhand Sanctuary Beach Drone View; Credits: @pure_odisha on Instagram The Balukhand- Konark Wildlife Sanctuary covers the distance between Konark and the holy city of Puri with its thick green patch, sandy beaches, and coastal dunes. This Wildlife Sanctuary extends from Banki Muhan near Puri to Keluni Muhan near Daluakani covering a small area of 87 square kilometers. The flora at the sanctuary includes a cashew plantation, Casuarina trees, and mangroves. There are resorts within the Sanctuary that offer captivating Eco-tourism opportunities for visitors. The area is particularly famous for its rich population of herbivores (deers, blackbucks, and spotted deers), a wide variety of birds. The famous Olive Ridley sea turtles can be seen nesting on the beaches around the sanctuary. As you pass by the sanctuary, there is a high chance of spotting a wild animal crossing your path. The excitement of finding an animal quietly looking for its way makes for riding slow throughout the Marine Drive. The calmness and solitude you experience riding through the woods with sparkling beaches alongside make a memorable experience. You tend to forget every worrisome engagement and just get served by nature in its full bloom. Ramachandi Temple: Sunset at Ramachandi Beach; credits: Sudhansu Sekhar on Maps Goddess Ramachandi, as believed by Hindus of the region, is the presiding deity of this temple. Anecdotes and legends about her protecting the temple from destruction are popular as the Goddess is hailed for her ability to guard the temple. The shrine is highly regarded for its ambient environment and the soothing beach-side winds. The temple is located alongside Marine Drive, a little over 5 kilometers before Chandrabhaga Beach. The small temple has a serene beach in its backdrop. The strong waves can be heard within the temple compounds. Since the temple is located within the Balukhand Wildlife Sanctuary, you can witness deers, monkeys, spotted deers, dogs, jungle cats, hyenas sometimes visiting the shores. The beach is, however, about one more thing. You can also take a shot at adventurous beach and water sports like motorboat rides, jet skies, etc. The activities are cheap and without many people trying them out, you can have a great time finding the blood-pumping and thrill gushing your ride in the quiet waters. In addition to captivating vibes, local vendors selling refreshing coconut water, a plate of Dahi-vada, and pouches of prasadam are found here. This can serve as a good breakfast. Lotus Eco Retreat Wooden huts at Lotus Eco Retreat:
