The Optimist Diary: travel

Thursday, 22 November 2012

Not all who wander are lost

Post dedicated to Abhilash Tomy

(who is attempting to be the first Indian on a solo non stop unassisted circumnavigation of the globe)

The first book on adventure that I came across was, ‘A journey to the centre of the earth’ by Jules Verne. I had received it as a prize, I was probably in third standard then, was too young at that time to understand the concept but I did read the book later on and it had a deep impact on my thinking. I love travelling and seeing new places. I am not an adventure person but I follow the unusual, people who take the road less travelled. After reading that book I wanted to read more from the author and the next title that I got my hands on was ‘Around the world in 80 days’.

I was telling Tomy that I am his blog partner (self appointed one, of course!) till he completes this voyage a solo, unassisted, non- stop, circumnavigation around the globe. I read his blog and wait for newer posts from him. The latest one is called… 21 days. He has given a good account of his voyage so far. He started on 1^st November 2012, completing 21 days today.This time for a change he doesn’t use too many jargons so it’s easier for the lesser mortals like me to understand, it makes a much better sense. His diary will certainly be used by someone soon probably the next person who might venture out on a similar voyage. But for the others, who follow him from a distance, say our homes and offices like to read stuff that makes good sense to them and they understand it better.

By now, he has a lot of people reading and following his blog. He gets quite a few encouraging messages from his friends and people who are following his voyage. Its heartening to see how youngsters are sharing their thoughts with him, telling him how he is being a huge inspiration to them. How some of them would love to get into the Navy, just like the way he is a part of the mighty force. Its that inspiration that makes me to write and interpret his voyage and blog posts. I would certainly like more people to know about the voyage as well as pass on the message to the youngsters to think of something out of the box... always!

At this moment, he is in the Equatorial region and has described the heat to be too harsh but says he refuses to use a sun block. In India, men see anything to do with skin care or cosmetic to be a feminine thing. It is more for protection than cosmetic application. Google tells you a lot about the uses of sunscreen, I found this picture on Wikipedia, this kind of explains all.

Significance of 21 days,

A few facts about this fabulous number:

Bend your knees to ease your issues: 21 days to a spiritual turning point. Savitri Scott is the author, In the book she talks about spiritual growth being a process and one can achieve that in 21 days.
21 days to Master Numerology. David a Phillips proposes that one can master the art in 21 days.
Only You Can Be You: 21 Days to Making Your Life Count. Author Erik Rees thinks so.
In Hinduism it’s a sacred number. Auspicious by many beliefs. It signifies the 3 periods in the day, morning, noon and night
Change Almost Anything in 21 Days: Recharge Your Life With the Power of Over 500 affirmations. This is a book by Ruth Fishel and Bonny Van De Kamp
The 21-Day Consciousness Cleanse: Written by Debbie Ford, highlights a breakthrough program for connecting with one’s soul's deepest purpose.
It’s the marriageable age in India for men.’
In Most of the states in India that’s the legal drinking age.
In numerology, it forms number 3. With a sunny disposition it makes a significant contribution to almost any cause.

It’s a significant point in his voyage, A mile stone, may be; wishing that he’ll achieve the others as smoothly.

Check: www.sagarparikrama2.blogspot.com

www.Facebook.com/www.mhadei.co.in

These pictures have been take from various websites, if anyone has an objection to their use here, they'll be promptly removed.

Tuesday, 3 April 2012

The best trip of my life

I love travelling, seeing new places, new cultures, interacting with different people. Travels are fun and have a whole lot of learning especially for children. Of the many outings that I’ve had the Lonavla trip remains one of the best as it was a very spontaneous one. Others have been well researched and planned to the last detail.

It was Thursday 1^st September 2011, I was in my office. Around 1.30 pm got a call from my husband saying that our 5 year old son Arnnav had a long weekend, Monday 5^th September was a holiday for him. Hubby is in the Merchant Navy so is away from home for 3-4 months. He loves these little breaks with family but hates to make the itinerary or the bookings for that matter. I understand that fully being a Captain he has all his travel plans and hotel stays arranged for him so, while on leave he expects his hotelier wife to do the same! His logic being it’s my field and I do it better...He loves all the vacations that I plan, in fact he still talks about our 15 day honeymoon to Kerala, says that was the best vacation of his life. We explored the whole or Kerala, God’s own country! Talks often about it and I don’t mind making the arrangements for our travels and vacations. So what started from honeymoon still continues…… I am the travel planner/ tour operator for my family.

So I looked for places close by to Mumbai as we had just 3 days; Saturday afternoon to Monday. Hubby loves driving so I had to make sure that he fulfills his passion for long drives, it was monsoon in Mumbai so Lonavala had to be the place. Didn’t want to go up to Goa and make it hectic for our younger son Abhinav who is just 2 years old. I looked for the best hotel deals there in Lonavala. Most of them were booked. Finally settled for a resort there and told hubby about my plans. He liked it as always. On reaching home I saw that the boys seemed to be excited as hubby had already told them about our monsoon trip to Lonavala. We were ready preparing for our weekend getaway! Bags were packed Friday evening as I was working half day on Saturday. On the D- day 3^rd September 2011, hubby and kids picked me up from work and we drove to Lonavala. Had a beautiful drive. The visibility was almost zero, It was pouring cats and dogs! We reached the resort and had a relaxing evening.

On the way to Lonavla

I had looked for up places to visit while there and activities that would keep our sons not just occupied but enjoying and making the most of this trip. It was also a kind of gift to our elder son who was turning 5 on 7^th September. We had a function planned for family and friends on his birthday. The planning and bookings for the venue, menu, games and events all happened on the phone while we were driving around in Lonavala. Both were great. We all had a nice time at Lonavala and the 5^th birthday party was a hit with everyone. People loved the get together and enthusiastically participated in all the fun games and other events.

The drive in the monsoons

At the end of the week, I had a very happy husband and kids who loved the trip as well as the birthday party! And me of course… a happy wife and a happier mom. Then got back into our routine schedules, me with my work, Arnnav back to school, Abhinav enjoying his time with his grandparents and waiting for his elder brother to head home so that they can have their common adventures and Capt. Rajesh Todiwan back sailing. Our Next trip was to Corbett National Park during the December vacation. All arrangements, travel and accommotion and sightseeing was perfect, kids loved the jeep and elephant safari. The summer vacations will be here soon, the next destination for us will be Coorg.