How I Stopped Traveling Too Much

In my younger days, I opted to quit my job and travel around the world, which I surely don’t regret.

However, I had to quit that way of living as well.

I could not bear to be a lifelong traveler and I chose to stop traveling too much!

Let me share why.

During my initial days, I enjoyed each day of my solo travel. By the age of 30, I had already visited 30 countries of the world, but I had started getting tired. My body was the worst sufferer than my mind. Even though I wanted to travel more as a fulltime traveler, I had started realizing that excessive journeying was taking its toll on my body.

I would frequently experience high and low blood pressure, and my heart beat would fluctuate too much. Whenever I took the all-inclusive meals on lucrative offers, I could not stop eating too much at the buffet breakfast. And whenever I would travel on budget, I had to suffice myself with cheap fast food options. On some days, I would try to calm my stomach with unhealthy snacks and chips. I knew that I was doing the wrong practices, but travel forced me to do it over and over again.

Traveling in an airplane is the worst experience of all my fulltime travel time. I just hate airplanes, but I cannot help taking a flight at times for long journeys. If the distance that I have to cover is 3000 kilometers, for instance, I would never use any car booking app to hire a Car Rental. I would surely look for the cheapest possible flight that would save me time and money. In my heart, I knew that I was exposing myself to harmful pathogens, for which my body was possibly not prepared. Still, I had to do it because I could not travel such an enormous distance by car on my own.

Being a solo traveler for life was not fun after a few years. The agonies of solo travel had started aggravating and I had already started thinking of living a regular life. I had to search for work in a new country almost every six months. If my employer knew that I would leave work in a few months, they would hesitate to hire me, which made it even more difficult to earn and live in an unfamiliar place. My savings were always meager and I was always desperate to find work, the stress of which would not let me enjoy my journey.

Irregular workout routine also harmed my body. Sometimes, I would start losing weight, and sometimes, I would start losing it quickly. It had began becoming difficult to understand my own body that I had nurtured for 20 years in India under the supervision of my lovely mom.

Finally, as I turned 30, I promised myself on my birthday that I would find a healthier life in Indonesia as it was the place where I found my heart belonged. Now, at 35, I can happily say that I don’t have any regrets in life, and I am enjoying running my hotel in a little island in Indonesia.

And I don’t intend to leave this lifestyle any time soon!  

How I Found Myself Addicted to Travel

I was having lunch with a colleague in office and scrolling through the news feed on Facebook. My friend, Nikhil, observed that I looked carefully at the pictures of people who had gone to a vacation. I was not interested in the poses they had made or the cute faces of their babies. I was more absorbed in the places in the background. I noticed each and every detail of the buildings or woods that lay behind the people. Nikhil was trying to have a conversation with me, but when he realized that I was more interested in Facebook, he quietly left after eating.

I apologized to him for not paying attention to him after I reached my seat.

He asked, “Are you getting itchy feet again?”

I nodded and started thinking of arranging my bike and clothes for my upcoming road trip.

“But you have just come from Africa?” he said.

“I know but I have already booked my tickets for Thailand” I said and smiled at him. I told him that I cannot live without traveling to a new place every month. I did not know this truth earlier, but I realized it a few months ago when I could not concentrate on anything in office.

I had become tired of getting restless after every trip, and then I observed that I am addicted to travel. As soon as I finish one trip, I come home thinking that I would sleep for at least a week out of tiredness. However, as soon as two days pass post the trip, I begin feeling irritated with everything. People with narrow mindedness frustrate me, I don’t like being around people with hermit-like tendencies, and I just cannot eat same food every day. I have tried so many recipes around the world that I try to make them at home as well, which in practice has made me a good chef.

One day, I found myself sleeping on a bench in a park near my home. I had come to the park with a family of toddlers. It was fun watching to toddlers for some time, but I was already tired from my month-long vacation in Bhutan. I was scrolling through the MyChoize Car Booking App to get an idea of the prices of the Car Rentals in Delhi. I did not realize when I fell asleep on the bench itself for an hour. When my friends returned from the garden after tending to their toddlers, they clicked photos of me and laughed over me for being a sleeping potato.

Incidents like this make me grasp that I have become a true traveler who does not need the luxuries anymore. There is a huge difference in the interior of my house before and now. Every room in my home used to be chaotic with loads of stuff, which I now understand that I don’t need anymore. I live a minimalistic life and I don’t need to buy expensive things to live a comfortable life.

I am happy to be a traveler at heart. And I intend to be like this for many more years to come!

How I Quit Homeschooling My Toddler

When I started homeschooling my 2.5 year old baby boy, Shaurya, I had never thought that teaching would be such a tough job. Since I was living in the USA at that time after visiting 26 countries with my husband, I thought of settling down there for a few years until Shaurya grows up. Since pre-school is very expensive in the USA, I decided to homeschool my kid until he is ready to enter the kindergarten, which would give me time to enhance my income.

The first few months of teaching him the alphabet were really awesome. I would often spend an hour or two on the internet learning how to teach the alphabet to my toddler. I didn’t mind spending the extra hours on my laptop to learn becoming a teacher myself, but the process became tough as Shaurya grew older. I had to spend more time in learning the teaching process myself, which started becoming frustrating. Moreover, I realized that I am not capable to homeschool him forever. I would have to either enroll him for online classes or send him to a regular school in the years to come.

Since I knew that the USA was not affordable at all in terms of buying a house, paying the school fees, and paying other bills, I decided to move to my home country, India. I have grown up in India and I know that there is a wide range of affordable schools here that I can afford for my kid. Even though I want to visit various countries and cities while bringing up a family, I want to be in a country where I can afford all my expenses.

Since my language interpretation work pays good money, I don’t have to worry about joining a regular office. However, Shaurya needs regular schooling at least for a few years in his early education.

We moved to India two years ago, and I decided to settle down in Delhi near my parents’ home. They are happy to have us here and I am content to know that I have someone when I need them to take care of my baby. I can leave Shaurya with them for a few days as I travel with my husband to different places for work and leisure. The setting makes it easier for Shaurya to not miss his school and we don’t have to miss travel either. We often use a car booking app to drive to and from their home and then go for a weekend trip.

The best part about regular schooling is that the kid gets to interact with other kids of his age, which contributes to his language development and social skills expansion. Since the day he has started going to kindergarten, he has shown tremendous growth in communicating with other kids in the neighborhood, even though the first few weeks were really tough for him.

I know that my travel dreams may remain slightly unfulfilled, but I don’t mind forgoing them for a few years for the sake of a better future of a baby that I have brought to this world. Until Shaurya grows up, we don’t mind becoming the weekend travelers, and we can resume our fulltime traveling when it is the right time.

How I Protect My Camera while Traveling

Whenever I think of traveling, I think of photos and then Instagram and then hashtags. I have clicked at least 5K to 6K finished photos until now, forget the raw ones, I cannot even count them. There was a time when I used to click photos using my smartphone for my blog. However, they were never too good to be uploaded on my website. Still, I had to be content with it because I could not afford a DSLR until college. And when I bought my favorite Nikon camera, I never knew that I would love it like my baby.

Now whenever I go out for a photoshoot, I have to take care of it all the time, but I don’t mind it at all. The first thing that I realized after buying it was that I have to have a good quality padded camera bag. My friend, Rohan, had lost his camera to a thief because his camera bag was too flashy I guess. He became an easy target for the thief and he swore that he would never buy such a bag again. And from that incident, I also learnt that I must buy a bag that doesn’t look like a typical camera bag. I have a sling bag that appears to be carrying books in it, and the look on the acquaintance’s faces is worth seeing when I take out a camera out of it.

The next thing that I do is to keep my camera with me all the time. When I fly, I never send the camera in the checked-in luggage. I don’t trust the airlines guys to handle my fragile things safely. I have seen them throwing even the bags with fragile notice without care. That is why; I keep my camera with me in my hand luggage.

Secondly, if I am driving my Car Rentals in Mumbai, which I often do for my professional photo shoots, I never keep the camera or the lenses inside the car. Yes, I can use the boot space to keep my valuables, but India is not a country to be trusted for the expensive stuff. The thieves here are the most clever breed of humans, and they are too smart to outsmart us. It is only in the emergency circumstances that I keep something valuable in the boot.

I used to love showing off the Nikon logo whenever I went for a shoot. The aspiring photographers especially love to notice their dream equipment with someone. I understand this feeling because I have also felt this for a long time. However, there were instances when the crooks also noticed the camera too.

Thankfully, I have never been robbed, but a few instances like this changed my perspective and I have started hiding the branding on my camera. Every Nikon logo on the camera or the equipment is now hidden under the black duct tape.

I know I might be overprotective for my camera, but I have been able to afford it after a long time of saving money during college. I don’t want to lose it too soon because I have seen veteran photographers taking care of their gear like I do.

Why My Wife is My Best Travel Partner

As they say, everything in the world seems rosy and gorgeous when you have a good life-partner. And the same beautiful things seem worst when the partner is not compatible with you. This article is not about marriage or compatibility, but how and why I like to travel with my wife. I have seen incompatible couples who cannot stop arguing throughout the day, no matter they are out for a vacation or they are at home.

Even I have my arguments with my wife, Reina, but we both have a mutual understanding to solve the matter as soon as possible. Ideally, it should take us more than a day to solve the serious matters, and the trivial things should not stretch beyond and hour. Thankfully, we both have the brains to quickly calm down when we are angry and the matters do not stretch beyond the line. Nonetheless, here are the other reasons why I love traveling with her:

Traveling style

We have the same expectations from our vacations, which is why it becomes easy to take decisions. Concerning accommodations, for instance, we like to stay in luxury hotels when the city doesn’t have many options to do activities or the places to visit. We like to take a luxurious room in a beautiful resort when we just want to relax for a day or two.

On the other hand, we book a room in the cheapest accommodation available when there are numerous activities to do at our destination. When we were in Bali for our honeymoon, even then we didn’t spend lavishly on the hotel rooms. Still, every resort in Indonesia is gorgeous, no matter the price. Even though we spent all the day roaming around the city, we could be at leisure once we returned to the hotel in the evening.

Food habits

Both of us are non-vegetarians, so we do not hesitate to experiment with foods wherever we are in the world. We have tried eating different types of seafood in India and abroad. I can eat seafood anywhere in the world, but Reina prefers to have it only at the seaside because she likes it fresh without the stink on her platter. When we had hired Car Rentals in Goa, we explored several restaurants in the north and south while exploring the beaches and museums. Even though she is not a hardcore non vegetarian person like me who likes meat every day, it is easy to be with her over the meals. We can order one thing and share it rather than ordering things separately and overdoing our budget.

Photography

I was never a photo-freak person, neither I am now. Still, since the day I have met Reina, she has made me fond of getting clicked. I can be satisfied in just a couple of pictures, she has to get snapped at least a dozen times before saying OK. Yes, it does get irritating at times to snap so many times, but it is fine at the end of the day.

After all, it is the overall compatibility that matters!

How I Stay Fit and Healthy in India on My Holiday

Whenever I go for a long vacation in India, my first concern is to stay healthy throughout my stint. Even though I have got habitual to take precautions, I still have to be mindful about it. The best thing to do when I am in India is to take adequate rest. If I am not properly rested, I have to stress myself to travel around, which must be a delightful activity otherwise. On the other hand, if I am fresh in my mind, everything I do becomes a pleasure to do.

The next thing that I find a must-do for myself is to be wary of the food and water that I consume. I can take more care about the food than water because everything that is served on my plate is cooked from water whose purity is never guaranteed. When I came here for the first time, my immune system was not prepared for everything that I had consumed out of sheer taste and greed. It is easy to overeat in India because the new delicacies that they serve are so delicious that you cannot say no to it. However, you have to take care about the amount you can digest, especially the desserts made at home.

The gulab jamun, for example, is so delectable that I could not refuse it when my friend’s mom served it one after another. I ate six gulab jamuns in one go as they felt light on my stomach, and were so soft that I gobbled down six in a row. Everyone around me laughed at my act, but they cheered as I ate more and more. Hospitality in India is incredible, but it can take you to the hospital!

Thank God, I did not have to visit the hospital that night, but I swear I had to spend the entire night with my hand at my stomach, and frequent visits to the toilet!

I had booked the Car Rentals in Delhi for the next day to travel to Jaipur with my friend, whose mom was the chef the previous night, but we had to postpone our plans for the day. After that day, is swore to myself to never do overeating in India, no matter how much someone cheers for me or forces me. Now whenever I visit someone’s home for a meal, I eat my food deliberately slowly so that no one refills my plate unless I ask for it.

Another favorite thing to do in India is to carry a plastic bowl and a knife with a cover in my bag. I am not a fan of fruit that is cut already for sale on the stalls. But I like to eat fresh fruits, so I buy them from the vendors readily available everywhere in India, wash them thoroughly until I am satisfied, cut them on my own, and eat them fresh. I take watermelon and similar fruits to the hotel, cut them there, refrigerate them, and then eat them.

Maintaining health and boosting immunity in India has now become a habit, which is never going to leave my mind. Therefore, I don’t mind visiting India at all, even it is for a year now.

How I Worked on India Travel Photos

There is a world of difference between where I used to be on the social media and where I am now. While doing travel photography, I always wondered that despite having good photos of great locations, why am I not able to attract audience on Instagram and Facebook? I got the answer during a travelers’ conclave in Delhi where I got an opportunity to meet dozens of travel bloggers, many of whom were doing great in their field. Let me share what I gained from the kind bloggers during that meeting.

Don’t underestimate India

A blogger very rightly said that I must never underestimate India for the photo opportunities. There are millions of places and people whom I can click, edit, and publish. It dawned on me that day that even though I stay in a developing country, I still have a lot to see in my country. I had, by then, traveled to a few foreign countries, and was still not satisfied. One more thing is that it takes a lot of money to travel abroad, while I can suffice with relatively less money in India. I decided to expand my photography in my home country, and the results were awesome. Since then, I have traveled to at least 30+ cities in India, and I still have a long list of places to visit.

The time of the day

I had always been lazy about waking up early in the morning, but my fellow bloggers told me not to be a lazy bum and wake up as soon as possible to explore Delhi. They told me to go to Old Fort, Pragati Maidan, Connaught Place, etc. I must confess that these places were awesome after sunset and before sunrise. Just by waking up early and reaching my photo destination an hour before the perfect time, I could plan my photo shoot. I shot the Char Minar when I was working for shooting Car Rentals in Hyderabad. There is a lot to learn about a place when you shed the laziness.

The tripod

A good quality tripod was a great investment for my work. I could do the twilight shoots at ease without having to worry about a blurred shot. The landscape shoots on my Instagram page are a hit just because of that tripod that I now carry everywhere. I has helped me to escape the deadly trend of clicking selfies as well. I don’t like to click a picture with my nose protruding into it, and now I just tell someone to stand with me when I set up my phone on the tripod.

Funny scenes

India is full of funny scenes and people doing humorous acts, especially in the small cities and villages. The western audience is particularly fond of seeing that side of India that amuses them. I don’t mean to disgrace my country, so I try to show the beautiful, as well as, the humorous side of it in the photos.

I give all the credit in the enhancement of my work to my fellow bloggers and photographers. I still look forward to upscale my work even more in the years to come.

How My Husband Plays My Best Travel Companion

What comprises a great travel companion? Humor, laughter, practicality, and cooperation-all these are the traits that I feel must be there in someone who gives you great company on a holiday. My husband is one person in the world who has never failed me over a vacation. I brag about this even more because I was highly fond of solo travel before I met him. Now you can say that I travel solo with him! What an ironic statement is that!

I said that because I love traveling only with him, after we have tried going in groups. It is difficult to maintain sanity with everyone’s differences in a group. Everyone wants to go to different places, eat different things, and do different activities. I just cannot cope with that on a vacation where I am supposed to enjoy!

That is why; I prefer going only with my husband who wants to do the same things as me. Even if we want to enjoy different pursuits, I don’t stop him, neither does he.

Enjoyment

A travel companion must be a great buddy, and my husband is the one. He doesn’t need to be told what to do. In fact, he is even better than me at finding humor in random situations. He can make a donkey out of a man in his imagination, and vice versa. Even when I feel gloomy, he is the one to cheer me up.

Safety  

Apart from enjoyment, safety is really important for me as a woman. When I used to travel solo, I tried hard to showcase a confident face, but I was slightly scared all the time in my heart. My husband is really protective for me, and every other woman in is closed circles. I have seen him standing up for his family and sometimes for random women as well, and I appreciate that about him. I know that I am safe when he is around, which gives me a lot of peace of mind.

Comfort

He is the one who has made me realized that comfort must be prioritized over money. When I used to travel solo, I would always book the train tickets to any place in India because I love Indian Railways for their economical price and reachability throughout the country. When I first suggested him train travel for our trip to Chennai, he laughed over it. He convinced me that having Car Rentals in Bangalore is a better option because we will be more comfortable in that. And when we had to go to Manali, he straightaway booked the flight rather than going by road. Now I also feel that it is better to save time, even if we have to spend a little extra money.

I am definitely more adventurous when I am with my husband. He has my back all the time whenever I feel discouraged to go for rock climbing, horse riding, and what not! I can depend on him for almost everything that is on my mind. What else can I ask from a travel companion?

How to travel in your college life

As long as you keep reading the posts of rich travel bloggers, you will always feel that traveling around the world is an expensive affair. But once you open the blogs of budget travelers, you will be amazed to find out how people manage to survive in several countries of the world on a meager budget. You can begin traveling as soon as you begin your study in college, especially when you are studying in India because the study system of the country does not allow you to travel alone before college. However, there is no one stopping you once you enter college because it is then that you explore the real fun of being independent.

Start small

You don’t need to book your first ticket to Dubai when you begin traveling on your own. You can start being a solo traveller just by traveling in your hometown. Every city has its own secrets that you may have never explored because you never thought of traveling in your city. When you are on a strict budget, you have no options but to visit the free areas of your city.

If you live in Mumbai, for example, you may want to go to Dharavi, which is called the slum capital of the world with a staggering number of more than 1,000,000 people living there. You may want to visit the Dhobighat, the only Chinese temple in Mumbai, and unveil the art at Kala Ghoda. You may not be able to afford Car Rentals in Mumbai in the beginning of your expeditions, but you may later earn more money to rent cabs for your fancy travels in India and abroad.

Earn small

Whatever you have learned till date is the treasure of knowledge that you can share with others. You may become a freelance teacher for English, French, mathematics, science, commerce, or anything that you think would be useful to others. This will enable you to earn money, even though it is not much to let you have vacations abroad, and you can use that money to gain more experiences in other cities of India when you plan travel for a few days.

Travel whenever possible

No matter you get one day off or a week off from college, you must travel to any place from your list. Never think that you have to travel for a long time to make your vacation worth the effort. Even a small weekend getaway can give you a heart full of memories. Moreover, you must not wait for the company of your friends to plan a vacation. You can always go solo if travel is your true calling.

The most obvious thing to do is to maximize your savings when you prioritize travel. You must learn to save money, and say no to unnecessary outings with friends, minimize snacking, and say no to smoking. Traveling to your favorite destinations is just a step away; you just need to make it your first priority and give the second place to all your other needs.

How I began traveling the world on my own after 50

India is a place where women are taught to follow their husband’s footsteps, even when you are a successful working women. I have been in the workforce since the age of 22 years, but I followed the traditionally laid down path of an Indian woman. I got married at 29, had a baby by 31, and had my second baby by 34. It drained out all my energy, physically and mentally, to bring up that family and provide my husband and kids with all that they needed, all of that while being a working woman. It was only when I crossed 45 years of age that I started feeling the itch for spending time with myself. Living for others had already taken a lot of time of my living on the planet.

I discussed traveling at least 5-6 times a year with my husband, but he didn’t have any such plans. He was content at living the regular family life, but the good part is that he encouraged me to explore myself. He didn’t stop me from traveling on my own, and told me to get rid of the stigma of being too old for solo travel. His words were quite a boost to my confidence, and I was back to my original self in just one day.

No one in the world can be a better companion than your spouse, and my husband proved it right. As soon as he knew that I want to be on my own, he started telling my kids not to taunt or discourage me for going out alone. Rishi and Kanika, my adorable babies had grown up so quickly, and they became elated at the thought that it was so cool for their mom to go for a solo trip.

Rishi booked two self-drive cars in Delhi and Dehradun respectively so that I can travel comfortably to the hills, and explore my driving skills at the same time. Even though I told him that I may not be able to drive on the hills after so many years, he reminded me that he had seen me driving on the roads of Shimla when he was 5 years old. Even though Dad was constantly poking his nose while I was driving at that time, he said he remembered how he had scolded dad not to disturb me while driving. And it was only after that moment that my husband had sat quietly and Rishi enjoyed sitting in the front seat with me.

Kanika found the best camps for me in Tosh, and they all gifted me a bottle of wine that I could enjoy when I sat with myself. At that moment, I realized that my little kids had grown really mature and they were truly a family anyone would want. It was just one trip alone to manali and tosh, driving all the way on my own, that I actually began my traveling expedition for many years to come. And now it has been 10 years that I have been traveling solo without worrying about home or office.  

Things I Achieve When I Travel Slow

When I was a tourist, I would often visit new places, stay there for 3-4 days, absorb as much as I could, and then leave for home or the next destination. It was thrilling to live like a tourist for a few years, but then I got tired of it. I had to have something new in my travel routine, and then I decided to explore slow travel.

In the earlier days, people traveled slow and stayed in one destination for several days out of compulsion because quicker modes of travel were not available. Very few people had cars, and most travelers traveled by either public transport or waterways. However, the times have changed and now I see everyone opting for airplanes instead of cars to reach their destinations as soon as possible.

When I used to live in Delhi, I would often think of traveling to different places. And the first thing that came to my mind is that I must book my flight for the required dates so that I can get it cheap. I must save my time and money and travel for a quick weekend getaway.

However, I completely missed the point of travel.

I realized it only after getting tired that traveling to a place does not mean just touching its surface. I must live in a city like the locals do, and I stopped booking hotels for my stay. I started opting for the homestays to save money, and have the warmth of the home. I like to cook my own food, which doesn’t cost much in the first place, and also gives the feeling of being at home.

I have stopped clicking too many photos of the places I visit. I try to talk to the locals about what they do, who they are, and what they like. It is interesting to listen to their opinions of the world. Some of the locals I meet have never stepped out of their city, and they don’t have an open mind. On the contrary, a few people have astonished me with their open-mindedness without even traveling to places. They like to believe in ‘Live and Let Live’ thought process.

I have also met many travelers who are a previous version of me. They stay for a couple of days in my homestays, pretend to indulge with the people around them, and then leave for their next destination. I have seen people booking Self-Drive Cars in Rihsikesh just to do temple hopping in two days along with bungee jumping and rafting. I truly believe that one just cannot travel too much in such a short span of time. You have to say no to many amazing experiences just because you are short of time.

I have traveled quickly to several places in just a few days for several years in a row, but I now realize the futility of it. I love to stay at one place now, absorb it as much as I can, live like I have lived there forever, and then move to the next place.

How I Avoid Having a Severe Jet Lag Post a Long Flight

I firmly believe that I cannot completely avoid jet lag, but I can minimize its effects. I hate long journeys, but I cannot avoid them because of professional and personal commitments. Sometimes, I have to be in the same airplane for more than 48 hours.  Even I get a couple of breaks between the airports, I cannot hate the airports more for how tiring they can be. In the initial days of my air travel, I used to sleep for at least two days in a row after the long haul flight. However, I learned to avoid the symptoms of jet lag with time, and now I exit the airport much fresher in my body and mind than earlier.

Say no to cold foods

Even though I love cold coffee with ice cream, I never consume them over a long flight. Cold foods and drinks are difficult to digest and they make it difficult to fall asleep. That is why, I always ask the air hostesses to provide me with a clear hot soup, either vegetarian or non-vegetarian. I do love cappuccino but I don’t take it while flying. Hot foods are easier to digest and hence, do not disturb my sleeping cycle. I can eat anything hot while flying, but nothing cold. And, I never consume alcohol as well because it dehydrates my body.

I love my pillow

I have a little pillow in my home specially reserved for traveling because it fits my backpack really well. I just take out my regular pillow out of my bag once I am seated well in the aircraft and doze off to take a nap. I have never liked the concept of travel pillows because they seem just too flashy to me. They hardly provide any comfort to me and I have to carry it outside my backpack, which defeats its purpose. My regular pillow is compact in size and soft enough to fit my bag and I love it. When I travel with friends or family, I also use it to sleep in my Car Rentals Rishikesh because the road travel after the flight is often too much to reach our destination.

The essential oils

If there is something that can make me sleep is my favorite lavender oil. The aromatherapy never fails to make me fall asleep whenever I am uncomfortable in my seat. I have to make sure that I sprinkle a few drops on my pillow whenever a fellow passenger is disturbing me too much.

I don’t know why but air travel is never a pleasant experience for me. That is why; I have to make sure that I take proper rest on the flight itself so that I don’t have to waste my precious vacation time at my destination city. I used to get frustrated in the beginning of my travel days because I would get so tired that I didn’t want to do anything. However, I have learned to avoid jet lag the hard way, but I have done it finally.

Kindness Never Gets Out Of Fashion

People who never leave their comfort zone are the ones who give the advice to others to do the same. I have met countless people who tell me to stop going for so many road trips and stay in my city so that I can be safe. I have tried convincing them that the world is a safer place than they show in the TV, but I have stopped telling them so now because people don’t want to listen what I tell them. They are only interested in the scary stories that they see in the news.

I understand how tough it is for people who want to go for solo trips to trust their instincts and not the news, but I would still say that people around the world have many things similar in their hearts. They have same aspirations, dreams, needs, and necessities. There are numerous people around the globe who would go out of their way to help me and many more travelers.

Last year, we made an instant plan to travel to the Chandratal Lake in Himachal Pradesh, which was a huge mistake, for sure. We could not procure the permit online to cross Rohtang Pass, so we thought we would try our luck at the permit office directly. The entire journey was going against the plan, but we were still adamant to reach our destination. We had already begun our journey quite late, and there was no way we would reach in time in one day. After it was dark, we got at least two families telling us to take a halt and resume the journey the next day.

Again, we were in trouble because we could not find an accommodation. We even thought of sleeping in the car, but we were six people and we did not have enough blankets to survive the chilly cold nights of the region. We might have died of cold had an old man not helped us to stay at his hut. It was a low-roof hut where we could barely stand, but we slept well at least for a few hours. The kind old man helped us to find fuel the next morning. The best part is that he did not take advantage of our situation by charging excessive money. We coerced him to accept money, which he had not asked for, thanked him from the bottom of our hearts, and resumed our journey. However, we pledged that we would never make instant plans for such risky destinations.

Once again, when I was in Goa trying my luck at parasailing, even though I am scared of water, as well as, heights, I found a kind lady soothe me. My family had hired Self-Drive Cars in Bangalore and we had driven to Goa. They all wanted to go for water sports, but I did not. No amount of compelling convinced me to agree, but a kind lady did just by her empathetic words.

There are many other instances where I found several people compassionate and benevolent, especially when they know that someone is in trouble. We just need to give the world a chance; we live on a beautiful earth indeed.

Experiencing New Year in Jaipur, The City of Hiatuses from Life

Arranged in Rajasthan, a place where there is the vibrant Indian Culture, Jaipur effectively beats the rundown for voyagers who are engaged with exploring the way of life and one of a kind move and society expressions that Rajasthan offers. The way of life, however the common magnificence of the land, particularly in the edges of the city draws a colossal number of sightseers consistently. Jaipur, for me, is where you are acquainted with the respectable food, the crude regular excellence of the open country and the excellent architecture which is sufficient to make Jaipur probably the best place for sightseers coming from all around the globe.

Facing and Understanding the transportation problems of Jaipur…

Although, there is a decent transportation system in the city which you can use to get around some popular spots, the challenge nears when you wish to visit some famous spots like Nahargarh fort, Amber fort and Rajasthan countryside in general. In spite of a good transportation system, the cost of travelling is higher than normal. Similarly, what choices do you have when you are standing at the corner of a Jaipur road bearing the scorching Rajasthan heat but yearning to visit these places?

That’s the kind of problem I faced during the course of my visit to this beautiful city. Getting around Jaipur is not only challenging but costly as well, and if you’re planning to visit to Jaipur any time sooner, what transportation choices do you have apart from hiring a tourist vehicle with a driver to kill your privacy?

Getting to know the solution…

The answer lies in my personal experience in this case. Struggling to find a perfect transport around the city, I was introduced to self-drive cars in Jaipur which strikingly turned out to be a better option to get around the city. So if you’re travelling to Jaipur and wondering how you can travel and enjoy without spending too much money around the city, well MyChoize self-drive service has you covered. I highly recommend it to every traveller who is tempted about the idea of exploring the city. Travelling in a group of five, this service came as a blessing for me and my group. Not only the prices that the company offers are reasonable, the whole payment machinery is transparent. Hiring their service is unbelievably easy, i.e., three small steps and you’re good to go. The most stunning thing about MyChoize is the costumer support which is rapid and responsive. For the ones who love to travel and explore the city, the rental offers unlimited kilometers so you can enjoy driving around the city without worrying about the distance limit.

Trying it…

We got the car delivered to our hotel and surprisingly the delivery was quick. The best part? They offered us free road side assistance along with their usual pickup and drop service. If you’re wondering about the condition and the type of cars, then you need not worry since the condition of the cars are excellent and you get a wide range of cars to choose from. Self-driving a sedan around the city of Jaipur has been once in a lifetime experience for me, a true explorer’s delight.

So if you’re planning to visit to Jaipur or to just about any major city in India, I recommend to use MyChoize service. It will not only save your money, but would also give you the privilege of travelling on your own terms. Try it and you would not regret it.          

A day of self-driving around Delhi

Delhi, the Indian capital, and street food paradise, why would you not go there? From gulping street food to the rich flavor of history, as amazing as it sounds, Delhi’s got everything for you!! Situated at the heart of North India, Delhi, the Lutyen’s Capital is a hotspot for a number of tourists coming from all around the world. Not only you get to feel the unique and fast strode life of Delhi, but you even get a taste of the rich food that this beautiful city has to offer. And if you’re one of the Delhiites, you know how proud you are, right? Well, I can say I’m one of the lucky ones. Born in the city and having lived every second of the richness of the city, I got this golden chance of touring my outstation friend around the city. And here’s how it panned out…

Planning out the day out…

So it all started by me picking up my friend from his hostel. Not a thing I would have done otherwise, I did rent a self-drive car from one of the rentals functioning in the city. I know what you’re thinking, what’s with these car rentals in Delhi. Well, like any other potential buyer, I wasn’t sure about the service either. Although I had heard from my friends about these cheapest self-drive cars in Delhi, so I gave it a go.

Picking up and driving around…

I have to say I’ve fallen in love with these car rentals. Why? Well I go the car dropped at my location itself. And yes, I am one of those lazy ones who never shy away from a bit of luxury and comfort. So I picked up my friend and we began our journey.

Breakfast at Purani Dilli…

So I’m sure you guys have heard about Nahari, right? Guess what it means? Well the Nahari literally means morning, so it gives us a whole new reason to have it in morning, right? And what better place than Purani Dilli to head over? Haji Shabrati Nehariwala, this famous shop in Purani Dilli cooks Nahari in the morning. And trust me you now want to miss it. So we went over there, enriched ourselves with the rich aroma of Nahari and got in for our next spot.

Taking a glimpse of the structural marvels…

There are some historical marvels near old Delhi that you should visit. And when you’ve had Nahari from Old Delhi, why visit anywhere else? So it was time for us to drive to red Fort and Jama Masjid. Maybe even head over to the famous Chandni Chowk market. And after all the fun roving through these places, don’t ask how half of our day passed.

Spending time at Hauz Khas…

Delhi has a lot of places you can think of when it comes to resting. So we had a place in our mind where most people in Delhi would think of going. Hauz Khas, beautiful blend of fort, pond, nature and food joints, we had a whole packages around us, so much more than ever wanted.

And that’s where we ended our day. The car rental company picked the car right back from my location later and it was an end of a thrilling yet fun day in the real Dilli.     

Self-driving in Ludhiana…what’s it like?

Ludhiana, a city so affectionately known as the Manchester of India, is a land worth visiting for the ones in adoration with the rich culture and public activity of Punjab. Greater number of the voyagers visiting Punjab, love to visit Ludhiana and Amritsar. Being the assembling center point of Punjab, the goods manufacturing quality of Ludhiana hasn't escaped anybody. And being amongst the ones with a knack of exploring the riches of a country like India, I did get a chance to visit this beautiful city. So here’s a glimpse of my experience of self-driving in this city.

Arriving in the city…

Stepping in Ludhiana after a rather comfortable journey, I was greeted by some industrial air and a weather perhaps not so kind. And just when I thought what more could go wrong, well, the cab driver didn’t show up and I was left kind of stranded. So I needed to take a nearby ride to my hotel. Not saying it was a terrible encounter, however, when you have your cash on it, that's right, it is a cerebral pain. So here's the way the events took a shape, I got to my hotel room, contemplated not calling the taxi rental again and started my quest for a superior and economical alternative of getting around the city.

Getting to know of the service…

Sitting in the hotel room and surfing on the rent for a feasible travel service I came across this service called self-drive car rentals in Ludhiana and thought about giving it a go. And here’s how the events unfolded, I booked a car and got the delivery just about on time. The car was surprisingly in a fine condition, something I wasn’t sure about. But I had no complications whatsoever.

Some experience…it was!!

So where to begin from? Right after getting the car dropped at hotel, I picked it and drove it to some local attractions of the city. Now how about getting a glimpse of the mesmerizing Phillaur Fort located on the Grand Trunk Road? Doesn’t it just speaks for itself? Or perhaps the local food en-route? Certainly the city has so much to offer, and the thing that I didn’t take long to realize was how amazing life can be with self-drive cars in anywhere. Take a halt anywhere, head to a different or distant location, change your travel plan in an instant. There is are open privileges that the service brings. And when it comes to the overall experience, well, the car worked fine and even though I didn’t need any assistance, the executive from the helpline was connected all along just in case I met an accident or the car gave any trouble.

So in a city like Ludhiana where there is so much to take a glimpse of, so much at your offering, perhaps the right the mode of travel would make things far better off for anyone. All you need is a valid driving license and you’re good to go. So here’s a fact, as far as my own experience with self-drive rentals is concerned, I easily find it the most economical and best option on any day. Thereby, anyone planning a visit to Ludhiana or to just about any major city of India, self-driving cars are perhaps a go to choice.          

Self-Driving in Kolkata: The Heaven of the Aged

Kolkata, the city of joy, a land where the aged finds heaven!! Isn’t that what this city is known by? Well, it’s not difficult to understand the reason why tourists come pouring in to this city. There is so much to do and see in Kolkata. From famous architectural marvels to some mouth-watering food, the city has it all. So here’s a little glimpse of my experience of self-driving a rented car in this city.

Landing in Kolkata…

So where to begin from…? Catching an early morning flight and landing in this iconic city was a very different experience all together. Getting out of the terminal, I was welcomed by this heavy traffic of Kolkata and an air hard to describe. So let’s get straight on point without wasting any further time, shall we? Obviously we all know about the city’s offerings right? Now here’s a thing, the heavy traffic congestion in Kolkata alone, let alone the whole of India is a big problem, and so it proved to be for me as well. Settling myself in a nice hotel room and then thinking of moving out and exploring some street food of this city, specially the egg rolls…yep you’re right, those famous egg rolls, I was welcomed with open hands into a world of freaking travels and long walks. Now I thought the metro would be a better idea to travel, but there you go again, what a disaster of an experience it all was!!

Coming to know the rental service…

So sitting in my hotel room and gulping my hard earned egg rolls, I came across something like self-drive car rentals in Kolkata on the net, and thought about giving it a go. At least the travel would be comfortable I thought. The cost didn’t matter although it wasn’t very high. So I chose a small car according to my need, booked it and got it dropped at the hotel itself, just about on time. The condition of the car was fine, I got it with a full tank. So overall it was pretty hassle-free. Now here’s the next thing, how did my experience pan out to be? Well, cling on…

Trying it…   

Now on getting the car I didn’t waste any time and started my exploration around the city. So I drove to the famous Victoria Memorial, that’s right, that iconic marble building of Kolkata and holy heavens what an experience it was!! The car meanwhile worked fine, even though the clutch was a bit hard but honestly, who likes a loose clutch, right? But since it was a concern in any case I informed the road side assistance helpline and they offered to provide me with a changed car even though I didn’t take it. Quiet a service that, getting a car changed this quickly along your travels.

So what should I talk about? I took a halt at some of the popular places afterwards like the Indian Museum or the huge Howrah Bridge. Although the traffic was annoying in the city but honestly you can’t run away from it when in a city like Kolkata right? You’re not going to get any traffic in the metro or local trains there but there will be a lot of crowd to hamper your experience.

Now after a 2 day movement in the city it was time I fly back home but not before dropping the car back. So here’s another surprising part, the car was pickup up from the hotel itself where I stayed and no extra charges of any sorts were levied upon me. So the experience was quiet pleasing as far as the services are concerned. But here’s a suggestion for all the travel freaks thinking of renting a self-drive car, do look for the rentals which offer the most services and best price range. I personally recommend using self-drive rentals in cities where you have even a small amount of trouble travelling. Not only it makes your travel cheap and happening, it also gives you the necessary privacy.    

The Eminence of Self-Driving in Mumbai

Mumbai, a City of Dreams!! The Financial Capital of India!! Isn’t that what this city is known by? Famous for the beautiful marine drive and the marvelous Gateway of India, the city has something in its air that just makes some explorers like me to come pouring in there. From architectural marvels to some famous beaches, Mumbai has it all for travellers. Being amongst the top travel cities in India, it wouldn’t surprise any of us if Mumbai tops the list of travel cities in India. For me personally, visiting this city was an experience that makes me want to go there again.

That Epic Beginning of the Journey…   

So where to begin from? Taking a flight from Delhi and landing in Mumbai turned out to be a little different for me. It didn’t take me long to figure out the high travelling prices in this city. The taxis meters are devils ready to take it all away from you. So here’s a thing, for an approximate travel distance for a cab/taxi for 44kms in Mumbai will cost you around INR 968, which is a tat higher than the rest of the cities in India. Now getting out of the airport, I had to hire a cab for a 50 kilometers distance to my hotel which priced me a considerable amount. Quiet a hassle too, taking a cab and getting somewhere in Mumbai. Although it seems very convenient when you sit around at the backseat and enjoy the views of this city but honestly, not everyone can spend so much on a daily basis when in Mumbai unless you’re some rich brat with a lot of money to spare right?

Getting to know about self-drives…

So I came across this nice cab driver on my way to a friend’s place who cared enough about the expenses and told me about something like self-drive cars in Mumbai to save me from those extra expenses. Surfing on the net, I came across a self-drive rental and thought about giving it a go. The price is pretty reasonable when you compare it to a local cab hire. So I got the car for a two day round off, got it delivered at the hotel which is convenient. And honestly, why would you go for such a service if you have to pick up the car from a different location and to get to that location you have to get there first by spending more bucks? So considering the scenario, it was convenient.

Worth it…

Driving around the beautiful marine drive and exploring places at my own will, who doesn’t like that? And with a free road side assistance, it was a comfortable experience moving about in the city. Although the car wasn’t as up to the mark as I expected it to be, but it was certainly in a way better condition that the rest of the cabs and taxis that you come across in this city. So here’s a thing to note, self-drives cars are easy to book, less costly and worth trying in a city like Mumbai where you might want to get around some other untouched places as well. Doing that isn’t possible with taxis and even if you make it happen, well you probably will a tough time dealing with the behavior pf the taxi drivers and the cost would bear upon you.

So step worrying about the worthiness of the self-drive rentals in a city like Mumbai. Give it a try and enjoy the Beautiful an economical experience of moving about the famous financial capital of India.   

What’s It Like to Rent a Self-Drive Car In Bengaluru…?

Bengaluru!! A city we all call as the IT hub of India, is an ideal ceasing point for voyagers like me making a beeline for some amazing spots like Coorg or Ooty. From a quick changing climate to some notable shopping areas, the city has it all for voyagers pouring around from all over India and the remainder of the world. But to have a merry time in Bengaluru isn’t that easy. So here's a story of my experience attempting a self-drive rental in the city.

Arriving in the City…

Welcomed by the sound of substantial traffic and some genuine deluge, escaping the terminal and entering Bengaluru was anything but an extremely upbeat encounter for me. Now here’s a question for you all, what do you expect when you land in a city for the first time? A comfortable cab? Even a comfortable journey to your hotel? Well, it was nothing like it!! Hiring a cab and getting stuck in traffic on my way to hotel for about an hour was a genuine pain indeed. And we’re all quiet aware of the duration charges the cabs charge nowadays right? So don’t even ask about the travel time charges that I had to pay. That was when I got to know a few facts about this beautiful capital of Karnataka.

Over the years, Bengaluru has seen an immense rise in population with an estimated population of 11.4 million people. But what is still a worry is the infrastructural advancements which have failed to keep up the pace with the rising population. Now if there are so many people in Bengaluru, there is bound to be chaos on the roads of this city. So thinking of ways to save money and searching for a feasible service I came across this random self-drive car rental and settled on giving it a go.

Some Experience, it was…

The internet was on a slower side around the hotel area. Tough to think of it in the IT Hub, isn’t it? But that’s how it all went through- so the internet was slow, I went out, booked a car, got it dropped at the hotel just about on time and drove through that relentless traffic of Bengaluru, yep, you heard it right, that relentless traffic!!

Be that as it may, here's a thing, the vehicle was spotless, completely working appropriately and honestly, answer this-what do you anticipate from the vehicle when you drive along on a vacation? Solace? Tidiness? All things considered, I got everything. So driving around a portion of the excellent destinations in the city was an extraordinary encounter and the best part, the customer care was shockingly really responsive and in spite of the fact that I didn't require it, there was this epic service called Free Roadside Assistance, stunning, isn't it?

So here's a last word from me for all the potential guests to Bengaluru and perpetual pioneers there, give these self-drive cars in Bengaluru a go and have a great time going around the city at a lot lesser costs.

DRIVING THROUGH DELHI: A LUTYENS’ CITY

Bordered by Haryana and Gurugram, situated at the heart of North India, Delhi attracts large number of tourists every year from all around the world. Famous for its architectural marvels and gobbling food, travelers love playing around Delhi. But if you’re thinking that achieving this fun is easy in Delhi, well, you’re mistaken. Driving around Delhi can be tough at times, especially in summer months. With the souring temperatures and rising travelling expenses, you are bound to spend some real brace from your pocket.

So if you’re standing at Red Fort under the scorching Delhi heat and thinking that now you should visit the Humayun’s Tomb, what travelling options can you think of in such cases? Getting puzzled about controlling expenses during traveling in and around Delhi can be a huge task. With the cab prices having risen by about 40%-50% in the last two 2 years, the option of renting a self-drive car in Delhi is here to save your money.

Self–Driving a car can be cheap and exhilarating at the same time. Not only you get the freedom of driving around the streets of Delhi at your own terms but you also get that necessary privacy which you expect in your own car. You can stop by at any point of your choice and enjoy those little things that Delhi offers to the travelers. So if you’re really stressing your mind now into pondering about the best self-drive service in Delhi, don’t worry, we got you covered.

Mychoize self-drive service is at your rescue. Mychoize offers the best deals and customer service in the market today with a wide variety of cars to choose from. The best part about Mychoize is the way the cars are delivered and the condition of the cars. Mychoize delivers the cars right at your doorstep in the same condition you expect your own car to be in. The self-drive service from Mychoize is for every traveler who is tempted about the idea of exploring the city.

Not only the prices that Mychoize offers are reasonable, the whole payment machinery is transparent. Hiring their service is unbelievably easy, i.e., three small steps and you’re good to go. The most stunning thing about Mychoize is the costumer support which is rapid and responsive. For the ones who love to travel and explore the beautiful city of Delhi, Mychoize offers unlimited kilometers so you can enjoy driving around the city without worrying about the distance limit.

Nothing is better than renting a self-drive sedan or a car of your choice and driving through the streets of Delhi at your own will, a true explorer’s delight. So if you’re planning to visit to Delhi or to just about any major city in India any time sooner, I recommend to use MYCHOIZE service. It will not only save your money, but would also give you the privilege of travelling on your own terms. Try it and you would not regret it.