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.