The lion city of Singapore is one of the biggest tourist magnets of Asia – and very rightly so, its rich history has made it a salad palate with ingredients of many major Asian as well as European cultures. One of the city’s major tourist attractions is, thus, the souvenirs you can buy in it.
Here Ghoomophiro brings you a list of top 10 Souvenirs to pick in Singapore:
1. Souvenirs that comprise of miniature Merlin
Singapore is anglicized version of city’s original Sanskrit name ‘Singha Pura’ which literally means Lion city. Thus, we don’t think we will surprise anyone that the official mascot of lion city’s tourism department has the head of a lion. Merlin is a man-made creature that has the head of a lion and the body of fish and the obvious choice for being the first in our list of Top 10 Souvenirs to pick in Singapore. While the lion head of Merlin is representing the city’s original name, its fish body shows the city’s origin as a fishing village.
You can find miniature Merlin statuettes both as individual objects as well as products that are shaped like Merlin – key chains, picture frames, can openers, lighters, fridge magnets, ashtrays, cigarette boxes, coasters, chocolate, sweet, snow globes etc. You can find them almost anywhere in the lion city and they are also one of the cheapest items on this list.
2. Kaya
If tasting Kaya once doesn’t turn you into a hoarder than see a tongue doctor. There is something wrong with your taste buds! Kaya is a delicious coconut jam and is widely used in the lion city as in making Kaya toast – the most popular breakfast dish among Singaporeans and thus the natural choice for being the second in our list of top 10 Souvenirs to pick in Singapore. Kaya toast is made by filling a sandwich made of two toasted slices of bread with butter and Kaya. Kaya jam is made of a combination of eggs, coconut milk, sugar, and pandan leaves. This flavored jam can also used as a topping for some desserts and cakes. You can buy kaya jars at most supermarkets in Singapore. Kaya jam bottles are inexpensive too and we, Ghoomophiro sisters, made sure to buy a dozen of these bottles while returning from Singapore
3. Bakkwa
Another souvenir for foodies to bring back home from Singapore is Bakwwa or BBQ meat. It is made of pork or beef with a seasoning of sugar, soy sauce, and spices and grilled over charcoal. A favorite among locals and tourists alike. Its local popularity can be gauged from the fact that it has become the gift that locals give to their parents and friends on Chinese New Year. Bakkwa is a bit on the expensive side in our list of top 10 Souvenirs to pick in Singapore but this only makes it a gift to bring to your foodie friends back home.
4. Laksa Paste
Another yummy souvenir for the foodies among us. Laksa Paste is another traditional Singapore food item. Laksa is a noodle soup creating by coming together of Chinese and Malay styles of cooking. Locally it is made of coconut milk, prawn paste, lemongrass, and laksa leaves. What helps it in making it to our list of top 10 Souvenirs to pick in Singapore is that you can find bottles of Laksa Paste – the ready-to-cook paste made of frozen Laksa soup base. Like other food items on the list, they can be easily found all over the island and they are inexpensive too.
5. Orchid products
The hybrid purple Orchid is the national flower of Singapore. And this is the inspiration behind the fifth of our list of top 10 Souvenirs to pick in Singapore. In fact, you will find it on display in the form a bright flower shining through a framed glass in most souvenir shops.
Besides the flower itself, there are several other Orchid-inspired products you can find in Singapore. Orchid Perfumes from Singapore Memories can be a perfect souvenir for your dear ones back home – or for yourself. They are created by blending several native varieties of Orchid flowers. The perfumes are available in male, female and unisex varieties. And these perfumes have captivating names that remind one of their origins – Orchid by the Bay, One Degree North (Singapore is located at one degree North of Equator). We recommend buying them from Orchard road.
Or you can buy Orchid framed jewelry for a loved woman at Changi airport. The jewelry includes these cute earrings that have a glass molding with a real flower inside them. A weakness for a woman. And an inexpensive way to please a woman for men – priced as low as twenty Singapore dollars.
If you are willing to spend more money, consider buying gold plated orchid products from RISIS – made of 24k gold.
6. Singapore Sling
If your tourist destination has given its name to a drink than your tour can’t be complete without tasting it, Singapore Sling is the world popular drink and it is also the national drink of Singapore. It was originally created by bartender Ngiam Tong Boon at Raffles Hotel’s Long Bar in the 1930s. Originally it included a combination of gin, cherry brandy, lime juice, orange juice, and pineapple juice. Now though you can find all kinds of varieties. The bottled version of Singapore Sling is the perfect item to appear in our list of top 10 Souvenirs to pick in Singapore
7. Peranakan Souvenirs
Next in our list of top 10 Souvenirs to pick in Singapore is Peranakan products. Peranakan is a local community that gives its name to Peranakan prints – the prints worn by, for example, Singapore Airplane. All kind of fabrics can be made from this print – dresses, bags, pouches etc for both men and women. You can also buy beaded head weaved beads slippers. We recommend Peranakan crockery and cutlery but there is going to obvious trouble with packing or delivery etc – as is often the case with such things.
8. Souvenirs from China Town
China has a major influence on Singaporean culture. So next in our list of top 10 Souvenirs to pick in Singapore is Paper cut outs. Paper cutting is an old folk art form of China. As far back as third century BC, the paper cut designs were used for ancestor worship. And people still decorate their homes and workplaces with paper-cut designs for good luck and prosperity. Another souvenir to be bought from China Town is flavored nuts.
9. Souvenirs from TWG
The famous TWG stores offer all kind of souvenirs that are centered on the theme of tea – tea-flavored cookies in different colors, teacups, handcrafted Tea Pots (including ones with a layer of silver, gold or platinum on them), tea jelly etc
10. Pressed Pennies
The last in our list of top 10 Souvenirs to pick in Singapore is a collection of Singapore pennies. The pressed pennies are elongated pennies that are then engraved with iconic designs. You can make your own pressed pennies by using automatic penny flattening machines that can be found at all popular tourist destinations of the lion city.
We hope you liked the list. Is there anything we miss?
International travel is often considered a luxury holiday. The holiday is expensive and there are all the visa formalities that have to be met. However, there are several amazing international tourist destinations that allow visa-free entry for Indians and can thus be visited without needing a license as long as you have an Indian passport. Here we take a look at some of the best of these tourist attractions. :
1. Maldives
The honeymoon capital of Asia, Maldives, is the first in our list of countries that allow visa-free tourism to Indians on the back of its stunningly beautiful and romantic sea beaches.
2. Mauritius
The island nation of Mauritius is second in our list of countries that allow visa-free tourism to Indians. The island nation is popular for aesthetically pleasing shores – even rewarded for having best sea beaches. It has two UNESCO World Heritage Sites – Aapravasi Ghat Aapravasi and Le Morne Brabant. Ghat (immigration depot) is a building complex located in Port Louis on the Indian Ocean island of Mauritius, it was used by the British Empire for migration of Indentured labor from India throughout the empire. Le Morne Brabant, on the other hand, is a reminder of other evil of the colonial era, slavery. It was a refuge for runaway slaves. Wildlife enthusiasts will love Black River Gorges National Park famous for Mauritian flying fox which is also the home to island’s endemic birds: pink pigeon, Mauritius kestrel, Mauritius parakeet, Mauritius bulbul, Mauritius cuckoo-shrike, Mauritius fody, Mauritius olive white-eye, Mauritius grey white-eye etc.
3. Indonesia
A list of countries that allow visa-free tourism to Indians won’t be complete without Indonesia. Indonesia is increasingly becoming a popular travel destination. Besides its large coastline with numerous sea beaches, Indonesia also has the ancient Prambanan Temple Compounds (dedicated to Lord Shiva) of value for their Hindu festivities, which have been a source of attraction for Hindu tourists of India. Borobudur Temple Compounds, a thousand-year-old Buddhist temple, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Komodo National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that wildlife lovers won’t want to miss, it gets its name from giant aggressive lizards that go by name of ‘Komodo dragons’. Cultural Landscape of Bali Province: the Subak System as a Manifestation of the Tri Hita Karana Philosophy of India – a philosophy that brings together three realms, i.e., that of nature, spirit and human world. These are the only tip of that giant iceberg of a list of attractions that is Indonesia. You don’t need a visa for a trip to this country as long as you have a valid Indian passport return back in 30 days
4. Fizi
A favorite tourist attraction among Australians and New Zealanders, Fizi is next in our list of countries allowing countries that allow visa-free tourism to Indians. You can get a tourist visa of Fizi for up to 4 months. The island nation has stunning sea beaches to offer that go well with its active nightlife, scuba diving, and sea sports. The Botanical Gardens of Thurston in Suva, Sigatoka Sand Dunes, and Colo-I-Suva Forest Park are some of its other attractions
5. Nepal
When it comes to countries that allow visa-free tourism to Indians, Nepal is the country that has gone further than any other. There is complete freedom of movement for Indians. No visa is required and you can stay as long as you like. Amazing Himalayan mountains are the biggest attraction of the state. Kathmandu has many beautiful Buddhist and Hindu temples. Hanuman Dhoka, aka Durbar Square, is an important historical site that attracts tourists. Swayambhunath, aka Monkey Temple, is home to numerous monkeys and has images of several gods including, of course, the monkey god Hanuman. Boudhanath is an important Buddhist temple.
6. Jordon
Next in our list of countries that allow visa-free tourism to Indians is Jordon. Make sure to book hotels, carry 30 dollars per person and a valid Indian passport, and you will be welcomed to historical country Jordan. You can get an electronic visa permit for a maximum of 30 days. Jordan is famous for its world historical sites.
It is a part of the promised land. Petra and Jerash have historical ruins that will attract history lovers. Al-Maghtas is the place where Jesus had his baptism. There are shrines here of Mohammad’s companions. It is thus an important place for followers of all three Abrahamic religions. Also consider visiting Alimatha Island, Veligandu Island Beach, and Manta Point.
The tourism industry is severely affected by turbulence that has become common in the Middle East. The Arab spring, for example, had a bad effect on tourism. But Jordan is now recovering and is considered a safe country to visit. The nightlife to has started emerging during recent times.
7. Qatar
Qatar is next in our list of countries that allow visa-free tourism to Indians. This is the Arab state that has shown the highest rate of human development. It is also the richest country in terms of per capita income. It is also the biggest buyer of art in the world. Its biggest USP as far as this list goes is a chance for tourists to have a taste of prosperous life. Doha’s Museum of Islamic Art will attract art lovers. Tourists with Valid Indian passports can stay in Qatar for up to 30 days.
8. Trinidad and Tobago
If you are smitten by Caribean, the twin-island city of Trinidad and Tobago is the place to be. One of richer Caribian island nations, Trinidad and Tobago is the last our list of countries that allow visa-free tourism to Indians – a place it has earned on the back of its beautiful sea beaches which have attracted a lot of tourism from USA and Canada. An Indian passport holder can stay here for as long as 90 days. Perhaps the best time for a cricket lover would be when an Indian team is visiting the West Indies.
9. Haiti
You do not need a visa to tour Haiti as long as you hold an Indian passport and return within 3 months making it the last in our list of countries that allow visa-free tourism to Indians. Its dazzling sea beaches overlooking the Caribbean sea and amazing mountain ranges are its main attractions. It is also home to three UNESCO World Heritage sites – Citadelle Laferrière, Sans-Souci Palace, Buildings of Ramiers, all of them in Milot.
Conclusion
This is by no means an exclusive list. Bhutan, Haiti, Dominica, Jamaica, Micronesia, El Salvador, Ecuador, El Salvador, and Grenada are some of the other countries that allow visa-free tourism to Indians. You can read through another follow-up article from #ghoomophiro If formalities of getting a visa are too much of a bother for you, we hope you take the opportunity presented by relative freedom of movement by these destinations. In fact, many Indian tourists have already been taking advantage of the same. Did we miss an attractive tourist destination that allows visa-free travel for Indians? Do write to us in comments below.
Odisha combines many kinds of tourist attractions in itself – the tribal culture, the ancient Hindu temple famous for both their religious importance and art and architecture, sea beaches, Wildlife spots etc.
I had a lot of fun visiting this tribal state and it is impossible to catalog all the fun things one can do here but here is a list of ten things I loved doing most.
1. Temples
Odisha’s popularity as a tourist destination lies with its golden triangle for the most part – Bhubaneshwar, Puri, and Konark. All these three cities are in turn famous for their temples. Thus we start off with these amazing temples
Konark Sun Temple
The Konark Sun temple has been declared UNESCO world heritage site and one of the seven wonders of the world. The temple is built in shape of a huge chariot with twenty-four giant wheels (showing either twenty-four hours of a day or two aspects (Shukla and Krishna Paksha) of twelve months and twelve giant horses. Though much of this temple is now ruins, the reliefs and sculptors of the temple still make it one of the most popular landmarks of Odisha. I couldn’t help feeling proud of the grandeur of Indian architecture when I visited this temple Kama craving on the walls of this temple has got a lot of attention during the British rule and gave me goosebumps.
Jagannath Temple
One of four Dhams of Hinduism, Jagannath Puri, is one of the biggest attractions for religious tourism in India. It is one of the four sacred Dhams of Hinduism. Though the temple was crowded, the architectural beauty and spiritual peace, the visit gave me made it more than worth it. I was at just the perfect time to see the Rath Yatra, an annual festival, though the occasion might have added to the crowd of pilgrims too
Temples of Bhuvaneshwar
Bhubaneshwar (literally ‘king of land’) is the capital of Odisha. Its old name meant ‘temple city’ and it really is the temple city of India. The city is divided into two part – the temple city and the more developed urban parts.
It has been said there are more than a thousand temples in the city. Now that was too many for me but, I wasn’t obviously going to miss the best ones. Lingaraj temple takes the cake of all the temples here – it is third best temple after Konark Sun temple and Jagannath Puri temple. However, there were some other temples that I will recommend if you got the time – Parashurameshvara Temple, Ram Mandir Rajarani temple, Mukteswara temple etc.
3. Sea Beaches
After having too much of humanity at Jagganath temple, I thought a sea beach evening was in order. And a sea beach was available only a few minutes away. The four hundred and sixty kilometers long coastline of Odisha have plenty of beaches to offer and Puri sea beach is one of the busier ones but it also offers all the comforts that come with commercialization.
If you are looking for a more quiet beach, away from commercialization and urban noises, there are a bunch you in Odisha you can try. Some of them are Balramgadhi Beach, the Astranga Beach, the Paradeep Beach, the Pati Sonalpur Beach and Gopalpur sea beach. I can not forget the experience which Astranga beach and Sonalpur, in particular, left me with.
4. Chilika Lake
There are many lakes in Odisha like freshwater Ansupa Lak of Cuttack, Kanjia lake etc but all of them fade away when compared to delights that Chilika lake had to offer. It had dolphins!
Chilika Lake is the largest coastal lagoon of India and, also, the second largest lagoon in the World. It is home to several spices of migratory birds and rare and endangered Irrawaddy Dolphins, Looking at those pretty dolphins here was the best thing I did in all of my Odisha tours.
5. Exploring Wildlife
Orissa is just as much about wildlife as it is about arts, history, and temples. There are several venues to explore for wildlife enthusiasts – National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, Animal reserves, Zoos Wetlands etc. Personally, I loved the Silipal National Park and Bhitarkanika’s wetlands.
Silipal National Park
Located in the Mayurbhanj districtSilipal National Park of Odisha is an elephant reserve. Several Royal Bengal Tigers,Wild Indian elephants, Indian Bison, Chausingha etc find their home in this amazing National Park.
Another thing that I enjoyed extremely is Barehipani Waterfall at Baripada. At about 400 meters, this is the tallest waterfall of Odisha and one of top ten tallest waterfalls in India
Another waterfall, Joranda Falls is located close to it. Khandadhar Falls of Sundagarh is also popular.
Bhitarkanika National Park
Created by river delta of the Brahmani and Baitarani rivers in Bhitarkanika National Park, Bhitarkanika Mangroves is one of the largest Ramsar vegetations in India. It is a mangrove swamp and home to several endangered species like Indian python, Saltwater Crocodile, White Crocodile, King Cobra etc. The sight of White Crocodile gave me goosebumps!
Nandankanan Zoological Park
There is also the Nandan Kanan Zoological Park in Bhubaneshwar. The zoo and botanical garden enshrine rare Asiatic lions, Indian crocodilians, big rock Pythons, White tigers etc. There is an aquarium too and a reptile park which is guarded by Tyrannosaurus Rex.
6. Caves of Khandagiri and Udaigiri
These caves, which are home to an ancient monastery, had some of the most splendid images that I have seen in Odisha outside of Konark Sun Temple and are much older than that belong to golden ancient ages of the country. The scenic beauty from the top of hills is itself splendid. Remember to beware of monkeys and carry your bottles. Start in time to be able to enjoy the sunset from the top of the hill.
7. Dhauli Giri
Visiting Dhauli Giri made me literally feel that I have time traveled to India’s ancient part. The site is historically important, as it is the place where the famous Kalinga war is supposed to have taken place. The war that melted the heart of King Ashoka, making him go all non-violent and Buddhist. The edicts of great Ashoka were the best things for me especially the Shanti Stupa.Among other attractions were Budha statue, Shiva temple, and white peace pagoda.
8.Museums
Odisha boasts of rich history and this history is celebrated in a number of museums here.
Odisha State Museum in the capital holds several treasures – Palm Leaf Inscriptions, paintings done in traditional style etc.
Tribal Research Institute Museum, which is also known as ‘Museum of gives you a chance to observe and study tribal art and artifacts, displayed in its five different parts. These parts are – Personal Adornments in first Hall, Belongings, Arts, Paintings & Photographs in second Hall, Hunting & Fishing Implements & Weapons of Offence and Defense in the third hall, Household Objects and Agricultural Implements in the fourth hall and Dance, Musical Instruments and Dhokra Items in the fifth hall.
If you aren’t old school, when it comes to art, we recommend the Modern Art Gallery which is full of little treasures of modern art.
All the above museums are in Bhubaneshwar. The capital city also has the Regional Museum of Natural History which displays taxidermy of different animals.
9. Hirakund Dam
There are a number of small dams in Odisha. A couple of them provide ready spots for a picnic with family and friends. Hirakund Dam though has a grandeur of its own. I was left awe-struck by its vastness. It stands on Mahanadi river at fifteen kilometers distance from Odisha. The surrounding vegetation combined with vast amounts of water stored in the dam creates a very awesome view.
10. Go Shopping
Bhubaneshwar is one of the first planned cities of India. And its urban half has a lot of awesome shopping points. There is the phrase I market, which is most popular among the middle-class shop alcoholics for its cheap products. You can buy clothes, electronic accessories, makeup products, cosmetics etc here at the cheapest rates. Another market for budget customers would be Station Square. There is also a market specifically for sarees – ‘Saree Mandir’. When shopping in these markets, be prepared to bargain – as the shopkeepers put high prices anticipating that you will bargain. Also, be extra careful with your valuables.
Handicrafts Villages
If you are looking for souvenirs let it be something artistic – Patthachitra paintings or palm leaves carvings or other such handicrafts. Raghurampur, a village just fourteen kilometers drive from Puri is devoted to making the most beautiful handicrafts – from Palm leave inscriptions to Stone and wood carvings to wooden toys. It is definitely worth a visit for every art lover. Shop for something – and spend some time window-shopping the handicrafts on display. Another village Pipli, thirty-eight kilometers from Puri, is devoted to colorful applique work. This can be a good place to get beautiful decorative items, handicrafts, personal accessories etc. We recommend a visit to these villages as it will also give you a chance to look into the village life of the state.
And of course:
Try Street Food
I can not visit a place without trying its street food, it just won’t feel complete. For a foodie, there are delights of seafood available at sea beaches and pure vegetarian cuisine offered at major restaurants. But streets food everywhere is just yummy! And Odisha has several of its own local delights to offer in this regard.
There are several other amazing things that I did there, so many amazing places to see – Sishupalgarh-a ruined fortification, Lalitgiri-a Buddhist complex, Second Mahanadi Rail Bridge to name a few. And of course, you can go shopping as well. There is a flea market in a phrase I, a great place for budget shopping. There is also a saree mandir, market devoted entirely to sarees. I so, so, so wanna talk about them but I had resolved, it was a stupid thing, to go on a word diet and so am limiting myself to merely those ten things.
Singapore is an amazing place but one can always get tired of the city life. That is your cue for a weekend getaway to sandy beaches and other exciting places located near Singapore. Enjoy scenic views and ocean life or other destinations that suit your taste. Singapore can be the perfect launch pad for weekend getaways that are just a few hours away because no one wants to waste the most time of their weekend on the way to their destination.
1.Bali, Indonesia
For many people, the name Bali immediately strikes an image of wide beaches with an expanse of soft white sand along with clear blue water. There are a number of gorgeous beaches in Bali and it makes the perfect stop spot for your ‘Beach Weekend Getaway’. The place is easy, affordable and relaxing. You can go there with your family or just soak in the sun while catching up on a book you’ve been meaning to read. Go café-hopping or try jumping off a waterfall. There are also a couple of popular tourist spots like Water Bom and Echo beach.
How to get there: Get a direct flight from Denpasar to Bali.
Average time: Two hours and 40 minutes.
2.Macau, China
This may not be the place that comes to mind when you think of a relaxing getaway but since Macau is China’s Las Vegas, it will be adventurous and filled with exciting times. You can come across delicious food, get to know about the culture, shop till you drop and of course gamble if that’s what you like. This place as all the right ingredients for a perfect weekend getaway with your group of friends. This is the one place where you can go absolutely crazy and there will be no holding back. Macau is one of the places that give off the exotic East-meets-West vibe.
How to get there: Get a direct flight to Macau.
Average time: Three hours and 55 minutes.
3.Batam, Indonesia
If you don’t want the hassle of booking flights and travelling long distances, Batam is the place for you. You can get a wonderful massage here, try different eateries (do try their special dish Honey Cake) and go shopping at various malls. There are many shopping malls around the Nagoya region and also some clothing stalls clustered around. For an affordable shop till you drop weekend, Batam is the right place.
How to get there: Get a ferry from Singapore.
Average time: 45 minutes.
4.Lombok, Indonesia
This is one of the less popular beach spots and is situated to the East of Bali. The place may be less popular in comparison but is in no way less beautiful. Plus, it just means you won’t be surrounded by crowds and can enjoy your weekend in peace. You won’t be stuck on a beach full of strangers that you can’t help but rub your shoulders with.
How to get there: Get a direct flight from Singapore.
Average time: 2 hours 40 minutes.
5. Kuala Lumpur
This is the perfect weekend spot for you if you are a foodie. Because Kuala Lumpur is known for its delicious local and international cuisines. It is a convenient hop from Singapore and has other luxuries like plush hotels and glitzy shopping malls. This is one of the modern and developed cities and if you do visit, remember to ask for the local opinion on where to get the best Yong Tau and Kut Teh food.
How to get there: Catch a train from Singapore.
Average time: 4 hours.
Be it bustling city life or secluded beach getaways, it is all a flight, bus ride or ferry away from Singapore. Enjoy your weekend to the fullest by hopping off to these destinations and taking full advantage of your time in Singapore.
Jakarta is a popular place for tourists as it has much to offer in terms of entertainment. Make your
trip to Jakarta an unforgettable one by following this list of things to do:
1. Ancol Dream Park
Ancol Dreamland is an amusement park near Ancol beach and you can spend your whole day here
refreshing your mind through wonderful rides and fun activities. There are animal shows, SeaWorld
beaches, Hailai club and paintball games. You can even play golf or go bowling. There is an ART
academy and art market to see as well.
2. National Museum, Jakarta
Jakarta has lots of museums including the Kite Museum, Bank Indonesia museum, maritime
museum, Jakarta textile museum and of course, the national museum. The National Museum has an
enormous collection of statues, treasures and artefacts. There are also models of architectural
brilliance, glittering necklaces and stone images displayed that will inspire awe in the eyes of the
beholder.
3. Enjoy the Nightlife and cuisines
Jakarta has one of the most happening nightlife in Indonesia. There are a number of incredible
restaurants and bars that you can visit all over the city. You can go to Awan Lounge which has a
Rooftop garden bar that is just incredible or cafe Ecobar. For good food, you can visit Nusa that has
best local cuisines of Indonesia. You can also go to Mamma Rosy’s Kitchen for some authentic Italian
food.
4. Monas tower
The Monas tower is a national monument and a spot for tourist attraction. It is a must-visit for every
person travelling to Jakarta as it is a symbol of strength in Indonesia. It is near the National History
museum and opens every day from 8 am – 3 pm. You can visit Monas early in the morning. Monas is
known because of the splendid view it has to offer.
5. The Catholic Cathedral and The Istiqlal Mosque
Istiqlal Mosque is the largest mosque in South East Asia and though there are lots of mosques in
Jakarta, this is a special must-visit. Right across the street from Istiqlal Mosque is the Jakarta
Cathedral. This cathedral was built back in 1901 in neo-gothic architectural style.
6. Spa and Massage
There are lots of spa and massage options to choose from. You can take a day off from hectic
travelling schedules and just relax. Try the traditional Indonesian massage or spa to soothe yourself.
7. Grand Indonesia Mall
There are lots of malls in Jakarta and The Grand Indonesia mall is the best one. You can just do
window shopping or buy souvenirs for your friends and family back home. But if you want some
cheaper place to go, try Thamrin city or Tanah Abang.
8. Market of Jakarta- Pasar Santa
Pasar Santa is an indoor market in Jakarta and you can find all sorts of trendy or vintage
commodities here. There are also Vinyl record stores and cafe lounges where you can sit back and
relax.
9. Taman Ismail Marzuki
It is the main cultural hub in Jakarta with a great variety of theatres and cinemas. You can watch live
performances of folk dance or performance arts like Sundanese dance or go there during the
gamelan musical event.
10. Escape the city and Visit the Thousand Islands
A thousand islands is a chain of islands that you can reach from North Jakarta. If you have had
enough of sightseeing in the city and want to escape to some peaceful and marvelous locations,
take a boat to these islands and make your trip unforgettable.
Remember, if you are in Jakarta take all that the city has to offer. Have a great trip!
Malaysia is rightly ascribed as ‘truly Asia’ for the perfect amalgamation of traditional and modern lifestyle. Its progressive yet very rooted in its culture. For tourists from other continents, it represents the essence of whole Asia. It has something for everyone. Malaysia is much more than the 10 must-see places that you are going to read about. Do not blame us if you end up buying return air tickets by the end of this list.
Petronas Twin Towers, KL
‘On top of the world’ is what you feel when you stand atop the sky bridge that connects the world’s tallest twin towers! While its glass & steel exterior gives it a modern look, its interior beautifully compliments it in a traditional way. It’s this contrast that is essentially what Malaysia is all about.
Genting Highlands
An hour’s drive from Kuala Lumpur, It’s a weekend destination that dreams are made of. This one place offers you the best of theme parks, hotels, restaurants, retail outlets and of course Malaysia’s only licensed on-land casino!
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Cameron Highlands
Who would believe that near the same hustle bustle of the Genting Highland there is this peaceful hill station to relax and refresh. This place offers a moderate climate all year and is a perfect get away from the chaos of the city life. As Malaysia’s most popular highland retreat it offers a vast range of continental plants, fruits, and vegetables.
Kuantan, Kuala Terengganu, and Kota Bharu
The three cities of Malaysia – Kuantan, Kuala Terengganu and Kota Bharu are a must visit. Kuantan, although not as big as many other cities in Malaysia, is a great city to explore. The atmosphere is great and the beaches especially Teluk Cempedak, Balok, and Pantai Batu Hitam are lovely with facilities for watersports. If you want to do some light shopping, visit Kota Bharu and Kuala Terengganu both known for their great authentic markets.
Kinabalu National Park
This park is a Unesco world heritage site. The main attraction at the Park is the majestic Mount Kinabulu. A trek to the Mount Kinabalu, the highest mountain peak in southeast Asia is an experience in itself. The flowers and plants that you will see on your way up are some of the rarest and most stunning.
Perhentian Islands
Perhentian Islands is a small group of beautiful islands great for scuba diving and snorkeling. What is best about this place is the affordable prices of accommodation, you can stay at the island for a mere $15 per night. Because of these pocket-friendly prices, Perhentian is a very popular island among tourists.
Penang
Unlike Malacca, this island is the perfect blend of eastern and western lifestyle. Its a unique mix of swanky shopping complexes and old run down stores, low-end eateries and high-end clubs. Penang’s capital Georgetown true to its name is where west meets east. Its also a Unesco heritage site due to the presence of many historical structures.
Redang Island
For scuba divers and others who want to explore an extraordinary underwater life, Redang Island will rate much higher on this list. This is a place that craves your attention from the very first time you step on its soft sands. Its a protected site under the government to preserve its rich marine ecosphere.
Menara Tower
Before the twin towers, Menara Tower was Malaysia’s recognized used Landmark for outsiders. To date, it offers the highest and most stunning view of the Malaysian landscape.
Langkawi Cable Car
Sitting inside the cable car on your way to Mount Mat Cincang there will be moments when your heart will come to your mouth seeing the depths of the valley but once you reach there you will realize the awesomeness that you just witnessed. The rainforest below offers one of the most breathtaking views you will ever see.
Kinabatangan river
The river Kinabatangan is the second largest river in Malaysia that runs through the state of Sabah in Borneo. Alongside the river, you can encounter many different exotic animal species that can be spotted from out of a small boat. Do experience the Kinabatangan river cruise which is a great way to explore the islands of Sabah. Not only is Malaysia a mixing bowl of ethnic cultures, but it is also a blend of many different customs and heritage, cuisines and religions all coexisting peacefully together.
All this makes Malaysia a great tourist spot. For all your bookings, drop us a note at ghoomophirosisters@gmail.com
Macau also is known as the ‘Las Vegas of Asia’ is brimming with casinos and high-end shopping centers. An hour away from Hong Kong, it is another administrative region of China. But there is more to Macau than just gambling till you go broke.
Here’s a list of exciting things to do in Macau:
The House of Dancing water show.
You will be dazzled by the extravagant performance of acrobats, dancers and the visual and musical effects. This stage show is stunning and something you must not miss if you are in Macau.
Visit St Paul’s ruins
The best time to visit is after sunset. Since there is huge crowd during daytime and the place looks even better with the sun setting and the city lights turned on. But if you do visit during the day, you can also see Macau Museum and Monte Fort.
Macau Tower convention and entertainment center
This has to be the most exciting place in all of Macau. As soon as you step into the glass elevator, it takes you to 223 meters above ground in 60 seconds. You can watch the beautiful Skyline from the Observatory that gives you the 360-degree view. Get something to munch on at the snack bar and if you feel daring, take an outdoor skywalk or go bungee-jumping.
Try the Portuguese egg tart
This is the most common street food you’ll find and it is absolutely delicious. Though the prices may vary from place to place, you will not be satisfied with buying just one.
Walk around Senado square
Look at the great views from Senado square and walk around the courtyard garden as well as the nearby library. Go up to the Leal Senado building to click the perfect picture of the place.
Revisit history at the historic center of Macau
This place shows you the real Macau, a blend of oriental and Portuguese. There are lots of old buildings and shops where you can get souvenirs. Try various street foods like Pork Buns and Custard Tarts. Fair warning though, it can be really crowded here.
Go on a sightseeing tour in Macau
Go on a full day tour led by experienced guides to show you all of Macau. You can grab a shuttle from Macau Casinos and enjoy the day looking at UNESCO World Heritage sights and new modern wonders.
Visit churches
If you are at the Historic city center and on your way to St Paul’s, do stop by at the churches in the way like St Dominic’s church. It has an admirable architecture and beautiful exterior. Built more than a hundred years ago, it has amazing artifacts. You are allowed inside free of cost and can enjoy the tranquillity and peaceful environment. There’s also a small museum near the back.
View an authentic Chinese garden
Lou Lim Leoc garden is a perfect place for a quiet stroll or relaxation. Amidst the beauty of flowers and friendly locals, you can sit near the water or stand on the bridge for a perfect photo shoot.
Tashi Square
This square is a treat for old souls. Take a good look at Macau’s colonial architecture or go to art museums and library or simply walk around the old alleys.
Despite Macau beng popular for its Casinos, it has a rich history and many other places tourists can visit without burning a hole in their pocket. Don’t let the high-end hotels stop you from experiencing the real Macau. If you take a trip to Hong Kong, do visit Macau.
Imagine a whole resort Island spread over 37 acres of land. Located 8 km off the east coast of Indonesia, Pulau Nikoi is a private island resort with over fifteen beach houses. It is considered as one of the best private islands in the world.
But that isn’t all. The resort is marked as an eco-resort using driftwood as construction material. The double layer roof makes ventilation easy and thus, no need for air conditions. They also use solar energy for all the electrical and heating requirements. The resort Island practices responsible tourism and has even been awarded for it.
Upon our arrival at the island, we were greeted and taken through a tree-shaded path to the check-in area. From there, we were accompanied to our villa which was beautiful and spacious with a bed in the middle and great view of the waters. We weren’t worried about no air conditioning because the cool breeze and the weather make up for it. The room had all the basic amenities along with a great view.
Beach: The soft sandy beaches are perfect for a do-nothing holiday at this resort. Even their bar and dining area have a sand-covered flooring making it exotic. We walked barefoot at times and on others wore our flip-flops because that is the way to truly enjoy the experience. We walked through different trails on the beach or explore parts of the island. Find the perfect spot to swim and just dive in. We also approached the staff who suggested various beach sports like kayaking, snorkeling, paddle boarding, rock climbing and the best part was that the cost was included in your full board charge.
As for food, daily meals were served and the food was delicious. Water and coffee or tea are also offered but you can also opt for alcoholic or other exotic drinks. They inform you in advance about the menu for the next meal. They even have two separate dining areas, one for families with kids and other for adults. Some complimentary snacks and chips are always good to have at the poolside.
Vegetarian Food:
Since Nikoi Island is a private resort, there are no restaurants there and you have to eat the food from their kitchen. But to mention that their food was delicious and of sizeable proportions is a must. The first meal includes a light mix vegetable salad in vinaigrette sauce. That is followed by stir-fried vegetables and rice with a Chinese flavor to it. Then for dessert, we had bread pudding which was sweet and delicious.
For dinner’s main course, we had fried aubergine in red sauce and green curry. They had lots of options for beef and other non-veg items and comparatively fewer options for vegetarian food. But we did end up eating was prepared well. Then there was ice-cream cake for dessert. For the next day, we had Indonesian food platter. What we liked is the staff is very accommodating and you just have to convey your wishes.
We spent three days at the resort and by the time our stay ended, we were reluctant to leave the place. We had gotten so used to the ambiance of the place and the luxury associated with it. Spending your holidays here is the best option if you just want a relaxing time or want to spend some quality time with your partner.
Do try:
Snorkeling on the beach. We spotted corals right away, though there were fewer species of fish there. But it was fun overall with turtles too.
The spa is decently priced and you can get great soothing massages. After all, what a vacation without a good massage?
Highlights: the whole experience itself was wonderful but we’d like to make special mentions to the staff who were always courteous and helpful. We loved the tranquillity of the place since there were no huge crowds, just a bunch of other families. Not that this isn’t the place for you if you are looking for a party or exciting times. But if you want to enjoy quiet peaceful times with little exertion, this is the perfect place for you.
How to get here:
The overall time the journey from Singapore’s Tanah Merah ferry terminal to Nikoi island takes is approximately two and a half hours. There are also regular high-speed ferries that operate between Singapore and Bintan Resorts. This service takes less than 1 hour.
The journey itself is quite easy and comfortable but it took some time to get to the ferry.
It’s easy to find the itineraries and guides to the base camp easily, each explaining how the journey is not too tough. Well, as long as it isn’t climbing Everest, right?
Well, like the great saying, “It is not about the destination but about the journey,” we actually felt it is true on this trip. The trek to Everest Base Camp is not the actual climb to Everest but a hike to where the actual climbers begin from. That doesn’t make it any less special. The walks are equally beautiful though ours was a little less challenging.
Mount Everest towers 8848m above sea level over the Himalayas and is every adventurer’s dream. Our dreams only took us as far as the Everest base camp which is still 5364m above sea level and not child’s play. It was common sense to think that the trek would be hard but we underestimated the level of effort it would require getting to the feet of the world’s highest mountain peak. While it was all about reaching the destination when we embarked on this journey, looking back from the destination, we realized it was more about the trip, because the base camp itself was nothing more than a pile of rocks, though, with a great view.
This blog entry is all about our day-to-day experience while on the Trek. The idea was to capture each moment before it slipped away from memory and instead it became a caution tale too about how hard it was to hike each day. This is just daily documentation of our experience and you can judge for yourself if it is the right trek for you.
Let’s start from the beginning. Before starting about the day-to-day activities on the trip, we’ll talk about our arrival into Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal and the chaos that it ensured. The arrival at the airport was met by a mess of people and a struggle to get our baggage. We spent a couple days exploring Kathmandu since there were places we wanted to visit there. And after a few days of wandering in the city streets, we finally went to bed knowing that the experience that began the day after would remain with us for the rest of our lives.
Day 1 Fly from Kathmandu(1400m) to Lukla (2860m), then hike to Phakding- 7.8 km (2 hrs 20 mins)
We woke up with an early alarm excited for the beginning of our journey. While en route to Tribhuvan International Airport, we kept thinking about the trip and beautiful sights we would get to see on the way. We took an 8 am flight and sat on the window seat while flying to the world’s most dangerous airport- Tenzing-Hillary Airport in Lukla and we must say either it was the beautiful sight or the thrill itself, it just added to our excitement.
While Lukla is just a small town at the foothills of Himalayas, its airport is built atop a hill and has been prone to many air crashes. The flights also get canceled a lot because of bad weather. We were grateful that nothing like that happened with us, though the flight was delayed by ninety minutes. The short scenic view during out flight towards the hills is imprinted on our minds. As soon as we got off the plane, we were greeted by lots of guides and porters, much like the Taxi and Rickshaw drivers in usual airports. Some things just never change. But it is good for people making last-minute bookings who haven’t planned the things beforehand. It was after this that we finally started walking. It took about two and half hours to reach the small settlement of Phakding. The walk through the Himalayas jungle and swing bridges seemed easy enough and the first day was the easiest of them all. Phakding has developed a lot over the years and we saw shops on either side of the rocky pathway with even a Reggae bar and free wi-fi. We got a hotel room and it was clean and comfortable.
Day 2 Hike from Phakding (2600m) to Namche Bazar (3440m) – 12 km (In 6 hours, 15 mins)
Though yesterday’s walk was easy, we knew it wouldn’t be the same today. Our introduction to the Himalayas had prepared us or something more challenging today. We had a climb over 800 meters so we began by having a hearty breakfast. It was going to be a big day hiking after all. The steep ascension and moving across suspension bridges was exhilarating, especially with the wild wind blowing. The mountainside was filled with many prayer wheels, shrines and stupas. Along with the beauty of our surroundings, we were also able to take in the spiritual feel of the place. But the feeling of stepping on the suspension bridges, 80m above the river really made us feel pray. The thrill had an edge of fear to get off the bridge as soon as possible. But the view from the bridge, the huge waterfalls and massive gashes in mountainside is a sight to behold if you are able to concentrate anywhere besides your own feet that is.
The path was a busy one though not crowded with our fellow humans but with Yaks and donkeys who carried people’s belongings through the path along with goods for locals and tourists that would be sold in the main Market area, which was also our destination for the day Namche Bazaar.
The walk started pretty mildly and we enjoyed it but once we passed Monjo village, it got steep with no signs of the earth flattening anytime soon.We kept climbing up and up and up. It was when we crossed about 3000 meters that we started to slow down since we knew the altitude also starts affecting at the time. That was a tough walk and our body started feeling the one and half hour long hoke on the steep slope. Afterward, we reached a checkpoint and felt like we were finally getting close. Reaching Namche bazaar was exciting since this whole settlement seemed to have popped out of nowhere, just around the corner. Located on the edge of a cliff, the place was full of color and felt like fun from the moment we stepped in. This is one of the main trading posts in the Himalayas and is used as a spot for acclimatization because of its wide availability of shops and bars and relaxed surroundings.And we abided by the same principle, taking in delicious food and resting after the difficult hike we had just endured.
Day 3 Acclimatization Day in Namche Bazar
The thing about rest days in a trek is that they aren’t really resting days at all. So we had to throw the idea about sitting back in our hotel room, lying around or wandering Namche Bazar out the window. It works like this, this day is a chance for your body to adjust to the high altitude, so to do that, you have to hike up to a higher elevation and then steep lower to sleep. Our day constituted of climbing a ‘small’ mountain behind Namche Bazar to the highest five-star hotel in the world, the Everest View Hotel. The hike did put a lot of strain on us as we started to feel the effects of high altitude. Along with puffiness of breath and getting tired easily, there was a nagging headache. But the little rest time in the Hotel with a cup of tea and a view of the Everest made things wonderful again. That afternoon we also went to a museum on the outskirts of Namche that displayed artifacts of the first-ever ascent to Mount Everest.
The best advice is to slow your pace on the rest days and save energy for the days that matter. It is a 12-day long trek, so it becomes essential to pace accordingly. We relaxed for the rest of the afternoon to save some energy for the upcoming days. The altitude had started affecting us at this point and we felt shortness of breath even while doing everyday tasks. At this point, it is essential that while hiking you walk slow. It was already starting to feel like a difficult hike but we still had a long way to go.
Day 4 From Namche (3440m) to Tengboche(3860m) (4 hrs)
As the walk began, we were amazed by the glimpses of Everest as we walked on a fairly easy path around the sides of mountains. We saw an amazing view of the majestic Ama Dablam Mountain. Frankly, this was one of the most scenic days of the hike and as the trail took us down, we reached close to a river where we stopped to have lunch before indulging in a steep climb again. And by steep, we mean scaling over 500m of the steep slope for 90 minutes. By the time that ended, we were all sweaty and yet it was an accomplishment knowing we had made it.
Tengboche has a beautiful old Monastery, one of the oldest in the Himalayas and it welcomes guests and tourists every day around 3 pm when the local monks come to pray. That act itself is something mesmerizing to witness. The whole ceremony takes place in less than half an hour and yet it leaves such a spiritual impact. Tengboche also has a bakery with a delicious range of cakes and we tried some. At this point, we were already pretty tired and it was funny how our body shut off right at 8 pm, straight after dinner. We needed the rest after all and by this time we were already at a high altitude, so it seemed reasonable.
Day 5 From Tengboche (3860m) to Dingboche (4410m)—11.6 km (4 hours)
It was at Tengboche that we discovered how hard it had gotten to breathe. Even the landscape was now shifting from trees to a desert feel. Though we didn’t mind the shift in the terrain, the shortness of breath, while we had to climb such a long way, was quite difficult. It was good that this day didn’t include any steep sloped, but some steady and slow inclination up to the mountain till we reached Dingboche.
We hit the track and were still amazed by the scenic beauty of the place. The swing bridges came back again and so did small settlements. A headache begin too at this point as we kept moving to high altitudes and by the time we finally got to our destination, we both felt fatigued as well. Dingboche turned out to be a big settlement with a couple of shops and a Café. What struck us interesting about the café was that it was filled with tourists eating popcorns and enjoying coffee, watching the movie ‘Everest’. Turns out they show the movie every day.
After having our dinner, we both went back to bed and ate Diamox (altitude sickness medicine) because the headache still refused to leave us.
Day 6 Dingboche Acclimatization day 6 km – 4 hours
Another rest day that wasn’t really a rest day at all, but today’s goal was easy. Well, who am I kidding? It was again a strenuous exercise. We all headed towards the Nangkartshang peak. It started off mildly but close to the top when only last couple hundred meters was left, we finally started feeling the pressure. But once we did reach the top, the views were completely astonishing as it had snowed there the night before. We got to see a snow-covered view of the mountains and the entire valley which was glorious. The rest of the day was for just that, rest. And we have to say it does get boring since there is nothing much to do during that time.
Day 7 From Dingboche (4410m) to Lobuche (4925m) in 3 hours and 50 mins (9.8km)
It was a fairly easy hike in theory but the altitude made it difficult anyway, yet it was the great views that kept us going even while our bodies protested. The glorious walk along open pastures and old abandoned houses is how it began that day until we reached a small settlement named Thulka where we stopped for a cup of tea. After the break, it was still a 45-minute walk straight uphill, at a steep slope. We had to take quite a few breaks on this hike because of the pressure making our heart hammer fast but in the end, we made it to the plateau safe and sound and almost healthy.
While walking uphill, we were greeted by many stone memorials of the climbers who had lost their lives right there on the mountain that we were so determined to climb. It was quite moving actually, instead of being demotivated, we became even more determined to climb the mountain. Many people paused to absorb the serenity of the place and the emotions it arose. We came across one special memorial- Rob Hall and Scott Fisher’s whose fate we had seen in the movie just a day before. That really was the highlight of all the things we saw on the way. It just had a special significance that couldn’t be forgotten. The rest of the walk was quite tough as we had started to feel the fogginess in our heads along with the loss of concentration. That didn’t bode well for the kind of path that we were on and all the stumbles and near falls made us more careful.After reaching our guesthouse at Lobuche, we finally decided to rest and do nothing else for the entire day.
The guide had told us that it was necessary to save our energy for the upcoming day. We were also told to take a short walk to a higher level but we were just too tired to muster up energy, so instead, we decided to sleep and give our bodies some rest from the exhaustion.
By this time, we had already begun to look forward to getting off the mountain but that hope was a little less than our excitement for the final destination- Everest Base Camp.
Day 8 From Lobuche (4925m) to Gorak Shep (5140m) and finally Everest Base Camp (5364m)- 13.2 km (In 7 hours including breaks)
Knowing that this was the day we had been waiting for and had made so much effort made for a great motivator to battle the altitudes. With each step, the excitement level rose with the anticipation of the destination. After all, today was the day it was all about, right? It was quite a struggle to reach the place but as we kept walking, slowly yellow specks appeared and that kept us walking faster. There were amazing views all around us throughout the whole walk and we also passed by a dried river where Khumbu glacier used to be before it receded up the mountain by a few kilometres.
We had an early lunch after we reached Gorak Shep to muster up more energy for reaching the Base Camp. Though, we have to say it was a bit underwhelming,Everest base camp turned out to be nothing more than a pile of rocks with a couple of flags. The case is probably different for the actual Everest climbers but to us, the journey so far had drained everything. But it wasn’t all about the destination and the underwhelming pile of rocks but the journey we had undertaken and the rocky transformation we had gone through to reach the place. The rocky landscape was more a symbol of our achievement and when we looked at the place with that thought in our heads, it actually looked like the place of dreams.
We had finally reached the place we had been climbing so hard for, yet, no one broke out the champagne to celebrate.Probably because you should NEVER drink at high altitudes, yet, we were dizzy enough from the altitude itself. We spent around half an hour at the place, capturing pictures to keep a memory of that moment and taking in the surroundings.One of the most awesome things about Everest base Camp was that we could hear the ice shelves around the place creaking and breaking under the changing atmosphere. Then we had to trek back to Gorak Shep which was 200m descending since our resting place was there.
Day 9 Gorak Shep (5140m) to Kallar Pathar (55mom) to Pheriche (4371m)
We were finally relieved to have been getting down the mountain, yet there was another hill to climb before that. This was the day we had decided we would climb the Kallar pathar, a place known for its beautiful sunrise and panoramic views. Though we were reluctant to climb any more, yet it seemed a shame to miss out on the place when it was right there and what is a few more hours anyway. The hike was the toughest till yet and the altitude had started taking effect as we were on the brink of vomiting, yet we made it to at least 5400m which gave us a magnificent view of the tallest mountain in the world along with a vantage point for seeing the sunrise. After this, we began descending, knowing that there would be no steep slopes from here, just going down. We were exhausted yet relieved from the pressure which kept us going for while longer.
We trekked down the valleys while passing the glaciers and memorials on the way till finally reaching the treeline that was 4000m above sea level. We stayed at Pheriche village. It was the same village we had passed by on our way up yet entirely different, for this time we felt comforted, knowing that there were no more hard walks ahead of us, just retreat. Yet, we turned out to be so wrong. What the walk back lacked in hard terrain and pressure of high altitude, it matched up with covering long distances in a day’s time. Even the walk back made us so exhausted and strained our bodies. This place has rudimentary hospital under Himalayan Rescue Association.
Day 10 Pheriche (4371m) to Namche Bazar (3440m) (In 8 hours and 45 mins)
We had finally started feeling better at this point and the lower altitude was doing its job well, keeping us comforted. Yet, these last two days of backtracking the same path we had come upon were quite strenuous and so long the day didn’t seem to end. Even the scenery wasn’t much of a motivator anymore since we had already been in awe of it before and now the only thought in our heads was going back to Lukla. As we passed through Namche Bazaar again, we stopped by to get a brownie at a café, taking in the place for the last time. When we had come to the place we had been going up with such determination in our eyes and anticipation for the glorious views, overcoming hard obstacles and making it through the day. Yet this time around, we came with tired eyes and had finally become resigned as it was time now to head back. Then it was time to head back to the village Namche Bazar. We finally took a bath and it was unbelievable, the level of satisfaction one gets after finally taking a bath after so many days. It is all about the small luxuries at places like these.
Day 11 Namche (3440m) to Lukla (2860m)
It was here, the last day of the trek and we looked forward to it with the same anticipation as we had looked towards reaching the Everest base camp. The whole trek was so glorious and it gave us plenty of time to think about the whole journey and recall every aspect of the ten days that had gone by, in what seemed like a blink of a moment now. The track had gotten busy by the time we were heading back and there were a lot of climbers excited to go on the same path we had just retreated from.
We looked at the faces of energetic climbers and hope for the best for them, knowing the distressing journey they were about to undertake. They had no idea about how physically, emotionally and mentally challenging these few days were going to be. But a person comes out better at the end of it, knowing that if you could make it out of such hard course, you could do anything.
We kept walking, knowing that the end was coming soon, yet when there were only two kilometres left for the trek, we felt exhausted and it was at that time that the walk also turned tough. The track turned into an ascending one towards Lukla and it took a lot of effort out of our energy tanks to take each step upwards. One good thing though, that by now we had been used to such strain and so after much effort and putting one step in front of the other, we finally reached Lukla.This was the end of the journey and we had done it! It was such an accomplishment. We were filled with joy at the moment.
Day 12 Departure from Lukla and the flight back to Kathmandu
It was another spectacular ride from the most dangerous airport in the world, which we enjoyed the exhilarating views. It was a comfortable ride and in a 16-seater turbo-prop no less. It just took the full runway before lifting off as the plane leaps off the cliff. Yes, exhilarating is the right word for such a feeling. We saw glorious sights again from out of the window and this time we didn’t have to walk or exhaust ourselves to see it. Our legs were aching and the body was screaming from pain and exhaustion by this time. Yet, all we felt was happy and perhaps, a little melancholic about having to head back and leave the Everest behind us. The city of Kathmandu greeted us with same hustle and bustle and it made the thought hit hard. The trek had finally ended. All that was left now was to go back home with a lot more memories than we had before, and a lot of pictures as well.
The trip ended on such a wonderful note that now when we look back at it, we see the good moments, the awesome views, the amazing memories we made on the way more than we think about how hard it was or the exhaustion or the pressure. Things like that are momentary and forgotten as soon as one takes a long bath and rests, but the memories and the sense of accomplishment remain for a long time. The trek to Everest Base Camp seems easy because it is nothing compared to climbing Everest.Yet it requires a lot of effort and determination. We were lucky enough to not fall sick, yet, we did see a woman being taken down on a stretcher who would have to be deported on a helicopter to get medical help because of altitude sickness.These are real issues that have to be tackled on the trek. Yet, somehow, it is worth it. It is worth all the stress, strain and risk. It is worth going days without taking a bath. The feeling that one gets while one of the suspension bridges or seeing the sun creep up from behind the snow-covered mountains, the people you meet on the way and the way even little things taste delicious after a long exhausting day is what makes it all worth it. We experienced it all. Now it is your turn!
For any queries related to Everest base camp, drop us a note at ghoomophirosisters@gmail.com
Every tourist goes to Singapore and relies on the guide to show them the “popular” spots that are already crowded and “known” among the masses. But if you wish for your trip to be different, and want to hang out at lesser known but equally unique places, we have a list for you.
Garden by the Bay
Address: 18 Marina Gardens Dr, Singapore 018953
Near Singapore’s Marina Bay, there is a beautiful garden that is not a garden in the traditional sense considering it has 18 Supertrees that are huge structures with man-made frames. These trees have frames that not only house greens but also lights that are a mesmerizing sight at night. This was an attempt by the Singapore Government to promote eco-tourism.
Sand’s Skypark Infinite pool
Address: 10 Bayfront Ave, Singapore 018956
Swimming here is worth the adrenaline rush with no end in sight and the Singapore City skyline visible to the swimmers. Whether you go during the day or night, it will have a charm of its own. This magical experience is worth being on your bucket list.
Aliwal Arts center
Address: 28 Aliwal St, Singapore 199918
Besides many popular art galleries in Singapore, there’s one that houses paintings from many street artists and also star-wars themed paintings. Aliwal Arts center has numerous murals by the Graffiti artist Slak Satu. The sights would be one you remember.
Singapore’s Really Really Free market
Address: Since this is a temporary market, check out their updates on the Facebook page.
Sounds too good to be true, right? Singapore actually has a market where everything is free. No money needed. Just mutual sharing of goods and skills. If you have any skill, just set up a stall or if you like anything, just pick it up. You can try learning meditation as well.
The Library
Address: 47 Keong Saik Road
Singapore 089153
Even locals don’t really know about this place. What looks like a library actually has a bar behind the bookshelves and you will need a password to get in. The password can usually be found on The Study’s (sister restaurant) server or their Facebook page. The place has been thriving mainly due to word of mouth. You can find many quirky cocktails here. But shhh.. keep it a secret. Hanging out here will make you feel as if you are a part of a secret society.
Singapore Island Cruise
Where to catch the cruise: Right above Marina South Pier MRT station
One of the best things to do in Singapore is going Island hopping. Get on the Cruise and sail South to islands like St John’s Island or Kusu Island where you can relax on the beach, sunbathe, or just play in the water. Kusu the Island also has a Tortoise sanctuary if you are a nature enthusiast.
Ce la vie
Address: 1 Bayfront Ave, Marina Bay Sands Singapore 018971
For the party animals who love great music and swaying with a few drinks down. At 57th level, above the city, the place not only has the best view of Singapore but also known for famous celebrity DJs playing here. There’s a restaurant with incredible food and The Sky deck with a pool.
St Joseph Church
Address: 143 Victoria Street, Singapore 188020
Built in the shape of a Latin cross, as a neoclassical architectural structure, this church is a place for peace and serenity in the busy city of Singapore. It is a place one may go to find solace and calmness within the soul. It is the first Catholic church in Singapore and undoubtedly the most beautiful.
Chijmes
Address: 30 Victoria Street, Singapore 187996
Once a humble convent, this has turned into a shopping center with grand architecture and beautiful staircases. Along with its beautiful appearance, the place has a rich history and makes an important part of the history of Singapore.
Katong Antique House
Address: 208 E Coast Rd, Singapore 428907
This Antique house preserves the history of mixed cultures. It preserves and showcases artifacts of Baba-Nyonya and is also a shop for Peranakan goods. The walls of this place are jam-packed with so much history. It is a delight to be here.
Go to these unusual places and try different things. At least keep a day or two for such exploration after you are done doing what everybody else is. Going to the popular spots and clicking pictures is not traveling. Travelling is knowing a country by its roots once you reach there.
