Oasis Holidays: Inspiration

Inspiration

Showing posts with label Inspiration. Show all posts

1. Keep clothes smelling fresh with a dryer sheet.

2. Pack the heaviest items in the bottom of a suitcase for easier rolling and less clothing wrinkles.

3. Slip breakables in shoes for extra cushioning.

4. Store Q-tips in an old pill container.

5. Coat cotton swabs in favorite eye shadows instead of bringing a whole palette.

6. Store makeup and moisturizer in a contact lens case instead of bringing the whole bottle.

7. Place a cotton ball or pad over powdered makeup to keep it from breaking.

8. Stop toiletry bottles from leaking with plastic wrap.

9. And hang toiletries on a lanyard.

10. Make individual shampoo and soap travel packs with a Food Saver vacuum sealer.

11. Pack clothespins and use them to keep toothbrushes off hotel bathroom counters.

12. Cover a razor with a binder clip.

13. Bring a pop-up laundry hamper to keep the hotel room neat.

14. Keep a pair of earrings together with a button.

15. Or, use a wine cork.

16. Store bobby pins in a Tic-Tac container.

17. Save space by rolling instead of folding clothes.

18. Keep belts in shirt collars to help keep their shape.

19. Pack blazers inside-out to prevent wrinkles.

20. Nest bras on top of each other to save space and help keep their shape.

21. Organize outfits by day in resealable bags.

22. Separate shoes from clothes with a shower cap.

23. Or, use spare socks to store shoes.

24. Place jewelry in between two sheets of Glad Press’n Seal to avoid tangles and breaks.

25. Or, pack jewelry in a pill case.

26. Slip necklaces into straws to keep them from tangling.

27. Keep a book together with a rubber band.

28. Use a clothespin to keep headphones from getting tangled.

29. Store chargers and cords in an eyeglass case.

Get Inspired More: How to take a big trip on a low budget

Image Credits : Hitha on the Go || Resources || Pinterest || Cosmopolitan || Parisian Gentleman || Buzzfeed || The Photographer’s Wife || Huffington Post || Map Happy || Her Packing List || Lonely Planet

How do we measure our world? What are our ultimate global travel goals?

#RoverRecommends to us to do it via these 7 destinations scattered all over the planet. Let’s see where we have been so far, and what is still left out there to be conquered.

1. 1. Sail across the equator. In 2003, our boat sailed from Malaysia to Indonesia, crossing the equator and I got a certificate to prove that! But the greater milestone would be at the Gulf of Guinea, in the northeasternmost part of the tropical Atlantic Ocean between Cape Lopez in Gabon, north and west to Cape Palmas in Liberia.

2. 2. Stare at the Strait of Gibraltar. Here, Europe meets Africa and the Mediterranean joins the Atlantic. [Did this in 2014 while in Morocco during Ramadan.]

3. 3. Skip to Sentosa. Singapore is a stone's throw south of Cape Piai, Malaysia, southernmost point of mainland Eurasia. [Was out of my country for the first time in 2003, visiting Singapore!]

4. 4. Summit the Everest. The rooftop of the world at almost 9,000 metres awaits. [Still on my bucket list! And being in India makes it more feasible at this point of my world journey.]

5. 5. Stand by Cabo da Roca. In Portugal. Stood there in 2014, at the westernmost edge of mainland Eurasia "where the land ends and the sea begins..." (Luís de Camões)

6. 6. Swim in the Dead Sea. Stay afloat near its shore that is the Earth's lowest point on dry land. [Have yet to do this myself.]

7. 7. Skim the surface of the Mariana Trench. The Challenger Deep is the deepest known point

in Earth's oceans at 10,994 metres. Deepest dive done so far was by an unmanned robotic vehicle in 2009. Anyone?

How many of these milestones have you achieved? I've got 4 out of 7, so far! Join me as we complete the list. // Unshod Rover for Oasis Holidays

For tour and pilgrimage packages in Europe, you may contact our subsidiary Volando Tours.

For Tour and Travels India as well as International packages from India, please contact us at Oasis Holidays.

Unshod Rover is a worldwide-eyed wanderer currently based in Bangalore, India. You may follow his musings and journeys on this blog. "All Rover the World" chronicles his continuing travels wandering about the world and stumbling upon strangers.

There are at least two ways to travel: as a tourist, and as somebody else. If you have the time, you can always try to be both.

When I visit new places, I always try to give it a second, third look. First, I allow myself to be a tourist, you know, of the snap-happy, spot-hopping kind. I comb through the map and the checklists.

Then, I stay for another day or come back to get to know the place and its people a little bit better, deeper, in a more reflective, respectful manner. I just walk and wander, stopping to drool over a lamppost leaning in a way not so common, or to try a local drink or snack.

While tourism is not necessarily a bad thing, for sure there are many other reasons to grab your backpack and take the next bus to somewhere. Let’s hear what #RoverRecommends regarding this moving matter.

1. Ecstasy. Not the drugs, not so much as that trance-like state, but in the real Greek sense of it. And that is “to stand outside oneself.” I understand that some people, in order to get to know themselves better, they try to introspect, to see themselves by looking within. Well, that’s chill. But you can also try going outside of the self, and discover the Other. You can’t underestimate the depth and breadth of knowledge and experience you gain by meeting strangers and tasting strange things.

2. Study. I spent around five years of my life “studying” in Europe. While it wasn’t the easiest episode of my existence, it was one heaven of a traveling chapter. Studying abroad not only makes you go out of your academic comfort zone, it also gives you a wider world view. Your horizon of perspectives becomes far richer than the one you cling to back in your small safe corner.

3. Work. Sometimes the grass is indeed greener on the other side. But you’re not there for the greens, but also for the blues, the burgundies and other colors that a different work place and culture offers. I had once worked as a gardener in Normandy through a help-exchange program, and also helped out a family in Slovakia doing household chores. Wrestle weekdays, wander weekends. Works for me.

4. Culture. Sounds cliché by now, but if you really allow yourself to immerse in a different way of living, of seeing and doing things, you would definitely learn and enjoy at the same time. We were once in Morocco during the Ramadan, and we did try to fast as the locals would. More than once, we were treated to a free meal by the end of a day’s fasting. Visiting a place during festivals could also prove to be a very satisfying endeavor.

5. Eat. No captions needed. Well, if you insist, who wouldn’t want to go for seconds in that small pizza place in a corner of Naples? Or for sushi in the traffic of Tokyo? Anyone for tacos in Mexico or a big slab of steak in Buenos Aires? Full veg anywhere in India?

6. Capture. A once-in-a-lifetime moment. The most surprising photobomb. The biggest life learning. Caught in camera. Immortalized by ink. Engraved in the corners and caves of your memories. We all are collectors of things beautiful, interesting, life-changing. We want to keep now to share tomorrow, to remember in the future, for purposes of emergency or just to emerge from something, somewhere.

7. Spirituality. A pilgrimage is part of any religious experience, both organized and free-wheeling. For some it’s the Vatican or the Way of Santiago de Compostela, for others it’s the Mecca or the desert and the seas. Some walk barefoot to commune with nature, some sail or cycle towards a deeper understanding of the universe and the human spirit.

8. Read. It’s a win-win situation. Reading helps you travel, travel better informed and updated. Traveling allows you some reading time while waiting for flights or the next bus or your hot meal. Many of my travels are based on books, as in I read about destinations, as in I visit a city for its bookshops. From a lovely bookstore by the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris to Church Street in Bangalore dog-eared with the best secondhand bookshops in town, I don’t really mind the extra mile or page or kilogram.

9. Bridge. Gaps. Differences. Islands. Continents. Universes.

10. Breathe. Just to do nothing, away from work, from the chaos of the city. Or exactly the opposite, to absorb the frantic lights of the capital and electrocute boredom. Some require a plane ticket for every hiccup or long bus rides for a nagging thought. Some just need to be there, outside. Some would like to live in Mars, some just would like to go back home.

Whatever floats your boat, what trips your trigger. For whatever reason, the need and desire for travel must be addressed. Get it? Addressed. Choose a destination. Go where your toes take you, where your dreams lead you, where you will be at home anywhere in the world. // Unshod Rover for Oasis Holidays

For guided tours as well as other tour and travel packages in Europe, you may contact our subsidiary Volando Tours.

For Tour and Travels India as well as International packages from India, please contact us at Oasis Holidays.

Experience heaven on earth in India through Oasis Holidays.

The world offers us a lot of beautiful places to visit but it was here in India where we found “heaven” through Oasis Holidays.

And while many good things must come to an end, our adventure with Oasis is just beginning. And we look forward to our next visit exploring and discovering other amazing destinations…

Heaven is indeed a place on earth.

Thanks to Oasis for guiding us along the way.
--

For Tour and Travels India as well as International packages from India, please contact us at Oasis Holidays.

o travel is to unleash, and if you’re lucky enough to be born in India, one of the biggest country in this world having history of thousands of years, with diverse culture, different type of communities, religions, languages and tastes. It has some of the Coldest places- to the highest rainfall in world- to the driest places on the Earth- to the Thar Desert- to the beaches-to the snow capped Himalayan ranges and much more. Here are the 10 destinations one must never miss on-

1: LADAKH - The Land of the Mystic Lamas

State: Jammu and Kashmir.

Best known for: The Great Himalayan and Karakoram mountain ranges, the upper Indus River Valley and the culture that has kept it's Buddhist heritage alive.

Also know as: Little tibet or moon land.

Population: Dards, Indo-Aryan, and mix of Tibetan origin.

Religion: Buddhism in majority.

Festival: September, every year which displays the traditional Polo match, the Village archery, the monastic dance in the monasteries including exhibitions.

Food: Thukpa- noodle soup, Skyu- heavy pasta dish, Momos- steamed dumplings stuffed with vegetables or meat, Chhaang- an alcoholic beverage, Butter tea- churning tea with salt and yak butter.

Climate: Remains chilly and cold for most time of the year.

POI's: Monasteries, Lakes and Vistas.

Best time to visit: May - October ( check on weather and highways before starting )

Preferable: Any day by road.

Tags: #roadies #adventure #trek #solace #camping

Value for money: 10/10

Getaways: Manali- 478 kms, Kashmir- 420 kms.

**Do not miss on: The pangong lake ( spend a night ), Khardung La.

**Snippets: A perfect place to learn more about Buddhist and Tibetan culture. If possible try exploring the Nubra, Suru & Zanskar Valley.

2: MEGHALAYA - The abode of clouds

State: Is a state in north-east India.

Best known for: Forest, lakes, waterfalls, caves.

Also known as: The wet land.

Population: The Khasis, the Garos and the Jaintias (Tribal people make up the majority of Meghalaya's population)

Religion: Christianity and Hinduism ( Dominant ).

Festival: Wangala - an offering of thanksgiving to the sun god of fertility. Nongkrem Dance, held in October or November.

Food: Meghalaya is home to three Mongoloid tribes so it has a unique cuisine dominating rice, meat and fish. The famous food are: Jadoh- red rice which is cooked with pieces of pork. Dohkhlieh- salad made up of pork, onion and chilly. Pumaloi- type of rice which are “Steamed”.

Climate: Pleasant summers, chilled winters and wet during most time of the year.

POI's: Shillong, Cherrapunji, Tura, Mawsynram.

Best time to visit: December - August.

Preferable: By road again.

Tags: #backpacking #tribal #forest

Value for money: 9/10

Getaways: Nagaland- 271kms, West Bengal- 326 kms.

**Do not miss on: Double Decker Living Root Bridge - Cherrapunjee, Umium Lake - Shillong, Elephant Falls - Shillong.

**Snippets: Highly known for it's rich Flora and Fauna and surrounded by many sacred Forests, one is advised to carry a tent to spend a night or two in the forest, if you dare to.

3: KERELA - God's own country

State: Is an Indian state in South India on the Malabar coast.

Best known for: Lagoons, Lakes, Houseboats and Ayurveda treatments.

Also known as: The literate capital of India.

Population: Consist of Malayali ethnicity. Most of the Malayalam and English speaking Keralites derive their ancestry from Dravidian and Aryan.

Religion: Hinduism and Islam ( Dominant ).

Festival: Onam- (August-September), Vishu- (April-May)

Food: Sadhya- served in a plain banana leaf, contains almost 24 items with some desserts, Thalassery Biriyani, Puttu and Kadalakkari- steamed rice cake, with black chickpeas.

Climate: The mountain regions predominantly have cool climate, which is very refreshing. On the other hand, the coastal plains of western lowlands generally remain hot and humid for most part of the year.

POI's: Munnar, Kochi, Alapuuzha.

Best time to visit: September - February.

Preferable: Air/Rail/Road.

Tags: #nature #honeymoon_destination

Value for money: 8/10

Getaways: Kodaikanal – 411 Kms, Coimbatore– 380 Kms, Lakshadweep- 428 kms, COORG – 540

**Do not miss on: Varkala beach, Alleppey Backwaters and a stay in the houseboat.

**Snippets: Kerala has played a vital role in keeping the magic of Ayurveda alive so if you need some then visit Athreya Ayurvedic Resort.

4: GOA - The Hippies' Paradise

State: A state in Southwest India.

Best known for: Beaches, Parties, Casino, Sea food, Feni and Water sport.

Also known as: The party destination of India.

Population: Goan's and Konkani's.

Religion: Hinduism and Christianity ( Dominant ).

Festival: Goa carnival, Sunburn.

Food: Fish Recheado, Prawn Balchao, Prawn Balchao, Bebinca- a delicious Goan dessert.

Climate: Hot and Humid most time of the year.

POI's: Calangute, Panaji, Candolim, Palolem Beach.

Best time to visit: September - March

Preferable: By road.

Tags: #hipsters #food_drinks_beaches

Value for money: 10/10

Getaways: Dandeli- 145kms, Gokarna- 132kms.

**Do not miss on: Sunburn festival-December, A night or two in Palolem beach, A visit to sweet water lake- Arambol and stay on the beach shacks, The non-decomposing body of St. Francis Xavier which was brought to Goa in 1553.

**Snippets: Goa is India’s most forested state, with 33 percent of the state covered with forest, so you don't really have to hang in the bars all time.

5: GUJRAT - The Jewel of west India

State: Is a state in Western India.

Best known for: Textiles, Food, Handicraft and Garba.

Also known as: The white desert.

Population: Gujrati's, Rajputs and Marwaris.

Religion: Hinduism ( Dominant )

Festival: Internation kite festival, Navratri, Rann Utsav.

Food: Khandvi, Undhiyu, Aam Shrikhand, Dhokla, Methi ka Thepla, Dal Dhokli, Handvo, Fafda-Jalebi, Khichu.

Climate: Pleasant Summers and Dry winters.

POI's: Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, Rajkot.

Best time to visit: October - June

Preferable: Rail/Road/Air

Tags: #culture #heritage #Colourful

Value for money: 7/10

Getaways: Malshejghat- 223kms, Udaipur- 260kms, Mount Abu-230kms, Shirdi- 232kms.

**Do not miss on: Great Rann of Kutch ( stay in the tents during the rann ustav ), Gir Wildlife Sanctuary, Mandvi beach, Dwarka, The garba nights during navratri.

**Snippets: If you are sick partying and are annoyed with your drinking habit, try this place for a break- The dry state!

6: VARANASI - The spiritual capital on India

State: Is a city in the Uttar pradesh state in northern India.

Best known for: The ghats, Banarasi sari, Festivals, Marijuna, the Literature.

Also known as: Banaras, the oldest city in India.

Population: Hindus and Muslims.

Religion: Hinduism and Islam ( Dominant ).

Festival: Ganga Mahotsav, Dev Diwali, Ramlila, Chhath pooja.

Food: Varanasi is highly appreciated for its street food like the Kachori Sabji, Tamaatar Chaat, Litti-Chokha, Bhang Thandai, Aaloo-Tikki, Paan.

Climate: Humid summers and an intense winter.

POI's: Dasaswamedh Ghat, Sarnath, Assi Ghat, Harishchandra Ghat.

Best time to visit: October - March

Preferable: Rail

Tags: #spiritual #ancient #history #soul_detox

Value for money: 9/10

Getaways: Bodhgaya- 255kms, Allahabad- 120kms, Ayodhya- 215kms.

**Do not miss on: The boat ride, The maha Ganga Aarti, The street food, A dialogue with the saadhu babas.

**Snippets: People given up on anything positive happening should once visit Varanasi as this city is called the city of hope. It adds a new dimension to your perceptive about life . Varanasi – The place where life and death meets.

7: HIMACHAL PRADESH - Mini Switzerland of India

State: Is a northern Indian state in the Himalayas.

Best known for: Home to scenic mountain towns, host to the Dalai Lama, Himalayan landscapes, popular hill-stations, rock climbing, mountain biking, paragliding, trekking, climbing, ice-skating, and heli-skiing and strong Tibetan presence.

Also known as: Mini Switzerland on India.

Population: Pahari, Kannets, Rathis and Kolis. There are also tribal population in the state which mainly comprise Gaddis, Kinnars, Gujjars, Pangawals and Lahaulis.

Religion: Hinduism ( Dominant )

Festival: Halda in Lahaul district- January, Dussehra in Kullu – October, Phulaich Kinnaur – September, Baisakhi in Mandi – April, Poltu in Sirmaur Region, Winter Carnival in Manali – January, Shimla Summer Festival in Shimla – Ice Skating Carnival in Shimla and Dalhousie.

Food: Dham- red kidney beans (rajma), green lentils (moong daal) and rice in curd, Sidu- distinct bread with ghee/ butter/ mutton/ daal, Chha Gosht- A lamb meat, Kullu Trout- fish marinated and shallow fried in mustard oil, Bhey- A unique dish made from the lotus stems, it is truly a scrumptious.

Climate: A pleasant Climate through out and snow fall during the winters.

POI's: Shimla, Manali, Dharamshala, Dalhousie, Rohtang pass.

Best time to visit: March- November

Preferable: By road

Tags: #mountain #trek #adventure #honeymoon #camping

Value for money: 10/10

Getaways: Dalhousie- 325kms, Kalpa- 260kms, Nahan- 300 kms, Manali- 257 kms, Kinnaur- 235kms, Kufri- 260 kms, McLeod Ganj- 245kms, Palampur- 210kms.

**Do not miss on: A visit to Rohtang Pass, Solang Valley, Spiti valley, Chamba, Kasauli, Dharamshala, Chandratal Lake. Trek to Saru Tal and do try Paragliding, River rafting in Manali.

**Snippets: If you want to get the best of this place travel by road, rent a bike, meet the locals and explore the rural ( as people here are very friendly and the culture is worth exploring ), ditch the hotels and go camping.

8: UTTARAKHAND - Land of the Gods - Devbhumi

State: A state in northern India crossed by the Himalayas.

Best known for: Hindu pilgrimage sites, yoga study, shelters for Bengal tigers and other native wildlife, hill stations and Valley of flowers.

Also known as: Land of the Gods- Devbhumi.

Population: Uttarakhandi, Garhwali, Kumaoni,Rajputs and Brahmins.

Religion: Hinduism ( Dominant )

Festival: Kumbh Mela- takes place four times every twelve years, Bhitauli, Phool Dei- March, Hilljatra, Kandali- when the Kandali flower blooms once in every twelve years, in the months of August and October.

Food: Gahat ke Paranthe, Bhang Ki Chutney, Kafuli- Made from spinach and fenugreek leafs, Phaanu- mixture of different lentils, Baadi, Chainsoo, Thhatwani-lentils’ stock and rice paste.

Climate: Chilling summers and freezing winters.

POI's: Nainital, Rishikesh, Dehradun, Mussoorie, Jim corbett Nation park.

Best time to visit: Through out the year.

Preferable: Rail/Road.

Tags: #honeymoon #trek #backpacking #hillstation #spiritual

Value for money: 10/10

Getaways: Nainital- 300kms, Lansdowne- 170kms, Shimla- 230kms, Nag tibba- 100kms, New theri- 130 kms, Almora- 228kms, Nahan- 370kms, Parwanoo- 400kms.

**Do not miss on: A visit to the Char Dham Yatra, Haridwar-Rishikesh Tour, Dhanaulti- on Mussoorie-Chamba road at 2250 m above sea level, Auli** ( much known for skiing ), Chopta, Bhimtal lake, Jim Corbett National Park, Almora, Nainital- Lake Tour, Mussoorie- Queen of Hills and Valley of flowers.

**Snippets: To explore the wilds of the Himalayas jungle safari is highly recommended followed by River Rafting, Bungee Jumping, Flying Fox, Giant Swing. Uttarakhand being covered with seasonal snow become an ideal place for skiing.

9: KARNATAKA - One state many worlds

State: Is a state in southwest India with Arabian Sea coastlines.

Best known for: Mysore silk, Channapatna Toys, Waterfalls, Ancient Temples and heritage.

Also known as: The ancient gem of south india.

Population: Bengaluru, Hubballi-Dharwad, Mysuru, Belagavi, Kalburgi, Mangaluru, Davanagere and Shivamogga. This state has one of the largest populations of Anglo-Indians in India.

Religion: Hinduism ( Dominant )

Festivals: Hampi Festival- January, Kambala Festival- November-March, Chalukya Dance Festival- January, Mahamastakabhisheka- In very 12 years.

Food: Udipi sambar-idli-vada, Mysore masala dosa, Mysore bonda, Bisi bele bath, Neer dosa, Ragi dosa, Rice rava upma, Potato sagu, Banana rasayana.

Climate: It is a region of heavy rainfall experiencing dry summers, lovely monsoons and chilled winters.

POI's: Bengaluru, Mysore, Mangalore, Jog falls, Madikeri, Abbey falls, Hebbe falls, Kodachari, Bidar, Gulbarga, Yana.

Best time to visit: March- Feb

Preferable: By road, rail, air.

Tags: #adventure #heritage #backpacking #mountains #nature #hippe

Value for money: 9/10

Getaways: Murudeshwar- 480kms, Maravanthe- 470kms, Munnar- 476kms, Kodaikanal- 460kms, Kabini National Park- 220kms, Bandipur Tiger Reserve- 220kms, Kodanad- 320kms, Chickmagalur- 250kms, Honnemardu- 379kms, Ooty- 280km,

**Do not miss on: Coorg, Gokarna, Dandeli, Hampi, Wine Tours in Ramanagara, Nandi Hills – Muddenahalli, Sigandhur and Jog Falls, Chikmagalur, Badami and The Coral Ride in Tunga River.

**Snippets: If you are a history lover you are viewing the right destination. Missing on Dandeli, Coorg, Gokarna and Hampi is a big NO NO. These places are paradise for every solo traveller, puff in some grass, go hippy, explore the history, meet the strangers, exchange stories and later become one.

10: ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR ISLANDS - Maldives of India

State: Is one of the seven union territories of India.

Best known for: These roughly 572 islands are known for their palm-lined, white-sand beaches, mangroves, tropical rainforests, undulating mountains, ancient tribes, and sea food.

Also known as: The Emerald Isles / Happy land of Butterflies.

Population: The Andamanese, Onge, Jarawa and Sentinalese, Local Borns, Aboriginal Tribes, Nicobarese, Moppilas, Burmese & Karen, Chotanagpur Tribals (The tribes inhabiting these islands don’t interact with outsiders ).

Religion: Hinduism and Christianity ( Dominant )

Festivals: Island Tourism Festival- December- January, Beach Festival- April.

Food: Andaman & Nicobar Islands were, and still are inhabited by indigenous tribes. They had very little contact with the outside world, and so raw fish and fruits were their staple diet for a long time resulting in no special cuisines but everything and anything in Sea food like crabs, prawns, lobsters, fish.

Climate: Being surrounded by sea, the islands of Andaman and Nicobar experience a moderate temperature throughout the year.

POI's: Port Blair, Andaman Islands, Havelock Islands, Neil Island, Little Andaman, Car Nicobar, Barren Island, Great Nicobar Island, Rutland Island, Clique Islands, Smith and Ross Islands.

Best time to visit: March- February.

Preferable: By air.

Tags: #honeymoon #beach #isolation #tribal #watersport

Value for money: 9/10

Getaways: Bay of Bengal, Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea ( kidding :P )

**Do not miss on: Neil Island, The underwater walk at North Bay Island and Havelock Island, Coral Reefs ( Cinque Island ), A visit to kaala paani ( Cellular Jail ), Water Activities ( Swimming, snorkelling, scuba diving, banana boat rides, parasailing, underwater walking, jet skiing ), Little Andaman Island, Mayabunder.

**Snippets: Try visiting the Barren Island, situated 135 km away from Port Blair, is where you can see this live volcano. Yes, Live!

Did you know The 20 rupee note depicts a scene from Andaman & Nicobar islands ?