A new Era !

I love writing this blog is because it’s so therapeutic even though I have hardly any readers and the ones who follow are mostly threatened into doing so by me. I deal with my all unresolved emotions through writing and somehow seek my closure. It’s the cheapest therapy I have ever known. Well, a lot has been up since I last wrote an entry here. I completed my MBA in between despite all odds and those times when I thought I would quit right away. It was a proud moment being at my convocation seeing the result of my two years of hard work. Even though I had a rocky start, I did settle in eventually and above all, it was a tremendous learning experience. I think I have always been very dreamy about life and always seen life through these rose tinted glasses, which always kept me from connecting with a certain kind of people and MBA kind of took those rosy glasses off for me. It was reality in its stark nakedness. You suddenly realise the cause and effect relationship in life and as cheesy as it may sound, the whole experience provided me armour to deal with life and all that it stands for. Whether it works remains to be seen since I’m just starting out but I’m very excited about turning a new leaf in my life.

(The beach at Mont Choisy)


(The breathtaking sunset)

Oh and how can I forget? In between I took a vacation to Mauritius and Dubai which was my graduation present. It was long overdue, after much planning and many cancellations; I zeroed in on Mauritius (easy visa process) and trust me, it was one of the best places I have been to. I loved it absolutely. I have never been this relaxed on any of my vacations. My resort was near to this beautiful beach called Mont Choisy (Pronounced as Mon Qwasy). I would go out and watch sunsets every single day (no matter how tired I was after my activities of the day). The water was so beautiful and warm and to top that, it would change colours as the sun would go down.
I happened to visit Ille Aux Cerf as well which a beautiful island on the east coast of Mauritius. Despite its beautiful beach, I think I would remember it for the fact that I happened to catch a star fish a few minutes into the water which I obviously left back into the sea (since I’m a Vegan). I loved Port Louis as well (their capital) which is small, clean, well equipped and very beautiful. If you are very keen on sailing (something I absolutely adore), this is the place to be. Sometimes I think ten years down the line, if I’m not living on a boat, then I would have made some seriously tragic choices in life. In between I also made time to visit the famed Chamarel (a private property) which boasts of seven coloured sands but what won me over were these three very beautiful tortoises which were raised on a farm nearby.


(The star fish I caught,I'm in love with its beautiful coral color)


(Yours truly in Port Louis at Watefront)


(The seven colored earth at Chamarel)


(Two very beautiful creatures I met while at Chamarel)

From Mauritius I was headed to Dubai, which was a little let down after what I experienced in Mauritius. Well I think it was a case of bad timing because they were having their summers then with temperatures soaring like anything and they were also celebrating Ramadan during that period so a lot of eating places were closed during the day and one is not allowed to eat and drink publicly (tourists included) until they break their fast in the evening. What really surprised me was that most of their tourist attractions were manmade except for the desert but since I had already seen them in some or other part of the world, I was not thrilled. Most of the time we preferred to stay indoors. Shopping was good (because of Ramadan discounts) but nothing that I had not seen before. Yes, one thing I missed was climbing on top of Burj Al Khaleefa and see the view from top which I was quite keen to do but somehow I couldn’t. The rest was all ok but I was really surprised by the presence of Indian population on both these places. They were like everywhere. It was funny because a part of me felt like I was vacationing in some part of India only (so much so for exoticness).


(Me in The Arabian Desert, Since I didn't have a Magic flying carpet, I tried flying myself)


(The Burj Al Khaleefa, reminded me so much of The Empire state Building In N.Y)


(Me in one of the malls, uploaded this picture because I simply love the feel of it)

So that was all from me for now. Hoping to come here again and update you soon on my next adventure. Please do comment and express your views of what you thought i.e. if anyone is sincerely reading this somewhere, the chances of which are very slim but anyway, take care, have fun and I love you all.

Regards
Sagar Raha

5 Gospels of Travelling !

While people all over travel to India to find themselves, I decided to travel the world instead. I’m not really sure how much of I found myself while trying to achieve my lonely planet fantasy but I’m sure I have reached a place where I can help amateur travellers in ways which no other guide book or travel journal can. So, here are top 5 Gospels for any new traveller on block. Some may agree or disagree with them but the point is to go out and explore them and make your own rules and have lots of fun while doing so.

1.)Getting lost is not such a bad thing
Call it my poor sense of direction or my inability to read maps, but I have been lost in every major city of the world. So much so that it’s a way of life for me and let me tell you, it’s not always that bad. And if I don’t count the racist attack in Kuala Lumpur, then it always have turned out to be pleasant. I never would have discovered the spoils of Oxford Street in London had I not been lost and had I reached the intended destination which was Harrods. And for those who claim that no tourist can ever get lost in London, someone should make them hear the song “Lost in London” by kid British.

2.)Don’t flash to avoid any clash
As someone who has been to more third world countries than first world countries, (Blame the currency exchange rates), let me tell you that being there is a great ego massage but don’t flash too much of skin, cash or your arm candy because you never know which one of those you would end up losing. Now I was fortunate enough to never face any such things but there is always someone who knows someone who has gone through this and you don’t really want to be that someone. So try eating a humble pie and be subtle and save those fantasies of being a Master for your bedroom.

3.)Keep that stranger away
I know when you are on a vacation; you have all these thoughts of rescuing a distraught little Meg Ryan lost in an alien land just like the movie French kiss. First that never happens: Meg Ryan has other high profile suitors of her own and second, if we are really taking inspiration from movies, did you forget “Hostel”? Trust me, that hot chick may not be that naive and who knows if she is a chick entirely? (Now you know why they call it amusing/amazing Thailand). Be really sure before you make your move and always inform someone back home about your whereabouts. And shady old men don’t invite you on their boat just to play chess. Playing chess doesn’t require a yacht that too in the middle of shark infested waters.

4.)Travel agents are just Ignorant unless they are clones of Ian Wright
Travel agents are just glorified clerks who have never been out of the city of their birth leave aside going out of the country. So if you happen to have a lousy travel agent like mine, just take control and guide him in tailoring your itinerary as per your needs. Research and talk to other travellers before you plan yours. Itineraries are just like your tailored suits, if you don’t have them customised to your measurements, they prove to be waste of money.

5.)Tip, tip and tip your way out of almost anything
Nope, I’m not referring to the song made famous by Raveena Tandon in a wet yellow sari back in the 90’s. I’m talking about being a little generous and sharing in with those serving you. After all you are on a vacation and any seasoned travelled out there would actually tell you that tipping is a great service differentiator. And moreover, isn’t it a gentleman code to tip? And in some countries like Egypt and Italy, they take serious offence if you don’t tip. So next time, make sure you “barsao lots of tips” to that bell boy and door man.


Love, love and love !!
Sagar Raha