Travel and Deal Features Dirty B (William Buckley) a 24 year old Geologist and backpacking adventurer! Here’s his story so far: 

Growing up I had this idea in my head that I’d graduate high school, get a college degree in something I’m interested in and use that degree for a conventional job in the ‘real world’. Then surely I’d be set, right? Well in 2014 I obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology, a subject that I’m extremely passionate about. Afterwards, I got a job in the previously mentioned ‘real world’ and although it was interesting, it was not what I was wanting to do for the rest of my life. Long story short, I started to become very restless. I needed to figure out what made me happy and begin to pursue it…relentlessly.

Photo credit – William Buckley

Four years of Hard work.

It was at this time in May 2015 where I gave backpacking a serious shot. I had gear from being in the Boy Scouts at a younger age so I gathered it all together and headed for the mountains. I planned a solo overnight trip up to Mt. Baldy, a 10,064 ft mountain in Southern California. I backpacked to the top, camped on the summit, and came back down the following day.

Photo credit – William Buckley

The summit of Mt. Baldy – the trip that changed it all

I immediately fell in love. From that point on, the amount of backpacking in my life skyrocketed exponentially. The hikes became harder, the challenges got bigger, and the addiction grew stronger.

Photo Credit – William Buckley

Boundary Peak – Nevada’s tallest mountain at 13,146 ft

Due to my (sometimes overly) ambitious behavior, I was trying to find ways to challenge myself…on some real levels. I wanted to take on a task that some would consider extreme. That’s where the idea of thru-hiking the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) came in.

Photo credit – William Buckley

Snowshoeing in the John Muir Wilderness

Truth be told (and I don’t blame them), a lot of family, friends, and acquaintances didn’t think such a task could be done given my backpacking experience at the time. My personal record at this point was backpacking a total of 50 miles in Yosemite when I was 14 (now I was 23). Surely I couldn’t do 200 miles, let alone the PCT!

Photo credit – William Buckley

Getting weird on the summit of Mt. Whitney – 14,505 ft

Most people don’t know this about me but there’s a special trait that I’m very fortunate to have and I’m also actively aware of having it. It’s something so valuable when used in its full potential – the ability to accomplish anything you put your mind to. 

We’ve all heard this saying before. It’s nothing new. But it’s much easier said than done. To accomplish tasks of great magnitude you have to be passionate, your focus has to be laser-like, and self-control has to be razor sharp. Sacrifices have to be made on a regular basis. Add these things in with some stubbornness and you create a deadly cocktail.

This is how I was able to complete the PCT in one shot. No matter what obstacle stood in the way, I was going to hike from Mexico to Canada.

Photo credit – William Buckley

A makeshift bandage on the PCT in the wilderness of Oregon

Pain was the biggest obstacle during this long hike. I’ve estimated that there was some level of physical pain for approximately 80% of the trip – mainly in the feet. I battled numerous blisters, tendinitis in a few different spots, plantar fasciitis, shin splints, blown out knees, nerve damage in the toes, and toenails falling off. People then asked, “Why did you even do it? That doesn’t sound fun.” Well, it’s funny what you’ll do for the things you love.

Photo credit – William Buckley

A cake from my family upon my return from the PCT

So this is where I’m at now. I’m 24 years old and I found out what I want to do in life. This is just the beginning of the backpacking adventures and I guarantee that the trips will become increasingly more difficult as time goes on.

Dirty B.

For more inspiring Backpacking adventures, head over to Dirty B’s website at https://williambuckleyy.wordpress.com/ and instagram instagram.com/williambuckleyy. 

Travel and deal features Sophie from England, a 23 year old vegan traveler and activist who runs her very own blog on ethical living and traveling! Here’s what she has to say: 

My name is Sophie, I am 23 years old living in England, working part time in retail and I have a vegan lifestyle blog called www.sophveganlifestyle.wordpress.com. This is where I like to write about my travel experiences and share with people all things vegan that interest me.

I have always had a great passion for travelling, especially since the first animal rights protest I attended in 2015 in London, which brought me out of my comfort zone and helped me to create relationships with other like minded people.

My motivation for travelling is to learn. I would say I am open minded and therefore always willing to learn about new things and find out what else is out there to increase my knowledge. Especially when it comes to food, because since going vegan I have become much more interested in what I put into my body and how it benefits me. I have started to cook more healthily and I am not afraid to follow recipes like before where I would worry about them not turning out – life is all about learning and mistakes help you to grow.

Since going vegetarian at the age of 12 I had made the connection towards animals being equal and the cruelty of the meat industry fairly young. But I wasn’t aware of the cruelty connected to the dairy and egg industry too. This came a while later when in my late teens I started to learn more and experiment with my diet. It just seemed wrong to use animals for their bodies and for what they could produce, when it isn’t necessary to – despite what you were taught in school about having a balanced diet including dairy, meat and fish. I have been vegan for 2 and half years now and I would not go back to eating animals. This is part of my lifestyle now and it’s not just a diet to me.

In the past few years I have traveled to many destinations in England such as Manchester, Brighton, London, western super mare, Norwich and Cambridge. I have also been abroad to other countries such as Sweden, Germany and India, India being my most recent. I don’t think I can say I have a most or least favorite trip because they all taught me different things and all were equally interesting.

My trip to Berlin, Germany with my partner was very much about the vegan food because Berlin is often referred to as being ‘vegan heaven’. India was a short trip but I had such an amazing taste of the culture. The whole trip was very eye opening for me. Sweden was also a great holiday experience as we were staying at my friend’s house and visiting the local area where his family lived.

(Photo credit – Sophie Nuttall)

Being vegan whilst travelling is not all that hard, if you know exactly what is safe to eat and what isn’t. It always helps to be with someone who knows the language, for example in India I travelled with my friend Raj who could speak some Hindi and Punjabi and is a lot more clued up on Indian food and culture – plus the fact that most of Indian food is vegetarian anyway is a bonus. We even came across a restaurant called Vegan & Raw in Varanasi which catered for us perfectly.

Photo credit – Sophie Nuttall

In Berlin the word vegan was always clear on menus and most of the locals spoke English too. In England it is very easy to travel as a vegan, with more and more vegan places popping up all over the country as the demand for vegan food increases. I think travelling as a vegan can be achievable anywhere, even if it means eating meals such as rice, vegetables and potato.

Tips for vegans travelling; be prepared – always do your research on places you can get food that are local to where you are visiting – this will help a lot and save time too. Also being clued up on your staple foods is a good knowledge – things such as rice, beans, lentils, potato and of course vegetables and fruit are easily accessible wherever you go. When eating out don’t be afraid to ask questions, most meals can be made vegan by not including one or two ingredients and restaurants are always happy to cater for your needs.

For more inspiring vegan lifestyle tips and adventures, visit Sophie’s page at  www.sophveganlifestyle.wordpress.com

Throw your diet to the wind: The Grub Fest returns!

(Picture credit – Grub Fest 2017 )

As we are in March, all those New Year’s resolution diets are about due to be forgotten, and just in time for Grub Fest’s return to Delhi.

Grub Fest is one of North India’s most anticipated food festivals, in its 3^rd edition this year it’s planning to come back bigger and tastier than ever.

This is a truly innovative concept, with life sized pop-up restaurants, food trucks, bazaars and handmade carts with every kind of Indian cuisine imaginable. Festival goers get a chance to sample a huge variety of cuisines while experiencing some of the hottest musical acts, as Grub Fest themselves say ‘food tastes better while accompanied by music’. Chomp to the sounds of ‘Nucleus’ ‘Raghu Dixit’ ‘Veer Das’ and ‘Zaeden’ through out the festival.

This year the ‘Grub Theatre’ also gives you a chance to master your own cooking skills with live cookery demos from a long list of master chefs including; Ramon Salto, Ranveer Brar, and Aditya Bal. So you can take some lasting inspiration home with you, as well as a few foodie souvenirs.

As well as big restaurant names, some smaller more off-beat companies will feature at Grub Fest, so you won’t have to scour the town to find those hidden gems, they’ll all be right in one place with over 60 vendors offering their unique products. As well as food there’s a chance to try a range of beers, cocktails, soft drinks and lush milkshakes at Grub Fest. So whether you’re looking for a culinary adventure, to satisfy your sweet tooth or to sip cocktails in the springtime sun, you simply can’t miss this food fest.

Grub Fest takes place on the 17^th, 18^th and 19^th of March at JLN Stadium, New Delhi.

How to travel there

The easiest way to travel to Grub Fest once in Delhi is via metro, the nearest station being JLN Stadium station, which is situated on the Violet Line.

A range of taxi services, including Ola and Uber operate throughout the city.

(Photo credit – Grub Fest)

I’m really not a huge fan of winter at all. Summer sun and beaches are definitely my happy place. Who doesn’t love that healthy glow your skin gets from a bit of sunlight? I guess winter in my city isn’t so pleasant where it just rains most of the time.

However, one thing I do love about winter is snow. The marriage of ice and snow on trees is truly beautiful. Combine that with snowboarding, amazing Japanese food, and an ‘Onsen’ (Japanese hot spring), and you have the perfect winter combination!

Japan is famous for its fluffy, powder snow so it was a no-brainer to accept a chance to go snowboarding with my friends in Sapporo, Hokkaido. Riding in powder is a completely different experience compared to the Hard Pack (and quite often, icy) snow we get in New Zealand. At least it doesn’t hurt when you fall over in Japan. No more sore butts (yay!) but watch out for the trees that may have been covered in snow. I almost fell down a hole because of it…and almost got clothes-lined a few times too.

It was a challenging, yet exciting experience. I mean, who doesn’t like getting stuck in deep snow and getting a massive cardio workout as you try to dig yourself out? Seriously though, snowboarding in Japan is absolutely stunning and it’s great for total beginners who have never seen snow before, to the top snowboarders in the world.

(Photo credit – W. Huynh)

The beautiful morning view we woke up to on our first day in Niseko at Annupuri Lodge. Morning acoustics for breakfast, extremely wonderful staff and a gorgeous view. Not to mention the clean and comfortable rooms. Perfection! The lodge is less than a 5 minute walk to the ski fields too which makes it incredibly convenient. Make sure you book in for dinner (every single night because it’s that good) at the onsite Luckyfingers Bar & Restaurant too.
Check it out: The Annupuri Lodge at Niseko –http://annupurilodge.com/

(Photo credit – W. Huynh)

The snow just keeps falling! There’s fresh snow almost every day.

(Photo credit – W. Huynh)

The Niseko soba noodle master! While making this batch, he accidentally ripped a bit of the Soba dough. “Ohh…mistake!” Even monkeys fall from trees. AMAZING noodles here and it’s conveniently walking distance from Annupuri Lodge.
Check it out: Sobadokoro Rakuichi – 431 Niseko Nisekotyo, Abuta-gun, Niseko-cho, 048-1511

(Photo credit – W. Huynh)

The master’s creation of the most delicious, hand-made soba noodles with vegetable tempura, wasabi salt and spring onions. A perfect lunch for a cold, winter day.

(Photo credit – W. Huynh)

Snow, snow and more snow in Hirafu, a popular town centre with shops for snow gear and restaurants. There’s also a physiotherapist here if anything happens to you on the snow. We had the most awesome ramen noodles on this night.

How did I get there?

-          Took a flight to Tokyo Narita, direct from New Zealand, then another to Sapporo Chitose. (Combination of Air New Zealand and ANA)

-          Took a three-hour bus ride with Hokkaido Resort Liner to Niseko Northern Resort Annupuri where we got picked up by the staff at Annupuri Lodge.

-          Walked to the ski-field. If you buy a full mountain pass, you can also ride to other areas of the mountain, and even to other areas in town.

Onsen – Japanese Hot Springs

-          Took a taxi to the onsen at Niseko Grand Hotel Hokkaido. It was the perfect way to end a long day on the mountain snowboarding. Make sure you look up onsen etiquette before going in!

 For more travel stories and wonderful photography visit W. Huynh’s website https://habitualsonder.wordpress.com/  and Instagram page  habitualsonder

Travel and Deal features ‘Maple Syrup and Chill’ a 25 year old health professional with a passion for adventure. She runs her own travel blog and page sharing her adventures as she travels around the world. Maple Syrup shares tips on planning, budget, accommodation, sample itineraries on adventures and activities. She’ll guide you on the road to your very own adventure. Follow her blog and instagram page at https://maplesyrupandchill.wordpress.com/ and instagram https://www.instagram.com/maplesyrupandchill/ for stunning travel photography and tips to wet your appetite for Wanderlust!

VENTURING TO THE “UNTOUCHED CONTINENT” 

– Maplesyrupandchill. 

A picture is worth a thousand words – a saying that couldn’t suit this scenario any more. I often get asked what it was like to visit Antarctica and I always find myself at a loss for words – Incredible? Amazing? Overwhelming? I wasn’t sure. Eventually I settled for “It was like jumping into a postcard”

(Antarctica – photo credit – maplesyrupandchill )

Having been an avid traveler for the majority of my life, I had ticked off 6 out of the 7 continents by the age of 24. My passion for travel had stemmed from interests in experiencing different cultures, meeting new people, being immersed in their stories and seeking adventures in new cities and towns. Of course, you may be curious as to why I would venture to Antarctica – a continent with none of the aforementioned. 11th November 2014 – This is when, I too, was taken by surprise.

(Antarctica – photo credit – maplesyrupandchill )

I found culture in the stillness of the continent, adventures in the form of zodiac boats, snowshoes and kayaking around, adventuring to different islands and most importantly, forming connections with the wildlife.

Of course it wasn’t all a smooth ride getting there. We set out on our 90-passenger ship from Ushuaia (in Argentina) – a city also known as the end of the world. It is the southern most tip of South America and is a major port for ships leaving for the white continent. The first 2 and half days are the most fun-filled! You get to cross the perilous Drake passage! This passage is the term used to describe the waters between Cape Horn, Chile and Southern Shetland Islands, Antarctica. Notorious for causing sea-sickness, how would I best describe my experience crossing the Drake Passage? Imagine being tumbled in a washing machine on medium speed. Indeed.

(Antarctica – photo credit – maplesyrupandchill)

(Antarctica – photo credit – maplesyrupandchill )

Despite being warned about the sea-sickness and unpredictable tides, it didn’t really hit me until both my chair and I had gone from vertical to horizontal position whilst sitting down at lunch. We had no option but to hold on tight! At some points, the ship was swaying uncontrollably, I felt. There was even one period when the crew had advised everyone to stay in our cabins whilst dinner was delivered. It was just too risky for the passengers to sit in the dining area due to the intense climatic conditions. Our minds were put at ease via daily lectures and information sessions on spotting wildlife, safety and Antarctic history. I have profound respect for the initial adventurers and mariners who have allowed us to make such visits, due to their consistent efforts to cross the Drake Passage and explore the Antarctic continent.

( Antarctica – photo credit – maplesyrupandchill)

Numerous sea-sickness episodes and falls later, that first landing onto the untouched continent will be the moment that is forever embedded in my memory. The difficulties endured in getting here all of a sudden seemed so minuscule. The sightings of endless icebergs floating in the clear waters forming mirrored reflections, insanely shaped glaciers coated in dripping icicles – all enveloped by enthralling stillness, so overwhelming, to think that some of these spots were still untouched and pure. I still remember my jaw dropping and being completely mesmerized by the tranquility. The oasis of serenity was broken when the distracting Gentoo penguins had waddled into sight.

(Antarctica – photo credit – maplesyrupandchill )

One of the absolute highlights of this trip was the wildlife – Antarctica and it’s Sub – continent Islands are known to host 8 varieties of penguins. We saw Adelie, Chinstrap and Gentoo penguin colonies as well as several types of Albatross and Petrels. Oh, and let’s not forget the adorable seals! We came across Antarctic Fur Seals, Southern Elephant Seals, Weddell Seals, Crabeater kinds and Leopard Seals. Another hobby that kept everyone entertained whilst on board was whale watching! We were fortunate enough to sight Humpback Whales, Orcas and Antarctic Minke whales.

(Antarctic Fur Seals – photo credit – maplesyrupandchill )

Our landings were made via zodiac boats and usually lasted about 2 and half hours or before the frost bite got the better of us. During these landings, we were able to explore the Islands on foot and get completely engrossed in the surroundings and wildlife. I distinctly remember that our very last visit was cut short due to drastic snowstorms. I think I lasted about 30 minutes before calling it quits and jumping into a zodiac boat ready to thaw back inside our cruise ship.

(Antarctica – photo credit – maplesyrupandchill )

One memorable landing was our trip to Port Lockroy – A British territory and also the home of the Antarctica Post Office – such a novelty. I remember sending 3 post cards from there and just when I was convinced they had gone missing during the delivery process – my family and friends received them and this was several months after I had already returned back home.

If you’re interested in a change of career and want to experience something out of this world – working at the Penguin Post Office could be your calling! Indeed, they require 2 staff to operate this base for each season usually. Details can be found at ukaht.org

The visiting season usually runs from late October to early March. You can plan your visit well depending on what sort of wildlife you are interested in seeing. For example – catching the penguin breeding season.

(Antarctica – photo credit – maplesyrupandchill )

(Antarctica – photo credit – maplesyrupandchill )

Take a look at some of the optional activities we got to participate in! Snowshoeing, Kayaking in pristine waters, zodiac boat cruising and some of us even went in for a quick dip in Antarctic waters! I came out alive only because I followed the crew’s instructions – “Run into the water quick and run out faster”

(Antarctica – photo credit – maplesyrupandchill )

If you haven’t already added this untouched continent to your bucket list, I can’t recommend it enough. Despite being the most expensive destination I have travelled to, I can provide additional tips and the best way to secure cheap deals without breaking your bank account. Feel free to shoot me an email or comment if you have any questions!

 You heard her – head on over to https://maplesyrupandchill.wordpress.com/ for more adventures, tips and breathtaking vistas! 

‘Real luxury is not working like a maniac to take an expensive vacation; it is living a life you enjoy every day’

Hamsah Organic Farm and Sustainable Living, Bangalore, India

lt was the last semester of my five-year law course and I had no idea what I was going to do after this but I was quite sure that I am not going for the conventional career or 9-5 lifestyle. I was more fascinated with minimalist and sustainable living. During my last semester most of my time was spent watching stuff related to minimalism and sustainable living on the internet. By watching umpteen number of videos and documentaries I realized that we can lead a happy and stress free life with bare minimum resources.

Having been vegan for two years by that time I was already aware that sustainability is the key for both personal as well environmental aspects.

After completion of my college degree I just came to home and relax for another one month then start searching for somewhere to volunteer, so I came to know about Dharmalaya Institute, an NGO situated in the Bir town of Himachal Pradesh. This place is about eco construction, mud housing and a little bit of organic farming. I stayed there for four weeks and working with volunteers from all around the world was quite a learning experience.

Dharmalaya Institute, an NGO situated in the Bir town of Himachal Pradesh.

After this I was looking for another interesting volunteering option and arrived at Shishya society situated at outskirts of Dehradun. This NGO was started by US-Canadian couple who came to India as hippies during late 60’s from their respective countries and first time they met in India only. They were running orphanage home and school and it was a great experience to be a part of their community.

There is an organisation called WWOOF which stands for worldwide opportunities at organic farms where one volunteers at organic farms in return for food and accommodation. This is an international platform which started in 1980’s in US (United States). Now they have hosts all around the world. My first ‘wwoofing’ expedition starts with a small village in Rajasthan where I helped at an organic farm and at the same time got involved in the culture and way of living of that community. After that I headed to an organic orchard at the outskirts of Bangalore owned and managed by an American who settled in India. The journey goes on with volunteering at village community school near Coimbatore, another at some naturopathy centre Atkannur, Kerala, then moved to at NGO at Wayanad Kerala for another month.

Village Community Schools, Chettipalayam

After travelling and volunteering a bit I decided to do a job for sometime so I opted for field job as a fundraiser for Greenpeace India at Bangalore. It was a quite a different experience as it involves a lot of interaction with people on streets and convincing them to donate for the environmental cause.

After six months of that job I again get back to nomadism . Currently I am at backpackers community living hostel at Varanasi for about a month.I am still exploring and learning,but one thing I have realized is to live in the present and also when we lead simple living with minimum needs the life gets too easy and stress free. I am not interested in following any societal norms, just like to go with the flow of my conscious and liking.

I am not interested in following any societal norms, just like to go with the flow of my conscious.

It’s always a great experience to meet co-travelers from other countries. I try to know their travelling stories, the culture and the set-up of their countries. Everyone has something special to share with. In present time the scenario of travelling has been changed quite a lot, gone are the days when you needed lots of money for long time travelling. In today’s era one can travel with bare minimum money, thanks to platforms like ‘couch-surfing’, ‘Workaway’ and wwoofing. The best part of such platforms is that they provide opportunities to become the part of a particular place, culture and community by engaging with them. This is like a barter system where there is no involvement of money is there and also no longer time commitment. We could just stay for two-three weeks and move to a new place. With the increasing in number of hosts it provides a good option to travel any part of the country.

Assi Ghat, Benares.

When it comes to unconventional living I really inspired by a documentary “Without Bound” which is based on minimalist nomads in the US who were forced to start living in their vans and RV’s when recession hits some years ago as they were not able to afford to live in the houses but during nomadism they realize a different perspective about life, they feel absolute bliss to get out of the rat race. Even when they have opportunity to get back to mainstream and start living in houses now, most of them have chosen to continue living in same unconventional manner because their philosophy towards the life have changed completely and now they are more happy and satisfied with their life than ever before.

Someone has rightly said; ‘Real luxury is not working like a maniac to take an expensive vacation; it is living a life you enjoy every day’.

THE APPA ART FESTIVAL

Kamshet Town, Pune, 9th – 13th March, 2017

In its second edition, the AKN Ramachandran foundation is proud to present Appa Art Festival. An interactive 5 days of brainstorm, workshops, exhibitions, sounds, lights and lots of action for all involved. This unique collaboration between 70 British and Indian artists creates a one of a kind sensory experience featuring 7 workshops and 7 exhibitions.

The Art Festival sees art intermingling with nature as its set in the picturesque Maharashtra Hill Station Kamshet, home of the late artist AKN Ramachandran. Each artist has been given claim to a year between 1947 and 2017 to use as inspiration for their work during the festival, encapsulating the given era in their own exclusive style. This will culminate in a visual timeline from the year of India’s independence to the present day.

As the art festival features a huge variety of artists using myriad art forms including, graffiti, sculpture, painting, poetry, sound, photography and more; the project aims to create a connecting thread between all arts created at Appa. As well as the time line collaboration, the festival also sees the AAF 2016 exhibition, featuring works from the 50 artists who participated in the previous edition of the festival.

This year Appa Art is exhibiting a global diaspora of talent including Mandi Kulkarni’s ‘Caught between Dreaming and Waking Up’ as she explores the new dreamlike phenomenon of Glitch Art and ‘City by Colour’ a photographic exploration of Mumbai. There is a retrospective exhibition of last year’s art fair and other contemporary sights.

Also featured is artist Marlon Rodrigues, an ad film director, digital artist, and psychedelic painter. His portfolio includes brands like Lux, HDFC, Axe, Gitanjali Jewels, Coca-Cola, and more. It also extends to include his artistry in painting in a kaleidoscope of colours and effects, designed especially for Psytrance festivals, CD covers, and flyers.

Other special features of Appa Art include a range of children’s activities and Behavioural Change Workshop presented by Anand Damini concerning the influence of design on human behaviour. Visitors can get involved with Sachin Pillai’s Video Feedback Workshop, as he installs at the festival, introducing participants into the theory behind the infinite nature of feedback. Participants can experience, explore, manipulate and get used to the idea of piloting feedback. There are healing yoga workshops and awareness activities to reconnect with the mind and body, and spoken word/rap workshops which aim to mentor young people while liberating their lyrical soul. Play with body movement in the Mime Workshop and conduct experiments with audio art in the Sound Making Workshop.

There will be a variety of performances from artists such as Bobby Friction, Logic, Chhabb, Bransidh Project, Cosmic Attic, Reels and many more, bridging a huge range of genres from pop, rap, experimental, indie and neo-folk.

The festival will see sculpture, installation works and performances transforming and enchanting the gorgeous natural landscape of Kamshet. This is an opportunity to be truly immersed in art while exploring the natural beauty of this hidden Maharashtra Hill Station.

Day one sees the commencement of the timeline collaboration between all 70 artists, where each will flex their artistic muscles and warm up for a week of ingenuity. Days 2, 3 and 4 all hold a variety of events from interactive participation workshops, things children can get involved in, chill out spaces where you can sit back and be at one with nature, and heavy beats to move your body to. And on the final day (the 13th of March – Holi!) Appa Art Fair goes out with a colorful Holi bang with its very own Holi Procession.

While in Kamshet, why not explore the luscious, green Hill Station a little more? The hills in and around Kamshet are dotted with ancient cave temples and medieval fortresses.  It’s also home to world class paragliding facilities, so if you’re brave enough you can fly like a bird over the Pawna Lake and luscious countryside Of Kamshet.

(Kamshet – Lakeside paradise. Photo credit – Appa Art Festival)

How to Reach there:

Travel to Kamshet is possible from all areas of India, and further afield!

You can travel to Kamshet via either Mumbai or Pune. From Mumbai local trains are available from Dadar TT or CST to Lonavala, and then a connecting local train will take you from Lonavala to Kamshet station. This whole trip takes around 3 hours in total

Bus travel is also possible from Mumbai to the Festival location. You can take the state transport bus from Dadar TT or a Volvo bus, then request to get off at the centre and take a jeep or rickshaw to Kamshet.

From Pune both busses and trains are available directly to Kamshet town and take around 2 hours.

The folks at Appa Art Festival have compiled this comprehensive travel guide http://www.appaartfest.com/plan-your-trip/travel/ so we recommend you take a look there also. 

Venice – A Romantic Break for 4 and a half!

By Rena Dipti Annobil.

(Rena Dipti Annobil is a freelance journalist and British Indian currently working for BBC Asian Network) 

Venice – A Romantic Break for Four and a Half!

The northeastern Italian city of Venice is a popular destination for couples. With it’s alluring canals, piazzas, art and amazing food, it’s the perfect place to enjoy a romantic break. Indeed there are numerous books and articles on great things to do in Venice and why it’s “the most romantic city on earth”. I remember visiting Venice with my family when I was in my early twenties and thinking “when I get married I must come back here with my husband”. And that I did, but with my young children in tow. We visited last spring and my kids were 7, 5 and the youngest was in my tummy at that point (I was 5 months pregnant!).

But what does a young family do in Venice? Candlelit dinners for two or moonlight walks by the canal were out of the question. For one thing there’s the fire hazard and the risk of falling into a canal (and I’m not just talking about the children…my balance was pretty off during my pregnancy!). However, we spent three nights and two whole days in the city and had a lovely time. Here are my tips on what do do in Venice with a young family:

My kids were 7, 5 and the youngest was in my tummy at that point (I was 5 months pregnant!)(Photo credit – Rena Dipti Annobil)

Take a Gondola Ride

A 30 minute ride in a Gondola costs 80 Euros which is highly overpriced, but it’s worth splashing out on this (excuse the pun!). It really is magical and peaceful to sit back in a gondola and be taken around all the little canals in the centre of Venice. If you’re lucky you’ll find a Gondolier who will fill you on on all the local history and will sing to you too.

A Speedboat Ride to Murano

We took a ride in a speedboat to the Island of Murano. The children loved the speedboat, although they were a little scared when the water became too rough. Murano is small island that is famous for Murano glass. There are several glass factories and showrooms. A glass showroom is perhaps not the best place to take young kids but if you go on a tour of the workshop you can watch the traditional method of glassblowing which is quite fascinating for both adults and kids.

Feed the Pigeons in St Marks Square and see the Basilica

Kids will either love feeding or scaring away the many pigeons that inhabit the world famous St. Marks Square. The square itself is surrounded by expensive shops and cafes and the St Marks Basilica is also on one side. We went inside to have a look at the beautiful craftsmanship and architecture. Our children could’t have cared less about this part so we kept the visit brief but were able to tick this iconic building off our list.

Venice (Photo credit – Rena Dipti Annobil)

Visit The Doge’s Palace

Venice has many art galleries and places of historical interest but unless your child has an unnaturally deep interest in the arts, it’s advisable to streamline your tour. If there is one place that you should visit to give you a feel of Venetian history and arts it’s The Doge’s Palace. This majestic palace was formerly the seat of Venetian government, and is masterpiece of Gothic architecture. Myself, my husband and even the children, were spellbound by the opulence of the the place. The kids were most interested in the old jail and the armour rooms. This visit must be booked in advance and takes a few hours.

St Marks Basilica (Photo credit – Rena Dipti Annobil)

Rialto Bridge and Fish Market

The Rialto Bridge is the oldest bridge across the Grand Canal in Venice. It’s a bustling place with lots of shops, restaurants and Gondoliers looking for customers. The children were thrilled to see the Rialto fish market which has been open for centuries. There is every type of seafood imaginable, it’s a true feast for the senses! There is a fruit and vegetable market right next to it where the kids enjoyed picking out strawberries and apples to snack on during the day.

Eat Gelato

Italians know their stuff when it comes to ice cream and there there is nothing quite like Italian gelato. Every time I visit Italy I can’t get enough of it and it seems my children can’t either. Any time of ice cream is usually a big hit with kids and an incentive to trudge around a historical monument for a couple of hours! With the range of flavours on offer the whole family will be spoilt for choice.

Take a Walk Around the Backstreets

It’s sometimes nice to wander around aimlessly and take in the beauty of Venice. Children and adults alike will marvel at the fact that there are no roads in central Venice, the taxis are boats and so are the buses. There are so many pretty bridges and weird and wonderful little shops around every alley. In particular, shops selling masks (Venice is known for it’s masks used in the annual carnival) are everywhere and kids are entranced (or terrified!) by them.

Rialto Fish Market, Venice (Photo credit – Rena Dipti Annobil)

TOP TIPS:

I recommend staying in or near the centre of Venice if you are visiting with young children. You will save a lot of money on getting transport into Venice and won’t have to drag tired and irritable little people back to your hotel or apartment at the end of the day. We found it useful to go out and about in the morning, go back to our hotel with some sandwiches in the middle of the day, then going out again in the afternoon. We usually ended up chilling out in the hotel for a few hours after lunch and put a movie on the iPad for the kids which kept them happy and stopped them from jumping on the hotel beds!

Venice is a very expensive city. The food is amazing but very pricey so I would recommend taking lots of snacks for kids. The money you save on these items can go towards a good quality evening meal.

The Venice experience with small children is definitely very different than going with a group of adults or your other half. However, it’s worthwhile exposing kids to a different culture, language, history and art (and good quality ice cream!) at an early age. They will take some of it in, my kids still talk fondly about the Gondola ride and ask when we are going back to Venice. It’s also nice to see Venice through a child’s eyes, a place of wonder and intrigue with interesting sights around every corner.

The concept of ‘eco-tourism’ has become increasingly popular in recent years, and rightfully so. We live in the midst of an ecological crisis triggered by the boom of capitalism and globalization. Along with the many mobilizing opportunities that accelerated financial progress has brought with it, we are also seeing the rapid decline of the natural world. Environmentalists, nature lovers and travelers alike are increasingly noticing this and drawing attention to it in recent times. More and more of us are realizing our duty in preserving the natural world, and eco-tourism is a way of doing just that. By incorporating a respect and care for the environment in preserving natural habitats, through various initiatives operating country wide tourists have the opportunity to appreciate the  natural landscape in a way which is beneficial to its conservation.

As tourism is one of the fastest growing industries in the world, eco-tourism initiatives create opportunities for a genuinely sustainable form of tourism. Great importance is placed upon the value of local traditions and practices relating to the environment, while the local population reaps the profitability of increased tourism to the area.

India is a country rich with natural beauty. The geography of the land is vastly different from corner to corner, and with this variety comes a bountiful variety of ecosystems. India is truly the nature lover’s paradise. In this article, Travel and Deal has picked out some of the most stunning eco-tourism opportunities India has to offer.

“Valley of Flowers Nature Trail” – Garhwal Himalayan Valleys

This recognised UNESCO World Heritage site, as its name suggests, is home to more than 300 species of flowers including rare and medicinal types unique to the region. During summer, the stunning variety of hundreds of different blooms makes this site one of the greatest spectacles of India.

(Photo credit – Prashant Ram – Flickr.)

This unique valley is paradise for lovers of flora and fauna alike, as the huge variety of plants and flowers sustains a rich ecosystem of mammals, birds and butterflies. Some species that can be seen here are the snow leopard, musk deer, Himalayan Bear, blue sheep and hare.  As there are no direct transportation routes to the site, the only way to get there is by trekking. You need not worry about your carbon footprint while at this breathtaking site and the trek is the best way to immerse yourself in the landscape, while being a healthy dose of exercise too.

How to reach there.

The nearest town to the Valley of Flowers is Govindghat. The town of Govindghat is well connected with Jolly Grant Airport by road, and has good road connections with other areas of the country including Rishikesh which is the nearest railway station to the site.

From Govindghat the trek begins, first crossing the Alaknanda River, and then ascending through the terraced fields and lush vegetation of the valley.

The trek to the Valley of Flowers is around 14km, and will roughly take around 4 hours and 36 minutes, meaning this is a full day excursion.

Planned trekking tours can be organised though www.ecoindia.com

2) Bandhavgarh National Park – Sahdol District, Madhya Pradesh

Situated in the North Eastern border of Madhya Pradesh and the Northern edges of the Satpura mountain range, Bandhavgarh National Park is one of the most impressive for its size and variety of flora and fauna. The entire park is a total of 1161 square km; however tourists are restricted to a 105 square km region named the ‘Tala Range’. The lush range of biodiversity in the region is due to the tropical monsoon climate which sees well defined winters, summers and rainy seasons.

(Photo credit – Ishan Manjrekar, Flickr.)

It is the density of its big cat population which has made this national park world famous. Tigers, jungle cats and leopards have been widely sighted throughout the park, especially in its four core zones.  As well as big cats, the site is home to a huge variety of other fauna such as hyena, boars, a variety of deer, wild foxes, wild dogs, jackals and many, many more. The aviary variety is also tremendous, making this national park a prime spot for bird watchers and animal lovers alike.

(Photo credit – Ishan Manjrekar, Flickr.)

How to reach there

The nearest airport o the park is Khajuraho Airport, which is accessible via flight from Delhi, Agra and Varanasi.  The drive from the airport to the National Park is then around 7-8 hours.

Alternatively rail travel is another viable option, with Umaria railway station being only a 40 minute drive away from the Bandhavgarh National Park.

Tours and eco packages can be booked through the Bandhavgarh website http://www.bandhavgarh-national-park.com/index.html and also through http://www.ecoindia.com/plan-your-trip.html

3) Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary – Rajasthan

One of the finest bird parks in the world, Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary is also known as Keoladeo Ghana National Park due to the ancient Shiva Ji temple at its centre. The park is inhabited by an impressive variety of waterside and migratory birds as well as Sambar deer, Chital, Nilgai and Boar. The sanctuary has a dense forest cover which is responsible for the epic biodiversity of the park. A notable piece of history behind the park is that it was entirely created by a maharaja in the 1700’s as a hunting range, and at the beginning of the last century a system of dams, dykes and sluice gates was created to save the park from annual flooding. After hunting became prohibited in the 1960’s the site was declared a national park in 1982, and today is one of the most famous spots for bird watching enthusiasts and photographers alike.

(Photo credit – Srikaanth Sakar, Flickr.)

Walking and cycling are two of the best ways to explore the park, allowing you to get as close as possible to the wildlife without disrupting or disturbing it. However rickshaw is also a good way to get around, as most of the rickshaw drivers have been trained to bird spot and will likely know the best locations to find the most breathtaking scenes. Boating is also a popular activity at Bharatpur and allows a whole different experience of the park, and a fantastic vantage point to see the numerous waterside birds.

(Photo credit – Pravine Chester, Flickr.)

How to reach there.

Both rail travel and travel by car are popular travel options for Indian tourists, as the Bharatpur railway station is only 6km away from the park. The town is very well connected via road also, with all major cities of Rajasthan and neighbouring states.

The nearest airport is in Agra, which is roughly a 56km drive from the national park.

Tours and jeep safari can be organised through the sites official website http://www.thewildlifeofindia.com/bharatpur-bird-sanctuary.html as well as http://www.ecoindia.com/parks/bharatpur-bird-sanctuary.html

4) Hemis High Altitude National Park – Jammu and Kashmir

This high altitude national park, with altitudes reaching up to 6,000 meters above sea level, is situated in Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir. Famous for its rough terrain, and being the largest high altitude national park in India, this park is famous amongst more adventurous travellers and wildlife lovers. One of the famous attractions here is the snow leopard population, giving the region its name as the snow leopard capital of India. As well as snow leopards, Shapu, Bharal, wild cats, wolves, mountain goats and sheep are regularly sited in this unblemished spot of natural Himalayan beauty.

(Photo credit – Adam Greig, Flickr.)

In this high altitude landscape, most of the vegetation consists of alpine plants and trees, along with steppe trees. This site is a true example of the diversity of habitats in India when contrasted to the flat land National Parks.

Given the high altitudes, an easy way to move around the landscape is by Jeep; however this only applies to the easily accessible parts of the park. For the harder to reach corners, the seasoned adventurer may want to opt for one of the breathtaking trekking tours with a trained guide. Such tours really give you the opportunity to take in the mountainous wildlife at a close range, really giving you the experience of a lifetime, you may even see a snow leopard if you’re fortunate.

This is definitely one of the most intrepid and courageous tours to take; definitely not for the faint of heart!

(Photo credit – Adam Greig, Flickr.)

How to travel there

The nearest airport is Leh which is connected by Indian Airlines to major cities including Delhi, Chandigarh and Srinagar.

The nearest railway station is in Jammu, which is connected with all areas of India and is around  690km from Hemis National Park. While this is a farily remote area, the drive from the airport or railway station can be another opportunity to take in the spectacle views of the Himalayas.

Tours and travel plans can be obtained from http://www.ecoindia.com/parks/hemis-high-altitude-national-park.html

5) Sundarbans National Park – Near Kolkata, West Bengal.

The Sunderbans National Park is located in the South East of Kolkata, where it forms part of the Gangetic Delta. This vast delta area consists of swampy mangrove forests (the largest in the world), forest islands and a network of streams and rivers. The largely aquatic terrain makes this a perfect environment to witness marine and reptile species such as The Ridley Sea Turtle, monitor lizard, crocodiles, water snakes and Gangetic dolphins among others. As well as the impressive range of marine and reptile life, the site is also a noted as being one of the largest tiger reserves in India.

(Photo credit – Mike Prince, Flickr.)

For bird enthusiasts the best time of the year to visit is during winters between December and February due to the large populations of migratory birds at this time.

A popular activity at Sundarbans National Park is boating, which offers the perfect mean to get around the vast aquatic mangrove forest landscape and have a chance to see the array of fauna and flora the park has to offer. There are numerous local boating companies as well as two ‘luxury’ boating companies who offer overnight stays.

How to reach there

Sundarbans is not the most easily accessible National Park as it is only accessible through water ways. The nearest Airport is Kolkata at 112km away, and the nearest railway station is Canning at a distance of 48km. Whether you travel by road, rail or air travel, the waterways to Sunderband are accessible from a veriety of locations including Namkhana, Bhagabatpur Crocodile Project, Sagar Island, Jambudwip, Sajnekhali and more.

Tours of Sunderbans National Park can be booked through http://www.ecoindia.com/parks/sundarbans-national-park.html as well as the sites official website http://www.sunderbannationalpark.in/sunderban-wildlife-tour-packages.html

(Photo credit – Kingshuk Mondal, Flickr.)

Sanctioned rainbow anarchy! – Top 5 ways to enjoy Holi this year.

Holi is an integral part of Indian tradition, and in 2017 why not do something a little different to celebrate this wonderful, frenzied festival of color?

The celebration is rooted deeply in Hindu mythology; with the word ‘Holi’ originating from ‘Holika’ the evil sister of demon king Hiranyakashipu, who according to legend was the king of Multan, Punjab. He earned a boon that made him virtually immortal, and with his indestructibility his arrogance grew.  Eventually the contemptuous king began demanding to be worshiped as a god. However his pious son, Prahlad, seeing his father’s delusion, refused to worship him and remained devoted to the one true god, Lord Vishnu. Upon hearing of his son’s disobedience, the king plotted to kill his son. Finally after several attempts, the king asked his sister Holika to carry out the deed. Holika then coaxed the young Prahlad to sit in her lap while she entered a blazing fire, knowing that she had received a boon whereby she could enter the fire unscathed. However she did not know that this boon applied only if she entered the fire alone. Legend has it that Holika perished in a prismatic blaze, and Prahlad, who was chanting the name of Lord Vishnu, emerged unharmed.

Traditionally Holi is celebrated over three days, the final day being the colorful water and powder fights, where everyone is fair game, regardless of age, gender or background. The night before, huge bonfires are constructed all over the country, and effigies of Holika are burnt to represent the victory of the good over evil.

As well as being celebrated in the religious sense, Holi marks the end of the the long cold Winter and welcomes in the Spring season with zest.

The festival of Holi has been adopted into contemporary youth culture as much as it’s still celebrated in a number of traditional ways, with Festival type events being created by like minded creative souls all over India as a colorful opportunity to embrace the season.

If you’re lucky enough to be in India over this Holi period, you’re spoiled for choice on ways to join in with the festivities. Whether you’re looking for something traditional, or to live it large with some new age fun, our top Holi events pick will help you find the perfect rainbow getaway.

1) Eleholifest, Jaipur

As Holi is most fervently celebrated in the golden triangle tourist spots of India, why not spent it in tourist hot spot, Jaipur, Rajasthan.

Eleday is an innovative elephant village dedicated to elephant conservation in India, where visitors can learn about their habits, unique needs and the importance of their conservation. While Eleday operates year round offering an array of elephant activities, they have pioneered Eleholifest as an opportunity to experience Holi in true Rajasthani fashion with the most majestic animals of India, elephants. The Eleholifest package includes unlimited access to a variety of coloured powders and water to join in with the playful Holi colour fight, authentic Indian food and drink, traditional Indian music, traditional rain dance and best of all the opportunity to

feed and interact with the Elephants.

How to travel

Jaipur is incredibly easy to access from most major cities in India via train, which is the least expensive option, or internal flight. The city is connected with most major Indian cities by rail, and Jaipur International Airport has direct air links with many major cities including Delhi, Hyderabad, Goa and Kolkata.

If travelling from Delhi on a tight budget, there is a regular bus connecting Delhi and Jaipur.

Tickets for the event and more information can be found at http://www.eleholifest.com

2) Holi in Varanasi.

Varanasi is undoubtedly the spiritual hub of India, the land of salvation for diversified Hindu devotees. Where better to experience a festival deeply intertwined in Indian culture?

An ever popular tourist spot for those wishing to enrich their souls by the gorgeous Ganga river banks, Varanasi has much to offer in terms of an authentic Holi experience. Why not enjoy the carefree and zealous celebratory vibes in the city of Lord Shiva as the tranquil banks of the Ganga are transformed by a kaleidoscope of colour. If it’s a traditional experience you’re looking for, Varanasi during Holi is a must. Throw caution to the wind and get involved with the fun.

How to travel

Varanasi is easily accessible via air travel, with the nearest airport, Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport, located around 25km North West of the city centre. The centre of Varanasi from the airport is accessible via taxi, bus or Auto-rickshaw. The city is connected with most major cities including Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Bengaluru via internal flight. Varanasi is also connected via railway to Delhi, Agra, Lucknow, Mumbai and Kolkata.

3) Holi Moo! Festival, Delhi and Hyderabad

Looking for some new age fun? Holi Moo fest has it all. This event is a wonderful underground movement connecting artists and musicians, coming together to create a collaborative buzzing environment where you can really let loose and join the kaleidoscope of fun. As expected for any Holi event, this wild fest involves lots of color, so you get an element of the traditional game of Holi within this creative contemporary landscape. As their website states, Holi Moo add ‘method to the madness’ of Holi, with simulations stages and a variety of live music acts, food and drink.

(Photo credit – Holi Moo! Festival)

“Right from its inception, the dream of this festival has been to create a creative eco-system that is inclusive and an experience that is ultra-vibrant. This year’s Holi Moo! Festival marks another successful peg in the evolution of the festival as we seed collaborations not just with artists but with leading tastemakers of our scene. Our focus has always been on intensifying the experience of Holi as a cultural step forward, every year. With Wild City, Roost and Krunk curating stages, we believe our audiences will have even more to look forward to,” – Organisers of Holi Moo.

What else to expect at Holi Moo!

It’s not just genre-defying music that one gets to savour at Holi Moo! Festival musts include playing witheco-friendly, organic gulaal(available in abundance) and taking a dip in the inflatable pools dotted around the venue. Stilt walkers, roving minstrels and dhol performers add to the festive fervour, while attendees get to savour traditional Holi delicacies and international favourites like pizzas and grills in an environment that’s safe, secure and welcoming for all age groups. Specially-crafted colourful cocktails for the weekend are always a big draw at the bars, as are the herbal concoctions that the festival is known for.

Holi Moo Delhi features 4 stages and 30 artists performing throughout the day .

Tickets for both the cities are available at http://www.holimoofestival.com/for sale and are priced at Rs 2,500 for Delhi and at Rs 1,500 for Hyderabad. While details for the Hyderabad edition will be announced soon, Holi Moo Barn at Asiad Tower Lawnsin the Capital will once again host the day-long festival.

(Photo credit – Holi Moo! Festival)

How to Travel

Delhi

Indira Gandhi international airport is an entry point for many, not only into Delhi but into North India. Once in Delhi, travel between the airport and the city is easy and accessible by metro. The journey to New Delhi Metro station takes around 20 minutes.

From Delhi railway station, the metro is accessible by crossing the city street to reach the station.

The closest metro station to Delhi Holi Moo! Festival venue is Hauz Khas metro station, accessible via the Yellow Line.

Taxis are also a relatively cost effective way to travel within Delhi with many local firms as well as Uber and Ola operating throughout the city.

(Photo credit – Holi Moo! Festival)

Hyderabad

Hyderabad is well connected by train to both Northern and Southern India, and is accessible by bus from most parts of Southern and Western India, and all parts of Telegana.

Once in Hyderabad it’s easy to get around my bus or Auto-rickshaw, just beware of the trains as they tend to be a little unreliable! The venue for Holi Moo! Hyderabad is yet to be announced, so keep an eye on their website for further information.

4) Phoolon wali Holi, Vrindavan

The word Holi immediately invokes images of coloured powders and dyed water being playfully cast about, however in the home town of Lord Krishna one temple does things a little differently to the rest. At the Banke Bihari temple in Vrindavan, Holi is celebrated in a beautiful and unique way; with flower petals. In the past this event has not been as popular as other Holi attractions but it is quickly receiving the attention of many tourists and locals alike. It’s a fairly short affair lasting around 20 minutes where vibrant flower petals are thrown at devotees by temple priests, making this not only a unique experience but also a perfect photo opportunity for photography enthusiasts. So be sure to arrive on time as it’s easy to miss the narrow time slot!

This event takes place on the Ekadashi before Holi, which in 2017 falls on the 8^th of March, and the temple gates open at around 4pm.

How to Travel

Vrindavan is located in Uttar Pardesh roughly 150km away from Delhi. The nearest train station is located in Vrindavan’s twin town of Mathura around 12km away and is easily accessible by rickshaw. While in Vrindavan travel by foot or rickshaw is easily the most convenient mode of transport due to the small town’s narrow streets and footpaths.

5) UNITE Music Festival, Delhi

(Photo credit – NEONRINGS INDIA)

Yet another contemporary take on Holi is UNITE Festival, organised by Delhi based promotion company Neonrings. Here are a few words on UNITE by the organizers themselves:

“ UNITE is a venture by NEONRINGS INDIA that on the eve of Holi thrives to spread in everybody the freedom of self expression through a unique kind of Dance movement in INDIA

It is a uniquely conceptualized musical event to ever touch Delhi. Introducing a brand new genre in the line up of music spectacles in India where electronic music & Dance meet stagecraft and technical wizardry like never seen before.

An experience based combination of sound, light, video, animation, special effects, aerial choreography, laser show and much more that is sure to dazzle you.” – Neonrings India

So prepare yourselves for a vivid spectacle and embrace those fluid freedom vibes!

How to Travel

For information on travelling to Delhi, see No 3.
Once in Delhi, the events venue is the famous Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, which is accessible by metro via the Violet Line from the JLN Metro station. Alternatively there are local taxi firms as well as Uber and Ola operating throughout the city.

Holi Safety Tips.

While perhaps the most joyous festival in India, things can get a little crazy at times, so here are some tips for staying safe this season

1) Prepare to get thoroughly splashed! There will likely be colored water and powders hurling through the air all around you on the last day of Holi as people take to the streets to play Holi. While back in the good old days the dyes were made of natural ingredients, there are some fairly nasty chemical dyes around now. Do use some kind of barrier cream to protect your skin, and wear a cap to cover you hair. If you have severe asthma or sensitive skin, it may be better to stay indoors. 

2) Wear some old clothing! Unless you are purposely out to tie-dye your entire outfit (each to their own!) wear something you don’t mind getting stained as it can be tough to wash out some of the harsher chemical dyes.

3) Women and girls need to be particularly careful at Holi. There have been cases of women being targeted by mischievous local guys, so its best to stay in the safety of a group.  

4) If you’re a photography enthusiast, be sure to use some protective camera equipment to avoid your camera being damaged from the dyes and water.

5) Don’t be afraid to join in the fun! Have a glass of Bhang Lassi and let your hair down. 

Happy Holi!