Goa’s biggest Arts festival is finally coming to Delhi this April. Serendipity Arts Festival is a cultural arts extravaganza originating in Goa, and is now bringing a small slice of the action to Delhi. The festival will be held at Bikaner House for 11 days, from April 6 to 16, 2017. The first edition of Serendipity Arts Festival was held in Goa in December over 8 days. It was spread across 8 venues in Panaji, had 14 curators facilitating dialogues and 53 projects in various fields. The Delhi edition of Serendipity Arts will include a crafts exhibition, photography exhibition, design installation, dance performances, storytelling session and a theater performance.

Photo Credit – Serendipity Arts Festival

Whether you’re an arts enthusiast who couldn’t quite make it to Goa for the festival, or just looking to do something a little different to kick-start the Spring season, this is a chance to get a taste of the inspiration that goes on on a huge scale each year in Goa. And with the Goan Serendipity Festival taking place in December, there is more than enough time to book your tickets for the full scale event if you feel inspired by Serendipity in Delhi.

Serendipity Festival is an arts event with a difference. Not only does Serendipity aim to display and celebrate the arts of national artists, it also sets out to forge new directions for the arts by challenging the norms and experimenting with the boundaries of art.This project is a true depiction of creative collaborations, and the productions have provided an opportunity for interdisciplinary synergy where literature and music within dance are emphasized. Through these projects, the Trust hopes to engage and reach out to artists and audiences from all demographics, and bring art back into people’s lives.

Photo credit – Serendipity Arts Festival

Photo Credit – Serendipity Arts Festival

There are various projects that form a part of Serendipity Arts Festival 2016 in 2017.  Indian Crafts: Traditions and Expressions, an exhibition by Manjari Nirula and Jyotindra Jain, explores the possibility of creating a contemporary environment for artisans by nudging them to explore their inherent creativity. These works on display will be on sale, where the proceeds go back to the Serendipity Arts Trust, and the funds will be used to support artisan communities. The Express/Aspire project with the Auxilium High School, Goa, explores photography and how a child looks through the lens. This project curated by Samar Jodha, begins a multi-layered inquisition into how to engage children with creativity and how it helps develop the child’s personality.

There is also exploration on the connectivity of Art and Design with Chakraview, which is curated by Rajshree Pathy with design by Sumant Jayakrishnan. This project represented India at the London Design Biennale. This project was added into the programming to bring these two communities together and to draw inspiration from their confluence.

This is just the tip of the plethora of events the Serendipity Arts Festival has to offer, the only way to get a feel of the core of this unique festival is to com and see it for yourself. With so much to offer across so many days it is convenient to catch at least a few of the events over the 11 days.

Storytelling ‘ Eight Moon Project’ by Sahil Mukhi. Photo credit – Serendipity Arts Festival

Photo Credit – Serendipity Arts Festival

How To Travel There

Bikaner House is in the heart of New Delhi with good road and metro connectivity. Bikaner House bus station is within walking distance of Bikaner House, and both Khan Market and Udyog Bhawan metro stations are within walking distance or alternatively reachable by Auto-rickshaw.

Amur leopards & a Spanish pilgrimage…

Just by way of introduction, my name is Jack Riggall, and I’m in awe of all things in the natural world – especially the ecology of wild mammals in the UK. In some ways this, along with the occasional adventures by bike, is probably all you need to know about me. When I was asked to write something for this magazine, it seemed a good opportunity to talk about cycling along the Way of St James in 08-09/2012 to raise money for the Amur Leopard & Tiger Alliance (ALTA). It took around two & a half weeks to cycle off the ferry at Santander to Logroño, before following the route West, first to Santiago de Compostela (the official end of the pilgrimage) and then to Finisterre (or Fisterra in Galician) on the coast.

Photo credit – Jack Riggall

Cycling South from Santander to Logroño took some time. I barely saw any people at all, but was treated to some incredible views. I think I earned them after cycling up that high!

The Way of St James (or El Camino de Santiago) is a Christian pilgrimmage. There are known routes from all over Europe, but they all end at Santiago de Compostela, a city in North-West Spain which has grown around what is said to be the final resting place of Saint James, one of the disciples of Jesus Christ. For those who have seen ‘The Way’ by Emilio Estevez (I didn’t see it until I finished the trip), a film about a father who follows in his son’s footsteps by undertaking the pilgrimage, it is a fairly accurate portrayal of the route & what you might experience along the way – firstly, I remembered when watching the film, every albergue (the hostels specifically for hosting pilgrims, or ‘peregrinos’ in Spanish, often,but not always, affiliated to churches) invariably hosted someone who snored. Right above me. Every single night.

Photo Credit – Jack Riggall

Secondly, that James Nesbitt’s character (Jack, the Irish travel author with writer’s block) shows a habit you’ll probably find yourself doing (at least, I did) if you ever follow the Camino; namely, making mental notes on all the reasons why people are on the route & where they are from. If you do, you will undoubtedly meet people from all over the world & whilst it is a Christian pilgrimage, you will meet many people (like myself) who are not religious, or undertaking it for their faith. You might meet people who simply do a bit of the route each year as a family to reconnect with each other. You might meet people who feel they can pray better with their feet than with their words, and march to Spain from Poland as a result. You might even hear of the elderly woman who insisted on doing the pilgrimage by herself… in a wheelchair. I think you will be inspired by some of the people you meet, if you were ever to do this journey. This, in addition to the weather & the wildlife, was the highlight of the adventure. Albergues typically get Peregrinos to leave very early in the morning, so I covered enough distance by midday before resting at the next place & learning about all the worn out hikers as they began to arrive in the early evening. Few people do the journey by bike. It is, therefore, cheating; but it also means there’s no overlap – I moved fast, and rarely met the same person twice. Thirdly, almost everybody will great you with the phrase ‘Buen Camino’ regardless of their language – the journey brings people together.

Photo credit – Jack Riggall

Buen Camino!

I would like to hope that you will equally be inspired by the incredible wildlife in Spain. Personally, I would love to see the wolves, and will soon go back to repeat with this journey with a batch of remote wildlife camera, so fingers crossed. In 2012 I saw Egyptian vultures & Iberian emerald lizards among so much else, though it took a while to get round to identifying what I had photographed.

Iberian emerald lizard

Whilst the historical aim of the journey was to pay respects to Saint James, there was also a secondary journey that many undertook – to get to Finisterre/Fisterra (both derived from the Latin for ‘end of the world’) about 90km away. It seems, as I found out later, that burning your clothes at this spot is a recent tradition to complete a ‘cleanse’ at the end of the journey. The marks of previous peregrinos having done this were obvious. Wanting to join all those before me, but finding myself without a lighter and too impatient to go & buy one, I threw almost all my clothes into the nearest bin before enjoying a well earned rest on a beach for a few days, having cycled over 1,000km.

Photo credit – Jack Riggall

 Burning your clothes at this spot is a recent tradition to complete a ‘cleanse’ at the end of the journey

Photo credit – Jack Riggall

Cleanse

Photo Credit – Jack Riggall

Beach rest

Something needs to be said on behalf of Amur leopards (and tigers) in this article, since I set out on this trail for them as much as myself. They are among the most endangered big cat species in the world. They face extinction for a wide range of reasons; for example, poaching, habitat loss& persecution by livestock farmers (I have lost patience with livestock farmers for their lethal destruction of everything from badgers & foxes in the UK to leopards & tigers in Russia & China, and have refused to purchase any of their produce for years; if we must choose between meat/milk & wildlife, as insisted upon by those who kill off our natural heritage, is it not obvious what we must do?). Population estimates vary for this leopard subspecies, but it is likely there are fewer than 100 in the wild. The plan as described by the Amur Leopard & Tiger Alliance is to boost the wild populations with cubs born in captivity, helping to reduce the impact of inbreeding & the current genetic bottleneck. I wish those who intend on bringing these animals back from the brink of extinction all the luck in the world.

 — Jack Riggall

6 Best places to have a buffet in Delhi.

Is choosing dishes off the menu a difficult task for you and does the expensive bills at restaurants for just 2-3 dishes leave you unsatisfied?  Stop worrying eat everything like a king without burning a hole in your pocket. We have picked up top 6 buffet places in Delhi where you can have a hearty meal. Bon appétit!

1. Barbeque Nation

Source: http://www.barbeque-nation.com/themes/bbqn/assets/images/slider/1.jpg

Barbeque Nation is one of the most successful casual dining restaurant chains in India which has brought a buffet revolution. The snacks are totally lip smacking and the DIY concept of placing barbeque on each table is quite interesting. Each outlet promises to serve you the best.  You really won’t regret the kulfi kicks and other desserts. Barbeque nation is the restaurant which you should add on your bucket list.

• Where: multiple outlets across Delhi NCR
• Price: 677-800 per person

2. Pirates of Grill

Source: https://www.zomato.com/photos/pv-res-3077-r_MjUxNTEwNTU1MD

With a very convenient and accessible location this is the most popular restaurant,which has a buzzing atmosphere. It is a gastronomic delight having mouth watering dishes to die for. The USP of the place is the in- built tandoor on each table and the staff would not let it stay empty till your ‘tummy surrenders’. You won’t lack choices and the best part is you can order those unlimited times and that too at a very reasonable price!

• Where: Outlets in Noida, Rajouri Garden and MG Road
• Price: 680 per person (approx)

3. Indian Grill Company

source:http://www.cuisinelinks.com/images/restaurants/546/IndianGrillCompany_1169918_1434019653716.JPG

This place is a paradise for North Indian food lovers. The ambience has a classy and serene feel. Palak chaat and crispy palak leaf are not to be missed. The chef is there to entertain your custom requests. There is a variety of mocktails and bar being available to add to your experience. This can be a good place to host small parties.

• Where:  M-48, Outer Circle, Connaught Place, New Delhi
• Price: 775 per person

4. The Ancient Barbeque

source:https://b.zmtcdn.com/data/pictures/4/308584/95c1ece9296b504a6b9404acb2bcdfe0_featured_v2.jpg

With a huge spread of counters from salads to desserts or from gol gappas to pasta not a single dish would leave you disappointed and is enough to satisfy your craving! Although it is located in an empty mall the place has a charm in itself with live music, beautiful interiors and outdoor sitting to hold you there.

• Where: 223 & 223 A, Good Earth City Centre, Sector 50, Gurgaon
• Price:750 per person (approx)

5. Made in Punjab

source:http://media2.intoday.in/btmt/images/stories/bhatti-murgh-kebab_505_120313033537.jpg

Punjabi cuisine is one of the finest and richest cuisines of India. Made in Punjab will give you the authentic taste of Punjabi food.You would want your plates to be refilled by the amazing mutton seekh, butter chicken, dal makni and all the other items served in the buffet. Not only does the place leave you with a drool worthy experience but also an insight to the Punjabi culture with its décor and music.

• Where: C 418- 419, 3^rd Floor, DLF Mall of India, Sector 18, Noida
• Price: 650- 1050 per person

6. Impromptu

source:https://b.zmtcdn.com/data/pictures/4/311104/3e57bb81224b71bdf5c6488443d04df1_featured_v2.jpg

Amidst the corporate offices of the Golf course Road, lies this hidden gem. With its amazing outdoor garden seating and live music, the place will make your evening special. You will not regret spending your money as they offer a huge variety in their buffet menu ranging from Vegeterian to some meaty delights to the desserts and also alcohol being a part of it.

• Where: Ground Floor, Vatika Towers Complex, Golf Course Road, Gurgaon
• Price: 599- 1,699 per person

— Foodestrian. 

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.