Sikkim - Land of Peace and Tranquility, Part 1.

Travel has been an immense part of my life, and whenever I get a chance and some off time post work, I am out to explore the kingdom of beauty. 

Long walk upside hills, Road trips and Flights have proved to become my companion. And I absolutely love it. 

Here are few pictures below, from my visit to different parts of hometown - "Sikkim".

If only I could live that lace shoes, pleated skirt and ribbon hair life. 

Captured while taking a walk up the hill in GANGTOK

Om mani padme hum, Prayer Wheels.

Enchey Monastery in GANGTOK

As these prayer flag symbolises peace, all I can wish is for some real peace across.
These flags give us an immense touch and feel of different colours of  life and to cherish it. 

Another click on my walk to Hill in GANGTOK

You need that state of mind, once a while. 

And I attained my state in Rabong - SOUTH SIKKIM

Snow Peak Mountains. Only if I was permitted to celebrate Christmas here.

Hoping to have White Christmas this year in - TSOMGO LAKE, GANGTOK

My first Chopper experience admits mountains, luxuriant forest, pristine waterfalls and cascading rivers.

IN GANGTOK

View from Helicopter. Journey from Gangtok to Bagdogra, West Bengal.

All you guys planning for a vacation, leave the beachy life for a while and explore the Beauty of Mountains. 

More pictures and posts will follow as in when I will travel in my city.

Love,
Pen Twister

Travel and Consequences.

Travelling is an integral part of me. I love travelling as much as I love shopping. Offlate I have been travelling quite a bit, and looks like my list of visiting places before 30 is making some progress.
For me, Travelling is not about visiting beautiful cities, dining in fancy places, shopping but it's way beyod that. Being a part of Different Cultures and learning about them is one of the reason's I travel.
As I mentioned, I have been travelling too much off late and living out my dream. In the mean time, I have also realised that my skin has gone for a toss. Tanning, De - Hydration, black spots are few problems to name. But does that stop me from travelling? Hell no!
To deal with such issues, there are few simple steps I am following and I hope it gives me some results.
I have my Friend's Wedding to attend. Damn.

Daily Skin Care Steps:
1. Drinking Water throughout the day till my bladder hurts.
2. Applying mixture of honey and lemon juice on a daily basis. (Avoiding any kind of soap on face, during morning hours).
3. Applying Kaya's, much recommended anti tan gel followed by Sun's Cream.
4. Using Anti - Tan cream based soap from Lush to wash face before going to bed.
5. Followed by Application of Aloe vera Natural Gel on face.

Apart than the daily routiene, I have started to use home products as a part of facial pack rather than going to Salons. Honestly, tried doing all kinds of fancy and expensive treatments but nothing worked. Looks like Dried Orange Peels and gram flour are much superoir and definitely cheaper choices than those treatments.
I have not started to see any results yet, but hoping for some. Incase you guys have some suggestions, feel free to share.

 In the mean time, have a look at the pictures from my recent trip to "Spiti Valley". A destination that cannot be missed. Guys, speak to your Travel Agents, gather your backpacks and explore the beauty of this heavenly place.

On the way to Chandratal Lake from Manali

Mountain behind the gorgeous Chandratal Lake

Comic Village

Post Office built at Asai's highest Altitude point

Camping

These are just a few pictures. And I must tell you, pictures are just not doing justice to this pretty place.

So start planning up your next vacation guys, while I focus on some skin rejuvination tricks.

Be warm and have a great week ahead.

Love,
Pen Twister.

Travel Dairies - Part 1

I know it took me a long time, but as promised I am here with a fun post. The post will be in 3parts.I promise it wouldn't be boring.
The post is about the recent holiday I had. Holiday that has changed me as a person and has rejuvenated my soul. A holiday to Valley of Gods. With the backpacks ready a group of 5, started from Delhi without a clue of the agenda and itenary. The initial plan was to reach Ladakh but due to time constrains and a few unusual activities we could not reach our desired destination. Hence, we decided to cover most of non - commercialized places that falls in Manali Ladakh Highway.
 Our first destination was Manali .We took a Volvo from Delhi on 08th September evening and reached  Manali on 09th Morning. The journey overall was quite an adventure and full of insanity amongst the group of 5. On arrival, Manali was not what be expected, it was strangely warm and the view was not very fascinating. Well, I am making that statement because I myself belong to one of the most pretty hill stations "Sikkim". Manali is said to be an ancient trade route of Ladakh, what we noticed later in the trip was Manali not only was a trade route to Ladakh but every small, big town, village around was dependent on Manali for every little thing, be it grocery, medicines, clothes, poultry, vessels etc. 

Being born in Himalayas we have been surrounded by Valleys, monasteries, mountains hence we refused to go for local sightseeing and agreed on doing some recreational activities and adventure sport like Biking, Paragliding etc. 

We did that stupidity of not visiting places thinking all hill stations are same, but you should not miss any bit of local sightseeing. There are beautiful structured ancient Tibetan monasteries, mountaineering institutes, valleys, temples and o’course the famous mall road. 

Travel & Distance - From Delhi Approximately 540 kms. Talking in terms of time it takes 10 – 14 hours depending upon the road conditions, stopovers and breaks.

You could also take a flight to Kullu, Manali is 40 kms away. Or train to Kalka or Chandigarh followed by booking a taxi incase you suffer from Motion Sickness.

Must Visit Places – Solang Valley – Activities like skiing, paragliding, and ropeway takes place.

Old Manali – Great place to Shop.

Eateries – Don’t miss the famous German Bakery, Freedom Café and Drifter’s Inn.

Vashisst hot spring, Club house, various temples and monasteries.

Have a look at a few pictures from Manali. 

I am in AIR!

View from the Cafe - Freedom Cafe.

View from Ropeway in Solang Valley

On the way

Water from Nehru Kund - Another must visit place. Mountain water at it's best.

This was all about Manali. Fascinating? Don't worry the trip has just begun.

TO BE CONTINUED.........