Next stop, New Zealand!

Last minute packing for my 6pm flight tomorrow to: - the land of the long white cloud

Aotearoa

It’s been a while since I last travelled overseas (that’s if 6 months ago can be considered as “a while ago”) LOL and honestly, I cannot express my love for travelling - whether I go solo, with family, or with friends. All I want to do is to explore, explore and explore!! Travelling is my current lover and there's so much to like about travelling, ahhh... if only I could travel forever! 

 I feel very fortunate to have started travelling from a very young age moving from India to New Zealand, then from New Zealand to Australia!

So after two and a half years, tomorrow – I’ll be flying back to the place I once called, “home”.

It’s crazy don’t you think, the fact that in less than 24 hours you can just about go anywhere in the world by plane?! Flying 38,000 feet about sea level with just over 300 people is such an incredible but amazing feeling!

One of the things I love most about travelling is the sense of freedom it gives me! Breaking free from my daily routines and experiencing new sights/surroundings, it gives such an extraordinary feeling!  

I encourage you all to get out of your comfort zone, and travel more! Enjoy, take a break and appreciate the beauty you’re surrounded by! Whether it’s to another country or even to a place nearby! Enjoy the time you have for it may not come again. I believe there is no other way to explore and find out more about yourself than through travel!

Wishing you all a safe and happy week!

Until Next Time,

Archana

Keep calm and travel on!

Dance to express,not to impress

Dancing, food, music and festivals are an enormous part of Indian culture. Indian festivals revolve around - music, dancing, singing, poetry and chanting. The bright coloured costumes, makeup and props really give each performance its final touch. India has a wide range of classical and non-classical dances, each form with it's own speciality and uniqueness. 

                           Had the honour of performing at our Kaavu (Temple) during my last visit to Kerala

Kerala - God's own country

Last December just like every other year, I flew back to my motherland – Kerala.

Kerala is a narrow strip of land located on the southwestern edge of the Indian subcontinent. Kerala is famous for its culture, spices, beaches and backwaters. I was there for just over a month and honestly, I felt as though it wasn’t long enough. The trip was just fantastic, I’ve never had this much fun during my previous visits. It felt great waking up every morning to the most beautiful scenes ever. Kerala is the greenest place I’ve seen! The coconut palms, the red tiled houses, the innumerable lakes and beaches, oh I miss it so dearly! The beauty of Kerala is really beyond written description. 

The Backwaters of Kerala

Kumarakom is known for its famous backwaters of Kerala and is one of the must go place when you visit Kerala.

The houseboat started moving in water and it was a very relaxing experience. We could see hundreds of other houseboats moving in the backwaters. A voyage along the backwaters on one of the traditional thatched boats is one of the quite essential Kerala experiences. As the houseboat drifted along, we could hear clothes smacking against stone as women did the laundry by the water’s edge while the kids paused their games and waved in our direction. The captain docked the houseboat beneath some palm trees as we stopped for lunch, the cook onboard whipped up incredible meals for us, cooking enough food for 18. We feasted on grilled fish, chilli prawns, pappadums, a variety of coconut chutneys, spicy seafood curries and fried bananas for a teatime snack

Around 6pm our boat came to a halt. Our boat was parked on the bank and we enjoyed evening tea along with some snacks. We could see local’s houses near the bank and see their daily routines. 

Sunset 

Following morning - view from my bedroom 

Munnar

Munnar, located in east Kerala it’s famous for its vibrant shade of green. The steep hillsides are covered with about 60,000 acres of tea plantations. 

                                                                  

Kochi 

Kochi, one of the most reputed scenic natural harbor’s in the world. 

"She knew that this moment would be with her always, within hands reach memory”           – Nostalgia - home is where the heart is

Home is where the heart is

Akshay, the youngest of my cousins. I could literally go on and on about this little guy and his cheeky smile. Oh, and did I mention those beautiful eyes of his? If you look closely, you can see my reflection in his eyes, oh what a boy!  I couldn't help but notice his naughty smile and not click a photo.

I sat on the bench and continued my conversation as I watched him trot away. He turned around and smiled a toothy grin at me, his hair chopped short and his brown eyes looking right back into mine. Honestly one of the sweetest, cheekiest and most caring boys in my life!  

                  Photo taken during my recent visit to India - 31/12/13  

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