Goa Diaries #3: Get Inked

#Travel  #GoaDiaries

I always wanted to get a tattoo. Permanent one...

I have been requesting my husband ever since I got married to get one... He doesn't allow. Yeah, people say that you should do what you want but sigh!

Anyways, I got the opportunity to get inked in Goa, at least temporary one and I would like to share my experience.

There are two types of tattoos: permanent and temporary.

Getting permanent tattoo in Goa is much much cheaper as compared to other cities. I have asked shops for prices in all cities I have even been (well, it doesn't harm in asking!) and Goa was cheapest. Rs. 500 per inch. So if you get a 2 X 2 inch tattoo it will cost you only Rs. 2000, which is also negotiable.

Talking about temporary tattoo, you will get different prices at different places. Even on different times. The most expensive I heard was Rs. 200 per inch and cheapest Rs. 50 per inch. Both promises of 1 month lasting. The rates are higher when you go to South Goa because of limited options. The shops are a lot yes but then it varies by place. Like on beach it is Rs. 200, on road it is Rs. 100 etc. 

The cheapest is in North Goa around Calangate beach and it depends on time. When I went on Saturday evening, the guy said Rs. 100 per inch but when I went on Sunday afternoon, same guy said Rs. 50 per inch. So you understand now...

Well, I was so happy to get the temp one at least and hoped for it to last at least 1 month. However, not even 10 days and it has mostly faded. He asked me to not rub soap on it and I don't. still it fades. So, if you plan to get one, keep your expectations accordingly.

I hope my post will help you get inked

in Goa.

Love and Cheers.

Goa Diaries #2: Colva Beach

#Travel  #GoaDiaries

Sexy beaches is the first thing that comes to mind when we talk about Goa. And yes, Goa is indeed famous for Baga beach and Calangute beach but what most people miss is the beautiful Colva beach. If you have been there then you would know what I mean. You would fall in love with its white sand and clean water.

Goa is divided in 2: North Goa and South Goa.

Where North Goa is happening with all clubs and action, South Goa is more peaceful and serene. So the choice is yours where you want to be and it totally depends on type of vacation you want. You can decide accordingly.

As for us, we did both and it was cool.

Talking about beaches, given North Goa is commercialized, the beaches get exceptionally crowded and dirty. I am one of those people who like to visit less crowded and clean places, hence we chose Colva beach. And it was so beautiful.

Honestly, playing in the ocean on Colva beach reminded me of my experiences in South Africa. Yes, Durban and Cape Town have lovely, clean and beautiful beaches. For two days we stayed in South Goa and yes, there was nothing much to do in the night but still it was epic. Sometimes it is good to play and have fun throughout the day and then just spend the evening with your loved ones. 

The water activities on this beach are also awesome however it is a little expensive. Given it is only beach in South Goa, they charge monopoly prices. If you want water activities like Paragliding, Jet Ski etc. then go to Calangute. Similar experience at much cheaper rates.

All in all, it was an awesome relaxing fun experience and if you want to just chill out then Colva is the place to be. :)

Love and Cheers

Goa Diaries #1: Traveling via Sleeper Coach Bus

#Travel  #GoaDiaries

Recently I went to Goa with my dear husband and it was an experience of a lifetime. All those people who have been to Goa will agree with my following sentiment - 'I went to Goa for first time ever and I am sad that I never been there in past 28 years'. [Ha! Ha!]

I want to share so much, about the experiences that I had there and I would like to start with the one I was most skeptical about. Believe me but in my entire life I have traveled via bus only like 4-5 times. When my husband informed me that no trains are available I was worried but many people including him assured me that it would be a fine experience and honestly it was.

Given it was like a twelve hours run from Mumbai to Goa, we took sleeper bus and it was way above my expectations. The moment I stepped in the bus it was like I have stepped in some other world. I had a weird peculiar image for the experience but I could not be more wrong. The bus was very clean and everything was in order. It was quiet and peaceful inside and I could not have asked for more.

If you have traveled via a sleeper bus before than you can relate to what I mean but below are the pros and cons of travelling via bus:

Pros:

• It is very comfortable
• Single beds for stags and doubles for couples or people travelling together
• Curtains for privacy
• Much better sleeping arrangements in comparison to train. My hubby is suffering from severe back issue for a week and I was exceptionally worried. But the moment I sat on bed my worries faded away

Cons:

• Availability of washroom. If you have a weak bladder than you might want to skip on water as you can pee only when bus stops
• Lot of noise and bumps on road. If you are a light sleeper than it can be very painful

Point to note: while booking try to book lower deck and seat closer to driver as it is very bumpy in the end of the bus.

I traveled in two buses in this trip and I admit Purple bus is fantastic. Superior quality stuff and sensible staff. Another I traveled was Siash and it was okay-okay. However but were comfortable.

I hope my post helps.

Love and Cheers.

Can't Make it? Then Fake it...

 #Thailand    #Miscellaneous

We all love shopping and personally whenever I am upset I shop... it naturally brings smile to my face... However what we all buy varies from individual to individual, some people like clothes shopping, some like shoe shopping, some go for some kindda gadget and people like me buy small things that may or maynot be useful in day to day activities... 

Shopping is bliss isn't it? But it turns into a misery when what you want doesn't sit in an affordable range. For most people (esp. in India) its not even about affordable range, usually people have money but we don't want to spend that much on something. We would rather settle for not having it, then spending too much... Isn't it?

When we shop we look for many things but apart from all the regular things there are many others that are aspirations, like you may want Rolex watch, or Louis Vuitton purse or many other things... These things are of course are just aspirations and not in everyone's affordable range... Market is flooded with so many things that most middle class can't even dream about them. There are so many shops in malls today that feel like money drain... so many manufacturers just put a label called 'brand' on their products and charge skyrocketing prices for them... There are people who can buy them but well most population can't afford! But do they need to satiate for non-branded things  or average products that doesn't make them happy? Well, thats not the case...

I have certain friends who own most premium products available around, be it sunglasses, watches, bags, etc. This luxury for a person with same earning range makes you wonder hence I asked them the source and the answer was in 1 word, 'Thailand'

We all know Thailand is one of the world's top shopping destination but what most of us don't know is what you buy from Thailand will not necessarily be real. In fact most products are fake and only the experts can tell the difference. I personally prefer proper branded products but for most people you know, dil hai ki manta nahi (the heart doesn't understands). If you fall in this category who doesn't care if the product is authentic or not, you can try Thailand. Well honestly, counterfeit is so popular these days that you may buy a thing at full price and never realize if its real or not, so maybe it's worth the try...

I am not saying that go to Thailand every time you want something,  but if original or fake doesn't

bother you and you have long list of desires (materialistic of course) then plan a trip to Thailand... by the way other desires are legal in Thailand but be very cautious because you never know who you might end up with...!!!

Coming back to original topic, going to Thailand is pretty easy for many reasons (in comparison to other countries)

• It has visa-on-arrival policy so you don't have to go through long waiting process of Visa (which is a tedious process for Indians)
• If you plan well in advance you can get a return ticket for as less as Rs.10,000 (Going to Kerala would be more expensive)
• You can easily find a decent stay within normal range
• And for most Indians, Indian food is very important (esp. if you are a vegetarian). In Thailand  you will get the second best homemade food ever (first being mom's food always)

Also, Thailand is a beautiful travel destination. At one time Phuket was considered to be the best honeymoon spot but now it's very commercialised. However, there are many other less commercial places in Thailand that can visited and enjoyed. Well checkout the image here, isn't it heaven...

How to travel in Thailand?

There are many options available, like taxis, tuk-tuks (auto-rickshaw), public buses, canal and river boats, motorbike taxis, the Skytrain (BTS) and underground (MRT). Given the traffic in Bangkok, boats and trains are good option. However, do try river boats, they cover many historic places of Thailand and it is a great way of sightseeing

What security measure to take in Thailand?

Well, all normal travel rules apply in Thailand as well. It is pretty safe however it is recommended not to flaunt money or other products. Also make sure to take care of your belongings while you shop, if you leave something behind or in taxi, its very unlikely that you will find it again

Let's talk about places in Thailand that you can go & shop.

Image of Patpong Night Street

We already know the reasons to come and shop in Thailand, however, one should know (and I re-iterate) they all are counterfeit products, be it Ray Ban, Monte  Blanc, Guess, Rolex, Prada and even Apple products etc. Name it and claim it... :). Also I can bet my money on fact that if you put original and Thai product together, you can't tell the difference (well unless you are an expert)
There are many places to shop and you can get similar stuff everywhere. However, find a street market as you can there bargain heavily (don't be rude like people are in India, use smile & polite approach, prices will go down). Only malls, supermarkets etc have fixed price, rest all is bargained. I would recommend asking hotel guys to tell you which place to go and shop so that you have convenience. However there are many markets like Train Market, Platinum mall, MBK Mall etc that you can visit. My friends recommend night markets as they are very popular. Some good night markets are,  Khao San Road, Patpong market etc. 

One word of caution, when you shop make sure the product you buy is in good condition and is of good quality. You don't want to end up with used or damaged product.

Anything else?

Lets see, we covered travel to Thailand, food, travel within city, security measures & shopping destinations in brief. The only two things I can think of are popular lying Buddha temple and some translations.

Lying Buddha temple i.e. Wat Pho temple is one the most famous temple of Buddha in Thailand. It has the largest reclining Buddha and largest collection of Buddha images. There are 108 bronze bowls in the corridor indicating the 108 auspicious characters of Buddha. People drop coins in these bowls as it is believed to bring good fortune, and to help the monks maintain the wat. The shopping area of this temple is also pretty awesome...

Language translations

Thai people speak Thai, they know English only a little so it is important to know all important slangs, below is list of a few...

Hello - Sawasdee ka / krub *

I'm just looking - Pom / chan kae duu **

Let me have a look first - Kor pom / chan duu kon **

That's pretty - Seuy dee na ka / krub *

How much? - Tao rai?

Too expensive! - Pang maak na ka / krub! *

Can I have a discount? - Lod dai mai?

Do you have other colours? - Mee see eun mai?

Do you have a bigger size? - Mee yai kwaa nee mai?

Do you have a smaller size? - mee lek kwaa nee mai?

Is this from Thailand? - Tam nai pra ted thai rue plao?

No thanks, I'm not interested - Mai aow ka / krub *

Thank you very much - Kob Khun maak ka / krub *

You are so sweet! - Khun na rak maak!

* 'ka' if you're female, 'krub' if you are male

** 'pom' if you are male, 'chan' is used for both sexes

I hope this articles helps you get through Thailand when you plan to visit. 

Till then

Take Care

South Africa... Why to GO & Why to AVOID...

   #Random #southafrica

Like any other place, South Africa has its charms and repulsion. It was its charms that attracted me but after living in South Africa for 1.5 years, me & my husband came to realize its not the place we want to live forever. But before we delve into that, lets see some good aspects of South Africa...

Its a beautiful place and Cape Town is just heaven. You might have heard South Africa is beautiful but trust me word the beautiful doesn't do justice to Cape Town. It's just heaven. I loved travelling to CT always and a trip there is the best holiday we ever had. Its like the full package, you have most beautiful beaches, you have mountains and even penguins... On my last trip to CT, I took a moment to take in the last view of this Godly place and if I ever get a chance to visit it, I will surely do so... Also if you do get a chance grab it, and don't forget to do the garden route... its simply mesmerizing...

Awesome wildlife and experiences: SA offers such wildlife experience that you won't get ever especially in India. My favorite part was playing with the cubs and ostrich. I never dreamt that I would touch a lion ever, it was simply the best experience ever.  

There were other good experiences as well like shark cage diving, dolphin shows, feeding giraffe & ostrich with bare hands etc. It was all just perfect. Something that you get to do only once in life. 

For this wonderful experiences, if you get a chance, do go...

And yup... That's a lion shitting right behind OUR CAR -->

Charismatic beaches...: Beaches in CT are very cold, we Indians can't enjoy that water... I tried and had an experience of 1000 needles piercing my feet. It is because CT has Atlantic Ocean and we all know how Atlantic is. However Durban has Indian Ocean and just like us Indians, it's warm :). The beaches in Durban are overly crowded hence you will get best beach experience in places near to Durban like St. Lucia, Margate, Ramsgate etc. They are less commercial and best beach experience ever

Incredible Wine Estates & Wine tasting experiences: Near CT there is a town called Stellenbosch that has the best wine estates. Most wine estates have wine tasting options which allow you to taste various wines. For a nerd like me all wines are same but for others its quite interesting. Also, some farms like the Spier also have small zoo which offer incredible interactive experience with animals. We played with porcupine, eagles and also owls :)  

There are few other good things as well, like traffic, people have amazing traffic sense. Unlike India they follow lane driving, honking (blowing horn) is literally banned. If you honk it means you are shouting on someone. 

Pure tap water. Water is so good that you can drink directly from tap. I can't dream of even cooking with tap water in India
Food options: Very big plus point for Indians, wherever you go you will always find Indian food with a taste of your liking 

Fruits & Vegetables are very good. You can actually pick up an apple and eat it without washing, you will not fall sick (but do please wash it, it's unhygienic by default)

Cleanliness, you will not find a single piece of litter on road and if there is, someone decently will pick it up and throw it in bin. Well, I don't need to comment what happens in India

Air, very pure and fresh. Some benefit of less population and smart people

Reading above it does looks like a perfect place to live, isn't it. But now lets see why we came back... I am not going to add any pics of these experiences so please bear with me...

• Very high crime rate: We all have read about crimes everywhere, our India is no behind but in Joburg I was terrified. Everyday people being hijacked, murdered. You can't go out in the evening without the fear of being mugged. My friends there have been mugged at gunpoint, some guys once surrounded my car one evening to steal from me. These are terrifying experiences. The extent is so high that they actually have law that if you see any suspicious characters around you while you are at a traffic signal, you can jump it and you don't need to pay the fine
• Road Rage: Some places of South Africa road rage is very high. Road rage meaning people attacking cars just because of anger. Once a car just honked on another and guy  took out AXE from his trunk and smashed the front mirror of honking car..!
• Xenophobia: Xenophobia means 'dislike of or prejudice against people from other countries' and its increasing. Its also on internet that South Africans are a little insecure about foreign people coming in and taking their jobs. The crime is not very high against Indians yet, but I wont take a chance in long term
• Frauds: Very popular. Once a guy, don't know how, swapped my husband's debit card with fake card and stole 6000ZAR (equivalent to 30,000Rs.) Because of these high rate of frauds, banks in South Africa have good insurance policy but still...!
• No proper public transport: Its very unsafe to travel by train or local taxis. If you don't have a car then your travel is massive expenditure. One cannot afford a cab everyday. Hence, the process of renting a car and self-driving is very popular there. Well, if you don't know how to drive then you are in even bigger problems
• No good doctors: They have awful process, you have to go through GP, you can't go to a specialist directly. Example, if you broke your leg, you will first go to GP who will examine you and if he/she is not able to fix your leg then you will be recommended to a orthopedic. Its insane. My friend almost fainted in pain once and stupid GP referred her after 2 days of useless checkups and mounting issues...
• Economy & Exchange rate: We all move out of other country for exposure and earn more money. The view of economists is that South African economy will be 'bearish' for next 5 years i.e. the economy will not improve anytime soon. Hence, all money you earn in Rands will be equivalent to lesser INR or Dollars
• People: I personally didn't find many South Africans very friendly. Some were fine but most were mean and only within their own circles. I have few friends but they were mainly Indian origin South Africans or Non-South Africans. Usually white South Africans look down upon Indians which is simply unacceptable. Also their own culture is very weird, one of my colleague explained me how his marriage works, he said 'sometimes my wife treats me, sometimes I treat her. When it's her turn I prefer someplace fancy'. Also when I told them for us Indian's it's not 'your or my money', for a family it's our money, their first statement was 'what if you get divorced'. Which brings me to my point, people there are not loyal and most married people (that I knew) were on their 2nd or 3rd marriage. I personally don't want to live in a place where relations hold so little meaning
• Lack of good company: Well it was problem with us, our office didn't had many Indians and getting social doesn't come very easily to me. Hence, I found this as a big problem because outside work, we got terribly lonely
• No help at home: We Indians have privilege of having help with cleaning and cooking but that's not so easily possible in South Africa. It is there and most people take it weekly or fortnightly but if you want daily, you need to spend massive fortune
• Corruption: Well, here just like India, South Africa highly corrupt. You can't go anywhere without a bribe. Police, government officials or say everyone else will try to extract money without any reason. My friend keeps 50ZAR note in his licence, the moment someone stops him he pays 50 indirectly and gets to leave without any hassle. 

These are enough but if I think harder there would be more drawbacks and I would like to stop here.

Statistically, yes there are many Indians living there, as a matter of fact Durban has more Indians than any other place in the world (of course outside India). But to me and to my closest friends, we didn't find it suitable. I am sure there are others who like it, but we don't. For us safety and respect is most important and it lacked severely there.

With this article I know my friends in South Africa will be offended, but it is my honest opinion and for no reason will I ever change it.

However, please don't be scared to go to this magnificent place. If you get a chance to go to South Africa do go for a visit. Its nice for vacation and small change but personally I will not recommend for long term. 

Till then

Take Care.