My Rendezvous with Vietnam- Ninh Binh..!!

     If you would like to have a super power, what would you want it to be..?? The most common wish probably would be to fly or being invisible.

Well, you must trust me when i say you will have both these powers when you travel. The joy of being above clouds with feet on your ground and the lost identity in an unknown land makes you nobody to be recognized.

So, Fly!! and Disappear!!

Geography: Ninh Binh is situated in northern Vietnam.

Language: Vietnameese

Currency: Vietnameese Dong

Getting There: It takes 3.5 hours by Bus and 2.5 hours in Train from Hanoi. There are plenty of Bus companies that offers tickets at a nominal price.


What’s Famous here: Tam Coc, Tran An Caves, Pagodas and beautiful Rice fields.

My Story:

Ninh Binh had subconsciously occupied my interest and raced to the top in my list of must visit places in Vietnam. 

County side has always been a turn on for me and I seldom eschewed from even a thin chance of experiencing country side of any land. A city can get adulterated due to global influence and would be ready to compromise it's character but country side truly emits the lands flavor.

After falling head over heels for Hanoi and Ha long bay, the yearning for more of Vietnam was inevitably sown.

You can find my experiences of Hanoi and Ha Long Bay here.

By the time I reached Ninh binh from Hanoi, it was 7-30 pm. Lan and her family welcomed with such politeness and helped to make plans for rest of my stay in Vietnam.

The home-stay was in a place called Tam Coc, took a walk around the place and landed in an Indian restaurant for dinner. 

Early to rise next day with outpouring excitement. The breakfast was a delight sitting in between bird chirps. I decided to rent motorbike to roam around the village.

Old bike

My home-stay was just meters away from Tam Coc boat ride starting point.

Tam Coc boat ride starting point

The genuineness in beauty with something that is simple is more adorable than any sophisticated marvel. 

I continued, throttling my decades old bike.

on the way to Bich Dong pagoda

I stopped a million times clicking pics, for a simple chat with friends, to ask for route, to check the fields, the local experience has never been so complete and heartwarming until then.

deviations into unknown

Entering more unknown

Finally, I reached Bich Dong Pagoda.

From the very first sight you can make out that its a very old place. It's beautifully situated leaning against mountains wrapped around many more. I spent sometime just enjoying the nature and silence around me.

Bich Don Pagoda

Lotus in pond outside pagoda

While on my way to Bich Dong pagoda, the far surroundings to my left were persuading me to meet them. Lurking interests had seen couple of deviations which I knew i would take on my way back. 

I took one riding into the unknown through small Roads, crossing canals and fields to reach much wide open views.

Very similar to Ha long bay

Serene

It was like a deja vu. It was as if Ha long bay had found a land for itself. The typical Vietnam style steep karst limestone mountain cliffs all around me with paddy fields, lotus claiming an abode in ponds, huts, all were way too perfect.

Without any plan knocking my mind, without any hesitation, without a shame in surrendering my consciousness to nature I drove like I owned the world. 

Rumbling against my will to continue, I convinced myself to move ahead to next place. I drove to the start of Trang An boating tour. 

The complex is built well for tourists, very organised with ticketing systems and hundreds of boats to help us float in waters.

Trang An

In no time i was in the boat, rowing in unison with our ever smiling  boat driver, if i may call him so. It was completely silent which could be disrupted only by the sound of water or birds singing. There are 3 routes and we opted for the longest one going through 9 caves and 3 temples.

Staying so close to water and mountains is mesmerizing to say the least. The entire place was intertwined by range of mountains and valleys connected by rivers and caves, all sharing the same secret with diverging ambitions.

Dancing in river

incredible sight

As we moved close to a cliff, i could spot a tiny opening which happens to be the first cave. It was surreal, the cave was passing through the mountain with waters getting narrower. You just have to remind yourself that nature creations are most absurd and beautiful.

We passed through one side of the mountain and came out from another side after about 10 mins. I saw behind and it struck my mind that huge huge mountain was on top of my head. phew..!!

We continued, I have never been in such awe, being in the middle of such audacious nature exhibit. We took a stop in a temple, after spending all the energy climbing up and down the steps, we found the Pagoda surrounded by waters and cliffs. Rowing again in emerald waters, we enter more caves and temples.

Temple

Each cave is different and has its own story to flaunt, at many places the caves were very narrow that the periphery of the boat brushes the insides of the cave, and we had to duck our heads a hundred times as they were so tiny. It's fills curiosity constantly and indulges every bit of you in its act of showing off.

Range of cliffs

Just outside a cave

After 3 hours of dramatic stuff, I knew i was coming to the end of it. We are hidden from even the information of existence of these natural wonders, it is so naive to only wish to see only famous places. Places like these are indescribable and unadulterated by any imbecile world.

It was time for me to explore more in my bike. I took unknown routes into paddy fields, dipping in endless green. I drove in tiny paths just because a view out there was calling me towards it.

Rice fields exploration

More exploration

The fields had boundless paddies waiting for the hardworking hands to harvest.

I then started to Hang Mua for sunset. The way to Hang Mua itself is something to be relished for long. Sun was racing down and i was sunk in the magical colors all over me.

I was physically outliving my relevance, i dissolved into thin air watching the sunset, standing in the middle of tiny road in between rice fields. Farms, mountains and sunset with a flock of birds hovering in the sky.

Natures Art

This is the painting i drew when i was 6, and its happening in front of my eyes, It was an unbelievable experience.

Quickly reached Hang Mua and steered up those countless number of steps. I was lucky to get the last glimpse of light helping me witness the entire range of vast mountains, rice fields and rivers.

Recalling everything during dinner, It was a very satisfying experience at the end of it.

I had to leave at 4 early morning to catch my flight back from Hanoi. Lan and her family were so kind to get up early to bid me bye and gave fruits for breakfast. I stayed in Tam Coc mountain lake home-stay.

I have been to quite some places but never experienced such warmth and kindness from anybody in the world. 

Vietnam..!!

People have often asked me which is the best place I have been to and I have never dared to spell a name out just because each place has something different and everything is best in its own way. But, as an experience, as of today (the day I'm writing this), Vietnam has surpassed my expectations way too much.
Explore as much as you can, entire world belongs to you.

Tips:

• To get the best display of rice fields, be there before mid of October before they harvest.
• Hire a bike or motor cycle and drive. Traffic is nil and you can take millions of stops. Highly recommended.
• Choose the lengthiest route in Trang An to explore the best caves.

-UR
uday.s7@gmail.com

My Rendezvous with Vietnam- Hanoi and Ha Long Bay..!!

    We play our existence in search of boundless freedom with a wish to be defeated by unleashing human spirit. In a number of ways unique to each of us, we find a path towards this exploration. Travel is my path.

Geography: Hanoi is capital of Vietnam situated in the northern part of the country.

Language: Vitenameese

Currency: Vietnameese Dong

Getting There: Flights from different parts of Asia and other major cities around the globe are available. Nearest and easiest is a flight from Bangkok. If you are travelling inside Vietnam, buses and trains are available from other parts of the country.


What’s Famous here: Pagodas, thousands of islands, Old quarter.

My Story:

Vietnam is very dear to me in many ways. I landed in Hanoi on a sunny morning, typical tropical greet by sun. After getting hassle-free visa on arrival at airport, taxi found its way through narrow streets of old quarter. The colors, people, costume, architecture, the very way how everything was laid out was already fascinating. 

I reached my hotel and got acquainted to the staff.  I was pressed for time to visit places in Hanoi, the staff very kind to create a plan, I set off to see Tran Quoc Pagoda.

Pagoda entrance

1000 year old

up close

With oozing tradition, this 1000 year old Pagoda stood steady through test of times emitting serenity perpetually.

Next stop: Lotte building. A birds eye view of the city from 65th floor.

65th floor

Hidden in the old quarter amidst busy lives merely a feet away from houses entrance is this crazy railway track where trains still hurl.

filmy but real

train's not coming, so let me take a pic

Kids play, restaurants do their business, domestic works are carried out like any other part of the city, you may never see such a sight in any other place probably.

Evening magnified the colors in the old quarter, this where all the magic happens.

artistic

old quarter

Thriving forever, steep in culture, bustling with shops and restaurants, sprinkled with pagodas and temples old quarter is a delight to be around. Anyone who visits the place cannot avoid to see the cuteness in tiny details of the place. Take a stroll and get lost in the streets, a snack in one of the street side hotel is something not to be missed.
People here like to be down to earth in every sense, they have cute tables and chairs which are very small as if they are made for 5 year old's.

tiny tables

Flaunting a character of its own, the place grew on me.

The evening only got better with me and my friends becoming a fan of 333. Into the night through chit chatter and stories that made no sense. Late in the night we decided to roam the streets and sit in any of those tiny tables in old quarter restaurant.

Don't know who's bike this is..

Experiencing the night in local way, taking pictures on unknown persons little bike, walking in routes unknown,  this is a night that can never fade from my memory.

With a guilt of not staying more in Hanoi, I had to leave to Ha Long Bay the next morning. Hanoi and it's people were very kind to me. I have not been taken care this way by any other hotel staff until then, they were utterly polite, friendly and genuinely happy to help, they even helped me cross the road, I was blown away by their warmth. I stayed in Nova Luxury Hotel in old Quarter.

After a 3.5 hours of drive from Hanoi, I reached the shores of Ha long bay.
In minutes I was into a small boat escorting from shores to cruise boat. As we were nearing, entire Cruise staff were at the entrance waving like babies all in unison, it was adorable, they sprinkled roses on us, a flattering welcoming gesture. Our guide gave a brief agenda for next 24 hours as we were having lunch. Explored the cruise, it was a 3 floor architecture with suites in the ground floor, dining area in first floor,  sun deck and party area on the top.
It took a while for me to absorb the whole drama around me. Dreams are far from reality, imagination in dreams are as far as reality can remotely get to, within my conscious horizon, it was hard to believe that i was living it at that moment.

entering the maze

We slowly crawled into a maze of islands trapping us in its beauty, with winds caressing my face, dancing through the waves, soaking under sun, I stood on the deck speechless staring at the symphony of mountains that enclosed us from rest of the world.

beauty of Ha long bay

Soon we reached Cat Ba island, the largest in Ha long bay. We were given an introduction to the history of the place. Legend says that to protect the land against   enemies from North, a family of dragons descended creating natural impeccable fortress of more than 2800 islands , Ha long bay translates to descending of dragons. We were taken through a large cave which served as home for many families during war.
Back to the cruise. I was back, up in the sun deck with friends, as we moved into endless maze.

Sun deck

Evening falling on Ha long bay

Shadows of mountains grew larger over its counterparts, noise of emerald waters filling my ears, the evening was here as we were playing hide and seek with sun. It won many times hiding behind island mountains before we could seek only the next morning. It was one of the most melodious sunset's I have been part of.

Sunset

hide and seek

Happy hours, Chit chatter and cooking class. I learnt to make Vietnamese style spring roll before savoring it. Minutes later Mr.T served a delightful dinner. Later, I found myself in the sun deck again dissolving into the wind and enjoying the night sky before putting myself back in my suite for a good night's sleep.

I was up early next morning at 5:30 and helped myself slowly up to sun deck. Sunrise was just about to occur and it felt divine. There's something about early morning sunlight that makes the entire world pure. Tai Chi classes began as mountains were slowly becoming visible with fog escaping into blue sky. Deeply refreshing.

early monring

foggy

purity

The next activity was not in the cruise but out there all by ourselves in the waters , kayaking. I was doing it for the first time, daring before any second thoughts invade my ambition, with my entire trust on life jacket, psssst !! I don't know to swim. Slowly working my way towards and away from islands and mountains, I soon learnt the knack. The view truly was a different manifestation of the same maze of islands from the kayak boats, discovering them and fighting the ripples of other cruises running close to us. Returned to cruise knowing that it was time to get back to the shore.

after kayak

The staff served brunch before having to bid them bye. They gave a gracious farewell lined up at the exit wishing us good. I shook hands with heavy heart. It was the baggage of goodness from hotel staff and local people in Hanoi along with unimaginably courteous Cruise staff left me defeated.

I was dropped back to Hanoi where i spent hours roaming and shopping before It was time for me to head to a paradise called Ninh Binh.

Click here to read my experience in Ninh Binh.

Tips:

• Old quarter deserves a visit in daylight and in moonlight, don't miss.
• Use a app called Grab for motorcycle taxi and normal taxis. it's cheap and reliable.
• If you are purchasing anything in old quarter, do bargain, for at least 30% lesser price.

-UR
uday.s7@gmail.com

Konigsee, Germany Travel Tips!!

    Berchtesgaden and Konigsee are placed in 
southern Germany with breath-taking views that can make you wobble in dizziness. Expect to be mesmerized by natures exhibition of its purity.

How to get there:

• Trains can be taken from Munich or Salzburg. Would take you nearly 2 hours from either of these places. Get down in Frielassing and change trains here. 
• You may also take roadways from Munich or Salzburg or any other parts of Germany or Austria.

Accommodation:

Hostels and hotels are spread out across the hilly 
town. Typically, the cost of accommodation is 
relatively cheaper in the city center realizing the connect with nature is greater as you move away from city center.

Average costs of Hostel start from 25 Euros and hotels may charge nearly 50 Euros per day.

Food:

Restaurants are beautiful and a variety of food is available. Sit down meals are relatively marginally costlier than other parts of Germany.

Try out Home made cheese dishes, they are delicious.

Places to visit:

Dokumentation is a wonderful place from where we get buses to the top of Eagles nest. It provides historical information on mountainside use of the town by Nazi's as a vacation spot.

Eagles nest is the summit from where you could probably view a hug range of alps. It’s an absolute bliss.

Kehlsteinhaus is a third Reich building erected on top of the summit in Obersalzburg area.

Lake Konigsee is the main attraction. I would say this is probably one of the best lakes in Europe. The hike and trek in and around the lake is something no one should miss. Take a boat ride from the starting point, this is a 45 mins ride to reach the other end of the lake.

We also have lake Obersee which is behind Konigsee that can be visited through a ferry ride over Konigsee.

To know about Konigsee and my experience Click here .

Keep Travelling!!

-UR
uday.s7@gmail.com

Beauty of world through the eyes of Konigsee!!

Have you ever opened a book and right in the beginning itself you feel like you have dived into something wonderful? Yeah it was one such experience.
We left from Herzogenaurach to Munich through Erlangen. We took the M-train that goes to Salzburg and changed trains at Freilassing deviating to Berchtesgaden.
As the tiny train carved its way towards our destination, the mountains grew taller, the streams grew wider and farms grew greener with colors of fall and cows grazing on them speckled all over.

Geography: Situated in southern Germany in Bavarian state, close to German Austrian border.

Language: German, English

Currency: Euro

Getting There: To reach Berchtesgarden, take M-train from Munich. Get down at Freilassing. Change trains in Freilassing to Berchtesgarden. From here, take bus 841 and 842 from bus stand just outside the train station. Nearest airport is Salzburg.

What’s Famous here: Lake Konigsee, Lake Obersee, Eagles Nest.

My Story:
I had just heard that lake Konigsee was one of the best scenic things that you could probably see in Europe, but I had not seen even a single picture. I cannot tell whether it was the confidence on German alps to enthrall me or was it mere ignorance or self created suspense on the place.
Berchtesgaden felt unimaginably fresh, the air felt so pure, music of streams crashing ground and making way through valley, a hilly little town that can make you drown in pleasant wilderness.

Center of Berchtesgaden

After our lunch, We left to visit Eagle's nest. Took taxi to Dokumentation from where we get buses to the top. An amazing place providing historical information on Nazi's.
We get birds eye view of Konigsee from the top of Eagles nest. The weather was perfect with sunshine and chilly air, I was surrounded by alps again and one can never get enough of it.

Birds eye-Lake Konigsee

Evening was ours to explore the town. It was very unique, it had lot of tiny hills, so we had to ascend and descend many of them to visit different corners. We found a lovely restaurant where i had delicious spaghetti with home made cheese to end the day.

It was early morning in the German-Austrian border. We reached the shore from where we could take electric boats. I could not trust my eyes nor my senses.
It was one of those misty mornings when the sky is inked in blanket of limitless blue, soft wisps of fog caressing me, the images far from my sight beautified by moving blockade of fog bringing them close to heart. My breath emerging delicately, loosing its power as it dissipates into chilly air, blending with the fog.

Magic starts here

All of us were silent for few minutes, We were frozen admiring the view around us, not even taking pics for some minutes.

Boat started, thawing our thrill. Surrounded by steep, huge mountains, the sight that we get in the beginning makes us believe that the lake is not as big as it really is. The lake zig-zag's, so at any point in time you feel like its the end of the lake, and as you move further, it keeps extending, unfolding its marvel. It was so pretty with sun stretching over the mountains.

Symphony of mountains

While on boat, there comes a point where we are surrounded completely from all sides by mountains, with absolutely no sight of shore or the destination. To add more to the experience, we had someone from the boat crew playing saxophone, he asked us to listen to the echo of the music coming from the nature around us. Pristine!! After some stops and 45 mins of ride through the valley of surprises, we reached Salet, the farthest and last stop.

This place, it cannot be real. I get goosebumps even when i'm writing this. It was divine, Sun was awake completely, striking the lake letting us view the mysteries it beheld.

Salet

Salet

Salet

Walking slowly and seeing all around, as far as my eyes could, absorbing as much as my soul could. Directly opposite to the stop,far on the other side of the shore I could spot a waterfall running on the face of the cliff, somewhere far I could see heard of cows grazing on another cliff.

Beautiful..

We moved ahead, I was reminding myself to take a moment, this is not real, every 5 mins. All flowers far looked so beautiful, the sound of water flowing in between such natural gardens, pure natural colors these are tiny minute feelings that one cannot explain, the experience of freedom in tiny little stuff is the real joy of life.

Let's go..

We decided to visit Lake Obersee first and then continue our journey to Rothbach waterfalls. Its about 1:30 hours hike from Salet.
Obersee is only 15,20 mins walk from Salet. We may have seen some pictures that make us feel, come on this is just a painting , may not be real. It was the moment when that thought was shattered.  The lake was so still that it reflected everything above it and around it.

Obersee

Obersee

We hesitated to take next step stuck in the beauty of Obersee.
As we made way through the jungle, brushing the mountains ascending around Obersee, it seemed really big.

Brushing alps

From the top-Obersee

We walked around the lake and continued towards the maze of mountains, valleys and grasslands. We do have a cafe here, a coffee in the middle of alps, peacefully taking every sip.

After the cafe..

We finally reached Rothbach falls after trek and hike for about 2 hours. We were sweating a lot, so decided to take bath in the falls.

From the top of the Rothbach falls..

 How naive we were to go and stand in the water, it was freezing cold that we ran from it the moment it touched us. But we collected all the energy and stood under the falls for sometime. After spending some time standing tall in the top viewing picture perfect alps in front us, we were on our way back.

We reached Salet and took the boat back to where we started.
Later in the day we left  to Herzogenaurach feeling dizzy about what we saw.
I was put into deep thought throughout my journey.
I felt like I have been ignoring, rather have procrastinated to see, experience and realize the wonders of this life. The secrets behind the tiny little things unfolding around us, as simple as a wind carrying the smell of lake, the greens around them, sunshine absorbing the fog slowly, cow grazing in complete freedom, flock of birds owning the sky these simple things are most satisfying. Each of us have our ways of finding keys to the doors of our soul. Travel is one of those keys.
Through the eyes of Konigsee I experienced the beauty of the world.

Tips:

• The lake is frozen during winters, so visit during summers.
• While changing trains in Freilassing, be quick the train stops for very less time.
• Accommodation is pricey in the center of Berchtesgaden, choose wisely.

-UR
uday.s7@gmail.com

Meeting ends of Earth-The Arctics-Tromso, Norway

I was in class 7, my Geography teacher explained to me about the phenomenon of lights glowing in dark sky in Arctics and Antarctica. I was amazed and I can recall clearly that the naive me, had wishes to see them in the terrace. After one and half decades now, the curiosity has not reduced rather growing dearly.
I was pulled back from my thoughts when stewardess announced we will be landing in Tromso in next few minutes. Flight kissed the land, I could not believe that I was in the Arctics. It was one my very very dear dreams to set foot in Arctics.

Geography: Tromso is to the north of Norway, in fact to the north of Earth, the Arctic circle.

Language: Norwegian, Nynorsk, Sami, English

Currency: Norwegian krone

Getting There: Domestic flights are available from Oslo, Bergen, Bodo and Narvik. International flights are available from London, Helsinki, Gdansk, Stockholm and Munich. Please do check as some of th flights operate only during winter. I suggest flights simply because of road conditions in winter.

What’s famous here: Northern Lights, Arctic Church.

My Story:
Dramatic views of mountains dressed in snow, frozen lakes and thin sunlight escorted me to my hotel from airport. There are frequent buses from airport to city center.

It was freezing cold, sunlight is very different in this part of the earth. There is no lack of fascinating phenomena in the Arctics. I was here in the first week of February. Between end of November to end of January, we have something called polar nights, during which sun never comes above horizon. It is hard to imagine this unless we experience it.
I had a lovely chat with hotel guys and left to explore the place. I covered streets in the city, had delightful lunch and continued crashing with arctic winds and blowing to rest of the streets.

The lifestyle here is so relaxed. I moved across the Tromsoysundet strait, walking over the majestic marvel Tromso bridge giving splendid views of the lands on either sides.

I met the Arctic church on the other side of the strait.
It was already getting dark and I had to get back to prepare myself for a very special night.

More food to energize and I reached tourist office on time. I had booked a tour with Chasing Lights and I had only one shot at this. The bus arrived, our guides for tonight, Jonas and Meda greeted us and told us that we had to go far away from city lights and look for absolute darkness to have great views of Aurora. I was praying that nature should be kind to me tonight.

Millions of miles away, Sun emits solar flares. These winds posses charged particles that travel at tremendous speed and crash onto earth's atmosphere. When they collide with earth's Magnetic shield they burst giving colorful photons. This is Aurora and can be seen in the poles.

We drove to north east of Tromso to a valley called Horse Track. It was freezing cold, snow was squeaking under my feet. I had never been in such cold until then, when I inhale my nose used to freeze and when I exhale it would be back to normal, my face was frozen. It was 10 past 9, we were still waiting in the same valley in the dark waiting for the magic to take place. To the north, our guides shouted, and all of us looked in such excitement but we could not spot anything. It was very very faint glow. So, we decided to go to a much better place and we drove for another 40 mins to reach village Laksvatn.
Even in such darkness we could absorb and notice the beauty of that place. The outline of mountains surrounding us, cold breeze and to add to this incredible location we had a frozen lake behind us.
We were free to explore the place and were moving all around. Had a nice chat with Meda and Jonas about their job and about places I have been to. The sky was so clear, though I live under the same sky, I have never seen it so clear. The stars were so bright and seemed as if they are closer to me.

A pleasant ambush in the north horizon, a faint arch growing stronger and brighter. I was looking up and smiling in awe. Slowly the wave of excitement increased and everyone were laughing, giggling, kissing and taking pictures.

In a short time the arch was huge and began to change its shape. It covered the entire sky making beautiful formations.

I could experience its full glory as there were many bursts of Aurora one after the other dancing in dark sky with its beautiful colorful robe. I have never felt nature so close to me, it was in its purest form.

I would also like to spill the secret out that, the intensity of northern lights that can be seen in pictures is not the same with naked eye. It is less intense, but that being said, it is absolutely soul stirring experience.
I felt so lucky, from being a kid when I had dreams of witnessing this celestial phenomenon to this night, on a cold winter night out there somewhere in the middle of nowhere in the arctic circle, engulfing the wilderness.
For a very small time frame I felt part of Universe than just being part of earth. It's a feeling I can't explain. A celestial phenomenon makes you feel so tiny.

After such a splendid choreography of northern lights in pure style, we decided to have a camp fire near the frozen lake. The guides spelled out saying it was -21 degrees and the feel temperature could be around -23 degrees. It is the coldest I have been so far.
The crowd was a mix of  people from Columbia, Sweden, England, Korea and me from India. There were so much fun chit chatter that happened, each of us shared the best places that can be visited in our countries.

We became a little wild and started to walk on the frozen lake, rather slide I should say on the frozen lake. Holding hands and helping each other to take one step at a time. Moving boulders of ice, breaking them, having hot chocolate and biscuits in the middle of some unknown valley, how much more satisfying this can be.
It was around 1:30 AM we left the place, soaked in adventure and delight. I can't Thank enough to Chasing lights for making my dream come true and yeah all the above pictures of northern lights were shared by them
I had a peaceful sleep that night.

Early next morning I had my flight back to Oslo and to Brussels from there.

Our planet has plenty of wonders to give us. There are places that are not explored, places that are less explored and places that can never be explored.
Each inch in our planet is a gift. The versatility in texture of our planet from one place to another is above our imagination capabilities. Come to the Arctics, experience what it feels when there is scarce population, when it is freezing cold, when days and nights have a different meaning, when nature is intimidating and beautiful at the same time.

The glory of travel is the feeling of being born again. Where you are unaware of everything around you. You are a child again. You cannot read anything, you cannot speak the language, you don't know if you can even cross the road or reliably eat something present in a menu card. Your existence is new, its a series of mix of learning and guesses. Perhaps you can experience to live many lives in one single life and that can happen only through travel.

Tips:

• Choose your time wisely. Between December to Mid of February is the best time for northern lights.
• Book with Chasing Lights, they are very friendly and makes sure you get the best scenes of sky drama.
• Hotels and hostels are pretty costly, book in advance.

-UR
uday.s7@gmail.com