My Top 13 Travel moments of 2011

It clearly wasn’t easy to choose my Top 10 moments and narrow it down... I am really thankful for all the exciting opportunities which came my way, and here is the list of my Top 13 Moments....

1. Transfixed by the jadeite Bok choi: I kicked off 2011 in the most perfect way, in Taipei, the capital of Taiwan which I did not expect much from, but which turned out to be a great city. The highlight for me was the National Palace Museum with treasures spirited away from Beijing’s Forbidden City. One of the best museums that I have seen to date. The jadeite Bok choi cabbage in a glass case, from the Qing Dynasty with translucent white to deep green leaves is something that I can’t forget easily. Taipei 101, the second tallest building in the world was another not-to-be-forgotten experience! This is one country that I want to explore outside the capital, on my next visit.

2. Modern architectural high: I am generally not a fan of manmade wonders as compared to natural ones, but the lotus-like Art Science Museum at the Marina Bay Sands was a stunner. Meeting the great architect Moshe Safdie, exploring the world that is Marina Bay Sands (what we call an Integrated Resort), was a unique experience. The travelling exhibition that I saw there( from the Smithsonian) called’ Shipwrecked’ about a ship laden with treasures that sank off the coast of Indonesia, appealed to my romantic soul.

3. My first Glimpse of Lake Louise- My trip to Canada needs its own Top 10 or 25 moments! Banff and Jasper National Parks were certainly the high points of the entire year...A symphony of rugged and craggy mountains piercing the skies, with glacial capes and evocative names, deep avalanches, emerald lakes, thundering waterfalls vying for attention on both sides of the ribbon of tarmac, wildlife at every turn (Bears and elks lumbering along the roads)-the drive along the Ice fields parkway, with a glacier walk thrown in was the highlight of the trip. The stay at Fairmont Lake Louise and the views from the window took my breath away! The absolutely, adventurous ‘aha’ moment - zip lining through the temperate rain forests of Whistler! Can’t believe I did that!

4. Bonding in Nam - At the risk of sounding Oprah-esque a truly life changing mom- and- daughter trip. Vietnam- warm people, amazing food and the most fascinating culture. Had a glimpse of both dark moments in history like the Cu Chi Tunnels and the modern face of the country in HCM City. The pick of the trip was Hoi An- a small town in Central Vietnam filled with art, ready-in-a-day tailors, and fascinating history. The atmospheric My Son ruins, a kind of Vietnamese Angkor Wat was an eerie but time- travel experience. Our road trip through the country from Ho Chi Minh City to Hue and then Hoi An as well as two days on the Mekong River, with a guide gave us so many memorable vignettes.

Shrined out in Angkor: Angkor War was a long cherished dream- amazing place, so much to see that I have put it on my list of places to re-visit. Bayon, Angkor Thom...the list is endless. The artistry, the history and the jungle encroaching on the ruins- this is one destination that can never be over-rated!

5. On a chocolate high in Flanders: Chocolates and canals, carillons and arched bridges, brick facades painted a salmon pink -Bruges in Flanders was again a dream come true! Gothic architecture, Michelangelo’s Madonna and child, sessions with famous chocolatiers, this was one of the top destinations of the year for me. Belgium itself was a great destination in terms of the compact distances and the variety of sights- Ghent, Antwerp and Brussels too were unique and enjoyable, Put them on your list- Now.

6. Time warp in Cesky Krumlov: Prague has been my favourite European city, This year I discovered the Czech Republic beyond Prague- picture book cities like Cesky Krumlov which are great value destinations too. Cesky Krumlov has the most incredibly picturesque setting with a river and a hilltop castle; we rafted the Vltava, ate on the riverside cafes, walked the winding streets and fell in love with this small town. Top Bizarre moment of the year- the Bone Church in Sedlec with decorations made from yes, bones!

7. Snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef: I went back to Queensland after many years, and the Whitsundays was a dream destination. Snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef was definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Cuddling a celebrity koala on Hamilton Island, a trip on a 100 year old ship, landing on Paradise Bay Resort (which has only twenty people at a time) from a seaplane, feeding manta rays, Ocean rafting...this trip was just one thrilling experience after another!

8. Cruising the Fjords and a night in Flam: The fjords...Norway- Bergen and beyond was the most ethereal experience of 2011. Lego like farms with red roofs, green pastures with shaggy goats, gargantuan walls of lofty mountains, the grey waters below, low hanging clouds like lost spirits, this was like an Impressionist painting come alive. If you want pristine, untouched, spectacular landscapes, put Norway and the fjords on your list. Recommended trip-Norway in a Nutshell.

9. One day in watery Stockholm: This was such a picturesque city, that I regretted the fact that I could not spend more time there. Stunning architecture, a buzzing cafe culture, a museum built over a restored warship, green spaces and postcard views at every corner- Stockholm is firmly on my list of places to re-visit!

10. Queen for three days at Ahilya Fort and Mandu, India. Closer home, my trip to Maheshwar and Ahilya Fort and the ruins of Mandu was a back-in-time top experience of the year. Poised women with copper pots, children swimming in the waters and locals washing clothes on the Ghats against a backdrop of elegant honey coloured temples with shikara towers, this was a scene out of medieval India. Staying at the atmospheric and intimate heritage hotel- Ahilya Fort, was an incredible experience! A surreal world of elegant palaces, magnificent mosques, crumbling towers and medieval reservoirs with tales of love and death, victories and losses weaved in … my day trip to Mandu was magical!

11. Going Retro in Riga-Stylish balconies and windows, with stucco images of seashells, stylised plants, chestnut leaves, peacocks, reeds and poppies, Greco Roman nymphs and gods entrancing at every turn- Riga the capital of Latvia was another revelation of 2011. Great Art Deco architecture, rich culture, great shopping and a value destination- this is still an under-rated city.

12. Zen Time in Koh Samui –This was an idyllic time- the perfect place to kick back, lounge on the sands and the pool and catch a bit of culture and good food. Loved this island, its quirky sights like the Grandfather Rock (see my article) and the easy vibe.

13. Coasting along the Great Ocean Road: The close of the year saw me in Melbourne, Australia. The drive along the iconic Great Ocean road was certainly the high point here. Pristine beaches lashed by brutal waves, bush land, cathedral like arches, pretty-as-a-postcard seascapes, a smorgasbord of ocean views and even emerald canopies of rain forests- my road trip was completely a high-on-nature experience. And I actually saw koalas in the wild- incredible! The Twelve Apostles from a helicopter was the icing on the cake.

Though my time spent in Langkawi did not make it to the List, it was a tropical beauty! Helsinki was a repeat trip- a beautiful Scandinavian city made for walking! For everyone reading, I have to say that it’s powerful to write a list like this for yourself and reflect back on everything you’ve done in the past year (not confined to travel) that’s brought you great happiness. Happy travels in 2012!

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THE TREASURE HUNTER

MADAME POMPADOUR'S WRITING SET One of the nicest things about travel is the priceless treasures and other artefacts that you get to see, in museums and private collections, in different parts of the world. Priceless jewels, royal one-of-a kind customised collections, religious art, and countless other objects preserved forever.

TRAVEL SET The most beautiful collection of treasures that I saw recently was at the Residenz (the home of the Wittelbach dynasty) in Munich- in the treasury. It looks more like a private collection of treasures in ten intimate, small rooms than a museum: Duke Albrecht V had made a provision in his will that the treasures collected by him will not be sold and this was the beginning of the Treasury. There are jewel encrusted crowns, , exquisite mobile altar pieces like folded books which provided people with a mass wherever they travelled, a compact travel kit that belonged to a French Princess, stone studded ivory crosses, ornate cups of ostrich eggs and, bejewelled daggers which make for a mesmerizing morning. I loved some of the pieces like a gold and enamel statue of St George slaying a dragon made of ruby and emeralds. OLIVE STONE BOAT BRONZE VESSEL WITH  INSCRIPTIONS

JADEITE CABBAGE 

Another great museum where I saw some other unique treasures spirited away from Beijing’s Forbidden City was the National Museum in Taipei, Taiwan. The collections here are so vast that at any one time only about 1% of the treasures are displayed! The show stopper here was a bronze cooking vessel with three legs called the Mao Kung Ting. Inside the vessel are inscriptions from 771 B.C. Another stunner was a tiny boat made from an olive stone: with a covered deck and moveable windows. And that’s not all! The interior has chairs a table, and even dishes! What I really appreciated were the small magnifying glasses which was mounted, so that we could appreciate the details. Another much loved piece is the jadeite bok choy cabbage with semi- translucent leaves and even an artfully carved grasshopper! This has a troubled history attached to it. It was part of the dowry of a Chinese princess, and the symbols on the cabbage like the katydid represented fertility. However the poor princess was not able to conceive and the marriage was doomed. This museum is surely on my list of places to re-visit! 

What are the treasures that you have enjoyed seeing? Would love to know...

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TRAVELLING AS A HERBIVORE:

I have travelled to the world’s most carnivorous cities and survived, even enjoyed being a vegetarian! Of course, quite often, I feel like it’s just me against the whole establishment. When I eat at a local restaurant in a strange city and ask,” Do you have anything which is vegetarian; they say, “Yes, we have a lovely plate of steamed vegetables”. But I have learnt to adapt and I can say if you are inventive, you can find interesting options around the world, as a vegetarian.

Some pointers for vegetarians:

1. Plenty of research: Do read up on what is the local food, what vegetarian options exist and write it down so that’s it easy to communicate when there. Make a list of vegetarian restaurants by visiting sites like happy cow.com.

2. A sense of humour: In most countries and cultures, meat is a kind of status symbol and you are perceived to be some kind of freak so it helps if you can see the funny side of things!

3. Know how to say ‘vegetarian’ in the local language. The International vegetarian Union lists a range of vegetarian phrases in various languages. Carry a pocket dictionary from English into the local language. Write down the word for ‘vegetarian’ and ‘no meat’ in the local lingo.

4. Hit the local grocery stores: there is always some form of bread and cheese.

5. Look out for the hidden meats: Beware of stews and soups which usually have some meat broth.

6. Look for local vegetarian specialities like a potato pie in Poland, or a vegetarian thali in India or a Middle Eastern mezze with lots of salads.

7. Carry some back up supplies like dried fruits, granola bars and nuts.

8. Think outside the box: if there is nothing on the menu, order sides like potato wedges, salads and a fruit salad and make a meal of it.

9. Go Italian: What is often available is good vegetarian pasta in a tomato or cream sauce or a vegetarian pizza.

10. Carry a bottle of hot sauce. Even the most uninspired meal can be set right by this

11. I subscribe to the ‘When in Rome’ theory generally. Every culture can give you at least one vegetarian dish. So ask for it!

12. Ask: Unless you ask local people for help you are not likely to get it. So use a phrase book and communicate.

13. Fast food chains like Burger King or Hungry Jacks or Subway usually have at least one vegetarian option Find out in advance if they exist in the city that you are visiting.

Browse the following web sites for some help:

http://www.happycow.net

http://www.vegdining.com/Home.cfm

Would love to know your tips and experiences of travelling as a vegetarian?

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BUILDING BRIDGES...

I have always loved bridges: I even have a wish-list of bridges to visit! What attracts me?... Maybe building bridges seems to have a metaphorical significance, denoting hope and overcoming obstacles. My pick of the best bridges that I have visited so far and the bridges that I still have to cross off my wish list...

1. Ponte Vecchio, Florence. This is the oldest of Florence’s six bridges and was built in 1345 from a unique design where there are shops and arcades under porticos on the bridge.  The shops used to be occupied by the butchers until the Medici rulers replaced them with goldsmiths and silversmiths! The Bridge’s fame saved it from being bombed during the Second World War... Take an evening ‘passegiata’ or stroll along the bridge when the shutters of the artisan shops come down.

2. Charles Bridge, Prague. My most favourite bridge in the world. This medieval pedestrian-only bridge is a carnival of souvenir stalls, caricaturists, and musicians of all kinds — we watched entranced as a wine-glass artist played some enchanting Beethoven scores. The setting is ethereal — the city of a hundred spires, with its spectacular Gothic towers, under the watchful eyes of about 30 baroque saints lining the Bridge.

3. Bridge of Sighs, Venice: The iconic Bridge of sighs so called because it connected the interrogation rooms with the old prison in the famous Doge’s Palace. It is said that the prisoners would look at the outside world for the last time from there and ‘sigh’! It’s a simple looking bridge but you are assured of eternal love if you kiss under the bridge at sunsetJ

4. The Kappelbrucke, Lucerne. This was originally built in 1333, and this bridge has been immortalized by the Indian film industry! This covered wooden bridge has 120 triangular paintings chronicling the city’s history.  Large portions of this bridge were destroyed in a fire and what you see now is a faithful reproduction. On all sides are views of snow-covered mountains, window boxes bursting with geraniums and slender steeples.

                     

5. The Magere Brug, Amsterdam. This famous ‘skinny’ white painted wooden bridge across the river Amstel is built in an Old Dutch design. It is supposed to have been built in 1672 by two sisters living on opposite sides of the river wanting to share the Dutch tradition of ’gezellig’- a mid-morning coffee-break! It has featured in several films including James Bond’s ‘Diamonds are forever’.  

6. Roseman Covered Bridge, Madison County

  Covered bridges symbolize small-town America. They are sentimental and picturesque and perfect ‘kissing bridges’! This is the bridge Robert Kincaid seeks when he stops and asks Francesca for directions in the all time classic “The bridges of Madison County” and also the place where she leaves her note inviting him for dinner! Anonymous notes filled with romantic sentiments are often pinned at the bridge’s entrance!

7. Dragon Bridge, Ljubljana: built in 1901, is a concrete and iron structure that crosses the river Ljubljanica in Ljubljana. The bridge is decorated with green copper dragons, the symbol of the city. According to lore, the founder of this city was the Greek prince Jason with his companions, the Argonauts. Here Jason encountered a fearsome monster which he slew. This dragon is represented on the city’s coat of arms and is a local symbol. Local legend has it that if a virgin walks on the bridge, then the dragons will wag their tails!

8. Old Bridge, Heidelberg: The old bridge is actually relatively 'young' as it was rebuilt many times. The first wooden bridge at this site was built in 1284 but later a stone bridge was built to withstand the floods, ice and rain. Goethe was enthralled by the ambience here as also many poets and painters. There are many baroque statues lining this sandstone bridge with elegant arches.

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OF MEMORIES AND KEEPSAKES....

When you travel, you always are tempted to buy some souvenirs, as gifts or as reminders of your wonderful time. Memories after all stay with you forever, and sometimes the tinkle of a wind-chime or a glance at a small keepsake unlocks a flood of delicious memories. Of course the ideal way to travel would be to take nothing but photographs and leave only footprintsJ but, we are human and want some tangible reminders of wondrous moments… Here’s my pick of  ideas for souvenirs!

Postcards

Postcards are inexpensive, easy to carry and make great memories. You can frame them make a collage or insert them into albums. If you are visiting museums, pick up postcards of your favourite paintings or art and have them framed.

Fridge magnets

These are colourful travel remainders which can be conversation pieces and liven up any home. Easy to carry and inexpensive, they make perfect souvenirs or gifts!

Subway/metro maps

This is a really novel idea. Any large city with transportation will have these maps. Frame one and remember the good times!

Local music

I have gamelan recordings from Bali, and J pop music from my trip to Japan. Pick out folk music from India and Africa or jazz music recordings or any other ethnic music for a great souvenir to take back home and re-live the holiday.

Local Art

I have paintings of the Venetian lagoon picked up for a few euros as well as some great watercolours of the astronomical clock in Prague. Get them framed for your living room and you have some everlasting memories. You can also pick up posters and graphics that have a local feel-like festivals or events and get them framed.

Books

Look out for books written by local authors or a specialist book about local cuisine or the places. An old book of maps or some other non-fiction can make a good souvenir.

Supermarket buys

Locally made jams, pickles, herbs, pastas, chocolates and candies all come under this category. They are usually inexpensive and very representative of a place and therefore great souvenirs and gifts. One can also pick up local soaps, bath salts, potpourri, etc.

Stationary

Local handmade paper (I once bought paper in Sri Lanka made from elephant dung), souvenir pens with objects floating in liquid which are delightfully tacky!

Souvenir Cups/Wall plates

Typical, I know but a cup with the destination’s name emblazoned and a picture transports you to the place and brings back great memories.

Local Crafts

Pottery, fabrics, multi-hued masks, figurines, baskets, bags and a myriad other items made by local people is always a great buy besides helping the local economy. Marionettes from Prague and bright kites from Bali have livened up my living room and act as great remainders of my holidays.

Would love to know what are your ideas for souvenirs?

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GETTING THE MOST OUT OF LIFE

Life is a multitude of experiences and most of us may only experience a very small percentage of the whole gamut that is possible. How does one swing out and do many things, challenge one self and work with all parts of the brain. How does one make the journey interesting, challenging and fun-filled? 

GAMES PEOPLE PLAY!      

Engage the brain with Sudoku, cross words, puzzles, quiz and brain teasers. Play games like scrabble or Cluedo. Learn some classic card-games. Doing this on a continuous basis even wards away diseases like Alzheimer’s!  Learning different languages is another great way to work the brain. Learn to say thank you for a start in about 25 languages. Learn a different script like Chinese or Japanese for a totally different experience.

BODY LANGUAGE

Learn to use your body and muscles as a medium of expression. Learn various dance forms- the salsa, the cha-cha –cha, ballroom dancing or the traditional dance forms like Bharathnatyam! Afraid to speak in front of a crowd? Take theatre classes and personality development sessions. You can kiss goodbye to your fears. Hand –eye co ordination can be improved dramatically by learning a ball game like tennis or badminton.

MULTIPLE TALENTS

Personalities like Leonardo da Vinci dabbled in a wide range of activities. The trick is to expand your horizons. Learn to draw and paint. Sketch from real life.  Splash colours on a white canvas and express yourself. Do glass painting one day, learn Tanjore painting another day, there is too much available and one lifetime is never enough! Learn to crochet or dabble in macramé-you can produce works of art!

CREATIVITY AT HOME

Design your clothes. Buy reams of material, some lace, team it up with some old buttons and make your dream dress or have it made as per your pattern. Give your home a make-over. Improvise. Make curtains from old sarees, paint a mural on the wall with some bright colours, frame some art-work by children and fill your home with things that mean something to you!

BE A COMITTED BIBLIOPHILE

Read. Everyday and whatever you can lay your hands on. I very often have four books that I am reading at any point in time. One on philosophy, one on languages, maybe one action thriller to keep me on the edge and one novel on the best seller list . Read travel books and magazines and make plans for all the trips that you want to make! Read and memorize poetry. Read the greats like Shakespeare and Robert Frost. Read books by Indian authors for a different flavour. Read newspapers and understand world issues. Browse the internet- it’s truly knowledge on tap!

CATHARTIC OUTLET

Write. Experience the magic of words. Start keeping a journal, write letters to the editor, write on issues that you are passionate about, keep travel journals and maybe the novel is in the making. After all, each human experience is a saga worth chronicling!

UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE

Listen to music, learn to sing or play an instrument. Listen to a wide mish mash of styles like World music, western classical, and Carnatic music to really appreciate the fact that we are world citizens! Catch a concert from a different country for that totally different experience. Music calms the brain, gets the creative juices flowing!

ANOTHER WORLD

Watch movies of different genres and in different languages with sub titles. It’s a veritable feast.  It’s not only enjoyable but it’s also like a freeze-frame of different cultures! Musicals, thrillers, romance, historical, off-beat, there’s so much to watch that one life-time may not be enough.

THE BEST TEACHER

Pay attention to nature. Watch birds, notice the varied hues of flowers and learn their names. Take a trip to a local horticultural society and use your green fingers. Get pleasure out of growing plants and watching them blossom and burst with life! Take a weekend trip to the countryside and take time to experience the slow life!

Visit places of worship of different religions, read and understand the richness of each faith and experience the power of prayer

RELATIONSHIP BLISS

Improve your emotional quotient. Reach out to loved ones, lend a helping hand to those who are depressed or sick, keep in touch with friends, laugh and enjoy the moments with family and friends. Life is too short to hold grudges. Let go, and experience bliss.

THE HEALTH MANTRA

Eat healthy food and learn to cook different styles of cuisine. Cooking can be a therapeutic hobby. Enjoy the textures and the colours of fruits and vegetables.

Exercise and value your body. Walk, jog or do yoga. Learn tai-chi or kick-boxing.  Swim or play a game. Learn meditation and enjoy the stillness and calm that you experience. Learn to breathe the right way and find your energy stores unending. Read about nature cures and learn to treat small ailments at home. Learn Reiki, Pranic healing or hypnotherapy.

LET GO

Break your mental barriers. Do something that scares you. Bungee jumping or base jumping off a cliff. White water rafting or trekking in the wilds. You will come back a different person. Fears have a way of dominating us- kick your fears out!

Celebrate life. All the successes, small and large. All the happy moments and the loved ones. Take every opportunity to have fun. Enjoy beauty. Go to art galleries, malls, the hills, or the local park. Look at the palette of colours and revel in life. It was meant to be multi-hued!

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A WHOLE NEW WORLD

An outing to the local library used to be the high point of my childhood years. I have always loved to read. Anything was fair game. I have read old issues of the National Geographic, Woman and Home, Little lulu and Mandrake comics, even the backs of cereal boxes!  My childhood was spent curled up with Enid Blytons and in my imagination I have lived in ‘The Secret Island’ which remains my favourite book of all times. Surviving on an island, building a home, making meals out of almost nothing…this was the stuff that dreams were made of! Equally absorbing were the Magic faraway series where a new land came up every week on top of this fascinating tree! Characters like Washalot and Saucepan man were three dimensional childhood friends that I knew and lived with.
Another brilliant book which captured my imagination was ‘What Katy did’ the saga of twelve year old Katy Carr, the oldest of six children. Cared for by their Doctor father and Aunt Izzie, the Carr children are impulsive and outgoing, liking rowdy play and imaginative games.
Disobeying her Aunt's order not to use the family's new swing, Katy suffers serious consequences when the swing breaks and she falls. Katy is paralyzed by her accident and forced to spend four years confined to her room. Over the course of these four years, Katy learns patience and responsibility as she works to maintain her place in the hearts of her siblings and her connection with her family and friends.
Growing up, one of my loved books was James Hilton’s ‘Lost Horizon’, which I suspect has contributed to my wanderlust today! The story of four Britishers, whisked away to remote Tibet where monks lived for two hundred years and preserved art and beauty was an inspiring tale which influenced me profoundly. James Hilton continued to be my hero with his ‘Random harvest’ - a romantic novel filled with pathos.
Mary Stewart’s brand of fantasy and magic (a forerunner of Harry Potter??) kept me enthralled for years as did Elizabeth Goudge. A. J Cronin and his ‘Hatter’s castle’ and Daphne Du maurier’s ‘My cousin Rachael’ haunted me. Was Rachael really a schemer or was she a good person?
‘To kill a mocking bird’ was also on my list of faves and I loved and revered Atticus Finch for his pithy sayings! Another book which inspired me to keep a journal was ‘Dear Kitty’- the ‘Diary of Anne Frank’. Anne’s life unfolding behind a staircase in Nazi occupied Amsterdam, her teenage crushes and dreams...this book occupied a pride of place in my book shelf.
In a totally different genre but as enjoyable was E. B white’s ‘Charlotte’s Web’, the tale of a friendship between an endearing pig called Wilbur and a spider called Charlotte which prevents him from being slaughtered. With Charlotte’s help he even wins a prize at the country fair. I still read Paul Gallico’s ‘Snow goose and the Small miracle’ with tears in my eyes! Pepino, an orphan in Assisi and his sick donkey is one of the most touching tales in the world. The Snow Goose, where a reclusive, hunchbacked artist becomes friends with a child and nurses a wounded bird against the backdrop of the war is sweet prose!
I can’t sign off without including one more book in the hall of greats. ‘Daddy longlegs’ by Jean Webster- a rich benefactor sponsors an orphan girl’s education on the condition that she writes letters to him! The entire book is a collection of the letters that she writes and never gets replies for! And naturally there is a twist at the end… Absolutely heart-warming tale!
Give me a good book any day- It scores over any television show or movie. The power of the written word pleases me like nothing else can ever can! So far neither of my two kids are great readers-they’re in front of the computer instead. I truly wish someday they find the joy in reading like I did!

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