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10 best things to do in Darjeeling

If you have heard about this beauty of nature to India and you intend paying a tourist visit; you will have your expectation met because what is on the ground will sure give you something that you can talk of for a long time to come.

Your visit to Darjeeling should be pre-planned if you desire to get the best that you are entitled to during your tourist visit. Therefore, for proper coordination and effectiveness; we have put together 10 of the best things that you can do when you are in this city if you really want to explore this tourist haven to the fullest.




1. Batasia Loop

The Batasia Loop is one of the rail routes that can be described as stunning. A ride on the route will give a beautiful scenery of the garden that lined the route. This is one experience that you must have before you leave this beautiful city. You will love the food; however, you have to prepare yourself for the long ques waiting for the food most especially if your visit is during the weekend.

2. Japanese Temple and Peace Pagoda

This is also a must visit spot for tourists. The architecture of the temples is stunning. Those that want to have a quiet time of meditation irrespective of religious beliefs are welcomed here. This is one place where peace reigns.

This objective of this temple as a symbol of peace among the people has been achieved because this place of worship has grown in popularity among tourists. A visit here is mandatory for all tourists.

3. The Rock Garden

This park is a beauty in the works of architecture. The chairs are made of carvings from stone and it will give you and your family the best of comfort in an environment that is innocent; far away from the noise of the city.

Nature is at its best here, no wonder this place is popular among the locals and well loved by tourists. You will love the sight of birds milling around. However, for the best, do not visit during monsoon.



4. Nightingale Park

It is strongly recommended that you pay a visit to Nightingale Park. A picnic at this park will live you with memories that will linger for a long time in you. This was once a private yard which underwent great transformations and today it is open to the public as a park.

The transformation of this ruined garden took 4 years and today it has something for every tourist that comes around

5. Nehru Road

The Nehru road is noted for the abundance of exotic merchandise that you can get from there. When you get back to your base, you will definitely desire to give out some items as gifts to your loved ones.

You will get a varied choice of items that matter that you can take home from this street whose bearer every Indian hold in high esteem. Just as Nehru is great in his lifetime, so also is the gift items that are available in this street.

6. The Woolens At Chowk Bazaar

If you want to pick some local items, then the best place to be is this market in question. It is popular among the locals as well as among tourists. If you want to enjoy the best from this market, make sure you are there before 4 pm. Things get a little rowdy post at 4 pm.

7. Mountaineer at the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute

There are lots of attractions for tourists in this institute. If you are a lover of mountaineering, then you must make a stopover here to get a glimpse into the tricks that will make you an expert in the sport.

This institute has made some inroads and you will love what is on the ground when you get there to see things for yourself.



8. Padmaja Naidu Zoological Park

You have been to zoos in the past, but what you will get at the Padmaja Naidu Zoological Park will bring you to an entirely different level. There are collections of rare animal species that are jealously preserved which you will never get to see in most of the zoos across the world.

If you are an animal enthusiast, then you must visit this zoo before you leave town. The best time for your visit should be during summer when the weather will present you perfect greenery.

9. The Observatory Hill

This is a religious pilgrimage to the top of this hill that will require a walk of 20 minutes to the top of the hill. The Mahakal Temple sits at the top of this hill and it is an impressive structure of architecture.

You will get a stunning view of the city when you are at the top of this hill. This site will give those with some religious bias a feeling of tranquility that is rare to come by.




10. River raft at Teesta river

People love adventure and you can get this with the river raft at Teesta river. The intensity of the waves of the river is very rapid; you will witness gushing waves. A ride on top of the waves will make the day of those that love adventure.

Read 10 Best Things To Do In Sikkim

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How to go backpacking on a budget ?



Travelling has now become an important aspect of a person’s life. To gain peace from every day mundane, traveling not only lights up a person’s mood but also adds a lot of memories to a person’s life.

As soon as we get time from our work we want or visit a new place and want to experience new things. Travelling is like a cherry on the cake called life.

But traveling becomes easier and fun when it costs less or it remains in our budget. Maintaining the budget is necessary for those who work hard to earn their livelihood. Budget is what a person focuses on while planning a trip. The journey becomes a headache if the cost exceeds the budget.



Backpacking refers to the travel which is of low cost and focuses totally on the adventures and the experiences gained rather than having a luxurious one. This is what traveling is in the real sense, where you get attached to nature totally and spend your time gaining maximum from the place.




As traveling is for every individual, budget backpacking helps people to travel at a low cost and in turn get loads of memories. It is all about saving the money and moreover getting creative wherever possible.

Luxuries are good at times but the real peace we get by getting in contact with the soil and nature. It’s more enchanting than any other forms of travel. Traveling at lost cost makes you experience what most of the people do and gives knowledge about the people and the culture.

You come in contact with lots of people and make friends while traveling. Luxuries do not provide these experiences as most of the population cannot afford expensive travel.

There are different types of travelers. People who travel during weekends then comes people who make long journeys or the ‘tourists’ and many more.

The people who are true budget backpackers stick to their budget and avoid making any changes in it. They look for some good deals always to lessen the cost of their travel. One can follow certain things in order to enjoy the trip and also can save money.



Walks
Walking is an essential thing for health as well and also it saves money. By walking in the street you can spend much time and can experience things very closely. 

Food
One can always try street food because they carry the actual essence of the food famous at that place. Street food costs less and some of them are good in terms of hygiene as well. One can also cook his own food in order to save the cost of expensive food. Going to foods which are just for the purpose of tasting can also be avoided.

Accommodation
One can apply for a much lower cost accommodation. Sometimes there are rooms which are similar in size but have a different cost. Sharing rooms can reduce the budget and can build a healthy relationship between the two.

Hotel Room

Accommodation must be taken by checking every aspect and it’s better to compare rooms and hotels with the lower cost one. For the accommodation of a single person, there are far much better options than spending money on the luxurious one. ( Read 27 Websites for booking hotels and alternate accommodations )

Water
Water is an essential element that every human need. One can use the refillable bottle so that he does not have to buy water and spend money. There are also various facilities of refillable water provided everywhere, hence, people can save money by being conscious about these small things.



Deals
There are various deals available everywhere. The person who stays aware can get the benefit of the same. He can save much of his money by taking advantage of these deals and can enjoy the expensive things at a low cost.

Deals

There is also tourists cost available which offers huge discounts. It can be a lot more beneficial for people who want to go for backpacking. ( Read 10 Easy Ways For Free Hotel Night )

Explore
A person who travels to explore the place always travels at a less cost. He gets to see the beauty of the place by living with it. The minute things and real beauty can only be experienced by looking at things closely.

People often do not look for things before going to a place. One can enjoy truly by having a good knowledge of the place beforehand.

Priority
Give priority to the things which are essential in your life. Spending too much on the luxuries can make you run short of money and hence backpacking would not go well.


People often do not make a choice between the two things and they do not try to do multiple things from a single commodity. One can save a lot of money by planning effectively and smartly.

You can also take things which are lower in cost and can do the same benefit as the higher one does. ( Read Ways to make luxury travel more affordable ) 

Security

At the time of traveling the risk of theft is more especially when one is traveling in local transport. Avoiding theft and keeping a watch on your things can save your money, as well as you can avoid the tension of searching for your things. Thefts and scams can spoil the mood and one fails to enjoy the trip as well.

The best things about backpacking is your ability to make the rules. From picking a country to getting there to making sure that you can manage with the little money is something every backpacker should learn.  

Internet is probably the most useful tool that you have at your disposal. Ultimately starting an online career is the best way to help you travel longer. Growing your online business will also give you the chance to create your small business empire in due course of time.

Read 15 Sustainable Travel Tips For Backpackers

Read 13 Simple Ways To Meet People While Travelling Solo

budget backpacking

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Best Places To Spend New Year’s Eve In South East Asia

Regardless of your location on the planet, there is always a partying city on New Year’s Eve. If you are in Southeast Asia at this time, you are likely to be spoilt for choices when it comes to places and ways to celebrate the occasion.

There are beachside parties, rooftop bars, and many more options to welcome the New Year in a unique style. Here are some cities and the best options you can enjoy

Bangkok, Thailand

bangkok city
Bangkok

Although Thailand maintains its April 1st New Year’s date, they still pull one of the biggest breathtaking parties on December 31st. One of the most appropriate places here on this special day is by the Chao Phraya River.

You will experience the best open views of fireworks when midnight comes. They are creative and fantastic enough to move any adult to marvel.




The grand show is considered a super work of art and if you want a bird’s eye view, there are many great rooftop bars to enjoy the best displays, which you will never forget.

If you would rather drink instead of watching the fireworks, there are loads of cheap alcohol in magnificent pubs such as the backpacker haven especially on Khao San Road, which has plenty of these.

Chiang Mai, Thailand

Wat Phra
Chiang Mai

There is more in Thailand for your New Year’s expedition outside of Bangkok. In fact, Chiang Mai has the most beautiful element of the celebration according to many tourist reviews as well as locals.

This is the people’s choice for a place to spend on their New Years. You will notice the crowds flocking towards Chiang Mai but not as many as Bangkok.

Every year there are thousands of candle-lit lanterns that illuminate the sky of Chiang Mai after being released drifting off into the mountainous highlands you will never forget. This is not a memory you will ever lose in your life.

Traditional music combined with modern live music is an obvious part of the package to keep you entertained all through the night before and after the moment.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur

KLCC Park in Kuala Lumpur is magnificent lit up the city on New Year’s Eve. The festivities here are majestic thanks to the street lighting, scenic fountains, lakes, and the iconic Petronas Towers.

It is the perfect place for families and friends with great views of the fireworks, and huge fountains on the backdrop of impressive skyscrapers. If you want to be in a party mood, you can find Changkat Bukit Bintang with many pubs and bars for drinks.

The equivalent of Kuala Lumpur is the Times Square where there is never a dull moment as you party with the locals. Everyone deserves to spend one of their NYEs in Kuala Lumpur in their lifetime. You will never regret this treat as you will always carry it in your memory.

Singapore, Singapore

Singapore
Singapore

We all want a city with a fantastic fireworks show and Southeast Asia’s Singapore has the best night skies for Christmas. Marina Bay is known to light up the sky for the best sights, which attract even the elderly.

You can never outgrow watching fireworks as some people may assume. The dazzling display of fireworks is free for all and from long distances. This means you can be in high-rise buildings for an aerial view while enjoying your drinks with friends and family.

Being further away is better because when you finally get close, you will realize it is quite busy. You can only enjoy them from far at your convenience and comfort while you are on another fun activity.

The best location for most people in the Bay East Garden where a panoramic view is sufficient to kick in the New Year with the best style.

Bali, Indonesia

The travelers know Bali as a favorite destination and you will never be disappointed if you visit. Ku De Ta is the place to be if you want an Indonesian NYE.

There is a lot of activities from giant beach parties and street party forms. If you are a partygoer, there are dances that run late into the night to the morning.

The settings offer the best NYE ever in the country to try it out. It is a tropical paradise with certainly an appropriate place to deal with your year’s hangovers and stresses instead of your sofa.



Koh Phangan, Thailand

Koh Phangan

Courtesy: AnjaStreng

If you want a beach party, Thailand’s Koh Pangan offers the famous full moon party. This would be an open paradise on the expansive beach.

It is a great way of welcoming the New Year. There are popular DJs to play you popular tracks for a perfect entertainment night you will never forget. It will set your mood for the year.




The overall mood at the beach is a great experience with a feel-good spirit on the lifestyle of Thailand. It will create a stunning NYE thanks to the cheap drinks on a stunning location.

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

ho-chi-minh-city
Ho Chi Minh City

New Year’s Eve in Vietnam can be an exciting expedition in this period. You can still count on a big party on the beaches. This is a popular location both foreigners and locals like to spend their last day of the year.

Read Best Places To Celebrate New Year In India

Read Songkran festival in Bangkok

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The ultimate guide to travel and getting around India



With the advent of online bus booking, we no longer need to go through the hassle of long queues. This has helped people in India to book tickets easily. Technology has helped us to book tickets at the click of a button without having to leave our desk.

One of the advantages of bus booking platforms is the choice of operators. Customers can now choose which operator to travel width for the given price range. The customer can choose from which point to book the bus and can also choose the dropping point.

Another advantage of booking online is the cashback offers given by many online sites. Earlier the price was fixed and there were virtually no cash backs. However, now the customers have an advantage.



Some of the major bus ticketing applications in the Indian market are as follows.

  1. RedBus

Website: https://www.redbus.in  Available in Android and iOS

  1. Paytm

Website: https://paytm.com/bus-tickets

  1. MakeMyTrip

  2. Abhibus

Website: https://www.abhibus.com

  1. Yatra

Website: https://www.yatra.com/bus-booking

  1. eTravelSmart

Website: https://www.etravelsmart.com/bus

7. TicketGoose

Website: http://www.ticketgoose.com/

Train travel is easier too. Although travel agents are still a way of booking train tickets, many people prefer to book tickets online through train booking applications.

IRCTC Connect: This is an Indian Railways official app which allows multiple options including ticket bookings and flight booking options. One can directly download the application and need not go to IRCTC website.




iXIGO Train App

This railway booking application is undoubtedly the best and the most comprehensive application available for train booking. The user interface is decent and is a great way to book a train ticket.

NTES: This application is a great app to track train status. This application provides real-time information on the running status of trains.

Flight Booking Sites

Although the presence of travel agents cannot be ruled out, flight booking has become a lot easier with online booking sites.

Here are the 10 flight booking sites in India

  1. MakeMyTrip

One of the early birds in the flight booking business, MakeMyTrip revolutionized the flight booking industry in India. The user is provided with a lot of choices to book a flight filtered by price, airlines, and hops.

One of the salient features of MakeMyTrip is its MMTBLACK Loyalty program where one can earn My Cash on reaching reward milestones.  Another salient feature of MakeMyTrip is the DOUBLE BLACK program which allows for free cancellation on flights.

  1. EaseMyTrip

EaseMyTrip offers easy air ticket bookings with many many offers for domestic and international travelers.

  1. Skyscanner

Although many Indian travel sites can be used to make local travel bookings, international travel booking facilities are quite limited. Skyscanner gives you the ability to choose any international location at ease.

  1. GoIbibo

GoIbibo is another great flight booking site where one can book flights.

  1. Cleartrip

ClearTrip is another online flight aggregation operating in India. Sometimes you can get flight ticket at much lower prices than MakeMyTrip

  1. Yatra

  2. Via

  3. PayTm

  4. HappyEasyGo

  5. Expedia

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What to do when your airline loses your luggage



Although I have received my baggage every time I have traveled, there are instances in which many people have lost their luggage on a flight journey. Here are some basic tips if an airline loses your luggage.

  1. Keep your boarding pass

In most airlines the boarding pass serve as an authentication for a luggage claim. Therefore, do not through your tickets until you have retrieved all your bags.

     2. Keep your luggage tags

This may not apply to all airlines. Therefore, do not through away your luggage tag receipts until you have received your bags.

    3.  Contact Staff member if your baggage hasn’t arrived

If your baggage hasn’t arrived contact staff member at the desk located in the destination airport. 

   4. File a lost baggage claim

Airline staff will most likely to help you find our baggage. But, if  the baggage is really misplaced, then file a baggage lost claim. 

5. Have the bags delivered

You have two choices once the airline locates your bag. You can pick them up at the airport or have them delivered to your local address. It’s better to pick them from the airport. 




Most of the time airlines are committed to tracing your baggage. The reputation of the airline will depend on how well they serve their customers. Therefore, in case the bags are lost, the airline will try to initiate a cash back refund. 

If you are a business traveler, it is advised to keep your valuables in your carry on luggage. For example, you can keep your work attire on your carry on so that you can immediately attend the conference or business meeting at the appropriate time.

The lost baggage is most likely a case of a delayed bag. Sometimes it may take 24-48 hours and sometimes it may take even longer. Therefore, don’t lose hope your baggage will come or you will receive a refund.

Read 10 Rules Of Packing