‘Umuganda’ – the community building initiative in Rwanda came as a special pleasant ‘shocker’ during my visit to Rwanda in September 2020. The concept of ‘Umuganda’ is absolutely beautiful! On the last Saturday of every month, from 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM, businesses close and traffic halts as citizens across the country take to their...
During my visit to Rwanda, we went to a ‘Reconciliation’ village in Bugesera, Rwanda. The village is a social experiment - a part of the ‘Unity & Reconciliation’ efforts to unite the citizens and move ahead towards progress of the nation as whole. This is is one of the initiatives by the Rwandan government post the...
Ruins of Mandu, or Mandavgarh, once the capital of Malwa region, a fortified town, was also known as the “City of Joy”. Mandu is not about the ruins of the glorious past , but it is a bouquet of stories and legends. How should I start? Capital of multiple dynasties, a forgotten glorious past, city...
During a visit to the Royal Palace of the Buganda King in Kampala, Uganda, I found an artisan selling local themed paintings in the Souvenir shop. On a closer scrutiny, I realised that the painting was made on some sort of a thin, soft cloth material. On enquiry, the artist proudly mentioned that the cloth was...
History of the famous Dance of the Seven Veils, its link to the origin of striptease and how it is similar to Travel experiences I have always felt travel is a bit of a strip-tease like the famous proverbial Dance of the Seven Veils. Most times that I travel to a place, I find some facet...
Mountain Gorilla tracking: The opportunity, to be in close proximity for a magical hour with a family of our near cousins – the Mountain Gorillas, in their natural habitat can be a scary but exhilarating adventure. This adventure can be experienced only in two places (3 countries) in the world – the Virungas massif and...
A look at the Parsi Tower of Silence, the ritual of Sky Burial, the legends and rationale behind it and the link to the Birds of Prey. Sky burial is the practice of ritualistically leaving the dead as food for the birds of prey and Mother Nature. Sounds gruesome doesn’t it? There must be some rationale...
Ross Island can look like a Ghost town to some, and some will travel back in time with a great story ! Some will relive the Indian freedom struggle and perhaps uncover the World War II connection, while others will get to know the journey about India national Army (INA) here. Did you know that...
The KudaKkallu are ancient umbrella shaped burial sites in Kerala Kerala is located in the southern part of India. Stunning natural beauty, beaches and a very relaxed way of life typify this land. For this reason, it has become a staple for tourists visiting South India. Many other things make it a much-visited place. For instance,...
‘Tree climbing Lions’ – much of a marketing hype is made by the Parks and Tourism boards to attract tourists to places where Tree climbing Lions are prevalent. Two destinations that have made the most of it are Ishasha sector in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda and Lake Manyara National Park, Tanzania.