5 places in the world that this travel entrepreneur would love to escape to!
Travel, for many, is a break. It's like an escape from the routine. For me though, it is a way of life. There was a time when I used to get away almost once every 2 or 3 months, pack weekends with surprise road trips and more. However, ever since I started F5 Escapes, an alternate travel company that wants to change the way women travel, especially in India, the frequency of my own travels have started declining. That does not deter me from dreaming and drooling over several far flung unvisited destinations. Incredible travel experiences can inspire you. They can change the way you think or deal with situations in life, both professional and personal.
Here is a list of 5 places I’ve either been to or wish to go and what my travels taught me.
Lakshadweep
This will eternally remain on top of my list. This trip in 2008 changed my perspective on travel and hence, my life. That was my first time travelling with an infant to a beach destination. Too many inhibitions and trepidations ruled my mind. I remember the staff at the resort voluntarily offered to babysit my year old son when they saw how desperate I was to get into the water to snorkel and kayak. This was one experience which proved that nothing is impossible and when you are destined to do something, no one can stop you from doing it. I also learnt that great travel memories are among the best things money can buy.
Japan
‘Burnt Shadows’ by Kamila Shamsie was my first window into Japan. The culture, the natural beauty, the stories, the scarred history etc. have all contributed in painting a very vivid imaginative world in my mind. Sometime in the near future, I would love to learn Japanese, visit this land, volunteer in one of the villages, understand their way of life, spend time with the giesha sisters, take the bullet trains, behold the most beautiful volcano in the world - Fujiyama - the list is endless.
Istanbul
When I am not actually travelling, I travel through books. The latest book that I read, ‘Inferno’ by Dan Brown took me on a time travel to Venice, one of the prettiest places that I’ve been to in the past and unraveled another destination to be added to my bucket list - Istanbul. I really hope I can travel to Turkey sometime soon to witness the grandeur of Hagia Sophia, explore the mixed influence of the West and the East and treat myself to some finger licking middle Eastern food!
India - North East India & Amritsar
I have been to Meghalaya, Sikkim and Assam. However, I feel I haven't done enough justice to the amazing land. I want to trek down to the living root bridges, dance with the locals at Nagaland Hornbill festival, get rid of my claustrophobia exploring the caves of Meghalaya, travel up to the last village at Arunachal and more. I also wish to soak in the splendour of what Cherrapunjee is famous for - its torrential rains! And oh yeah, bring back loads and loads of bamboo shoot pickle home :)
Amritsar - This is one place that has been eluding me for many years now. I made plans to visit but they were foiled twice. Of course, I am not giving up, this is high on my priority bucket list and I will make it happen in 2016!
Trans Siberian Railroad
I have always had a love affair with train journeys. Now, imagine an 8-day long train journey! Yes, from Moscow to Beijing on the Trans Siberian railway. This has been a very important item to check off my bucket list for a long time now. I am sure this will happen and when it happens, I will probably be the most contented person on the planet! I have heard that the journey is not exactly comfortable, but my penchant for unseen places and people makes me yearn for this experience of a lifetime.
These are the top few places of my endless travel list. What are yours?
By Malini Gowrishankar
Founder, F5 Escapes
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