En route

Blogging isn't a walk in the park. It demands consistent posting to keep your readers engaged, which becomes even trickier when you're on the move, aiming to deliver 'top-quality content.' Time is another factor; from drafting to rewriting, editing, uploading images and videos, and formatting text, it's a process that takes a few days! And this is partially why my posts aren't as frequent as I would like them to be. Also, blogging from a tablet... not recommended! Today's blogavaganza setup  VIETNAM I could list places I've visited and things I've seen, supplementing them with photos, creating yet another blog titled 'been there, done that, seen that.' Veni. Vidi. Vici. But that's not my style. Growing older (and somewhat wiser), I'm realising that travel, in terms of logistics and itinerary, is like the lid of a hot pot (to use a Vietnamese analogy). The actual travel is the dish bubbling inside - a blend of what I've seen, don...

Today, I heard the above statement from a German backpacker I met, who had quit her job as a nurse and set off for a one- to two-year journey in Southeast Asia. When she asked me about my experience in India, I replied that  India had exceeded my expectations.  To be honest, my initial expectations of India were quite bleak. I anticipated frustration, communication difficulties, and constant overcharging. In fact, I had never really intended to visit India in the first place. I even boldly stated that I would never consider travelling solo in India, as if it were an immutable fact.   Kerala mural in Kochi Jew Town part of Fort Cochin My negative perception of India was largely influenced by the accounts of my friends and other travellers who had visited the country. They all acknowledged India's beauty, rich history, and natural wonders, but there was always a "but" in their stories. This "but" covered issues like safety concerns for female travellers, frequent ...