During a recent visit to Bengaluru, we took a quick day trip to see the famous Lepakshi temple. The 500 year-old temple, and the massive Nandi statue next door, were well worth the drive. Read More
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Bali diaries: Three days in Ubud, Bali’s cultural heart
Our three days in Ubud, Bali’s cultural capital, let us experience some of the amazing Balinese culture and architecture. And gave us a taste of what it’s like to be in one of the world’s tourism hot-spots. Read More
Bali diaries: Peace and crashing waves on Nusa Ceningan
The island of Nusa Ceningan, just off Bali’s east coast, was surprisingly peaceful and incredibly picturesque. A great start to our week in Bali.
Seven off-beat Rajasthan experiences
If you’re the type that loves heritage and culture but doesn’t want to do the usual touristy stuff, then try these seven off-beat Rajasthan experiences. Read More
Udaipur: Our last stop after two weeks on the road in Rajasthan
Two weeks of riding through southern Rajasthan ended in Udaipur. With its lakes, palaces, and art around every corner, this city may well deserve its reputation as ‘the most romantic city in India’. Read More
A visit to the inner citadel of Hyderabad’s Golconda Fort
The inner citadel of Golconda Fort is arguably Hyderabad’s most popular sight, with its panoramic views and palace ruins. And even if you’ve seen it before, there’s always something new to discover. Read More
Photo diary: Snow-capped mountains and Tibetan art in Dharamshala
We’d heard a lot about Dharamshala over the years; about its views, its food and its Tibetan-Buddhist-influenced atmosphere. Here’s the story, in pictures, of when we finally managed to visit. Read More
Chittorgarh Fort: ancient, massive and imposing
The massive hill-top Chittorgarh Fort was the Mewar region’s defence against invaders for 800 years. The third stop on our motorcycle tour took us up the hill, and into the last surviving settlement within the walls. Read More
Our Kenya safari: Up close with Africa’s incredible wildlife
We had always wanted to see the amazing wildlife of Africa up close. And our Kenya safari in Amboseli, Lake Nakuru and Masai Mara finally let us fulfil that wish. Despite the maddening amount of driving involved. Read More
Bundi, a town lost in time
Bundi is a small town lost in time, peppered with crumbling mansions and temples, and with the old Garh Palace looming over everything. We were glad we had taken a friend’s advice and made this the second stop on our motorcycle tour! Read More
The first stop on our motorcycle tour: A Ranthambhore safari experience
The first stop on our two-week motorcycle tour was Sawai Madhopur, where we had planned our first-ever Ranthambhore safari. We wanted to catch a glimpse of Ramthambhore National Park’s famous tigers, and—after a few hiccups—we did! Read More
Jaipur: Our motorcycle tour kicks off
When we planned our two-week Rajasthan motorcycle tour, we made sure to be in Jaipur around Diwali time. The city is famous for its decorations during the ‘festival of lights’, and we weren’t disappointed. Read More
Video diary: Southern Rajasthan on two wheels
Our motorcycle tour through southern Rajasthan covered Jaipur, Ranthambhore, Bundi, Chittorgarh and Udaipur. Here’s a quick video with the highlights. Read More
Rajasthan on two wheels: Glimpses of Chittorgarh and Udaipur
During the second half of our two-week motorcycle tour through east and south Rajasthan, we explored the massive Chittorgarh Fort and the romantic ‘Lake City’ of Udaipur. Here are a few glimpses of what we saw. Read More
Rajasthan on two wheels: Glimpses of Jaipur, Ranthambhore and Bundi
Touring through east and south Rajasthan on our motorcycle gave us a unique perspective and a greater appreciation of the things we experienced. Here are some glimpses of our experiences in Jaipur, Ranthambhore and Bundi. Read More
Durga Puja 2018: Glimpses of gods and mortals
While most of India celebrates Navratri and Dussehra, some parts celebrate Durga Puja instead. And no one does Durga Puja quite like the Bengalis, no matter where they are. Read More
16 tips to stay safe and have fun on that awesome motorcycle tour
A long motorcycle tour will give you a great feeling of freedom, excitement and adventure—if it’s done right. Here are 16 tips that can help make sure you have a great time on the road.
An adrenaline rush on the White Nile in Jinja
They say the rapids on the White Nile in Jinja give the river its name. And rafting them is an adrenaline rush like no other. Read More
A rejuvenating break in Malindi, on the coast of Kenya
If you think Kenya is just about wildlife, think again. With beautiful beaches, coral reefs, unique heritage and European influence, Malindi is a great place for a break from hectic safari-ing. Read More
12 places with heritage sites that left us spellbound
Every place has some kind of history, with the past of some being longer and more complicated than that of others. But history leaves its mark in the heritage and architecture it leaves behind. And here are places with heritage sites that we found particularly fascinating. Read More
Things to do on the weekend in Hyderabad: The outer ramparts of Golconda Fort
The central citadel of Golconda Fort is one of the most popular tourist spots in Hyderabad. But most visitors don’t realize that there are some magnificent sights among the outer fortifications, too. Read More
Things to do on the weekend in Hyderabad: The chaotic but interesting Salar Jung Museum
The Salar Jung museum may seem a little disappointing at first. But look closer, and you’re sure to spot something spectacular. Read More
Insta-featured on Lonely Planet’s website!
When I decided to take part in Lonely Planet’s ‘Epic Hikes’ Instagram campaign, I had no idea my post would end up on their website! Read More
Video diary: The best of our memories of Africa
Riding over river rapids. Trekking through Martian landscapes. Swimming over surreal coral reefs. And, of course, admiring the breathtaking wildlife. This short video has all the highlights of our African adventure. Read More
This is what it’s like to visit the Charminar early in the morning
Nothing says Hyderabad like the Charminar. The 400 year-old monument and mosque was built when Hyderabad was founded, and is still the symbol of the city today. But though it’s impressive at any time of day, we decided to try and avoid the crowds and the summer heat by going at 7:00 AM in the morning. Read More
Video guide: How to start planning your Lakshadweep holiday
If you’ve always wanted to visit the Lakshadweep islands but didn’t know how to plan your trip, this short video guide will get you started. Read More
My 50th blog post, and a roundup of my top 10 posts so far
It’s been a little more than year since I started this travel blog, and it’s been tough but fun! Though I’ve enjoyed writing everything I’ve published, here are the top 10 posts I’ve enjoyed writing the most. Read More
The vast necropolis of the Qutb Shahi tombs
The necropolis of the Qutb Shahi kings—also called the Qutb Shahi tombs—is over 400 years old, and still shows you something new with every visit. Read More
Hyderabad to Masai Mara: How to plan a Kenya safari from India
If you’ve always dreamed of visiting the endless African savanna to watch lions, elephants, cheetah and wildebeest go about their business, then here is how to make your safari dream a reality. Read More
5 great destinations to beat the heat—and the crowds—this summer
Escape the Indian summer heat and the crowds of visitors in these amazing but relatively less touristy destinations. Read More
Six great day trips from Hyderabad
These six destinations for great day trips from Hyderabad have heritage, modern marvels and natural splendour on offer. And they’re all within a few hours’ drive of the city. Read More
4 reasons why you should stay in Agonda on your next Goa trip
A long, beautiful beach, accommodation to suit every budget, lots of eateries, and plenty of things to do nearby make Agonda one of the best places you can stay in south Goa. Read More
In the shadow of elephants in Valparai
Humans live alongside elephants, bison, leopards and macaques in South India’s Anamalai hills, as tea and coffee plantations slowly replace the area’s ancient rainforests. Read More
Millennia back in time: The magnificent temples of Madurai and Tanjore in South India
The jaw-dropping size and intricacy of these ancient temples in South India will leave you speechless, even if you only see them from the outside. Read More
5 awesome mountain holiday destinations in India
From lush green plantations, cloud-topped peaks and dense jungles, to precariously perched monasteries, Martian landscapes and sapphire lakes, these five destinations can offer you some of the most spectacular mountain experiences in India. Read More
The surreal rocks of Fakhruddingutta in Hyderabad
If you’re in Hyderabad and don’t know what to do with yourself over the weekend, take an hour or two to experience the surreal rocky expanse at Fakhruddingutta near Gachibowli. Read More
Nine things you should know if you want to have a good time in Coorg
We learned the hard way that having a good time in Coorg is not as easy as you might think. Here are nine things that we found out that you should know too, if you’re planning a visit. Read More
The forgotten Paigah necropolis is a must-see in Hyderabad
Go back in time to Hyderabad’s glorious past with a visit to the Paigah Tomb complex, the last resting place of five generations of the foremost noble family of Hyderabad. Read More
20 evocative beach pictures from around the world
From walking a protected turtle breeding ground in Goa with two doggies and swimming in rock pools in the Seychelles to riding a motorcycle on a beach in West Bengal, here are 20 evocative beach pictures from our travels around the world. Read More
Yay! A review of mine’s been published in Lonely Planet Magazine India
I recently wrote a short reader’s review on Thinnakara Island, Lakshadweep and submitted it to Lonely Planet Magazine India. I never thought they’d publish it, but they did! Of course, this isn’t a commissioned review or anything, just a reader’s contribution, but it’s still very reassuring. Hopefully, this is a sign of good things to come. Read More
A perfect long weekend among the hills and tea plantations of Coonoor
Surrounded by the Nilgiri mountains, the hill stations of Coonoor and Wellington make for the perfect long weekend, with spectacular views, rolling tea plantations and misty winding roads. Read More
20 spectacular travel photos we’ve taken so far
From Germany to the Seychelles, and from all across India, here are 20 spectacular travel photographs we’ve taken during our travels so far. Read More
A 7-day, 2000-kilometer motorcycle ride along India’s east coast
We rode for seven days and 2000 kilometers from Hyderabad to Kolkata through Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and West Bengal, and this is what we experienced. Read More
How we lived the island life for a few days in the Andamans
From snorkeling around the spectacular corals of South Button island and sitting in the still water of Wandoor beach to wandering around creepy Ross Island, here is how we lived the island life for a few days in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands of India. Read More
Eight great things to experience while visiting Bhutan
Experience the awe-inspiring sight of the Tiger’s Nest monastery, some blazingly fiery local food, incredible views from Chele La pass, and more in this remote but proud Himalayan country that’s a hop across the border from India. Read More
Eight great reasons why you should visit Rajasthan, the ‘land of kings’
Magnificent architecture, imposing fortresses, colourful locals, complex cuisine, and traditional street art… find all this, and more, in Rajasthan—literally, ‘the land of kings’. Read More
Eight things we learned in Ladakh, the highest desert in the world
It was 2008, and we were hankering for the mountains again. We had always wanted to visit Ladakh, in the foothills of the Indian Himalayas, and decided this was the time. Read More
Magical sights of Hampi that you may not even know exist
While the majestic Virupaksha temple, and the Vitthala temple with its massive stone chariot and musical pillars, are probably on ever visitor’s itinerary, Hampi has a lot more to offer—regardless of the weather. From riverside walkways with stairs cut into the living rock, and hidden shrines emerging from their lush sugarcane fields, to gigantic boulders in fantastic shapes, and emerald rice fields reflecting the sunrise in their motionless waters, here are some of the sights that have enchanted us over the years. Read More
Six great experiences to have when you’re in Kalimpong
It was April in 2014, and my wife and I desperately needed a holiday. We were tired of the beach, though, and so we decided to head up into the mountains. After casting about a bit, we decided on Kalimpong in West Bengal, where we could stay as guests of the army, and where my wife could re-live some fond childhood memories. Here are six great experiences we discovered while we were in Kalimpong. Read More
An off-the-beaten-path Goa holiday
From staying in an old Portuguese-era mansion and eating amado curry in the family’s kitchen, to taking a ferry and driving all over an island in search of an elusive viewpoint, this is how we had a Goa holiday that was very different from the usual. Read More
Nine basics that everyone should know about dog body language
If you think about it, a lot of human communication happens through body language; an arched eyebrow, a clenched jaw, crossed arms, or a squared chest can tell you a lot about what the other person is thinking. The same is true of dogs, only more so. Over my 30 years of living with them, I’ve learned that you can figure out a lot about a dog’s state of mind just by looking at them. Read More
A getaway in the clouds: O’Land Plantation in the Nilgiri hills
Most visitors to the Nilgiris take in the sights and sounds of Ooty and its populated environs without realizing that the seemingly-infinite tea plantations on the hills offer a completely different experience, far from the madding crowd and closer to the wild Read More
Our magical holiday in the mysterious Lakshadweep islands
Pristine beaches, spectacular sunsets, and tiny magical islands. We experienced all that and more during our time in in the Lakshadweep islands. Read More
Eight things every first-time dog owner should do (and one that they shouldn’t)
From how to find the right breed for you, to making sure you have a healthy relationship with your dog, here are eight tips for every new dog owner. Read More
How to plan your Lakshadweep trip
Planning a trip to the Lakshadweep islands takes time, effort and patience. Here’s how to plan your Lakshadweep trip, based on what we learned during ours. Read More
