The second leg of our Kerala trip was in rolling hills and lush forests of Thekkady, where we spent two nights at the Lake Palace, deep inside the Periyar National Park.

Tips and tricks, galleries and other cool stuff.
The second leg of our Kerala trip was in rolling hills and lush forests of Thekkady, where we spent two nights at the Lake Palace, deep inside the Periyar National Park.
Our ten-day Kerala trip started with a one-day visit to Kochi, during which we had some interesting experiences.
It's been a slow year on the blog, but there's hope that 2023 will be better.
A recent trip to Kullu Valley wasn't quite what we expected. But we still came away with lots of great memories.
We found lots of interesting, off-beat things to do during our Kullu-Manali trip. Here are our top experiences.
Home-made bio enzyme cleaners are a non-toxic, eco-friendly and affordable alternative to chemical cleaning products, and can be used in a bunch of different ways around the house. Here's how you can make your own.
If you’re thinking of doing a Hyderabad to Gokarna road trip, here are some tips from our trip during which we stopped in Chorla on the way there, and at Hampi on the way back to Hyderabad.
In February 2020, we happened to be in Chennai, so we thought we'd take a quick 3-day trip to Pondicherry. We were lucky we did, because a month later, everything went south.
We did half a day of white water rafting in Jinja, Uganda during our visit to Africa a few years ago. And it was just as exhilarating as it looked!
We spent three days in Kathmandu just before the pandemic hit. Here are some memories of that trip, when times were simpler.
I signed up for a ride in an ultralight aircraft during our visit to Pokhara, in Nepal. And it was one of the scariest things I've ever experienced!
If you're thinking of doing a Hyderabad-to-Hampi road trip, here are some things that we’ve learned during our six trips. Things that'll help you plan your own trip.
Here’s a simple 100% whole wheat sourdough bread machine recipe that uses just four ingredients, and doesn't have dairy, egg or commercial yeast.
Looking for high-quality images to use for your project, your next campaign or even just for your device background? Download some of my best photographs from my image shop, at the size and rate that's best for you.
If you've always wanted to travel to Nepal but still aren't comfortable around crowds, check out these fun things to do in Pokhara, Nepal where you can still keep your distance from other people.
If you’re vegetarian and running out of places to eat in Hyderabad, here are some places that serve surprisingly good vegetarian food.
Wherever we go, we can't help but keep an eye out for furry babies to play with. Just for fun, here are some of the cute doggies we've met on our travels.
We've been travelling for over 15 years, and here's a list of unique hotels in India and beyond that we've discovered so far.
A review of an affordable (but slightly buggy) action camera stabilizer; and my first ever video with voice-over, to a sleepy but historical town. On the monthly roundup for January 2020.
The Hohem iSteady Pro is a basic little stabilizer for action cameras that’s great if you’re on a budget. You might have to deal with a few glitches and flaws, though.
2019 has been a good year for The Good Life With IQ. Lots of travel and some focused writing have made for lots of interesting posts (if I do say so myself). So, dear reader, here's your verdict of the top 10 posts of 2019 on The Good Life With IQ.
A scenic but shattered granite hill outside Hyderabad; why Nusa Ceningan is one of the best places to stay in Bali; and a video on our day-trip to Lepakshi from Bangalore. All in the monthly roundup for November 2019.
We had often driven over and past Khanapur hill, and had always wanted to stop and explore its boulders. When we did, we were shaken by what we found.
With nice beaches, great diving, good food, plenty of culture and nightlife, and few overnight tourists, Nusa Ceningan is one of the best places to stay in Bali.
Our three days in Ubud, the bustling cultural heart of Bali; and a day trip from Bengaluru to the intricate, 500 year-old Lepakshi temple. All in the roundup for October 2019.
During a recent visit to Karnataka's capital, we took a quick day trip to Lepakshi from Bangalore to see its famous temple. The 500 year-old temple, and the massive Nandi statue next door, were well worth the drive.
A video diary from three days in Ubud, Bali; and turning flaws into strengths with the Flawesome Blogger Award. All on the monthly roundup for September 2019.
It’s always great to be chosen for an award by a fellow blogger! And this one is particularly interesting: it makes you think about your flaws, and how you’ve turned them into strengths.
A post about our time on the peaceful little island of Nusa Ceningan, with a video to match; and some of the best pizza to be had in Hyderabad. All on The Good Life With IQ in August 2019.
‘Zza Bar (short for ‘Pizza Bar’) may only be a little hole-in-the-wall vegetarian pizzeria, but it serves up some of the best pizza and cheesecake you’ll ever eat in Hyderabad. Or anywhere, for that matter.
Some unique experiences to have in Rajasthan; a video about our week in the mountains in Dharamshala; and my 100th blog post and celebratory giveaway. All on The Good Life With IQ in June 2019.
As a special 'thank you' to you, my readers, I'm celebrating my 100th blog post by giving away a brand-new copy of Lonely Planet's India travel guide to one lucky winner.
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.
The end of our motorcycle ride through Rajasthan; a video diary of our time in Udaipur; a review of our action camera; and a compilation of our favourite footage over the last year. All on The Good Life With IQ in May 2019.
I got my GoPro HERO 5 Black action camera a year ago, and we’ve travelled all over with it since then. Here’s how it measured up.
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’.
Seeing snowy mountains and Tibetan art up close; a great camera phone for travellers; and a towering citadel on a granite hill. All on The Good Life With IQ in April 2019.
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.
As a travel blogger, I was on the lookout for a phone that had a good camera to complement my DSLR, and that was easy on the pocket. And the Samsung Galaxy A7 (2018) delivered for me. Here’s my review of this phone’s impressive camera.
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.
Exploring the largest hill fort in Rajasthan during our motorcycle tour, with a video to give you better feel of what it was like. And a video on some hidden gems at Hyderabad's most popular tourist spot. All on The Good Life With IQ in March 2019.
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.
Discovering the crumbling grandeur and 10,000 year-old history of Bundi; Getting within touching distance of some of Africa's most magnificent wildlife species; and a video on each, so you can really get into the action. All on The Good Life With IQ in February 2019.
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.
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!
Our first Ranthambhore safari experience; things to do and top itineraries in Hyderabad; a quick spinach and mushroom recipe; and incredible memories of Bhutan and Lakshadweep. All on The Good Life With IQ in January 2019.
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!
Hyderabad's 400-year history means the city has lots to see and do, not to speak of its rich and varied cuisine. This downloadable infographic will give you some easy-to-reference Hyderabad itineraries and things to do.
This simple take on creamed spinach with mushrooms is perfect for adding some quick veggies to your meal, without becoming too heavy and rich.
Motorcycling through southern Rajasthan; my second peer-nominated blogger award; a review of a very handy lens for DSLRs; and a detailed post of our Jaipur experience; all on The Good Life With IQ in December 2018. And a recap of the most popular posts of the year.
The Tamron 18-400 mm zoom lens is a great all-in-one lens for mid-level photographers who like both close-ups and wide-angles; who don't feel like burning a hole in their pocket; and who don't like switching lenses all the time. And who don't mind sacrificing a bit of image quality in the bargain.
Being nominated for the Sunshine Blogger Award would have been an honour even on its own. But coming close on the heels of my first-ever blogger award nomination last month makes this nomination extra special!
Our motorcycle tour through southern Rajasthan covered Jaipur, Ranthambhore, Bundi, Chittorgarh and Udaipur. Here's a quick video with the highlights.
A city decked up for Diwali; disturbing the king of the forest's beauty sleep; discovering crumbling grandeur; hearing echoes of Rajput valour; and wandering the bylanes of 'the most romantic city on Earth'. All on our motorcycle. Plus my first-ever peer award nomination. On The Good Life With IQ in November 2018.
It's a great feeling to have been nominated for the Blogger Recognition Award, an award that acknowledges all the effort that goes into a keeping a blog going. What is the Blogger Recognition Award? The Blogger Recognition Award is an…
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.
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.
A quick look at all the new stuff on The Good Life With IQ in October 2018.
Tatva may just be Hyderabad’s best kept secret, as far as vegetarian restaurants go. With excellent Italian, continental and north Indian cuisine, this is a place foodies should try at least once.
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.
If it's done right, a long motorcycle tour will give you an incredible feeling of freedom, excitement and adventure. Here are 16 tips that can help make sure you have a great time on the road. I’ve learned a few…
Read More 16 tips to stay safe and have fun on that awesome motorcycle tour
A quick look at all the new stuff on The Good Life With IQ in the past month.
This easy recipe will let you whip up a sweet and tangy vinaigrette sauce in minutes, perfect to use as a salad dressing or dip. A few months ago, I posted a written recipe for a hearty salad of broccoli…
Read More Recipe video: Quick and easy honey mustard vinaigrette
The first recipe video I've ever made hasn't turned out too badly (if I do say so myself). And if you like hearty vegetarian food, you might just like my recipe for pumpkin potato pancakes too.
A quick look at all the new stuff on The Good Life With IQ in the past month.
Whether you’re looking to pamper your pet, exchange notes with other pet parents or just hang out with pet people over good eats, The Pet Café is for you.
Durable, versatile and with long battery life, this is a good choice for videographers looking for a single camera stabilizer for their light cameras.
We’ve been travelling regularly for over a decade now, and have had to learn a lot of things about packing right. Here are 17 packing tips that could come in handy on your next trip.
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.
If you’re looking for ideas to make a meal special but still keep it guilt-free, this recipe's for you. It brings together healthy veggies and just the right amount of richness and flavour. And since they say a Mediterranean diet is one of the healthiest around, even better!
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.
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.
If you’ve always dreamed of visiting the endless African savanna to watch the lions, wildebeest and other wildlife, then here's how to plan a Kenya tour from India.
Nice craft beer, a great view, and surprisingly good vegetarian food make Olive Bistro in Hyderabad’s Jubilee Hills a great place to eat, drink and make merry.
Reduce the impact of your travels on the environment and communities around you with these simple tips and tricks.
Some of these mistakes that we made during our travels around the world could have been much, much worse.
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.
If you’re visiting India for the first time, here are 20 things you need to know so that you can find your way around this ancient land, with its many cultures, languages and cuisines.
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.
If you’re turning vegetarian, for reasons of health, ethics, economy or the environment, the good news is that every little bit helps. The bad news is that it’s not easy, especially if you really like meat.
From Germany to the Seychelles, and from all across India, here are 20 spectacular travel photographs we've taken during our travels so far.
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.
In late 2013, my wife wanted to visit Kutch in Gujarat as a sourcing trip for her fledgling ethnic gifts business, so we decided we would turn it into our annual new year's holiday. We spent close to two weeks in Bhuj and its surroundings (arguably home to India's highest concentration of high-quality textile handicraft producers), investigated lots of towns and villages, and took in India's great white salt desert, the Great Rann of Kutch.
Dog owners, especially first-time owners, need to have a good idea of how their dogs communicate, and what they're trying to say. Most of it is in their body language.
Turning off a few lights, using less water and driving a little less are just a few easy ways in which we can make a difference. Here are eight easy ways to be more environment-friendly.
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.