Supriya Sahu

Travel, Lifestyle and Food

“Ceylon” by the Portuguese, “Taprobana” by the Greeks, “Serendip” by Persian, “Mummudi-Chola Mandalam” during the Chola occupation in 990-1070 AD, and finally present-day name: “Sri Lanka” is the “The Pearl of the Indian Ocean”, “the Teardrop of India”, and “the Isle of Dharma”. With more than 2000 years of documented history, the country has awed different kingdoms, dynasties, and groups who have tried to conquer it and hence given it many names.

Travellers visit this country for precious gems, tropical climate, unique music, serendipitous stupas and heritage train routes. But, I would visit Sri Lanka for its laid-back lifestyle and spend a month or two on the Pekoe Trail, disconnected from the world — cooking up Rice and Curry (and papadums!), drinking Arrack, and listening to local tales. Or otherwise, a wild surfing adventure in Ahangama also sounds cool!

Thailand

Bulging out Mondops rise in pride as travellers’ spiritual journeys get fulfilled in the thicks of forests and flourishing coastline, in the infectious smiles and delectable food, in the relieving massages, in the meditation halls, and in the history of Thailand.

A traveller goes to Thailand for humbling experiences and beliefs hidden in parables and mystic stories and to fill life with colours that were dropped in abundance here. Culture in Thailand is a culmination of strong Indian influence, Chinese traditions and unique features from the land itself.

Bhutan: A blessing and an example for the world.

“The Land of the Thunder Dragon” – as it is rightly called, Bhutan is a little Himalayan open secret. As soon as you enter the country, you shall feel the vibes of happiness all around you. With lofty Himalayan mountains, gusty rivulets crossing the valleys, the aroma of Momos and Datshi in the air, and prayer flags – a trip to Bhutan can never fail to mesmerise you.

With scattered dzongs, fortresses and monasteries, waving flags and thundering bolts of valley’s roar, Bhutan dazzles with unshakable cultural ethos, sounds of greens, and shades of the Himalayas. Where growth is measured in Gross National Happiness, landscapes switch dramatically, spirituality is basic to lifestyle, environment precedes anything else, and where smile on everyone’s face is a given – for you, it is probably a home away from home.

Mauritius

One of the smallest archipelagos in the Indian Ocean, Mauritius carries a thousand opportunities for sundowners, hikers, beach-lovers, adventurers, spirituality-seekers and history enthusiasts. Leave yourself to swaddle in its dreamy locations and look beyond the obvious; there are innumerable things to do.

Singapore

As you cross the carpets to customs clearance area in Singapore, you will find the tiny country abuzz with enthusiasm. Tiny, but bold Singapore stands on the southern edge of Malay Peninsula and is suspended at the strategic position between the Straits of Malacca and the South China Sea. What makes it an exclusive destination are the world heritage sites, world-class buildings, luxurious malls and tourist attractions.

Upon entering the outer world in Singapore, I come to know why it’s called as the “Garden City”. That’s for its many visible parks and tree-lined streets. Soon, I also realise why it is called as the “instant Asia”; It offers glimpses into various continent’s cultures brought by the immigrants from all parts of Asia. In fact, the Singaporean culture has often been described as a mix of cultures – European, Malay, Chinese, Indian and Peranakan.

Scotland

Resting north of UK and surrounded by Irish sea, Atlantic Ocean and North Sea, Scotland’s treasurable vistas, historical architecture, unspoiled coastline, breathtaking moors, and multi-coloured facades make highlights in a traveller’s journey. A wanderer elegantly roams in the alleyways of Edinburgh’s Old Town and New Town (UNESCO World Heritage status in 1995) to Glasgow’s Riverside Museum; from Highlands’ Glenfinnan Monument to Stirling’s Castle to figure out that the country is blessed with down-to-earth people and superb food, along with wonderful sites.

Bali, Indonesia

A tropical Utopia. The Isle of perpetual summer. Sensuously floating heaven on the ocean. One word tacitly enters our heads when we think of Bali: Paradise! It’s not a place; it’s a mood. Bali bestows thousands of years of conserved history, geography, volcanoes, tourist-friendly hotspots, and euphoria. Welcome to the Island of Gods, where spirituality blends in the soul, the culmination of cultures evanesce in blood, and art and architecture form the heart.

Ladakh

Ladakh has established an important place in history by sitting at the crossroad of many trading routes. At present, it is a little of Tibet splotched on the jagged peaks of the Himalayas; spirituality flows in its air as fluttering flags liven up the scenes. Sitting at the head of India and rising as far as clouds linger, it has guarded, secured and protected India for generations. The Himalayas veiled this land of high passes, making it a dramatic cold desert. Shyok, Indus and Nubra rivers have quenched its thirst for centuries, and the earliest inhabitants like Khampa nomads, Mons, and Brokpas have taught us the basics of life and preserved history simultaneously.

Wayanad

Salubriousness of weather, cultural reverence, delectable cuisine, and concealed secrets of Wayanad in Kerala in India magnetise a traveller to this part of Malabar. The place is a vault for adventurers, spirituality seekers and idlers. Hemmed with all the wonders of nature, Wayanad hills are contiguous to Mudumalai and Bandipur National Parks in Tamil Nadu & Karnataka, respectively, exposing them to unique biodiversity. There is no such physical land as Wayanad, but geographically, three taluks combined into one – Vythiri, Mananthavady, Sulthan bathery – are called Wayanad.

Sikkim, India

Colours commingle in the galactic Sikkim; virtuousness is present in its peace and tolerance; young and energetic people make it alive; holy rituals and rites, religious festivals and ceremonies, gaudy dance and dresses sublimate heaven for explorers. The settled mighty Himalayas and their eclectic peaks, including Mt. Kanchenjunga, can’t be mapped or explored by a single force, making Sikkim even more obscured and inviting.

Ever since ‘The Kingdom of Sikkim’ merged with the Union of India in 1975, it has surprised humanity despite being the second smallest and least populous state in India. Influenced by various cultures, the state has inherited many languages and religions from its neighbours: Bhutan, Tibet, Nepal and West Bengal. Working consciously toward the environment, Sikkim has hugged many ecotourism practices and has gone ‘all Organic’ since 2016.

Let’s traverse the state and mark our presence in Sikkim’s touristy and not-so-touristy places.

Sirsi, India

Uttara Kannada oozes elegance in its abundant natural wealth of flora, fauna, culture and geography. It is a seething biodiversity hotspot embellished with camera-friendly destinations like Gokarna, Kumta, Honnavar, Murudeshwar, and Dandeli. Sitting at the South-East corner is Sirsi: Uttara Kannada’s largest town and leading commercial centre.

The region is famous for most spices, including cardamom, pepper, vanilla, etc. It is also a hub of culture with various folk and traditional art forms. Trekkers and mountain lovers find respite in Nishane Gudda (785m), Jennukal Gudda (670m), Kailasa Gudda (690m), Kumbri Gudda (797m) and Motigudda (834m).

Tamil Nadu, India

With its pedigree rooted in the lifestyle of Cholas and Pallavas, Tamil Nadu brews with one of humanity’s oldest and most preserved civilisations. Multicoloured temples, garishly painted humans, mythological figures, gigantic gateways, the music, and food splashes the state with unmatchable characteristics.

Tamil Nadu always timed its choices consciously to follow its interests and not fall prey to foreign invasions and influences. Tamil Nadu is the Mecca for travellers: Madurai – “the Cultural Capital of India”, Coimbatore – “the Manchester of India”, Chennai – “the cultural, economic and education centre of South India”, temple towns of Thiruvannamalai, Tiruchirapalli, Kanchipuram, Rameshwaram, etc., give myriad options to tourists for an authentic Indian experience.

Bir Billing, Himachal Pradesh, India

Bir-Billing is a doubleton destination, one incomplete without the other. The rural setting, adventure activities, spiritual aura and Tibetan vibes call people from across nations to this holy cum audacious land. Welcome to the melting pot of cultures and the “Paragliding Capital of India”, where you can amalgamate peaceful days with blessings.

Pinned down in the Joginder Nagar Valley in Himachal Pradesh, India, the villages swank lush tea gardens, colourful fluttering flags, roaring waterfalls, and calming monasteries. Besides, Bir-Billing draws thrillers in the air by proclaiming itself as Asia’s highest and world’s second-highest paragliding destination.

Karnataka

Like an old lover, Karnataka is well-habituated with the love of Indian Ocean kissing it from the western side. As the state breaks the ocean’s irate flow, the ocean caresses and wraps it with orographic rainfall. Land-locked from other sides, this influencer state has even absorbed patterns, people, culture, languages and architecture. Credits to establishment of forts, bastions, temples and hill stations, goes entirely to the kingdoms (Chalukya, Rashtra Kutas, Vijayanagar Empire, Hoysala) that have ruled the state over scattered timeframes.

The flamboyant Western Ghats, all-time-hit hill stations of Coorg and Chikmagalur, rustic beach towns like Udupi and Gokarna, adventure activities in Dandeli and Mulki, make it irresistibly settling. Secretively hidden from the common eye are offbeat Honnavar and Sirsi in Uttara Kannada. Folk ritual Bhuta Kola and theatre Yakshagaana connects our present with God, mythological stories and a world full of mysteries. Seriously, One State, Many Worlds – Karnataka’s slogan shouts of cultures, travel locations, food, and traditions.