Tiger Nest Adventure (Bhutan): The Trek that will test your Bravado

1. Check the COVID 19 travel restrictions of the place online before undertaking your sojourn.
2. Kindly note that the Distance of places, Prices, Hotel rates, Temperature, and other figures may change according to the conditions prevailing at the time of your visit. There may even be short cuts and extra conveyance available that you can avail of when traveling locally. Tourists must conduct their own research before traveling and take due diligence on rates & distances from authorized online sources. All the facts and information provided in relation to the place is for my own personal use and collected from different online sources and collated together. For more details, Click this link DISCLAIMER.

(Photo Credit: "White Painted House on Top of the Mountain during Daytime" by Pixabay, Pexels)

Tiger Nest or Paro Taktshang is a famed Buddhist temple and monastery located in Paro in the kingdom of Bhutan. This place is definitely not for the faint-hearted. Perched precariously atop at height of 3000 meters from Paro valley and nestled on a cliff, the winding paths through cragged mountains will surely jolt you down. 

If you love mountaineering and gravity-defying heights, then this trek is a must-visit. The beauty of this place is simply majestic and breathtaking. 

How to get there: There are direct flights to Bhutan from major Indian cities - Delhi, Mumbai, Guwahati, Kolkata, Gaya, Bagdogra. Paro, the destination is 1 ½ hour drive from the state capital Thimpu. Once you reach Paro valley, TigersNest is a short distance from there. Alternatively, if you land at Paro airport, then you’ll be at a striking distance. Hire a pony and mules from below the valley to ascend up to the shrine. There are also some small stalls selling Souvenirs, trinkets & craft items. Bargain with the vendors and you are sure to get that killer deal. 

Hidden in Obscurity - The Royal Palace of the Soundekar Rajas (Curca-Moula- Ponda, Goa, India)

Important Note: 

1. Check the COVID 19 travel restrictions of the place online before undertaking your sojourn.
2. Kindly note that the Distance of places, Prices, Hotel rates, Temperature, and other figures may change according to the conditions prevailing at the time of your visit. There may even be short cuts and extra conveyance available that you can avail of when traveling locally. Tourists must conduct their own research before traveling and take due diligence on rates & distances from authorized online sources. All the facts and information provided in relation to the place is for my own personal use and collected from different online sources and collated together. For more details, Click this link DISCLAIMER.

Lost in the annals of time and neglected by generations, lies an important part of the history of Goa - The hidden mansion of the Sundekar Rajas at Moula-Curca, Goa. Long before Goa unchained the shackles of colonial rule, there existed a feudal vessel of many a kingdom and served as their benefactors in expeditions. The Sundekar Rajas served almost all dynasties - The Adil Shahi, Marathas, Portuguese with utmost dedication and loyalty. It was during the reign of Hyder Ali that they were expelled from their ancestral royal kingdom in Sunda, Karnataka. They sought refuge from the Portuguese who were generous enough to welcome them and grant them privileges. The Soundekar Rajas were kingly class and wore turbans & royal robes bedecked with jewelry and filigree. 

Lying in a 2-3 acre plot is Shivtirth Palace, the majestic edifice in Bandoda, Ponda which served as a residential place for the kingly class. It has a main courtyard, reminiscent of many Hindu homes, and has still maintained its bygone glory. The palace also encloses a sacred tank of the royal descendants where some religious events are still held with much fanfare. 

The Cave Garden Of Meghalaya (North East India) - A Remote Gem Hidden in Plain Sight

Important Note: 

1. Check the COVID 19 travel restrictions of the place online before undertaking your sojourn.
2. Kindly note that the Distance of places, Prices, Hotel rates, Temperature, and other figures may change according to the conditions prevailing at the time of your visit. There may even be short cuts and extra conveyance available that you can avail of when traveling locally. Tourists must conduct their own research before traveling and take due diligence on rates & distances from authorized online sources. All the facts and information provided in relation to the place is for my own personal use and collected from different online sources and collated together. For more details, Click this link DISCLAIMER.

Want to avoid the frantic crowds? Then head straight to the quaint village of Laitmawsiang, Meghalaya aptly titled the "Garden of Caves". Situated in dense forests, surrounded by bushes, shrubs & entwining vines lies the untouched, unexplored gem of Meghalaya. In fact, this place is listed as one of the best tourist places to visit in Meghalaya. 

  

The caves are inaccessible to the outside world except for the first rays of the sun, which shimmer on it transforming the waters into sparkles of a diamond. This cave has an intricate network that is suitable for hiding. It is for this very reason, the Khasi tribes used it to avoid the British troops. 

           Picture Credit:  Abhiyansh kumar dikshit / CC BY-SA https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0) 

It is on the way to Cherrapunji, a place notorious for its extremely heavy rainfall. Cherrapunji was called "THE WETTEST PLACE" for recording the highest amount of rainfall in India. Off late, it has lost the title to Mawsynram, a place also in Meghalaya.