Bangkok Traveler

U know u love n respect art more, 

when u choose to visit a monument over shopping (which u once missed out for shopping :/ ).

U know u hv turned into a traveler from a tourist,

when u overcome the insecurity of missing out on something that doesnt interest u, 

U know u r not afraid to explore n learn,

when u dont give urself the choice but hold the harness tight n trust it to zip u from one tree to another.

U know u r a traveler when u make ur own bucket list n not follow some1 elses :) .

I am amazed at my own transformation,

There was once a time I went mad shopping in Bangkok and wasn't still satisfied and this time, 

I was at peace when I bot a Thailand Plate as souvenir for my Plates collection from d night market. 

I had no greed, or want, nor d patience to go thru the trouble of running into the malls and buying 

things n hold heavy packets n run from one shop to other not to miss out on anything and 

bother myself with packing and  over weight bag full of things only to stack my room up..I wonder how miserable it would be to have miss out on the uncrowned marvels of that part of the world. No regret to bring back most of my exchanged currency or not bringing back all those lovely shoes, clothes and goodies.

I sat at a local cafe there, calmly observing the people around, the streets, the traffic and the pulse of the city to ensure I blend in the aura of d surroundings for a while.

 With all that rush of life - at work and d trip - with office deadlines and an itinerary to follow with the group until d previous day, had drained me down physically as I was sleep deprived and vegetarian food deprived.

The few precious moments of just sipping on d hot cup of Tea and letting it rejuvenate me from within was far more worthy than possessing a few more temporary goodies. 

I went in a group with a planned hectic itinerary, hence I wasn't able to visit the places I had included to the existing list, but destiny let me go to the  The Golden Budha Temple. 

It just gave me the sense of how I could do anything and be anyone I wished to be... 

My boss on the trip seeing my enthusiasm about traveling said I cudnt travel like before as I am a "Professional" now- I simply said I always have been a "professional" and shall continue to travel!! It wasnt blunt nor arrogance it was just simple conversation.

They say What happens in Bangkok stays in Bangkok but for me what happened in Bangkok was what I brought back in the form of realising how free I can be. not that I have always adhered to people or not done what I pleased but mere realisation and acknowledgment of that fact and a reminder - that I have the power to be ME is what I brought back, which for some reason seems like an achievement in itself.. 

Hampi trails

It was a phase which would be  best for it to pass by unharmed.
In such time my very hard working friend needed a short yet luxurious getaway, to some place not very far, cheap and unexplored.
My friend's from Bangalore and I am based in hyderabad. After a lot of options we thought of meeting at HAMPI. It was mid way for both of us in an over night train journey and our trains reached the Tornamangalam station in a difference of 20 minutes.
SO here we were checking in at Hyatt Hampi - on a friday morning all set to have a lovely weekend.
The hotel was absolutely luxurious and the staff their was excellent at spoiling us  with their hospitality. The hotel package included one day's complete sightseeing in an A/c cab. We went to the Lotus Temple, The Elephant Stables and the temple and the other famous ruins. The ruins surprisingly are in very good shape considering their age. The 1000 pillared temple is a musical marvel and is quite cool as compared to the weather outside. Every stone pillar has a different sound to it and it is said that the musicians used to play drums on those stone pillars and the sound of it is still heard off them. There is a lot to see and the history is so rich that one just came ignore the glory of the royal times.
 The next day we decided to be a bit more adventurous and were on our own. We went to the city in a cab and hired a bike  to go to this place which was a little far called the Anjaneya Hill and its also said that it is the birthplace of Lord Hanuman.
There is an art and craft center there where the women of the village make hand crafted products made of banana leaves.
WE again decided to have lunch at Mango tree and trust me their Mezze platter with hummus and all was far better than many hotels.
We reached the hotel by day end and decided to take a dip and soon it was time for the yummy dinner. It was the Earth day and the hotel followed the Earth hour by reducing the power usage and we were using candles and torch lights which was fun. The next day we were chilling at the hotel itself and explored the area in the campus where they have a temple, theatre and a few shops. the hotel was kind enough to give us a late check in as our trains were only by late evening and also gave us a drop to the station.
It was that time again where we had to  bid the lovely Hyatt and the city of Hampi adieu. Every time I visit a new place I leave a part of me and carry a part of it within.. It was nice knowing the lovely little city..