[{"content":"\rMy bus from Sofia reached around midnight. I got down at the Piata Gara de Nord and walked to Vila 11 Rooms. It was very safe and there weren\u0026rsquo;t too many people around. I completed the check-in formalities with the host and quickly went to sleep. In the morning, I got ready for my day exploring Bucharest.\nI walked to Gara de Nord 1 metro station and bought a City Card for RON 18 from the ticket office. It was not available for purchase from the kiosks. From here, I took the M 1 metro to Piața Unirii 1.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter emerging from the Piața Unirii 1 metro station, I strolled down Bulevardul Unirii, often called the \u0026ldquo;Champs-Élysées of the East\u0026rdquo;. Heading westward toward the historic Constitution Square, I walked by the Seasons\u0026rsquo; Fountains along the center of the boulevard with their rhythmic cascades.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe humongous Palace of Parliament, was my first stop for the day. This architectural behemoth holds the title of the world\u0026rsquo;s heaviest building and stands as a symbol of Romania\u0026rsquo;s history.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rFrom here, I walked to Old Town Bucharest. I saw The Palace of the Deposits and Consignments (CEC Palace) with its French-inspired eclectic architecture. The nearby Zlătari Church and the Brâncovenesc-style Stavropoleos Monastery offered glimpses into the city\u0026rsquo;s Orthodox heritage.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI saw the neoclassical National Bank of Romania and then walked along the cobblestone streets to Piața Roma. Here, the Lupa Capitolina statue—depicting the she-wolf nursing Romulus and Remus— a gift from the city of Rome, represents the Latin heritage that defines the Romanian identity.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAcross the road was The New \u0026ldquo;Saint George\u0026rdquo; Church, with a statue of the martyr-prince Constantin Brâncoveanu in the courtyard. This site also had the Kilometer Zero Monument, a symbolic brass compass marking the geographic heart of Romania from which all road distances are measured. I visited the \u0026lsquo;Choral\u0026rsquo; Temple, but it was closed and I was only able to get a glimpse of the Moorish-Byzantine facade from the gate.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWalking further, I saw the Statue of Mihail Cantacuzino and the Colțea Church. The \u0026ldquo;Broken Violin\u0026rdquo; Fountain was in the nearby Colțea Park. I crossed Pasaj Universitate towards the \u0026ldquo;Ion Luca Caragiale\u0026rdquo; National Theatre.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe \u0026ldquo;Ion Luca Caragiale\u0026rdquo; National Theatre with its modern facade had a Statue of Ion Luca Caragiale, a tribute to the theater\u0026rsquo;s namesake. The \u0026ldquo;Căruța cu Paiațe\u0026rdquo; (The Cart of Clowns) monument represented the playwright\u0026rsquo;s beloved characters in a whimsical, larger-than-life bronze ensemble.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI saw Grand Hotel Bucharest, the city\u0026rsquo;s first true skyscraper. I crossed the Universitate Clock Monument, a timeless landmark that acts as the city\u0026rsquo;s favorite rendezvous point and the nearby Fountain of Universitate. Tucked away in a nearby passage was the vibrant Umbrellas\u0026rsquo; Street, an urban art installation where a canopy of suspended umbrellas transformed a narrow alleyway into a rainbow of colours.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rFrom there I headed to the Kretzulescu Church, an 18th-century Eastern Orthodox masterpiece, with its distinct red-brick exterior. Nearby, the Bust of Corneliu Coposu and the Monument of Iuliu Maniu were tributes to two of Romania\u0026rsquo;s most significant political figures who fought against totalitarianism.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe Memorial of Rebirth is a striking and controversial 25-meter marble spire that commemorates the victims of the 1989 Revolution.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rIn Revolution Square, the National Museum of Art, housed in the former Royal Palace, was across from the Equestrian Statue of Carol I, Romania’s first king.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe New \u0026amp; Old Building showcased the juxtaposition of ornate, classical facades—heavy with stone carvings and historical gravitas—alongside sleek, glass-and-steel contemporary additions that reflected the city\u0026rsquo;s modern evolution.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI saw the Boteanu Church, known for its elegant synthesis of Byzantine and neoclassical styles. A short walk away was the Romanian Athenaeum, the city\u0026rsquo;s most prestigious concert hall and an ornate neoclassical landmark with a magnificent dome. In front of the Athenaeum was the Statue of Mihai Eminescu, Romania’s national poet.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI took the M 2 from Piața Romană to Piața Victoriei to visit Kiseleff Park. I visited the Romanian Infantry Monument, a tribute to the foot soldiers who defended the nation during World War I. Nearby, the Monument to the American Heroes of the Second World War honors the Allied aviators who fell in Romania during the 1944 missions. The Monument to the Heroes of the Air, a 20-meter Art Deco masterpiece featuring a winged figure, symbolizes the courage of the nation\u0026rsquo;s early aviation pioneers.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI took the bus from Arhitect Ion Mincu to Arcul de Triumf. The monumental Arcul de Triumf, at the northern end of the city, was my last stop for the day. The towering 27-meter structure is inspired by the design of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, featuring intricate bas-reliefs carved by famous Romanian sculptors.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rFrom here, I took a bus from Arcul de Triumf to Piaţa Presei Libere]. I got a glimpse of the Aripi Monument that stood in front of the House of the Free Press, a colossal Stalinist-Gothic landmark. Then I took bus 100 from Piaţa Presei to Henri Coandă International Airport which was covered by my City Card.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter reaching the airport, I got something to eat at the Carrefour Express there. There was a water bottle refill station which was nice. My flight to Barcelona was delayed but comfortable, and I was able to sleep through most of it after a long day of walking in Bucharest.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r🛏️ Vila 11 Rooms\n🚇 M1 - Gara de Nord 1 - Piața Unirii 1\n🚇 M2 - Piața Romană - Piața Victoriei\n🚍203/205 - Arhitect Ion Mincu - Arcul de Triumf\n🚍203/205/331 - Arcul de Triumf - Piaţa Presei Libere\n🚍100 - Piaţa Presei - Henri Coandă International Airport\n🍽️ Carrefour Express\n✈️ Wizz Air Malta 3177\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2026/05/02/","summary":"Continuing the cross-border trek, I explore the \u0026lsquo;Paris of the East.\u0026rsquo; Discover the architectural evolution of Bucharest before heading back to Barcelona.","title":"Eastern Balkans - Day 2 🇷🇴"},{"content":"\rMy flight from Barcelona landed around 1:30 AM. I stepped out of the airport and waited at the bus stop for the N4 night bus. There was only one other person waiting for the bus. All the other passengers went by taxis. The N4 night bus arrived at the scheduled time.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThere was a female conductor in this bus along with the driver, which I\u0026rsquo;m sure puts solo female travelers at ease. I was able to use my credit card to pay for the ride. I got down at Pl. Makedoniya and walked to Hostel Mostel. I had reached out to them earlier and they had sent me instruction for self-check-in due to my late arrival.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI got up and got ready in the morning. My first stop was a short walk from Hostel Mostel. The Russian monument in Sofia is an obelisk erected in 1882 to commemorate Russian soldiers who died during the Russo-Turkish War of 1877–1878.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rMy next stop was the National Palace of Culture (NDK), a brutalist landmark that stood as a massive hexagonal fortress. The \u0026lsquo;SOFIA\u0026rsquo; sign was right next to it, a go-to spot for travelers looking to capture a vivid memento of the Bulgarian capital. I also saw the Pillars of NDK, towering steel masts, frequently used as a popular meeting point for locals and a site for soaring flags.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe Monument to the Glagolitic Script was a tribute to the oldest known Slavic alphabet. And nearby, the Berlin Wall Segment stood as a reminder of the Cold War era and the subsequent European unity.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI passed by the Statue of Simeon Radev and the Earth and Man National Museum on the way to my next stop, the Soviet Soldiers Memorial. Located in Garden \u0026ldquo;Black Peak\u0026rdquo;, this monument was reminder of WWII history.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWalking back, I refilled my bottle at the Drinking water fountain at Banya Lozenets and the continued across the Lovers\u0026rsquo; Bridge towards my next destination, Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski with its majestic Baroque facade.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOn the way, I passed the \u0026ldquo;Saint Patriarch Evtimii\u0026rdquo; Garden and saw the The \u0026lsquo;Tug of War\u0026rsquo; Statue on the way to the Prince\u0026rsquo;s Garden. The Soviet Army Monument erected in 1954, was partially dismantled in December 2023. The area around it remains fenced off as officials discuss moving the remaining parts to the Museum of Socialist Art. The SunFest Sofia Ferris Wheel, which opened recently, was the tallest in Bulgaria.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI walked to St. Clement of Ochrid Garden and saw the Monument to the Paratroopers with a soaring bronze eagle, dedicated to the Bulgarian paratroopers who fought and fell during World War II. The Monument to the Bulgarian Aviator next to it stood as a tribute to the Bulgarian Air Force.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWalking further I passed the neo-Renaissance Old National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria building. Opposite to it was the Monument to the Tsar Liberator, the equestrian statue commemorating the Russian Emperor Alexander II, who played a pivotal role in Bulgaria’s liberation from Ottoman rule.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rMy next stop was The Patriarchal Cathedral of St. Alexander Nevsky, one of the world\u0026rsquo;s largest Eastern Orthodox churches, famous for its massive gold-plated domes and Neo-Byzantine architecture. It was built to honor the Russian soldiers who died during the Russo-Turkish War of 1877–1878. It was magnificent!\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe interior was illuminated by massive, ornate chandeliers with intricate mosaics that covered the walls and domes.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe \u0026ldquo;Greetings from Sofia\u0026rdquo; sign nearby was a hotspot for all the visiting tourists. The Monument of the Unknown Soldier, featuring an eternal flame and soil from across Bulgaria, honoured the fallen soldiers of the nation and the Lion Sculpture represented the strength and bravery of the Bulgarian people.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI visited the Garden of the Bulgarian Militiamen which was dotted with sculptures and monuments. The Main Astronomical Point of Bulgaria here serves as the fundamental coordinate for the country’s geodetic and mapping systems. Statue \u0026ldquo;Mauthausen\u0026rdquo; (Скулптура „Маутхаузен“) in front of it is a tribute to the victims of the Mauthausen concentration camp. The Monument to the Bulgarian Militiamen honors the Opalchentsi, the volunteer army that played a decisive role in the 1877–1878 War of Liberation. Nearby is the Statue \u0026ldquo;Victory\u0026rdquo;. The Blinded Soldiers of Tsar Samuil (Скулптура „Войниците на Самуила\u0026quot;) is a sculpture depicting the tragic fate of thousands of Bulgarian soldiers who were blinded after the Battle of Kleidion. Nearby was the Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, famous for its golden domes and green roof and Muscovite-style architecture.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI passed by the Ministry of Defense on my way to the next stop the Ivan Vazov National Theatre, a Neoclassical masterpiece famous for its ornate red and gold facade. Walking further I reached The Saint George Rotunda, hidden within a courtyard surrounded by government buildings, this cylindrical brick structure is considered the oldest standing building in Sofia.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe Cathedral Saint Nedelia, an Eastern Orthodox cathedral with a massive central dome and rich interiors was next.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWalking further, I reached the Medieval orthodox temple of St. Petka Samardjiyska. This semi-sunken medieval church is tucked into the underpass, and across from this was the Monument of Saint Sofia, a bronze and copper statue depicting the city\u0026rsquo;s patron holding a laurel wreath and an owl, symbolizing peace, victory, and wisdom. Turning around, I could see the Neoclassical National Assembly of Bulgaria building which serves as the administrative heart of the Bulgarian government.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI saw the Sofia mosque, Banya Bashi, an example of Ottoman architecture in the heart of the city and the only functioning mosque in Sofia. Adjacent to it was the Central Baths Fountain and the Central Mineral Baths building, with its Neo-Byzantine facade which now houses the Regional History Museum of Sofia. The Thermal Mineral Water Springs there provided naturally hot, 46°C mineral water for drinking.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI had bought a ticket on LikeBus from Sofia to Bucharest earlier in the day. I had received the transaction receipt but had not received the actual ticket. So I walked to the Central Bus Station with time to spare, hoping to find the counter for LikeBus and get the ticket from them but there was no counter there. I then reached out to them by email and WhatsApp with my order number (which was on the transaction receipt) and they sent me the PDF ticket after some time.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rHaving got the ticket and also with some time on hand, I walked to the nearby Central Railway Station and saw the Mother Monument, a towering bronze sculpture depicting a mother holding a child.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI then went to facefood PIZZA shop for a quick bite. I was famished after a long day of walking around Sofia; this was late lunch and early dinner all rolled into one. The pizza was freshly prepared and nice. I walked back to the Central Bus Station after.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe gate for my bus was 44 and the bus was already parked there by the time I reached. I showed my ticket and boarded. There was no one on the seat next to me so I got more space to stretch out. The bus had WiFi and also USB charging ports at each seat. The journey was comfortable. We stopped at a gas station rest stop before Ruse and then crossed the Danube in to Romania.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r✈️ Wizz Air 4406\n🛏️ Hostel Mostel\n🍽️ facefood PIZZA shop\n🚍 LikeBus\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2026/05/01/","summary":"The journey begins in Sofia. Explore ancient rotundas, Soviet-era monuments, and the logistics of taking the LikeBus across the border to Romania.","title":"Eastern Balkans - Day 1 🇧🇬"},{"content":"\rAfter a nice day in Slovenia yesterday, the plan for today was to explore Zagreb before flying to Barcelona. I got up in the morning and picked up some breakfast from Mlinar at the Zagreb Glavni Kolod Train Station.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rRight in front of it was the King Tomislav Square with the King Tomislav Monument, a bronze equestrian statue commemorating Croatia\u0026rsquo;s first king. The Art Pavilion in Zagreb, a yellow Neo-Renaissance building, was the oldest gallery in Southeast Europe with the beautiful King Tomislav Fountain in front of it.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI walked to the other side and also saw the Monument to Andrea Schiavone (Andrija Medulić), honoring the 16th-century Renaissance painter and etcher. Across the road, The Execution of hostages - Monument to victims of fascism by Frano Kršinić depicted the tragic execution of civilians during World War II.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI walked through the Zrinjevac Park and saw the Neo-Renaissance Twin Fountains positioned symmetrically on either side of the park\u0026rsquo;s central pathway. The centerpiece of the park was the Music Pavilion, used for hosting open-air concerts and seasonal events. At the far end, the Meteorological Post provided real-time displays of temperature, pressure, and humidity using antique scientific instruments.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rNext, I headed to Trg bana Josipa Jelačića, a pedestrian plaza which sat at the intersection between the Upper and Lower Towns. In the middle was the Ban Josip Jelačić Statue, an equestrian monument honoring the 19th-century Count and military leader.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rFrom there, I headed to see the Cathedral of Zagreb. This Gothic-style cathedral is famous for its twin spires. The Neo-Renaissance Hermann Bollé Fountain sits at the base of the Monument of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a gilded statue of the Virgin Mary surrounded by four golden angels representing the Christian virtues.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI saw Oktogon, the urban passage with a striking stained-glass octagonal dome serving as a shortcut between Petar Preradović Square and Ilica Street. I then climbed up the Lotrščak Tower, a 13th-century fortress tower famous for the Grič cannon, which has been fired daily at noon for over a century. Zagreb Funicular, recognized as the world\u0026rsquo;s shortest cable car, was not in operation.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter seeing the cannon being fired at noon, I walked towards Saint Mark\u0026rsquo;s square. I saw the Greek Catholic Co-Cathedral of Saints Cyril and Methodius on the way. This Neo-Byzantine church is a unique architectural blend of Eastern and Western Christian traditions. One of Zagreb’s most iconic landmarks, St. Mark’s Church is a 13th-century church famous for its colorful tiled roof depicting the medieval coats of arms of Croatia, Dalmatia, Slavonia, and Zagreb. The Stone Gate, the last remaining medieval gate of the city\u0026rsquo;s ancient walls, is now a sacred shrine dedicated to the Virgin Mary.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI was also able to see the Church of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint Francis’ Church and the Cathedral of Zagreb from the viewing platform behind Saint Catherine’s Church Crkva sv. Katarine\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI walked down from Upper Town from Capuchin Steps, locally, known as Vještičje štenge (Witch Steps), a secret meeting path for witches, because of how dark and narrow the wooden stairs used to be at night. Today, they are illuminated by charming old lanterns. My next stop was Tunel Grič, a historic WWII-era pedestrian tunnel located beneath the Upper Town. Originally built as a bomb shelter in 1943, it was reopened to the public in 2016 and now serves as a unique underground shortcut.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter coming out on the other side, I walked up the Ivan Zakmardi Steps, the most famous and steepest pedestrian stairways in Zagreb. I also saw the Antun Gustav Matoš Monument, depicting the famous Croatian poet and writer sitting casually on a public bench, gazing out over the city skyline.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWith that I started my walk back to Lower Town and then Palmers Lodge Hostel. I collected my bag and then booked a bolt ride for €16.00 to the Franjo Tuđman International Airport. I visited Primeclass Lounge for a late lunch / early dinner while I waited for my flight to Barcelona.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rZagreb airport also had stationary cycles to charge mobile devices similar to what I had seen in Luxembourg last year. I think this is a very novel idea.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rMy flight Croatia Airlines 374 had a small snack and water service onboard. We had nice views of Rijeka International Airport and Krk Bridge on the way.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r🍽️ Mlinar\n🛏️ Palmers Lodge Hostel\n🚖 Bolt\n🍽️ Primeclass Lounge\n✈️ Croatia Airlines 374\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2026/04/26/","summary":"Day 2 of the weekend series: Exploring the vibrant capital of Croatia. From Neo-Renaissance parks to WWII tunnels, discover the history of Zagreb before flying to Barcelona.","title":"Ex-Yugoslavia Weekend - Day 2 🇭🇷"},{"content":"A weekend between work visits to Switzerland and Spain gave me the chance to look for places to visit. I made my own arrangements to travel from Switzerland to Spain via Croatia with two one-way flights.\nI arrived the previous night from Zurich on Croatia Airlines 465. The flight was delayed and by the time I collected my bag and made it to the bus stop, I had missed the 10:00 PM bus to the city. There were a couple of other gentlemen there who were in the same situation, so we decided not to wait for the next bus at 11:00 PM and share a taxi to the city center. I booked a taxi using Bolt for €17.30 to where I was staying, close to the main train station.\nI got up this morning and the plan for today was to take a day trip to Ljubljana, Slovenia. I got ready and walked to the main train station which was not far. I bought a return ticket from Zagreb to Ljubljana for EUR 18.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI picked up some breakfast at Mlinar at the train station and then boarded the train. It was quite empty at first but became full just as we were about to leave.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe departed on time at 8:40 AM and the train ride was nice and comfortable. We made a stop at Dobova, a key border town where the transition between the Croatian and Slovenian rail networks required a change of locomotive. Slovenian police also boarded the train for a quick walkthrough. From there, the tracks were along the Sava river, offering pleasant riverside views all along the route.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe climbed through the hills and passed Zidani Most, a scenic and vital railway junction where the lines from Ljubljana, Maribor, and Zagreb converge amidst steep river gorges. We reached Ljubljana a little after the scheduled time.\nI left the station to first see AKC Metelkova mesto, an autonomous social centre known for its edgy street art and quirky, repurposed military barracks. I also saw the Neo-Gothic Rimokatoliški samostan Misionske Družbe-Lazaristov Maistrova on the way.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rFrom there I walked to Vurnikova hiša, often called the \u0026ldquo;Cooperative Business Bank,\u0026rdquo; which stands out with its vibrant, geometric facade in the colors of the Slovenian flag. Designed by architect Ivan Vurnik and his wife Helena Kottler Vurnik in 1921, Helena designed the geometric patterns based on Slovenian folk embroidery.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI saw the District Court in Ljubljana on the way, an example of Neo-Renaissance architecture, characterized by its grand, symmetrical facade and imposing presence.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rNext was the famous Dragon Bridge, a stunning Art Nouveau structure guarded by four fierce-looking dragon statues that have become the symbol of the city.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThen, The Butchers\u0026rsquo; Bridge, a contemporary footbridge filled with \u0026ldquo;love locks\u0026rdquo; and intriguing, slightly macabre bronze sculptures.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAnd then finally Triple Bridge, a unique cluster of three pedestrian bridges that serves as the central artery connecting the historic medieval town with the modern city.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI saw the Prešernov trg, the main square and primary meeting point of the city, and Spomenik Francetu Prešernu and the Franciscan Church of the Annunciation, which dominates the square with its iconic salmon-pink facade and Baroque interior.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI crossed over the Ljubljanica river to the other side and saw Town Square, the heart of the old city lined with medieval buildings, and Robbov vodnjak, a Baroque masterpiece also known as the Fountain of the Three Carniolan Rivers.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rMy next stop was Ljubljana Castle, accessible by foot or a scenic funicular ride. It was a well marked hike up in the shade of the greenery.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rLjubljana Castle is a medieval fortress perched on a green hill just above the city center.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rIt offered panoramic views of the city\u0026rsquo;s red roofs and the distant snow-capped mountains from its ramparts.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI walked back down on a different path and reached Vodnik Square.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI refilled my water bottle at the Kenguru drinking water fountain, and saw the Tobacco fountain nearby. The Ljubljana Castle Funicular Railway base station was located here.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWalking back to the Town Square, I passed by Saint Nicholas\u0026rsquo; Cathedral.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter this I decided to head back to the train station and I stopped by Fast Food Ajda and packed a burger for a late lunch.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI reached the train station and waited for the train to Zagreb which was scheduled at 4:45 PM.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe journey back was comfortable and only a few people were on board. We stopped at Zidani Most and then at Dobova where the locomotive was changed again. From there it was not too long before we pulled into Zagreb train station.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI went back to the hostel, relaxed for a while, and then stepped out for dinner with one of my roommates. We went to Umami Branimir Centar, where the fusion flavors were excellent and the portions were quite generous—a perfect end to the first day of the weekend.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r✈️ Croatia Airlines 465\n🚖 Bolt\n🍽️ Mlinar\n🍽️ Fast Food Ajda\n🍽️ Umami Branimir Centar\n🛏️ Palmers Lodge Hostel\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2026/04/25/","summary":"Day 1 of the weekend series: A cross-border rail adventure from Croatia to Slovenia. Discover the Art Nouveau charm and emerald-green landscapes of Ljubljana.","title":"Ex-Yugoslavia Weekend - Day 1 🇸🇮"},{"content":"\rA weekend in the middle of a work visit to Switzerland and Spain gave me the chance to look for places to visit. The miles required for direct flights within Europe on one of United\u0026rsquo;s Star Alliance partners were very attractive. Compared to the miles United requires for most award travel, this seemed like a very good deal.\nMy parents-in-law had collected United miles a long time ago. I booked award tickets to travel from Switzerland to Spain via Croatia with two one-way flights. The miles in my mother-in-law\u0026rsquo;s account were just enough to cover this.\nThe first one took me from Zurich to Zagreb on Friday night for 6,000 miles.\nDate Flight From At To At Airline FRI 24 APR OU465 ZURICH, CH (ZRH) 20:05 ZAGREB, HR (ZAG) 21:15 Croatia Airlines And the second one was from Zagreb to Barcelona on Sunday evening for 8,000 miles.\nDate Flight From At To At Airline SUN 26 APR OU374 ZAGREB, HR (ZAG) 18:00 BARCELONA, ES (BCN) 20:10 Croatia Airlines With that, I was all set for my weekend trip to Croatia (and also Slovenia), thanks to United MileagePlus and, of course, my mother-in-law.\n14,000 miles redeemed | 2 one-way tickets\n1 country | 1 airline | 1 new airport\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2026/04/05/","summary":"A breakdown of a 14,000-mile United MileagePlus redemption for two one-way flights on Croatia Airlines, connecting Switzerland, Croatia, and Spain.","title":"United MileagePlus Award to Croatia"},{"content":"\rWe slept most of the way on the red-eye flight Copa Airlines 118 to Panama City. We crossed the equator back into the Northern Hemisphere sometime before landing. As we approached Panama, we could see ships probably waiting for their turn to cross the canal.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter landing, we freshened up and went through immigration at Terminal 2. We were entering the country on the basis of our B1/B2 visa for the USA. The officer asked us when we would be flying out, and I showed her our flight on Turkish Airlines later that evening. She confirmed that we were in transit, stamped our passports, and then asked us to wait by another door. No one answered when she knocked, so she took our passports and went around. Another immigration officer walked over with another passenger and waited behind us. After a while, our immigration officer returned with a photocopy of our passports and visas. She slipped it under the door and then asked us to leave.\nThe rental car counters were all at Terminal 1. We followed the signs to the shuttle bus and took the short ride to Terminal 1. We located the counter for AutoMarket and bought full insurance coverage and the cost of tolls for USD 44. We were given the keys and were asked to walk out of the building into the parking lot where their staff would help us. The person there took the keys from me and brought our car to us. We loaded our bags and were off.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOur first stop was the Miraflores Locks. These are the first set of locks entering the canal from the Pacific side. When we reached, there was a huge line for the tickets. We just about found a place to park and got in line. There was an option to buy the tickets online, but even after multiple attempts, we were not successful. So, we just waited in line. The ticket to the visitors center costs USD 17.22 for the observation terrace and IMAX theater. By the time we reached there, there was no active crossing, and the next crossing would only be in the afternoon. We first saw \u0026ldquo;Panama Canal in 3D: A Land Divided, A World United\u0026rdquo; which was in IMAX 3D. By the time we got there, only seats in the front were available, but it was still nice to watch. After that, we walked over to the observation terrace. The existing building was undergoing renovation, so another observation deck had been put up next to it. Since there was no active crossing at that time, there wasn\u0026rsquo;t much to see.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter spending some time there, we decided to head to the other side of the country and see the Agua Clara locks on the Atlantic side. The drive took about an hour and a half, and the road conditions were good. We also saw the Puente Atlántico, and driving over it and back was fun.\nWhen we reached the Agua Clara locks, we found out that there was indeed going to be a crossing in some time, so we waited around. It was amazing to see the gates in action and the tugboats steering a huge vessel through the locks.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rIt was getting late, so we didn\u0026rsquo;t wait around to see the ship pass all three locks. We started our drive back and headed to Panama City to see if we could take in some sights before heading to the airport. It was almost impossible to find parking on the waterfront because the roads were tricky and confusing. Finally, we did manage to find a spot. It was cloudy but not raining. The waterfront had nice views of the ocean and the backdrop of the tall skyscrapers.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe didn\u0026rsquo;t have enough time to visit the Panama Canal museum or monument, so we headed back to the airport with a quick fuel stop on the way. We returned the car, completed the formalities, and headed to the Turkish Airlines check-in counters, which to my total surprise were empty. Maybe all the other passengers had checked in before us already? Our bags were tagged through to Mumbai, and we were given the boarding passes.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe completed immigration and security checks and spent some time in the Copa Lounge. We were able to relax and eat something here before our flight.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOur flight Turkish Airlnes 801 was long. We had the last set of seats at the back, so that was good. Dinner was served after take-off from Panama City and breakfast before landing.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAt Istanbul Airport, we visited the IGA Lounge, which was nice, but we didn\u0026rsquo;t really have a lot of time there. There was a long line to get in. The food options were good, but nothing compared to the Turkish Airlines Lounges at Istanbul.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOur second flight Turkish Airlines 720 to Mumbai was also good. We had the last set of seats at the back again. There was a dinner service after take-off. We landed in Mumbai on time, and then had a car pick us up and bring us home to Pune. This concluded our trip to South America.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r✈️ Copa Airlines 118\n🚗 rentalcars.com\n🚢 Miraflores Visitor Center\n🚢 Agua Clara Visitor Center\n🍽️ Copa Club\n✈️ Turkish Airlines 801\n🍽️ IGA Lounge\n✈️ Turkish Airlines 720\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2025/10/11/","summary":"From the Pacific\u0026rsquo;s Miraflores Locks to the Atlantic\u0026rsquo;s Agua Clara, experience both sides of the Panama Canal plus a quick visit to Panama City on Day 10 of our trip to América Hispana.","title":"Hola América Hispana - Day 10 🇵🇦"},{"content":" We got up in the morning and got ready for the day in Santiago. We packed our bags and left them at the front desk before heading out. Our plan was to take a taxi to the nearest metro station and buy a bip! card, which we would subsequently use on the metro and/or bus.\nWe booked an Uber from our hotel to the Pudahuel metro station, but I made an error in choosing the destination, so the ride ended short of where we wanted to be. Since we didn\u0026rsquo;t have a bip! card, we couldn\u0026rsquo;t take the bus, and we were not sure if contactless credit cards would be accepted on the local buses (like they had been in Buenos Aires). We had to walk about 20 minutes to get there and saw a bit of the local neighborhood on the way.\nWe bought a bip! card and loaded it with balance for a total of CLP 5000. This would be enough for 4 rides on the metro. One unique thing I noticed about the metro is that it had wheels in addition to rails. I had not seen this before. Researching it later, I found out that the trains on the older lines (1, 2, and 5) use rubber tires to run on rollways or guideways, which are separate from the steel rails used for grounding.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe got off at Plaza de Armas, and the exit brought us into Plaza de Armas de Santiago right next to the STGO sign. This square is surrounded by buildings like the Correo Central Building and the Museum of National History of Chile, and it features statues and fountains such as the Monument to Pedro de Valdivia.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe also visited the Metropolitan Cathedral of Santiago at one end of the Plaza de Armas.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe walked along the Paseo Ahumada and reached a Tourist Information Center at Barrio La Bolsa. The staff there was very helpful and gave us an overview of the places we could visit along with a map with all the details.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rNext we headed to see the Plaza de La Constitución and La Moneda Palace. The large square had paved areas and lawns with flags in front of the office of the President of Chile.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe stopped for a quick lunch at an Italian fast food place which prepared quick pastas. The flavours were nice and the quantity was more substantial than it looked.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe walked back past Plaza de Armas and made a quick visit to the Museum of National History of Chile. We then continued our walk towards San Cristóbal Hill and saw Basilica de la Merced on the way.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe visited the National Museum of Fine Arts which had some interesting works of art. But to be completely honest, I was not impressed, or maybe I didn\u0026rsquo;t understand it.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe also relaxed for a bit on the benches around there before crossing the Mapocho River and continuing our walk through the Bellavista area. We saw many interesting restaurants on the way. Something that caught our attention was Peruvian food. But we didn\u0026rsquo;t walk back this way, so we missed the chance to try it out.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe bought round-trip tickets for the Funicular de Santiago to visit the top of San Cristóbal Hill. The Funicular turned 100 years old this year. The ride was not too long but was a nice experience.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe saw the Sanctuary of the Immaculate Conception on San Cristóbal hill with a large statue of Virgen de la Inmaculada Concepción.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe top of the hill offered amazing views of Santiago; the city appeared as a huge expanse spread over vast distances. The Andes mountains flanked the city on the east, reminding us of Almaty, where the mountains flank the city from the south.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe ride down on the Funicular de Santiago gave us nice views of the city and the surroundings. It was getting quite late so we decided to pick up some Empanadas and Cakes from the cafe just outside the gates of the park and walked to Baquedano metro station.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe took the metro back to Pudahuel metro station and our bip! card had just enough balance to cover the 4 rides we took without needing to reload it. It took some time for us to get a cab from there back to the Hilton with Cabify and Uber. Eventually we were able to get an Uber back to the hotel. We had booked the 9:00 PM shuttle originally, but after picking up our bags from the front desk we checked if there was space on the 8:00 PM shuttle to the airport as it was just a few minutes past 8:00 PM. Luckily for us, the shuttle had not left and there was space on it, in fact we were the only ones. The ride back to the airport was quick, and we waited in the international terminal for the check-in to open for our Copa Airlines flight.\nThere were two Copa Airlines flights from Santiago to Panama City within 11 minutes of each other, and they were both using the same check-in desks. This resulted in a long line and a lengthy wait. The check-in agent was only able to issue our boarding passes as far as Panama City and asked us to collect our boarding passes for the connecting flights back to Mumbai at Tocumen International Airport. We had valid B1/B2 visas for USA and would be able to enter Panama with that, which was our plan anyway. But I wonder how the situation would have played out had we not been able to leave the international transit area to collect the next boarding passed and if we had checked in the bags instead of carrying them with us as cabin luggage. I guess we\u0026rsquo;ll never know.\nWe still had the issue of the missing police verification slips to deal with. The officer asked us for the slips when we handed over our passports. We informed her that we were not given anything when we came in. She asked if we had the entry stamp in the passport, which we did. With that, she was able to complete the process and stamped us out of Chile. We went to McDonald\u0026rsquo;s at the C gates to get some dinner. We spent the remaining currency we had at one of the stores to buy bottles of water for the next day, and then walked over to the E gates for boarding.\n🍽️ McDonald\u0026rsquo;s SCL\n✈️ Copa Airlines 118\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2025/10/10/","summary":"A full day in Santiago featuring the Metropolitan Cathedral, La Moneda Palace, and a ride on the century-old Funicular to the summit of San Cristóbal Hill for Andean views on Day 9 of our trip to América Hispana.","title":"Hola América Hispana - Day 9 🇨🇱"},{"content":" We had a packed morning today with a couple of back-to-back tours before flying out in the afternoon to Santiago. We got up early to get ready and could hear the rain outside. The guide for today reached out to ask if we could do the tour the next day; however, we weren\u0026rsquo;t going to be here. After some back and forth, it was decided that we\u0026rsquo;ll go ahead with the tour as planned. Luckily, the rain was gone by the time the bus picked us up. We drove to Ahu Tongariki and stayed for a little less than two hours as we watched the sun rise behind the statues. Rano Raraku also looked beautiful in the morning light, different but just as nice as yesterday.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe were dropped off and had time for breakfast before the next tour. We had packed our bags and decided to carry them with us so they could drop us off directly at the airport at the end of the tour. Since there were only two others apart from us, the tour company sent an SUV. We picked up the other couple and reached our first stop: Vinapu. This was an ancient ceremonial complex with Inca-style walls and two monumental ahu.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThen we drove toward the hill, parallel to the airport runway as we climbed. The next stop was Orongo Village. This was a restored ceremonial village of the Tangata Manu cult. We saw the islets of Motu Nui, Iti, and Kao Kao. This group of islets, located off the coast of Easter Island, is famous as the site of the annual Birdman competition.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rMen would swim from the Orongo village to the islets to find the first egg of the season from the nesting birds and carry it back. The clan of the man who successfully returned to Orongo first would win and would rule the island for a year.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe Orongo Village was on the edge of Rano Kau, an extinct volcano in the southwest part of Easter Island. The crater is almost a mile across and has its own microclimate. It looked quite different from the landscape and vegetation seen on the rest of the island. On the way back, we stopped at another vantage point to get more views of the crater.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOur guide dropped us off at the airport. We were auto-assigned window seats in the same row on either side of the aircraft. We tried to get seats together, but the only ones available were at the back with less legroom. So we decided to keep our existing seats for this flight. There was a police verification before security check. The departure area of the airport had an open garden with an assortment of poultry running around, which was something we had not seen before. It was nice to spend time outdoors while waiting for the flight. The garden also had very nice views of the tarmac and the aircraft when it arrived.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOur flight LATAM 842 was smooth and comfortable. There was a small lunch and beverage service. We landed at Santiago on time. We picked up burgers for dinner in the arrival hall. The fast food at Santiago airport was quite expensive compared to airport food we had at Buenos Aires in Argentina a few days ago.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe had booked Hilton Garden Inn Santiago Airport and also made a reservation for their complimentary shuttle from the airport to the hotel. They had sent clear instructions by email on where we were to wait for the shuttle. The shuttle arrived a little later than expected but the ride to the hotel was very quick.\nAn interesting twist was that apparently all visitors to Chile were given an police verification slip (similar to what we got when we went to Easter Island). We had not got this when we entered the country from Buenos Aires. The hotel front desk requried this to complete the check in process for us as international visitors. They also told us that it would also be requried when we leave Chile at immigration again. Luckily I had taken photos of the slips we got when we went to easter Island before we had handed them back. The hotel front desk was able use that and complete their process, how I don\u0026rsquo;t know. But this left a lingering doubt in our minds about what would happen at immigration the next day when were were to leave Chile. After doing some research some sites suggested we apply for duplicate online or from a police center which is authorized to issue it in person and some sites said that as long as there was a stamp in the passport the slip would not be needed. We decided to figure this out at the airport the next day before departure.\nwe had the burgers we had picked up for dinner and called it a night. Our hotel room window gave us nice views of the rising moon.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r🚌 Rapa Nui Dream - Sunrise at Tongariki\n🚌 Rapa Nui Dream - Half Day Explore\n✈️ LATAM 842\n🛏️ Hilton Garden Inn Santiago Airport\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2025/10/09/","summary":"Day 8 of our trip to América Hispana features a sunrise at Ahu Tongariki, a visit to the ceremonial Vinapu and Orongo Village, and a flight from Mataveri Airport to Santiago","title":"Hola América Hispana - Day 8 🇨🇱"},{"content":" I had woken up earlier in the morning and had a chance to see the moon. The full moon was out the previous night, and I was able to capture this amazing sight on my phone. I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the photographs.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe had a leisurely start to the day. Our host dropped off fresh bread and eggs for breakfast. He had already stocked up basic essentials like salt, butter, oil, jam, and also juice in the fridge. We had breakfast and got ready, excited to explore more of Easter Island today. Our tours today and the next day included pickup and drop-off from our accommodation, which was a nice advantage and saved us from the walk to and from the main village. Our guide for the day messaged us on WhatsApp, and the bus collected us as scheduled.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOur first stop was Hanga Te\u0026rsquo;e Vai Hu. This was an ancient village with one of the longest platforms and eight toppled moai. The guide explained to us the life and society there during old times and historical conflicts between clans, etc.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOur next stop was Ahu Akahanga. Here there were remains of a village and toppled moai by the sea. Parts of the village were restored to give us a glimpse into how they lived: their houses, structures they built for growing plants and trees, and housing poultry like a chicken coop.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rNext, we drove to Rano Raraku, the main quarry with 400 moai in different stages. This was also known as the \u0026ldquo;factory\u0026rdquo; of moai. Many of them appeared to be almost complete, and yet others were still attached to the main bedrock of the quarry. It was wonderful to see the moai up close. We could also see our next stop, Ahu Tongariki, in the distance.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAhu Tongariki was a short drive away. This was the largest platform on the island, with 15 restored moai. It was just spectacular. We spent a long time there, just admiring the view (and we did visit again the next morning for the sunrise tour).\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAhu Te Pito Kura was a quick stop to see the largest moai transported from Rano Raraku. There was also a magnetic stone nearby. We tried to test it with my selfie stick and a compass another person on our bus had with him, but we were not able to really figure out if the stone indeed was magnetic.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAnakena was the last stop for today—a beautiful white sand beach, the only real beach on the island. It was said to have warm waters all year round, but the water was not really warm for me; in fact, it was far from it. Yet, I did manage to gather the courage to brave the cold waters and go for a quick swim. There was also a platform with restored moai there, Ahu Nau Nau.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter spending some time at the beach, we packed a couple of empanadas from a restaurant there before getting back on the bus for the return. After reaching our accommodation, we walked over to the cliff across the road to see the sunset. It was cloudy, so the view of the setting sun was not very clear, but it was nice to spend time there in the evening light and fresh air. After sunset, we got back, had dinner, and went to sleep.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r🚌 Rapa Nui Dream - Full Day Tour\n🍽️ Pae Pae Anakena\n🛏️ Cabanas Christophe\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2025/10/08/","summary":"Day 7 of our trip to América Hispana features a comprehensive exploration of Rapa Nui, visiting Hanga Te\u0026rsquo;e Vai Hu, the moai quarry at Rano Raraku, the iconic Ahu Tongariki, and ending with a sunset over the Pacific.","title":"Hola América Hispana - Day 7 🇨🇱"},{"content":"\rWe waited around in the check-in area until 5:00 AM, when the police verification for passengers to Easter Island would begin. There were lots of other passengers like us who were spending the night, or at least some hours, there. Most benches were full, so I decided to use a couple of towels and a jacket to fashion a makeshift sleeping bag.\nThe police verification counter started at around 5:15 AM, and we went straight through. We had to fill in an online form beforehand for visiting Easter Island, and based on that, they gave us each a verification slip. These were collected from us just before boarding the flight later.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter going through the security check, we visited the Andes Lounge to get some rest and have some breakfast before the flight. The lounge was not very brightly lit, probably taking into account the hour of the day, but it was spacious. There were multiple seating areas and also some relaxation zones.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe breakfast menu was just being placed out when we reached.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe rested for a while and got something to eat before heading to our gate for boarding LATAM 841.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe were assigned seats in the first row of economy class, just behind the bulkhead. There was ample legroom and the seats were nice. Shortly before take-off, our neighbor moved to another seat, so we had three seats between the two of us, which made it even more comfortable. LATAM seemed very spacious and posh even near the doors and boarding areas.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe left the west coast of Chile a short while after take off and then all of our route would be over the South Pacific Ocean until we reached Easter Island. A small breakfast was served, and the rest of the flight was smooth and uneventful.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe landed at Easter Island on time. There was a group of people playing instruments to welcome the arriving visitors. Since we only had carry-on bags, we didn’t have to wait and were able to exit quickly. Our host, Christophe, was waiting for us and drove us to our accommodation promptly.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe had booked an afternoon \u0026ldquo;Looking at the Stars\u0026rdquo; tour with Mahinatur after getting in touch with them over email and paying online. (I later found out that booking directly with them at their office would have been cheaper than the web rates we paid). We freshened up and left our bags in the room, and he drove us back to the main town. He gave us a quick overview of the island and life there, and it was a nice chat during the quick drive. He dropped us off at Oheho Surf Cafe, one of the local restaurants, for lunch. We ordered a couple of burgers, but it took quite a while for them to be ready. We ate and then quickly walked to the Mahinatur office, from where the tour was to start at 2:30 PM.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe had bought the ticket to Parque Nacional Rapa Nui online in advance for CLP 76,000. It gave us access to the 12 designated sites within Rapa Nui National Park. Access to the park and sites required an authorized tour guide, and entry to ʻŌrongo and Rano Raraku was allowed only once. The ticket was valid for 10 consecutive days starting from the date of first entry and had to be presented together with an identity card or passport at each entrance. We had the printout with us and they stamped it at each site we visited over the next three days; interestingly, they never once asked us for our passports.\nWe waited at the Mahinatur office for some time for other passengers to arrive and after some time our guide and driver picked us up in the bus and we were off. Our first stop was Ana Te Pahu. It was a volcanic cave used as a refuge and storage, surrounded by traditional gardens with native plants. We could see the stone blocks which were once the foundations of a traditional home. We also walked through the cave to see Banana and Guava trees which thrived in the part of the cave that was shielded from the sides but open to air. These areas protected the trees from the salt in the breeze but gave them light. There were also some parts of the cave where fresh water had collected.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe second stop was Ahu Akivi which was close by. This is an archaeological site featuring 7 moai positioned to face the setting sun during the Spring Equinox. This was the first time we were seeing the moai in person and they were just as impressive as the pictures we had seen before.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOur last stop on this tour was Puna Pau. It was a red slag quarry where most of the topknot stones were carved. There were many unfinished pieces remaining. The hill also offered panoramic views of the surrounding area.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe tour bus brought us back to the Mahinatur office from where we walked back to our accommodation. It had been a long day, and we were quite tired from not having slept well the previous night, so we retired for the evening.\n✈️ LATAM 841\n🎫 Parque Nacional Rapa Nui\n🍽️ Oheho Surf Cafe\n🚌 Mahinatur\n🛏️ Cabanas Christophe\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2025/10/07/","summary":"Day 6 of our trip to América Hispana involves flying from Santiago to Easter Island, settling into Cabanas Christophe, and embarking on the \u0026lsquo;Looking at the Stars\u0026rsquo; tour with Mahinatur to visit Ana Te Pahu, Ahu Akivi, and the Puna Pau quarry.","title":"Hola América Hispana - Day 6 🇨🇱"},{"content":" After a weekend of travel, we had an easy start this morning. We got ready and packed our bags before heading out. We walked across Plaza de Mayo; our first stop today was the Puente de la Mujer, a pedestrian suspension swing bridge with a unique design. We saw the Monumento Conmemorativo de las Islas Malvinas on the way.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe walked back to Casa Rosada and took a bus to Caminito. It was nice to see the colorful buildings and the vibrant atmosphere in the area.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe went to Pizza Lo+Hot for lunch and had a variety of empanadas followed by a huge serving of caramel custard with dulce de leche and cream.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter lunch, we took a bus to visit the Floralis Generica. We also saw the facade of the Universidad de Buenos Aires on the way. The Floralis Generica is a huge steel flower sculpture in the middle of a park. It was a cloudy day today, and I can imagine how much more impressive this would have been on a sunny day.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe took the bus from there to see the Cartel BA Verde and Obelisco at Plaza de la República and then walked back to the Airbnb. Our host was kind enough to allow us a late check-out. We picked up our bags, handed our keys to the doorman, and waited at the bus stop just below the building for Bus 8 to Aeroparque.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe bus stop for Aeroparque was right across from the Monument to Christopher Columbus, which was on the waterfront.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe checked in for our flight LATAM 424 to Santiago de Chile and had a quick meal at the McDonald\u0026rsquo;s there before the flight. This was our first time on a new airline, LATAM. The flight was quick, and there was a beverage service with a small snack onboard. We landed a little before midnight.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rImmigration in Santiago was very quick. They didn’t ask us for anything and hardly even glanced at our B1/B2 visa for the USA, based on which we were entering the country. We had to walk from the international terminal to the domestic terminal. It was not very close, but they had moving walkways along the way.\nOur flight to Easter Island was the next morning. Although it was a domestic flight, we had to go through another police check similar to immigration. We had lounge access in the departure area with our Priority Pass, but the police verification was only going to start at 5:00 AM, so we just had to wait around and try to catch some sleep in the check-in area until that time.\n🍽️ Pizza Lo+Hot\n🍽️ McDonald\u0026rsquo;s AEP\n✈️ LATAM 424\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2025/10/06/","summary":"Day 5 of our trip to América Hispana features a final exploration of Buenos Aires landmarks like Casa Rosada, Caminito and the Floralis Generica, followed by an evening flight to Santiago and an overnight stay at the airport.","title":"Hola América Hispana - Day 5 🇦🇷 🇨🇱"},{"content":"\rThe security check for the morning flights opened at 1:00 AM, and we headed through. We found a carpeted zone in the departure area near some charging points. We hooked up our devices for recharging and tried to get some sleep before our next flight.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe flight was short, and there was a quick beverage service. We landed at Iguazu Falls on time. Note that there is no direct public transport from the airport to the National Park; you would have to take a bus into town and then another bus back to the park, which adds significant travel time. Instead, we took a taxi from the airport, which cost ARS 25,000 each way. Our driver dropped us off at the entrance of the National Park and gave us his WhatsApp number to message him when we were ready to head back.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe got in line to buy tickets for the National Park. The fee was ARS 45,000 per person for international visitors. Afterward, we looked for luggage storage. We went to the cafe on the far left (when facing the entrance) and paid ARS 13,400. We stored one backpack in a locker and carried the other for our water bottles and essentials.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter passing through the entrance where they scanned our tickets, we headed to the Central Station to board the Jungle Train. We were allotted the 11:30 AM departure.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe took the train to the last stop, Garganta Station. From here, a long walkway—a metal bridge spanning the water—leads to the Devil’s Throat. About half of the river’s flow plunges into this narrow chasm, known as Garganta del Diablo in Spanish. It was amazing to witness the sheer volume and force of the water. Afterward, we walked back to Garganta Station and took the train to Cataratas Station.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rFrom there, we took the Upper Circuit (Circuito Superior), a hike that leads along the upper edges of the waterfalls and loops back to Cataratas Station.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rNext, we explored the Lower Circuit (Circuito Inferior). This longer hike takes you along the base of the falls, providing a much closer perspective of the river and the crashing water.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rSeeing the falls from both vantage points was incredible and made the long hikes well worth the effort.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe didn\u0026rsquo;t have enough time for the boat ride and were quite exhausted. It had been a long, hot, and humid day. We took the train back to the Central Station and messaged our taxi driver for a pickup.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe ride back to the airport was smooth. We spent some time at the Iguazu by AMAE Lounge before our flight back to Buenos Aires.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe return flight was uneventful, featuring another quick beverage service. We landed at Aeroparque Internacional Jorge Newbery and booked a Cabify to our Airbnb.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r✈️ Aerolineas Argentinas 1774\n🍽️ Iguazu by AMAE Lounge\n✈️ Aerolineas Argentinas 1793\n🛏️ Apartment in the City Center\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2025/10/05/","summary":"A complete guide to visiting Iguazu Falls from Buenos Aires in a single day, covering flight details (AR1774/AR1793), park entrance fees, luggage storage, and the breathtaking walking circuits on Day 4 of our trip to América Hispana.","title":"Hola América Hispana - Day 4 🇦🇷"},{"content":"\rWe left our Airbnb around 2:00 AM and took Bus 8 to Ezeiza International Airport. As it turns out, we took the regular bus instead of the express one. The driver likely tried to explain this when we boarded, but we weren\u0026rsquo;t able to understand him. While the bus eventually reached the airport, the trip took over 1.5 hours instead of the 1 hour we had anticipated based on our arrival. Fortunately, we arrived by 4:00 AM, in plenty of time for our 5:00 AM flight to Ushuaia.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThis was the longest domestic flight in Argentina, providing a welcome chance to catch up on some sleep. There was a beverage service accompanied by a small snack.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rApproaching Ushuaia, we enjoyed superb views of the Andes as we descended toward the airport. The airport itself was quite small and featured a unique architectural design.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe took a taxi from the airport to the port area, where our boat tour was scheduled to depart. Luckily we had cash, so payment wasn\u0026rsquo;t an issue. The taxi ride offered a beautiful view of the city and the surrounding mountains. We had booked our reservation via Viator, which paired us with Patagonia Adventure Explorer.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter showing our voucher, they provided boarding cards and asked us to return shortly before departure. We took the opportunity to snap some photos at the famous \u0026ldquo;End of the World\u0026rdquo; sign. Interestingly, they had installed a pre-aligned stand where you can place your phone to take a selfie. I recently saw something similar in Luxembourg and was impressed by the simple innovation. We walked around looking for breakfast or coffee, but since nothing was open yet, we headed back to join the boat tour.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe tour guide was very informative, explaining the history of the Beagle Channel and the local wildlife. Our first stop was the lighthouse (Faro Les Éclaireurs). We saw a colony of sea lions and various bird species nesting on the island. It was quite cold out on the open water!\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfterward, we began heading back toward Ushuaia and were served tea, coffee, and hot chocolate. It was a bit of a challenge to pour hot drinks from flasks with the constant motion of the boat!\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOur next stop was Bridges Island. We walked a small trail from the shore to see the regional flora. The trail ended at the highest point on the island, offering panoramic views of Ushuaia and the mountains on one side, and the Chilean islands and mountains across the water on the other.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe returned to the boat and made our way back to Ushuaia. As we approached the harbor, the views of the city nestled against the mountains were fantastic.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rFollowing the tour, we grabbed a quick lunch from a food truck. The sandwiches were so massive we couldn\u0026rsquo;t finish them, so we packed the rest for later.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe also stopped by the tourism office, which provided helpful information, free WiFi, bathrooms, and a water bottle refill station.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rIn the afternoon, we took a double-decker bus tour. It was an excellent way to see parts of the city that would have been difficult to reach on foot. The tour included several stops for photos and to take in the vistas.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfterward, we walked along the shore to see the Saint Christopher ship and various monuments, eventually reaching the Ushuaia sign.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rUnable to find a taxi near the sign, we walked halfway back to the harbor before finally hailing one. We reached the airport with time to spare and visited the W Lounge before our flight.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter takeoff, we saw the city lights and mountains one last time before it turned dark. We used the flight to rest, enjoying another beverage and snack service.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rA Note on Logistics: When we booked last December, our original flight was scheduled to depart USH at 10:30 PM, arriving at AEP at 2:00 AM, with a 3-hour connection to IGR at 5:00 AM. However, over the months, the schedule changed significantly. Our flight now departed at 7:55 PM and landed at EZE (instead of AEP) at 11:25 PM. This would have required us to shuttle between airports ourselves.\nI contacted gotogate.com, and they successfully rebooked us on a direct flight from EZE to IGR at 7:35 AM. While this saved us from switching airports, it meant arriving at Iguazu Falls two hours later and enduring a 7-hour layover at EZE. Since it wasn\u0026rsquo;t enough time to return to our Airbnb for meaningful rest, we tried to book the capsule hotel at EZE, but it was fully booked. We spent the night waiting at the airport for our morning flight.\n✈️ Aerolineas Argentinas 1872\n⛴️ Patagonia Adventure Explorer\n🍽️ Sandwich Food Truck\n🚍 City Bus - Line 8\n🚌 Ushuaia City Tour\n🍽️ W Lounge\n✈️ Aerolineas Argentinas 1883\n🛏️ Apartment in the City Center\n🛏️ Domestic Departures EZE Airport\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2025/10/04/","summary":"A detailed account of a day trip to Ushuaia from Buenos Aires, featuring a navigation of the Beagle Channel, a city bus tour, and the logistics of handling significant airline schedule changes on Day 3 of our trip to América Hispana.","title":"Hola América Hispana - Day 3 🇦🇷"},{"content":"Today was our first day in Argentina, and we planned to spend it roaming around Buenos Aires. We started the morning by walking to Plaza de Mayo. There is a massive Argentine flag here, which was quite a sight. The Monument of General Manuel Belgrano stands proudly in front of Casa Rosada.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter spending some time there, we walked across to the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Cathedral. While it doesn’t look like a typical cathedral from the outside, the interior is grand and majestic.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe then walked along Paseo de la Historieta. This is a street circuit that pays homage to famous Argentine comic book characters.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rNext, we headed to the San Telmo Market. We exchanged some money at one of the stalls, converting 100 USD to the local currency. However, we later noticed that some souvenir stores offered even better exchange rates.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe had lunch at a spot in the market called Beba Cocina. We ordered a chorizo sandwich and a freshly baked empanada—honestly, it was the best empanada we had during the entire trip!\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOn our walk back to the Airbnb, we stopped and saw the Convento Santo Domingo.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe also visited the Museo del Bicentenario before heading back to our accommodation to rest.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rLater that evening, we headed out again to see Plaza de la República and the Obelisco. Along the way, we picked up a couple of empanadas at Central de Pizzas \u0026amp; Empanadas Microcentro.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe also saw Teatro Colón from the outside and visited the famous \u0026ldquo;BA\u0026rdquo; sign. Before calling it a night, we grabbed a quick pizza at Mr. Cook Empanadas Pizzas \u0026amp; Medialunas and the headed back to our Airbnb to rest before a busy weekend of travel ahead.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r🍽️ Beba Cocina\n🍽️ Central de Pizzas \u0026amp; Empanadas Microcentro\n🍽️ Mr. Cook Empanadas Pizzas \u0026amp; Medialunas\n🛏️ Apartment in the City Center\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2025/10/03/","summary":"A day spent exploring the heart of Buenos Aires, featuring visits to the Metropolitan Cathedral, a comic book character trail, the Museo del Bicentenario, and the iconic Obelisk on Day 3 of our trip to América Hispana.","title":"Hola América Hispana - Day 2 🇦🇷"},{"content":"\rWe started our journey to South America from Mumbai with Ethiopian Airlines. Our first flight was Ethiopian Airlines 611 to Addis Ababa, and breakfast was served shortly before landing.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe had some time in Addis Ababa to visit the Plaza Premium Lounge. They offered Chechebsa and Shiro Wot for breakfast, along with the usual selections. And, of course, we had to try the Ethiopian coffee.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter spending some time there, we headed to the gate for our next flight Ethiopian Airlines 506 to Buenos Aires via São Paulo. The gate area was packed, indicating a very full flight. We had preselected seats in the last row, where the aircraft narrows and the row of three seats becomes two. This layout was perfect, as it gave us just the window and aisle seats to ourselves.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThere was a beverage and meal service after takeoff. One area for improvement was the in-flight entertainment: most movies lacked subtitles. Subtitles are a huge help on flights due to the ambient noise and standard-issue headphones.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe flew across Africa, leaving the mainland near Libreville and crossing the equator into the Southern Hemisphere shortly after. That marked the beginning of our long crossing over the South Atlantic Ocean. We didn\u0026rsquo;t see land again until we approached the coast of Brazil. Following another meal service, we touched down in São Paulo on time.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rMany passengers disembarked in São Paulo, but those continuing to Argentina remained on board. Officials checked our boarding passes to confirm our final destination while the cleaning crew prepared the cabin. Fresh meals were also loaded for the final leg. It was quite cold outside, and we could feel the chill coming through the open doors behind us. In the distance, we could see other aircraft that had just arrived from Europe.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rIt was almost dark by the time we took off from São Paulo/Guarulhos International Airport. There was one final meal service during this leg. As we approached Ezeiza International Airport, we were treated to amazing views of Buenos Aires at night.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rImmigration was smooth, though we were required to provide the address of our accommodation. After passing customs, we reached the public area of the airport and bought a SUBE card from the \u0026ldquo;Open 25 HS\u0026rdquo; store for ARS 1,500, loading it with a balance of ARS 8,500.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rFollowing the signs, we waited for Bus 8 to take us near our Airbnb. After a short wait and an hour-long ride, the driver dropped us off at a stop close to our destination. We walked a few blocks to the Airbnb, where our host met us to show us around the apartment. Exhausted from the long day of travel, we crashed for the night.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r🍽️ Adani Lounge East\n✈️ Ethiopian Airlines 611\n🍽️ Plaza Premium Lounge\n✈️ Ethiopian Airlines 506\n✈️ Ethiopian Airlines 506\n🚍 City Bus - Line 8\n🛏️ Apartment in the City Center\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2025/10/02/","summary":"A detailed travelogue of the journey to Argentina, including flights ET611 and ET506, a breakfast stop at the Plaza Premium Lounge in Addis Ababa, and practical advice on purchasing a SUBE card for Buenos Aires city buses on Day 1 of our trip to América Hispana.","title":"Hola América Hispana - Day 1 🇦🇷"},{"content":" I got up early as I had booked the 9:15 AM bus to Andorra from Barcelona. I got ready for the day and had breakfast at Airhostel BCN for EUR 5.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI walked to Cèntric and took the metro to Zona Universitària. The coordinates for the bus stop for ANDBUS were shared in the ticket email; I was able to locate it on the map and also by spotting other tourists lined up.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe bus arrived on time and the journey was comfortable. Shortly before reaching our destination, the passports of all non-European Union passengers were collected for checking and then handed back to us. Some of the other passengers from South America received a nice Andorra stamp in their passports. I checked mine, but there was no stamp—likely because I had a Schengen visa and they did not, so they were stamped in based on their passports alone. The bus reached the Estació Nacional d’Autobusos Joan Nadal on time.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI started walking towards the town center and saw the 7 sculptures by Jaume Plensa.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOn my way, I also saw the internal garden of Prada Casadet.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rIt was a nice walk along the river until I reached the town center.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI saw the main tourist attractions here: La Noblesse du Temps and Pont de París. There was a stand placed at just the right spot for tourists to take a selfie by placing their phones there and standing in front of the bridge. This was such a novel and nice idea!\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI visited the Tourist Office, and they gave me a map along with various options of places to see. The staff was very polite and helpful. They recommended two routes: a longer one towards Pont de la Tosca and a shorter one towards Casa de la Vall.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI visited Parc Central and saw some of the art installations there. There are also free public toilets in the park.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI decided to do the longer route first and started off in that direction. It was a pleasant walk along Av. Carlemany.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThere were canopies with flowers covering the street at intersections, and I also saw the Caldea Spa building from a distance.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter walking some more, I saw the Església de Sant Pere el Màrtir and the Escultura la Puntaire.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe next stop was Font Caldes, a series of large taps and pipes along the river with flowing water. This was very unique and nice to see.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWalking further, I reached La Font de les Banyeres, a multi-level installation of taps, tubs, and pipes.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThere was also a nice Public Thermal Pond where one could dip their feet in to feel relaxed and refreshed.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI saw Pont de la Tosca and started walking back towards the town center. I also saw Font del Roc del Metge.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOn the way, I stopped at Pont d\u0026rsquo;Engordany, which also had a selfie-stand like the one I had seen earlier.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rPassing the town center, I headed to the other side and saw the Monumento Jardín Andorra, Homenatge a Andorra i els seus pioners, and the Colorful crossing.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI passed by the Sant Esteve d\u0026rsquo;Andorra Catholic church on the way to Plaça del Poble.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rPlaça del Poble had a nice canopy that was moving with the breeze and looked very beautiful. There was also the Rėtol AND sign.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAt the end of this route, I reached Casa de la Vall.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI also saw the Consell General d\u0026rsquo;Andorra and the Monument al Parlament d’Andorra.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rFrom the vantage points, I could look down and see the town and the 7 sculptures by Jaume Plensa from a different perspective.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI took the elevator to the lower level and walked back towards the town center.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI saw the internal garden of Prada Casadet on the way again.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI spent some time at La Noblesse du Temps and Pont de París and decided to head back after a lovely day in Andorra la Vella.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI booked the DirectBus to go back to Barcelona from the counter at the Estació Nacional d\u0026rsquo;Autobusos Joan Nadal. It got dark outside once we started.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI reached Barcelona Sants after 11:00 PM and walked to Little Caesars Pizza on Numància for a late dinner.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter pizza, I walked to NH Sants and picked up my bags, which I had left there earlier. I then took the N0 bus from the bus stop across from NH Sants to Pl. Espanya, followed by the N17 bus from Pl. Espanya back to Airhostel BCN.\n🚍 ANDBUS\n🚍 DirectBus\n🍽️ Little Caesars Pizza\n🛏️ Airhostel BCN\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2025/09/19/","summary":"Follow a one-day itinerary through Andorra la Vella, featuring scenic river walks, unique art installations like \u0026ldquo;La Noblesse du Temps,\u0026rdquo; and the historic Casa de la Vall.","title":"Unlikely Trifecta - Day 3 🇦🇩"},{"content":" I was not able to get much sleep between arriving late and leaving early. I woke up and got ready. I walked to the bus stop and boarded the bus to La Línea de la Concepción. The ride was comfortable, and I was able to take a nap on the way to make up for lost sleep the previous night.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter reaching La Línea de la Concepción, I walked to Cafe Eclen at the corner for a quick breakfast and then continued towards the border with Gibraltar.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rCrossing the border was an interesting experience. First, I walked through exit formalities for Spain and the Schengen region. Next were the entry formalities for Gibraltar. I was using my multiple-entry Schengen visa from Switzerland, which gave me visa-free access to Gibraltar. The officer asked me to wait, took my passport, and passed it to someone inside. After a few minutes, he returned it to me with the stamp.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rTo get access to the main part of Gibraltar, everyone had to walk across the main runway of Gibraltar Airport. When there is flight movement for arrivals or departures, the crossing is closed, and the pedestrians on either side have to wait for the aircraft to clear the runway before they can cross it. This was a new and fun experience for me.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter crossing the runway, I followed the signs to the center of town. The streets and atmosphere felt like you were in the UK.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI reached the John Macintosh Square (La Piazza) where I saw the Gibraltar Parliament and the Gibraltar City Hall. I visited the tourist office there and got a map of Gibraltar and information about how to visit the Rock and what to see.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe plan was to climb up from one side and descend from the other, seeing as much as I could on the way. I started from La Piazza, headed onto the Castle Steps towards the Moorish Castle. I bought the entry ticket and continued.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rMy first stop was the World War II Tunnels, which were an extensive network of tunnels carved into the limestone, creating an underground city.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rClimbing further, there was a vantage point with views of Gibraltar and also of the airport and runway.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rNext, I visited a labyrinth of tunnels known as The Great Siege Tunnels, perhaps the most impressive defense system devised at that time.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI continued to walk uphill and made it to the Charles V Wall, which led up to the top of the Rock of Gibraltar. There were lots of monkeys around and as I made my way up the stairs, some of them actually climbed on top of me and my backpack looking for food. I was able to eventually shake them off, but it was quite an experience. The people behind me must have had quite a view of my adventure.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI reached the Barbary Macaque Feeding Station where lots of tourists were feeding the monkeys and climbed further to Signal Hill, which was the upper station of the Gibraltar Cable Car. I wasn\u0026rsquo;t able to see Africa across the water, but the views were amazing. I also visited the Skywalk, which offered amazing views all around, including Sandy Bay.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI then walked up to O\u0026rsquo;Hara\u0026rsquo;s Battery, located at the highest point of the Rock of Gibraltar near the southern end of the Upper Rock Nature Reserve.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rFrom here, I finally started walking downhill towards the main town again. I visited Saint Michael\u0026rsquo;s Cave, which features an immersive light and sound installation.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rDescending further, I saw the Windsor Suspension Bridge, a 70m-long pedestrian suspension bridge spanning a deep gorge, offering views across the bay.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rFrom there, I visited the Devil\u0026rsquo;s Gap Battery and then walked down the Devil\u0026rsquo;s Gap Steps to reach the main town again.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThere were no exit formalities while leaving Gibraltar, just like the UK. The Spanish immigration agent checked my visa and stamped my passport for entry back into the Schengen area. I was hungry since I had no time for lunch, so I bought some grapes and water from a grocery store nearby.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI had booked the 5:55 PM bus back to Malaga Airport. There were a lot of people waiting at the bus stop for this service, but everyone was able to get a seat onboard. The ride was comfortable, and I was able to relax a little after a lot of walking during the day. We reached the Málaga - Costa del Sol Airport at approximately 7:50 PM.\nI had a lot of time before my flight, so I visited the La Boutique Bar. With my Priority Pass, I could use the lounge visit entitlement to receive EUR 23 off the bill. I ordered a couple of slices of pizza and picked up some olives for a very late lunch.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter spending some time there, I visited the Sala VIP Lounge using my DreamFolks card; it was very spacious and nice to relax in before the flight.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe lounge was spacious and not very crowded. I got some things to eat and drink while I waited.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe flight was on time and boarding was quick. It took a long while for the air conditioning to be turned on after everyone had boarded, so it was quite uncomfortable until then. Once the doors were closed, the air conditioning was turned on and after that, it was a quick flight to Barcelona.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter reaching Barcelona, I took the N17 night bus to Airhostel BCN. I got to my room and bed and quickly went to sleep.\n🚍 Avanza Bus\n🍽️ La Boutique / Heineken Bar\n🍽️ Sala VIP Lounge\n✈️ Ryanair 482\n🛏️ Airhostel BCN\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2025/09/18/","summary":"A comprehensive day-trip guide to Gibraltar including border crossing tips, the World War II and Great Siege Tunnels, Skywalk views, and a return journey via Málaga Airport","title":"Unlikely Trifecta - Day 2 🇬🇮"},{"content":"I always wanted to visit Luxembourg, but it was not easy to plan for it since it is not really on the way to anywhere. With the new dynamic pricing for flights on the Lufthansa group with Miles \u0026amp; More, I was able to get a great deal by flying in and out for a day at the end of a work visit to Spain. I started my day very early with flight SWISS 1951 from Barcelona to Zurich and then connecting onwards to SWISS 750 Luxembourg.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rLuxembourg has free public transport—not just in the city but in the whole country—for residents and visitors. This was a first for me. I took bus Line 6 from the airport to the city center stop, Hamilius.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rIt was quite cold when I reached, but the day was expected to get warmer. So, optimistically, I carried on. I first visited the Place d\u0026rsquo;Armes and saw The Old City Kiosque and the Monument to Dicks and Lentz.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWalking further, I saw the Monument of Remembrance / Gëlle Fra. This granite obelisk and war memorial, nicknamed \u0026ldquo;Golden Lady\u0026rdquo; for its gilded statue of a woman on top, was a national monument to remember the Luxembourg war heroes who fell in the French battlefields.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rCathedral Notre-Dame of Luxembourg was my next stop. This Gothic, Baroque, and Renaissance-style Catholic cathedral with an impressive interior was originally a Jesuit church.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI walked back to the Place Guillaume II (Knuedler) and saw the Monument for Grand Duke William II. I also visited the City Tourist Office. They had paid guided walking tours, but the one that afternoon was in German, so they gave me a map and told me how I could see most of the places covered on my own.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI started off towards the Palais Grand-Ducal located in the center of the old town and saw the guard ceremony at noon.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rEverything I had seen so far was part of Ville Haute, the medieval old town on high ground. I walked along the Chemin de la Corniche, also called \u0026ldquo;the most beautiful balcony of Europe,\u0026rdquo; overlooking Ville Basse in the gorge created by the river.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWalking to the Justice quarter, I saw Parquet du Tribunal d’arrondissement de Luxembourg and Parcare Saint-Esprit, followed by the Fontaine aux Colombes and Justice de Paix de Luxembourg.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThen I took the Ascenseur Plateau St. Esprit Grund down to the valley. This was free for the public and large enough to accommodate people and a couple of bicycles.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI walked around Grund, a UNESCO World Heritage Site; it provided a different perspective to view the places I had seen from Chemin de la Corniche.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI continued the pleasant walk along the Alzette, and it didn\u0026rsquo;t feel like I was in the middle of a big city.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter taking the elevator back up, I walked by the Stelle Souvenir du Corps de la Garde Grand-Ducale and Gefallenendenkmal Zweiter Weltkrieg. I also saw Bourbon-Platte across the Pétrusse valley and the Pont Adolphe, which had the biggest stone arch in the world when it was built.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe Nation Square Observation Deck had a huge flag, which was an impressive sight.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAt first, Luxembourg seemed like any other Western European city, with an old town center and cathedral, but what made it really different was its unique topography: a city built on different levels with valleys, cliffs, and panoramic viewpoints. I am glad I finally had a chance to visit, and I wondered why this was not as popular as other places nearby like Brussels.\nI started back towards the airport, and this time I decided to take the tram (since I had already taken the bus from the airport in the morning).\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI had my mobile boarding passes, so I went through the security check to the departure area. Something very interesting at Luxembourg airport was the stationary cycles to generate power to charge your devices. I went to the Luxair Lounge for a late lunch and spent some time relaxing there before the flight.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI was flying on SWISS 759 to Zurich and then onward on SWISS 2120 to Malaga. I visited the Aspire Lounge for a quick dinner during the transfer at Zurich.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI reached Malaga a little after midnight and, despite running through the airport to exit, I just missed the second-to-last train because, after multiple attempts at the ticket vending machine, I was not able to buy the ticket. Eventually, I was able to tap my credit card and pass through the turnstile, but I heard the train depart before I could reach the platform. There was only one other person there, but some more people also showed up as we waited for the last Cercanías Málaga C1 train from Málaga-Aeropuerto to the city center.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe train ride was quick, and after reaching Málaga-Centro Alameda, I walked across the bridge and reached the Literal Hostel where I would be staying the night.\n🍽️ Sala VIP Pau Casals\n✈️ Swiss 1951\n✈️ Swiss 750\n🚍 Luxembourg City Bus\n🚊 Luxembourg City Tram\n🍽️ Luxair Lounge\n✈️ Swiss 759\n🍽️ Aspire Lounge\n✈️ Swiss 2120\n🛏️ Literal Hostel\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2025/09/17/","summary":"A day-trip guide to Luxembourg City covering free public transit, historic Ville Haute landmarks, the scenic Chemin de la Corniche, and the transit journey from Barcelona to Málaga via Zurich.","title":"Unlikely Trifecta - Day 1 🇱🇺"},{"content":" I woke up in the morning and got ready for the day. The Sunflower City Backpacker Hotel is located in a quiet residential neighborhood, and it was a nice walk back to the train station.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI bought a one-way ticket from Rimini to San Marino at the Tabaccheria opposite the railway station and waited at the bus stop, which was about a 3–4 minute walk to the right.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe bus arrived, and the driver scanned each passenger\u0026rsquo;s ticket. Once everyone was onboard, we were off to San Marino.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe bus dropped us off at the parking area near Cavallo. From there, most passengers dispersed to see the sights. I walked up until I reached the Piazzetta del Titano.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI continued on Via Eugippo and saw the \u0026ldquo;Dancing Girl\u0026rdquo; and other sculptures along the way.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWalking further, I saw the Cava dei Balestrieri and its impressive sculptures.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rFrom there, I reached the Monumento a Bartolomeo Borghesi, where many flags were flying. I also saw the San Marino gondola lift station nearby.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rNext was the Palazzo Pubblico della Repubblica di San Marino, the seat of the city’s government.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe Basilica di San Marino is a neoclassical 19th-century church containing relics of the patron saint of the Republic.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAs I climbed further up, I was treated to panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rGuaita is the oldest and most famous of the Three Towers of San Marino.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rCesta, the second tower, is located on the highest summit of Monte Titano.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rMontale, the third and smallest tower, sits on the smallest of the summits.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter visiting all three towers, I walked back toward the main city center.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI visited the Chiesa San Francesco.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAnd saw the Monument to Girolamo Gozi.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAnd also the Convento dei Frati Cappuccini.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI headed back toward the bus stop and stopped at L\u0026rsquo;Osteria for a nice lunch.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAt the bus stop, I bought a one-way ticket and boarded the bus back to Rimini.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rBack in Rimini, I bought a ticket to the airport at the bus information kiosk.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI reached the airport early, and since it was fairly empty, I walked into town toward Miramare to buy a bottle of water at the Balkania Market before returning to the airport.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOnce the security check opened, I headed to the gate area and had dinner at Bar dell\u0026rsquo;aeroporto. They have a terrace with great views of the apron, and the sunset skies were beautiful.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThere were only three flights that evening: one to London and two back-to-back flights to Barcelona. I was on the later one, so I had plenty of time to relax.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe flight back to Barcelona was quick and uneventful, bringing my weekend exploring the two microstates in Italy to a close.\n🚍 Shuttle Rmini San Marino\n🍽️ L\u0026rsquo;Osteria della Stazione\n🚍 Linea 9\n🍽️ Bar dell\u0026rsquo;aeroporto\n✈️ Vueling Airlines 6625\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2025/09/14/","summary":"A comprehensive guide to visiting San Marino from Rimini, featuring transportation tips, a walking tour of the Three Towers, and the return journey through Federico Fellini International Airport.","title":"Microstates In Italy - Day 2 🇸🇲"},{"content":"\rA weekend in between a work visit to Spain gave me the chance to explore two microstates in neighboring Italy. My flight from Barcelona to Rome was early in the morning. It wasn\u0026rsquo;t too long. I had booked a shuttle from the airport to Vatican City. The bus dropped me off a couple of blocks away.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThere was some festival or event there that day, and there were devotees in huge numbers walking towards St. Peter\u0026rsquo;s Square. Regular tourists like me were able to reach St. Peter’s Square but could not go towards Saint Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel directly.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI spent some time at St. Peter\u0026rsquo;s Square and got good views of Saint Peter’s Basilica and the St. Peter\u0026rsquo;s Square Obelisk. I found out that the regular line for tourists was on the right and, after reaching there, figured out that it would take at least a few hours in that line to get in. I didn\u0026rsquo;t see the point in waiting around, so I changed my plan and decided to see the sights in Rome instead.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI walked along the Via della Conciliazione to see the Castel Sant\u0026rsquo;Angelo first. I saw the Ponte Vittorio Emanuele II with the Roman cityscape in the background and the St. Angelo Bridge over the Tiber River.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rNext was the Corte Suprema di Cassazione, which was an impressive building. Looking back, I could see the huge Saint Peter’s Basilica across the river.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rFrom here, I walked away from the river and into the city to see the Piazza Navona. This was a large square surrounded by restaurants, cafés, and bars with three fountains: Fontana del Moro, Fontana del Nettuno, and the majestic Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rNext up was the Pantheon and Fontana del Pantheon. There were huge lines to get in here as well. So, after spending some time outside, I moved on.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI stopped to see the Chiesa di Sant\u0026rsquo;Ignazio di Loyola with trompe l\u0026rsquo;oeil ceilings and frescoes depicting St. Ignatius.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rNext was Piazza di Trevi to see the famous Fontana di Trevi. Again, there were huge crowds to get to the fountain to see it up close. It was very difficult to get pictures without people in them. I think in this visit to Rome I had seen more tourist crowds than anywhere else in Europe.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rTrajan\u0026rsquo;s Forum was the remains of the Roman square built in the 2nd century, with a column celebrating victory over Dacia.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rNext was the Colosseum, which was probably the most famous landmark that represents Rome. It was quite impressive. I also saw the Arch of Constantine nearby. There was a kiosk dispensing cold still and sparkling water for free. This was very useful, and many tourists were lining up to replenish their water bottles to stay hydrated in the heat.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter spending some time around the Colosseum, I walked back along the Via dei Fori Imperiali and saw the Tempio di Venere Genitrice.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe Altare della Patria, also known as the Vittoriano, is a large national monument in Rome built to honor Victor Emmanuel II, the first king of a unified Italy.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI walked past the Obelisco Esquilino and the Basilica Papale di Santa Maria Maggiore on my way to Roma Termini.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI had some time before my train to Rimini, so I went to Wagamama for lunch.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI had booked my ticket on Frecciargento 8852 in advance. The train left on time, but it got dark soon and not much could be seen from the outside.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI used the time to relax because I had an early start and it had been a long day with lots of walking. We reached Rimini with a slight delay.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI went to the Burger King opposite the station for a quick dinner and then walked to the Sunflower City Backpacker Hotel, where I would be staying for the night.\n🍽️ Sala VIP Pau Casals\n✈️ Vueling Airlines 6100\n🚍 Shuttle Bus\n🍽️ wagamama\n🚆 TrenItalia\n🍽️ Burger King\n🛏️ Sunflower City Backpacker Hotel\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2025/09/13/","summary":"A high-speed day trip starting from Barcelona to Rome, covering a self-guided walking tour of major Roman sights after navigating crowds at the Vatican, ending with a train journey to Rimini.","title":"Microstates In Italy - Day 1 🇻🇦"},{"content":"\rA long layover on a journey to Barcelona gave me the opportunity to experience the Discover Doha Transit Tour by Discover Qatar and Qatar Airways. This was a paid service, and I was able to register for the 8:00 AM tour online and had paid in advance. The flight from Mumbai to Qatar was nice, but short. They had a breakfast service after takeoff and it was not long before we began our descent into Doha.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI reached the Discover Qatar desk at Hamad International Airport around 6:00 AM. They confirmed my reservation and payment for the tour, and I had to apply for a transit visa for USD 27. There were some issues with my credit card, but then I used my debit card, and the issue was resolved. The staff completed the e-visa process and asked me to return in 15 minutes at 6:30 AM. It wasn’t too long, and soon there were others assembling there as well.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe were instructed to go through immigration, pass baggage claim, and go to the information desk. The staff there asked everyone to come back at 7:50 AM to start the tour. Around 8:00 AM, we walked out of the terminal building and boarded the bus. It was air-conditioned and comfortable. They also handed out water throughout the trip.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOur first stop was the Dhow Harbour, which offered panoramic views of the Doha skyline. It was amazing to see the variety of skyscrapers there, in all shapes and sizes.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe next stop was Katara Cultural Village. We walked from the bus to see the Pigeon Towers and the Katara Mosque.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe Katara Mosque was was beautiful to see from the inside. We had to remove our footwear and keep it outside when we entered. There were a couple of people there who also told us about Islam.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe then drove to the last stop of the trip, Souq Waqif. This was a local market for traditional clothing, handicrafts, spices, and perfumes. There were also lots of eateries and cafés.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe had free time to walk around, shop, and eat as we wanted. I visited the Souq Waqif Art Center. It houses various art presentations, exhibitions, etc., representing traditional Islamic and Middle Eastern art.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI saw the Golden Thumb sculpture, created by French sculptor César Baldaccini as part of his Le Pouce series, installed in February 2019 to mark Qatar\u0026rsquo;s first Asian Cup football victory. We were told to assemble near the Police Station, and once everyone was there, we walked back to the bus. We got to see the Abdullah Bin Zaid Al Mahmoud Islamic Cultural Center (Fanar Masjid) on the way to the bus.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe were dropped off at the airport after the drive back, and I think this transit tour was a good way to get a glimpse into Doha and Qatar. My initial impression was that it felt similar to Dubai. But I\u0026rsquo;m sure there\u0026rsquo;s more to discover in Qatar with more time.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI already had my onward boarding pass so I directly went through immigration and security check. I had some time before my next flight to Barcelona, so I visited the Al Mourjan Lounge. The lounge was huge and spread out over multiple areas.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThere was a great selection of food from buffet counters and also a variety of drinks on offer at the bar. There was also an à la carte menu from which items were made-to-order as requested. I settled in and had a late lunch.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe flight to Barcelona was comfortable. There was a nice meal service onboard.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r✈️ Qatar Airways 557\n🚍 Discover Doha\n✈️ Qatar Airways 141\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2025/09/07/","summary":"A first-hand account of the Discover Doha Transit Tour, including visa tips, a visit to the Katara Mosque, and a relaxing stop at the Al Mourjan Lounge before flying to Barcelona.","title":"Qatar In Transit 🇶🇦"},{"content":"\rMy brother-in-law and family had been collecting miles on Lufthansa Miles \u0026amp; More at my behest—or maybe coercion. Lufthansa\u0026rsquo;s Miles \u0026amp; More program underwent a major transformation in June, transitioning from a fixed award chart to a dynamic pricing model for some of its core airlines.\nThis meant that searching for award tickets on Lufthansa (including Lufthansa City), SWISS, and Austrian Airlines now offered the possibility of requiring significantly fewer miles than the standard amount previously dictated by geographical zones.\nI was looking to spend a few days in Europe at the end of a work trip and was scouting destinations. As I looked at options, I found a route that fit perfectly with my schedule and desired locations.\nI first booked a one-way award ticket from Barcelona to Luxembourg via Zurich. This cost only 3,762 miles plus taxes.\nDate Flight From At To At Airline WED 17 SEP LX 1951 BARCELONA, ES (BCN) 06:00 ZURICH, CH (ZRH) 07:40 SWISS WED 17 SEP LX 750 ZURICH, CH (ZRH) 08:40 LUXEMBOURG, LU (LUX) 09:40 SWISS Next, I booked a one-way award ticket from Luxembourg to Malaga, again via Zurich. This cost 4,987 miles plus taxes.\nDate Flight From At To At Airline WED 17 SEP LX 759 LUXEMBOURG, LU (LUX) 19:10 ZURICH, CH (ZRH) 20:05 SWISS WED 17 SEP LX 2120 ZURICH, CH (ZRH) 21:30 MALAGA, ES (AGP) 00:10 (+1) SWISS Frankly, the taxes for the award tickets were quite high—almost in the same range as a ticket price on some low-cost carriers. However, the timings of the award flights were exactly what I wanted, giving me a full day in Luxembourg before flying to Málaga. Considering the small amount of miles spent, paying the taxes was absolutely worth it for the convenience.\nWith that, I was all set for my day trip to Luxembourg and then onwards to Malaga to visit Gibraltar, thanks to Lufthansa Miles \u0026amp; More and, of course, my brother-in-law and his family.\n8749 miles | 4 segments | 1 airline\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2025/08/29/","summary":"A breakdown of a multi-segment award booking using Lufthansa Miles \u0026amp; More, leveraging low mileage requirements for a high-efficiency itinerary through Zurich, Luxembourg, and Málaga.","title":"Lufthansa Miles \u0026 More Award to Luxembourg \u0026 Malaga"},{"content":" I got up early to see the morning light on Mt. Kazbek from our balcony. It was quite dark but the size of Mt. Kazbeg was evident. As the sun rose, the cloud came in and coverered the peak.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOnce all of us were ready to leave we headed to Gergeti Trinity Church. The road was good and we were able to drive our van up there without any issues. There were not too many people around this early in the morning so it was good. The walk from the parking lot towards the church offered magnificent views of the church with the mountains in the background.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rLooking back towards the parking lot from the church we could see Mt. Kazbek looming over.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rPart of the church was being renovated/restored. It had beautiful murals and frescos inside.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThere were a few vantage points around the church which were accessible by pathways. We could also see Stepantsminda below.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter spending some time there we headed back to the hotel. We got ready and packed our bags and headed to breakfast. Our host had prepared a wonderful spread of local dishes.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter a hearty breakfast, we left Stepantsminda and started our drive back towards Tbilisi and the airport. We passed by all the sites we had stopped to see on our way there yesterday. Our first stop today was going to be the Jvari Monastery. The road going up was flanked with trees with yellow flowers.\nPerched on a cliff, this is an orthodox monastery with nice views of Mtskheta and the confluence of the Aragvi and Kura rivers in the background.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe water from both rivers was distinct and we could see the difference in colors as they came together. The Svetitskhoveli Cathedral was also visible in Mtskheta.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe then drove to the next stop which was our final stop on this trip, the Chronicles of Georgia. It is a huge sculpture with vast pillars depicting Georgian history \u0026amp; the life of Christ. It is hard to describe the sheer size of the structure.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWalking around also offered sweeping views of Tbilisi and the the Annunciation Church and the Tbilisi Reservoir with calm blue water.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter spending some time there we started our drive back to the airport. Our route took us along the Tbilisi Reservoir most of the way. The person from the car rental agency was delayed so we had to leave the keys and the pending payment in the car. We parked the car in the parking lot on the departure side of the terminal building as discussed. I also chatted with him about the scratch on the front right bumper and left the amount needed to facilitate the repair. The check-in counters for Air Astana had not opened so we waited around till they did and were the first to check-in. We passed through security check and immigration and headed to the Primeclass Lounge. We were able to access it using Priority Pass and Dreamfolks cards we had. The lounge was simple and clean. It had some food options and also a bar for drinks. I got myself local Georgian beer since I wanted to taste it while we were there and since I was driving all the time I hadn\u0026rsquo;t had one before. Our boarding gate was right outside the lounge so we didn\u0026rsquo;t have to walk much when boarding was announced. The flight was good, the crew was polite and professional and the meal was nice. We landed in Almaty early in the morning and had a quick connection to our flight back to Mumbai concluding this trip.\n🚐 Royal Car Rent\n🍽️ Primeclass Lounge\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2025/05/31/","summary":"Day 9 of the trip to the South Caucasus region in Georgia featuring a sunrise at Mt. Kazbek, a visit to the iconic Gergeti Trinity Church, the Jvari Monastery overlooking the confluence of the Aragvi and Kura rivers at Mtskheta, and the monumental Chronicles of Georgia.","title":"South Caucasus - Day 9 🇬🇪"},{"content":" We left Kutaisi early in the morning because we had a long drive ahead of us. We fueled up the car before joining the main highway heading east. The drive was pleasant as we passed through the Georgian countryside. As we approached Mtskheta, the highway exits were tricky; after some back-and-forth, we finally joined the Georgian Military Road.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe stopped at a small roadside eatery for a quick breakfast. We had been driving for a couple of hours and everyone was hungry. We tried three types of khachapuri and some coffee (which was from a machine and not great).\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOur first stop was the Monument of 300 Aragvians, which was located just off the main road and had ample parking.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe then drove along the Zhinvali Reservoir. There were multiple spots with small souvenir shops along the way where we could stop to take in the views of the hills and the water.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOur next stop was the Ananuri Fortress Complex. There was a parking lot here which cost 3–5 GEL. We headed inside to explore the complex. There were many places where we could walk along the walls or up the stairs in the towers, providing great photo opportunities. We could also see the backwaters of the Zhinvali Reservoir.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe drove further and stopped at the confluence of the Black and White Aragvi rivers. The distinct colors of the water from the two rivers were evident and fascinating to see.\nWe stopped for lunch at Qavtaradze Khinkali. As we were leaving, a small scuffle broke out on the opposite side of the road between two men, presumably over some improper overtaking earlier.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rDriving further north, we saw the Statue of Sulkhan-Saba Orbeliani and stopped to see the Spring Water Nadibani. Another driver before us had taken his vehicle down there and drank the water from the spring before waving and driving past us. Seeing him, we took a sip of the water as well. Based on the taste, it was definitely rich in minerals—possibly iron and sulfur. However, the most interesting part was that it was mildly carbonated. This was something none of us had experienced before.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOur next stop was the Georgia-Russia Friendship Monument. It is a large semi-circular structure with murals on the inward-facing walls, overlooking the valley and mountains. The boys saw snow for the first time there, and we walked to a nearby patch so they could see it up close. It wasn\u0026rsquo;t pristine, but it was snow nonetheless. There was also an option for paragliding, but we didn\u0026rsquo;t have enough time to try it.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAs we drove towards Stepantsminda, we saw a long line of trucks waiting on the opposite side heading towards Tbilisi. They were likely coming from the Russian border, which was not far away, waiting for paperwork, clearance, or traffic restrictions.\nWe reached Stepantsminda in the late evening, checked into our hotel, and parked the van. The walk into the town center was all downhill. We quickly realized that it would be entirely uphill on the way back after dinner. To avoid the climb later, I walked back and fetched the van while the rest of the group waited in the town center and shortlisted a place for dinner.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe went to Restaurant Cozy Corner, which had a nice outdoor garden with a small stream and tables on the grass. However, it was getting cold, so we chose to sit indoors. Interestingly, they had currency notes from all over the world stapled to the walls. One odd thing was that we were not allowed to consume the water bottles we had purchased at the town center earlier. This seemed quite strange to me. After dinner, we headed back to the hotel and called it a day, ready for the final day of our trip tomorrow.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r🚐 Royal Car Rent\n🍽️ ნატახტრის შ ა უ რ მ ა\n🍽️ Restaurant Qavtaradze Khinkali\n🍽️ Cozy Corner Restaurant\n🛏️ Kushashvili Seven Sisters\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2025/05/30/","summary":"Day 8 of the trip to the South Caucasus region with a scenic road trip along the Georgian Military Road featuring stops at the Monument of 300 Aragvians, Ananuri Fortress, the confluence of the Black and White Aragvi rivers, and the Russia-Georgia Friendship Monument.","title":"South Caucasus - Day 8 🇬🇪"},{"content":" We left Kutaisi early in the morning to visit the Gelati Monastery. The drive there was pleasant, taking us through winding roads and lush green hills.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rUnfortunately, Gelati Monastery was undergoing restoration work, so we were unable to see the interior. After spending some time exploring the grounds, we started our drive back to Kutaisi.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe parked the car back at our Airbnb and then walked to Palaty for lunch. The ambiance and decor made it feel like a restaurant in Paris (though I have not been to Paris, I imagine this is exactly what it would feel like!).\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe enjoyed a leisurely lunch with a variety of dishes. The food was tasty, and the portions were quite satisfying.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe relaxed for a while in the afternoon before walking to the Bagrati Cathedral. We passed by the famous Colchis Fountain on our way.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe crossed the Chain Bridge to get to the other side of the river.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe path to Bagrati Cathedral included a series of steps leading up from the ground level through a charming residential neighborhood.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rBagrati Cathedral is an Orthodox cathedral originally built during the 11th century.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rFrom that height, there were sweeping, panoramic views of Kutaisi.\nWe walked back down after spending some time there and took a moment to admire the various wall paintings around the city.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe spent some time at Kutaisi Central Park and then headed to Fleur for dinner.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe restaurant was nice and the food was good. We walked back to our Airbnb after the meal to end the day.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r🚐 Royal Car Rent\n🍽️ Palaty\n🍽️ Fleur\n🛏️ Airbnb - Guest House Amazon in Old City\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2025/05/29/","summary":"Day 7 of the trip to the South Caucasus region exploring the cultural heart of Kutaisi, featuring a visit to the Gelati Monastery, a walk across the Chain Bridge, and sweeping city views from the historic Bagrati Cathedral.","title":"South Caucasus - Day 7 🇬🇪"},{"content":" We left early in the morning from our Airbnb in Tbilisi. The roads leading out of the city were quite crowded. Being in the wrong lane led us to take an unexpected exit, and we somehow ended up seeing the Former Archaeology Museum and the Saint Nino Monument. There were beautiful views of the cityscape from this vantage point. We eventually rejoined the highway and continued our drive.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOur first stop was the city of Gori. We parked the car near Stalin Park (3 GEL) and walked across to explore. We saw the Stalin railway wagon and the Stalin monument.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rSince we didn\u0026rsquo;t want to spend too much time there, we chose not to visit the interior of the Stalin Museum. Instead, we spent some time walking around the park.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAt the other end of the park, a massive Georgian flag was fluttering beautifully in the wind.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rNext, we went to see the Gori Fortress. It was a short drive, but several one-way roads made it a bit tricky to find a good parking spot nearby.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe path up was well-paved and manageable. Upon reaching the top, we found a large flat area featuring three Georgian flags and offering expansive views of the city.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter taking in the views, we headed to Kaklebi for lunch. The restaurant was lovely and had plenty of parking.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe food was fresh and delicious. They also offered a complimentary glass of local wine for each adult; we ordered one glass to share just to sample the local flavor.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rFrom the parking lot, we could see the ancient cave city of Uplistsikhe in the distance. Since it was a hot afternoon and we were full from lunch, no one felt like making the climb, so we decided to continue our journey toward Kutaisi.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe arrived at our accommodation in Kutaisi and rested briefly before heading out to explore. We visited the Georgian-Polish Friendship Square, named after Władysław Raczkiewicz.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe also walked further to see the Kutaisi Cable Car.\nOur next stop was the Soviet Sculpture Complex.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfterward, we spent some time relaxing in Kutaisi Central Park.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAs it started raining later, we quickly walked to the Museum Bar-Restaurant for dinner before calling it a day.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r🚐 Royal Car Rent\n🍽️ Kaklebi\n🍽️ Museum Bar-Restaurant\n🛏️ Airbnb - Guest House Amazon in Old City\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2025/05/28/","summary":"Day 6 of the trip to the South Caucasus region on a road trip day featuring Soviet history in Gori, panoramic views from Gori Fortress, and an evening stroll through the parks and sculptures of Kutaisi.","title":"South Caucasus - Day 6 🇬🇪"},{"content":"We started the day by walking down toward Liberty Square and saw the Doves of Peace on the way.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rLiberty Square was impressive, and it was nice to see the central column, the Monument of St. George, and all the buildings around it.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe decided to hire one of the sightseeing cars to take us around town for about an hour to see the major sights. Our first stop was the Opera and Ballet Theater of Tbilisi, which was built in a unique, neo-Moorish style of architecture.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rFrom there, we crossed the Galaktioni Bridge to Kote Marjanishvili Square, a major cultural and architectural hub. Driving further along the river, we saw the Public Service Hall, a beautiful-looking glass building with a roof shaped like white petals.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOur next stop was the Bridge of Peace. This was a glass pedestrian bridge with a very modern and contemporary design.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe last stop was the Metekhi Bridge. From here, we could see the Metekhi Church of the Nativity of the Mother of God and the Statue of King Vakhtang Gorgasali. We also saw the Narikala Fortress, the Narikala Cable Car, and the Mother of Georgia statue in the distance.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rFrom there, we drove back to Liberty Square and the sightseeing trip was over; it didn\u0026rsquo;t even last an hour. We were back where we started in 45 minutes. We then walked toward the Old Town wall ruins and saw the Shota Kavlashvili Sculpture.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe continued to walk through the Old Town and saw the Clock Tower and the Old Water Fountain.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe visited the Anchiskhati Basilica nearby and then continued toward the Baratashvili Bridge.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe passed by the Monuments and then the Berikaoba.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe Baratashvili Bridge had lots of interesting graffiti, and we also got nice views of the Bridge of Peace.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe then walked to Bazari for lunch and decided to go to 4 Concept for Georgian food.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe ordered a variety of dishes and all of them were very nice and tasty.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter lunch, we headed back to the Airbnb to relax, and in the evening, we went to Respublika Grill Bar for dinner, which was right across from where we were staying.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe had a nice meal with burgers, pasta, and risotto.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r🚐 Royal Car Rent\n🍽️ 4 Concept\n🍽️ Respublika Grill Bar\n🛏️ Airbnb - Tbilisi Apartment Ingorokva 22a\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2025/05/27/","summary":"Day 5 of the trip to the South Caucasus region sightseeing in Tbilisi featuring a city tour, the beautiful Bridge of Peace, the ancient Anchiskhati Basilica, and a delicious Georgian lunch at Bazari Orbeliani.","title":"South Caucasus - Day 5 🇬🇪"},{"content":"\rThe plan for today was to drive back to Tbilisi and see Lake Sevan and Sevanavank on the way. We picked up some breakfast from one of the kiosks below our building. As the day grew brighter, the view of Mt. Ararat became a bit blurry. We packed up, left our Airbnb, and drove north out of Yerevan a little after 10:30 AM.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe drive north was comfortable, and we reached Sevanavank around noon. We parked at one of the paid spots and then started the climb toward the monastery.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rSevanavank is a 9th-century monastery situated on a steep hill, offering beautiful views of Lake Sevan surrounding it.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe considered getting something to eat there but didn\u0026rsquo;t find a place that caught our eye. We decided to drive further and stopped at the Tsovagyugh Food Court for lunch, which turned out to be a great choice.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThere were plenty of options, including local dishes and a grill for fresh orders. There was also a wonderful selection of desserts.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe continued north through the rolling green hills of Dilijan—a very enjoyable drive—and moved toward the Bagratashen-Sadakhlo border crossing.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rJust like on the way in, I crossed the border in the van with my passport and vehicle papers while the rest of the group used the pedestrian crossing. After completing the exit formalities, we spent our remaining Armenian Dram at the duty-free shop before crossing back into Georgia.\nAfter finishing my entry formalities into Georgia, I waited for the others. I reversed into a line of parked cars but forgot to shift the van into \u0026lsquo;park\u0026rsquo;. Another van pulled up and stopped perpendicularly right in front of the line. While I was distracted by my phone, our van inched forward on the slope. Luckily, it didn\u0026rsquo;t touch the other vehicle. I really thanked my stars for this near-miss; even though a bump would have been minor, the hassle of dealing with the repercussions would have drained everyone\u0026rsquo;s time and energy. It was a close call!\nThe rest of the drive back to Tbilisi was uneventful, except for an encounter with shepherds and their flocks, which brought all traffic to a standstill until they passed through.\nBy the time we reached Tbilisi and arrived near our Airbnb, it was dark. Street parking was difficult to find, but we eventually secured a spot, parked, and walked to the apartment.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe went to Pizza Medici right next to our building, picked up dinner, and ate back at the apartment.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r🚐 Royal Car Rent\n🍽️ Tsovagyugh Food Court\n🍽️ Pizza Medici\n🛏️ Airbnb - Tbilisi Apartment Ingorokva 22a\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2025/05/26/","summary":"Day 4 of the trip to the South Caucasus region with a cross-border journey from Armenia to Georgia featuring the stunning vistas of Lake Sevan, a lunch stop at the Tsovagyugh Food Court, and a drive through the lush landscapes of Dilijan.","title":"South Caucasus - Day 4 🇦🇲"},{"content":"\rWe got up and enjoyed morning tea and coffee with beautiful views of Mt. Ararat from our apartment.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe headed out to visit our first stop of the day, Khor Virap. This is a monastery and pilgrimage site that offers stunning views of Mt. Ararat and the Turkish border area.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rIt was a climb to the top, and we saw many intricate khachkars (cross-stones) along the way.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWhile it was lovely to spend time there, it became increasingly hot and crowded as the morning progressed.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe drove from there and stopped at Van Food Court for lunch, which was conveniently located right on the highway.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe wrapped up the meal with local desserts and pastries, including Baklava, Gata/Gatha, and Ponchik.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOur next stop was the Garni Temple, famous for its classically Greek colonnaded design. The site also features the ruins of 3rd-century Roman baths and provides a wonderful view of the Garni Gorge.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOn the drive back to Yerevan, we stopped to see Charents\u0026rsquo; Arch. It framed a perfect view of Mt. Ararat in the background.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOnce back in the city, we visited the Mother Armenia Monument. Luckily, we found parking nearby.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rFrom there, we drove toward the entrance of Victory Park on Azatutyan Ave. After finding street parking, we visited the Memorial to the 50th Anniversary of the October Revolution.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe then walked down the pathway to the Cascade Complex. It is an impressive multi-level staircase structure featuring terraces, fountains, sculptures, and exhibition halls.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe interior escalators and stairs are surrounded by various art exhibits, which people can enjoy while traversing the Cascade.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAt the base of the structure are gardens filled with more sculptures and the Monument to Alexander Tamanian. From here, two of us went back up to retrieve the car while the rest took a taxi to the Airbnb.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter regrouping at the Airbnb, we headed to Republic Square to see the Singing Fountains. Since I wasn\u0026rsquo;t sure about the parking situation, we decided to take a taxi.\nAfter soaking in the atmosphere at the musical fountains, we walked to Mozzarella nearby for dinner before taking a taxi back to our apartment.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r🚐 Royal Car Rent\n🚕 Yandex Go\n🍽️ Van Food Court\n🍽️ Mozzarella\n🛏️ Airbnb - AM Apartments 1 ➺ 3 BDR •\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2025/05/25/","summary":"Day 3 of the trip to the South Caucasus region full of Armenian culture featuring the Khor Virap monastery, the ancient Garni Temple, the monumental Mother Armenia statue, and an evening at the Singing Fountains in Republic Square.","title":"South Caucasus - Day 3 🇦🇲"},{"content":"\rWe started the day with freshly prepared omelets and coffee for breakfast before leaving for Armenia.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe stopped for fuel just before the Sadakhlo-Bagratashen border crossing. Our rental company had arranged all the necessary paperwork for crossing into Armenia and returning in our van. Following the protocol, I stayed with the vehicle while the rest of the passengers used the pedestrian walkway. I waited in the van with my passport as officers checked the vehicle\u0026rsquo;s registration. By the time I cleared the check, the others were already waiting for me at the far end of the building. We then crossed the bridge over the Debed River and arrived at the Armenian checkpoint. Having applied for Armenian e-Visas in advance, we cleared the formalities smoothly and stopped at the nearby roundabout to purchase the mandatory additional insurance required for Armenia.\nOur first intended stop was the Akhtala Monastery Fortress, located relatively close to the border. However, as we drove uphill, we encountered significant road repairs. Reaching the fortress would have required a strenuous climb on foot, so to save our energy, we decided to skip Akhtala and drive directly to Haghpat instead.\nThe Haghpat Monastery Complex is a stunning medieval site offering panoramic views across multiple buildings, including a historic church and a bell tower.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOur route south took us through Spitak, where we visited the Memorial Monument to the Victims of the 1988 Earthquake and the St. Haroutyun Church.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe also enjoyed fantastic views of Mt. Aragats as we approached and passed through Tsilkar.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe reached Yerevan late in the evening, located our Airbnb, and found a place to park the van. For dinner, we walked to Tavern Yerevan, which was conveniently located nearby.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r🚐 Royal Car Rent\n🍽️ Tavern Yerevan\n🛏️ Airbnb - AM Apartments 1 ➺ 3 BDR •\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2025/05/24/","summary":"Day 2 of the trip to the South Caucasus region with a cross-border road trip featuring the UNESCO-listed Haghpat Monastery Complex, views of Mount Aragats, and a traditional Armenian dinner at Tavern Yerevan.","title":"South Caucasus - Day 2 🇦🇲"},{"content":"\rWe boarded our flight from Mumbai to Almaty in the early hours of the morning while it was still dark. After sunrise, we were able to see outside our windows: parts of the world that we would otherwise never get to see. We were flying over the Hindu Kush mountain range in Pakistan.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe flight was comfortable and the service onboard was good. There was a meal served inflight, and the journey was smooth. We had a long layover at Almaty before our flight to Tbilisi later in the day, so we decided to head into the city and do some sightseeing. Immigration was quick; they didn\u0026rsquo;t ask us too much since we were going to fly out again later that day.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe booked a couple of taxis using Yandex Go to the 28 Panfilov Guardsmen Park. We saw the Almaty Eternal Flame and the Monument to Kazakh Soldiers Who Died in Afghanistan.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe walked further into the park to see the beautiful Ascension Cathedral, which was a wooden Ukrainian-baroque Russian Orthodox cathedral—very typical in style and architecture.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rFrom here, we split into two groups. The boys and I decided to walk down Dostyk Ave. to see some sights along the way, while the rest took a taxi to wait for us at the Republic Palace. We saw the Zhambyl Monument and the Taras Shevchenko Monument as we walked southwards.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe took a slight detour to see the Shokan Valikhanov Monument and the Oriental Horoscope Fountain, designed by Vladimir Tverdokhlebov. The Pushkin Monument was also right there.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe then walked further and took another small detour to see the Shamshy Kaldayakov Monument in Shamshy Kaldayakov Park and the fountain nearby.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe met up with the rest and saw the Republic Palace and the Abay Kunanbaiuly Monument. We inquired about the Gondola Cableway to see Kok-Tobe Hill but eventually decided against it, since we wouldn\u0026rsquo;t have enough time there and would have to come back down rather quickly to head back to the airport.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rFor lunch, we looked for options nearby and decided to go to Qaganat, a chain of self-service cafeterias in Kazakhstan open 24/7.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAll the staff members were patient and polite; they also identified a member of the team who could speak English to help us with our orders. We had a variety of dumplings and soups.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe wrapped up the meal with decadent desserts and pastries. I could easily see why this was a go-to place for tasty, fast, and affordable meals for students and working professionals.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter a nice lunch, we took a leisurely walk along Satpaev St. to see the Independence Monument and Almaty Madeniet.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe booked a couple of taxis from here and headed back to the airport for our flight to Tbilisi. The mountains flanking the city from the south were even more visible from the airport. The flight had a dinner service onboard; the meal was adequate and the journey was comfortable. We landed in Tbilisi on time. Indian passport holders can enter Georgia visa-free with valid visas from the USA, UK, Schengen area, or Japan. All of us had B1/B2 visas for the USA, and immigration was smooth. We collected our bags and headed out of the terminal building.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe rental car company had given us instructions to meet their agent and collect our van from the parking lot next to the terminal building. They also upgraded us from a Chrysler Downtown to a Mercedes Metris, which was a nice surprise. We loaded our bags, stopped by an ATM on the way to withdraw some cash, and then headed to the hotel for the night.\n🚐 Royal Car Rent\n🛏️ Marcos Hotel\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2025/05/23/","summary":"Day 1 of the trip to the South Caucasus region features a transit through Kazakhstan, exploring Almaty’s iconic monuments and parks before arriving in Tbilisi to collect a Mercedes Metris for the road trip.","title":"South Caucasus - Day 1 🇰🇿"},{"content":"I got up early and went for a walk to Jambiani Beach. It was very cloudy, and there was a spell of rain while I was there. We had a nice breakfast at the hotel and then started our drive to the airport to fly back home.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rIt rained on the way to the airport, and the downpour got heavier as we got closer. We were lucky that the previous few days were mostly sunny or cloudy; otherwise, this whole trip would have been a washout.\nThe rain had almost stopped by the time we reached the airport. We parked the car and waited for the representatives from the rental agency to collect it.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter returning the rental car, we checked in for our flights to Addis Ababa and onwards to Mumbai. We cleared immigration and security, then visited the Marhaba Lounge using our Priority Pass.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe lounge was nice, offering good food options and interesting local beverages. The staff encouraged us to try Stoney Tangawizi, a non-alcoholic ginger beer known for its strong, spicy ginger flavor.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOur flight Ethiopian Airlines 800 to Addis Ababa was direct this time—unlike the inbound flight, which stopped in Kilimanjaro—and was not too long. The skies cleared as we left Zanzibar and flew across the African mainland. A hot meal was served onboard.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rDuring our layover at Addis Ababa airport, we used our Priority Pass to visit the Plaza Premium Lounge.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAs on our previous visit, the lounge offered a great selection of local Ethiopian and Western food.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter relaxing in the lounge, we walked to the gate to board our flight Ethiopian Airlines 640 to Mumbai.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe flight to Mumbai was uneventful, and a dinner service was provided. We landed on time and traveled home to Pune.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r🚘 Zanzibar Maneno Car Rental\n🍽️ Marhaba Lounge\n🍽️ Plaza Premium Lounge\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2025/04/20/","summary":"Day 4 in Zanzibar features a final walk on Jambiani Beach, a direct flight to Addis Ababa, and a layover at the Plaza Premium Lounge before returning to Mumbai.","title":"Zanzibar - Day 4 🇹🇿"},{"content":"We began our day with a nice breakfast at the hotel. We started with fresh fruits and poached eggs along with the set menu for the day, which consisted of a hot sandwich with mozzarella cheese, Visheti (local cake), a banana milkshake, olives, and avocado.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe had booked the Private Dhow Snorkeling Tour from Jambiani via www.getyourguide.com. We left our hotel and drove south across the countryside to Jambiani.\nWe reached Barabara House, left our bags there, and walked to Sweet Beach to begin the tour.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe Dhow boat experience was lovely as we gently cruised over the water.\nIt was quite hot when we started off, and I wasn\u0026rsquo;t sure how we\u0026rsquo;d manage on an open boat for a couple of hours, but after getting into the water, it felt perfect.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThere weren\u0026rsquo;t too many fish to see at the snorkeling site, but the water was amazing to just swim in and around the boat.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThey also served us fresh coconut water, which was very refreshing after swimming in the sun.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe headed back to the beach at the end of the tour and walked back to our hotel for lunch.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe relaxed a little bit in the afternoon and then headed out to see the Kuza Cave. It was late by the time we arrived, so there weren\u0026rsquo;t many people around.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe chose to do only one activity and headed in for a swim in the healing waters of the cave. We were the only ones there, and the water was cool and clean.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe went to Fadhil Restaurant for dinner. While the ambiance was simple, the food was freshly prepared and delicious.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r🚘 Zanzibar Maneno Car Rental\n🤿 Private Dhow Snorkeling Tour\n🍽️ Barabara House\n🍽️ Fadhil Restaurant\n🛏️ Barabara House\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2025/04/19/","summary":"Day 3 in Zanzibar features a traditional Dhow boat excursion, refreshing snorkeling in Jambiani, and a peaceful afternoon dip in the cool, clear waters of Kuza Cave.","title":"Zanzibar - Day 3 🇹🇿"},{"content":"We started our day with a nice breakfast at the hotel. We began with fresh fruits, followed by the set menu for the day: an omelet with vegetables, potato pancakes, a roll with white cheese, toast with butter and jam, and avocado.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe had booked the Mnemba Snorkeling and Dolphin Tour from Nungwi via www.getyourguide.com. We walked from our hotel to the meeting point opposite the Nungwi Inn Beach Restaurant. Someone identified us and took us to a shop to try on fins according to our size. Since we brought our own snorkeling masks, we didn\u0026rsquo;t need to rent those. We were then asked to wait until the rest of the tour group arrived.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOnce everyone had arrived, we boarded our boat and set off. We cruised around the northern part of the island and then started heading south toward Mnemba Island.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOur first stop was the snorkeling point near Mnemba Island. It was beautiful, and there were many fish to see around the coral, though there were also quite a few people in the water.\nNext, we stopped at a sandbank a little further away. Here, the water varied from ankle-deep to waist-deep as we moved further from the main sandbank. We were able to get off the boat, walk around, and enjoy the experience.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOur tour operator had arranged fresh fruits for everyone—bananas, pineapples, and watermelons. It was a welcome treat after being in the water and sun for so long. Little did we know that the weather would turn quickly soon.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rNext up was finding the dolphins and swimming with them. As we headed out from the sandbank, the sky grew dark and cloudy. Before we knew it, it started pouring in the middle of the ocean. The rain hammered us from all sides, and the boat\u0026rsquo;s canopy couldn\u0026rsquo;t do much to keep us dry. As we moved through the water, a pod of dolphins emerged right next to our boat—so close it felt like you could almost touch them. Everyone on the boat was incredibly excited; it was amazing to see these magnificent creatures at such a close range. They were majestic and surprisingly large, all appearing in the middle of a tropical rainstorm.\nOnce the rain subsided, we spotted another pod close to the boat. Eager for a chance to swim with them, I put on my snorkeling mask and jumped in. I was the only one from our boat who did, without fins or a lifejacket. With my mask on, I was able to see several dolphins underwater as they dove from the surface and swam away. They were fast, and very quickly, I found myself in the middle of the ocean with no dolphins in sight and my boat a fair distance away. There was another boat slightly closer with one other person in the water. Just as I had done in Nusa Penida, I decided to swim toward the closer boat rather than attempting to reach my own. However, by the time I reached it, my boat had already circled back for me, so I turned around and climbed back aboard. Seeing the dolphins underwater was one of the best experiences I have ever had.\nAfter I got back on the boat, we headed to the final stop of the tour. Just like that, the sun came out, and it was as if the storm had never happened. We reached a shallow area north of the island\u0026rsquo;s tip, a place famous for large starfish. The water was calm and clear, allowing us to see the seafloor perfectly. I swam around and saw many impressive starfish.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe tour concluded, and we were dropped off at our starting point. We walked to a local restaurant, Mama Africa, for lunch. From the outside, it didn\u0026rsquo;t look like much and was quite different from the photos we had seen online, but the food was actually quite good.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe returned to our room to relax for a while before venturing out again in the evening. We walked through the local shops and markets, though we didn\u0026rsquo;t end up buying anything. Finally, we headed to MJ Cafe for dinner before retiring for the night.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r🚘 Zanzibar Maneno Car Rental\n🤿 Mnemba Snorkeling And Dolphin Tour\n🍽️ Mama Africa\n🍽️ MJ Cafe\n🛏️ Babalao Bungalows\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2025/04/18/","summary":"Day 2 features a thrilling marine adventure from Nungwi: snorkeling at Mnemba Island, a dolphin encounter in a rainstorm, and discovering giant starfish in the shallow turquoise waters.","title":"Zanzibar - Day 2 🇹🇿"},{"content":"\rWe started our journey for a quick trip to Zanzibar today. Our first flight was Ethiopian Airlines 611 from Mumbai to Addis Ababa. I had booked a window seat for myself and an aisle seat for my wife in the last row of economy with the hope that the middle seat would remain empty. However, the flight was completely full, and a co-passenger was assigned to the middle seat. While he likely would have agreed to exchange his middle seat for a window or aisle, we decided to stick with our assigned seats where we were both individually comfortable. The flight was uneventful, and I slept most of the time. Breakfast was served shortly before we landed.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe had a 3-hour and 35-minute layover in Addis Ababa. Since we had access to the Plaza Premium Lounge via Priority Pass, we decided to visit. The lounge was nice, and I especially enjoyed the selection of Ethiopian food on offer, such as Chechebsa and Shiro Watt.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter spending some time there, we headed to the gate for our next flight Ethiopian Airlines 815. We flew south after takeoff, and it was wonderful to see the African plains below. This marked the third time we crossed the equator into the Southern Hemisphere. Lunch was served during the flight.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOur flight to Zanzibar was a one-stop service with a halt in Kilimanjaro. I was really hoping to see Mt. Kilimanjaro during our descent. Based on typical flight approaches, we were seated on the correct side of the aircraft; however, as we got closer, low clouds obscured the view, and we only caught fleeting glimpses of the mountain.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe stop at Kilimanjaro was quick. More passengers disembarked than boarded, and soon we were on our way again. We approached Zanzibar from the north, which meant passengers on the other side of the plane enjoyed great views of Stone Town on the final approach.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter landing, we discovered that we had to purchase mandatory insurance for Zanzibar, despite already having travel insurance. This cost us $80. Immigration and baggage claim were smooth, and we walked to the parking area to collect our car. We had booked through Zanzibar Maneno Car Rental, and they also arranged our Tanzania Driver\u0026rsquo;s Permit for an additional fee.\nWe withdrew some cash from the airport ATM and fueled up for 50k TZS. We drove north, passing Stone Town along the way. Just after passing the Mahonda Police Station, we were stopped by the police. They asked to check our documents, so I showed them the rental papers and the Tanzania Driver\u0026rsquo;s Permit. They then asked to see my original license, which was in my bag. I stepped out of the car to retrieve it and show them. Another officer approached, and the two began talking and giggling. We quickly realized what was coming. They claimed I should not have stepped out of the car and should always have my seatbelt on. Trying to explain that I only got out to show them the license they requested was futile. The second officer told me I would have to go to court to settle the fine or I could pay a \u0026ldquo;bribe\u0026rdquo; of 70k TZS to carry on. Though I was incredibly frustrated because I had done nothing wrong, we were only there for four days and didn\u0026rsquo;t want to waste time in court. He gave me a book to hide the money in before handing it back. We drove on, though the incident left a sour taste in my mouth at the start of our holiday. We were stopped once more later on, but that time they simply checked the documents and let us go.\nWe reached the hotel late in the evening and decided to eat at the onsite restaurant. The food was lovely, and we enjoyed our meal by the poolside before heading to our room for the night.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r🚘 Zanzibar Maneno Car Rental\n🍽️ Babalao Bungalows\n🛏️ Babalao Bungalows\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2025/04/17/","summary":"Day 1 of the Zanzibar trip covers the flight from Mumbai via Addis Ababa, a fleeting look at Mt. Kilimanjaro, and a road trip north to Babalao Bungalows.","title":"Zanzibar - Day 1 🇹🇿"},{"content":"\rAfter confirming our award tickets to South America, I started looking at what else we could do. My brother-in-law had been collecting miles on the Alaska Mileage Plan as well. These miles do not expire as long as the account remains active. If there is no activity for 24 months, the account is locked; however, the miles can still be retrieved for up to one year after that. Not knowing how many more miles he would collect or when, it made sense to use them at the right time.\nAs I looked at options, I found something that would fit perfectly into our trip to South America: a side trip to Easter Island. Easter Island is on almost everyone\u0026rsquo;s bucket list! Let me rephrase that: almost everyone who has heard of Easter Island has it on their bucket list! This was going to be a fantastic way to strike that off.\nFlying from Santiago to Easter Island was going to cost 17,500 miles one-way for each of us. I first booked us round-trip tickets from Santiago to Easter Island. But as I continued with research and award searches, I found out that the number of miles required to fly from Buenos Aires to Easter Island via Santiago was the same. So, I called the Alaska Mileage Plan service number and an agent was able to add the Buenos Aires leg—scheduled for the previous day with an overnight in Santiago—connecting to our existing flight out of Santiago to Easter Island. I kept the return to Santiago as is.\nDate Flight From At To At Airline MON 06 OCT LA 456 BUENOS AIRES, AR (AEP) 20:00 SANTIAGO, CL (SCL) 22:22 LATAM TUE 07 OCT LA 841 SANTIAGO, CL (SCL) 09:25 EASTER ISLAND, CL (IPC) 12:50 LATAM THU 09 OCT LA 842 EASTER ISLAND, CL (IPC) 14:40 SANTIAGO, CL (SCL) 21:10 LATAM With that, we were all set for our trip to Easter Island, thanks to the Alaska Mileage Plan and, more importantly, my brother-in-law.\n70000 miles | 1 airline\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2025/03/14/","summary":"A guide to maximizing Alaska Mileage Plan miles for a side trip to Easter Island via Santiago, featuring routing from Buenos Aires and award pricing details.","title":"Alaska Mileage Plan Award to Easter Island"},{"content":"\rMy brother-in-law and his family had been collecting miles on Lufthansa Miles \u0026amp; More at my behest—or maybe coercion. The miles expire 36 months after the date they are earned, and a large batch of miles was now close to expiry. I checked with them to see if they had any plans to use them, but they didn\u0026rsquo;t, so they asked me to use them if I wanted.\nRedemption on Lufthansa Miles \u0026amp; More is a little different than on United MileagePlus. The number of cross-airline combinations that appear in the results is limited. Additionally, Lufthansa Miles \u0026amp; More passes on fuel surcharges for award tickets, unlike United MileagePlus.\nLooking at the cache of miles that were going to expire, I zeroed in on a redemption to South America to maximize the value of the miles. I think I enjoyed the research and award search for redemptions almost as much as the journey itself.\nFor the outbound journey, we would fly Ethiopian Airlines from Mumbai to Addis Ababa and then connect to the Ethiopian Airlines flight via São Paulo to Buenos Aires in Argentina. This is one of the handful of direct flights between Africa and South America, so it was going to be a novelty to cross the South Atlantic Ocean on our way there.\nDate Flight From At To At Airline THU 02 OCT ET 611 MUMBAI, IN (BOM) 04:05 ADDIS ABABA, ET (ADD) 07:00 ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES THU 02 OCT ET 506 ADDIS ABABA, ET (ADD) 09:50 SAO PAULO, BR (GRU) 16:20 ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES THU 02 OCT ET 506 SAO PAULO, BR (GRU) 17:30 BUENOS AIRES, AR (EZE) 20:25 ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES For the return journey, I found flights that would take us from Santiago in Chile to Panama City on Copa Airlines. After almost a 14-hour layover in Panama City, we would connect to a Turkish Airlines flight to Istanbul and then onwards to Mumbai.\nDate Flight From At To At Airline SAT 11 OCT CM 118 SANTIAGO, CL (SCL) 01:13 PANAMA CITY, PA (PTY) 06:05 COPA AIRLINES SAT 11 OCT TK 801 PANAMA CITY, PA (PTY) 20:00 ISTANBUL, TR (IST) 16:55 (+1) TURKISH AIRLINES SAT 12 OCT TK 720 ISTANBUL, TR (IST) 20:15 MUMBAI, IN (BOM) 05:00 (+1) TURKISH AIRLINES With that, we were all set for our first trip to South America, thanks to Lufthansa Miles \u0026amp; More and, of course, my brother-in-law and his family.\n200,000 miles redeemed | 3 countries\n3 airlines | 4 new airports\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2024/12/11/","summary":"A detailed look at redeeming Lufthansa Miles \u0026amp; More miles for a multi-country South American adventure, featuring a unique crossing of the South Atlantic and a layover in Panama City.","title":"Lufthansa Miles \u0026 More Award to South America"},{"content":"Our red-eye flight Thai Airways 661 from Tokyo Haneda was smooth. We tried to rest as much as we could. There was a meal service onboard.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThailand had recently made entry for Indian passport holders visa-free. We told the immigration officer that we had a long layover and were flying out later the same evening. We cleared immigration, collected our bags, and reached the departure area.\nWe were not able to check in our bags for the next flight until 12 hours before the scheduled departure time. This was probably why the United gate agent in Saipan had not been able to check our bags all the way to Mumbai, even though we were technically on a connecting flight.\nWe waited around in the departure area for the right time to drop off our bags again. Our initial plan was to try and squeeze in a visit to Ayutthaya, or at least spend the day in Bangkok. However, we were quite tired from being on this trip for more than 10 days and decided to skip that, opting to head to the lounge to relax for the day before our evening flight.\nOnce we were able to drop off our bags, we went back through immigration and cleared the security check to get airside again. We tried to visit The Coral First Class Lounge, which was listed as accessible for our DreamFolks cards, but we were denied entry. Instead, they asked us to use the entrance of The Coral Finest Business Class Lounge right next door. It appeared there was a small section reserved for First Class Lounge visitors, but the rest of the facilities for both lounges were shared.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe Coral Finest Business Class Lounge was spacious and spread out, featuring ample seating areas of different types and configurations.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe bathrooms in the Coral Finest Business Class Lounge were impeccably clean.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThere was a full-service bar at the Coral Lounge serving alcoholic drinks, cocktails, and mocktails. I decided to have my favorite cocktail: a Margarita.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe buffet was extensive, featuring a wide spread of food items ranging from Western to Oriental and Thai cuisines.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe had a leisurely lunch and enjoyed the variety of offerings.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe used the time after lunch to relax, and in the afternoon, we had some coffee from the tea and coffee stations.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe left the lounge shortly before our flight and took the underground train to the SAT-1 Airport terminal for our departure gate.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe SAT-1 Airport terminal was bright and airy, featuring a huge metal installation of the \u0026ldquo;Himmapan Elephant.\u0026rdquo;\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe waited around the boarding area for a while until it was time to board. The flight had a very light load, with very few passengers today.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOur flight Thai Airways 317 was comfortable. We were each able to get a row of three seats to lie down after dinner. We landed in Mumbai on time and made our way home to Pune by road.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r🍽️ The Coral Finest Business Class Lounge\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2024/10/09/","summary":"Day 11 features a transit through Bangkok, a day spent relaxing at Suvarnabhumi Airport’s Coral Finest Business Class Lounge, and a comfortable final flight home to Mumbai on Thai Airways.","title":"Pacific Islands - Day 11 🇹🇭"},{"content":"We returned the car at Saipan International Airport and then headed to the United Airlines check-in counters in the departure area. It didn\u0026rsquo;t look like there were any other flights at that time and the airport was empty. We got all our boarding passes through to Mumbai, but the gate agent was only able to tag our bags as far as Bangkok. We would have to collect them there and check them in again for Mumbai.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter clearing the security check, we visited the Hafa Adai Garden lounge at Saipan International Airport. The lounge was not very fancy but still nice.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThere were not too many options for food and drinks. We picked up a little bit for breakfast before our flight.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter some time, we left the Hafa Adai Garden lounge and went to the gate area for boarding our flight, United Airlines 76, for the short hop to Guam.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe flight path took us south, and we got a nice view of Rota International Airport on the way.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe reached Guam airport, but there was no passport check since we were arriving from Saipan. We had reserved a car for the day through priceline.com, and the actual booking was with Budget Rent a Car. We picked up the car and drove out of the airport.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe drove to Governor Joseph Flores Beach Park for our first stop, Ypao Beach. There was ample parking, and it was not very crowded at this time of the day.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe weather was dull and gloomy, but the water still looked nice. It would have looked amazing in the bright sun. We saw the I❤️GUAM and I❤️YPAO signs.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe tried to get to the Mushroom Rock but were not able to find the way to get there. We got nice views of the Tanguisson Beach though.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe then drove to Hagåtña to see the Guam version of the Statue of Liberty.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOur next stop was Plaza de España. We saw Azotea, the elevated terrace which served as the back porch of the Governor\u0026rsquo;s Palace.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe also saw the Chocolate House, one of the most iconic surviving structures at the Plaza de España in Hagåtña.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWhat was left of the Almacen, was now three signature stone arches that served as the entrance to the royal warehouse.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe Governor\u0026rsquo;s Garden at Plaza de España had a fountain and gazebo.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe Guam Museum, across from Plaza de España, is a modern architectural landmark designed to look like a giant Latte Stone or an open book.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe also saw the Joannes Paulus P.P. II Shrine and the Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral-Basilica.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rLocated directly across from the Hagåtña Cathedral was the Guam Congress Building, also known as the Guam Legislature Building.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe walked back to Plaza de España to see the GUAM sign there before driving further.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOur next stop was the Latte of Freedom located at Adelup Point, within the Ricardo J. Bordallo Governor’s Complex. It was modeled after a latte stone and designed to welcome arriving visitors. We got a nice view of the ocrean from there.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rA winding drive up Nimitz Hill on Route 6 brought us to the Asan Bay Overlook and War in The Pacific National Historical Park.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOur next stop was the Bay of Umatac, where Ferdinand Magellan anchored—the first contact between Europe and the Pacific Islands. The Magellan Monument, a tall stone obelisk, marked the spot. We also saw the Humåtak Guam sign at Fort Santo Angelo.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rPerched on a cliffside overlooking Umatac Bay, Fort Nuestra Señora de la Soledad was the most famous and well-preserved of the Spanish fortifications on Guam. Looking down, we also saw the San Dionisio Church.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOur last stop was the Guam Veterans Memorial, honoring the Chamoru men who died in the Vietnam War.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rIt started to rain, and we began our drive back north towards the airport. We returned the rental car, which was a smooth and easy process. We cleared the security check and then boarded our flight, United Airlines 849, to Tokyo Haneda Airport.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter landing, we walked across the terminal to visit the Sky Lounge South at Tokyo Haneda Airport with our Priority Pass.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThere was a decent buffet at Sky Lounge South—not extensive, but adequate. I also saw another automated beer dispenser. The first one I had seen was for Asahi at the United Club at Tokyo Narita Airport many years ago; this time it was for Sapporo.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe had a quick dinner at Sky Lounge South and then headed to the gate for boarding our flight to Bangkok a little before midnight.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r🍽️ Hafa Adai Garden\n🚘 priceline.com\n🍽️ Sky Lounge South\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2024/10/08/","summary":"Day 10 flying from Saipan to Guam, exploring the island\u0026rsquo;s Spanish colonial history, WW2 memorials, and iconic Latte of Freedom before an evening flight to Tokyo.","title":"Pacific Islands - Day 10 🇬🇺"},{"content":"\rWe had a lazy start today and decided to go for an early lunch at Himawari Restaurant.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe menu was quite extensive, and we were spoilt for choice. We really enjoyed the Japanese food there.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter a nice lunch, we drove to Navy Hill to see the Japanese Lighthouse. It is one of the few surviving pre-World War II civilian structures built by the Japanese on the island.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOur next stop was Mount Tapochau. There were multiple routes to the top, and we followed the instructions provided by Google Maps. The ride up was on an unpaved road—bumpy and borderline treacherous in some places—but eventually, we made it.\nMount Tapochau is the highest point on Saipan, standing at 1,554 feet. A set of stairs led us from the summit\u0026rsquo;s small parking area to the main viewing platforms.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe summit of Mount Tapochau features a large white statue of Jesus Christ.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rMt. Tapochau played a strategic role during World War II, and there were many displays highlighting its history.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe summit area provided an unobstructed 360-degree view of the entire island, including the Philippine Sea to the west and the Pacific Ocean to the east.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe road down from the summit was much better. We drove towards Forbidden Island Lookout, a popular scenic viewpoint on the southeastern coast of Saipan that provides a dramatic bird\u0026rsquo;s-eye view of the offshore islet known as Forbidden Island.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rNext, we crossed over to the northwestern side of the island to visit Pau Pau Beach. There was ample parking and facilities, including several concrete pavilions with picnic tables and public showers.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe beach was a long stretch of white sand and a calm lagoon protected by an outer reef, ideal for swimming and snorkeling.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe stayed until sunset and then started our drive south. We decided to go to Kanto Diyes for dinner.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe menu featured a variety of barbecue dishes; the food was both wholesome and flavorful.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r🍽️ Himawari Restaurant\n🍽️ Kanto Diyes\n🚘 expedia.com\n🛏️ G.T. Guest House\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2024/10/07/","summary":"Day 9 of exploration in Saipan featuring a bumpy ride to the island\u0026rsquo;s highest point (Mt. Tapochau), a visit to a pre-WWII Japanese Lighthouse, scenic views of Forbidden Island, and a relaxing sunset snorkel at Pau Pau Beach.","title":"Pacific Islands - Day 9 🇲🇵"},{"content":"We left from Pohnpei on United Airlines 176 a little after midnight. There was a stop in Chuuk and we landed in Guam early in the morning.\nThis was our second transit through Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport. There were many beautiful paintings and artwork in the departure area.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe saw two airbrushed murals by Greg Flores (Cabesa): Restorian Tasi and Lina La Tasi.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOur flight, United Airlines 174, was a quick hop north. This was one of the shortest commercial international flights I have been on.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter landing, we collected our bags and picked up the rental car for the next two days. We had reserved a car for the day through expedia.com, and the actual booking was with Alamo Rent A Car.\nWe had arrived early in the day and our room at G.T. Guest House would not be ready until later, so we decided to visit a few places nearby. Our first stop was the Old Japanese Jail, one of the few surviving pre-World War II structures in Saipan.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rNext, we visited Sugar King Park, a historical and memorial park located in Garapan, Saipan, dedicated to the Japanese era of the Northern Mariana Islands and the man who revolutionized the local economy.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rA bronze statue of Haruji Matsue was in the center of the park. Matsue is credited with successfully establishing the sugar cane industry in the Marianas during the 1920s and 1930s, which became the backbone of the island\u0026rsquo;s economy before WWII.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe Saipan Katori Shrine, a traditional Japanese Shinto shrine, was located within the park grounds as well. It features a classic Torii gate and is still used for cultural ceremonies.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe German Steps, also known as the Deutsche Treppe, were just behind the park on the lower slopes of Navy Hill.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rSaipan International House of Prayer, Nanmeido, was a multi-faith memorial for the souls of Japanese, American, and Chamorro/Carolinian people who died on the island.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rIt is famous for its two monumental bells—the Bell of Peace and the Bell of Love—which serve as symbols of reconciliation and remembrance for those who perished during the Battle of Saipan.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe then drove to the G.T. Guest House where we would be staying for two nights. There was street parking around the property. The place was neat and cozy.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOur room was spacious and comfortable, and the bathroom was large and clean.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe dropped off our bags and then walked to Guangzhou Restaurant for lunch before continuing with the rest of our day.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter lunch, we drove to the northernmost tip of Saipan to see the Banzai Cliff Monument. The area is populated with numerous stone monuments and markers erected by various Japanese organizations and families.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rFacing inland, we could also see Suicide Cliff. This was the site where thousands of Japanese civilians and soldiers jumped to their deaths during the final days of the Battle of Saipan in 1944.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rA prominent memorial there featured the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy (Kannon) overlooking the sea to offer spiritual protection for those lost.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rNext, we stopped to see the Last Japanese Command Post which served as the final operational headquarters for the Japanese military during the U.S. invasion in 1944. The post is built into a natural limestone cave and is now surrounded by an open-air display of rusted WWII relics like anti-aircraft guns.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe saw the Korean Peace Memorial, a commemorative site and tribute to the thousands of Koreans who were brought to the island during the Japanese administration and lost their lives during World War II. Notably, the memorial is oriented to face northwest, toward the Korean Peninsula, to symbolically look back at the homeland the victims were taken from.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe started driving to the top of Suicide Cliff and stopped to see the Instagrammable Saipan sign on the way. We also saw the Hafa Adai \u0026amp; Tirow sign which features the two indigenous greetings of the Northern Mariana Islands: \u0026ldquo;Hafa Adai\u0026rdquo; (Chamorro) and \u0026ldquo;Tirow\u0026rdquo; (Carolinian).\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe followed the road to the top where viewing platforms offered a 360-degree view of northern Saipan, including the USA Veterans Cemetery and Banzai Cliff below. This location represented the last defensive line for the Japanese high command before the island was declared secure by U.S. forces.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rNext, we drove to the Bird Island Lookout located on the island\u0026rsquo;s northeast coast. It provided a nice view of Bird Island (locally known as Isleta Maigo Fanhang), which is in a protected marine sanctuary.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAs we drove back, we saw the Japanese Peace Memorial. This was next to the Korean Peace Memorial and the Last Japanese Command Post we had seen earlier. It was a site in memory of the thousands of Japanese soldiers and civilians who died during the Battle of Saipan in 1944.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rNext, we drove to see the Abandoned Pacific Barrier Radar III (PACBAR III). The purpose of this military relic was to fill a surveillance \u0026ldquo;blind spot\u0026rdquo; between PACBAR I in the Marshall Islands and PACBAR II in the Philippines. Coincidentally, we visited both the Marshall Islands and the Philippines on this trip.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe got back to our guest house by evening and then walked to Micro Beach, known for its white sands and turquoise waters. We could also see Managaha Island in the distance.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe lagoon was protected by an outer reef, which kept the water calm and was excellent for swimming with a very gentle slope. We also got to enjoy the nice views around sunset.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe got back to our guest house to freshen up and then stepped out again to go to The Original Lucky Bill for dinner.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe tried some of the Thai cuisine they had on the menu and the food was good. Having travelled overnight and been out all day today, we retired for the night after dinner.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r🚘 expedia.com\n🍽️ Guangzhou Resturant\n🍽️ The Original Lucky Bill 🛏️ G.T. Guest House\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2024/10/06/","summary":"Day 8 with a quick flight from Guam to Saipan and exploring the deep WWII history, features visits to historical memorials, the abandoned PACBAR III radar site, and a relaxing evening at Micro Beach.","title":"Pacific Islands - Day 8 🇲🇵"},{"content":"Today we were going to travel from Majuro to Guam with a long layover in Pohnpei and officially visit the Federated States of Micronesia. We got packed and ready in the morning and took a taxi to Amata Kabua International Airport.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe airport was very small, as we had seen when we arrived. There weren\u0026rsquo;t too many people, and we were able to check in quickly; our bags were tagged all the way to Saipan. There was a Departure \u0026amp; Security Fee of USD 25 per person to be paid, which was not included in the original ticket price. After the check-in process was completed at the counter, the agent handed the boarding pass to the fee collection officer, who gave the boarding passes to the passengers after payment.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe got our passports stamped and the officer collected the card we had been given on arrival. We reached the boarding area for the flight, which was small but sufficient considering that only narrow-body aircraft serve this airport.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rSoon it was time to leave the Marshall Islands and we boarded our flight, United Airlines 154, to Pohnpei via Kosrae. We got a nice view of Rongrong and the neighboring islands as we climbed out of the Majuro Atoll.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe flight was smooth and we landed in Kosrae International Airport on time. The crew gave continuing passengers the option to wait on board or deplane and re-board with the passengers starting from here. We chose to deplane and spend time on the ground in the waiting room.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe next segment was quick with a beverage service onboard. We got nice views of Mokil Atoll on approach to Pohnpei. After landing in Pohnpei, we also saw Sokehs Rock—a massive basalt cliff and one of the most iconic natural landmarks in the Federated States of Micronesia.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe landed at Pohnpei International Airport, and the United Airlines ground staff was kind enough to hold our bags for this long layover so we didn\u0026rsquo;t have to carry them with us.\nWe took a taxi into town to get some lunch. The first place we wanted to visit was closed, so the driver dropped us off at Town\u0026rsquo;s Diner. They didn\u0026rsquo;t have WiFi for customers as advertised.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe ordered the Town\u0026rsquo;s Diner Combo (breaded fried fish, fried chicken, sashimi, salad, and soup) and a Mongolian Chicken served with rice and salad.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter lunch, we started exploring Kolonia. We first saw the Kolonia Post Office. There was a nice board here showing the distances to various cities around the world.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWalking further, we saw the United Nations Multi-Country Office in Micronesia and the building of the FSM Telecommunications Corporation.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThen we reached the Historic Spanish Wall, a prominent archaeological landmark located in the heart of Kolonia, Pohnpei. It represents the earliest period of European colonial administration on the island.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe also saw the Town Gymnasium and the Western Central Pacific Fisheries Commission as we walked further.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe stopped to see the Cathedral of Ponape Belltower, the most iconic historical landmark in Kolonia, Pohnpei. Also known as the German Belltower, it is the largest remaining structure from the German colonial period on the island.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe started to walk towards the Japanese WW2 Tank Graveyard and saw the Australian Embassy, the Protestant Church, and Pohnpei Cinemas on the way.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe Japanese WW2 Tank Graveyard is a unique, outdoor collection of World War II relics located just outside the main town of Kolonia. It was interesting to see them lined up and resting here after all the action they must have seen.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rIt was getting dark, so we decided to head back toward the airport. We still had time until our flight departure, so we stopped at One World Plaza Cafe \u0026amp; Restaurant for some coffee and relaxation.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe walk to the airport was nice, except for a few dogs that started barking and chasing us for about half a minute before we got onto the Dekehtik Causeway.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe airport was completely empty when we reached—a rare sight. But soon enough, the United Airlines staff and then the passengers arrived. The United Airlines ground staff loaded our bags for this flight, which they had stored for us earlier in the day.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe cleared the security check and reached the boarding area, which had two gates. We waited there for some time and then boarded our flight to Guam via Chuuk, which was scheduled to leave a little after midnight.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r🍽️ Town\u0026rsquo;s Diner \u0026amp; Coffee Shop\n☕ One World Plaza Cafe \u0026amp; Restaurant\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2024/10/05/","summary":"Day 7 of island hopping across Micronesia, featuring views of the Mokil Atoll and Sokehs Rock, followed by a historical walk around Kolonia, Pohnpei.","title":"Pacific Islands - Day 7 🇫🇲"},{"content":"\rWe got up in the morning to the sound of waves on the beach. We had brought ready-mix tea and coffee along with us, which just needed hot water added, and we had some muffins. This was breakfast with a view!\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe spent some time in the water again to make the most of the opportunity to swim and snorkel while we were here.\nAfter some time around the beach, I swam back out to the pontoon along the rope and enjoyed swimming and snorkelling there.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rBack at the beach, the tide was low and we were able to walk along the shore to the western tip of the island. All this time in the water without sunscreen since yesterday had really left my back and arms sunburned.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe water level between us and the next island to the west had dropped quite a bit, and it seemed like one could just wade across.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe crossed over to the northern coast of the island from here to see the Pacific side once again.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe walked back to the lagoon and packed our things. The boat was scheduled to arrive to pick us up. We thanked the caretaker and the attendant (who were the only two people on the island since yesterday apart from us) and took the boat ride across the lagoon to Uliga Pier. Our boat captain showed us the sunken airplane in the lagoon on our way back, but it had started raining, so we were not able to get good pictures of it from the surface.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter reaching Uliga Pier, we had lunch at the Tide Table Restaurant \u0026amp; Lounge at Hotel Robert Reimers before taking a taxi back to our Airbnb.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe relaxed at the Airbnb for the rest of the day and packed our bags. We would be starting our journey homeward tomorrow. In the evening, we went to the Enra Restaurant at the Marshall Islands Resort for dinner.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r🍽️ Tide Table Restaurant \u0026amp; Lounge at Hotel Robert Reimers\n🍽️ Enra Restaurant at the Marshall Islands Resort\n🛏️ Airbnb - Room in Marshall Islands\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2024/10/04/","summary":"Day 6 with a morning on Eneko Island involving swimming, snorkelling at the lagoon pontoon, and exploring the island coast before returning to Majuro.","title":"Pacific Islands - Day 6 🇲🇭"},{"content":"\rWe checked out of our Airbnb and left most of our luggage there, as we planned to return the following day. Our goal for today was to spend the day and stay overnight at Eneko Island. We started our morning with a hearty breakfast at the Tide Table Restaurant \u0026amp; Lounge at Hotel Robert Reimers.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rBookings for visiting or staying at Eneko Island must be made through Hotel Robert Reimers. Our Airbnb host had kindly made the booking for us in advance; we settled the payment yesterday and collected our vouchers for the transport and stay. We departed from the Uliga Pier.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAs we traversed the lagoon toward the northwest, the boat ride was nothing short of spectacular. Between the sun, the sky, and the shimmering water, it was a true visual treat.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rEneko Island truly was a tropical paradise: soft sand beaches, lush green flora, and inviting blue waters.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe main cottage had three rooms: one bedroom to the left with en-suite facilities and two bedrooms to the right with a shared bathroom. Since there were no other guests on the island, we had the entire place to ourselves.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe primary bedroom was neat and tidy, equipped with a side table and a pedestal fan. Extra mattresses were available, though we didn\u0026rsquo;t need them. The bathroom was clean and perfectly adequate for our stay.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThere was a shared kitchen next to the main cottage where we could prepare meals. It was basic, but included all the necessary amenities and utensils, such as a gas stove and counter seating. As Eneko Island has no restaurant, we had to bring all our food and water for the two days with us on the boat. We brought some \u0026ldquo;heat-and-eat\u0026rdquo; meals from home for this purpose.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe grounds also featured common areas for larger groups, outdoor showers, and relaxing lounge chairs on the beach. We dropped our bags in the room and were in the water within minutes.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rA pontoon floated some distance away, anchored in the water and connected to a tree on the shore by a long rope. I swam out along the submerged line to reach it, finding some great snorkeling spots around the structure.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe snorkeling was amazing; we saw beautiful coral and plenty of fish. In hindsight, I definitely should have applied sunscreen to my back before rushing into the water!\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe island is quite narrow, and we enjoyed walking through the tropical vegetation to reach the northern beach facing the Pacific Ocean.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThis was the outer side of the atoll, and the ocean waves here were much more intense than on the calm lagoon side.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rReturning to the lagoon side, we spent the evening in the water. Watching the sunset to the west was a truly wonderful sight.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe sky transformed into a canvas of beautiful colors after the sun went down.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAs it became dark, we prepared dinner and enjoyed our meal right on the beach. From our quiet spot, we could see the distant lights of Majuro flickering across the lagoon.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r🛏️ Eneko Weekend Getaway\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2024/10/03/","summary":"Day 5 spent on Eneko Island, a tropical paradise in the Majuro Atoll. Highlights include a private beach cottage stay and incredible snorkeling and stunning sunset views.","title":"Pacific Islands - Day 5 🇲🇭"},{"content":"\rThe boats to and from Arno run on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday every week. We could have gone today and returned on Friday, but since we were flying out on Saturday, I wanted to keep a buffer day in between. If the Friday boat had been cancelled for any reason, we would not have made it back for our return flights. So, we decided to make a day trip today to see a little bit of Arno.\nWe took a taxi to Hotel Robert Reimers for USD 2 per person. The boat was scheduled to leave from the dock nearby at around 10:00 AM. It is the only public transport between the islands and is used by both passengers and cargo. While private charters are available, they are much more expensive. This trip cost us USD 15 per person each way, and we paid in cash.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe boat only had locals on board, and we were the only tourists. There were a few other passengers like us, however—locals making a quick trip there and back. The captain\u0026rsquo;s wife kindly offered us a couple of bottles of water and some cakes to eat.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOur journey took us toward the Majuro Bridge, the highest point on the Majuro Atoll. Until this point, our boat remained in the calm waters of the lagoon. The Majuro Bridge, often referred to as the Japan-Marshall Bridge, connects the islets of Delap and Uliga and separates the Majuro Lagoon from the Pacific Ocean.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOnce we passed under the bridge and reached the open ocean, the water became much choppier. We could feel the power of the waves as our boat cut across the Pacific.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe trip took about 45 minutes, and we soon began to see the palm-lined coast of Arno Atoll in the distance. As we drew closer to the shore, the water transitioned from a deep royal blue to a shimmering, transparent turquoise.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe walked from the Arno dock on the Pacific side to the beach on the other side, which faced the internal Arno lagoon.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rIt was more beautiful than words can describe—it almost seemed unreal.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe enjoyed strolling along the soft white sand, and the water was perfect for a quick swim.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI wish we could have spent more time at Arno, but even a short visit was better than not seeing this paradise at all. We boarded the boat once again and headed back out into the ocean, leaving Arno behind as we made our way toward Majuro.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter returning to Majuro, we had a late lunch at the Tide Table Restaurant \u0026amp; Lounge at Hotel Robert Reimers. We then headed back to our Airbnb to relax for a while.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe stepped out again in the evening for a walk. Knowing there were few late-night dining options nearby, we decided to eat early. The Enra Restaurant at the Marshall Islands Resort was close by, and since we enjoyed the food there yesterday, we returned for dinner.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r🍽️ Tide Table Restaurant \u0026amp; Lounge at Hotel Robert Reimers\n🍽️ Enra Restaurant at the Marshall Islands Resort\n🛏️ Airbnb - Room in Marshall Islands\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2024/10/02/","summary":"Day 4 with a scenic trip from Majuro to Arno Atoll via the local public ferry, featuring pristine beaches and a crossing of the Japan-Marshall Bridge.","title":"Pacific Islands - Day 4 🇲🇭"},{"content":"This was part of Pacific Islands - Day 3 🇲🇭.\nThe Alele Museum and Public Library had many sections and exhibits with loads of information to peruse.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe Marshallese are world-renowned for their \u0026ldquo;Meto\u0026rdquo; (navigation) skills, which allowed them to cross vast distances without modern instruments. There were Rebbelip (large charts covering major portions of both island chains) and Wappepe (smaller charts depicting wave patterns common to all atolls) on display.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOutrigger canoes were the backbone of the economy. Walap were large sailing vessels (up to 30m) capable of carrying 40 people on open-sea voyages. Tipnol were mid-sized canoes for lagoon and open-sea fishing, and Korkor were small rowing canoes for lagoon travel. Builders often carved unique shapes at the end of the canoe (jim), which served as a personal \u0026ldquo;signature\u0026rdquo; of their expertise.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOver 50 recorded fishing techniques were on display, including: Wu (submerged wooden fish traps), Me (large stone weirs constructed on reefs), and Kaaj (specialized fishhooks made of mother-of-pearl or ironwood).\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rTattooing (Eo) was a sacred process that served as a distinct marker of Marshallese identity. Motifs were abstract pictographs rooted in the environment, such as fish markings or shell patterns. A man’s chest tattoo symbolized a canoe, while the back triangle represented the ocean. The tattooing adze (ni) featured bone chisels made from the wings of albatross or frigate birds. The black pigment (mamōj) was created from charred coconut fibers.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWeaving was a \u0026ldquo;treasured cultural asset\u0026rdquo; that traditionally permeated every aspect of daily life. The Alele basket was a soft-sided pandanus bag used to hold a family\u0026rsquo;s most valuable possessions, passed down through the eldest woman. Jaki-ed and Nieded are intricately designed clothing mats.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe 20th century introduced a period of profound trauma as the islands became a site for United States nuclear testing. Operation Crossroads (1946) included the \u0026ldquo;Baker Shot\u0026rdquo; at Bikini Atoll. Operation Castle (1954) featured the \u0026ldquo;Bravo\u0026rdquo; explosion, which was the largest ever made by the U.S. and caused significant fallout. The people of Bikini Atoll were forced to leave their homes in 1946 after final prayers at their graveyard. Residents of Rongelap and other atolls suffered radiation exposure, requiring decades of medical monitoring. It was all quite somber to read.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r📷 Alele Museum and Public Library\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2024/10/01-1500/","summary":"A deep dive into Marshallese heritage at the Alele Museum. Highlights include traditional \u0026lsquo;Meto\u0026rsquo; navigation charts, the craftsmanship of Walap sailing canoes, the intricate art of weaving and tattooing, and an educational look at the 20th-century nuclear testing era.","title":"Alele Museum and Public Library 🇲🇭"},{"content":"\rAfter a long day of travel, we had a lazy start to the morning. Since we were five hours ahead of our home time zone, our body clocks were still catching up. We planned to explore Majuro today. We set out after lunchtime, and our first stop was the Alele Museum and Public Library. We reached it by shared taxi; the fare was USD 2 per person to go anywhere in Majuro. The taxis drive continuously along the only main road on the island, and you can flag one down going in your desired direction.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe Alele Museum and Public Library features many exhibits and a wealth of information about the Marshall Islands, making it a wonderful experience. Afterward, we started walking back toward our Airbnb. We passed by the City Courthouse — Imon Ekajet — and then the Payless Supermarket.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe then passed the College of the Marshall Islands, with the Majuro Fire Station located just across from it.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rFurther along, we saw the Cathedral of the Assumption, which serves as the seat of the Apostolic Prefecture of the Marshall Islands.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rNext, we saw the Marshall Islands National Telecommunications Authority (NTA). It is the sole provider of telecommunications services in the country.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWalking past the International Convention Center and continuing along the main road, we spotted the Flame Tree Backpackers Hostel and the Formosa Shopping Center.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rBy evening, we decided to have dinner at the Enra Restaurant at the Marshall Islands Resort. They have a lovely patio with outdoor seating overlooking the lagoon.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rIt was wonderful to relax there and enjoy the view. Afterward, we walked back to our Airbnb, which was a short distance away, and then turned in for the night.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r🍽️ Enra Restaurant at the Marshall Islands Resort\n🛏️ Airbnb - Room in Marshall Islands\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2024/10/01/","summary":"Day 3 discovering Majuro, the heart of the Marshall Islands. Visit the Alele Museum for local history, explore the Cathedral of the Assumption, and dine at Enra Restaurant overlooking the beautiful Majuro Lagoon.","title":"Pacific Islands - Day 3 🇲🇭"},{"content":"Our flight United Airlines 184 landed in Guam very early in the morning, around 4:15 AM. Guam is a territory of the United States. So, even for transit, we had to clear immigration and were granted entry with our B1/B2 visa for the USA. Contrary to previous experiences of always having to collect bags at the first point of entry into the USA, we were told that our bags would be directly transferred to the next flight so we would not have to collect and re-check them here.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rFrom Arrivals, we walked to Departures and cleared the security check to get airside again.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe got access to the Sagan Bisita lounge using our PNB RuPay Select credit card. It was nice to see that a credit card on the Indian RuPay network gave us international lounge access all the way in Guam. The lounge was basic but spacious; the decor, ambiance, and some of the food options felt more like the USA than Asia.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThere were lots of options for food and drinks. Apart from the standard fare, there was Asian fried rice and hotdogs.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe were going to be in the air for the whole day, so we had a nice breakfast as we waited for our next flight United Airlines 155.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe first segment of the flight was from Guam at 7:55 AM to Chuuk at 9:45 AM. Chuuk, also known as Truk, is one of the four states of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). A small snack was served on board.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter landing, the crew gave the continuing passengers the option to wait on board or deplane and re-board with the passengers who were starting from here. We obviously chose to deplane and spend time on the ground here, in the waiting room.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe second segment of the flight, United Airlines 155, was from Chuuk at 10:30 AM reaching Pohnpei at 12:50 PM. There was a beverage service on board. We got nice views of Oroluk Atoll as we approached Pohnpei.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rPohnpei is the largest island of, and one of the four states of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM); its capital is Kolonia. We decided to deplane here as well; we also had a long layover here on our way back.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe third segment of the flight was from Pohnpei at 1:30 PM reaching Kosrae at 2:45 PM. There was a beverage service on board. We got nice views of Kosrae as we approached.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rKosrae is the smallest state by area within the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). We spent about 45 minutes on the ground here.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe fourth segment of the flight was from Kosrae at 2:45 PM reaching Kwajalein at 5:35 PM. A small snack was served on the way. Kwajalein Atoll is part of the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI). The US Navy has had a naval base on Kwajalein since World War II. Because of this, we were asked not to take any photos or videos during our time on the island runway.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe fifth segment of the flight was from Kwajalein at 5:35 PM reaching Majuro at 7:20 PM. We encountered lots of rain on our way. We could see the lights of Majuro as we got closer to the ground, and then suddenly, we picked up speed again. Our pilot announced that we had missed the approach and would now attempt a landing from the other side. The second time we landed as expected and deplaned. The flight continued to Honolulu (HNL) from Majuro.\nThe airport was very basic and our passports were stamped, granting us entry into the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI). The taxi fare from the airport to anywhere in the main area was USD 8 per person. We took a taxi to the Marshall Islands Resort where our Airbnb host met us and took us to our accommodation.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r💳 PNB Rupay Select\n🍽️ Sagan Bisita\n🛏️ Airbnb - Room in Marshall Islands\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2024/09/30/","summary":"Day 2 aboard the United Airlines Island Hopper, traversing the Pacific from Guam to the Marshall Islands with four intermediate stops in Chuuk, Pohnpei, Kosrae, and Kwajalein.","title":"Pacific Islands - Day 2 🇲🇭"},{"content":"We left from Mumbai on Thai Airways 318 for Bangkok at 11:35 PM, a little before midnight.\nThere was a meal service onboard, and the rest of the flight was comfortable. We landed on time around 5:35 AM.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rDuring transit at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport, we visited the Miracle Lounge near Gate D5 for a quick breakfast.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThey had the usual breakfast spread: cereal, fruits, bacon, and eggs, along with dim sum.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOur next flight was Thai Airways 620 at 7:25 AM, which took us from Bangkok, across the South China Sea, to Manila.\nThere was a meal service onboard and the rest of the flight went by quickly; we landed in Manila at around 11:45 AM.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe were met by a ground agent after we deplaned. He was aware of our connection between Thai Airways and United Airlines. He instructed us to clear immigration and collect our luggage (which was not checked all the way to our final destination). He told us where we could leave our bags at the airport if we wanted to head into the city.\nWe took a taxi from the airport to the Manila Cathedral, also known as the Minor Basilica and Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. We hired an electric tuk-tuk from here for a local sightseeing tour of Intramuros.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe next stop was the Manila 1945 Memorial, officially known as Memorare – Manila 1945. It is a memorial located in Plaza de Santa Isabel dedicated to the over 100,000 non-combatant civilians who were killed during the month-long Battle of Manila in February 1945.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe then headed to the San Agustin Church (officially the Church of the Immaculate Conception of San Agustin), the oldest stone church in the Philippines. It is famous for its vaulted ceilings and detailed frescoes.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe visited Casa Manila next, a restored 1850s house which is now a museum displaying Spanish colonial furniture, art, and architecture. Instituto Cervantes was nearby.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe passed by Museo de Intramuros on our way to see the Philippine Presidents\u0026rsquo; Murals: artwork featuring large plaques of all former presidents of the Philippines.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rNext, we saw Baluartillo de San Jose and Reducto de San Pedro, two interconnected defensive structures located along the southwestern wall of Intramuros. They represent a unique layer of the city\u0026rsquo;s military history, famously serving as a command center during the early days of World War II.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOur next stop was the San Diego Gardens, featuring a Renaissance-style fountain and the Japanese Cannon, one of the few remaining large-scale relics of the Battle of Manila (1945).\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe saw the Puerta Real (The Royal Gate) and the Puerta Real Gardens, which served as the grand southern gateway to Intramuros.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rRevellin del Parian was our next stop, an outer fortification located on the eastern side of Intramuros, best known for housing the ASEAN Garden.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rCircling back, we saw the monument for Felipe II, Rey de España (King Philip II of Spain), a bronze statue located in Plaza de España honoring the Spanish monarch after whom the Philippines was named. Fort Santiago, a 16th-century citadel, served as a military headquarters for Spanish, British, American, and Japanese forces.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter the tour, we walked across Rizal Park and saw the Bust of President Diosdado P. Macapagal, the 9th President of the Philippines, and the Statue of the Sentinel of Freedom (Lapu-Lapu), a massive bronze monument located at the center of Agrifina Circle.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe visited the National Museum of Natural History. The building had a beautiful atrium and many zoological, botanical, and geological exhibits on display.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter spending some time there, we had to head back. We took a taxi from the museum gate back to the airport. We picked up our bags from storage and dropped them off at the United Airlines check-in counter. After clearing security and immigration, we decided to visit the Marhaba Lounge.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe lounge was not very big, but it had a good selection of food and drinks. Overall, it was a nice place to wait before the next flight.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rHaving skipped lunch because we wanted to make the most of our day in Manila, we were hungry. We got dinner and relaxed there for a while.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe left the lounge to board our flight to Guam, United Airlines 184 at 10:25 PM. There was a meal service onboard, and it was amusing to be flying a United Airlines narrow-body aircraft in this part of the world.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r🍽️ Miracle Lounge\n🚖 Grab Taxi\n🍽️ Marhaba Lounge\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2024/09/29/","summary":"Day 1 starting from Mumbai and a whirlwind transit adventure in Manila. Highlights include a guided tuk-tuk tour of the Walled City of Intramuros and a visit to the National Museum of Natural History.","title":"Pacific Islands - Day 1 🇵🇭"},{"content":"My brother-in-law and family had been collecting miles on Lufthansa Miles \u0026amp; More at my behest—or maybe coercion. The miles expire 36 months after the date you earn them, and some miles in two of their accounts were close to expiry. I checked with them to see if they had any plans to use them, but they didn\u0026rsquo;t, so they asked me to use them if I wanted.\nLooking at the number of miles close to expiry, I zeroed in on a redemption to Zanzibar. We had the choice to book separate round-trip tickets for each of us from each account or book two one-way tickets for us together from each account. Considering that it would be better to be on the same PNR if there was any disruption, we decided on the latter approach.\nFor the outbound journey, we would fly Ethiopian Airlines from Mumbai to Addis Ababa and then connect to the Ethiopian Airlines flight via Kilimanjaro to Zanzibar.\nDate Flight From At To At Airline THU 17 APR ET 611 MUMBAI, IN (BOM) 04:05 ADDIS ABABA, ET (ADD) 07:00 ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES THU 17 APR ET 815 ADDIS ABABA, ET (ADD) 10:35 KILIMANJARO, TZ (JRO) 12:55 ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES THU 17 APR ET 815 KILIMANJARO, TZ (JRO) 14:05 ZANZIBAR, TZ (ZNZ) 15:15 ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES For the return journey, we would fly from Zanzibar to Addis Ababa and then onwards to Mumbai.\nDate Flight From At To At Airline SUN 20 APR ET 800 ZANZIBAR, TZ (ZNZ) 12:15 ADDIS ABABA, ET (ADD) 14:40 ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES SUN 20 APR ET 640 ADDIS ABABA, ET (ADD) 18:20 MUMBAI, IN (BOM) 02:05 (+1) ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES With that, we were all set for our first trip to Zanzibar, thanks to Lufthansa Miles \u0026amp; More and, of course, my brother-in-law and his family.\n70,000 miles redeemed | 1 country\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2024/09/15/","summary":"A practical look at redeeming Lufthansa Miles \u0026amp; More miles for a trip to Zanzibar, featuring Ethiopian Airlines flight schedules from Mumbai.","title":"Lufthansa Miles \u0026 More Award to Zanzibar"},{"content":"\rWe got up early to see the sunrise at Hotel Himalayan Villa. However, the clouds and the haze played spoilsport, and we were not really able to see anything. Apparently, the view of the Himalayan ranges from here is supposed to be awesome, and it was the main reason we had booked a night here. Anyway, things like the weather are not in your control.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe spent some time on the terrace, which was nice and pleasant, and then had breakfast. We packed and checked out of the hotel as we would be traveling to Pokhara today. It was going to be a long day of driving.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe drove northwest towards Pokhara and stopped at Hill Top Restaurant around lunchtime. We ordered the vegetarian Nepali thali here, and it was very nice. The food was freshly prepared, tasty, and very local.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter lunch, we went to visit the Manakamana Temple. Located roughly halfway between Kathmandu and Pokhara, it is a popular stop for travelers moving between the two cities.\nWe used the Manakamana Cable Car, Nepal\u0026rsquo;s first cable car system, to get to the top to visit the temple. Our driver left us near the base station where we bought tickets for the cable car. We covered a distance of about 2.8 km in roughly 10 minutes.\nThe Manakamana Temple is a classic example of the Nepalese Pagoda style, featuring a tiered roof and exquisite wood carvings.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe upper station of the cable car was almost empty when we reached there. We took the cable car back down to the base station and then proceeded to Pokhara.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe reached Pokhara in the late evening and checked in to Three Jewels Boutique Hotel, where we would be staying for two nights. We stepped out for dinner and went to the nearby Nanglo Thakali Bhancha Ghar. It was there that we first had one of our favorite dishes of the trip: Peanut Sandheko.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r🚐 Smile Car Rental\n🍽️ Hill Top Restaurant\n🍽️ Nanglo Thakali Bhancha Ghar\n🛏️ Three Jewels Boutique Hotel\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2024/06/02/","summary":"On Day 2 of our Nepal trip, we traveled from Nagarkot to Pokhara. Highlights included a vegetarian Nepali thali at Hill Top Restaurant and a visit to the historic Manakamana Temple via the famous cable car.","title":"Nepal - Day 2 🇳🇵"},{"content":"\rWe started our day with a red-eye flight, Air India 848, from Pune to Delhi. We had a short transit at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, where we were greeted by the iconic \u0026ldquo;Global Warning\u0026rdquo; recycled art installation. We cleared immigration and boarded our next flight, Air India 213, to Kathmandu.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter landing at Tribhuvan International Airport, we collected our bags and bought a local SIM card for phone data at one of the kiosks. We were welcomed by the \u0026ldquo;Welcome to Nepal\u0026rdquo; sign and traditional Newari artwork. We booked a Toyota HiAce with a driver from Smile Car Rental for the six of us during our stay. I had discussed the itinerary and rates on WhatsApp. We met our driver, Santosh, in the parking lot, loaded our bags, and were off.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOur first stop was the famous Durbar Square in Bhaktapur. We bought our tickets and walked up an incline to reach the main square. This is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a living museum of medieval Newari architecture, art, and culture.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe visited the National Art Museum and the Golden Gate (Lu Dhowka), a gilded masterpiece that serves as the entrance to the 55-window Palace (Pachpanna Jhyale Durbar) and the Taleju Bell.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe also saw the Vatsala Devi (Durga) Temple and the Narasimha (Narsingha) Temple. The Radhakrishna Temple—also called the Gopinath or Jagannath Temple—and the Siddhi Lakshmi Temple were nearby.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe explored the Naga Pokhari (Serpent Pond), a royal bathing tank located within the palace grounds. The basin is encircled by a stone Naga (snake), with a tall pole in the center topped by a gilded serpent head.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe Harihar Narayan Temple was another impressive structure built in terracotta brick and stone. Constructed in the Shikhara style (resembling a mountain peak), it is more typical of North Indian stone architecture.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rLater in the afternoon, we visited the Changu Narayan Temple, the oldest continuously functioning Hindu temple in Nepal. A UNESCO World Heritage Site dedicated to Lord Vishnu, this temple features a two-tiered pagoda with a gilded roof, detailed wood carvings, and stone statues of Vishnu\u0026rsquo;s avatars.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter a long day, we drove up to Nagarkot. We had booked Hotel Himalayan Villa for the night. Our rooms had direct views of the valley; although the mountains were partially hidden by clouds, the cool and pleasant weather was incredibly refreshing.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe had dinner at the onsite restaurant and ended our first day with a delicious Nepali feast. We sampled traditional momos with a spicy dipping sauce, hearty noodle soup, and various local stir-fried dishes.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r🚐 Smile Car Rental\n🍽️ Hotel Himalayan Villa\n🛏️ Hotel Himalayan Villa\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2024/06/01/","summary":"Day 1 of our Nepal adventure kicks off with a flight via Delhi to Kathmandu. Follow our first day as we dive into Newari history at Bhaktapur, visit the ancient Changu Narayan Temple, and settle into the misty mountain views of Nagarkot.","title":"Nepal - Day 1 🇳🇵"},{"content":"\rI had always wanted to do the Pacific Island Hopper after reading about it many years ago. It was operated by Continental Micronesia (which was a wholly owned subsidiary of Continental Airlines) and, after the merger, by United Airlines. One of the best—and probably the only practical—ways to experience this was with an award redemption ticket using miles. I have been collecting miles on United MileagePlus for quite some time, and this was one of the best ways to use them.\nAward tickets were bookable when I made the reservation from India to Micronesia, but as the date got closer, these itineraries stopped appearing in the search results. United also increased the miles needed for redemption across almost all sectors. I am glad that I booked when I did.\nAfter extensive research and award availability searches, I was finally able to zero in on our travel plans. United MileagePlus has a useful benefit called the \u0026ldquo;Excursionist Perk\u0026rdquo;, which offers a free one-way award within select multi-city itineraries. With that, I was able to book award tickets from India to the Marshall Islands, then to Saipan, and finally back to India for 136,600 miles. The journey from the Marshall Islands to Saipan cost us 0 miles thanks to the Excursionist Perk!\nOur first flight will be on Thai Airways on Saturday, September 28th, leaving Mumbai at 11:55 PM and reaching Bangkok at 05:35 AM. There, we will connect to a Thai Airways flight at 07:25 AM, reaching Manila at 11:45 AM. We have a long layover in Manila of 10 hours and 25 minutes. That night, we will fly United Airlines from Manila at 10:25 PM, reaching Guam at 04:15 AM, and continuing at 06:50 AM to reach Majuro at 07:20 PM.\nDate Flight From At To At Airline SAT 28 SEP TG 318 Mumbai, IN (BOM) 23:55 Bangkok, TH (BKK) 05:35 AM (+1) Thai Airways SUN 29 SEP TG 620 Bangkok, TH (BKK) 07:25 AM Manila, PH (MNL) 11:45 AM Thai Airways SUN 29 SEP UA 184 Manila, PH (MNL) 10:25 PM Guam, GU, US (GUM) 04:15 AM (+1) United Airlines MON 30 SEP UA 155 Guam, GU, US (GUM) 07:55 AM Majuro, MH (MAJ) 07:20 PM United Airlines After spending four days in the Marshall Islands, we would travel from the Marshall Islands to Saipan via Pohnpei. We would leave Majuro at 11:10 AM on Saturday, October 5th, on United Airlines, reaching Pohnpei at 02:40 PM. After a layover of 10 hours and 05 minutes in Pohnpei, we would take a United Airlines red-eye flight leaving at 12:45 AM and reaching Guam at 03:45 AM on Sunday, October 6th and then connect at 08:00 AM to reach Saipan at 08:50 AM.\nDate Flight From At To At Airline SAT 05 OCT UA 154 Majuro, MH (MAJ) 11:10 AM Pohnpei, FM (PNI) 02:40 PM United Airlines SUN 06 OCT UA 176 Pohnpei, FM (PNI) 12:45 AM Guam, GU, US (GUM) 03:45 AM United Airlines SUN 06 OCT UA 174 Guam, GU, US (GUM) 08:00 AM Saipan, MP, US (SPN) 08:50 AM United Airlines After spending two days in Saipan, we would start our return journey to India. We would leave Saipan at 09:50 AM on Tuesday, October 8th, on United Airlines, reaching Guam at 10:35 AM. After 8 hours and 35 minutes in Guam, we would connect at 07:10 PM, reaching Tokyo at 10:00 PM, and then connect to a Thai Airways flight at 12:20 AM to reach Bangkok the next morning at 04:50 AM. After 14 hours and 45 minutes in Bangkok, we would take a Thai Airways flight at 06:55 PM, reaching Mumbai at 09:55 PM.\nDate Flight From At To At Airline TUE 08 OCT UA 76 Saipan, MP, US (SPN) 09:50 AM Guam, GU, US (GUM) 10:35 AM United Airlines TUE 08 OCT UA 849 Guam, GU, US (GUM) 07:10 PM Tokyo, JP (HND) 10:00 PM United Airlines WED 09 OCT TG 661 Tokyo, JP (HND) 12:20 AM Bangkok, TH (BKK) 04:50 AM Thai Airways WED 09 OCT TG 317 Bangkok, TH (BKK) 06:55 PM Mumbai, IN (BOM) 09:55 PM Thai Airways I booked the award ticket on the united.com website. Our initial outbound flights were on Singapore Airlines, but we hadn\u0026rsquo;t flown Thai Airways since 2007 and wanted to try them; this choice also provided more time in Manila. We switched to Thai Airways for the outbound segments as well. With this, we were all set for our trip to Micronesia, thanks to United MileagePlus.\n136,600 miles redeemed | 18 segments\n5 countries | 2 airlines\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2024/04/14/","summary":"A comprehensive guide to redeeming United MileagePlus miles for an 18-segment journey through Micronesia. Highlights include leveraging the Excursionist Perk for a free leg and a detailed flight itinerary from Mumbai through the Pacific Islands.","title":"United MileagePlus Award to Micronesia"},{"content":"\rWe started the day with breakfast and then a leisurely walk in Saigon Central Park. We also saw the HCMC Visitor Information and Support Center there.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe saw the Military Bank Building with the \u0026ldquo;MB\u0026rdquo; logo and red star on top, and the Bitexco Financial Tower, the second-tallest building in the city. We continued to walk past the Ben Thanh Market, a historic landmark and one of the most famous traditional markets in Ho Chi Minh City.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe spent some time at the Statue of Ho Chi Minh. Designed by Vietnamese painter and sculptor Lam Quang Noi, the monument is meant to reflect the leader\u0026rsquo;s humble and approachable image.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rA historical plaque located here marks the spot where revolutionary forces declared they had seized control of Saigon from Japanese occupation, following the collapse of the French colonial administration earlier in 1945. The People\u0026rsquo;s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City building was right behind this.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe Ho Chi Minh City People\u0026rsquo;s Committee Building, one of the most iconic and photographed landmarks in the city, was a premier example of French colonial architecture, specifically designed in the Renaissance revival style. It now serves as the administrative headquarters for the People\u0026rsquo;s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe walked to see the Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon, one of the most significant religious and historical landmarks in Ho Chi Minh City. Unfortunately, it was being restored and was covered in scaffolding from top to bottom. The Our Lady of Peace Statue stood in the center of the small park in front of the cathedral.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe Saigon Central Post Office, the largest post office in Vietnam, was a fully operational postal hub while serving as a major tourist attraction. It had retained some vintage features like the antique wooden telephone booths. A bronze statue titled \u0026ldquo;Giao Bưu\u0026rdquo; commemorates the postal and telecommunications workers of the South who served during the resistance wars.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe then walked over to see the Saigon Opera House. It was inspired by the Petit Palais in Paris, with a facade featuring ornate statues, reliefs, and a grand central clock.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe Willow Tree Roundabout, Bùng Binh Cây Liễu, had a nice fountain in the middle and you could see the Saigon Opera House and Ho Chi Minh City People\u0026rsquo;s Committee Building nearby.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe walked through Tao Dan Park and saw the Mahatma Gandhi Bust symbolizing India-Vietnam friendship. The park also had a dedicated Sculpture Garden with many other abstract and interesting pieces.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe walked back towards Long Hostel and then decided to go to Phượng Hoàng for lunch. It was a small place and had a local feel to it.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThere were lots of options to choose from and the food was freshly prepared and tasty. We enjoyed Vietnamese cuisine for lunch there.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe had some time before we had to go back to the airport so we walked across Ngã năm Cống Quỳnh to Highlands Coffee for our Vietnamese Iced Coffee fix.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter lunch and coffee, we collected our bags from Long Hostel and took a taxi to the airport. The line for check-in was long and it took quite a while for us to get the process completed. Once airside, we visited the Apricot Business Lounge.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe lounge was not very huge and there were quite a few passengers there. We had a nice dinner at the lounge while we waited for our flight.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe flight itself was uneventful. We landed in Mumbai and then reached Pune by road. This concluded our nine-day adventure in Indonesia and Vietnam.\n🍽️ Phượng Hoàng\n☕ Highlands Coffee\n🍽️ Apricot Business Lounge\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2023/10/08/","summary":"Concluding a 9-day Southeast Asia adventure with a walk around Saigon\u0026rsquo;s historic District 1. Highlights include French colonial architecture and local Vietnamese cuisine.","title":"South East Asia Again – Day 9 🇻🇳"},{"content":"\rToday we booked the Cu Chi Tunnels half-day tour through Long Hostel. After breakfast, the bus picked us up from the main road right outside. Upon arriving at the site, a large visiting points map and a colored regional map gave a sense of orientation, and a cutaway model illustrated the clever design of the multi-level tunnel system.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe also saw some of the terrifying defensive measures used. There were demonstrations of the ingenious and brutal traps employed: a see-saw trap, a fish trap, a swinging up trap, a folding chair trap, a window trap, a clipping armpit trap, and a door trap.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThere were lifelike exhibits of Vietnamese revolutionary soldiers. Experiencing the tunnels firsthand was quite an experience! We crawled through a section that was dark, humid, and very tight. We also got to taste boiled cassava with peanut salt, a staple food for the guerrillas during the war.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe tour gave us a glimpse into the intense nature of life and the network of tunnels that served as a \u0026ldquo;subterranean city\u0026rdquo; for the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War. We took the bus ride back to the city and, after we were dropped off, we walked to the nearby Pho Quynh for lunch, which we enjoyed very much.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter lunch, we visited the War Remnants Museum. It was an exploration of the legal and ethical dimensions of the war. Some of the displays highlighted the voices of dissent from within the U.S. and the international community.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rA portion of the museum was dedicated to chemical warfare, detailing the use of various defoliants. The long-term health impacts were documented on information panels. Nearby, shrapnel and unexploded ordnance were displayed.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThere were artifacts of international diplomacy and outreach on display, like a 1959 photograph of Ho Chi Minh and Mao Zedong and a 1968 telegram from President Ho Chi Minh addressed to \u0026ldquo;American friends.\u0026rdquo;\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThere was an extensive outdoor display of captured military equipment. The aerial assets collection included a variety of aircraft used during the conflict, ranging from transport helicopters to tactical fighter jets and light reconnaissance planes.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe ground combat vehicles and equipment showcased heavy warfare machinery featuring tanks, armored personnel carriers, and massive self-propelled howitzers.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAs we were finishing seeing all the exhibits, we saw a bell made from a bomb canister—turning a weapon of destruction into an object of prayer and peace. With that, we wrapped up this heavy visit and made our way back to the Long Hostel.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rLater in the evening, I visited the Blind Massage Institute, which was a short walk away from the Long Hostel. It provides employment opportunities for the visually impaired while offering therapeutic services to the public in a minimalistic and no-frills setting. A visually impaired therapist was assigned to me for my massage; he was professional and well-trained.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe wrapped up our day by going to Bún Thịt Nướng Chị Tuyền for dinner. It was a nice local place, not touristy. The food was well prepared. We had dinner there and then walked back to Long Hostel.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r🚍 Mekong River Day Tour from Ho Chi Minh\n🍽️ Nhà hàng sinh thái Việt Nhật\n🍽️ Bún Thịt Nướng Chị Tuyền\n🛏️ Long Hostel\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2023/10/07/","summary":"Day 8 with a deep dive into Vietnam\u0026rsquo;s wartime history with a visit to the ingenious Cu Chi Tunnels and the poignant War Remnants Museum, a meaningful stop at the Blind Massage Institute followed by a local dinner.","title":"South East Asia Again – Day 8 🇻🇳"},{"content":"\rWe started our day with a nice breakfast at the Long Hostel. The banana pancake was especially good, as was, of course, the Vietnamese iced coffee.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe had booked the Mekong River Day Tour from Ho Chi Minh on klook.com. They contacted us via WhatsApp and picked us up on the main road right outside our hostel. There were a couple of other stops to pick up more people before we started driving out of the city and into the countryside.\nThere was a quick stop at the Mekong Rest Stop for coffee or souvenirs. Afterward, we were on our way again.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOur first stop of the day was the Vinh Trang Pagoda. There were impressive statues of the Laughing Buddha and the Reclining Buddha.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe temple was beautiful to see from the inside, with many statues and shrines.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe also saw the Standing Buddha statue and a statue of Lady Buddha, which I had never seen before.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter spending some time there, we drove to the Công ty du lịch Việt Nhật ferry terminal.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe crossed the Mekong River and could see the water rich in silt, being carried from upstream, and making this delta fertile. On the other side, we stopped to visit a bee/honey farm and tasted some of the local honey.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe then got to experience the rich fruits growing in the region. There were also local artists performing music.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter this, we got into boats and navigated through the smaller canals around the main river.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe reached the main river again and boarded another boat to reach our next stop: the Thien Ai Coconut Candy factory.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe Thien Ai Coconut Candy factory in the Mekong Delta offered free admission and an authentic look at traditional Vietnamese candy-making.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe then took a motorboat ride to the Nhà hàng sinh thái Việt Nhật restaurant for lunch.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe were seated in groups, and they checked if we wanted the regular fare or vegetarian options. They then brought out a variety of dishes, including the local specialty, Grilled Elephant Ear Fish.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter lunch, we took a boat ride back across the river. They gave us coconut water, which was nice and refreshing.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe were dropped off at our hostel in the evening and relaxed for a while. A couple we had met at breakfast earlier that morning had recommended Bánh Mì Chim Chạy - Chợ Thái Bình. So, we walked there to pick up dinner and brought it back to the hostel.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r🚍 Mekong River Day Tour from Ho Chi Minh\n🍽️ Nhà hàng sinh thái Việt Nhật\n🍽️ Bánh Mì Chim Chạy - Chợ Thái Bình\n🛏️ Long Hostel\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2023/10/06/","summary":"An immersive journey on Day 7 into the Vietnamese countryside. Experience the spiritual beauty of large Buddha statues, navigate the Mekong\u0026rsquo;s small canals by boat, and sample local delicacies like honey, tropical fruits, and authentic Bánh Mì.","title":"South East Asia Again – Day 7 🇻🇳"},{"content":"After our fourth day in Bali yesterday, we had a relaxed morning and went to Aeni Spa Wana for a Balinese massage. It was nice and refreshing after the four days of sightseeing and activities. Coming back to the hotel, we enjoyed a leisurely breakfast.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe got ready and walked to the airport for our flight to Ho Chi Minh City. It was the first time we were flying VietJet Air. The line for check-in was quite long, and it took a while for us to get to the counter.\nWe checked one bag and didn\u0026rsquo;t have much carry-on baggage with us. After clearing security, we visited the Concordia Lounge for lunch.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe walked to the gate at the time of boarding. Our flight took us east over Lombok and then we turned north to cross lush green Borneo.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe approached Saigon from the northeast and deplaned at a bus gate. The sky was cloudy, but there was no rain. We cleared immigration and collected our bag and by the time we reached the exit, it was raining heavily. We took a Gojek taxi to Long Hostel which cost 132,000 VND.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe got a room on the third floor and after check-in and freshening up, we headed out for dinner. We went to Pho Quynh for dinner, wrapping up our day.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r💆🏽‍♂️ Aeni Spa Wana\n🚖 Gojek Taxi\n🍽️ Pho Quynh\n🛏️ Long Hostel\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2023/10/05/","summary":"Moving from the tranquility of Indonesia to the vibrant energy of Vietnam on Day 6 of the Southeast Asia trip. Highlights include a spa morning in Bali, flying over Borneo, and arriving in a rainy but welcoming Saigon for dinner.","title":"South East Asia Again – Day 6 🇮🇩 🇻🇳"},{"content":"\rWe got up early and walked to the beach for our \u0026ldquo;swimming with dolphins\u0026rdquo; and snorkelling tour. We had booked it with Saraswati Lovina Dolphin for IDR 500,000. We met our boat operator, and we were off. At first, there seemed to be a plethora of boats all heading out to sea, but as we went further out, everyone dispersed in different directions. Soon after, we started seeing dolphins around us.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThere was a handlebar attached to each side of the boat, and those who wanted to \u0026ldquo;swim\u0026rdquo; with the dolphins had to get into the water with a mask and snorkel to look below the surface. I jumped in with the mask, but in hindsight, I should have taken the snorkel too; I had to keep coming up to breathe and then look down again. As luck would have it, when I was in the water, there were no dolphins close enough to see clearly. Meanwhile, the boat kept moving, so there was tremendous pressure on my arms and shoulders from being dragged through the water. After a while, I gave up and got back on the boat. Naturally, we then saw multiple pods of dolphins very close by! The operator asked me to get back in, but I was tired and knew they would be gone by the time I got settled. I decided to just enjoy the view from the boat.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter a while, we were served coffee and fried bananas for breakfast on the boat. The operator asked if we wanted to see more dolphins or head to the snorkelling location. We decided to go snorkelling. We reached an area close to the shore and anchored there. The water was clear and calm, full of fish, at about 10–20 feet deep. We got into the water and were able to snorkel all around; there were no strong currents, making it easy to swim. There were also very few people at that location. Overall, I think this was a far more enjoyable experience than Nusa Penida, and I would highly recommend making the trip to the north coast for this.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter enjoying the snorkelling, we headed back to the shore and our hotel. We packed, checked out, and headed to the Beji Sangsit Temple, which was not too far away. The entrance fee for the two of us and parking was IDR 20,000 and IDR 5,000. This was another stop not on the regular tourist circuit; when we arrived, there was only one other couple there. It was nice to see the elaborate stone carvings and structures.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter spending some time there, we started our drive back south, crossing the mountains in the middle. Our driver also took us to Pura Ulun Danu Batur. This was the first temple we saw that felt like an active place of worship rather than an archaeological site. There were ceremonies going on, and we sat for the Ganesha Pooja. There was also a traditional dance by locals, which was wonderful to see. I\u0026rsquo;m glad we made this stop to be part of the local festivities.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOur driver took us to Restoran Gunung Sari for lunch, one of several places overlooking the valley. It was a very touristy buffet and wasn\u0026rsquo;t something I would have picked myself, but I decided to go with it. The dining area had great views of Mt. Batur, Danau Batur, and Mount Abang.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter lunch, we drove further south to Pura Tirta Empul to participate in the water purification ritual. We rented sarongs at the entrance and paid the fee (IDR 100,000 for two plus IDR 5,000 for parking). We wore dry sarongs into the temple complex, then headed to the locker rooms to get different sarongs specifically for bathing (IDR 20,000).\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe bathing pool was filled with holy spring water. We washed our faces and soaked our heads under each spring, moving from right to left. I noticed that mostly tourists were doing this rather than locals, but regardless of the spiritual outcome, I felt incredibly refreshed afterward.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rBy evening, we were heading back toward Kuta. We wanted to see the Kecak Dance in Ubud but didn\u0026rsquo;t make it there on time. Instead, we stopped at Krisna Oleh Oleh Bali Bypass for some quick shopping before returning to our hotel. We bid our driver farewell and headed to Warung Kubu Segara Kuta nearby for dinner. After dinner, we walked back to our room and called it a night.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r🐬 Saraswati Lovina Dolphin\n🍽️ Restoran Gunung Sari\n🍽️ Warung Kubu Segara Kuta\n🛏️ The Kutaya\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2023/10/04/","summary":"A diverse journey across Bali on Day 5, from the calm northern coast to the spiritual heart of the island. Discover dolphin watching in Lovina, scenic views of Mt. Batur, and the refreshing holy spring water of Pura Tirta Empul.","title":"South East Asia Again – Day 5 🇮🇩"},{"content":"We got up early and checked out of the hotel; we would be coming back here after a day. Our driver arrived at the hotel at 7:00 am, and we were on our way. We picked up some breakfast and coffee to go from a MiniMart nearby and continued our drive.\nOur first stop was Tanah Lot. This is a traditional Balinese temple located on a small, rocky island. It can be accessed on foot during low tide. Again, we had the advantage of being there relatively early and avoiding the crowds. The entrance fee for the two of us and parking was around IDR 120,000 and IDR 5,000. We were able to visit a small shrine at the base, but the main shrine at the top was closed to visitors. The tide started coming in while we were there, and we could see the water level slowly rising. We also saw the Enjung Galuh Temple nearby.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rNext, we headed to the Jatiluwih Rice Terraces, where there was an entrance fee of IDR 80,000 for both of us. This area offered scenic vistas of hillslopes and plains of terraced rice fields. It was very relaxing to spend time there, and seeing the various shades of green was very soothing. This is one of the less popular rice terraces in Bali, but there were still quite a few people around. I can\u0026rsquo;t imagine how crowded the more popular locations must be.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe kept driving north to the Ulun Danu Beratan Temple. The entrance fee for the two of us was around IDR 150,000 plus IDR 5,000 for parking. This is a beautiful temple built on the shores of a lake. The weather had become cool and cloudy. There were gardens to walk around with plenty of photo opportunities.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe had to cross over the mountains to get to the northern shore, and the road kept climbing on and on. We stopped for lunch at Warung Bukit Hexon. It had a nice open terrace, and the main seating area also featured good views of the valley below. For the first time, it felt cool outside, and I\u0026rsquo;m glad we got to see this side of Bali as well. We ordered our staples, Nasi Goreng and Mie Goreng, along with Ayam Manis.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOur next stop was the Banyumala Waterfall. This is not a very popular place for tourists to visit. We had to park at the top, and it was about a 25-minute walk down to the actual waterfalls through lush plantations. The entrance fee was IDR 80,000 for both of us, and there was also an option to take a motorcycle taxi down and up for IDR 25,000 and IDR 30,000, respectively. We saw a few people walking back up as we walked down, but there was hardly anyone there. We first went to the bigger of the two waterfalls. It was a split waterfall in the middle of a jungle, forming a pool at the bottom. Although the water felt cold at first, it was very refreshing to soak under the cascades and swim in the jungle pool. The other waterfall was smaller but nice as well.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe were going to stay in the Lovina Beach area tonight, and our driver dropped us off at the New Sunari Beach Resort. This was a very nice property with rooms and bungalows lined with trees leading to the beach. There was also a nice swimming pool and cabanas to relax in with views of the Bali Sea. We took a walk around the beach to see the sunset and then spent some time relaxing in the pool.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rFor dinner, we decided to go to the Blue Royal Beach Restaurant in the resort for a relaxed meal. We ordered Sate Babi Mebase Manis and Ayam Bakar Taliwang along with Traditional Nasi Campur. After dinner, we walked back to our room and called it a night.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r🍽️ Warung Bukit Hexon\n🍽️ Blue Royal Beach Restaurant\n🛏️ New Sunari Beach Resort\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2023/10/03/","summary":"Venturing north from Kuta to Lovina Beach on Day 4, exploring Bali\u0026rsquo;s natural and cultural landmarks. Highlights include misty mountain views, terraced rice fields, and a refreshing swim in a jungle waterfall before a sunset on the northern coast.","title":"South East Asia Again – Day 4 🇮🇩"},{"content":"We got up early and got ready for our second day here. We booked a car and driver for the remainder of our stay in Bali. Our driver arrived at the hotel at 6:30 am, and we were on our way. We picked up some breakfast and coffee to go from Circle K and continued our drive.\nOur first stop was the Besakih Great Temple. It is the most important, largest, and holiest temple of Balinese Hinduism. The entrance fee, including the sarong rental for both of us, was IDR 180,000. Having left from Kuta very early in the morning, we had the advantage of being one of the very few visitors there. It was a huge site with multiple temple complexes to explore as we climbed higher. We got to see everything at our own pace and then headed back down. As we were leaving, we could see more and more people coming in.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rNext, we headed to Tirta Gangga, which was a complex of gardens and natural springs. The ticket for the two of us and parking was around IDR 100,000 and IDR 4,000. Once inside, they had large pools with koi fish, fountains, and walkways. We spent some time here strolling around. There was also a natural swimming pool there which we could have gone into, but eventually, we decided against it as no one else was really in the water, and we didn\u0026rsquo;t want to be the only ones.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe took a lunch break at Warung Devassa, which was right across the road. It was geared more toward foreigners and felt less local than I usually like, but we decided to go ahead anyway. The open seating area had nice views of the fields. We ordered grilled fish and chicken curry, and it was quite nice.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOur driver also included an unscheduled stop at Tunas Bali Luwak Coffee. They gave us a guided tour of the plantations and explained how Luwak Coffee is made. They provided a complimentary sampler of various types of teas and coffees, so we could purchase what we liked. We also ordered one cup of the Luwak Coffee, which they prepared in front of us. It tasted a little richer and smoother than the regular coffee, but to be honest, I would not have noticed the difference unless I was keenly looking for it. It was just something interesting to try once.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe then headed to the Penataran Agung Lempuyang Temple. We climbed uphill and had to park our car in a common lot, from where a separate shuttle took us to the temple. For the two of us, temple entrance cost IDR 110,000 and the shuttle bus was IDR 90,000, including the rental sarongs. When we reached the complex of hillside Hindu temples, we saw a huge line with token numbers for getting a photo at the famed \u0026ldquo;Gates of Heaven\u0026rdquo; with Mount Agung in the background.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rPeople were waiting for their numbers to be called for their turn. There were photographers using a horizontal mirror to create the famous Instagram \u0026ldquo;reflection\u0026rdquo; effect. As couples and groups were called, they had a couple of minutes to strike a few poses at the gates. Because there were heavy clouds, there was no view of Mount Agung at all, and we didn\u0026rsquo;t want to spend hours sitting around, so we decided to skip the photo. It seemed a little too touristy for our taste. I did, however, manage to get a photo of the empty gates in between people switching!\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOur last stop for the day was Taman Ujung. The ticket for the two of us plus parking was around IDR 150,000. This is a scenic water palace built in 1909 and was the former home of the royal family. As the intensity of the sun went down, it was nice to stroll through the manicured gardens and walkways amidst the water. After spending some time here, we started our drive back to Kuta; it was dark by the time our driver dropped us off at the hotel.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rIt had been a long day of driving, so we relaxed at the hotel for a bit and then walked to the nearby Warung Fantaola Malang 1 for dinner. We ordered Nasi Goreng and Mie Goreng and liked the food here as well. We walked back to the hotel and called it a night.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r🍽️ Warung Devassa\n☕ Tunas Bali Luwak Coffee\n🍽️ Warung Fantaola Malang 1\n🛏️ The Kutaya\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2023/10/02/","summary":"Exploring the \u0026lsquo;Mother Temple\u0026rsquo; and stunning water palaces of East Bali on Day 3. Highlights include a morning at Besakih, sampling authentic Luwak Coffee, and a walk through the manicured gardens of Taman Ujung.","title":"South East Asia Again – Day 3 🇮🇩"},{"content":"\rAfter arriving from Singapore yesterday, we got up early for the visit to Nusa Penida today. We booked a ride to Sanur Port using the Gojek app, and it cost IDR 141,500 to get there. After reaching the Sanur Port building, we were told to go to the Semabu Hills Fast Boat counter to exchange our voucher for a ferry ticket. There was a long line at the counter. They looked at the reservation details from Klook and gave us each a badge with a lanyard and also a voucher for the return trip. We walked back to the Sanur Port building and then proceeded to board our ferry to Nusa Penida.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe ride was not too long and the water wasn\u0026rsquo;t very choppy so overall it was fine; but the ferry was completely packed. After reaching Nusa Penida, we walked around to locate the office for Pelabuhan Nyuh from where we would start. They checked our voucher and had us to try on snorkelling fins for size and then asked us to change into our swimwear and wait. It took a while for the whole group to assemble and then we were led to the boat. Even after the boat left we had to make another stop to pick up additional snorkelling masks and fins on the way. We cruised along the Nusa Penida coast passing by Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan to our first stop, Manta Bay.\nWe got into the water at Manta Bay and there were lots of people around. I didn\u0026rsquo;t manage to see a single Manta Ray in the water. When I got back up on the boat we saw a huge Manta Ray glide by us very quickly, it was like seeing large black carpet under the surface of the water. Given the speed at which they were swimming it would have been virtually impossible to see one while snorkelling unless you were really lucky and the Manta Ray swam up close to you.\nFrom there we went to the next snorkelling spot which was called \u0026lsquo;The Wall\u0026rsquo;. I got rid of the fins because they made it very hard to climb back into the boat and jumped into the water. After snorkelling for some time I realized that our boat had gotten quite far away from where I was. I tried to swim towards it but I wasn\u0026rsquo;t getting anywhere with the current. Knowing I wouldn\u0026rsquo;t possibly be able to swim to our boat on my own, I waved to the people in my boat to indicate where I was and then circled around another tourist boat and climbed on asking them for help to get to my boat. Once the people on my boat saw me climb aboard they quickly get there to pick me up. I was always confident about my swimming skills but this brought me down a peg or two!\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe then headed back to the port and being in the sun and in the water was exhausting. We changed out of our swimwear and decided to walk around and find a place for lunch. We settled for The Garuda Indonesian restaurant to try local Indonesian cuisine, Gado Gado, Nasi goreng and Mie Goreng. This started a trend where we sampled Nasi goreng and Mie Goreng at almost all places we went to over the next few days.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe walked back to the port and went to exchange our voucher for tickets at the Semabu Hills Fast Boat counter. We walked around the beach while we waited for the ferry. We could see the faint outline of Mt. Agung on Bali across the water. The ferry ride back was uneventful. We walked to a nearby Dunkin\u0026rsquo; Donuts for afternoon coffee. From there we booked a ride back to our hotel using the Gojek app and it cost IDR 121,500.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rIt had been a tiring outdoor day and we relaxed at the hotel for a bit and then went to the nearby Warung Kubu Segara Kuta for dinner. We ordered Nasi goreng and Mie Goreng and liked it here as well. We walked back to the hotel and called it a night.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r🚖 Gojek Taxi\n⛴️ Klook Fast Boat Ticket between Bali (Sanur) and Nusa Penida\n⛴️ Semabu Hills Fast Boat Sanur\n🤿 Snorkelling Experience in Nusa Penida\n🍽️ The Garuda Cafe\n🍽️ Warung Kubu Segara Kuta\n🛏️ The Kutaya\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2023/10/01/","summary":"Continuing a Southeast Asia journey with an adventurous Day 2 on the water at Nusa Penida. Highlights include spotting Manta Rays, navigating ocean currents while snorkelling, and sampling local staples like Gado Gado and Nasi Goreng.","title":"South East Asia Again – Day 2 🇮🇩"},{"content":"\rOur flight, Singapore Airlines 423, left from Mumbai a little before midnight. We had exit row seats towards the end of the lower deck, and we were able to get priority boarding thanks to my United Premier Gold status. The meal service was dinner, more than an hour after take-off. We were able to catch a little sleep and before long we were starting our descent into Singapore.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe landed around 8:25 AM at Singapore\u0026rsquo;s Changi International Airport. I had signed us up for the Free Singapore Tour - City Sights Tour at 10:00 AM. The reporting time for the tour was 8:30 AM and after deplaning and walking we just made it to the tour desk in T3 to confirm our attendance. Indian nationals in transit through Singapore are visa-exempt for 96 hours, provided they hold a valid visa issued by the USA.\nAfter freshening up, we quickly joined the group assembled and headed downstairs to clear immigration following our tour guide. At first, we stood in line for the automated entry but then were redirected to the manual immigration line. We had filled in the arrival information online earlier. We had to go one by one and the immigration officer checked the visa for the USA and stamped us in.\nThe tour guide asked us to board the bus in the order which we had registered, which I think was a good touch. The people who had planned this earlier got to pick the seats of their choice. We drove out from the airport as our tour guide told us about Singapore\u0026rsquo;s history.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOur first stop was the Merlion Park. We saw the Victoria Theatre and the Statue of Sir Stamford Raffles.The Cavenagh Bridge had a backdrop if various skyscrappers. Walking across the Anderson Bridge we got to the Merlion Park.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rthe Merlion Park had great views of the Singapore Flyer, the Helix Bridge and the Benjamin Sheares Bridge. We could also see the ArtScience Museum and the Marina Bay Sands across the water. Unfortunately, the famous Merlion was covered in scaffolding for maintenance and renovations.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter spending some time there we got back into the bus and drove to our next stop, Gardens by the Bay. The main attraction here was the Supertrees lined with solar cells. There was a network of pathways with modern greenhouses \u0026amp; parks.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rIt started raining a little bit while we were there and we were able to use the ponchos we were given in the bus before we got down here. It was nice to walk around and see the place and after some time we assembled back near the bus and started our drive back to the airport.\nWe still had some time before our next flight so we decided to explore the Jewel Changi Airport. This is a huge shopping mall with stores and eateries and lush indoor gardens \u0026amp; a 40-m. waterfall in the centre. From there we walked to Terminal 2 for our next flight using the long walkway that connected the mall to the terminal building directly.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe passed through a baggage scan check and immigration to reach airside and visited the KrisFlyer Gold Lounge for travelers with Star Alliance Gold status thanks to my United MileagePlus Premier Gold.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe lounge was nice, albeit a bit dark. It wasn\u0026rsquo;t too crowded and there were many options for things to eat and drink.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter spending some time there we walked to see the Sunflower Garden which had bright yellow sunflowers on an outdoor rooftop garden overlooking the runway.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe walked to the gate to board our next flight and there was a huge line for security check to get to the gate area. We had a chance to refill our water bottles after clearing the security check and boarded our flight Singapore Airlines 946 to Denpasar Bali.\nWe had the last row seats which were just 2 seats in a 3-3-3 configuration. We were able to get priority boarding thanks to my United Premier Gold status. The meal service was dinner after take-off. The flight was not too long and before long we were starting our descent into Denpasar.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe landed around 9:00 PM and stood in line for immigration. We had applied for the eVisa in advance, so we didn\u0026rsquo;t have to spend time filling forms there. But as luck would have it, the line we were in was moving at a very slow pace, almost not moving at all. After that test of patience, we collected our bag and bought a local SIM card at the airport. They activated it for us and we walked to our hotel, The Kutaya, which was about 12 minutes away.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe stayed here for 3 nights and chose this since it was walking-distance from the airport and our flight was arriving at night. It didn\u0026rsquo;t take us too long to walk there, but the roads weren\u0026rsquo;t great for bags with wheels. We got a room on the ground floor in front of the pool. It was clean and basic. We were going to spend most of our time outside so it didn\u0026rsquo;t really matter.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r🚍 Free Singapore Tour\n🛏️ The Kutaya\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2023/09/30/","summary":"Starting a Southeast Asia journey on Day 1 with a layover in Singapore. Highlights include a city sights tour during a 96-hour visa-free transit, visiting the world-famous Jewel Changi, and settling into a convenient stay in Kuta, Bali.","title":"South East Asia Again – Day 1 🇸🇬 🇮🇩"},{"content":"\rKrisFlyer miles generally follow a fixed-expiry policy where they remain valid for 36 months from the month they were earned. Unlike many other loyalty programs, this expiry is not extended by account activity; even if you earn or redeem miles regularly, the original miles still expire on their initial schedule.\nMy parents-in-law had accumulated miles on Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer from their earlier travel to the USA, and these miles were now close to expiry. Since they had no immediate plans to use them, I had the opportunity to find a way to redeem them before they vanished.\nThere were enough miles for either two one-way tickets or one round-trip ticket to select destinations in Southeast Asia. Notably, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer does not levy fuel surcharges on award tickets for its own flights. Since we had not yet visited Bali, we decided that would be our destination.\nWe redeemed the miles for two one-way tickets on Singapore Airlines from Mumbai to Singapore, with a connection onwards to Denpasar.\nDate Flight From At To At Airline FRI 29 SEP SQ 423 MUMBAI, IN (BOM) 23:40 SINGAPORE, SG (SIN) 07:40 (+1) SINGAPORE AIRLINES SAT 30 SEP SQ 946 SINGAPORE, SG (SIN) 18:20 DENPASAR BALI, ID (DPS) 20:50 SINGAPORE AIRLINES For the return journey, I booked flights on VietJet, which allowed us to spend a few days in Ho Chi Minh City.\nWith that, we were all set for our trip to Indonesia, thanks to Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer and the generosity of my parents-in-law.\n40000 miles redeemed | 1 country\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2023/01/29/","summary":"A practical example of redeeming KrisFlyer miles for a one-way trip from Mumbai to Denpasar (Bali) via Singapore, featuring flight schedules and tips on avoiding fuel surcharges.","title":"Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Award to Bali"},{"content":"\rWe got up early to get ready to pass through immigration and customs to join the transit tour from the airport. I had a great day in Istanbul with b\u0026gt;touristanbul the last time I was here in transit. We had a quick breakfast of scrambled eggs, cheese, pastries, and Turkish coffee. There were, of course, many other things to choose from, like sandwiches, a live omelet station, fresh juices, etc., but we were rushed and didn’t have the time to enjoy a leisurely breakfast. The day-long tour was scheduled to depart at 8:30 AM, so we left the Turkish Airlines Miles \u0026amp; Smiles lounge at around 7:00 AM to find a way to exit the departure level.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe new Istanbul airport is massive, and that’s an understatement. We tried to figure things out by following signs and asking people but kept going in circles. Finally, the Information Desk was able to give us correct instructions and point us to the right door to exit. We had to show our onward boarding passes and explain that we had the whole day ahead and the required eVisa. With that, we were allowed to pass through and went one level down to clear immigration. There was no crowd at all, and we got our passports stamped very quickly after showing the printout of the eVisa. Passing through customs control, we darted towards the Transit Tour desk. The person at the counter told us that even though we were connecting between flights operated and marketed by Turkish Airlines, our actual ticket was not issued by Turkish Airlines, so we were not eligible for the transit tour. All the pre-checking last night and the mad rush this morning seemed wasted. Instead of trying to somehow score a spot on the transit tour, we just decided to visit the city on our own.\nWe exited at Level (-2), the arrival passenger boarding platforms at Istanbul Airport, to take the bus to the city. HAVAIST offers comfortable and economical passenger transportation services between Istanbul Airport and many points in Istanbul. We found their office at the bus platform, and they told us that we could purchase the ticket from the driver using a credit card; if we didn\u0026rsquo;t need to use other local transport in Istanbul, we didn\u0026rsquo;t really need an Istanbulkart. In hindsight, we should have bought it. We were advised to take HVIST-12 and then walk to Sultanahmet Square. We bought tickets and boarded the bus around 8:00 AM. The journey was comfortable and not too long. We reached the Aksaray Metro stop at around 9:00 AM. Using Google Maps for directions, it showed us it was about a 25–30 minute walk to Sultanahmet Square.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWalking past the Laleli - Üniversite tram station, we thought that we should have bought the Istanbulkart and used the tram to get to our next destination. The ticket vending machine at the tram stop didn\u0026rsquo;t accept credit cards, so we walked to the ATM near the Vezneciler Metro station to withdraw cash. The ticket vending machines didn\u0026rsquo;t accept notes of more than 20₺. The ATM dispensed a minimum of 50₺. So, we made two withdrawals and bought two random bottles of water to get change. Trying to purchase the Istanbulkart, we found that we needed even more cash. After lots of walking back and forth, eventually, we gave up, frustrated because we weren\u0026rsquo;t able to purchase the Istanbulkart and had also wasted almost an hour in the process.\nAs we walked on, it started raining! We had seen the weather forecast in advance, and it was supposed to be a sunny day in Istanbul today. With that in mind, we had put our rain jackets and umbrellas in our checked baggage in Iceland itself. Of course, the shops nearby were selling umbrellas at 50₺ each. After our ATM/Istanbulkart/water-bottle fiasco, we had 90₺ in notes and some coins. We explained to the shopkeeper that we had only 90₺ in cash, and he agreed to give us two umbrellas for it. This was what the whole cash withdrawal exercise was fated for!\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rFinally, at around 10:30 AM, we reached Sultanahmet Square and walked to the Sultan Ahmet Park to take in the views of the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia. The line for the tickets and entry to Hagia Sophia was enormous. So, we walked around a bit and then visited the inside of the Blue Mosque. Everyone is expected to dress modestly since it is a religious place of worship. Women can borrow a scarf/shawl to cover their heads when they enter. There was renovation work going on inside and everything seemed very muted; it was nothing like the grandeur I remember from my last trip. Still, it was worth the visit.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter that, we walked around the Hippodrome of Constantinople. We saw the Walled Obelisk and the Obelisk of Theodosius. They are quite huge and impressive. The Serpentine Column was a remnant of what it once was, but the German Fountain was quite nice and well-preserved. There were signposts around each of these structures explaining the history and background in four languages; this was informative and helpful. It was still drizzling, and we decided to skip seeing Hagia Sophia from the inside and move on.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe saw the Stone of Million, the Byzantine zero-mile marker, and then started walking towards the Yeni Cami (New Mosque). It was nice to stroll along the inner roads of the city, away from the tourist-oriented shops and cafes, and we really got to see some of the local life there. We saw the İstanbul Valiliği and the Vilayet Mosque on the way. From the corner of Ebussuud Cd. and Ankara Cd., we got a glimpse of the Bosphorus. I really wish we had the time to do a Bosphorus Cruise, but maybe next time.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe Yeni Cami Mosque was towering above as we approached on foot. It did seem similar to the Blue Mosque we had seen earlier. But it was surely more of a place where the locals went to pray rather than a tourist spot. The Yeni Cami Meydani was a small park/garden with fountains right in front of it. By this time, the weather had changed and the rain had stopped. It had become bright and even sunny, just as we were to step indoors to walk around the Egyptian Bazaar. The Spice Bazaar, as it is also called, had shops selling spices, Turkish delight and other sweets, jewelry, souvenirs, and dried fruits and nuts. It was nice to walk around.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rFrom there, we headed to the Grand Bazaar. We walked through a network of shopping streets. There were shops selling everything from clothes to bags to carpets. There were cafes and stalls selling fruits and juices. This was where the real people of Istanbul did their shopping. We saw parents buying clothes for their children, groups of young friends buying trinkets and accessories, and families buying domestic items. There were, of course, tourists like us roaming around with backpacks and water bottles. Being from India, I think we blended in quite nicely compared to other typically white foreigners.\nThe Grand Bazaar is one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world—an ancient shopping mall—and really a maze! Each street and the shops on it looked similar yet different. We must have surely walked around some places twice, at least. We also saw one of four marble drinking fountains within. It would be easily possible to spend at least half a day, if not more, wandering around there. I was especially amazed to see the stores selling colorful lamps.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe had seen the crowds and the traffic in the city increasing as the day progressed. And as we had read before, the HAVAIST bus could take up to 90 minutes to get us back to the airport. And we might not even have gotten the first bus back if it got full. Keeping this in mind, we started heading to the Aksaray Metro station bus stop. We walked by the Theodosius Forumu and II Bayezid Türk Hamam Kültürü Müzesi and also saw the Pertevniyal Valide Sultan Mosque on the way. There was already a line for boarding the bus to the airport when we reached there. We had buffered in time to take the later bus, but luckily we got a couple of the last few seats left. The ride to the airport took about one hour again. In hindsight, maybe we could have spent some more time in the city.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAnyway, the bus dropped us off at the departure level. One thing different here was that there was a security check as soon as you enter the airport, even before reaching the check-in counters. I remember that it was like this even at the old Istanbul airport. We had our boarding passes for the next flight, so we didn\u0026rsquo;t need to go to the check-in desks. We cleared immigration, got the exit stamp in our passports, and after clearing another security check, reached the international departure area.\nWe had time before our flight, and in the bid to make the most of our time in the city, we hadn\u0026rsquo;t really stopped for lunch. So, we headed back to the Turkish Airlines Miles \u0026amp; Smiles Lounge. I know I\u0026rsquo;ve said this before, but I\u0026rsquo;ll say it again: this is the best airline/airport lounge I have ever visited. It was open and spread out with a multitude of areas for seating and relaxing. There were a variety of options to choose from for our late lunch/early dinner. Starting with a huge salad bar, multiple live kitchen counters preparing hot dishes and Turkish specialties, to an extensive dessert buffet. We shared everything we got, and even then couldn\u0026rsquo;t cover all that was on offer. Some things that really stood out were the freshly prepared pasta and oriental noodles, the homemade raspberry lemonade, and the delectable Baklava (especially pistachio and walnut).\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOur flight gate was assigned, and with about an hour left before departure, we headed out of the lounge to walk towards the gate for boarding. We had exit row seats, and we were able to get priority boarding thanks to my United Premier Gold status. We settled in and had a comfortable flight back to Mumbai.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r🚍 HAVAIST\n✈️ Flight\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2022/10/05/","summary":"Day 12 covers a day in transit in Istanbul, a walk around of Sultanahmet Square, the Egyptian Bazaar, and the Grand Bazaar, concluding at the famous Turkish Airlines lounge at Istanbul Airport.","title":"European Escapade - Day 12 🇹🇷"},{"content":"\rWrapping up our last day in Iceland, we boarded our flight, Lufthansa 869, to Frankfurt a little after midnight. This was a red-eye flight, so we tried to get as much rest as we could as we flew southeast overnight. We landed about 40 minutes late, but we didn\u0026rsquo;t have a tight connection, so it was fine. After landing, we headed to the Lufthansa Senator Lounge A (Schengen) for a quick breakfast.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOur plan was to visit Frankfurt and look around. We were able to leave our backpacks in the luggage lockers available in the lounge and headed to take the train to Frankfurt. We were at one of the ticket vending machines figuring out what to do when a German man walked up to us and suggested that we get the group day ticket; even though we were just two of us, it would turn out to be more cost-effective compared to individual tickets. As we continued the process to complete the purchase, he came back and also handed us a map to explain which train we needed to take and which station we should get down at. We were pleasantly surprised with his proactive helpfulness; we sincerely thanked him and headed to the platform to take the S8/S9 train to Frankfurt (M) Hauptwache.\nIt was a beautiful day in Frankfurt. Walking up from the Frankfurt (M) Hauptwache station, we were right in front of St. Catherine\u0026rsquo;s Church (St. Katharinenkirche), the city\u0026rsquo;s largest Evangelical church built in Baroque style. Walking around, we saw the David and Goliath Sculpture and the unique glass facade of the MyZeil shopping mall.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe then walked to St. Paul\u0026rsquo;s Church; built in red brick, it is a memorial to the start of German democracy. We also saw the Denkmal der deutschen Revolution. We circled the block and saw Langer Franz as we headed towards Römerberg.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe reached the Frankfurter Römer, the town hall, which is a medieval building with a stepped gable facade. The cobbled town square was lined with reconstructed timber houses and had the Fountain of Justice in the middle.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe then walked to the New Old Town (Neue Altstadt), which had a group of townhouses destroyed in WWII and now restored to their pre-war look, and the Neo-Renaissance style Stoltze Fountain monument (Stoltze-Brunnen).\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOur next stop was the Gothic-style Frankfurt Cathedral (Kaiserdom St. Bartholomäus). We also saw A Model for a Monument for Mr. and Mrs. Heinrich Deichmann and the Skulptur Elch around the corner.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe could see the waterfront now and walked towards it, crossing the river over the Alte Brücke.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWalking along the tree-lined bank on the other side, we had great views of the Frankfurt skyline.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe crossed back over the Iron Footbridge (Eiserner Steg), which was lined with padlocks attached by couples.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rPassing the Young Museum, we saw the Baroque-style Liebfrauenberg Fountain (Liebfrauenberg-Brunnen) and then headed back to Frankfurt (M) Hauptwache to take the train to the airport.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter reaching the airport, we went to the Lufthansa Senator check-in area to see if they would be able to issue the boarding passes for our next flights on Turkish Airlines. The agent there was very polite and helpful but was unable to issue the Turkish Airlines boarding passes even though it was all on one ticket. He suggested that we check with Turkish Airlines, who would be able to issue them for us. We waited in line at the Turkish Airlines check-in counter for our turn and explained the situation to the agent, but he refused to help because our flight from Frankfurt was not on Turkish Airlines. I\u0026rsquo;m sure he could have issued the boarding passes for us if he wanted to, but his behavior was dismissive and abrasive—so much so that I actually told him that he was very rude to us before walking off. After that, we cleared security and headed back to the Lufthansa Senator Lounge A (Schengen). The lounge had a nice selection for lunch.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe had a quick meal, collected our bags, and headed to the gate for boarding our next flight, Lufthansa 1310, to Malta. We flew south over Switzerland, Italy, Sicily, and the Mediterranean Sea before landing in Malta around 4:30 PM.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOur bags were checked through to Mumbai at Reykjavík, so on arrival, we walked across to the departure area to get our boarding passes for the Turkish Airlines flight. The check-in counters had not opened yet, so we decided to visit the Observation Deck on the third floor of the terminal building. The corridor was lined with information about the history of this airport, and the terrace had a nice view of the apron and aircraft movements.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter spending some time there, we headed back down to the departure area. People were queuing up at the Turkish Airlines check-in counters. We got access to the business class check-in thanks to my United Premier Gold status. The Turkish Airlines check-in agent here was polite and efficient, in stark contrast to our experience at Frankfurt. He issued our boarding passes for the next two segments and asked us to fill in the Air Suvidha form online before departure.\nWith that done, we headed out to explore a little bit of Malta. We walked from the airport towards Gudja, a village in the Southern Region of Malta. The weather and architecture were very different from mainland Europe; it felt as if we were somewhere in the Middle East. Walking through the narrow streets, we reached St. Mary\u0026rsquo;s Parish Church. From there, we walked towards Palazzo Dorell and then circled back to Gnien Raymond Caruana before heading back to the airport. We wanted to visit Kappella Ta’ Bir Miftuħ but were not sure how long that would take, so we decided to skip it.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rClearing security was quick as there weren\u0026rsquo;t too many people. We had been invited to use the La Valette Club before departure thanks to my status. The lounge had a glass wall with views of the airfield. The seating was comfortable, and again, there weren\u0026rsquo;t too many people around. There was a wide selection of complimentary snacks and beverages; we especially liked the cheese infused with cranberries. We relaxed for a while, got something to eat and drink, and then decided to go to the gate for departure.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe lounge was in the common area after clearing security for all flights. So, we cleared departure immigration and our passports were stamped, thus ending our trip in the Schengen zone. We crossed over to the area of non-Schengen international gates and waited for some time. When boarding started, we were able to get access to the priority lane. We exited the terminal building at ground level and walked across the tarmac to board the aircraft the old-fashioned way: using stairs.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOur flight, Turkish Airlines 1372, landed in Istanbul a little after midnight, and we headed to the Turkish Airlines Miles \u0026amp; Smiles Lounge. The retiring rooms were only available to passengers flying Business Class on Turkish Airlines, so we scouted around to find a place to catch some sleep. I had read online that the complimentary tour was only available for passengers flying on Turkish Airlines-operated flights with tickets issued by Turkish Airlines. With this query, I checked with the Turkish Airlines help desk in the lounge about taking the Transit Tour the next morning from the airport. The agent there was very helpful and even called the Transit Tour desk right away and confirmed that we would, in fact, be able to take the tour without any issues. With that sorted, we decided to get some shut-eye before the last day of our trip tomorrow. The lounge was surprisingly crowded overnight, but we were able to find empty sofas to stretch out and catch some sleep.\n✈️ Lufthansa 869\n✈️ Lufthansa 1310\n✈️ Turkish Airlines 1372\n🍽️ Lufthansa Senator Lounge A\n🍽️ La Valette Club\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2022/10/04/","summary":"Day 11 of the European Escapade features a whirlwind journey from Iceland to Turkey via Germany and Malta. Highlights include a walking tour of Frankfurt’s historic Römerberg, navigating transits, exploring the unique architecture of Gudja in Malta, and preparing for an Istanbul transit tour while resting in the Turkish Airlines lounge.","title":"European Escapade - Day 11 🇩🇪 🇲🇹"},{"content":"\rToday was our last day in Iceland, and we had a lazy start after a long day yesterday. We had our morning coffee and quickly packed our bags. We left the Puffin Hostel to see the sights around Vík and then eventually head back towards the airport. Our first stop was Víkurkirkja, a little Lutheran church situated on top of a small hill with superb views of the ocean and town. We could even see the rocks in the ocean at Reynisfjall in the distance.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter spending some time there, we drove down to Víkurfjara, the black sand beach. We walked along the water\u0026rsquo;s edge, observing the Atlantic Ocean crashing as waves on the beach.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rNext stop was Reynisdrangar. We drove back inland and then across to the other side of the hills to reach it. We got a closer look at the rocks protruding from the ocean; it seemed like a landscape from another world.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe also saw the basalt columns at the Reynisdrangar Cliffs and the Hálsanefshellir Cave. I remember seeing similar basalt columns before when we visited the Giant\u0026rsquo;s Causeway in Northern Ireland many years ago; our tour guide at that time told us that the other end of the Giant\u0026rsquo;s Causeway was in Iceland. We finally made it here 10 years after hearing that. The waves crashing on the beach gave a glimpse of how rough the Atlantic Ocean really was.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rIt started to rain again, and we decided to move towards the Reynisfjara viewpoint. The road took us uphill until we were greeted with magnificent views of the Reynisfjara Beach and Arnardrangur, a single basalt rock stack which stands on the beach.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe then drove onwards to Dyrhólaey, a small hilltop with picturesque views, a lighthouse, and a large arch of volcanic rock in the sea.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe then drove onwards to Dyrhólaey, a small hilltop with picturesque views, a lighthouse, and a large arch of volcanic rock in the sea. Walking around, we could also see \u0026ldquo;The Endless Black Beach\u0026rdquo; on the other side. It just seemed to go on forever. From this height and distance, the waves almost seemed gentle as they caressed the beach, but we knew how rough the water really was.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rIt was past noon, and after looking at options for lunch, we decided to drive back to Vík and go to The Soup Company. My wife decided to have the Icelandic lamb, and I went for the sampler in which I got smaller bowls of all three soups: Red Hot Lava, Broccoli Cheddar, and Icelandic Lamb. We were also served bread and butter along with the soups. There was also the option of getting refills—even of a different soup—so my wife tried the Broccoli Cheddar and I got the Icelandic lamb. The soups were all warm and tasty; overall, this was an enjoyable meal.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rFeeling nice and full, we left Vík and started driving to our next stop: the Secret Lagoon. Known locally as Gamla Laugin, this is the oldest swimming pool in Iceland. They\u0026rsquo;ve tried to keep it natural and simple for a more authentic Icelandic experience compared to the Blue Lagoon or Sky Lagoon. We reached there around 5:00 PM and bought the entrance tickets. There was also a walking path around the main pool where we could see a hot water river and the active geysers which supply the naturally heated water to the pool.\nWe entered the gender-segregated changing rooms where there were lockers for use. It was also required for individuals to thoroughly shower in the buff before entering the pool to maintain hygiene and cleanliness. The water was warm, clean, and rich in sulfur, staying at 38–40°C. It was nice to spend time here to relax and unwind at the end of our four days in Iceland before we flew out. We were among the last people to leave as it was almost dark.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe drive back from the Secret Lagoon was long and lonely. It started raining after a while, and as we got closer to the airport, the rain became very intense. We had to refuel the car before returning it. Most petrol pumps we drove to didn\u0026rsquo;t have any shelter from the rain. I tried to fill the tank at one such place, but it was very tough with the wind and rain. Given how much wind, rain, and snow Iceland gets, I thought they would have planned for most petrol pumps to be sheltered, but that wasn\u0026rsquo;t the case, which was surprising to me. We finally found a petrol pump that was covered, and I was able to refuel the car.\nDriving back towards the airport, I dropped off my wife and our bags at the terminal and then drove to return the rental car. The return process was easy. Similar to the USA, I had to park the car in a line behind some other cars and leave the keys inside. The attendant wasn\u0026rsquo;t there, so I went inside the office, and the person at the desk just asked me if I had refueled. When I confirmed, he said they would check the car and send me an email the next day. The rain had luckily stopped, so I could walk back to the terminal building.\nWe changed into fresh clothes and headed to drop off the bags. The check-in agent was able to give us the boarding passes to Frankfurt but not onward to Malta. She asked us to check at Frankfurt. I asked her to call the Lufthansa back office to find out more. She was eventually able to get through and found out that since our flight from Frankfurt to Malta had been changed by Lufthansa, it had to be re-confirmed. She was then able to issue us the boarding passes to Malta as well. Our last two flights were on Turkish Airlines, and those boarding passes couldn\u0026rsquo;t be issued here.\nWe cleared security and then stopped at Mathús for dinner. We ordered a chicken burger and fish \u0026amp; chips. They asked us to come back in 10 minutes while they prepared the food. It was nice to have a warm meal, and the portions were adequate.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter finishing our meal, we walked to the gate and boarded our overnight flight to Frankfurt, trying to get as much sleep as we could.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r🚘 Zero Car\n🍽️ The Soup Company\n🍽️ Mathús\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2022/10/03/","summary":"Day 10 in Iceland features the iconic basalt columns of Reynisdrangar, the dramatic Dyrhólaey lighthouse, and a sampler of Icelandic lava soup in Vík. Capping off the trip with a dip in the historic Secret Lagoon (Gamla Laugin) before heading to Keflavík Airport for our overnight flight to Frankfurt.","title":"European Escapade - Day 10 🇮🇸"},{"content":"Today was our longest travel day. We had our morning coffee and quickly packed our bags. We checked out of our hotel and drove into Reykjavík.\nOur first stop was the Sun Voyager. We were able to park right next to it since it was before 9:00 AM. The Sun Voyager is a stainless-steel sculpture in the shape of the skeleton of a boat. It is right by the waterfront with a nice view of the sea behind it. The sky was gray, and we were not able to take in the view in its full splendor in bright light, but it was nice to see it up close and spend some time there.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rFrom there, we walked along the waterfront towards the Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre. This is a beautiful building made of honeycomb-like glass panels. It looked wonderful, with certain panels reflecting different colors. The face of the building was facing east and would have looked even more magnificent with the rising sun on a clear day, but it was still cloudy and gray. There were a couple of sculptures around there, including Sellóspilarinn and another stainless-steel double helix.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe walked back to the Sun Voyager, picked up the car, and then drove towards Hallgrímskirkja. We found parking on the street as we got close and then walked. Hallgrímskirkja is a modern cathedral with a very unique design. It reminded me of the basalt columns we had seen at the Giant\u0026rsquo;s Causeway in Northern Ireland (and we would see more basalt columns at the Reynisdrangar Cliffs tomorrow).\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter spending some time there, we bid Reykjavík farewell and headed southeast on Route 1 towards Seljalandsfoss. We stopped at Olís in the town of Hella to refuel and also packed a couple of burgers to go from the convenience store there.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOur next stop was Seljalandsfoss, a 200-foot waterfall cascading from a sheer cliff. There was parking close to it, and we had to buy a parking ticket from a kiosk. There was a path which led to a cave-like structure behind the falls to see the water falling from the glacier up close. We wore our rain jackets and waterproof pants, just in case. We walked up from the right and got behind the falls. It was amazing to feel the cold water being sprayed in the air. By the time we came back to the front of the falls, our rain gear was completely wet, so in hindsight, it was a wise decision to wear the waterproof jacket and pants.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rFrom there, we started our long drive towards Diamond Beach. The sun was now out and it was a bright day. Unfortunately, we were going to spend all of it in the car. It would have been nice to have this kind of sunshine yesterday or the day before (or even tomorrow) when we were out and about, but c\u0026rsquo;est la vie.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe made a quick stop at Gönguleið um Eldhraun to see the expanse of moss-covered lava fields, and then another stop at the Skeiðará Bridge Monument, where there were fantastic views of the Skaftafell Glacier.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAs we dashed east, we saw more and more vehicles heading back west. I was getting increasingly frustrated that we were spending the best daylight hours on the road, and I doubted if we would make it to Diamond Beach before it was completely dark.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe continued driving and finally made it to Fjallsárlón. We took the turn to the viewpoint, which was a gravel road, and we were not sure how far it would get us. We parked the car after some distance and ran towards the edge of the lake. We were right across from the ice shelf, and there were icebergs floating in the lake. It almost felt unreal. We were happy that we got to see this sight and made it here with at least some daylight left.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter some time there, we headed to Jökulsárlón. It wasn\u0026rsquo;t that far away. We parked at the main parking lot. Most people were leaving by the time we got there, but there was just enough light to see the lake with huge icebergs as they made their way towards the ocean. This, again, was surreal. We had never seen anything like this before, and it was well worth the long drive. We even saw a seal swimming around.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe took the car across the road to the auxiliary parking and then walked down to Diamond Beach. This was a black pebble beach littered with icebergs which had washed ashore after drifting to the sea from Jökulsárlón. I think this was also the first time for us to be on a beach in winter clothes. All the light was almost gone now, and we decided to start our long drive back to Vík, where we would be staying the night.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe road back was dark and lonely, but we were happy that we had made it there and had a chance to be up close with the glaciers and icebergs. We were one of the last few people going back east so late. A few cars kept us company on some stretches and then turned off at hotels and towns. We were by ourselves on the road for the most part. It was pitch dark outside, and the road had reflectors on both sides, which really helped us know how the road was going to climb and/or turn.\nWe reached Vík quite late and checked into the Puffin Hostel for the night. Our room on the first floor was small but adequate, with a bunk bed. The common toilets and showers on the ground floor were clean. There was ample parking in front of the hotel. We were too tired to go out and find some place to eat, so we decided to heat up some ready-to-eat meals we had carried with us for exactly such situations. We used the common kitchen and dining area for our dinner. After a quiet meal, we turned in for the night.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r🚘 Zero Car\n🍽️ Olís Hella\n🛏️ Puffin Hostel Vík\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2022/10/02/","summary":"Day 9, our longest travel day, starting with the iconic landmarks of Reykjavík—the Sun Voyager and Hallgrímskirkja. Then across the southern coast to witness the power of Seljalandsfoss, the floating icebergs of Fjallsárlón and Jökulsárlón, and the sparkling ice on Diamond Beach before settling in Vík.","title":"European Escapade - Day 9 🇮🇸"},{"content":"\rWe were headed to the Golden Circle today. The distance was short compared to what we covered yesterday and what we planned to cover in the next couple of days. We had a relaxed start with our morning coffee and then headed out.\nWe drove northeast from Reykjavík towards Þingvellir (Thingvellir) National Park, and our first stop was the Þingvallavatn panorama point. It had a great view of Þingvallavatn—the largest natural lake in Iceland—and the surrounding areas.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe reached the parking lot close to the main Þingvellir Parking P1 and then purchased a day pass at one of the kiosks. We headed inside the Þingvellir National Park Visitor Center, and the person there told us about the trail we could follow to see most of the places around.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe spent some time around the Hakið útsýnispallur (observation deck) to take in the views of the rift valley, Þingvallavatn lake, and the hills around.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe then took the wooden walkway into the Almannagjá fault, which marked the boundary between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe walked towards Þingvellir Parking P2 and then made a short climb towards Öxarárfoss. It was quite cool around, and the cold water rushing down the basalt rocks made everything seem even fresher.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe walked back down and then across the valley to see the Peningagjá fissure. From there, we headed to see Þingvallakirkja and the Summer Residence of the Icelandic Prime Minister.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe walked across a bridge where the Öxará river flows into Þingvallavatn. We were able to see brown trout in the clear waters. We climbed back up as we followed the trail and closed the loop, reaching the visitor center again.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rIt was nice to be indoors and warm after walking around for a while. We decided to have a quick lunch here before continuing with our day and picked up a couple of sandwiches.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter that, we headed to our next stop on the Golden Circle: the Haukadalur valley, famous for its geothermal activity. We parked the car and crossed the road but didn\u0026rsquo;t head in the right direction at first. Eventually, we walked to see Litli-Geysir and Strokkur. It was amazing to see water boiling in the ground at Litli-Geysir and the eruption from Strokkur spewing steam into the sky.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rFrom there, we headed to see Gullfoss. It was gray and rainy by the time we got there. We parked at the top lookout and then headed down to walk the trail and get really close to the water. It was amazing to see and hear the force with which the water was flowing down the canyon.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe rain really started coming down, and we decided to head back. We stopped at TASTY - RVK for dinner before going back to the hotel so we wouldn\u0026rsquo;t have to get out in the cold, wet weather again. The place was nice, with lots of local patrons; I think we were the only tourists there. It was nice to try out some local Icelandic burgers. After that, we drove back to our hotel and called it a night.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r🚘 Zero Car\n🍽️ Thingvellir National Park Visitor Center\n🍽️ TASTY - RVK\n🛏️ Hilton Reykjavik Nordica\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2022/10/01/","summary":"Day 8 dedicated to the classic Golden Circle route. We explored the historical and geological wonders of Þingvellir National Park, witnessed the power of the Strokkur geyser at Haukadalur, and stood in the mist of the mighty Gullfoss waterfall before ending the day with local burgers in Reykjavik.","title":"European Escapade - Day 8 🇮🇸"},{"content":"We landed in the rain around 1:00 AM, and that was a preview of what was to come for the next four days. The shuttle bus to the car rentals was not operating at this time. It took a while for us to locate the Blue Car Rental office. It was not too far, but we had to walk in the cold. Following the instructions in the email from Zero Car, we picked up the keys and located the car—a silver Kia Rio. We loaded our bags and headed towards Reykjavík. We reached our hotel, Hilton Reykjavik Nordica.\nWe were going to stay here for three nights. There was ample parking in front of the hotel. It was not far from the city center and offered easy access to highways to get out into the countryside. We had informed the hotel in advance of our late arrival, and the check-in process was smooth. The room was typical and had all the standard amenities available. It was late, so we got to our room and quickly went to sleep.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe had a relaxed start the next morning. Based on the weather predictions we had been tracking, we were trying to avoid the rain as much as possible. Today, we were headed to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. It was nice to see the varied landscapes as we left the city and drove north.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rPassing through the Hvalfjörður Tunnel was a pleasant surprise because we didn\u0026rsquo;t know there was a tunnel on this route. We continued to head north, crossing Þjóðvegur. This was the brightest it was all day. Unfortunately for us, from this point onwards, it got grayer and grayer.\nOur first stop was the Selvallavatn View Point. There was parking off the road, and walking further down, we had a nice view of Lake Selvallavatn and the hills behind it.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rDriving further, we saw the lava rock formations. It was a huge area of moss-covered lava rocks on both sides of the road. This wasn\u0026rsquo;t like anything we’d seen before.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rNext, we drove across the Kolgrafarfjörður bridge and got some nice views of the sea. We also stopped at the Kolgrafarfjörður View Point, but the low clouds prevented us from having a magnificent view of the tall mountains behind the water.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe made a quick stop at Grundarfoss. It was a long walk from the parking area to get closer to the falls. The clouds were so low that we couldn\u0026rsquo;t even see the snow-capped mountains behind them.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe then stopped to see the famous Kirkjufell Mountain. There was a farm right next to it where there were a few Icelandic horses. We waited for a while for the clouds to move but didn\u0026rsquo;t get a clear view of the top of the mountain. It didn\u0026rsquo;t look like the sky was going to clear up anytime soon, so we headed toward our next stop, Arnarstapi.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe stopped at the Búlandshöfði View Point on the way to take in the fantastic views of the Atlantic Ocean. The drive toward Arnarstapi was amazing, with almost no traffic. By the time we reached there, it was very cold and windy.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe looked around for something to eat and decided on chicken quesadillas and fish \u0026amp; chips at the FRISTA Food Truck. It was too cold and windy to use the picnic tables, so we headed back to the car and ate inside. It felt nice to eat hot food in that weather.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe walked to the Monument to the Bard of Snæfellsás and then along the path to see Gatklettur. Soon it started to rain a little, and we decided to skip seeing the Stone Bridge and the Arnarstapi Lighthouse, heading back toward Reykjavík instead.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe took a small detour from our return route to Búðakirkja, and it was nice to see the church we had seen in pictures so often. Most people were there for a quick photo stop, but one couple in a camper van was literally in and out in less than two minutes. The sky was still overcast, but I could imagine how nice this little black church would have looked with a bright blue sky and fresh green grass.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe drive back was uneventful. Getting closer to Reykjavík we decided to end the day with a visit to Laugardalslaug a public swimming pool close to our hotel.\nThe drive back was uneventful. Getting closer to Reykjavík, we decided to end the day with a visit to Laugardalslaug, a public swimming pool close to our hotel. We bought our entrance tickets and were each given a bracelet to cross the turnstile and access the lockers in the gender-segregated changing rooms.\nThe pools are filled with geothermal water, which contains no chlorine. To maintain cleanliness and hygiene, everyone had to shower naked and wash themselves thoroughly before getting into the water. Having experienced Finnish saunas in Helsinki and a Japanese onsen in Ibusuki before, this didn\u0026rsquo;t seem as intimidating or awkward to me now.\nThere were two large heated pools—one to do laps and another for kids to play in with a slide. There were also a couple of smaller pool areas and various hot tubs ranging from 40 to 44 degrees. There was also a steam room. It was nice to swim a few laps in the warm water and enjoy the hot tubs. It was a great way to end our day after visiting the cold, wet, and windy Snæfellsnes Peninsula. We headed back to the hotel and called it a night.\n🚘 Zero Car\n🍽️ FRISTA Food Truck\n🛏️ Hilton Reykjavik Nordica\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2022/09/30/","summary":"Day 7 took us from Reykjavik to the dramatic landscapes of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. Despite the grey skies, we witnessed the beauty of Selvallavatn, the iconic Kirkjufell, and the stone arches of Arnarstapi, before warming up in the geothermal pools of Laugardalslaug.","title":"European Escapade - Day 7 🇮🇸"},{"content":"This was part of European Escapade - Day 6 🇬🇷.\nWe joined the walking tour at 10:00 AM, and the group was divided into two smaller sections. We started by walking through the Monastiraki Flea Market to see the Stoa Poikile (Painted Porch). We also learned about the Ancient Agora of Athens, which features the ruins of an ancient Greek gathering place.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOur next stop was Hadrian\u0026rsquo;s Library, Roman ruins of a library and cultural complex constructed in 132 CE by Emperor Hadrian. It also contains the remains of the Basilica of Megale Panagia.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rFrom there, we walked to see the Tower of the Winds, an ancient octagonal tower used as a weather station equipped with sundials and a wind vane.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe then headed to the Holy Church of the Holy Apostles of Solakis. In the background, we could see the National Observatory of Athens and the Temple of Hephaestus.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter a quick coffee break, we headed to Pnyx, where we learned about the history and evolution of Greek democracy.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe site also offered a beautiful viewpoint of the Acropolis of Athens. Our tour concluded at the base of the Acropolis.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r👣 New Athens Free Tour\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2022/09/29-1000/","summary":"Day 6, a guided walking tour through the historic landmarks of Athens. Explore the ruins of the Ancient Agora, the Tower of the Winds, and learn about the evolution of democracy at Pnyx, all while enjoying classic views of the Acropolis.","title":"New Athens Free Tour 🇬🇷"},{"content":"We arrived in Athens early in the morning. The Lufthansa Business Lounge was right next to the Aegean Lounge. Since we will be flying via Munich and Frankfurt later in the trip and will have other opportunities to try the Lufthansa lounges, we decided to visit the Aegean Lounge here.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rIt wasn\u0026rsquo;t crowded, though there were quite a few people around. They had a huge spread of food and drinks. We freshened up and had a quick breakfast. The lounge featured luggage lockers—something we found missing in Lisbon—so we consolidated our bags, took just one backpack, and headed out to see Athens.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe took the X95 bus from the airport to the city. It took a little over an hour to reach the center, giving us a chance to have a quick nap. We got off at Syntagma Square and started walking towards Monastiraki Square. We saw the Statue of St. Chrysostomos of Smyrna in the park surrounding the Holy Metropolitan Church of the Annunciation to the Virgin Mary.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe church is a mixture of Greco-Byzantine and Neoclassical architecture. The entrance features an intricate mural above the main door. There is also a large courtyard in front that houses a statue of Archbishop Damaskinos Papandreou.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rNext, we headed to the Church of the Presentation of the Virgin Mary (Panagia Kapnikarea). It was fascinating to see such an ancient Byzantine structure surrounded by modern urban buildings. This is said to be one of the oldest Greek Orthodox churches in the city.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe reached Monastiraki Square and decided to sign up for the New Athens Free Tour. We waited a few minutes for the group to assemble and then set off with our guide. It was a lovely way to spend a few hours, and the tour concluded near the entrance to the Acropolis.\nWe then headed to Areopagus Hill to get a different vantage point of the Acropolis and the city. The rocks were quite slippery, so you had to be careful while walking around.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI also took a short hike up Philopappos Hill. The right path to the summit was a bit tricky to find, but I eventually made it. The views of the Acropolis and the sprawling city from the lookout point were superb.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe walked back toward Syntagma Square, passing Hadrian’s Arch along the way. It is an impressive gateway with columns named after the Roman emperor. We also caught a glimpse of the nearby Temple of Olympian Zeus.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rFurther on, we saw the Zappeio Roman Baths, an archaeological site right next to the Zappeion Garden featuring well-preserved ancient structures.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rNext was the Hellenic Parliament, an impressive, stately government building. It also houses the Monument to the Unknown Soldier.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe wanted to visit a few more spots, but the heat and fatigue caught up with us, so we decided to head back to the airport.\nThe Aegean Lounge was much more crowded now, but we eventually found a seat and enjoyed another great spread of food.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWhen it was time for our flight, we walked to the boarding area, which was quite congested. The gate agents were strictly enforcing carry-on sizes; unless passengers were in Business Class or had elite status, large bags were being gate-checked. The flight was delayed, and passengers with tight connections were becoming anxious. Boarding finally started once the inbound passengers deplaned and the aircraft was readied. Service on Lufthansa 1755 consisted of water and a chocolate. We enjoyed beautiful views of Athens at night after takeoff and had a comfortable flight to Munich.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe had a decent amount of connecting time in Munich today, a nice change from the sprint we had to do a few days ago. We headed to the Lufthansa Senator Lounge for a quick supper before our onward journey.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe lounge was comfortable with a good variety of food and drinks. When it was time to board, we headed to the gate for flight Lufthansa 2468 to Reykjavík. We tried to catch some sleep as we flew northwest toward Iceland.\n🍽️ Aegean Business Lounge - Athens\n🚍 X95\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2022/09/29/","summary":"Day 6, a whirlwind tour of Athens, exploring historic landmarks including the Holy Metropolitan Church, Panagia Kapnikarea, and the Arch of Hadrian. Stunning panoramic views of the Acropolis from Areopagus and Philopappos Hills before catching a late flight to Reykjavík via Munich.","title":"European Escapade - Day 6 🇬🇷"},{"content":"\rAfter spending two days in the Azores, we got up early and walked to the airport from Hospedaria Casa d’Avo. The airport is quite small, and we were checked in by an agent at the Azores Airlines counter. We had three transit stops before our final destination, so the agent and her manager had some back and forth about the baggage tags and how to properly attach them. The check-in agent issued each of us a consolidated boarding pass for four flights: to Lisbon, Athens, Munich, and finally Reykjavík. With fingers crossed that our bags—containing all our cold-weather clothes—would make it to Iceland, we headed through security to the boarding area for flight TAP Air Portugal 1828.\nWe walked across the tarmac from the terminal. It was still dark outside, and we boarded via stairs. We had priority boarding and exit-row seats. Luckily, the middle seat remained empty, giving us three seats between the two of us. The entire row next to us was also empty, so we decided to stretch out. One of the flight attendants noticed and handed us a blanket for the short hop, which was a nice touch. We parked at a remote stand upon landing and were taken to the terminal by bus.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe headed to the TAP Premium Lounge at Lisbon Airport for breakfast. Having woken up very early, we decided to take it easy and lounge around for a while. After brunch, we headed out to take the Lisbon Metro into the city. We were able to recharge our existing cards with another 24-hour ticket at the counter.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOur plan today was to take the famous Tram 28E. We took the Linha Vermelha (Red Line) from Aeroporto to Alameda and then transferred to the Linha Verde (Green Line) from Alameda to Martim Moniz. There was a huge line, but this time we were prepared to wait.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe trams arrived every 7–12 minutes, and after a few turns, we managed to get seats. I don\u0026rsquo;t think there were any locals on this tram at all! The tram took us up the hill into Alfama and then across Baixa and Bairro Alto heading west. We decided to ride all the way to the end, making a mental note of the stops we wanted to visit on the way back. The ride took about an hour and was a fun, relaxing way to see Lisbon.\nWe spent some time around Campo de Ourique and saw Igreja de Maria Auxiliadora and Church Santo Condestável. We then took the tram to the Estrela stop to see the Basílica da Estrela.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe Basílica da Estrela is a Baroque-style church with twin bell towers. It houses Queen Maria I\u0026rsquo;s tomb. There was an option to go up and see the view from one of the towers—the Miradouro da Basílica da Estrela—for a fee.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOur next stop was the São Bento Palace, home to the Assembleia da República. It was an impressive, stately building, typical of grand government structures.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe walked further down to the next tram stop. The surrounding area had several interesting buildings. We took the tram back across Bairro Alto and Baixa toward Miradouro de Santa Luzia in the east.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe first headed to Miradouro das Portas do Sol, which offered panoramic views of traditional Alfama houses with red roofs and ancient churches. We could see Igreja de São Vicente de Fora and the Panteão Nacional from there.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rMiradouro de Santa Luzia is a popular observation deck featuring an outdoor garden with a shaded walkway. It overlooks the Tagus River and the Terminal de passageiros de Santa Apolónia, where a huge cruise liner was docked. One of the walls featured a beautiful tile mural of Lisbon.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe then took the tram back down and saw the Sé de Lisboa and the Church of Saint Anthony of Lisbon, which is believed to mark the birthplace of St. Anthony. From there, we caught the tram to Praça do Comércio.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rPraça do Comércio had a wonderful vibe in the evening. People were strolling as the sun set, boats were bobbing in the river, and street musicians added to the pleasant atmosphere.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter spending some time there, we headed back to the airport. We took the Linha Azul (Blue Line) from Terreiro do Paço to São Sebastião and transferred back to the Linha Vermelha (Red Line) for the airport.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOur flight was quite late, so we returned to the TAP Premium Lounge for dinner. The lounge closed at 11:00 PM, at which point we moved to the gate area for flight Aegean Airlines 723 to Athens.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe boarding area was packed and felt too small for the number of passengers. We sat on the floor for a while until boarding began. Interestingly, the flight attendants were very insistent that overhead bins be used exclusively for suitcases; all backpacks had to go under the seats. It was almost obsessive; by the time we departed, there were many empty bins that could have easily fit smaller bags. This was the first European flight of the trip to offer a complimentary snack and beverage service. The flight was comfortable, and we managed to sleep for most of the way.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r🍽️ TAP Premium Lounge - Lisbon Airport\n🚆 1 Day ticket (24h)\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2022/09/28/","summary":"Day 5 took us from the Azores back to Lisbon. We spent the day navigating the city\u0026rsquo;s hills on the historic Tram 28E, visiting landmarks like the Basílica da Estrela, São Bento Palace, and the stunning viewpoints of Santa Luzia and Portas do Sol, before catching a late-night flight to Athens.","title":"European Escapade - Day 5 🇵🇹"},{"content":"\rLike yesterday, we started our day with coffee on the porch. Our plan today was to cover the rest of the sights in Terceira. We were scheduled to check out at noon, so we decided to head to Piscinas Naturais Biscoitos first, return after spending some time there, and then get ready for check-out. Piscinas Naturais Biscoitos are natural pools at the edge of the ocean formed by lava rocks from ancient volcanic eruptions. We packed a couple of towels and our swimwear and headed out. The weather was cloudy, but it wasn\u0026rsquo;t raining.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe reached the pools around 10:00 AM and parked the car in the large parking lot. There weren\u0026rsquo;t many people there yet, but I imagine the crowds increase as the day progresses. This place must attract masses in the summer months. We first headed to the right side, where there was a concrete platform for jumping into the deep pool. It was very windy and there was a chill in the air; it felt quite cold, which wasn\u0026rsquo;t an encouraging sign for swimming in the ocean. There were a few lifeguards around, and we asked one if it was safe to swim since the yellow flag was flying. He told us we could go ahead and then jumped in right in front of us for a quick dip. By the time I was ready, he was already climbing back out. I was apprehensive that the water would be freezing, so I asked him about it. He said it was better inside than outside and, as unbelievable as that sounded, he was right.\nI brought myself to the edge of the platform and took the plunge, figuratively and literally. The initial shock of the cold water gave way to a focused effort to swim across as the waves tossed me around. This protected pool was already quite rough, so I can\u0026rsquo;t imagine how the open ocean would have been.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI managed to make it to the rocks on the other side, swam back, and climbed onto the platform. Being outside, I quickly realized the lifeguard was right: it was colder in the wind and chill than it was in the water. I repeated the circuit, and it was just as much fun as the first time. Afterward, we headed to the other pools, which were shallower, more sheltered, and much calmer. This felt more like being in a swimming pool and less like the open ocean; it was nice to swim around and relax.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rA few more people had arrived by now—both tourists and locals. One local couple spoke to us in Portuguese, thinking we were locals ourselves. Since we couldn\u0026rsquo;t follow along, the man switched to broken English to warn us that there were jellyfish in the pools, pointing to a Portuguese Man o\u0026rsquo; War his wife had pulled from the water with a stick. He explained that the ocean had been rough for the last few days, and several had been tossed over the rocks into the pools. He said we were lucky nobody had been stung, as it would have spoiled the vacation. We took that as our cue to head out.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter rushing through packing and check-out, we headed to Fonte das Sete Bicas for lunch to try the local specialty: Azorean Alcatra. We ordered the beef and octopus dishes, which came with bread and boiled potatoes. In hindsight, we should have ordered just one dish at a time; the portions were huge and very rich. The beef alcatra was the standout. Both were very flavorful, though quite oily and salty compared to typical European fare. We couldn\u0026rsquo;t finish it all, so we took the rest in a box.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter lunch, we drove toward Praia da Vitória to see Miradouro do Facho. On the way, we made a quick photo stop at Miradouro da Ponta da Má Merenda. Cattle were grazing in green meadows against the backdrop of the deep blue Atlantic. There was a nice bench built into the concrete wall to sit and enjoy the view.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe drove further up through a tree-lined boulevard to reach the Monumento do Imaculado Coração de Maria. We also saw the Baloiço da Praia, which offered beautiful views of Praia da Vitória and Serra do Cume with its windmills in the distance.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe had called ahead to our next accommodation, Hospedaria Casa D\u0026rsquo;Avo, to arrange an early bag drop-off. We met there at 2:30 PM, got our keys, left our luggage, and headed out again.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAlgar do Carvão is a volcanic cavern with steps leading down to unique rock formations, vegetation, and a small lagoon. We purchased a combo ticket to visit both here and Gruta do Natal. We wore our rain jackets to stay dry from the water seeping through the rocks.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rLooking up, we could see the clear blue sky through the lush green funnel of the cavern\u0026rsquo;s entrance. A middle platform offered views of a rock dome and lava tubes, and another set of stairs led down to the lagoon. It was a surreal experience standing inside an ancient volcanic funnel.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOur next stop was Gruta do Natal, a volcanic cave consisting of various lava tubes. Upon showing our combo ticket, we were given disposable caps and hard helmets. These were essential—I bumped my head on the low-hanging rocks several times.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWalking through tunnels that once flowed with magma was fascinating. The floors and walls featured various textures created by different lava flows, all explained by informative boards along the way.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe landscape around Gruta do Natal, with its pastures and juniper forests, was beautiful in the afternoon light.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe walked around briefly before driving to Furnas do Enxofre, a scenic park with trails through geothermal vents. Seeing steam rising directly from the ground was incredible.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWhile the smell of sulfur wasn\u0026rsquo;t strong initially, it became quite apparent as we followed the trail. We completed the loop and returned to the car.\nWith some daylight remaining, we decided to visit Miradouro da Serra do Cume one last time. The vistas from the platform were once again magnificent.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOn the other side of the hill we could see Praia da Vitória and Miradouro do Facho in the distance from where we\u0026rsquo;d seen Serra do Cume earlier in the day.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rSince we had an early flight the next day, we refueled the car and returned it to the airport rental agency. We walked back to our hotel and had the leftover Alcatra for dinner. We stayed for one night; while the room was clean and tidy, the bed wasn\u0026rsquo;t very comfortable. However, the shared bathrooms were spotless, and the communal kitchen was well-equipped.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe would be in transit for two full days—first back to Lisbon and then to Athens—before reaching Iceland. We packed accordingly and called it a night.\n🍽️ Fonte das Sete Bicas\n🛏️ Hospedaria casa D\u0026rsquo;Avo\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2022/09/27/","summary":"Day 4 in Terceira, we braved the chilly Atlantic waters at Piscinas Naturais Biscoitos before diving into the island’s volcanic history. We explored the subterranean depths of Algar do Carvão and Gruta do Natal, witnessed geothermal activity at Furnas do Enxofre, and enjoyed a final sunset from Miradouro da Serra do Cume.","title":"European Escapade - Day 4 🇵🇹"},{"content":"\r\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe got up in the morning and started our day with a cup of coffee on the nice porch with a garden out back. After getting ready, we started off towards our first destination, Miradouro da Serra do Cume. The road steadily climbed towards the top of the hills and was paved, with cobblestones in some places. It became quite steep as we came close to the top. There were view points on both sides of the top of the hill. Looking towards the north east we could see Praia da Vitória and on the other side, towards the south west, we could see fields separated by walls of volcanic rocks forming a massive expanse of green patchwork. The clouds rolled in quickly and it started raining while we were there so we decided to head back down and come back again for the views the next day if possible. We could see Ilhéus das Cabras at one corner and next we headed there to take a closer look.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe drove mostly along the same road for some time going back down but then turned south at a fork. The last part of the road took us down Canada das Vinhas, which was a very steep descent. I was wondering how we were going to drive back up. We reached and parked there. It was a nice spot with superb views of the Ilhéus das Cabras. These are two islets, originally part of a volcanic cone. The position of the sun was not conducive to getting good pictures from where we were at but it was still nice to take in the views. We then drove a little further to Zona Balnear da Fajã do Ficher (Serretinha) / Poças da Serretinha. This was a multi-level sun bathing area leading down to the swimming area, again with great views of Ilhéus das Cabras.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rFrom there we drove by Pico Dona Joana, seeing fields and farms and cattle and sheep along the way. We were looking for a place to have lunch but one place we went to was closed and the other one we were not able to locate. So we decided to head to Angra do Heroísmo and figure something out there. It was very difficult to find parking in the city center but there was a large free parking area a short distance away. So we parked there and walked back.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe decided to have a quick lunch at John\u0026rsquo;s Cafe. They had a soup of the day which was a nice lentil soup. And then we had a baguette sandwich each, chicken and seafood. The place was cozy and had indoor and outdoor seating. After lunch we walked towards the marina passing the streets of cobblestone with colourful buildings on either side.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe saw the Igreja da Misericórdia as we approached Marina de Angra do Heroísmo. The Pátio da Alfândega was a large courtyard with the Statue of Vasco Da Gama and the Portas da Cidade towards the marina. There were two stone archways with staircases descending down to the marina from the Pátio da Alfândega. Portas da Cidade framed a nice view of the marina.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter spending some time there we decided to walk to the Memória a D. Pedro IV through the Jardim Duque da Terceira. The Jardim Duque da Terceira was a garden named after the Duke of Terceira with various paths and walkways, one of which was ascending towards the Obelisco do Alto da Memória. It was quite a way up but most of the path was covered by shady trees. There was a nice view of Angra do Heroísmo from up there.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe walked back down and passed Paços do Concelho de Angra do Heroísmo, the Town Hall and we stopped at the Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Carmo and the Letras de Angra for a photo opportunity. But it started raining again so we had to make it really quick. We picked up the car from the parking lot and drove towards Monte Brasil.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe passed by the fortifications as we drove there and also got instructions and directions from a very polite army personnel standing guard at the gate. Monte Brasil is a recreation area and national forest reserve which is located on the remnants of a volcano and peninsula. We stopped first at the Miradouro do Alto da Caldeira. This viewpoint overlooks a large volcanic crater and the Atlantic ocean behind. There were various shades of green in the foliage with the blue ocean and the blue sky in the background.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe drove further up to the Miradouro do Pico das Cruzinhas. There was a beautiful mural on tiles of the view of Angra do Heroísmo from there. We also had panoramic views over the entire south coast of Terceira from there. There is also a statue of D. Afonso VI, the second king of Portugal of the House of Braganza.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rFrom there we parked the car near the cat colony on Monte Brasil and then took a small hike to Miradouro do Pico do Facho. The view of the Atlantic ocean from here was just fantastic. We could also see Ilhéus das Cabras to the east and a very faint view of São Jorge and Pico islands to the west.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAs the sun was setting we left from Monte Brazil and headed back to the north east of the island. We were looking for places to have dinner as we drove there. Again, one of the places we wanted to go to was closed. So we drove towards a couple of places near the airport. We finally zeroed in on Cockpit Bar \u0026amp; Kitchen for dinner and then headed back to Moradia da Graça to turn in for the night.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r🚘 OnTravel Azores\n🍽️ John\u0026rsquo;s Café\n🍽️ Cockpit Bar \u0026amp; Kitchen\n🛏️ Airbnb - Moradia da Graça\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2022/09/26/","summary":"Day 3 exploring Terceira Island. Highlights include the views from Serra do Cume, lunch in the UNESCO city of Angra do Heroísmo, and hiking the volcanic peninsula of Monte Brasil.","title":"European Escapade - Day 3 🇵🇹"},{"content":"\rWe got up early and walked to the airport from our hotel, ibis budget Nice Aéroport. It took a while to find the check-in counters for TAP Air Portugal. We\u0026rsquo;re not used to seeing no lines. The check-in agent issued each of us a consolidated boarding pass for both our flights: to Lisbon and then to Terceira. I asked about our bags, and they said that the system showed them the bags from Lufthansa and then made a call to someone about something. It was all in French, so I didn\u0026rsquo;t understand a thing. But I was hoping that things behind the scenes would have been sorted out and our bags would make it to Terceira. I asked if there was a Star Alliance Gold lounge we could access and was told to go to the Library Lounge after the security check. There was no crowd, and after clearing security, we headed to the Library Lounge for breakfast.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe lounge agent checked our boarding passes and wanted to know the airline; I said TAP Air Portugal. Then he went back to his system to check something. After exchanging some confused looks, I offered to show him my United Premier Gold card, and that\u0026rsquo;s when it all came together. He wanted to know the airline I had status on, not the airline I was flying.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWith that sorted, we got in. The lounge was nice and roomy, and there was hardly anyone there, probably because it was 5:30 AM. There were options of cereals, fruits, pastries, cold cuts, and juices—more than adequate for breakfast.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter spending some time there, we headed to the gate for boarding our flight to Lisbon. The weather today had cleared and seemed much better than yesterday, but that was no use to us now. Our flight TP 481 from Nice to Lisbon was with Portugália Airlines, operated by Bulgaria Air. Take-off was a little behind schedule, but not by too long. Everything was buy-on-board, even water. This has drastically changed since my first two flights with TAP Air Portugal three years ago. We had great views of the Tagus River, the Padrão dos Descobrimentos, and the Belém Tower on approach to Lisbon Airport.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe went to the TAP Premium Lounge at Lisbon Airport to check if they had luggage storage facilities, but they didn\u0026rsquo;t. So we quickly got something to eat and then headed out to take the Lisbon Metro to the city.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe vending machines take notes only up to €20. We didn\u0026rsquo;t have change, so we had to stand in line at the ticket desk and purchased a 1-day ticket (24h) for each of us.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOur initial plan was to take the famous Tram 28 and enjoy the ride while seeing some of Lisbon\u0026rsquo;s most popular landmarks. We took Linha Vermelha from Aeroporto to Alameda and then transferred to Linha Verde from Alameda to Martim Moniz. As we stepped outside to find the stop for Tram 28E, we saw a huge line of tourists like us waiting to board the tram. I didn’t want to just stand in line waiting, so some quick research showed that we could take Tram 25E from Praça Luís de Camões to Campo de Ourique, which was the last stop for Tram 28E, and ride it in the opposite direction. We took Linha Verde from Martim Moniz to Baixa-Chiado and then walked to Praça Luís de Camões, and, in our haste, boarded Tram 24E instead of 25E. It was a nice ride, but after a while, we realized that we were not heading where we wanted to go. So we got down at Amoreiras and took Tram 24E back in the opposite direction.\nWe stopped at the Elevador Da Glória stop and saw the Ascensor da Glória and spent some time walking around and enjoying the views from Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara and saw the Busto de Afonso de Albuquerque.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe then took Tram 24E back to Praça Luís de Camões and walked to see the Basilica of Our Lady of the Martyrs.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rFrom there we walked to the Elevador de Santa Justa but there was a long line there as well. So we marched on past Joalharia Ferreira Marques to Praça da Figueira to see the Statue Of John I and the Church of St. Dominic close by.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe then started our trek towards Alfama. Quick stop at Mural Graffiti Fado Vadio and then onwards to enjoy the views from Miradouro do Chão do Loureiro.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe walked back down and next took Tram 15E from Pç. Figueira to Mosteiro dos Jerónimos. It was a great example of the Portuguese Gothic Manueline style of architecture.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rFrom there we took Tram 15E again to Largo Da Princesa and walked across Passadiço do Bom Sucesso - Belém to see the Belém Tower.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe walked around Jardim da Torre de Belém and enjoyed beautiful views of the Tagus River and the Ponte 25 de Abril.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe then took Tram 15E back to Pç. Figueira and then took the Metro from Rossio to Aeroporto via Alameda. After reaching the airport we cleared the security check and headed back to the TAP Premium Lounge.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe lounge had a good variety of food and snacks with a couple of hot dishes and of course the Portugese speciality, pastel de nata.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThere was also a bar where the bartenders were serving up drinks made to order. We asked for my favorite, a Margarita and a Gin and Tonic for my wife, which was prepared elaborately and looked very exotic.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rIt was nice to sit back, relax, and enjoy our drinks and dinner after a long day of walking around in Lisbon. When it was time, we headed to our gate to board our flight TP 1823 from Lisbon to Terceira. It looked like this flight was fully booked from the crowd waiting at the gate area. We got priority boarding and had exit row seats. Luckily the middle seat remained empty and we had 3 seats between the 2 of us.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter landing, we headed inside the terminal to the baggage claim area. This was the moment of truth! The belt started moving with crew bags appearing first. We waited for a while, in suspense, and then both our bags appeared on the belt. Our luggage had made it, despite two almost missed connections in Delhi and Munich, an overnight layover in Nice, and a day-long layover in Lisbon. I was happy that Lufthansa and TAP Air Portugal were able to bring it all together.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe had booked a rental car from OnTravel Azores for the next 2 days. They had sent us the voucher details for Autatlantis. We completed the paperwork at the office at the airport and walked to the parking lot to locate our car. It was a Calvi Blue Citroën C1 with manual transmission. I had experience driving in the USA, on the opposite side of what I was used to at home in India; but it was always cars with automatic transmission. But once we started off, it didn\u0026rsquo;t take any time to get used to shifting gears with the other hand. We drove about 10 minutes and reached our Airbnb accommodation, Moradia da Graça.\nWe stayed here for two nights. It was not too far to drive from the airport with a rental car and there is ample parking right outside the main gate. The room was spacious and tidy. The shared bathroom was right next to the room and was kept clean and had spare towels. It was a nice place to stay and explore Terceira. I would recommend getting a rental car. We reached around midnight and the host had made arrangements for us to get the keys to get in.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r🍽️ Library Lounge - Nice Airport\n🍽️ TAP Premium Lounge - Lisbon Airport\n🚆 1 Day ticket (24h)\n🚘 OnTravel Azores\n🛏️ Airbnb - Moradia da Graça\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2022/09/25/","summary":"Day 3 from a sunrise departure in Nice to a sunset in the Azores. Read about our 10-hour layover enjoying Lisbon, the beauty of Manueline architecture, and the relief of our luggage finally arriving in Terceira.","title":"European Escapade - Day 2 🇫🇷 🇵🇹"},{"content":"\rAfter just making the connection from Pune, we boarded LH763 from Delhi to Munich. We had bulkhead seats on this flight. 31D and 31G, both aisle seats in the middle 3 seats in a typical 3-3-3 widebody configuration. The seats had the tray tables in the armrests and the armrest for 31D was fixed on both sides and the armrest between 31F and 31G was movable. The flight attendant in the galley in front of our seats suggested that since we were traveling together we should take seats 31F and 31G and offer 31D to anyone who shows up for the middle seat, but from his records that seat was still empty. We thanked him for the tip and sat in our originally assigned seats hoping that no one would turn up on the middle seat. Soon the cabin crew announced that boarding was completed and we had 3 seats for the 2 of us to stretch out a little more.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter takeoff, there was a beverage service along with a small snack. I saw Jurassic World Dominion on the Inflight Entertainment System and then tried to get some sleep. Eventually, I took the extra blanket and pillow from the middle seats and actually slept on the floor in front of these 3 seats. This was the first time I had done this, but it let me be flat and allowed me to get at least a few hours of sleep. My wife was able to sleep on the 3 seats with her legs across from the immovable armrest. Before landing, there was breakfast service. I think there was no meal choice and everyone got the Indian vegetarian breakfast. The cabin was being prepared for landing and we were running behind schedule.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe had a 1 hour 10 minute connection at Munich, but landed 40 minutes late. So effectively that was only 30 minutes to exit the aircraft after landing, clear passport control and go to the next gate and board our connecting flight. It was like the previous night in Delhi all over again, actually worse. We ran out as soon as we could and stood in line for passport control. Luckily there was no crowd there and after showing our return tickets and all the hotel reservations, we were stamped into Germany and the Schengen zone. Our next flight was leaving from the main terminal building and we had to take the train to get there. We ran through the terminal and as luck would have it our flight was from one of the gates at the far end of the terminal. I ran ahead and down the stairs as we heard them announcing that they were closing the flight to Nice. I reached the gate and showed them my boarding pass and told them my wife was running to get there a minute behind me. We were the last two to get in and they closed the flight after that. Of course our bags were not going to make it but we had an overnight in Nice and a full day in Lisbon so I was hoping that our bags would eventually catch up with us and meet us in Terceira. We boarded LH2280 from Munich to Nice. The flight was uneventful. The only service was a bottle of water after take off and a small chocolate before landing. We got some nice views of the Alps but as we flew south the weather got more cloudy and by the time we landed in Nice it was raining heavily. We had to run to the bus from the aircraft in the rain and then we were dropped off at the terminal building ready for the first day of our trip.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe had what we needed for one night in our backpacks and we walked out of the airport to go to our hotel, ibis budget Nice Aéroport. The check-in was not going to open till noon so we took some time to freshen up, packed what we didn\u0026rsquo;t need during the day in one of the bags and left it at the front desk. One of the hotel staff members told us how to get to the Nice Saint-Augustin train station.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI had read about the Pass Touristique and one of the staff members at the station was able to help us to purchase the tickets. It was €16 for the first traveler and only €10 per additional traveler for a full day of travel within 1 department of the south region. We took the train from Nice Saint-Augustin to Monaco-Monte-Carlo.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe train ride took a little over 30 minutes and we were in a new country, Monaco. We exited the station towards the waterfront and it was a quick descent towards sea level.\nWe saw the Sainte-Dévote Church and the Statue of Sainte Dévote and then the William Grover Monument across the road as we headed towards Jetée Lucciana.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe saw Ulysses monument by Anna Chromy and the Et Purus 1 monument by Sassona Norton. The view of Port Hercule and Monaco from the end of Jetée Lucciana was simply superb.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe then started back towards the Prince\u0026rsquo;s Palace of Monaco. We had not eaten anything since the morning so we stopped at Supermarché Casino and picked up a couple of French baguette sandwiches to eat on the go as we walked on.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe route quickly ascended with stairs and walkways and there were wonderful views of the harbour. We saw the Statue Prince Rainier III on the way.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe finally made it to the François Grimaldi Statue and reached the Place du Palais. There were patrolling guards at the entrance of the Prince\u0026rsquo;s Palace of Monaco.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe walked across the Place du Palais to see the Apothéose de Monaco and the fantastic view of Port de Fontvieille on the other side.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter that we walked by the Ministre d\u0026rsquo;État to the Frame. One thing that really stood out was the clean and accessible public toilets in Monaco.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe saw the Manteau de la Conscience and a few other art installations on the way to the Frame.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe then headed to see the famous Yellow Submarine outside the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco. We didn\u0026rsquo;t have time to go in and headed to the Saint Martin Gardens next.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe saw the statue of Princess Grace and some other art instalations as we walked towards the Cathédrale de Monaco and the Monaco Courthouse.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe took a look at Port de Fontvieille once again from the viewpoint close by and then started walking back to the train station. There was a huge tunnel that led us to the train station and we decided to head further to Ventimiglia in Italy.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rBy the time we reached Ventimiglia, the rain had increased. We still decided to venture out and headed towards the Cattedrale Santa Maria Assunta. We walked across the bridge on the Roya River and started trying to find our way in the steep and narrow streets.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter a few wrong turns, we finally found the right path and made it to the Cattedrale di Nostra Signora Assunta. Heading back downwards, we took the longer but more open route to the Rotonda degli Scoglietti.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe walked across the Galleria degli Scoglietti, a tunnel to the Cala del Forte marina. But by the time we got out on the other side, the rain had intensified.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rGiven the situation, we just decided to head to the train station and have dinner on the way back. We saw the Il Cavallino seduto and then had pizza at a local place before reaching the train station.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe were wondering if we should stop at Nice on the way back or even head further to Cannes. But with the incessant rain, none of that was going to be really enjoyable. We also had a very early flight the next day, so we decide to head back to our hotel, ibis budget Nice Aéroport, and call it a night.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe room was small but clean and adequate for one night. The Nice Saint-Augustin train station and the Nice Côte d\u0026rsquo;Azur Airport were easy walk of about 10 minutes. Very convinient location for staying close to the airport and also having access to the TER trains to get to other destiations.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r✈️ LH 763\n🚆 Pass Touristique\n🍽️ Supermarché Casino\n🍽️ Paprika Kebab Pizza Burger\n🛏️ ibis budget Nice Aéroport\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2022/09/24/","summary":"Day 1 of our European trip began with a frantic dash through Munich Airport. Despite the rain, we managed to visit three countries in one day: starting in France, walking the harbor of Monaco, and crossing the border for pizza in Italy.","title":"European Escapade - Day 1 🇫🇷 🇲🇨 🇮🇹"},{"content":"\rWe reached Pune airport a little after 6:00 PM to check-in for our flight to Delhi, starting our journey to Europe. We had to scan our bags before check-in and the staff sealed the bag with plastic zip ties. The line for check-in was quite long and it took a while before it was our turn. This was the first of five connected segments for our onward journey on award tickets to Europe. Vistara had an interline agreement with Lufthansa but not with TAP Portugal. The agent at the check-in desk said that they would be able to complete the check-in for us till Nice on the Vistara and Lufthansa flights but not onwards. So we asked him to issue the boarding passes and tag our bags only till Delhi. We planned to pick up the bags there and check-in all the way to Terceira at Delhi with Lufthansa. He was also kind enough to add priority tags to our bags to ensure that it would be easier for us to manage the international transfer at Delhi.\nAfter about an hour after the baggage drop and security check, boarding for our flight began. It was a few minutes behind schedule, but we had a 2 hours and 40 minutes connection in Delhi, so I was not worried, yet. After takeoff, there was a complimentary dinner service en route, which is now a rarity in Indian skies. And overall the flight was a pleasant and comfortable experience. We started our descent towards Delhi at the expected time but kept circling and flying around for a long time. There was a substantial delay due to bad weather. We finally landed at 11:40 PM, 1 hour and 10 minutes behind schedule.\nAs soon as we were allowed to use mobile phones, I logged into the Lufthansa app and tried to check-in for our next flight. I was able to get boarding passes till Nice and also got an alert saying that last time baggage drop was 11:45 PM. It was already 11:45 PM, and we were still inside the aircraft and taxiing to the gate. Finally, the aircraft doors were opened and we scrambled through the crowd to rush towards baggage claim to collect our bags. We waited and waited and there was no sign of our bags. Most people collected their bags and left. There were others, like us, still waiting. As it turned out, most of them were Business class or Priority customers. It seems that none of the bags with the priority tags had made it. The ground staff made some calls and after a while the belt started moving again. Our bags were out in a few minutes and we began running again towards the international check-in area.\nBy the time we reached there, the Lufthansa counters for the Munich flight were empty. The agent took a look at our passports and asked her supervisor what was to be done. She mentioned to her supervisor that we had already completed the online check-in and that was the only reason they hadn\u0026rsquo;t bumped us off the flight. They issued boarding passes for the next four segments, gave us the stubs for the baggage tags and asked us to not even wait till they completed tagging our bags. They said we had to rush through immigration and security otherwise we would miss the flight.\nI didn\u0026rsquo;t even remember what time it was as we started running again. The lines at Delhi were long and winding, as usual. We asked if we could move past people in queue, stating that our flight was boarding in 10 minutes. And everyone—literally everyone—let us move ahead of them. Young and old, Indians and foreigners, business travelers and families, everyone! Some people heard us making the plea to others and didn\u0026rsquo;t even wait till we asked them but just stepped aside for us. This was truly something I was amazed by and it really stuck with me. I know that given a chance I would definitely extend the same courtesy to others in this situation going forward.\nClearing security and immigration, we rushed to the assigned gate to see that boarding had started. We were able to use the priority lane, thanks to my United MileagePlus Premier Gold status. We were finally able to slow down, stop running and catch our breath, as we walked into the aircraft. We had missed the opportunity to visit the Air India Star Alliance Gold Lounge in Delhi but had made it to the flight to Munich looking forward to our first day of the trip tomorrow.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r✈️ Vistara 992\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2022/09/23/","summary":"Our journey to Europe began with a race against time. After a weather-delayed flight from Pune to Delhi, we had to scramble to collect bags and check in with Lufthansa just minutes before the counters closed. A story of travel stress and the surprising kindness of fellow passengers at IGIA.","title":"European Escapade - Day 0 🇮🇳"},{"content":"\rAfter more than 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown, we were looking forward to some travel. I have been collecting miles on United MileagePlus for quite some time, and I was scouting for destinations which we wanted to visit and where we could maximize our miles.\nEurope was at the top of our list, and I was trying to figure out how we could do the most with that. My wife has always wanted to visit Iceland, and I wanted to go to the Azores.\nAfter lots of research and award search, I was finally able to zero in on our travel plans. United MileagePlus has a nice benefit called the Excursionist Perk: a free one-way award within select multi-city itineraries. With that, I was able to book award tickets from India to the Azores and to Iceland, and then back to India for 126,000 miles. The journey from the Azores to Iceland cost us 0 miles thanks to the Excursionist Perk!\nOur first flight would be on Vistara on Friday, 23rd September, leaving Pune at 8:35 PM and reaching Delhi at 10:30 PM. There, we would connect to the Lufthansa flight at 1:10 AM, reaching Munich at 5:40 AM and continuing onwards at 6:50 AM to reach Nice at 8:20 AM on Saturday. We had an overnight layover in Nice for 21 hours and 50 minutes. On Sunday, we would fly TAP Air Portugal from Nice at 6:10 AM, reaching Lisbon at 7:45 AM with a 13-hour 55-minute layover in Lisbon before connecting onwards at 9:40 PM and reaching Terceira at 11:15 PM.\nDate Flight From At To At Airline FRI 23 SEP UK 992 PUNE, IN (PNQ) 20:35 DELHI, IN (DEL) 22:30 VISTARA SAT 24 SEP LH 763 DELHI, IN (DEL) 01:10 MUNICH, DE (MUC) 05:40 LUFTHANSA SAT 24 SEP LH 2270 MUNICH, DE (MUC) 06:50 NICE, FR (NCE) 08:20 LUFTHANSA CITYLINE SUN 25 SEP TP 481 NICE, FR (NCE) 06:10 LISBON, PT (LIS) 07:45 PORTUGALIA AIRLINES SUN 25 SEP TP 1823 LISBON, PT (LIS) 21:40 TERCEIRA, PT (TER) 23:15 TAP PORTUGAL After spending 2 days in Terceira, we would travel from the Azores to Iceland via Greece for the next part of our journey. We would leave from Terceira at 6:10 AM on Wednesday, 28th September, on TAP Air Portugal, reaching Lisbon at 10:15 AM. After about 13 hours and 35 minutes in Lisbon, we would take the Aegean Airlines red-eye flight leaving at 11:50 PM and reaching Athens the next morning at 5:45 AM on Thursday, 29th September. After about 13 hours and 20 minutes in Athens, we would take the Lufthansa flight at 7:05 PM, reaching Munich at 8:40 PM and then connecting onwards at 10:55 PM to reach Reykjavík at 12:50 AM.\nDate Flight From At To At Airline WED 28 SEP TP 1828 TERCEIRA, PT (TER) 06:10 LISBON, PT (LIS) 10:15 TAP PORTUGAL WED 28 SEP A3 723 LISBON, PT (LIS) 23:50 ATHENS, GR (ATH) 05:45(+1) AEGEAN AIRLINES THU 29 SEP LH 1755 ATHENS, GR (ATH) 19:05 MUNICH, DE (MUC) 20:40 LUFTHANSA THU 29 SEP LH 2468 MUNICH, DE (MUC) 22:55 REYKJAVIK, IS (KEF) 00:50(+1) LUFTHANSA After spending 4 days in Iceland, we would start our return journey to India. We would leave from Reykjavík at 12:25 AM on Tuesday, 4th October, on Lufthansa, reaching Frankfurt at 5:45 AM. After 8 hours at Frankfurt, we would then connect onwards at 1:55 PM and reach Malta at 4:25 PM. With 3 hours and 45 minutes in Malta, we would take the Turkish Airlines flight at 8:10 PM, reaching Istanbul at 11:40 PM. We had an overnight layover in Istanbul for 20 hours and 25 minutes. The next day, Wednesday, 5th October, we would fly from Istanbul at 8:05 PM, reaching Mumbai the next morning at 4:45 AM.\nDate Flight From At To At Airline TUE 04 OCT LH 869 REYKJAVIK, IS (KEF) 00:25 FRANKFURT, DE (FRA) 05:45 LUFTHANSA TUE 04 OCT LH 1310 FRANKFURT, DE (FRA) 13:55 LUQA, MT (MLA) 16:25 LUFTHANSA TUE 04 OCT TK 1372 LUQA, MT (MLA) 20:10 ISTANBUL, TR (IST) 23:40 TURKISH AIRLINES WED 05 OCT TK 720 ISTANBUL, TR (IST) 20:05 MUMBAI, IN (BOM) 04:45(+1) TURKISH AIRLINES I booked the award ticket on the united.com website. All the flights were confirmed except for the Lufthansa flight from Athens to Munich. I then called the Premier helpdesk to look at other routings, but luckily the agent was able to confirm that specific segment; so we were all set.\nI had initially booked the tickets from Mumbai. But after award space became available from Pune via Delhi for the onward journey, I was able to get someone from the Premier helpdesk to change the flights for us.\nI kept looking for flights and options even after our original tickets were booked and moved our transit points from Istanbul, Milan, Vienna, and Warsaw to eventually lock in on our final itinerary.\nOn the return journey, our initial layover in Frankfurt and Malta was 3 hours and 8 hours respectively. However, Lufthansa canceled the morning flight to Malta that day, and we were left with 8 hours in Frankfurt and 3 hours in Malta.\nWith that, we were all set for our trip to Europe, thanks to United MileagePlus.\n126,000 miles redeemed | 13 segments\n6 countries | 7 airlines\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2022/04/11/","summary":"A comprehensive guide to booking a 13-segment award trip through Europe using United MileagePlus miles, featuring stops in France, Portugal, Greece, Iceland, and Turkey.","title":"United MileagePlus Award to Europe"},{"content":"This was part of A Taste of Iberia - Day 2 🇪🇸.\nI joined the 2:00 PM Modernisme Free Tour by Play Tour Barcelona with Moises. We started from Plaça de Catalunya and headed towards the Illa de la Discòrdia. Moises told us about Modernista architecture and the four elements we should look for in every building: asymmetry, colors, the use of iron, and elements of nature. The Illa de la Discòrdia is a city block noted for having buildings by four of Barcelona\u0026rsquo;s most important Modernista architects. We saw the Casa Lleó Morera by Lluís Domènech i Montaner, Casa Amatller by Josep Puig i Cadafalch, and then Casa Batlló by Antoni Gaudí.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThere was a small coffee and bathroom break at Faborit Casa Amatller, where we also got to sample some of their chocolate.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOur next stop was Casa Milà, again by Antoni Gaudí. Ever wondered what the Stormtrooper helmets in Star Wars were inspired by?\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe needed to take a subway ride from Diagonal to Sagrada Família for our last stop. Moises suggested that the group of German girls on the tour include me on their group ticket so I would pay less than I would have on my own. They were nice enough to agree, but I felt a bit silly handing over a couple of Euros in cash to someone I didn\u0026rsquo;t really know. As we got out of the subway station, Moises asked those of us who had not seen the church before to look at him as he walked us to a vantage point, before finally asking us to behold the sight in front of us. It was magnificent—quirky in its own way and, of course, still under construction. We walked around it while he told us about its history and the many details we should look for in the façade. Our tour ended there.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r👣 Art Play + Sagrada Familia\n🚇 Diagonal to Sagrada Família\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2019/10/19-1400/","summary":"A journey through the \u0026ldquo;Illa de la Discòrdia\u0026rdquo; and beyond. Discover the four elements of Modernisme and the stories behind Barcelona’s most iconic facades.","title":"Modernisme Free Tour by Play Tour Barcelona 🇪🇸"},{"content":"This was part of A Taste of Iberia - Day 2 🇪🇸.\nI was able to make it to Plaça de Catalunya just in time to join the 11:00 AM Gothic Quarter Free Tour of Barcelona. Our guide was Giada from Italy. We started our walk on Las Ramblas, with Font de Canaletes being our first stop. Giada told us the urban legend that anyone who drinks water from there is sure to return to Barcelona; so, of course, I had to do just that. Our next stop was the Via Sepulcral Romana, which is an ancient cemetery from the Roman era.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe saw the Basílica de Santa Maria del Pi in the heart of the Barri Gòtic, famous for its giant proportions and simplicity. Then we visited Plaça Reial, a large square surrounded by uniform buildings. The Font de les Tres Gràcies (Fountain of the Three Graces) is the centerpiece of Plaça Reial.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe walked past Plaça Sant Jaume, defined by two massive buildings: Palau de la Generalitat de Catalunya and Casa de la Ciutat. There were still visible signs of the protests from the previous night, with a noticeable presence of people and police.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe continued to Plaça de Sant Felip Neri to see the Església de Sant Felip Neri, a beautiful example of Baroque architecture. Our last stop was the Cathedral of Barcelona (Catedral de la Santa Creu i Santa Eulàlia), which features a stunningly ornate Gothic facade.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rIt was a wonderful way to spend two hours walking around; Giada kept us all informed and engaged throughout the tour.\n👣 Gothic Quarter Free Tour of Barcelona\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2019/10/19-1100/","summary":"Join me on a walking tour through Barcelona\u0026rsquo;s Barri Gòtic. From the legends of Font de Canaletes to the Baroque beauty of Sant Felip Neri, here is a journey through Catalan history.","title":"Free tour of Barcelona 🇪🇸"},{"content":"Landing in Barcelona at 00:20 past midnight, the airport was mostly empty and my bags made it without delay. I had booked AirHostel Barcelona because I was only looking for a place to crash for two nights while spending the days roaming around the city. I called the person who was picking me up from the airport and walked to the meeting point. There were a few others waiting as well. Our driver arrived shortly, and we were loaded up and on our way. Check-in was efficient. I was assigned a six-bunk room on the ground floor. The gender-segregated shared bathrooms were clean and close by. The bunk itself was comfortable; there were two lockers assigned to each person and ample space in the room for larger bags.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter a nice day in Lisbon yesterday, and having been to Spain before when I visited Madrid, the original plan for the day was to visit Andorra. However, having learned of the situation in Barcelona before boarding my flight from Lisbon, I cancelled my plans for a day trip to Andorra. I wasn\u0026rsquo;t in any rush to get up early, so I slept in for a bit.\nWhen I finally got out of bed, I saw that one of my roommates was ready to head out. I asked him what he thought of the situation; he said he wasn\u0026rsquo;t going to venture too far from the hostel. I walked out of our room and to the front desk to solicit advice from the staff. He said that I shouldn\u0026rsquo;t have any problem going into the city and advised me to just stay away from groups of protesters if I saw any. Encouraged by that, I made my way to the pantry area. The atmosphere was laid back (likely because it was Saturday), but I didn\u0026rsquo;t really have time for a leisurely breakfast or casual conversation. The complimentary breakfast was basic but nice: cereal, tea, coffee, and toast with butter and jam. After grabbing a bite to eat, I had a quick shower and got ready for my day in Barcelona. The Cèntric subway stop was just a short walk away, making it easy to get into the city. I took the next train from Cèntric to Pl. Catalunya via Torrassa.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rPlaça de Catalunya was filled with tour guides and forming groups. Knowing where to go and which ones to join was, honestly, confusing. I was finally able to locate Free Walking Tours Barcelona and join them for a nice walk through the Gothic Quarter.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI unimaginatively went to McDonald\u0026rsquo;s for lunch, but only because it was quick; I wanted to join my next walking tour and head back to the hostel before any potential riots broke out later in the evening. My next tour was the Modernisme Architecture Tour with Play Tours Barcelona. This also included a short ride on the Barcelona subway, ending at La Sagrada Família.\nAfter the tour, I walked around La Sagrada Família to take pictures, but as it was already evening, there wasn\u0026rsquo;t enough time to stand in line to visit the inside. I decided to head back and took the subway from Sagrada Família to Cèntric via Collblanc. The atmosphere around Cèntric was totally different in the evening. There was a band playing and lots of locals hanging out with friends and family. I decided to stay there for a bit, grabbed dinner at Prime Döner Kebab, and walked back to the hostel after a nice day in Barcelona.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r🚇 Cèntric to Pl. Catalunya via Torrassa\n🚇 Sagrada Família to Cèntric via Collblanc\n🍽️ Prime Döner Kebab\n🛏️ AirHostel Barcelona\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2019/10/19/","summary":"A day in Barcelona: Navigating the city via the subway, joining free walking tours through the Gothic Quarter, and marvelling at the Modernisme architecture of the Sagrada Família.","title":"A Taste of Iberia - Day 2 🇪🇸"},{"content":"This was part of A Taste of Iberia - Day 1 🇵🇹.\nAfter lunch, I joined the 3:00 PM walking tour of Baixa and Bairro Alto by Live History Lisbon, led by Alexandra. We started at Praça Dom Pedro IV and walked past Joalharia Ferreira Marques which was featured in some James Bond movie. We passed by Elevador de Santa Justa and while telling us about it, Alexandra said we\u0026rsquo;d be getting to the top another way.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe walked up to Largo do Carmo and then onto Elevador de Santa Justa to see the sweeping views of the city around us.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe then walked to Convento do Carmo and saw Casa do Ferreira das Tabuletas, and Teatro da Trindade on our way to the Igreja de São Roque.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe could visit the inside of the church and it was exquisite.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOur next stop was Jardim de São Pedro de Alcântara and we walked past Elevador da Glória on our way there. Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara had panoramic views of the city from the landscaped terrace with a fountain.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOur path took us through Bairro Alto to Elevador da Bica where we walked down along the track to the base. Our tour ended at Jardim Dom Luís.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r👣 Baixa and Bairro Alto Free Walking Tour\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2019/10/18-1500/","summary":"A guided walk through Lisbon\u0026rsquo;s most famous districts. From the elegant plazas of Baixa to the bohemian streets of Bairro Alto, including stops at the Igreja de São Roque and the iconic Elevador da Bica.","title":"Baixa and Bairro Alto Walking Tour 🇵🇹"},{"content":"This was part of A Taste of Iberia - Day 1 🇵🇹.\nI made it to Praça Dom Pedro IV just in time to join the 11:00 AM Alfama Free Walking Tour by Discover Lisbon. Our guide was Francisco. He told us about the history of Lisbon and then we stepped into Casa do Alentejo to see the beautiful Moorish courtyard.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe walked back to Largo de São Domingos and got some time to visit Igreja de São Domingos.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe then walked up Escadinhas de São Cristóvão and learnt a bit about Fado culture in Lisbon.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAs we made our way uphill, we reached Miradouro do Chão do Loureiro with sweeping views of the city.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe walked through Arco do Castelo and made a quick pit stop at Especialidade do Recolhimento to sample some Ginjinha. It was nice and sweet!\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rFrancisco also got us into Parque Infantil e de Lazer do Recolhimento and Miradouro do Recolhimento to see another set of panoramic views of the city.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rHe asked us if we want to see another viewpoint of some Roman ruins. Most of the group opted to see the Roman ruins, as we had already visited two viewpoints. So Museu de Lisboa - Teatro Romano was our next stop.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOur tour ended at Igreja de Santo António de Lisboa where we were told the background and some local stories about the place.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r👣 Alfama Free Walking Tour by Discover Lisbon\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2019/10/18-1100/","summary":"A journey through the labyrinthine streets of Alfama. From tasting local Ginjinha to exploring hidden Roman ruins and breathtaking miradouros, here is what to expect on a free walking tour of Lisbon\u0026rsquo;s most historic neighborhood.","title":"Alfama Free Walking Tour 🇵🇹"},{"content":"Going to the airport and taking a flight always gets me excited, so I didn\u0026rsquo;t really mind waking up at 3:00 AM and making my way to Helsinki Airport for my flight to Lisbon and onward to Barcelona.\nI was able to use priority check-in at the airport with my Star Alliance Gold status. The counters for TAP Air Portugal were located right next to Lufthansa\u0026rsquo;s. With my bags tagged to Barcelona, I was issued boarding passes for both legs, first to Lisbon and then onward to Barcelona. I was offered a complimentary priority seat in forward economy cabin but I was ok with my currently assigned aisle seat at the back so declined (a decision which I questioned later). I made a quick visit to the SAS Lounge before heading to the gate for boarding.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rIt was my first flight on a new Star Alliance carrier, TAP Air Portugal. Boarding was smooth and it was nice to see the flight attendants smiling and welcoming everyone. This was a long flight, from one end of Europe to the other. I was pleasantly surprised to see a hot breakfast being served to all passengers. Kudos TAP Air Portugal!\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter breakfast, I realized that my phone needed some juice and looked around to find the in-seat charging point. Unable to do so, I walked back to the galley and asked one of the flight attendants. She told me that only the priority seats (red headrest) in the forward economy cabin had in-seat power; my existing seat (green headrest) didn\u0026rsquo;t. Maybe I should have taken the priority seat at check-in after all. She told me to check with someone in the forward section if I could charge my phone at their seat. Luckily for me, I found an empty seat in the priority section and the person in that row was kind enough to let me to leave my phone there for charging. I got back to my seat in the back and took a nap. Soon we were beginning our descent towards Lisbon. After landing, I didn\u0026rsquo;t need to collect my bags, so I quickly made my way out of the airport to catch the metro to the city for a day in Lisbon.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rEven though I was only going to be in Lisbon for a day in transit, I was looking forward to adding Portugal to my travel map. The flight landed on time and getting out of the airport was quick and easy. I stood in line to buy the Carris/Metro 1 Day ticket (24h) and took the subway from Aeroporto to Baixa-Chiado via Alameda. I walked to Praça Luís de Camões thinking that the tour I wanted to join was starting from there. But then realized I needed to get to Praça Dom Pedro IV so headed there.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI made it just in time to join the Alfama Tour Free Walking Tour by Discover Lisbon starting at 11:00 AM. After finishing that tour I did some souvenir shopping and headed back to Praça Dom Pedro IV to join my next tour by Live History Lisbon at 3:00 PM. There was still time so I asked one of their tour guides where I could get a quick bite to eat and he recommended Tasca Pomb\u0026rsquo;alina close by.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter a having a Chorizo Sandwich and Pastel de Nata for lunch, I joined the Baixa and Bairro Alto Free Walking Tour with Live History Lisbon. This tour finished at Jardim Dom Luis and then I had a nice evening walk along the waterfront to Praça do Comércio.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter great day in Lisbon I took the subway from Baixa-Chiado to Aeroporto via Alameda to catch my flight to Barcelona. I was going to be there for the next day before flying back home.\nAs I got to Lisbon airport and reached the check-in counters to re-confirm my seat for my flight to Barcelona, the ground crew gave me a very puzzled look. Apparently while I was roaming around in Lisbon for the entire day Friday, violence had erupted after a pro-Catalan general strike in Barcelona. I, of course, was clueless about any of this. Most of the flights that day from Lisbon to Barcelona had been cancelled. I just had Saturday in Barcelona and was booked to fly out on Swiss from Barcelona to Zurich and onward to Mumbai on a separate ticket on Sunday morning. So making it to Barcelona was critical for me to eventually get home. Luckily for me, the ground crew confirmed that my flight TAP Air Portugal 1048 was to depart at 21:30 as scheduled. I made a quick visit to the TAP Air Portugal Star Alliance Gold Lounge before heading to gate for departure. The lounge was nice, but was quite packed for this time of the night. The food and drink selections were quite nice. There was just enough time for a quick dinner.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe gate for my flight was at the far end of the terminal, and boarding started almost as soon as I got there. The flight was mostly uneventful, and I was pleasantly surprised to be served a complimentary snack and beverage even on this short hop; well done, TAP Air Portugal! It was a quick flight east, and I was excited for my day in Barcelona tomorrow.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r🚇 Aeroporto to Baixa-Chiado via Alameda\n🚇 Baixa-Chiado to Aeroporto via Alameda\n🍽️ Tasca Pomb\u0026rsquo;alina\n🛏️ AirHostel Barcelona\\\n👣 Alfama Tour Free Walking Tour\n👣 Baixa and Bairro Alto Free Walking Tour\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2019/10/18/","summary":"Turning a long layover into a Lisbon adventure. Exploring the historic streets of Alfama and Bairro Alto, here is how to maximize a single day in the Portuguese capital.","title":"A Taste of Iberia - Day 1 🇵🇹"},{"content":"\rAfter walking around well past 2:00 AM, it was a lazy morning. There was complimentary tea and coffee at the hostel pantry. After getting ready, we checked out of the room and left our bags at the front desk. The original plan was to try to visit the Peterhof Palace or the Catherine Palace at Pushkin. But the rain and overall weather were not encouraging; also, we didn\u0026rsquo;t have all day. So we decided to skip that and spend more time at the places we had seen yesterday. We walked along Nevsky Avenue to the Kazan Cathedral and then along the Griboyedov Canal and the Italian Bridge to the Savior on the Spilled Blood.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe walked around the Mikhailovsky Garden right beside it which was looking spectacular bathed in yellow.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter that we headed back to the Palace Square to see the Winter Palace, the Alexander Column and the General Staff Building.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThen we shopped for some souvenirs and went to Pechki Lavochki on Nevsky Avenue for lunch. I wasn\u0026rsquo;t sure whether to order the small or medium pizza, but eventually decided to go for the medium. It didn\u0026rsquo;t look very big but was quite heavy, and I couldn\u0026rsquo;t finish it, so I asked for a box and left the rest of it in the fridge at the hostel with a note on it that said \u0026ldquo;Free\u0026rdquo;, hoping that someone would have it. We then picked up our bags from the front desk and took the Line 5 southbound from Admiralteyskaya to Obvodnyy kanal and reached St. Petersburg Coach Station. We had booked Lux Express from St. Petersburg to Helsinki at 3:00 PM. On boarding the bus, the driver checked the ticket and the Schengen visa for entry into Finland.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe drove along the Neva River before crossing over and heading north and saw Finland Station, Peter and Paul Fortress. The bus was not crowded at all so we each had two seats to ourselves. There was also free Wi-Fi and a machine for complimentary tea and coffee. The ride back was nice as we drove through the Russian countryside.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAbout halfway through the journey, we reached the border crossing at Torfyanovka. We disembarked the bus and completed the exit formalities on the Russian side and then stood in line at Vaalimaa for entry into Finland and Europe. The immigration officer asked me a few questions, more than I had been asked on entry at various airports in the Schengen region recently. This was probably because it was a land crossing and I was coming in from Russia. Back in Finland, it was already dark. Overall the ride back seemed to be much faster. We were back at Kamppi at around 9:00 PM and walked back to the hotel.\n🍽️ Pechki Lavochki\n🚇 Admiralteyskaya to Obvodnyy kanal\n🚍 Lux Express to Helsinki\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2019/10/12/","summary":"Wrapping up a weekend in St. Petersburg. From the yellow autumn leaves of Mikhailovsky Garden to the grandeur of Palace Square and a smooth Lux Express bus ride back across the border to Finland.","title":"A weekend in Russia - Day 2 🇷🇺"},{"content":"This was part of A weekend in Russia - Day 1 🇷🇺.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe had already seen the Obvodnyy kanal (Обводный канал) station when we arrived earlier today.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe started our tour from the Admiralteyskaya (Адмиралтейская) station and took the northbound Line 5 (also known as the Purple Line or the Frunzensko-Primorskaya Line) towards Komendantsky Prospekt (Комендантский проспект).\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOur first stop was Sportivnaya (Спортивная) station, which is unique for being a double-decked station; the upper floor serves northbound trains and the lower floor serves southbound trains.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rNext, we took the southbound train towards Shushary (Шушары) to the Zvenigorodskaya (Звенигородская) station. We walked across to the Pushkinskaya (Пушкинская) station to switch to Line 1 (also known as the Red Line or the Kirovsko-Vyborgskaya Line).\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe took the southbound train towards Prospekt Veteranov (Проспе́кт Ветера́нов) to the Kirovsky Zavod (Кировский завод) station.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe then continued further to the Avtovo (Автово) station, widely considered one of the most beautiful in the world.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rFrom there, we took the northbound train towards Devyatkino (Девя́ткино) to the Narvskaya (Нарвская) station.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThen we switched back to Line 5 and took the southbound train to the Mezhdunarodnaya (Международная) station.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAnd then we headed northbound again to the Bukharestskaya (Бухарестская) station.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rSwitching back to the Red Line via the Zvenigorodskaya and Pushkinskaya transfer, we took the northbound train to Ploshchad Vosstaniya (Плóщадь Восстáния).\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThis was our last stop, and we then headed back to Admiralteyskaya (Адмиралтейская).\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r🚇 St. Petersburg Metro\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2019/10/11-1700/","summary":"A deep dive into the \u0026ldquo;Underground Palaces\u0026rdquo; of St. Petersburg. From the double-decked Sportivnaya to the glittering mosaics of Avtovo, discover the art and history of the Russian metro.","title":"St. Petersburg Metro 🇷🇺"},{"content":"This was part of A Weekend in Russia - Day 1 🇷🇺.\nWe joined the 10:30 AM St. Petersburg Free Walking Tour. We started our walk at the Bronze Horseman and then headed towards St. Isaac\u0026rsquo;s Cathedral. Our guide shared the fascinating history of Russia, specifically focusing on the founding and evolution of St. Petersburg.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOur next stop was the Admiralty building, where we saw the Monument to Nikolay Przhevalsky and the Admiralty Fountain.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe then headed to Palace Square and crossed past the Winter Palace to reach the Palace Embankment. We arrived just in time to hear the daily noon cannon shot fired from the Peter and Paul Fortress across the Neva River.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rFrom there, we walked to the Pevcheskiy Most and crossed over to see the Gosudarstvennaya Akademicheskaya Kapella.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rNext was the famous Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood and the Mikhailovsky Garden located right beside it.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe then walked along the Griboyedov Canal to our final stop, the Kazan Cathedral.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r👣 St. Petersburg Free Walking Tour\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2019/10/11-1030/","summary":"A journey through the heart of Russia’s imperial capital. Highlights include the noon cannon shot from Peter and Paul Fortress and the stunning Kazan Cathedral.","title":"St. Petersburg Free Walking Tour 🇷🇺"},{"content":"\rStarting October 1, 2019, nationals of 51 foreign states (including India) could be granted an e-visa to enter the Russian Federation through checkpoints (except via rail) located in the Saint Petersburg region. This was an opportunity I wasn\u0026rsquo;t going to miss. A few colleagues and I were in Helsinki for work, and since we had a weekend during our stay, we decided to take a trip to St. Petersburg. We booked the Lux Express from Helsinki to St. Petersburg, leaving late Friday night (just before midnight) and reaching St. Petersburg on Saturday morning. The Lux Express bus was comfortable, featuring free Wi-Fi and a machine for complimentary tea and coffee. After about three and a half hours of driving, we reached Vaalimaa, exited the Schengen region, and cleared immigration to enter Russia at Torfyanovka.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rMost of the people on the bus cleared immigration quickly, but one young lady ran into some issues. The bus waited for her while the driver went to try and sort things out. The door of the bus was left open, and it soon started to get cold. After more than an hour, she finally made it back with the driver and boarded the bus, apologizing profusely. Everyone was just happy that she wasn\u0026rsquo;t stuck there, and we were soon on our way. We reached the St. Petersburg Coach Station around 6:00 AM and walked to the Obvodnyy kanal metro station. We bought a 2-day travel pass (though, in hindsight, we didn\u0026rsquo;t fully utilize it) and took the northbound Line 5 from Obvodnyy kanal to Admiralteyskaya. We were booked at the No Rain No Pain Hostel, but we arrived too early for check-in. Instead, we had some coffee, showered, changed, and left our bags at the front desk.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe joined the St. Petersburg Free Walking Tour at 10:30 AM. It was raining, but we walked on with rain jackets and umbrellas.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter the tour, we went to Kazan Mangal, a Caucasian and Uzbek restaurant, for a nice lunch.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe returned to the hostel after lunch to get our room assigned; we had booked a three-person room. It contained a single bed and a double bunk bed. From the room window, we could see the entrance to the Admiralteyskaya metro station. The room was neat and tidy, the shared bathrooms were clean, and the common kitchen had complimentary tea and coffee. The location was excellent—very close to Palace Square.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe rested for a while and then decided to spend the evening sightseeing the St. Petersburg Metro. It was truly amazing to see so many stations exhibiting typical Soviet designs, featuring exquisite decorations and artwork. We came back and had dinner at Teremok, which served freshly made crepes with a variety of fillings.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter resting for a bit, we headed out an hour after midnight to see the drawing of the bridges on the Neva River. It was cold, but luckily the rain had stopped, so we were able to enjoy the experience.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe walked back through Palace Square, and it was wonderful to see the lit-up Winter Palace and the General Staff Building.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r🚍 Lux Express to St. Petersburg\n🚇 Obvodnyy kanal to Admiralteyskaya\n🍽️ Kazan Mangal\n🍽️ Teremok\n🛏️ No Rain No Pain Hostel\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2019/10/11/","summary":"From Helsinki to St. Petersburg: My first day exploring the \u0026ldquo;Venice of the North.\u0026rdquo; Includes travel logistics, Russian e-visa tips, and a midnight walk to see the drawing of the bridges.","title":"A Weekend in Russia - Day 1 🇷🇺"},{"content":"This was part of A weekend in the Baltics - Day 2 🇱🇻.\nOur Alternative Riga Free Tour by Riga Free Tour started at St. Peter\u0026rsquo;s Church. From there, we made our way to the Riga Central Market (Rīgas Centrāltirgus), a massive complex housed in former German Zeppelin hangars. It is an incredible indoor/outdoor market with stalls selling fresh fruits, vegetables, cheeses, smoked meats, and prepared Latvian dishes.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe then headed across the tracks to the Moscow District (Maskavas forštate), an area historically known for its wooden architecture and a reputation for being less safe in previous decades. We saw the Latvian Academy of Sciences (Latvijas Zinātņu akadēmija); its \u0026ldquo;Stalinist Empire\u0026rdquo; style is typical of the Soviet era and is often referred to by locals as \u0026ldquo;Stalin\u0026rsquo;s Birthday Cake\u0026rdquo;.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe stopped at the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Jesus, a striking wooden building where we learned more about the district\u0026rsquo;s history and the challenges it faced during the 19th and 20th centuries.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe walked past the historic Bānūzis warehouse toward the train station. After a quick 10-minute break, we moved on to the Bergs Bazaar (Berga Bazārs), a beautifully renovated 19th-century shopping arcade filled with upscale boutiques, restaurants, and cafes.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe finished our journey by walking through the Vērmane Garden (Vērmanes dārzs), Riga\u0026rsquo;s oldest public park, to our final stop: the Freedom Monument (Brīvības piemineklis). It stands as the most significant symbol of Latvian independence, sovereignty, and national unity.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r👣 Alternative Riga Free Tour\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2019/10/06-1230/","summary":"An insightful walking tour exploring Riga’s 19th-century wooden architecture, Soviet legacy, and the vibrant Central Market, concluding at the iconic Freedom Monument.","title":"Alternative Riga Free Tour 🇱🇻"},{"content":"This was part of A weekend in the Baltics - Day 2 🇱🇻.\nThe Old Riga Free Walking Tour by Riga Free Tour started at St. Peter’s Church. From there, we made our way to the Riga Synagogue (Peitav Shul) and learned about the significant Jewish history of the city.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe then headed to the Riga Town Hall Square (Rīgas Rātslaukums) and saw the Riga City Hall and the House of the Black Heads, a stunning building that is highly symbolic of Riga\u0026rsquo;s merchant history.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe continued our walk to Dome Square (Doma laukums), the heart of the Old Town. We saw the animal sculptures and a labyrinth located next to the majestic Riga Cathedral.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rIn the square, we also admired the Art Museum RIGA BOURSE—a Venetian Renaissance-style palazzo—and the Latvian Radio House. We then headed to the remaining portion of the city\u0026rsquo;s medieval fortification walls and saw the haunting Geisterdenkmal (the Ghost sculpture).\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOur last stop was the famous Cat House. Our guide shared the legend of the merchant who placed the black cat sculptures on the roof turrets with their tails facing the Great Guild as a sign of protest!\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r👣 Old Riga Free Walking Tour\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2019/10/06-1000/","summary":"A journey through Old Riga’s rich history, featuring architectural gems like the Riga Bourse, the haunting Geisterdenkmal sculpture, and the iconic black cats of Meistaru Street.","title":"Old Riga Free Walking Tour 🇱🇻"},{"content":"This was part of A weekend in the Baltics - Day 1 🇱🇹.\nI made it just in time to join the Old Town Free Tour by Vilnius Free Walking Tours at 10:30 AM. Our guide was Ugnė. She started by sharing some history of Vilnius and Lithuania. She also explained how the Lithuanian language has many common roots with other languages, including Sanskrit; her name is very similar to the Sanskrit word agni, and both mean fire.\nOn our walk across town, we saw the Office of the President of the Republic of Lithuania and the Library Courtyard of Vilnius University, which features the sculpture of Kristijonas Donelaitis.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe stopped at Alumnato kiemelis, considered one of the most beautiful and impressive historic courtyards in the Vilnius Old Town. From there, we visited the Gaon Monument; the bust and memorial plaque honor the Vilnius Gaon, one of history\u0026rsquo;s most influential Jewish scholars. We also learned about the rich Jewish history of the city.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rNext, we saw the sculpture of the pagan goddess Medeinė and walked past the Church of St. Casimir to the Bastion of the Vilnius Defensive Wall. The Bastion offers stunning views of Vilnius and the Three Crosses Monument.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOur next stop took us across the Vilnia River to the Republic of Užupis, a self-declared independent district with its own flag and anthem. It is famous for its 41-point constitution, which is displayed on Paupio Street in multiple languages.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe Angel of Užupis, a bronze statue of an angel blowing a trumpet, stands in the main square. Known for its bohemian identity, Užupis is the artistic heart of Vilnius, filled with galleries, workshops, and cafes.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe crossed the Vilnia River back into the Old Town to see St. Anne\u0026rsquo;s Church and the Church of St. Francis of Assisi. These two churches form one of the most famous and visually stunning architectural ensembles in the city.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe also visited the monument to Adam Mickiewicz, the world-renowned Romantic poet who lived and studied in Vilnius. Our tour concluded at Literatų Street, where the narrow walls have been transformed into an outdoor gallery dedicated to writers and poets connected to the city.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rUgnė gave us excellent tips for the rest of our day and several restaurant recommendations. It was a fantastic tour, and I would definitely recommend it if you ever find yourself in Vilnius.\n👣 Old Town Free Tour\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2019/10/05-1030/","summary":"A comprehensive free walking tour of Vilnius covering major landmarks including the Presidential Palace, the Vilnius Gaon monument, the artistic district of Užupis, and the historic Literatų Street.","title":"Vilnius Old Town Free Tour 🇱🇹"},{"content":"\rVilnius was the first stop on my weekend trip to the Baltic States. I had been to Tallinn, Estonia before and would pass through it on my way back to Helsinki the next day.\nI reached Helsinki airport early in the morning for my flight Finnair 1101 to Vilnius. It was my first flight on the Oneworld carrier, Finnair. I only had my backpack with me; I had checked in online and used a mobile boarding pass, so I went straight through security and headed to the gate. The flight was booked through Finnair and operated by N°rra (Nordic Regional Airlines).\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rBoarding was by stairs, and it was nice to have an exit row seat, even for such a short flight. I had coffee onboard. We flew past Riga—where I would be the following day—and soon we were descending towards Vilnius.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe landed on time, and I took the city bus from the airport into town. I got off at Stotis and walked toward the Monument to Grand Duke Gediminas.\nI made it just in time to join the Old Town Free Tour at 10:30 AM. It was a great way to spend about three hours seeing Vilnius. After the tour, I walked back to Cathedral Square and saw the Vilnius Cathedral and the Bell Tower.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI spent some time in Cathedral Square seeing the Monument to Grand Duke Gediminas and the Commemorative Stone for the 650th Anniversary of Vilnius\u0026rsquo; Founding, but somehow I missed seeing the Miracle Tile.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI had booked the 2:30 PM LUXExpress from Vilnius to Riga, so I bid the Vilnius Old Town farewell and walked to the bus station.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI bought something to eat at one of the small shops there and boarded the bus to Riga. The LUXExpress bus was comfortable and featured seat-back entertainment.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWatching the beautiful countryside go by, I rested a little during the journey. I was scheduled to meet a friend from work in Riga who was arriving from Tallinn at around the same time.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe met at the Riga bus station and walked to the Clarion Collection Hotel Valdemars. The hotel was nice and located near the city center. I had booked the stay using my Nordic Choice points.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThey also included an evening meal with the room. Guests had access to the steam room, which was a great place to relax. The evening meal was a multi-course dinner.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe room was comfortable, and the bathroom was clean and spacious. Breakfast the following morning was also pleasant.\n🚍 Local bus from airport into town\n🚍 LUXExpress to Riga\n🛏️ Clarion Collection Hotel Valdemars\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2019/10/05/","summary":"An efficient first day in the Baltics: exploring the historic sites of Vilnius, catching a luxury bus to Riga, and staying at the Clarion Collection Hotel Valdemars.","title":"A weekend in the Baltics - Day 1 🇱🇹"},{"content":"\rAfter arriving from Vilnius yesterday, I had a good night\u0026rsquo;s sleep at the Clarion Collection Hotel Valdemars. We had a nice breakfast and checked out. Leaving our bags at the front desk of the hotel, we headed out to take in Riga.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe walked to St. Peter\u0026rsquo;s Church to join the Old Riga Free Walking Tour at 10:00 AM, followed by the Alternative Riga Free Tour at 12:30 PM.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rBetween the tours, we saw the Bremen Town Musicians sculpture at St. Peter\u0026rsquo;s Church. If you can touch all four of the animals, it is supposed to bring you good luck—something which would be much needed later in the day. Both tours were back-to-back, so we didn\u0026rsquo;t really have time to plan lunch in between.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter the tours, we walked back to the hotel, picked up our backpacks, and headed straight to the bus station. We arrived with some time to spare and decided to get something to eat while waiting for our bus to Tallinn.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rSomehow, we got confused about the timing and thought our bus was at 4:30 PM; we were waiting inside as the bus we were booked on left on time at 4:00 PM. I felt terrible; I hadn\u0026rsquo;t missed a bus, train, or plane until now, and this was a first for me. I started wondering how I let this happen, but that was not the time for introspection.\nWe had to get to Tallinn as early as possible because we were booked on the Viking Line ferry to Helsinki at 10:15 PM. With the original plan, we would have arrived by 8:30 PM, picked up some dinner, and then taken the ferry. Now, everything was at risk.\nLuckily for us, there was another LUXExpress from Riga to Tallinn at 5:00 PM with seats available. Assuming there were no delays en route, we would reach Tallinn around 9:30 PM. We still had to make it from the Tallinn bus station to the ferry terminal for check-in at least 45 minutes before departure. It was going to be very tight.\nOur bus ride was smooth, though I couldn\u0026rsquo;t really relax; I was quiet and tense. As we neared Tallinn, my anxiety increased, counting minutes and kilometers. As soon as the bus stopped, we jumped out and ran to the taxi stand. As we drove through the city, \u0026ldquo;One \u0026amp; One\u0026rdquo; by Robert Miles started playing on the radio; I hadn\u0026rsquo;t heard that song in almost 20 years. I spontaneously started humming along, realizing subconsciously that we were likely to make it.\nWe reached the terminal just in time to use the self-service kiosks. Only after boarding the ferry was I finally able to breathe a sigh of relief. It was indeed good luck that despite missing the first bus, everything fell into place. We found a table, ordered a burger with fries, and finally ate. We reached Helsinki a little after midnight, concluding a memorable weekend in the Baltics.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r🎶 One \u0026amp; One\n🚍 LUXExpress from Riga to Tallinn\n⛴️ Ferry to Helsinki\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2019/10/06/","summary":"A day of discovery and drama in Riga: from the Bremen Town Musicians and the Nativity of Christ Cathedral to a race across the border to catch a late-night ferry.","title":"A weekend in the Baltics - Day 2 🇱🇻"},{"content":"\rI was planning a weekend trip to the Baltic States and decided to use my Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan miles for a redemption. I booked a one-way ticket from Helsinki to Vilnius.\nDate Flight From At To At Airline SAT 05 OCT AY 1101 456 HELSINKI, FI (HEL) 07:40 VILNIUS, LU (VNO) 08:55 FINNAIR With that, I was all set for my trip to the Baltic States, thanks to the Alaska Mileage Plan.\n12500 miles | 1 airline\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2019/09/24/","summary":"A guide to redeeming Alaska Mileage Plan miles for a short-haul European award ticket, featuring a Finnair flight from Helsinki to Vilnius for just 12,500 miles.","title":"Alaska Mileage Plan Award to Lithuania"},{"content":"This was part of A day in Oslo 🇳🇴.\nI joined the Free Tour Oslo City by Nordic Freedom Tours at 10:00 AM. We assembled at The Tiger sculpture, and after brief introductions to see where everyone was from, we started our journey.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe walked by Christian Frederiks plass to our first stop: the Oslo Opera House. We were given time to explore and even walk onto the roof. From that vantage point, there were great views of the floating sculpture \u0026ldquo;She Lies\u0026rdquo; by Monica Bonvicini.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rNext, we headed to Byens andre Rådhus (Oslo\u0026rsquo;s second City Hall) and Christiania Torv, a historic square famous for its fountain featuring the glove of King Christian IV.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter that, we headed uphill to explore the Akershus Fortress, which offered panoramic views of the Oslo harbour and the Inner Oslofjord.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rFrom there, we descended towards the harbour, passing the Franklin D. Roosevelt monument and the Statue of Tordenskjold before reaching Rådhusplassen (City Hall Square).\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOur guide then took us inside Oslo City Hall to see its magnificent murals and interiors. We were given some time to walk around and explore the building, which is the site of the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOur last stop was the Norwegian Parliament (Stortingsbygningen). The building features a unique Eclectic style, blending elements of Romanesque and Renaissance architecture.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r👣 Free Tour Oslo City\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2019/04/26-1000/","summary":"A comprehensive walking tour through Oslo’s historic and modern landmarks, from the \u0026ldquo;The Tiger\u0026rdquo; at Jernbanetorget to the unique architecture of the Norwegian Parliament.","title":"Free Tour Oslo City 🇳🇴"},{"content":"There were no connections from Helsinki that would arrive in time for the Swiss flight to Mumbai on the same day. Consequently, I flew from Helsinki to Oslo on SAS, connecting to Swiss for Zurich, where I planned to stay overnight at the airport. Since my flight to Mumbai was the following morning, I wasn\u0026rsquo;t in any rush to get to Zurich, so I chose a long layover in Oslo.\nI reached Helsinki to check in for my flight to Oslo. There was a SAS strike that weekend, and most, if not all, long-haul flights from their hubs were cancelled. Luckily for me, I was only flying SAS as far as Oslo and then connecting to Swiss to Zurich, so I was allowed to travel. Most others who were flying onward with SAS were held back in Helsinki. I made a quick trip to the SAS Gold Lounge before my flight. Boarding was on time, the flight time was about an hour and a half, and soon we were landing in Oslo.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI reached Oslo a little after 8:00 AM and had an 11-hour layover. My bags were checked through to Zurich, so I exited the airport and headed to the Oslo Airport Gardermoen station.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI bought a return ticket to Oslo and boarded the train from Oslo Airport to Oslo Central Station. Upon arrival, I walked out to \u0026ldquo;The Tiger\u0026rdquo; sculpture and joined the Free Tour Oslo City at 10:00 AM, following which I went to see The Royal Palace.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter spending some time there, I took a leisurely walk through Sentrum back to Oslo Central Station to catch the train to Oslo Airport for my 7:40 PM flight to Zurich.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThere was chaos at Oslo Airport with many stranded passengers and news reporters. As a result of the numerous cancellations, the security check was quick, and I made my way to the SAS Lounge, which was surprisingly uncrowded. There were good options for food and drink, and I enjoyed a nice evening meal there.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rBoarding was at a remote gate, and we were taken there by bus. The flight was operated by Helvetic Airways on behalf of Swiss.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter takeoff, we were served a small snack. The flight was brief, and we soon landed in Zurich.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI collected my bags and headed to the Radisson Blu Hotel Zurich Airport for the night; my flight to Mumbai was scheduled for the next morning.\n🚆 Oslo Airport to Oslo Central Station\n👣 Free Tour Oslo City\n🛏️ Radisson Blu Hotel Zurich Airport\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2019/04/26/","summary":"An efficient long layover in Oslo: navigating a SAS strike to explore the city center, joining a free walking tour, and visiting the Royal Palace before heading to Zurich.","title":"A day in Oslo 🇳🇴"},{"content":"My flight from San Francisco via Hong Kong landed around noon, and I had just under seven hours before my connecting flight. I decided to take the Free Singapore Tour from the airport. Indian nationals in transit through Singapore are visa-exempt for 96 hours, provided they hold a valid visa issued for the USA. I registered for the 1:30 PM Heritage Tour, which was fully booked soon after. I would not have been able to take the 4:00 PM tour, so it was fortunate that I signed up just in time.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe group followed the coordinator as we were led toward immigration. The immigration officer checked my US visa, and before I could say anything, he took a pen and circled the expiration date. I was concerned that he felt the need to mark my US visa while I was entering Singapore. The same thing happened to the person behind me in line, so at least I knew I wasn\u0026rsquo;t being singled out. Unfortunately, this incident weighed on me for the rest of the trip; I was worried that the mark might affect my ability to use the visa to enter the US again. I boarded the bus and tried to distract myself, but to no avail.\nWe drove out from the airport as our tour guide shared insights into Singapore\u0026rsquo;s history. Our first stop was the Queen Elizabeth Walk. We had some time here to walk around and see the famous Merlion.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThere were also great views of the Singapore Flyer, the Helix Bridge, and the Benjamin Sheares Bridge. Across the water, we could see the ArtScience Museum and the Marina Bay Sands.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfterward, we got back on the bus and drove past the Little India neighborhood. It was beautifully decorated for Diwali.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOur next stop was the Sultan Mosque, where we had time to grab a bite to eat or do some souvenir shopping.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe then boarded the bus and headed back to the airport. Every participant was given a scented candle for Diwali, which was a very nice touch.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rUpon reaching the terminal, I thanked the tour guide and the driver and headed inside. While the visa incident somewhat tainted my first visit, the tour itself was well-organized. I passed through security and immigration and boarded my flight to Mumbai at 6:55 PM.\n🚍 Free Singapore Tour\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2018/11/05/","summary":"A transit journey through Singapore featuring the iconic Merlion Park, panoramic views of the Singapore Flyer, and a festive visit to Little India during Diwali.","title":"An afternoon in Singapore 🇸🇬"},{"content":"\rWe checked out of Nine Hours Narita Airport and headed to the terminal for our flight to Mumbai. We were able to use the priority check-in counters thanks to my Star Alliance Gold Status on United MileagePlus. We had missed seeing Mt. Fuji during this trip and hadn\u0026rsquo;t been able to see it from the Shinkansen the previous day either. Looking at which runways were used for takeoff over the last few days for this flight, I took a calculated guess and asked for seats on the right side of the plane, hoping to catch a glimpse of Mt. Fuji from the air. We were assigned a middle and window seat on the right side.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThis was our second time on ANA, and I was really looking forward to experiencing it again. We visited the United Club at Tokyo Narita Airport. It was way better than any other United Club I had visited, with the possible exception of the one at London Heathrow Airport. It was leaps and bounds ahead of any of the United Club locations in the USA. It was open, airy, and had many seating areas spread out.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThere was a large variety of food selections with both Western and Japanese options.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe relaxed there for a while and had a nice breakfast.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThey had an automated beer dispenser—the first of its kind I had ever seen—known for pouring a perfect beer by tilting the chilled glasses automatically. This self-service, high-tech machine is a highlight of the lounge\u0026rsquo;s beverage selection, providing a consistent, foamy pour without manual effort.\nWe also visited the ANA Lounge Tokyo Narita before our flight. There was an ample spread of food and drink options.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rRight after the entrance was a large model of ANA\u0026rsquo;s \u0026ldquo;Star Wars R2-D2\u0026rdquo; Boeing 787-8. It was autographed by all the cast members from the movie Star Wars: The Force Awakens.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThere was also a dining room located adjacent to a live noodle station with made-to-order dishes, so we had brunch here.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe spent the last of our JP¥ at one of the stores in the airport. Walking around the terminal, it was great to see the actual ANA \u0026ldquo;Star Wars R2-D2\u0026rdquo; Boeing 787-8 jet parked at one of the gates, having just seen the model in the ANA Lounge. Little did I know that this same aircraft would operating All Nippon Airways 829 to Mumbai and make this journey even more memorable.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rUpon boarding, the flight attendants held a small Yoda doll as they greeted passengers, which was a nice touch. The seats in the economy cabin also had R2-D2 headrest covers. The flight attendants even handed out small cards as memorabilia for the flight. There was also a Star Wars theme at the end of each inflight announcement.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe got a good view of Tokyo Narita Airport after takeoff as the plane climbed and turned. A few minutes later, the captain made an announcement that we were passing by Mt. Fuji and passengers on the left of the aircraft would be able to see it from their windows. We were, of course, seated in the middle and window seats on the right side of the plane. We asked the passenger in the aisle seat if we could step out, and she was nice enough to oblige quickly. We scrambled to the middle galley, from where we finally got a nice view of Mt. Fuji through the windows. In all likelihood, it was a better view than what we would have seen from the Shinkansen. This was the one thing we had really missed out on, and now we were able to complete our Japan trip without any regrets.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe service was top-notch and the meals were good. Overall, it was an excellent flight and a nice end to our week in Japan.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe landed in Mumbai on time in the evening. This was one of the very few times an international arrival into Mumbai was not late at night.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r🍽️ United Club Tokyo Narita Airport\n🍽️ ANA Lounge Tokyo Narita Airport\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2018/10/21/","summary":"The final day features high-tech airport lounges and a surprise ride on ANA’s Star Wars themed jet. A \u0026rsquo;last-minute\u0026rsquo; clear view of Mt. Fuji from the aircraft window provides the perfect ending to an epic week-long journey.","title":"Japan - Day 8 🇯🇵"},{"content":"Today was the last day of the trip, and we would spend most of it traveling back to Tokyo. I had a couple of options in mind. One was to take a break at Himeji and see Himeji Castle. The second was to take a break at Shin-Fuji to see Mt. Fuji. Getting to see Mt. Fuji trumped visiting Himeji Castle; however, based on travel blogs and websites, it seemed that getting a good view was subject to local weather conditions and the time of day. The last thing we wanted was to get there and not be able to see it.\nThe third option was to break the journey in Okayama and do a side trip to Takamatsu in Shikoku, effectively visiting all four main islands of the Japanese archipelago. We chose this one and used our Japan Rail Pass for seat reservations on the trains to Tokyo. Looking back, we could have also left Kagoshima-Chūō the previous evening to stay in Hakata and visit Fukuoka before heading back to Tokyo.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe got up very early, checked out of the Toyoko Inn, and walked to Kagoshima-Chūō Station to catch the 6:00 AM Sakura 580 to Okayama. It was operated by the N700-8000 series trainset and ran on the Kyūshū Shinkansen line to Hakata and then on the San'yō Shinkansen line to Okayama. Again, the standard-class reserved car had a 2-2 seating configuration, so the seats were as spacious as Green Car seats and almost as comfortable. There was free Wi-Fi on the train, but it was sketchy. We covered a distance of 730.9 km in 3 hours and 33 minutes, with an average speed of 205.89 km/h.\r\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe reached Okayama a little before 9:30 AM and switched to the Seto-Ōhashi Line to take the Marine-Liner 19 for Takamatsu at 9:54 AM. Our journey took us across the Seto Inland Sea on the Great Seto Bridge, the world\u0026rsquo;s longest two-tiered bridge system. Crossing the bridge took about 20 minutes, with highway traffic on the upper deck and railway tracks on the lower deck.\nWe saw the Dakitemmai at Takamatsu Station, a work of art symbolizing people hugging each other. Outside in Takamatsu Station Square, we saw the Flower Clock and the Kaisui Pond, which contains seawater and is connected to the sea. The Takamatsu Symbol Tower, the tallest building in Shikoku, dominated the skyline next to the Maritime Plaza shopping mall. We also saw the uniquely shaped JR Hotel Clement.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAnother reason for the detour to Shikoku was to try the famous udon noodles. We asked at the Kagawa Takamatsu Tourist Information Center, and the staff recommended Goyashiki Udon Restaurant in Maritime Plaza. It was great to have a relaxed sit-down lunch after a week of quick meals. To round it off, we picked up green tea ice cream from the 7-Eleven in Maritime Plaza, which was—for lack of a better word—unique.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter lunch, we took the Marine-Liner 34 at 1:10 PM, reaching Okayama just after 2:00 PM. We then connected to the Hikari 474 at 2:23 PM bound for Tokyo. It was operated by an N700 series trainset and ran on the San\u0026rsquo;yō Shinkansen line to Shin-Osaka and then the Tōkaidō Shinkansen line to Tokyo. We saw Himeji Castle as we zipped past. We hoped to catch a glimpse of Mt. Fuji near Shin-Fuji, but it was already dark, so we couldn\u0026rsquo;t see a thing. We reached Tokyo around 6:40 PM, covering 732.9 km in 4 hours and 16 minutes at an average speed of 171.77 km/h.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe met a friend at Tokyo Station, and she suggested Yakitori Ichidori for dinner. We ordered grilled chicken skewers, shiitake mushrooms, asparagus, spring onion, and shishito peppers, with some sake to go with it.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfterward, she took us to Taiyaki Tetsuji for taiyaki—a Japanese fish-shaped cake with sweetened red bean paste. It was wonderful to catch up and share our week-long adventure.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rIt was past the time for the last scheduled Narita Express and soon it was time for us to leave. We bid my friend goodbye and took the JR Sobu Line Rapid Service to Chiba where the same train continued as the JR Sobu/Narita Line Rapid Service to Narita Airport. The train was almost empty and it looked like we were the only people headed to the airport this late. It was our last night in Japan and we were going to try something we hadn\u0026rsquo;t done on this trip so far, staying in a capsule hotel.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe booked Nine Hours Narita Airport. We had always wanted to try a capsule hotel, and staying at the airport allowed for a more relaxed morning. We were able to check-in individually at the front desk. The facility had separate sections for men and women. After checking in, I went to the locker room—which was large enough for full-sized suitcases—and changed into the provided loungewear.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe common washrooms and showers were extremely clean.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe main sleeping hall was separated by light-blocking curtains, with capsules stacked in two levels. My capsule on the upper level was larger than anticipated; I could sit up comfortably. A pull-down screen blocked out light and sound. It didn\u0026rsquo;t feel cramped at all, and the bedding was quite comfortable. I can imagine how convenient this must be for solo travelers, who just want a safe and warm place to sleep for the night. Definitely worth trying just for the experience of it, if not for anything else.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r🍽️ Goyashiki Udon Restaurant\n🍽️ Yakitori Ichidori\n🛏️ Nine Hours Narita Airport\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2018/10/20/","summary":"A massive day of travel from the southern tip of Kyushu back to the Tokyo area. Highlights include authentic udon in Shikoku and a unique final night stay in a high-tech capsule hotel at Narita Airport.","title":"Japan - Day 7 🇯🇵"},{"content":"We used our Japan Rail Pass to travel to Ibusuki. We boarded the 7:51 AM Nanohana Rapid Service at Kagoshima-Chūō Station and traveled on the Ibusuki Makurazaki Line along the eastern coast of the Satsuma Peninsula to Ibusuki Station. It took us a little more than an hour to get there.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rIbusuki appeared to be a quiet, laid-back town. We walked through the peaceful local neighborhoods, which had a very rustic feel and were very different from anything we had seen in Japan thus far. Saraku Sand Bath Hall was about a 20-minute walk away from Ibusuki Station.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rIbusuki\u0026rsquo;s claim to fame is sunamushi, or sand bath. It is the only place—not just in Japan, but in the entire world—where you can experience this. Saraku Sand Bath Hall was an onsen that provided the sunamushi right by the water\u0026rsquo;s edge. The fee was ¥1,080 per person. In addition to that, we paid ¥120 to purchase a hand towel for the face and head, and ¥200 for renting a bath towel, which was convenient as we didn\u0026rsquo;t have to carry our own.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter buying the tickets and collecting the towels, we were each given a yukata (cotton kimono) and directed to the gender-segregated changing rooms. I had to strip down completely and wear only the yukata. From the dressing room, I headed down to the sand bath area on the seashore. There were shallow pits already dug out, and we were asked to lie down flat on our backs in them. The attendants then covered us with hot sand up to our necks. We had to wrap the hand towel around our heads to stop sweat and sand from going into our eyes and mouths.\nThe recommended time was about 10 to 15 minutes. I could feel the blood pulsing in my veins and I was sweating profusely (the back of my yukata was completely drenched when I finally got up). When we were done, the attendants asked us to simply pull our hands out, move the sand from our torsos, sit up, and then free our legs. Being covered in sand felt like there was a wall of bricks on our bodies, and I thought we would barely be able to move, but it was ridiculously easy to free our hands and get up. Overall, this was a very exhilarating experience.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter the sand bath, we walked back to our respective changing rooms to experience the onsen. Upon re-entering, the first section was a large bathroom with a tank of water and pails. I had to remove the yukata, drop it off in a bin, and wash the sand off my body before proceeding further. The water was not heated, but after being in the sand bath and sweating it out, it didn\u0026rsquo;t feel cold; it was actually rather refreshing.\nNext was the main room of the onsen, featuring a large pool of water from geothermally heated natural springs and the communal bathing area. The bathing stations had stools, faucets, buckets, and toiletries. It was a little awkward initially to be au naturel in a public setting, but that was more about shedding my mental inhibitions than anything else. I had a quick rinse and got into the pool. There were only a couple of other guys around and they left after some time, so I had the place all to myself. After a very hectic week of travel, it was wonderful to just soak, and the onsen was an enjoyable experience.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe walked back to Ibusuki Station afterward, but there were no seats available on the immediate next train back, and we couldn\u0026rsquo;t board that particular train without reservations. So, we waited for the next train and had some time to kill. The Ibusuki Ekimae Foot Bath was right next to the station. Of course, after the sunamushi and onsen experience, this wasn\u0026rsquo;t as enticing, but we spent some time there as we waited for our ride.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWith our Japan Rail Pass, we boarded the 11:28 AM Nanohana Rapid Service back to Kagoshima-Chūō Station. Like the journey there, we traveled parallel to the eastern coast of the Satsuma Peninsula and had great views of the sea, the other side of the bay, and Sakurajima. It took a little more than an hour to get back.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter reaching Kagoshima-Chūō, our plan was to visit Sakurajima, an active volcano—in fact, the most active one in Japan. We took the tram from Kagoshima-Chūō Eki Mae to Suizokukanguchi and then walked to the Sakurajima Ferry Kagoshima Port. The Sakurajima Ferry ride was about 15 minutes.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe decided to take the Sakurajima Island View Bus, which takes passengers around the main spots in the western region of Sakurajima. We bought the tickets and boarded the bus at the Sakurajima Ferry Terminal. Our first stop was the Karasujima Observatory. From here, we could see panoramic views of the mountain, with volcanic eruptions of steam and white ash clearly visible. A short ride later, we stopped at the Akamizu Scenic Square, which features a scenic park and the \u0026ldquo;Portrait of a Shout\u0026rdquo; monument.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter a while there, our bus climbed the mountain road and reached the Yunohira Observatory, the highest point on Sakurajima accessible to the public. This was as close to the volcano as we could get, and it was impressive to see the peak up close. We stopped here for a good amount of time, giving us a chance to walk around and enjoy the vistas.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe bus then headed back down, passed the Sakurajima Ferry Terminal, and dropped us off at the Sakurajima Visitor Center. It had a small hall with information and a theater showing a film about Sakurajima. We also saw a model of the large white radish that Sakurajima is famous for.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe Sakurajima Volcanic Shore Park and Footbath was a short walk from the Visitor Center. At around 100 meters, this is Japan\u0026rsquo;s largest footbath, offering nice views of Kinko Bay and Sakurajima. We spent some time there soaking our feet in the hot spring water and then walked back to the terminal for the ride back to Kagoshima.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe ferry ride back also gave us splendid views of Sakurajima in the evening light. We spent most of the time on the upper deck and even saw a pod of dolphins in Kinko Bay. As we approached Kagoshima, we could see the Amuran Ferris Wheel near the Kagoshima-Chūō Station in the distance.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe walked around the city and visited Daiso, the Japanese equivalent of a dollar store. They had a massive variety of items priced from ¥100 upwards. After shopping for trinkets and souvenirs, we went to Sukiya Kagoshima Tenmonkan Restaurant for dinner.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe took the tram back from Izurodori to Kagoshima-Chūō Eki Mae and walked back to the Toyoko Inn. For our second night, we got an even bigger room with two beds and a lounge area. The bathroom was more or less the same size as the previous one. We had breakfast only on the first day, which consisted mostly of Japanese fare.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r🧖🏽‍♂️ Saraku Sand Bath Hall\n🚊 Kagoshima-Chūō Eki Mae to Suizokukanguchi\n⛴️ Sakurajima Ferry\n🌋 Sakurajima\n🚍 Sakurajima Island View Bus\n🌋 Sakurajima-Kinkowan Geopark\n🍽️ Sukiya Kagoshima Tenmonkan Restaurant\n🚊 Izurodori to Kagoshima-Chūō Eki Mae\n🛏️ Toyoko Inn Kagoshima\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2018/10/19/","summary":"A day all about relaxation and fire. From being buried in hot volcanic sand at the water\u0026rsquo;s edge to taking a ferry across to an active volcano, experience the raw natural power and beauty of Kagoshima.","title":"Japan - Day 6 🇯🇵"},{"content":"We got up early and got ready; it was too early, so we skipped breakfast again. We walked from Piece Hostel Kyoto to Kyoto Station. We used our Japan Rail Pass for seat reservations on the long-distance trains for today. The plan was to visit Hiroshima and Miyajima (also known as Itsukushima) and then head to Kagoshima.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOur first journey would take us from Kyoto to Hiroshima on the Hikari 491, which operated on the Tōkaidō Shinkansen line until Shin-Osaka and then on the San\u0026rsquo;yō Shinkansen line until Hiroshima. This was the fastest Shinkansen ride during our trip, covering a distance of 380.6 km in 1 hour 44 minutes with an average speed of 219.58 km/h.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter reaching Hiroshima Station, we visited the Hiroshima Tourist Information center to buy the Visit Hiroshima Tourist Pass for the day. Seeing that we were foreign visitors who had just arrived by train, the staff confirmed that we could use the Hiroshima Sightseeing Loop Bus to visit all the places we had planned, and that it was included with our Japan Rail Pass. We then went to the baggage lockers to leave our bags before heading out and taking the Sightseeing Loop Bus.\nOur first stop was the Atomic Bomb Dome. Because the explosion took place almost directly above this building, the walls remained largely intact, even as the dome shattered. The skeletal remains of this building are one of the most recognizable symbols of the atomic bombing in Hiroshima. We also saw the Memorial Tower Dedicated to Mobilized Students, which commemorates the students who were conscripted to work in factories and were killed by the atomic bomb.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe walked across the Motoyasu Bridge to the Peace Memorial Park. We saw the Children\u0026rsquo;s Peace Monument surrounded by thousands of origami paper cranes folded by schoolchildren across Japan in memory of the children who died. The Atomic Bomb Memorial Burial Mound holds the ashes of bomb victims who were unidentified or unclaimed. The Korean Atomic Bomb Victims Cenotaph was erected in memory of forced laborers from Korea who were working in Hiroshima at the time of the attack.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe saw the Hiroshima Victims Memorial Cenotaph, which is a stone chest with a registry containing the names of every known person who died from the bombing, regardless of nationality. Across the Pond of Peace was the Flame of Peace, intended to burn until the last nuclear weapon is gone from the earth. We could also see the Atomic Bomb Dome in the distance. The Prayer For Peace Memorial Statue and Monument of Prayer were on either side.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe visited the Hiroshima National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims. The entrance of the museum leads downward to a quiet hall for contemplation. There were also kiosks with stories and recollections from survivors. We stood there listening to the narration of a story about a little boy looking for his brother; it was extremely sad, and we couldn\u0026rsquo;t bring ourselves to listen to any more.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rSeeing all the monuments and then finally listening to a real story made the visit to Hiroshima more heart-rending than we had anticipated. After that, we didn\u0026rsquo;t really feel like visiting the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum to see more. We walked across the Prayer Fountain and the statue of Mother and Baby in the Storm and took the JR Loop Bus back to Hiroshima Station.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rFor lunch, we wanted to try the Hiroshima specialty, Okonomiyaki. There were a few places at Hiroshima Station serving this, and after looking around, we decided to go to Fuku-chan near the south exit of the station. There was a long wait, like most places around, but looking back, that was probably a good thing. It gave us time to clear our heads, talk about other things, and build up an appetite by the time we were seated. Okonomiyaki is a Japanese savory pancake containing a variety of ingredients layered in a wheat-flour-based batter. Translated, it roughly means okonomi (\u0026ldquo;what you like\u0026rdquo;) and yaki (\u0026ldquo;cooked\u0026rdquo;). It was fun to watch them prepare the dish on the live counter, and it was very scrumptious.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter lunch, we took the JR Sanyo Line for Onoura from Hiroshima, and it took about half an hour to get to Miyajimaguchi. The train station was a few minutes\u0026rsquo; walk from the JR Miyajima Ferry. The ferry ride was about 10 minutes, and we got good views of the Itsukushima Floating Torii Gate from the water.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe Itsukushima Shrine is famous for the Torii that appears to be floating at high tide; when the tide is low, it is approachable by foot from the island.\nIf you are an old Hindi movie/music buff, you might remember it from the beautiful Mohammad Rafi number ओ मेरे शाह-ए-खूबाँ from the film Love in Tokyo.\nBeing one of the most popular tourist attractions in Japan, there was a huge line inside the Itsukushima Shrine to reach the end of the pier and take the perfect picture. We decided to walk around instead of just standing in line. There were deer roaming around the streets in a few places and many shops selling food and souvenirs. We saw the Toyokuni Shrine Five-Story Pagoda and got many views of the Itsukushima Floating Torii Gate from other vantage points.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe took the JR Miyajima Ferry back to Miyajimaguchi and then took the train on the JR Sanyo Line towards Itozaki. The train was quite crowded, and there was barely enough room to even stand. Luckily, we didn\u0026rsquo;t have any issues getting off at Hiroshima Station.\nWe picked up our bags from the luggage lockers and boarded the Sakura 567 at 6:38 PM from Hiroshima to Kagoshima-Chūō. It was operated by the N700-8000 series trainset and ran on the San\u0026rsquo;yō Shinkansen line until Hakata and then on the Kyūshū Shinkansen line until Kagoshima-Chūō. Surprisingly, the standard-class reserved car had a seating configuration of 2-2, so the seats were as spacious as the green car seats and probably almost as comfortable as well. The standard-class unreserved seating configuration was 2-3, similar to what we had seen on both reserved and unreserved Shinkansen coaches until now. We covered a distance of 569.6 km in 2 hours 49 minutes with an average speed of 202.22 km/h.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe reached Kagoshima-Chūō a little before 9:30 PM and then walked to our hotel, Toyoko Inn. We chose this place because it was close to Kagoshima-Chūō Station—literally less than a 2-minute walk. We were going to stay here for two nights and had made two separate bookings. They were not able to give us the same room for both nights because we had made reservations in two categories at two different prices and the hotel was fully booked. Nonetheless, the room we were assigned was bigger than any room we had seen in Japan so far. It had two beds and a decent-sized bathroom.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r🍽️ Fuku-chan Hiroshima Station South Exit\n🚍 Hiroshima Sightseeing Loop Bus\n⛴️ JR Miyajima Ferry\n🛏️ Toyoko Inn Kagoshima\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2018/10/18/","summary":"A day of profound contrasts: honoring history at the Atomic Bomb Dome and enjoying local Hiroshima-style Okonomiyaki, followed by the stunning seaside vistas of Miyajima and a late-night arrival in Kyushu.","title":"Japan - Day 5 🇯🇵"},{"content":"\rWe got up early and got ready; it was too early for breakfast. The plan was to go and see the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest as early as possible to avoid the crowds. We walked from Piece Hostel Kyoto to Kyoto Station and used our Japan Rail Pass for the 6:04 AM train on the JR Sagano Line towards Sonobe. It took a little more than 15 minutes to reach Saga-Arashiyama Station.\nWe first went to see the Kimono Forest at Arashiyama Station. The Kimono Forest is a train-stop art installation with 600 backlit pillars adorned with vibrant kimono textiles. We reached there before sunrise, so we had a chance to see the Kimono Forest both lit up and without the lights. This is off the beaten track but worth a quick visit.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rNext, we walked to the Togetsukyō Bridge, a 155-meter bridge built across the Katsura River that flows through Saga Arashiyama. A small dam and the tree-covered slopes of the Arashiyama mountain were just south of the bridge. It was wonderful to see this in the early morning light.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rFrom there, we headed to the famous Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, also known as the Sagano Bamboo Forest. It was a natural forest of bamboo with various paths and walkways. Of course, there were a few other visitors who had the same plan as us and had arrived early to enjoy the place without the crowds and get great photographs. It was absolutely worth it.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAround 8:15 AM, we took the train on the JR Sagano Line back to Kyoto. At Kyoto Station, we bought the Kyoto City Bus \u0026amp; Kyoto Bus One-Day Pass (¥600 per person) and took the bus around 8:40 AM for the 15-minute ride from Kyoto Station to Horikawa Nakadachiuri. From there, we walked about 15 minutes to the Nakadachiuri Gomon Gate. We went to the Imperial Household Agency - Kyoto Office and signed up for the 10:00 AM guided tour of the Kyoto Imperial Palace in English.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe started off passing the Gishu-mon Gate and saw Okurumayose, the Carriage Porch for the Nobles. Passing through the Gekka-mon Gate (Gate of the Moon), we saw the Seiryo-den (Inner Palace) and the Shishin-den (Ceremonial Palace). The Kenshunmon Gate was also visible on the way to Kogosho and then to the beautiful Oike-niwa (Pond Garden). Our guide told us about the significance of each of the buildings and the related history of Kyoto and Japan.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe walked to the bus stop at the northwest corner of the Imperial Palace grounds and boarded the bus from Karasuma Imadegawa to Kinkaku-ji, the Temple of the Golden Pavilion, which was about 15 minutes away. After reaching the temple, we stood in line to buy entrance tickets and entered the compound. The temple was set in a Japanese strolling garden overlooking a pond. It was a nice walk, though there were many visitors there.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe took the bus back from Kinkaku-ji to Kyoto Station. On the north side of the station is an underground shopping mall, Porta, which has a section called \u0026lsquo;Porta Dining\u0026rsquo; featuring a variety of reasonably priced eating options. We settled in at Marumo Kitchen, a Japanese bowl cafe, for lunch.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe plan for the afternoon was to visit the Fushimi Inari Shrine. We used our Japan Rail Pass and took the train on the Nara Line to Inari Station. It was a quick five-minute ride, and the Fushimi Inari Shrine was a couple of minutes\u0026rsquo; walk from the station. The Shinto shrine is dedicated to Inari, the god of rice. Foxes are thought to be Inari\u0026rsquo;s messengers, and there were many fox statues across the shrine grounds.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe highlight of this shrine was the rows of Torii gates, known as Senbon Torii. At the back of the shrine\u0026rsquo;s main grounds was the entrance to the Torii gate-covered hiking trail leading up Mt. Inari. There were many people in the sections closer to the starting point, but as we moved further from the entrance, the crowds started to thin. After walking for just about 15 minutes, there were long spans of the trail where no one else was around. It was a wonderful experience and presented fantastic photo opportunities. There were many smaller shrines along the way, and the Yotsutsuji intersection offered nice views of Kyoto.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe took the train on the Nara Line back to Kyoto Station at around 5:00 PM. Kyoto Station is Japan\u0026rsquo;s second-largest station building and one of the country\u0026rsquo;s largest buildings, featuring a huge atrium. The “Daikaidan,” or Grand Stairway, ran from the 4th floor of the west wing all the way up to the Sky Garden on the 15th floor. There was a stage on the 4th floor at the base of the stairs for concerts, shows, or performances, which people could view from the stairway like an amphitheater.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe then went to The Cube Gourmet Street situated on the 11th floor on the west side of the station building. However, almost all of the restaurants were popular and had significant wait times. So, we went back to Porta Dining and settled in at Shijan Korean Kitchen for dinner.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOpposite Kyoto Station, we saw the Kyoto Tower, the tallest structure in Kyoto at 131m, standing on top of a building. It was beautifully lit up at night. It had been a long and tiring day, so we headed back to Piece Hostel Kyoto and retired for the night.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r🚍 Kyoto Station to Horikawa Nakadachiuri\n🚍 Karasuma Imadegawa to Kinkaku-ji\n🚍 Kinkaku-ji to Kyoto Station\n🍽️ Marumo Kitchen, Japanese Bowl Cafe\n🍽️ Shijan Korean Kitchen\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2018/10/17/","summary":"A full day dedicated to Kyoto’s UNESCO sites and natural wonders. From the imperial history of the Kyoto Palace to a sunset hike up Mt. Inari, discover why this city remains the cultural soul of Japan.","title":"Japan - Day 4 🇯🇵"},{"content":"\rWe got up early, got ready, and went down to have breakfast. Breakfast the next morning was basic but adequate.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe walked to the Hakodate Morning Market, which was only a couple of minutes away. The market area spanned a few city blocks and was open from early morning until about noon. There was a lot of local Hakodate produce on display, including vegetables and fruits. However, the main attraction was the large variety of fresh and preserved seafood, including crabs and salmon roe. A few stores had freshly caught squids swimming in tanks; you could fish for them and then have the chef prepare them for you to eat. There were many restaurants in the market area that offered Seafood Rice Bowls. Having eaten a more Western breakfast of eggs, toast, and coffee already, we were not sure if we would fancy seafood so early in the morning, so we decided to give it a miss. Overall, it was a nice experience to walk around.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe then walked back to the hotel, checked out, and went to Hakodate Station to catch the 10:05 AM Super Hokuto Limited Express 7 to Onumakoen Station. We were not able to get a reservation in advance but were able to find seats in the unreserved compartment about half an hour before the scheduled departure time. The train left on time, and in about 30 minutes, we were at Onumakoen Station. The Tourist Information Center was right next door, and we were able to leave our luggage there for the duration of our visit. I think the fee was ¥600 per bag. They also gave us a brochure and map of the Ōnuma Quasi-National Park and told us about all the activities there.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rFirst, we went to the Boat Rental Agency and bought tickets for the Sightseeing Boat tour, which were around ¥1100 per person. There were not too many people onboard, so we could enjoy views on both sides as well as stand outside at the back of the boat. It was great to be on the water and get superb views of Mt. Komagatake, an active volcano. We also passed under the Tsukimi Bridge into Lake Konuma and then back again to Lake Onuma. The duration was about 30 minutes, and it was a very enjoyable experience.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter the boat ride, we went on the Island-hopping Trail (Shimameguri-no-Michi). It took a little less than an hour, and we crossed many bridges and small islands on the shore of Lake Onuma. There were also many vantage points from which there were panoramic vistas of Lake Onuma and Mt. Komagatake in the background.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rNext, we took the Oshima Trail (Oshima-no-Michi). It was shorter, only about 15 minutes of an easy walk. It also had a beautiful view spot of Mt. Komagatake, and we saw the \u0026ldquo;A Thousand Winds\u0026rdquo; Monument.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rIt was very nice to be outdoors in the crisp autumn air. Spending time at leisure was very atypical, especially for me. Given the amount of traveling we would do for the rest of this week, it was nice to take it easy and enjoy nature. We had used our Japan Rail Pass and had made seat reservations for our travel for the rest of the day.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe walked back to the Tourist Information Center, picked up our bags, and headed to the Onumakoen Station. We had seat reservations on the 2:00 PM Super Hokuto Limited Express 10 to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto. It was a short ride of about 10 minutes.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe picked up some sandwiches for lunch to have on the train from one of the stores at the station and also picked up an Ekiben, the famous railway boxed meal of Japan. We had seat reservations on the Shinkansen Hayabusa 30 service from Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto to Tokyo. The Hayabusa 30 service from Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto ran on the Hokkaidō Shinkansen line until Shin-Aomori and then on the Tōhoku Shinkansen line until Tokyo. It was operated by an E5/H5 Series Shinkansen trainset. It was fun to see the countryside in the afternoon and evening light as we sped through the Tōhoku region of Honshū. We covered a distance of 862.5 km in 4 hours 16 minutes with an average speed of 202.15 km/h.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe reached Tokyo on time and had about half an hour before our next train. Many train stations in Japan are famous for their Ekiben made from local and regional food specialties. We had liked the first one we had earlier from Hakodate and were curious to try more. There were many stores at Tokyo Station and many options to choose from. We bought a Chicken Teriyaki Bento, a Shinagawa Clams Bento, and one Vegetarian Bento just to see what that was like. We had seat reservations on the Shinkansen Hikari 531 service from Tokyo to Kyoto. The Hikari 531 service ran on the Tōkaidō Shinkansen line until Kyoto and was operated by the N700 Series Shinkansen trainset. We covered a distance of 513.6 km in 2 hours 39 minutes with an average speed of 193.81 km/h.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rIt was already dark, and there was not much to see outside. The train journey was comfortable, and we were able to enjoy our meals and relax. Although the Ekiben looked small, they were quite filling, and we could finish only two of them on the train. We reached Kyoto a little after 10:00 PM and walked to Piece Hostel Kyoto, where we would be staying for two nights. We chose this place because it was close to Kyoto Station, which made commuting easy.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThere was a lounge area, a kitchen/pantry area, and a garden area beyond that.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOur room was small and basic: a bed, a mirror, and a washbasin.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe gender-segregated shared toilets on every floor were extremely clean. The common showers were on the ground floor.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThere was also a nice terrace on top.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe had the last remaining Vegetarian Ekiben and called it a night.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r🏞️ Ōnuma Quasi-National Park\n🛏️ Piece Hostel Kyoto\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2018/10/16/","summary":"Start with a serene morning among the islands of Lake Onuma and the Hakodate morning market. The day concludes with a high-speed transit across Honshu, fueled by a variety of regional \u0026lsquo;Ekiben\u0026rsquo; bento boxes, ending in Kyoto.","title":"Japan - Day 3 🇯🇵"},{"content":"We got up early and got ready. We checked out of the Pearl Hotel Yaesu and walked to Tokyo Station. Our journey today would take us from Tokyo in Honshū to Hakodate in Hokkaidō. We used our Japan Rail Pass and had made seat reservations on the Hayabusa 1 service from Tokyo to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto; after that, we would take the Hakodate Liner to Hakodate.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe were looking forward to our first journey on the Shinkansen. When we reached Tokyo Station, we saw lines drawn on the platforms for First and Second Class passengers to organize the boarding process. The passengers in the Second Class line would wait until all passengers in the First Class line had boarded. While we waited for our train, we saw the E7/W7 Series along with E2 Series Shinkansen trainsets.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe Hayabusa 1 service from Tokyo ran on the Tōhoku Shinkansen line until Shin-Aomori and then on the Hokkaidō Shinkansen line until Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto. It was operated by an E5/H5 Series Shinkansen trainset.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe boarded and took our assigned seats. There was enough room behind the last row of seats for our bags (one medium-sized and one small-sized suitcase). The seats were spacious and comfortable compared to airplane seats. We tried to catch up on our sleep on the train since we had gotten up very early in the morning. The train sped through the Tōhoku region of Honshū, and it was nice to see the countryside go by.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter crossing Aomori, we passed through the Seikan Tunnel, which connects Honshū with Hokkaidō. It is a 53.85 km long tunnel with a 23.3 km section under the seabed of the Tsugaru Strait.\nWe covered a total distance of 862.5 km in 4 hours 25 minutes with an average speed of 195.28 km/h. After reaching Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto, we switched to another platform to board the Hakodate Liner for the short trip to Hakodate.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter reaching Hakodate Station, we walked out and headed to Hotel Kikuya, where we were booked. When we arrived around noon, it was still too early for check-in, so we left our bags at the front desk and headed out to spend the day in Hakodate. We chose this place because of its location: it was about a five-minute walk from Hakodate Station, and the Hakodate Morning Market was only two minutes away; that made commuting easy. As with every place we visited in Japan, we were going to be out all day and just needed a place to sleep at night, so it didn’t have to be fancy.\nWe found a nice little place close by for lunch, Ramen Tutuiken. We were skeptical at first, but the food turned out to be fantastic. I would definitely recommend this place if you are in Hakodate.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter lunch, we bought the Hakodate Bus and Tram One-Day Pass (¥1000 per person) and took the tram from Hakodate-Eki-Mae to Yunokawa-Onsen stop for the Yunokawa Hot Spring Footbath Retreat. This is a free Ashiyu (a Japanese public footbath) where people can bathe their feet in natural hot spring water. After all the walking we had done in Tokyo the previous day, this felt good. As we soaked our feet for a while, it was nice to see that this was not a tourist-only place and that locals were also relaxing here.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe took the tram back from Yunokawa-Onsen to Jujigai stop and visited the bay area facing Hakodate Port, which had nice views of the harbor. We also saw the Kanemori Red Brick Warehouses, which are now converted into a shopping mall.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rFrom there, we walked up to see the Hachiman-Zaka Slope, a tree-lined road sloping from the foot of Mt. Hakodate towards the waterfront with a nice view of the bay and harbor. It was quite a steep walk uphill, but the view from the top was great.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe cable car to the Mt. Hakodate Observatory was not operational, so we took the tram from the Suehirocho stop to Hakodate-Eki-Mae and boarded the Hakodate Mountain Climbing Bus from JR Hakodate Station to the top; it was included in our day pass. Mt. Hakodate Observatory offered a panoramic vista of the city of Hakodate and is claimed to be one of the three best night views in Japan. Looking the other way, we could see a faint view of Aomori in Honshū across the Tsugaru Strait. We reached there just in time to see the sun setting and the city lighting up. It was magnificent.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe hadn\u0026rsquo;t seen too many tourists during the day, but this place was packed. From what we could tell, there were locals and visitors, mostly from Asia (our guess was China and South Korea). After spending some time there, we decided to head back down before the bus and the road got crowded. We bought some souvenirs at the store there and then took the Hakodate Mountain Climbing Bus back down to the JR Hakodate Station. We walked along the tram line towards the Matsukaze-Cho stop and found lots of restaurants there. We finally decided on Yondaime Ramen for dinner.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe walked back to the hotel, picked up our bags, and got our room. The room was small: a bed, a desk, and barely enough space to walk around it. The bathroom was compact but had everything that was needed. Our room window had a nice view of Mt. Hakodate.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r🚍 Hakodate Bus and Tram One-Day Pass\n🚋 Hakodate Bus and Tram One-Day Pass\n🍽️ Ramen Tutuiken\n🍽️ Yondaime Ramen\n🛏️ Hotel Kikuya\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2018/10/15/","summary":"Day 2 takes you through the undersea Seikan Tunnel to Hakodate. Enjoy a day of coastal charm featuring fresh ramen, steep scenic slopes, and a breathtaking sunset over the city from the Mt. Hakodate Observatory.","title":"Japan - Day 2 🇯🇵"},{"content":"After a comfortable flight, we landed on time at Tokyo Narita Airport, fresh and ready for our week in Japan. Immigration and baggage claim were fairly quick.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe headed to the JR East Travel Service Center and exchanged our vouchers for the actual Japan Rail Pass after showing them our passports and visas. We used it right away and booked tickets on the Narita Express 10 at 9:45 AM, reaching Tokyo at 10:44 AM.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe exited Tokyo Station from the Yaesu side and walked to the Pearl Hotel Yaesu. We chose this place because it was close to Tokyo Central Station, which made commuting easy. As with every place we visited in Japan, we were going to be out all day and just needed a place to sleep at night, so it didn’t have to be fancy. When we arrived in the morning, it was too early for check-in, so we left our bags at the front desk and headed out for a day in Tokyo.\nWe had planned out what we wanted to cover since we only had a day, and we were also going to meet an old friend of mine who is now based in Tokyo. We walked back to Tokyo Station, met her near the Yaesu entrance/exit, and walked across to the Marunouchi plaza to see the red brick building facade on the western (Marunouchi entrance/exit) side of the station, which reminded me of the Amsterdam Centraal Station building. This was in stark contrast to the very modern and urban architecture on the eastern (Yaesu entrance/exit) side.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe then walked back into the station and bought the Common One-Day Ticket for Tokyo Metro \u0026amp; Toei Subway for the two of us.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe took the Marunouchi Line from Tokyo Station to Ginza to see the high fashion center of the city with upscale shops and restaurants. We walked around and saw the Sukiyabashi crossing, the Nissan crossing, and the Wako Department Store.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rNext, we took the Asakusa Line from Higashi-Ginza to Asakusa to visit the Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center. This building has a free observation deck and cafe on the 7th floor with great views of Sensō-ji and Tokyo Skytree.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter spending some time there, we headed to Sensō-ji, Tokyo\u0026rsquo;s oldest temple. We entered from the Kaminarimon Gate with its magnificent 3.9-meter-tall lantern and then walked through the Nakamise-dōri Shopping Street through the Hōzōmon Gate to the main temple.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe stopped at Fuji Soba for a quick meal. We had to order using a machine with pictures and prices, which was a new experience for us. After making the payment, a little slip was printed out, which we handed to the staff; they prepared our food and brought it to our table.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter that, we took in more views of the Asahi Beer Headquarters Building and the Tokyo Skytree from Azuma Bridge.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe then took the Asakusa Line from Asakusa to Daimon and then the Oedo Line from Asakusa to Akabanebashi. We stepped out of the station to see the Tokyo Tower. It was getting dark, so we saw the lights coming on.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter that, we took the Oedo Line from Akabanebashi to Tochōmae to visit the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building. There is free access to the observation decks in the north and south towers of the main building, and both offer slightly different views. Today, the North Tower Observation Deck was open, and we got to see great views of Tokyo all lit up at night. I\u0026rsquo;m sure the views during the day would have been nice as well.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe took the Marunouchi Line from Nishi-Shinjuku to Tokyo Station and headed to Tokyo Ramen Street, with ramen shops that showcase the best of Tokyo Ramen. We settled in at Soranoiro Nippon for dinner.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter dinner, we bid my friend goodbye; we would see her again on our last day in Japan before flying out. We walked back to the hotel after a great day in Tokyo! We picked up our bags and got our room. As expected, the room was not very big—just a bed, a dresser, and space to walk around it. The bathroom was compact but had everything that was needed. We didn’t have any trouble walking there even late at night, and it was less than ten minutes from the Yaesu Central Entrance of Tokyo Central Station.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r🚇 Common One-day Ticket for Tokyo Metro \u0026amp; Toei Subway\n🚇 Common 1 Day Ticket for Toei Subway and Tokyo Metro\n🍽️ Fuji Soba\n🍽️ Soranoiro Nippon at Tokyo Ramen Street\n🛏️ Pearl Hotel Yaesu\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2018/10/14/","summary":"After a smooth transit from Narita, dive into Tokyo\u0026rsquo;s highlights. Explore iconic shrines, witness the skyline from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, and enjoy a warm reunion with a local friend over authentic ramen.","title":"Japan - Day 1 🇯🇵"},{"content":"\rWe were able to use the business-class check-in counters thanks to my Star Alliance Gold status on United MileagePlus. I had originally chosen seats 13A and 13C in the first row of economy, hoping that the middle seat would remain empty. The check-in agent was very nice and offered to seat us separately in the same row with two empty seats next to each of us. Of course, we accepted and were assigned 14A (with 14B and 14C unoccupied) and 14D (with 14E and 14F unoccupied). We also got invitations to visit the GVK Lounge before departure. The lounge was nice and had a very good selection of food and drink. We had a quick dinner before heading to the gate for boarding.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThis was my first time on ANA, and I was really looking forward to the experience. Believe me, even in economy class, it was a pleasure to fly ANA. The cabin crew were extremely polite and professional.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter takeoff, the flight attendants stood at the front of each cabin and started by bowing to the passengers. This was our first taste of Japan. Service was prompt, and we were handed a laminated menu card with details and pictures of the meal options. After dinner, we were offered ice cream and coffee. Having three seats each, we were able to lie down and get good sleep before arrival.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rA small breakfast box was served before landing along with coffee. Overall All Nippon Airways 830 was a wonderful experience.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r🍽️ GVK Lounge\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2018/10/13/","summary":"The journey begins with Star Alliance Gold perks in Mumbai followed by an overnight flight to Tokyo. Get a first taste of Japanese culture through ANA’s polite service and unique traditions before landing in the capital.","title":"Japan - Day 0 🇮🇳"},{"content":"When we decided that Japan was going to be our next holiday destination, it was certain that we would be using the Japan Rail Pass. It was quite expensive, considering that it costs about half the price of the standard return airfare from Mumbai to Tokyo per person.\nI ordered the Japan Rail Pass vouchers from www.japan-rail-pass.com, and they were shipped to us by FedEx. These vouchers were to be exchanged for the actual Japan Rail Pass at a JR Travel Service Center.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThere were lots of websites and blogs with sample itineraries for the 7-day Japan Rail Pass. After reading up, I did my own research on how to optimize and/or maximize both the Japan Rail Pass and our time there. From my experience, I found that www.hyperdia.com is the best website out there for checking train schedules and fares.\nOur flights were already booked into and out of Narita Airport. The final itinerary that I worked out would have us starting and ending our journey in Tokyo and take us from Onumakoen in Hokkaidō to Ibusuki in Kyūshū. The total distance traversed was 5,164.2 km, with the tickets valued at around ¥84,860 (base fare only, without seating fees). We visited all four main islands of the Japanese archipelago and experienced journeys on five of the seven major Shinkansen lines. Besides the numerous train journeys, the Japan Rail Pass also gave us access to the JR Hiroshima Loop Bus and the JR Miyajima Ferry.\nShinkansen Hokkaidō Shinkansen Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Shin-Aomori Tōhoku Shinkansen Shin-Aomori Tokyo Tōkaidō Shinkansen Tokyo Shin-Osaka San\u0026rsquo;yō Shinkansen Shin-Osaka Hakata Kyūshū Shinkansen Hakata Kagoshima-Chūō Looking back, if there was anything I would consider changing, it would be extending the overall trip by a day or two: arriving at Narita Airport and seeing Tokyo first, then using the Japan Rail Pass from the journey to Hakodate (making that Day 1), visiting Sapporo on Day 2, and on Day 7 visiting Fukuoka or Himeji, ending the journey in Osaka and flying out of Kansai Airport.\nDay 1: 66.8 kms | ¥4,070 Trip Total: 66.8 kms | ¥4,070 We used the Japan Rail Pass to take the Narita Express from Narita Airport to Tokyo Station.\nTrain/Service Depart From Arrive To Distance Value NARITA EXPRESS 09:45 NARITA AIRPORT 10:44 TOKYO 66.8 ¥4,070 \u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rDay 2: 880.4 kms | ¥12,540 Trip Total: 947.2 kms | ¥16,610 We traveled on the Tōhoku Shinkansen and Hokkaidō Shinkansen lines from Tokyo to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto and then the Hakodate Liner onward to Hakodate.\nTrain/Service Depart From Arrive To Distance Value SHINKANSEN HAYABUSA 1 06:32 TOKYO 10:57 SHIN-HAKODATE-HOKUTO 862.5 ¥12,100 HAKODATE LINER for HAKODATE 11:07 SHIN-HAKODATE-HOKUTO 11:24 HAKODATE 17.9 ¥440 \u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rDay 3: 1414.2 kms | ¥21,440 Trip Total: 2361.4 kms | ¥38,050 We took the Super Hokuto Limited Express from Hakodate to Onumakoen and then to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto. From Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto, we traveled on the Hokkaidō Shinkansen and Tōhoku Shinkansen lines to Tokyo and then the Tōkaidō Shinkansen line to Kyoto.\nTrain/Service Depart From Arrive To Distance Value LTD. EXP HOKUTO 7 10:05 HAKODATE 10:33 ONUMAKOEN 28.0 ¥640 LTD. EXP HOKUTO 10 14:00 ONUMAKOEN 14:09 SHIN-HAKODATE-HOKUTO 10.1 ¥340 SHINKANSEN HAYABUSA 30 14:44 SHIN-HAKODATE-HOKUTO 19:04 TOKYO 862.5 ¥12,100 SHINKANSEN HIKARI 531 19:33 TOKYO 22:11 KYOTO 513.6 ¥8,360 \u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rDay 4: 26.0 kms | ¥780 Trip Total: 2387.4 kms | ¥38,830 We traveled on the Sagano Line to Saga-Arashiyama and then on the Nara Line to Fushimi-Inari.\nTrain/Service Depart From Arrive To Distance Value JR Sagano Line for SONOBE 06:04 KYOTO 06:20 SAGA-ARASHIYAMA 10.3 ¥240 JR Sagano Line for KYOTO 08:13 SAGA-ARASHIYAMA 08:27 KYOTO 10.3 ¥240 JR Nara Line Local for NARA 14:37 KYOTO 14:42 FUSHIMI-INARI 2.7 ¥150 JR Nara Line Local for KYOTO 17:02 FUSHIMI-INARI 17:06 KYOTO 2.7 ¥150 Day 5: 999.8 kms | ¥17,770 Trip Total: 3387.2 kms | ¥56,600 We traveled on the Tōkaidō Shinkansen and the San\u0026rsquo;yō Shinkansen lines to Hiroshima and then the JR Hiroshima Loop Bus there. After that, we took the Sanyo Line to Miyajimaguchi and the JR Miyajima Ferry to Miyajima. Then, we traveled on the San\u0026rsquo;yō Shinkansen and Kyūshū Shinkansen lines to Kagoshima-Chūō.\nTrain/Service Depart From Arrive To Distance Value SHINKANSEN HIKARI 491 07:20 KYOTO 09:05 HIROSHIMA 380.6 ¥6,600 JR Sanyo Line for ONOURA 14:00 HIROSHIMA 14:27 MIYAJIMAGUCHI 21.8 ¥420 JR Miyajima Ferry 14:40 MIYAJIMAGUCHI 14:50 MIYAJIMA 3.0 ¥180 JR Miyajima Ferry 16:55 MIYAJIMA 17:05 MIYAJIMAGUCHI 3.0 ¥180 JR Sanyo Line for ITOZAKI 17:24 MIYAJIMAGUCHI 17:55 HIROSHIMA 21.8 ¥420 SHINKANSEN SAKURA 567 18:38 HIROSHIMA 21:27 KAGOSHIMA-CHUO 569.6 ¥9,570 \u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rDay 6: 91.4 kms | ¥2,040 Trip Total: 3478.6 kms | ¥58,640 We traveled on the Ibusuki Makurazaki Line to Ibusuki and back.\nTrain/Service Depart From Arrive To Distance Value Nanohana for IBUSUKI 07:51 KAGOSHIMA-CHUO 08:59 IBUSUKI 45.7 ¥1,020 JR Ibusuki Makurazaki Line for KAGOSHIMA-CHUO 11:28 IBUSUKI 12:37 KAGOSHIMA-CHUO 45.7 ¥1,020 Day 7: 1685.6 kms | ¥26,220 Trip Total: 5164.2 kms | ¥84,860 We traveled on the Kyūshū Shinkansen and San\u0026rsquo;yō Shinkansen lines to Okayama. From there, we took the Marine Liner to Takamatsu and back. Then we traveled on the San\u0026rsquo;yō Shinkansen and Tōkaidō Shinkansen lines to Tokyo and then the JR Sobu/Narita Line to Narita Airport.\nTrain/Service Depart From Arrive To Distance Value SHINKANSEN SAKURA 580 06:00 KAGOSHIMA-CHUO 09:27 OKAYAMA 730.9 ¥11,110 Marine-Liner 19 for TAKAMATSU 09:54 OKAYAMA 10:51 TAKAMATSU (KAGAWA) 71.8 ¥1,550 Marine-Liner 34 for OKAYAMA 13:10 TAKAMATSU (KAGAWA) 14:02 OKAYAMA 71.8 ¥1,550 SHINKANSEN HIKARI 474 14:23 OKAYAMA 18:40 TOKYO 732.9 ¥10,670 JR Sobu / Narita Line 21:24 TOKYO 22:44 NARITA AIRPORT 78.2 ¥1,340 \u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r🚅 www.japan-rail-pass.com\n🕰️ www.hyperdia.com\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2018/09/26/","summary":"The ultimate guide to a 7-day Japan Rail Pass adventure. From exchanging vouchers in Tokyo to riding five major Shinkansen lines across Honshu, Hokkaido, Shikoku, and Kyushu, this post breaks down distances, costs, and optimization tips for an epic cross-country trip.","title":"Japan Rail Pass 🇯🇵"},{"content":"This was part of A day in Madrid 🇪🇸.\nI arrived at Plaza del Callao to join the Free Walking Tour in Madrid at 3:00 PM. This bustling square is a hub of Spanish cinema and culture, surrounded by iconic Art Deco buildings. We started our walk towards the Monasterio de las Descalzas Reales, a former royal palace turned into a monastery. It is famous for its museum housing holy relics and masterpiece works by Titian, Rubens, and Caravaggio, where we learned about the deep religious history of Spain and Madrid.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe passed by the Teatro Real, Madrid\u0026rsquo;s premier opera house, renowned for its grand neoclassical design and world-class acoustics. Standing proudly in front is the Estatua de Isabel II, dedicated to the queen who inaugurated the theater in 1850. On the way to Plaza de Oriente, we admired the Monumento ecuestre a Felipe IV, a technical masterpiece where the bronze horse is famously balanced on its two hind legs.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rNext, we walked to Plaza de la Armería, the vast parade ground that sits between the monarchy and the church. Here, we had time to see the Palacio Real de Madrid, the largest functioning royal palace in Europe, and the Catedral de Santa María la Real de la Almudena, with its unique Neo-Gothic interior that stands in stark contrast to its neoclassical exterior.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe passed the Iglesia Catedral de las Fuerzas Armadas, a beautiful Baroque church that serves as the cathedral for the Spanish military. This led us to Plaza de la Villa, one of Madrid\u0026rsquo;s best-preserved medieval squares. Here, we saw the Casa de la Villa, the former city hall, and the Torre de los Lujanes, a 15th-century Gothic tower that is one of the oldest buildings in the city.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOn our way to the grand Plaza Mayor, our guide told us about Sobrino de Botín. Founded in 1725, it holds the Guinness World Record for being the oldest restaurant in continuous operation and was a favorite haunt of Ernest Hemingway. We then entered the massive cobblestone square of Plaza Mayor, surrounded by uniform red-brick buildings and ornate balconies.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rFrom Plaza Mayor, we passed the Fuente de la Plaza Pontejos, a charming historic drinking fountain that has served the neighborhood for generations. We then reached Puerta del Sol to see the famous Bear and the Strawberry Tree (El Oso y el Madroño) statue, the official symbol of Madrid that appears on the city’s coat of arms.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe soon reached Plaza de Santa Ana, a historic center for the literary world. Here, we saw the Monumento a Calderón de la Barca, honoring the great Golden Age dramatist, and the Teatro Español, which has hosted performances on this site since the 16th century. Our final stop was Plaza de las Cortes, where we saw the Congress of Deputies, guarded by its two iconic bronze lions.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThis was a lovely afternoon walk through Madrid, and there is certainly much more to explore when you have more time!\n👣 Free Walking Tour in Madrid\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2018/09/15-1500/","summary":"Explore Madrids historic center on a walking tour. From the operatic grandeur of Teatro Real to the medieval charm of Plaza de la Villa and the vibrant Puerta del Sol, discover the city’s essential landmarks.","title":"Free Walking Tour in Madrid 🇪🇸"},{"content":" I arrived from Munich at around 11:00 AM and had the rest of the day in Madrid until my next flight at 11:50 PM. This was my first time in Spain, and I was excited. I navigated out of the airport toward the metro station and bought a €8,40 1-Day Tourist Ticket.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI planned on taking a walking tour at 3:00 PM, so I had time to see a couple of places on my own before then.\nFirst, I took the metro from Madrid-Barajas Airport to Puerta de Toledo to see the neoclassical arched gateway built to honor Fernando VII. A local landmark, this triumphal arch marks a grand entrance into the heart of the city and is one of the few remaining gates from the city\u0026rsquo;s ancient walls.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThen, I took the metro from Puerta de Toledo to Plaza de España to see the Fuente del Nacimiento del Agua, a beautiful fountain featuring bronze figures and cascading shells. The nearby Monumento a Cervantes is a stone-and-bronze epic dedicated to the author of Don Quixote. It features Cervantes overlooking his most famous characters—Don Quixote on his weary horse, Rocinante, and Sancho Panza on his donkey, Dapple.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter spending some time there, I took the metro from Plaza de España to Callao and joined the Free Walking Tour in Madrid at 3:00 PM. It was a lovely walk around Madrid that lasted just shy of three hours. I\u0026rsquo;m certain there is much more to see if one has more time!\nAfter the tour ended, I walked to Primark on Calle Gran Vía to do some shopping for the kids. I also managed to spot the Iglesia de San Jerónimo el Real, a stunning 16th-century monastery and church that sits on a hill overlooking the Prado Museum. I took the metro from Gran Vía back to Madrid-Barajas Airport to catch my flight to Delhi.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r🚇 Madrid-Barajas Airport to Puerta de Toledo\n🚇 Puerta de Toledo to Plaza de España\n🚇 Plaza de España to Callao\n🚇 Gran Vía to Madrid-Barajas Airport\n👣 Free Walking Tour in Madrid\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2018/09/15/","summary":"Explore Madrid’s neoclassical gates and literary landmarks in a single day. From the towering Puerta de Toledo to the iconic statues of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza, discover the heart of Spain.","title":"A day in Madrid 🇪🇸"},{"content":"This was part of A day in Tallinn 🇪🇪.\nI arrived just in time to join the Tallinn Free Tour by Traveller Tours at 12:00 PM. We started at the Tallinn Tourist Information Centre and made our way toward Toompea Hill as we learned about the rich and complex history of Estonia.\nOur first major stop was the Danish King\u0026rsquo;s Garden (Taani Kuninga Aed). According to legend, this is the spot where the Danish flag, the Dannebrog, fell from the sky during a battle in 1219, turning the tide for King Valdemar II. We saw the Tuli lipp (The Flag Came) sculpture, a modern bronze monument commemorating this event.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe garden is also famous for the haunting sculptures of the three monks—Ambrosius, Bartholomeus, and Claudius. These faceless, 2.5-meter tall bronze figures represent the monks who were once part of the religious orders that lived in this area centuries ago.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe walked past the medieval Stable Tower (Tallitorn) and the Town Wall Walkway, which offered a glimpse into the city\u0026rsquo;s ancient defensive systems. This led us to the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, a stunning Russian Orthodox church known for its black onion domes and ornate interior. Directly across from the cathedral stands the Parliament of Estonia (Riigikogu), housed in the vibrant pink Toompea Castle.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOur group then visited St. Mary\u0026rsquo;s Cathedral (Toomkirik), the oldest church in Tallinn and the city\u0026rsquo;s main Lutheran cathedral. From there, we continued to the Kohtuotsa viewing platform, which provided that quintessential, postcard-perfect view over the red-roofed houses and spires of the Old Town.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe crossed the upper town to the Patkuli viewing platform, another fantastic observation deck overlooking the harbor and the railway station. We then descended the steep Patkuli Stairs, a historic limestone staircase that connects the upper town of Toompea to the lower town below.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rIn the lower town, we headed to the Estonian Theatre for Young Audiences / Museum of Puppetry Arts, located in a charming historic quarter. We then passed the Holy Spirit Church, recognizable by its unique 17th-century external clock, before finally ending our tour at the Town Hall Square (Raekoja plats), the bustling heart of Tallinn\u0026rsquo;s medieval festivities.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r👣 Tallinn Free Tour by Traveller Tours\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2018/09/09-1200/","summary":"Step into a world of history and folklore! From the haunting monks of the Danish King’s Garden to the breathtaking red-roofed vistas of the Kohtuotsa platform, explore Tallinn’s medieval heart.","title":"Tallinn Free Tour 🇪🇪"},{"content":" I had booked A Day in Tallinn Cruise on Eckerö Line for just €10.00 about 10 days in advance, which was a steal. I was scheduled to depart by the 9:00 AM ferry from Helsinki to Tallinn, so I headed to the West Harbour Helsinki and checked in. Boarding was interesting; there was a large number of people closely packed together—something you don\u0026rsquo;t generally see in Finland—moving quickly. We left Helsinki on time and made our way south across the Gulf of Finland. I went to the upper deck to enjoy the wind and the views as the MS Finlandia navigated the blue waters.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe Tallinn skyline appeared as we pulled into the port. I walked briskly toward the Old Town and arrived just in time to join the Tallinn Free Tour.\nIt was a nice walk across the Old Town and Toompea Hill for about two hours. After the tour, I wanted to have some local food and didn't want to go to the tourist-oriented restaurants. I went to Pööbel based on the recommendation from our tour guide; it is a cozy restaurant set in a historic wooden building just outside the Old Town walls. I enjoyed a hearty, traditional Estonian lunch there. \u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThroughout town, there was the \u0026lsquo;Estonia 100\u0026rsquo; logo on light posts, celebrating a century since Estonia’s first declaration of independence. I walked back through Hirvepark, a beautiful park with a somber history as a site for political protests, and climbed the Mayeri trepp (Mayer’s Stairs) with its elegant white stone railings and decorative vases.\nI stopped at the Eduard Vilde monument, which honors one of Estonia\u0026rsquo;s most famous writers and diplomats. Nearby, I made sure to see the Lucky Chimney Sweeper sculpture (Õnnelik korstnapühkija); it is local tradition to rub the bronze buttons of his jacket for good luck, and they were shining brightly from all the touches.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI strolled through the heart of the city and saw the Tallinn Town Hall, the oldest town hall in the entire Baltic and Scandinavian region. I passed by the Maiasmokk Cafe, the oldest continuously operating café in Estonia. Its window featured an interesting little Ferris Wheel with moving cups and saucers, a mechanical display that has fascinated passersby for decades.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rBack at the Port of Tallinn, it was fun to see the intricate logistics of cars and large trucks loading onto the ferry before our departure at 6:30 PM. I spent most of the time on the upper deck until the sun began to set over the Gulf of Finland, then headed down where they had live entertainment onboard to keep the passengers busy during the two-hour crossing.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rBy the time we reached West Harbour Helsinki, it was already dark. I went straight to the hotel and had dinner at the restaurant there. It was a day well spent visiting Estonia in the Baltics.\n⛴️ Eckerö Line\n👣 Tallinn Free Tour by Traveller Tours\n🍽️ Pööbel\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2018/09/09/","summary":"A €10 ferry ride leads to a day of discovery in the Baltics. From the historic Tallinn Town Hall to the quirky Lucky Chimney Sweeper sculpture, maximize your time in the Estonian capital.","title":"A day in Tallinn 🇪🇪"},{"content":"Luckily, I had an overnight stay at Vienna Airport, so when my flight from Delhi got delayed, I didn\u0026rsquo;t have to sweat it. I followed the signs to the hotel; while it was within walking distance of the terminal, it was still a significant trek through a covered underground passage.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rCheck-in at the Moxy Vienna Airport was hassle-free. The room was comfortable for an overnight stay, featuring trendy decor and windows with views of the apron. The front desk was uniquely integrated into a bar, where I had a quick dinner before heading to bed.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rMy flight to Munich and onward to Helsinki was just past noon. With spare time in the morning, I had two options: head into Vienna to see the city, or make a quick visit to Bratislava to add Slovakia to my travel map (though I had technically passed through Bratislava once before on an overnight train from Budapest to Prague). Of course, I chose the latter. I booked the 6:50 AM FlixBus from Vienna International Airport, leaving my bags at the hotel for a quick pickup later.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rMost of the ride was through the Austrian countryside, and we crossed into Slovakia shortly before reaching the city. I alighted at the Einsteinova bus stop and walked across the Most SNP (Slovak National Uprising Bridge). It is impossible to miss the UFO Observation Deck perched atop the bridge pylon, looking like a flying saucer hovering over the Danube. Walking across the lower level of the bridge offered a fantastic view of Bratislava Castle standing guard on the hill.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rIt was still very early, so I started a self-guided stroll through the quiet streets. I first encountered the Holy Trinity Column, an ornate plague pillar built to give thanks for the end of an epidemic. Nearby stood the Bust of Anton Bernolák, honoring the priest who first codified the Slovak literary language. I then entered the old city through Michael\u0026rsquo;s Gate, the only city gate that has been preserved from the medieval fortifications.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rIn the main square, Hlavné námestie, I saw the Old Town Hall (Stará radnica) and the adjacent Ungerov dom. The square is full of character, featuring Maximilian\u0026rsquo;s Fountain and quirky bronze figures like the Napoleon\u0026rsquo;s Army Soldier, who leans casually over a park bench, and the traditional City Guard standing in his booth.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rNo visit to Bratislava is complete without finding the \u0026ldquo;Man at Work\u0026rdquo; statue, known locally as Čumil, who peeps out from a manhole. Along the way, I also spotted the silver statue of Schöne Náci, a real-life historical figure known for his elegance and kindness to passersby.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI then walked past the Neo-Renaissance Slovak National Theatre and Ganymede\u0026rsquo;s Fountain, which depicts a scene from Greek mythology. This led me to Hviezdoslavovo námestie, a grand leafy square, home to the Hviezdoslav statue, the Hans Christian Andersen Monument, and the Girl with a Fawn sculpture.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rMy final stop was the Blue Church (Church of St. Elizabeth). With its powder-blue mosaics and fairytale-like Art Nouveau architecture, it is easily one of the most unique churches I have ever seen.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI was booked on the 10:30 AM FlixBus back from the Bratislava central bus station to Vienna International Airport. I somehow got a little lost on the way. Anxiety started to kick in as I ran out of time, but I eventually oriented myself toward the Bratislava central bus station and made it just in time to catch my bus. The ride back was smooth, allowing me to pick up my bags and check in for my 1:30 PM flight to Munich.\n🚍 FlixBus\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2018/09/04/","summary":"A whirlwind morning in the Slovakian capital. From crossing the UFO Bridge over the Danube to discovering quirky statues and the fairytale Blue Church, see Bratislava’s best in a few hours.","title":"A morning in Bratislava 🇸🇰"},{"content":"This was part of A day in Copenhagen 🇩🇰.\nWe started at Højbro Plads, where the equestrian statue of Bishop Absalon, the city\u0026rsquo;s legendary founder, overlooks the square. From there, we walked to the Stork Fountain (Storkespringvandet), a famous meeting point on the Strøget shopping street featuring three storks about to take flight.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rNext, we visited the Church of the Holy Spirit (Helligaandskirken), one of the oldest churches in the city. Inside its quiet courtyard, we saw the Tomb of the Unknown Concentration Camp Prisoner, a somber memorial to those who perished during WWII. We also learned about the origins of Lego, discovering how the iconic Danish toy company grew from a small carpenter\u0026rsquo;s workshop into a global phenomenon.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe walked through the colorful Gråbrødretorv (Grey Friars Square), admiring the modern granite fountain by Søren Georg Jensen and the vibrant 18th-century houses. Heading toward the University of Copenhagen, we explored the Frue Plads square, which features an abstract memorial for seismologist Inge Lehmann, who discovered the Earth’s solid inner core, and a bust of Niels Bohr, the Nobel Prize-winning physicist. Across the square sits the Church of Our Lady (Copenhagen Cathedral), whose neoclassical tower is beautifully framed by the surrounding university buildings.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rNext was the iconic Rundetaarn (Round Tower), built by Christian IV as an astronomical observatory. At its base, we found the bust of Tycho Brahe, the legendary astronomer, and the Trinitatis Church, which was originally built to serve university students. Our final leg took us through the historic Kultorvet square, where we saw the monument for the poets J.H. Wessel and J. Ewald, before concluding at the Torvehallerne food market to explore Copenhagen\u0026rsquo;s best local delicacies.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r👣 Classical Tour of Copenhagen\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2018/08/18-1330/","summary":"A journey through Copenhagen’s cultural and scientific history. From the Round Tower to memorials for Niels Bohr and Inge Lehmann, explore the city’s classical landmarks.","title":"Classical Tour of Copenhagen 🇩🇰"},{"content":"This was part of A day in Copenhagen 🇩🇰.\nWe started at Københavns Rådhus, the Copenhagen City Hall, an impressive National Romantic building inspired by the Siena City Hall in Italy. From there, we walked to Henrettelsesplads to see the Copenhagen Court House, housed in a grand neoclassical building that formerly served as the city hall itself. Nearby, we spotted the Scientology Church, which occupies a prominent historic building in the heart of the old city.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rNext stop was Christiansborg Palace, the seat of the Danish Parliament, which features extensive royal stables and a large, open parade ground. The grounds are also home to the Supreme Court (Højesteret) and the State Government Office (Statsministeriet), making it the only building in the world that houses all three supreme powers of a nation.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe passed by Nikolaj Kunsthal, a contemporary art center housed in the former St. Nicholas Church, recognizable by its striking red brick tower. We then made our way to Nyhavn, the iconic 17th-century waterfront district lined by brightly colored townhouses and historic wooden ships.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOur last stop was Amalienborg, the winter residence of the Danish royal family, which consists of four identical classical palace façades surrounding an octagonal courtyard. We passed the statue of composer Johan Peter Emilius Hartmann and reached the palace square just in time to watch the Changing of the Guard, which takes place with traditional precision every day at noon.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r👣 Grand Tour of Copenhagen\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2018/08/18-1000/","summary":"A grand journey through the heart of the Danish capital. Discover the royal history of Christiansborg, the vibrant colors of Nyhavn, and the precision of the midday Changing of the Guard.","title":"Grand Tour of Copenhagen 🇩🇰"},{"content":" I was flying back home from Helsinki on SAS and Air India. The Air India flight from Copenhagen was at night, so I decided to fly to Copenhagen the previous day and spend one night here instead of staying one more night in Helsinki. My flight reached at 9:25 PM, and with my flight to Delhi at 8:45 PM the next day, I had about a 23-hour layover. I stayed at the Park Inn By Radisson Copenhagen Airport.\nI got up early and walked to Kastrup Søbad to see the sunrise. Known as \u0026ldquo;The Snail,\u0026rdquo; this architectural gem features a wooden boardwalk leading to a circular multi-level structure that protects swimmers from the wind.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAnticipating that the water would be cold, I was hesitant. But after walking around, I decided to take the plunge. The water was not as cold as I thought (and also not as salty even though it was the sea) and after swimming around for a while it actually felt quite nice. The circular wooden walls created a serene, private seawater pool. With hardly anyone around, it was an awesome way to start the day.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter a quick shower and check-out, I headed out using a 24-hour City Pass. I took the subway from Femøren St. to Kongens Nytorv and walked to the Københavns Rådhus (City Hall). I arrived during Pride week in Copenhagen, and the city was vibrant with rainbow flags everywhere, including near the historic Scandic Palace Hotel which overlooks the square.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI joined the Grand Tour of Copenhagen at 10:00 AM and then the Classical Tour of Copenhagen at 1:30 PM. Afterward, I visited the tower at Christiansborg Palace, known as Tårnet. As the highest tower in the city, it offered stunning panoramic views where I could clearly see the city and even the Øresund Bridge connecting Denmark to Sweden in the distance.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter coming down, I passed the Børsen (The Old Stock Exchange) with its famous dragon-spire made of four intertwined dragon tails. I also saw the Church of Our Saviour (Vor Frelsers Kirke).\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI walked past the Niels Juel statue, which honors the famous Danish admiral, and the grand Magasin du Nord department store. I then headed toward the Royal Danish Theatre and Frederik\u0026rsquo;s Church, also known as the Marble Church, which boasts the largest church dome in Scandinavia.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rHeading back to the hotel, I made another visit to Kastrup Søbad. The evening light was beautiful, casting a glow over the Øresund Bridge in the distance. Looking back now, maybe I should have taken a quick dip, it would have surely been refreshing after a long day walking around. But I didn\u0026rsquo;t have my swimming shorts and I had also checked-out of the room so I had no where to clean-up afterwards.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe atmosphere was a perfect conclusion to my layover. After spending some time there, I went back to the hotel and picked up my bags and took the subway to the airport for my flight to Delhi.\n🛏️ Park Inn By Radisson Copenhagen Airport\n🚇 Femøren St. to Kongens Nytorv\n🚇 Nørreport to Kongens Nytorv\n👣 Grand Tour of Copenhagen 👣 Classical Tour of Copenhagen\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2018/08/18/","summary":"A scenic day in the Danish capital. From a refreshing morning dip at the Kastrup Sea Bath to panoramic city views from Tårnet and a walk through the historic streets.","title":"A day in Copenhagen 🇩🇰"},{"content":"\rI joined the Helsinki Free Walking Tour at 12:00 PM starting from the Helsinki Cathedral. We learned about the grand Senate Square and the neoclassical buildings surrounding it, which form the historical heart of the city. We also saw the Prime Minister\u0026rsquo;s Office, a majestic building that serves as the official seat for the Finnish government.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe walked to the Bank of Finland and saw the Johan Vilhelm Snellman Statue, which honors the statesman who established the Finnish Markka. Nearby, we admired the House of the Estates, a stunning Renaissance Revival building originally used by the non-noble orders of the Finnish Parliament.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThen, we crossed the Love Bridge, where couples hang locks to symbolize their commitment, and saw the Enso-Gutzeit (Stora Enso) office building. Designed by the famous architect Alvar Aalto, its distinctive façades are clad with white and grey-blue Carrara marble.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe also visited the Uspenski Cathedral, the center of the Finnish Orthodox faith. It stands prominently on a hilltop and is famous for its ornate red-brick exterior and golden cupolas that overlook the harbor.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe strolled through Tove Jansson Park, dedicated to the creator of the Moomins, and headed back toward the water. Along the way, we spotted the SkyWheel Helsinki, which offers panoramic views of the city from its waterfront location.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOur next stop was the Market Square, where we saw the Helsinki City Hall and the Supreme Court, as well as Tsarina\u0026rsquo;s Stone, an obelisk commemorating the Empress\u0026rsquo;s visit, and the iconic Havis Amanda sea-nymph fountain.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe passed by the Espa Stage as we walked across the Esplanade, the city\u0026rsquo;s favorite green promenade. We stopped at the Statue of Johan Ludvig Runeberg, the national poet of Finland, and learned about the vibrant Helsinki Design District.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe continued to the Elias Lönnrot memorial park, which honors the compiler of the Finnish national epic, the Kalevala. Nearby, we saw The Old Church of Helsinki, a beautiful wooden church that is the oldest surviving church in the city center.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe passed by Hotel Torni, which was the tallest building in Helsinki for many years and served as a lookout during wartime. Our last stop was the Kamppi Chapel, also known as the Chapel of Silence, an architecturally unique wooden space intended for quiet reflection in the middle of a busy square.\n👣 Helsinki Free Walking Tour\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2018/08/12/","summary":"A journey through the architectural heart of Finland. Discover Helsinki’s grand neoclassical Senate Square, the marble façades of Stora Enso, and the serene Kamppi Chapel of Silence.","title":"Helsinki Free Walking Tour 🇫🇮"},{"content":"This was part of A day in Stockholm 🇸🇪.\nWe started the Free Tour Old Town by walking to Helvetesgränd (Alley of Hell). This narrow passage at the northern end of Prästgatan earned its grim name because it was historically the neighborhood of the city\u0026rsquo;s executioner. We then visited S:ta Gertrud, also known as the Tyska kyrkan (German Church). Nearby, we saw the Yngling bestiger häst (Youth Mounting a Horse), a graceful bronze statue that adds a touch of classicism to the medieval streets.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rNext was Järntorget (The Iron Square), once the city\u0026rsquo;s most important commercial hub where iron was weighed and traded. Here, we found the statue of Evert Taube, a beloved Swedish troubadour, standing near the spot where he often frequented the local taverns.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOn our way to the next landmark, we passed Den Gyldene Freden. Established in 1722, it is famously known as the second oldest restaurant in the world to maintain its original surroundings and remains a favorite meeting place for the Swedish Academy.\nWe soon reached the bronze St. George and the Dragon monument. This iconic statue commemorates the Battle of Brunkeberg and serves as a powerful allegory of Swedish bravery protecting the \u0026ldquo;maiden\u0026rdquo; (Stockholm) from the \u0026ldquo;dragon\u0026rdquo; (foreign invaders).\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe then headed to Slottsbacken to view the Royal Palace (Kungliga slottet), a massive Baroque masterpiece containing over 600 rooms. Adjacent to the palace stands Storkyrkan, the Great Church of Stockholm, which has been the site of royal coronations and weddings since the 14th century.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe last stop was Stortorget, the oldest square in Stockholm and the site of the infamous Stockholm Bloodbath. Today, it is much more peaceful, home to the Nobel Prize Museum and the colorful Schantzska and Ribbinska houses, which are among the most photographed buildings in Sweden.\nThe last stop was Stortorget in Gamla Stan, where we saw the Nobel Museum and Ribbinska Huset.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r👣 Free Tour Old Town\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2018/08/11-1330/","summary":"Explore the narrow cobblestone streets of Gamla Stan. From the medieval \u0026ldquo;Alley of Hell\u0026rdquo; to the grand Royal Palace and the historic Stortorget square, this tour uncovers the heart of Stockholm.","title":"Free Tour Old Town 🇸🇪"},{"content":"This was part of A day in Stockholm 🇸🇪.\nThe Free Tour Stockholm City started at the Familjegrupp sculpture, a touching bronze monument of a family located near the Gamla Stan metro station. As we moved towards Munkbron, we enjoyed a clear view of the iconic Riddarholmen Church across the water, which serves as the final resting place for most Swedish monarchs.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe passed the grand House of Nobility, a fine example of Dutch Classicism architecture. Crossing the Stallbron, the oldest bridge in Stockholm, we were treated to an impressive view of the Parliament House (Riksdagshuset), which occupies nearly the entire island of Helgeandsholmen.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rNext, we walked to Gustav Adolfs torg to see the King Gustav II Adolf statue, located right in front of the Royal Opera. We then headed to the \u0026ldquo;King’s Garden\u0026rdquo; (Kungsträdgården) to see the Karl XII Statue, where the king is depicted pointing east toward his military campaigns in Russia.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rContinuing our walk, we passed through Blasieholmstorg, a square famous for its large bronze horse statue. Our guide then led us to Berzelii Park to see the Till Raoul Wallenberg memorial, a somber tribute to the diplomat who saved thousands of lives during the Holocaust, followed by the John Ericsson monument, which honors the inventor of the ship propeller.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOur last stop was the Royal Dramatic Theatre (Dramaten). This stunning Art Nouveau building, with its distinctive gold-leaf detailing, has been Sweden\u0026rsquo;s most famous stage for spoken drama since 1908. The statue of Margareta Krook, one of Stockholm\u0026rsquo;s most unique public artworks, is located just outside.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r👣 Free Tour Stockholm City\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2018/08/11-1000/","summary":"Relive a scenic walking tour through Stockholm. From the statues of Swedish kings to the historic House of Nobility and the Royal Dramatic Theatre, discover the city’s architectural gems.","title":"Free Tour Stockholm City 🇸🇪"},{"content":"Having arrived on a flight from Delhi the previous evening, I stayed at the Clarion Hotel Arlanda Airport. The hotel is located inside the terminal building and was easy to find. Check-in was hassle-free and the room was comfortable for an overnight stay. The windows overlooked the interior of the terminal building and provided views of the apron.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rBreakfast was served in the Runway Restaurant on the 2nd floor and included in the price of the room.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rFor today, I had booked the Flygbussarna airport coach service from Arlanda to Stockholm and back. After reaching the city, I walked to Gamla Stan. Standing outside the Central Station is the statue of Nils Ericson, the engineer responsible for Sweden\u0026rsquo;s main railway lines. From there, I crossed the Vasabron, which offered a perfect vantage point of the Stockholm City Hall, famous for hosting the annual Nobel Prize banquet.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI joined the Free Tour Stockholm City at 10:00 AM and the Free Tour Old Town at 1:30 PM.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rBetween the tours, I saw the Royal Swedish Opera and just across the bridge sits the grand Parliament House (Riksdagshuset), which occupies nearly the entire island of Helgeandsholmen. Both the walking tours were nice, and between them, I also got to see the Royal Swedish Army Band.\nI reached Arlanda airport after a nice day in Stockholm for my flight to Helsinki. I hadn’t had time for lunch between my walking tours, so I was hungry and it was already dinner time in India. I visited the SAS Lounge before my flight; it offered multiple food and drink options alongside ample seating. I enjoyed a good meal there.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThis was my first flight on SAS. Boarding was at a remote gate, and the flight was on an ATR 72 twin-engine turboprop plane. The flight time was just over an hour, and we flew directly over the beautiful, scattered Åland Islands.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThere was a quick service onboard and I had some coffee. Soon we were landing in Helsinki.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r🚍 Flygbussarna Airport Bus\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2018/08/11/","summary":"A comprehensive guide to a transit day in Stockholm. Featuring the Statue of Nils Ericson, the Parliament House, and two walking tours before heading to Helsinki.","title":"A day in Stockholm 🇸🇪"},{"content":"This was part of Central Europe - Day 4 🇨🇿.\nOur tour began at the Powder Tower, a monumental Gothic gate that once served as a gunpowder store. From there, we walked to the House at the Black Madonna, a 5-story historic building that stands as a masterpiece of Czech Cubist architecture, easily identified by the small Baroque statue of the Madonna on its corner.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe then headed toward The Estates Theatre, the stunning neoclassical venue where Mozart famously conducted the premiere of Don Giovanni. On the way, we saw the Ernst Mach Sculpture and the Charles University Archives, located within the Carolinum, the heart of one of the world\u0026rsquo;s oldest universities. We also stopped at Il Commendatore by Anna Chromý, a haunting, hollow bronze cloak that pays tribute to the ghostly character from Mozart\u0026rsquo;s opera.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rNext, we entered the Old Town Square to witness the performance of the Prague Astronomical Clock. This medieval marvel has tracked time, celestial movements, unfortunately it was still being repaired. Nearby, we admired the ornate Ministry of Regional Development, which sits in a beautifully restored building on the square\u0026rsquo;s edge.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWithin the square, we saw the grand Baroque St. Nicholas Church, known for its massive dome and crystal chandeliers, and the Jan Hus Monument, which commemorates the religious reformer who became a symbol of Czech national identity.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe walked past the twin Gothic spires of the Church of Our Lady before Týn and visited the Granovskych House, a stunning Renaissance building located in the Týn Courtyard, featuring an original 16th-century loggia decorated with murals.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe next part of our tour took us into the Jewish Quarter (Josefov). We saw the Spanish Synagogue, built in a breathtaking Moorish Revival style, and the whimsical Statue of Franz Kafka, which depicts the famous author riding on the shoulders of a headless figure.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe then explored the area around the High Synagogue, which once served as the town hall\u0026rsquo;s prayer room, and the Old-New Synagogue, Europe\u0026rsquo;s oldest active synagogue.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe walked by the Pinkas Synagogue, which serves as a moving Holocaust memorial with the names of nearly 80,000 victims hand-painted on its walls. Our tour concluded near the Old Town Bridge Tower, where we enjoyed iconic views across the river toward the majestic Prague Castle.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r👣 Old Town and Jewish Quarter\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2018/04/30-1100/","summary":"Journey through the layers of Prague’s history! From the Cubist architecture of the House of the Black Madonna to the Gothic spires of Týn Church and the moving memorials of the Pinkas Synagogue.","title":"Old Town and Jewish Quarter Free Tour 🇨🇿"},{"content":"\rThe overnight journey from Budapest on the EuroNight sleeper train EN 476 was very comfortable since I had the entire compartment to myself. I had a quick shower in the bathroom at the end of the coach and was ready for my last day visiting cities in Central Europe. A small breakfast box was handed out around 7:30 AM. I ate a little and packed the rest as we were about to reach Prague. Our train arrived around 8:30 AM.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rUpon arrival at Praha hlavní nádraží (Prague Main Station), I looked for luggage storage, dropped off my duffel bag, and headed into the Old Town with just my backpack. I admired the grand Art Nouveau architecture of the station\u0026rsquo;s historic entrance before starting my walk.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI had some time, so I ate the rest of my breakfast box while sitting in a small park walkway outside the Church of Saint Henry and Saint Cunigunde, a historic Gothic tower and parish church. I roamed around some more and saw the Apple Museum, which houses a massive private collection of vintage tech, and the very American Hard Rock Cafe.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWalking back toward the Powder Tower, I saw the Smetana Hall, a breathtaking concert venue inside the Municipal House, and the Hybernia Theatre, a former Baroque church transformed into a grand musical stage. I then joined the Old Town and Jewish Quarter Free Tour at 11:00 AM.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter finishing the tour, I walked back to the Prague Train Station for my journey back to Frankfurt. The station was bustling with travelers underneath its modern glass-and-steel platforms.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI followed the same route as I did on the first day when I went to Prague from Frankfurt, but in reverse. I boarded the Ex 556 Interjet, a modern Czech express train, for the leg to Cheb. The journey was comfortable and passed through the vibrant yellow rapeseed fields of the Czech countryside.\nI would be following the same route as I did on the first day when I got Prague from Frankfurt in reverse. I boarded the Ex 559 for Cheb. I changed to regional train Sp 5290 there bound for Nürnberg. And from Nürnberg I took train ICE 22 to Frankfurt (Main) Hbf.\nTrain / Service Depart From Arrive To Ex 556 14:33 Praha hl.n. 17:27 Cheb Sp 5290 17:36 Cheb 19:22 Nürnberg Hbf ICE 22 19:30 Nürnberg Hbf 21:36 Frankfurt (Main) Hbf \u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rChanging the train at Cheb was as easy as getting off the train from Prague and boarding the German regional train Sp 5290 bound for Nürnberg, which was parked across the same platform. This air-conditioned regional service provided a smooth transition across the border.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rChanging the train at Nürnberg Hbf turned out to be more tricky than I had anticipated. It was a much larger station with multiple high-speed ICE trains arriving and departing at the same time. I tried to find the right platform and boarded a train that had just arrived. To be sure, I asked a passenger if this was ICE 22 heading toward Frankfurt; it wasn\u0026rsquo;t. Luckily, I got off quickly and checked the display board again. I made it to the correct platform just in time for the ICE 22 to pull in.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThat was a close call. Had I stayed on the wrong train, I don\u0026rsquo;t know how I would have made it back to Frankfurt that night, and I had a flight home the next day! Luckily, everything worked out, and I made it back to Frankfurt around 9:30 PM.\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2018/04/30/","summary":"Wrap up a Central Europe adventure with a final morning in Prague. From the comfort of a private EuroNight sleeper to a high-speed ICE dash to Frankfurt, discover the beauty of the Czech countryside and the complexity of German rail hubs.","title":"Central Europe - Day 4 🇨🇿"},{"content":"This was part of Central Europe - Day 3 🇭🇺.\nI joined the Communism Walk at 4:00 PM to learn about life in Budapest and Hungary both before and after the Iron Curtain. Our tour began at the Lion Fountain, a classic meeting point in the city, before heading to Elizabeth Square. Here, we saw the Budapest Eye, the giant Ferris wheel that offers panoramic views of the modern city skyline.\r\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rNext, we headed to St. Stephen\u0026rsquo;s Basilica, the largest church in Budapest. Our guide pointed out the contrast between the grand religious architecture and the austere, Soviet-style buildings surrounding Szent István tér, which were designed to project socialist functionality.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOur next stop was Liberty Square (Szabadság tér), a space dense with political symbolism. We saw the Memorial for Victims of the German Occupation, which depicts an eagle (Germany) attacking the Archangel Gabriel (Hungary). Nearby, we spotted a seemingly ordinary ventilation structure for the F-4 Object (Rákosi-bunker), a massive, formerly secret nuclear shelter built deep beneath downtown Budapest in the 1950s.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWalking further into Liberty Square, we visited the Soviet War Memorial. This obelisk is the last remaining monument to the Soviet liberation of Hungary from Nazi occupation still standing in its original place in central Budapest.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rIn a nearby corner of the square, a statue of George H. W. Bush stands to honor the former U.S. president\u0026rsquo;s role in peacefully ending the Cold War. We also saw the statue of Imre Nagy, the prime minister and hero of the 1956 anti-Soviet uprising, depicted standing on a symbolic bridge (note: this statue has since been moved to Jászai Mari Square).\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOur last stop was Kossuth Lajos Square, the monumental home of the Hungarian Parliament Building. We ended the tour at the Kossuth Monument, a grand group of sculptures dedicated to Lajos Kossuth, the leader of the 1848 Hungarian Revolution for independence.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r👣 Communism Walk\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2018/04/29-1600/","summary":"Trace the rise and fall of the Iron Curtain in Hungary. From the symbolic statues of Liberty Square to the hidden nuclear shelters of the 1950s, discover the stories of Budapests communist past.","title":"Communism Walk 🇭🇺"},{"content":"This was part of Central Europe - Day 3 🇭🇺.\nI joined the Free Budapest Walk at 10:30 AM. We started at Elizabeth Square (Erzsébet tér), where we saw the Ferris Wheel of Budapest, also known as the Budapest Eye, towering over the park. We also passed through Francis Square, a charming urban space surrounded by grand 19th-century architecture.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rNext, we walked to St. Stephen\u0026rsquo;s Basilica, a vast cupola-topped Roman Catholic place of worship built between 1851 and 1905. It is the largest church in Budapest and houses the \u0026ldquo;Holy Right\u0026rdquo; mummified hand of Hungary\u0026rsquo;s first king.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe saw the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, a grand Neo-Renaissance building, as we made our way to the waterfront. From the Pest side, we had a magnificent view of Castle Hill across the river, with its complex of historic palaces and fortifications rising above the Danube.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe crossed the Széchenyi Chain Bridge, the first permanent bridge to connect Buda and Pest, which is guarded by its iconic stone lions. As we walked toward the Buda side, we could see the massive green dome of the Buda Castle dominating the skyline in the background.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe started our ascent up Castle Hill along Király lépcső (King’s Steps), a historic stone stairway. As we climbed higher, we were treated to spectacular sweeping views of the Danube River and the sprawling city of Pest on the opposite bank.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAt the top, we saw the Sándor Palace, the official residence of the President of Hungary, where we caught a glimpse of the ceremonial guards. Nearby stands the Equestrian Statue of Andras Hadik, a famous 18th-century Hungarian general known for his daring capture of Berlin.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe walked onwards to see the Holy Trinity Statue, a Baroque column erected to commemorate the end of a plague epidemic. It stands in front of the Matthias Church (The Church of Our Lady of Buda Castle), which is world-renowned for its colorful diamond-patterned tile roof and ornate Gothic interior.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOur last stop was the Fisherman\u0026rsquo;s Bastion, a 19th-century Neo-Romanesque terrace with seven turreted lookout towers representing the seven Hungarian tribes. The bastion offers what is widely considered the best view of the Hungarian Parliament Building as it sits majestically along the riverbank in Pest.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r👣 Free Budapest Walk\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2018/04/29-1030/","summary":"Explore the heart of the Hungarian capital! Cross the iconic Széchenyi Chain Bridge, climb Castle Hill to see the Sándor Palace, and enjoy panoramic views of the Parliament from Fisherman’s Bastion.","title":"Free Budapest Walk 🇭🇺"},{"content":"\rOur bus from Kraków arrived at Budapest Kelenföld bus station a little before 6:00 AM. Most passengers immediately headed toward the Kelenföld vasútállomás subway stop. I purchased a 24-hour Budapest-travelcard and navigated the M 4 and M 2 metro lines to reach Deák Ferenc tér. I made a pit stop at Starbucks Fashion for a quick breakfast before taking the historic M 1 —the oldest electrified underground railway in mainland Europe—to visit the Széchenyi Baths.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe Széchenyi Thermal Baths is one of the largest spa complexes in Europe, housed in a magnificent Neo-Baroque palace. I bought the morning ticket with locker and went in. The main changing area was common and had big and small lockers. They were activated by a plastic key which I wore like a watch around my wrist. There were also small cabins which could be used to change (or even rented out instead of lockers). This common hall led to gender-segregated shower rooms and that opened up into the main indoor hall.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI enjoyed the vast array of indoor pools, which are famous for their medicinal natural hot spring waters of varying temperatures, between 18 to 38 °C (64 to 100 °F).\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe outdoor pools (swimming pool, adventure pool and thermal sitting pool) were 27 to 38 °C (81 to 100 °F). This was a unique experience, especially watching locals relaxing and playing chess while sitting in the water.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter freshening up, I took the M 1 back to Elizabeth Square to join the Free Budapest Walk at 10:30 AM.\nSince I had travelled overnight by bus from Krakow, I didn\u0026rsquo;t have access to freshen up and shower like on the train. So after spending a couple of hours enjoying the various pools, I headed back inside and had a nice shower and was ready for the rest of my day. I took the M 1 metro from Széchenyi fürdő to Deák Ferenc tér and walked to Elizabeth Square\nto join the Free Budapest Walk at 10:30 AM.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter the tour ended at the Fisherman\u0026rsquo;s Bastion, I walked down the scenic paths of Castle Hill, enjoying the greenery and the historic fortifications. I reached the Church of St. Anne (Felsővízivárosi Szent Anna-plébánia), a beautiful twin-towered Baroque church located on the Buda riverbank. This spot offered a perfect, unobstructed view across the Danube to the Hungarian Parliament Building, the city\u0026rsquo;s iconic Gothic Revival landmark.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rFrom there, I took the 19 / 41 tram from Batthyány tér M+H to Szent Gellért tér along the river. I passed the Castle Garden Bazaar (Várkert Bazár), a beautifully restored Neo-Renaissance complex at the foot of the castle, and saw the white cables of the Elisabeth Bridge stretching toward the Pest side. Across the water, the Vigadó Concert Hall stood out with its grand romantic architecture.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI caught a glimpse of the futuristic, whale-shaped Bálna Convention Center before walking across the green ironwork of the Liberty Bridge. I passed the Central Market Hall, the city\u0026rsquo;s largest indoor market known for its colorful Zsolnay roof tiles, and headed back toward the center for a late lunch at the McDonald\u0026rsquo;s close by and joined the Communism Walk at 4:00 PM.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe tour concluded at the Parliament, and I walked to the Shoes on the Danube Bank. This moving memorial consists of sixty pairs of iron shoes, honoring the Jews who were ordered to take off their shoes before being executed at the river\u0026rsquo;s edge during WWII.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI spent some time there as the sun began to set over Castle Hill, watching the beautiful view across the Danube River.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI walked back through Széchenyi Square, passing the Count István Széchenyi Statue, dedicated to the \u0026ldquo;Greatest Hungarian\u0026rdquo; who founded the Academy of Sciences. Nearby stood the opulent Gresham Palace, now a Four Seasons hotel and a masterpiece of Art Nouveau architecture.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI took the M 2 metro from Deák Ferenc tér to Keleti pályaudvar and went to Istanbul Kebab for dinner near Budapest-Keleti.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter a nice day in Budapest it was time for me to start my return journey to Prague. Based on seat61.com I had decided to take the overnight train, a time-effective option which saved a hotel bill and also got me to my next destination. I booked it for €34 on the Czech Railways website.\nTrain / Service Depart From Arrive To EN 476 20:25 Budapest 08:07 Praha hl.n. \u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI was in the last coach and I boarded the train and got to my compartment. I was the only one assigned to it and I had it to all to myself, which was great, a private little hotel room on wheels.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe lower berth was setup for me. The compartment had a small wash basin and mirror. It had some storage place for luggage and also a small rack to hang up clothes. There was a toilet and shower at one end of the coach.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe train left on time and it was already dark so there was not much to see outside. We crossed Slovakia and had quick halt at Bratislava(which I got an opportunity to visit a few months later). Around midnight our train then crossed over into Czech Republic and at Břeclav our coach was separated from the main train which continued onto Prague. Our coach would be attached to another train going to Prague after a few hours and reach at a more decent time giving me the chance to sleep in just a bit and also have a shower and get ready for my day in Prague.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r🚇 Kelenföld vasútállomás to Deák Ferenc tér\n🍽️ Starbucks Fashion\n🚇 Deák Ferenc tér to Széchenyi fürdő\n🚇 Széchenyi fürdő to Deák Ferenc tér\n🚊 Batthyány tér M+H to Szent Gellért tér\n🍽️ McDonald\u0026rsquo;s\n🚇 Deák Ferenc tér to Keleti pályaudvar\n🍽️ Istanbul Kebab\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2018/04/29/","summary":"Relax in the historic Széchenyi Thermal Baths, explore the grand Hungarian Parliament, and pay respects at the Shoes on the Danube Bank before boarding a EuroNight sleeper cabin.","title":"Central Europe - Day 3 🇭🇺"},{"content":"This was part of Central Europe - Day 2 🇵🇱.\nI joined the Jewish Kraków tour at 5:00 PM. We started at the Old Synagogue in the Kazimierz district, the oldest surviving Jewish house of prayer in Poland and a rare example of a fortress synagogue. Nearby, we paid our respects at the Pomnik pamięci krakowskich ofiar Holokaustu, a moving memorial honoring the thousands of local victims. As we walked, we saw a vibrant mural in Kazimierz and also saw visited the Izaak Synagogue, a grand Baroque building.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe passed by the Corpus Christi Basilica, a massive Gothic church that stands as a landmark of the district\u0026rsquo;s Christian history. Our guide also led us to the Tempel Synagogue, known for its stunning Moorish-style interior, and pointed out several locations where the film \u0026lsquo;Schindler’s List\u0026rsquo; was shot, which helped bring the tragic history of the area to global attention.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rNext, we walked to Wolnica Square, which served as the center of the town when Kazimierz was an independent city. Here, we saw the Trzej Grajkowie (The Three Musicians) sculpture; this whimsical fountain features bronze musicians who appear to be playing for the square.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe crossed the Vistula River on the Father Bernatek\u0026rsquo;s Bridge into Podgórze. This pedestrian bridge is famous for the gravity-defying, acrobatic sculptures by Jerzy Kędziora that balance delicately on the wires, appearing to float above the water.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rIn Podgórze, we saw the striking \u0026ldquo;Never Follow\u0026rdquo; mural by Blu, which uses social commentary to reflect on the neighborhood\u0026rsquo;s past. Nearby, we saw a rare remnant of the Ghetto wall, designed with rounded tops that chillingly resemble tombstones, and walked past historic tenement houses that still bear the scars of the wartime occupation.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe then reached Plac Bohaterów Getta (Ghetto Heroes Square). Laid out with 70 large metal chairs to symbolize the departure and subsequent absence of the ghetto\u0026rsquo;s residents, the entire square serves as an iconic memorial to the victims of the Kraków Ghetto.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOur last stop was Oskar Schindler\u0026rsquo;s Enamel Factory. Here, Schindler employed Jewish laborers, ultimately saving more than a thousand lives from the Nazis. The building now houses a museum that documents the history of Kraków under the occupation.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r👣 Jewish Kraków tour\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2018/04/28-1700/","summary":"Explore the resilience of Kraków’s Jewish heart. From the Old Synagogue to the gravity-defying sculptures of Father Bernatek’s Bridge and the haunting metal chairs of Ghetto Heroes Square.","title":"Jewish Kraków Tour 🇵🇱"},{"content":"This was part of Central Europe - Day 2 🇵🇱.\nI joined the Old Town Kraków tour at 2:00 PM. We started at the Kraków Barbican, a formidable circular fortified outpost that once served as the primary gateway to the city. Just behind it stands St. Florian\u0026rsquo;s Gate, the last remaining significant portion of the city\u0026rsquo;s medieval walls. Nearby, I admired the late-Baroque facade of the Church of the Transfiguration (Piarist Church), which is famous for its ornate exterior and historical crypts.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rFrom there, we made our way to the Rynek Główny, the Main Market Square, which is one of the largest medieval squares in Europe. At its center stands the Kraków Cloth Hall, a Renaissance trading center, and the leaning Town Hall Tower. We also visited St. Mary\u0026rsquo;s Basilica, and the small, ancient Church of St. Adalbert, which dates back over 1,000 years.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe then headed to see the Collegium Maius, the oldest building of the Jagiellonian University. It has a beautiful 15th-century arcade courtyard.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWalking toward the royal district, we studied the Wawel Bricks (Cegiełki Wawelskie) lining the castle walls. These thousands of engraved bricks were funded by ordinary Polish citizens in the early 20th century to help restore the castle after years of neglect.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOur last stop was Wawel Hill, the historical heart of Poland. We visited the Wawel Cathedral, where Polish kings have been crowned and buried for centuries, and explored the grounds of the Wawel Royal Castle. I also found the bronze tactile model of Wawel Hill, which offers a detailed miniature view of the entire castle complex.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r👣 Old Town Kraków tour\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2018/04/28-1400/","summary":"Step back in time in the royal city of Kraków. From the fortified Barbican and St. Florians Gate to the legendary St. Marys Basilica and the citizen-funded bricks of Wawel Castle.","title":"Old Town Kraków Tour 🇵🇱"},{"content":"This was part of Central Europe - Day 2 🇵🇱.\nI joined the World War II in Kraków walking tour at 10:30 AM. We started at The Cross of Katyń, a memorial placed in the 1990s at the foot of Wawel Hill to honor the Polish officers and citizens massacred in the Katyn forest in 1940. We sat on the nearby benches in the Planty Park as our guide detailed the impact of Nazi and Soviet occupations on Poland and Kraków.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe passed by Oskar Schindler\u0026rsquo;s house, the apartment where the famous industrialist lived while running his enamel factory. Our next stop was the Archaeological Museum in Kraków, which is housed in a former prison building that saw significant use during the occupation; today, it stands as the oldest archaeological museum in Poland, preserving the country\u0026rsquo;s ancient heritage.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rMoving forward, we passed the Matka Boża Łaskawa (Our Lady of Graces), a historic statue where locals often stop to pray. We then entered Zaułek Estreichera, a quiet university courtyard featuring busts of prominent Polish intellectuals including Karol Estreicher, a defender of Polish culture, and King Casimir the Great, the monarch who famously \u0026ldquo;found Poland made of wood and left it made of stone.\u0026rdquo;\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe also visited the Church of St. Anne, a premier example of Polish Baroque architecture. Its ornate white and gold interior served as a refuge for the academic community during the dark years of the war.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOur final and most sobering stop was the former Gestapo headquarters on Pomorska Street. The Gestapo was the Nazi Secret State Police and one of the main tools used by the fascists to exterminate the Jews and to imprison Poles and other nationalities that did not share their political ideals. The main highlights there were the old cells where the Gestapo would interrogate their prisoners. We could still see the engravings made by the prisoners on the walls that demonstrate the ordeal they suffered.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r👣 World War II in Kraków tour\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2018/04/28-1030/","summary":"Explore the harrowing legacy of WWII in Poland. Visit the Cross of Katyń, the historic Church of St. Anne, and the Pomorska Street Gestapo cells, where prisoner engravings still mark the walls.","title":"World War II in Kraków tour 🇵🇱"},{"content":"\rThe overnight train journey from Prague was quite comfortable and I slept well. A small breakfast box was served around 5:30 AM. Our train stopped at Kraków Płaszów Railway Station a little after 6:00 AM and we were asked to move to other forward compartments because only a part of the train would proceed all the way to Kraków Główny Railway Station.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rMy cabin mate thought it would be better if we took a tram to the main station from there rather than wait for the train to move. So we got down and walked up to the Estakada tramwajowa, a modern elevated tram bridge that offers a unique view of the Płaszów rail yards. We took the tram, but it was going the wrong way and we ended up reaching the last stop. I had time on my hands, so I didn\u0026rsquo;t mind waiting for the tram to go back. However, my cabin mate decided to take a taxi to his destination and insisted on dropping me off at Kraków Główny, the city\u0026rsquo;s central station.\nOutside the station, I encountered the Monument to Ryszard Kukliński at Jan Nowak-Jeziorański Square. The monument’s striking design—a massive stainless steel arch cutting through concrete slabs—symbolizes the \u0026ldquo;sword\u0026rdquo; of freedom breaking through the Berlin Wall.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter reaching the station, I looked for luggage storage and dropped off my duffel bag. Taking only my backpack, I started my day in Kraków. I walked along the Kraków Planty, the lush circular park that replaced the city\u0026rsquo;s old defensive walls, toward the Old Fire Station. Nearby, I saw the Church of St. Giles adn then reached the Cross of Katyń. I joined the World War II in Kraków tour at 10:30 AM.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter finishing the first tour, I enjoyed a nice stroll across the Planty and decided to go to Szalone Widelce for lunch.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI ordered Pierogi, traditional Polish dumplings that were perfectly pan-fried, and a Żywiec draught beer, one of Poland\u0026rsquo;s most famous brews, to go with them.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter a nice meal, I joined the Old Town Kraków tour at 2:00 PM followed by the Jewish Kraków tour at 5:00 PM. In the town square, I passed the Miasta partnerskie Krakowa (Partner Cities) signpost, which displays distances to Kraków’s global \u0026ldquo;sister cities\u0026rdquo;. I eventually walked back to Kraków Główny and picked up my bag. Feeling quite tired after a full day, I visited Polskie Smaki inside the station for a final authentic Polish dinner.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rMy bus to Budapest was at 10:50 PM from the Kraków Główny bus station. It was difficult to figure out where the bus would arrive and even when buses got there it was not easy to find out where they were going. Eventually, my bus arrived, and I settled in for the overnight journey to Budapest.\n🍽️ Szalone Widelce\n🍽️ Polskie Smaki\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2018/04/28/","summary":"Arrive in Kraków via the EuroNight sleeper train and explore the city’s heart. Discover the moving Cross of Katyń, the historic Planty Park, and local flavors before heading toward Budapest.","title":"Central Europe - Day 2 🇵🇱"},{"content":"This was part of Central Europe - Day 1 🇨🇿.\nI joined the Charles Bridge \u0026amp; Prague Castle Free Tour at 5:30 PM. We started from Křižovnické Square and headed over the medieval Charles Bridge. Crossing the Vltava River on this 14th-century stone bridge is a quintessential Prague experience, especially in the evening light.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThere are about 30 statues mounted to the balustrade of Charles Bridge, forming two impressive rows of Baroque figures on either side. Most of these saints were installed between 1683 and 1714, turning the bridge into a literal open-air gallery of religious art.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rNext, we visited Kampa Island. The northern part of the island is often called the \u0026ldquo;Venice of Prague\u0026rdquo; because of the narrow Čertovka canal and the historic water mills that still line the banks. We also saw the Lennon Wall, a vibrant symbol of peace and freedom that has been covered in John Lennon-inspired graffiti and lyrics since the 1980s.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe then walked by the Church of the Virgin Mary under the Chain, which belongs to the Knights of Malta and is one of the oldest churches in the Lesser Town. Onward to St. Nicholas Church, we admired its massive green dome and saw the St. Nicholas Bell Tower, which once served as a watchtower for the city\u0026rsquo;s fire guards.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOur next stop was Prague Castle. As we climbed the steps to the main gate, we saw the dramatic Clash of the Titans statues and walked through the 17th-century Matthias Gate to enter the second courtyard. Here, we saw the ornate Kohl\u0026rsquo;s Fountain and the Chapel of the Holy Cross, which once housed the Saint Vitus Treasure.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe walked further to the Obelisk at Prague Castle, a monolith erected to commemorate the victims of World War I, and the bronze Statue of Saint George slaying the dragon. Nearby, we saw the Old Royal Palace, the historic seat of Bohemian kings dating back to the 12th century.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rNext was the St. Vitus Cathedral, the spiritual heart of the nation. This Gothic masterpiece took nearly 600 years to complete and features the magnificent Great South Tower, which houses the largest bell in the Czech Republic.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe walked past the Empress Maria Theresa Entrance to St. George\u0026rsquo;s Basilica, the oldest surviving church building within Prague Castle with its striking red Baroque facade. Finally, we headed to the Vyhlídka Na Opyši viewpoint, which offered breathtaking views of the Prague skyline as the city lights began to twinkle.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r👣 Charles Bridge \u0026amp; Prague Castle Free Tour\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2018/04/27-1730/","summary":"Experience the magic of Prague at dusk! Discover the medieval history of the Charles Bridge, the colorful Lennon Wall, and the majestic courts of Prague Castle, including the Gothic masterpiece of St. Vitus.","title":"Charles Bridge \u0026 Prague Castle Free Tour 🇨🇿"},{"content":"Today was the first day of travel across Central Europe. I checked out of the hotel and left my bags at the front desk, as I planned to return after four days for one more night before flying home.\nI had been researching the best way to move between cities on my go-to site for train travel, seat61.com. I found an excellent option to get from Frankfurt to Prague via Nürnberg and Cheb for only €16 each way, which I booked on the Czech Railways website. I walked to the station to catch the ICE 23 from Frankfurt (Main) Hbf to Nürnberg, a smooth start on Germany\u0026rsquo;s high-speed rail. I then changed to the RE 5285 regional train at Nürnberg; it was a modern, air-conditioned ride that took me through the scenic Bavarian countryside to Cheb, where I officially entered Czechia. From Cheb, I boarded the Ex 559 Interjet, a comfortable Czech express train that brought me into the heart of Prague.\nTrain / Service Depart From Arrive To ICE 23 08:19 Frankfurt (Main) Hbf 10:27 Nürnberg Hbf RE 5285 10:37 Nürnberg Hbf 12:22 Cheb Ex 559 12:33 Cheb 15:31 Praha hl.n. \u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe train journeys were quite comfortable and I reached Prague at around 3:30 PM and exited the station towards the old town. I passed by the Jerusalem Synagogue, a striking building known for its vibrant Art Nouveau design and Moorish-style colorful facade. On my way, I saw Henry\u0026rsquo;s Tower, the highest free-standing bell tower in Prague, and the Powder Tower, a monumental Gothic gate that once served as a gunpowder store and marks the start of the Royal Route.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI walked past the Old Town Square, the historic heart of the city, and reached the Charles IV Statue, which honors the beloved Holy Roman Emperor who founded the university and built the famous bridge. There I joined the Charles Bridge \u0026amp; Prague Castle Free Tour at 5:30 PM.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter finishing the tour at Vyhlídka Na Opyši, I walked down the Old Castle Stairs, a historic stone pathway that offers beautiful views over the city\u0026rsquo;s red rooftops. I headed towards the river where I saw the Memorial of the Second Resistance Movement, a somber monument dedicated to the fallen soldiers and resistance fighters of World War II.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rIt was already dark by then; I saw the Prague Castle and the Petrin Tower all lit up at night. The castle looked majestic on the hill, while the Petrin Tower resembled a mini-Eiffel Tower glowing against the dark sky.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI crossed the Mánes Bridge and walked back to the train station via the Old Town Square. I stopped to see the Prague Astronomical Clock, the oldest working clock of its kind in the world, but it was being repaired. The Church of Our Lady before Týn\u0026rsquo;s twin Gothic spires dominate the square\u0026rsquo;s skyline. I went to Burger King there for a quick bite before my late train.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter a nice afternoon and evening in Prague, it was time to continue my journey to Kraków. Based on advice from seat61.com, I opted for the EuroNight sleeper train. This is a highly time-effective option that saved me a night\u0026rsquo;s hotel bill while moving me to my next destination. I booked a spot in a 3-berth sleeper compartment for €33 on the Czech Railways website.\nTrain / Service Depart From Arrive To EN 443 22:19 Praha hl.n. 06:38 Kraków Glowny \u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI boarded the train and found my compartment. There was a toilet and shower at one end of the coach. The compartment setup featured three stacked berths, a small washbasin with a mirror, and a dedicated rack for luggage and clothes. Only one other person had been assigned to my compartment, so we both had a bit more room to breathe. My cabin mate was a professional working in Prague who was heading home to his family in Kraków for the weekend. After chatting for a while, we set up the middle berths and called it a night as our train began its overnight journey into Poland.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r🍽️ Burger King\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2018/04/27/","summary":"Follow a scenic rail journey through Germany into Czechia. Discover Prague’s architectural gems, from the Jerusalem Synagogue to the lit-up Petřín Tower, before boarding an overnight sleeper train to Poland.","title":"Central Europe - Day 1 🇨🇿"},{"content":"This was part of A day in Brussels 🇧🇪.\nI arrived at the Grand Place to join the Brussels City Center Free Tour. Our guide shared the fascinating history of Brussels and Belgium while we admired the ornate guildhalls. We saw the Everard \u0026lsquo;T Serclaes monument; local tradition says that rubbing the arm of this 14th-century hero brings good luck and ensures a return to Brussels. We then walked to the world-famous Manneken Pis, the small bronze fountain of a boy that has become the city\u0026rsquo;s most iconic—and frequently dressed-up—mascot.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rFrom there, we headed toward Place de la Bourse through some of the surrounding neighborhoods as we learned more about Brussels\u0026rsquo; growth. The Brussels Stock Exchange (Bourse de Bruxelles) is a grand neoclassical building that stands as a testament to the city\u0026rsquo;s commercial history. We then walked to the Galerie de la Reine, a stunning 19th-century shopping arcade where we visited Neuhaus, the legendary chocolatier famous for inventing the Belgian praline right here in these galleries.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe next stop was the St. Michael and St. Gudula Cathedral, a masterpiece of Brabantine Gothic architecture that serves as the main church of Belgium. We enjoyed the view of the lush, green Rue Sainte-Gudule right in front of the cathedral, which provides a serene approach to its twin towers.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rContinuing uphill, we walked past the Musical Instruments Museum, housed in the breathtaking Art Nouveau \u0026ldquo;Old England\u0026rdquo; building. We caught a glimpse of the Place Royale Bruxelles, featuring the statue of Godefroy de Bouillon, the leader of the First Crusade. Our tour concluded at the Whirling Ear fountain (L\u0026rsquo;Oreille Tourbillonnante), a unique modern sculpture located on the Mont des Arts that rotates slowly in the wind.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r👣 Brussels City Center Free Tour\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2018/04/22-1000/","summary":"Join a historic walk through Brussels! From the golden façades of the Grand Place to the world-renowned Neuhaus chocolates and the gothic St. Michael \u0026amp; St. Gudula Cathedral.","title":"Brussels City Center Free Tour 🇧🇪"},{"content":" My flight from Washington-Dulles landed on time around 7:15 AM. There were two paths to clear immigration: one for transit passengers with onward connections and another for visitors entering Belgium. I joined the line for the latter. When I reached the immigration desk, the officer asked about my destination, and I replied, \u0026ldquo;Frankfurt.\u0026rdquo; He noted that I should have used the transit section, but I explained that I had a long layover and wanted to see the city. He stamped me in, and I headed to the airport bus terminal. After purchasing a 1-day STIB-MIVB ticket for €7.50, I boarded the bus to Schuman and took the metro to Gare Centrale.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI walked to the Grand-Place, the central square of Brussels, and admired the amazing guildhalls surrounding the square. I joined the Brussels City Center Free Tour by Viva Brussels at 10:00 AM. The tour lasted about 2 hours and finished just above the Tuin van de Kunstberg (Garden of the Mount of the Arts), which offers a beautiful elevated park view with the city\u0026rsquo;s spires in the background.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI walked back down to the Grand-Place to take a closer look at the Brussels Town Hall, a stunning 15th-century Gothic masterpiece with a tall spire topped by a statue of Saint Michael. Directly opposite sits the Brussels City Museum (Maison du Roi), which houses local historical artifacts. The midday light was perfect, making the gold detailing on the guildhalls look incredibly impressive.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThen, I took the metro from Gare Centrale back to Schuman to explore the European District. I saw the Berlaymont, the iconic X-shaped headquarters of the European Commission, and the nearby Council of the European Union, which represent the administrative heart of Europe.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfterward, I took the bus back to Brussels Airport for my 5:05 PM Lufthansa flight to Frankfurt.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rBefore boarding, I visited the Brussels Airlines Business Lounge for a late lunch and a quiet place to relax.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe flight was quick and comfortable, providing a perfect end to my short but nice Belgian visit.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r🚍 Brussels Airport to Schuman\n🚇 Schuman to Gare Centrale\n🚇 Gare Centrale to Schuman\n🚍 Schuman to Brussels Airport\n👣 Brussels City Center Free Tour\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2018/04/22/","summary":"A transit turns into an architectural discovery of Brussels. From the gold-detailed guildhalls of the Grand Place to the modern headquarters of the European Commission.","title":"A day in Brussels 🇧🇪"},{"content":"\rSince I had decided the destination of our previous trip to South Africa, this time it was my wife\u0026rsquo;s turn to choose, and Japan was the destination of choice. My job was to find a way to get us there. There was a transfer promotion running at the time, so I transferred points from my Citibank Rewards credit card to the Jet Airways JetPrivilege program; I did the same with points from my mother\u0026rsquo;s credit card. We ultimately did not receive the transfer bonus as promised by the promotion, but we nonetheless had just enough miles for two round-trip tickets to Japan.\nThe Jet Airways JetPrivilege program offered a plethora of partners across various airline alliances and independent carriers. When I requested our preferred dates, the only viable option was the direct flight on All Nippon Airways; there were no seats available on Korean Air, while Malaysia Airlines and Cathay Pacific were waitlisted.\nFor the outbound journey, we would fly All Nippon Airways from Mumbai to Tokyo (Narita) and return the same way. Having read many great things about the airline, I was really looking forward to the All Nippon Airways experience.\nDate Flight From At To At Airline SAT 13 OCT NH 830 MUMBAI, IN (BOM) 20:20 TOKYO (NARITA), JP (NRT) 08:10 (+1) ALL NIPPON AIRWAYS SUN 21 OCT NH 829 TOKYO (NARITA), JP (NRT) 11:45 MUMBAI, IN (BOM) 17:45 ALL NIPPON AIRWAYS With that, we were all set for our trip to Japan, thanks to Jet Airways JetPrivilege and Citibank Rewards credit cards.\n120,000 miles redeemed | 1 country\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2018/01/22/","summary":"A guide to redeeming JetPrivilege miles for direct flights between Mumbai and Tokyo Narita on All Nippon Airways, including tips on point transfers and partner availability.","title":"Jet Airways JetPrivilege Award to Japan"},{"content":"This was part of A day in Amsterdam 🇳🇱.\nBecause of the constant rain, I wasn\u0026rsquo;t even sure if anyone else would turn up or if the tour would operate, but a few others showed up and we were off. We walked through the Red Light District and learned about its long history and the legalization of prostitution. While walking past the Oude Kerk, I saw the Borstplaat in brons (Breastplate in Bronze), a small, tactile street sculpture embedded in the cobblestones that serves as a subtle tribute to sex workers. Hearing about the ground realities of the area was a little disconcerting, yet eye-opening.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rNext, we made it to Nieuwmarkt and learned how trade made Amsterdam the richest city in the world during the Golden Age. The square is dominated by De Waag, a 15th-century fortified gate that once served as a weigh house. Our guide then explained the city\u0026rsquo;s liberal \u0026ldquo;accept or tolerate\u0026rdquo; drug policy. Having never tried any of these substances before, my curiosity was piqued, but I was afraid I would wake up in some ditch in a questionable state and miss my flight home the next day. If I hadn\u0026rsquo;t been traveling alone and had someone to watch out for me, I probably would have tried a pot brownie.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe continued on, making our way across historic stone bridges and past rows of narrow canal houses. Many of these houses lean forward or to the side, a result of the wooden pole foundations sinking into the soft soil over the centuries.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rNext was the University District, where we learned about the ubiquitous Dutch bike culture. Seeing thousands of bicycles parked along the canals really emphasized how the city is designed for two wheels rather than four.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOur last stop was Dam Square. We visited the National Monument, a white stone pillar honoring those lost in WWII, and the Royal Palace Amsterdam, a grand 17th-century structure originally built as a city hall to project the city\u0026rsquo;s immense wealth and power.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r👣 Free Walking tour of Amsterdam\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2017/11/30-1100/","summary":"Discover the \u0026ldquo;tolerate\u0026rdquo; culture of Amsterdam. Walk through the historic Red Light District, learn about the Golden Age at Nieuwmarkt, and admire the grand architecture of Dam Square.","title":"Free Walking tour of Amsterdam 🇳🇱"},{"content":" Ever since I transited Amsterdam Schiphol Airport when I traveled to the USA for the first time in 2003, I had always wanted to visit Amsterdam and the Netherlands. During this trip, I managed to get connecting flights from Zurich to Amsterdam on Swiss, and then from Munich to Mumbai on Lufthansa, with a 23-hour and 45-minute layover in Amsterdam. Technically, this was still a connection and not a break in the journey. My flight from Zurich arrived around 9:10 AM; I exited the airport and took the shuttle bus to Hampton by Hilton Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI was able to check in early and get to my room. The weather outside was cold and wet, and I didn\u0026rsquo;t really feel like going out. However, I only had one day in Amsterdam before my flight to Munich (and onward to Mumbai) the next day at 8:55 AM. So, I decided to give it a go and headed out with my rain jacket and umbrella. I bought a 1-day Amsterdam \u0026amp; Region Travel Ticket at the hotel front desk for around €21.00. While I knew I wouldn\u0026rsquo;t use the ticket to its full potential, it was the easiest way to get from Hoofddorp to Amsterdam Centraal and back. I caught the train from the Hoofddorp station, which serves as a quiet residential gateway just minutes away from the airport.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter reaching Amsterdam Centraal, a stunning Neo-Renaissance building, I walked to De Oude Kerk (The Old Church). This is the city\u0026rsquo;s oldest building and parish church, where I joined the Free Walking tour of Amsterdam at 11:00 AM. After a couple of hours, the tour ended at Dam Square, the historical heart of the city. I decided to hang around there for some time, admiring the vast cobblestone plaza that has been the site of many historical events.\nI then took a tram to have a quick look at the Rijksmuseum, the national museum of the Netherlands dedicated to Dutch arts and history. The city was decorated for the upcoming holiday season, so it was beautiful to see the historic Amsterdam streets and stone bridges all lit up, reflecting in the dark canal waters.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI decided to quickly get some dinner before I headed back to the hotel, so I stopped at Wok to Walk Damstraat. This small, popular eatery serves fresh, quick stir-fry, and the food was surprisingly nice. Eating hot, flavorful Asian food in the cold, wet weather made it even better.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWhile walking back, I passed the National Monument on Dam Square, a 22-meter-high white stone pillar dedicated to the victims of WWII. Just across the square stood the Royal Palace Amsterdam (Koninklijk Paleis), an imposing 17th-century masterpiece that serves as one of the official residences of the Dutch monarch.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI then walked back from Dam Square to the bustling halls of Amsterdam Centraal and took the train back to Hoofddorp. It was nice to be back indoors, warm and dry, at the hotel. I definitely want to visit Amsterdam again when the weather is better.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r🚆 Hoofddorp to Amsterdam Centraal\n🛏️ Hampton by Hilton Schiphol Airport\n🍽️ Wok to Walk Damstraat\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2017/11/30/","summary":"Turning a rainy layover into an adventure! From the historic heart of the Oude Kerk to the royal grandeur of Dam Square and the cozy canals of Amsterdam, discover the city’s winter charm.","title":"A day in Amsterdam 🇳🇱"},{"content":" I stayed over with a friend from the USA who was based in Basel and enjoyed the previous day with him and his family. Today, I was to meet up with another friend from work; the plan was to drive to Strasbourg and spend the day there. He picked me up around 7:00 AM, and soon we were on our way. After leaving Switzerland, we drove on the German side of the border until Kehl. We had not met in a long time, and it was nice to catch up during the drive. We crossed the Pont de l’Europe over the Rhine, a symbolic bridge connecting Germany and France. We parked the car close to Tour du Bourreau (Hangman\u0026rsquo;s Tower), a preserved part of the city\u0026rsquo;s 14th-century medieval fortifications.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe started our walk around the Grande-Île de Strasbourg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its perfectly preserved medieval cityscape. We then headed to the Barrage Vauban, a 17th-century bridge and weir that once served as a defensive work, offering a panoramic view of the Petite-France district. This area is famous for its stunning timber-framed houses and winding canals that reflect the city\u0026rsquo;s Alsatian heritage.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rNext was the St. Thomas\u0026rsquo; Church, a primary Protestant church often called the \u0026ldquo;Old Lady\u0026rdquo; of the city. Passing through Place Gutenberg, we saw the Statue de Johannes Gutenberg, honoring the inventor of the printing press who lived in Strasbourg in the 15th century. We then reached the Strasbourg Cathedral (Cathédrale Notre-Dame), a magnificent example of Romanesque and Rayonnant Gothic architecture. Its pink sandstone facade and single soaring spire dominated the square.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWalking along the water, we saw the Strasbourg river locks in action, a fascinating sight as the canal boats navigated the city\u0026rsquo;s varying water levels.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe stopped for lunch at Europ\u0026rsquo;Café to try some local specialties.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter lunch, we passed by Kléber Square, the largest square in the city center, and walked back toward the Ponts Couverts de Strasbourg. These three bridges, once covered by wooden roofs, are recognizable by their prominent defensive towers. We crossed over the Barrage Vauban once more to return to our car.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOur next stop was the European District, a short drive away. We walked to the Louise Weiss building, the prominent glass-and-steel home of the European Parliament.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAlong the riverbank, we noticed several artistic benches designed by people from various European countries, representing the styles and designs of the continent.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe also saw the Agora (Council of Europe building) and the strikingly modern European Court of Human Rights, which consists of two large metallic cylinders designed by Richard Rogers.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI had booked a ticket on the IR2083 from Basel to Zurich at 6:37 PM, so we decided to head back so I would make it on time. The drive back gave us some more time to chat, and soon we were crossing the border back into Switzerland. He dropped me off at Basel SBB, and I bid him farewell. The train ride to Zurich was quick, and I took a tram from Zurich Hbf back to the hotel. It was great to spend time with a friend and see Strasbourg; overall, it was a very nice day.\n🍽️ Europ\u0026rsquo;Café\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2017/11/26/","summary":"A scenic day trip from Basel to Strasbourg. Discover the medieval Ponts Couverts, the intricate Cathedral, and the unique architecture of the European District.","title":"A day in Strasbourg 🇫🇷"},{"content":" The plan for today was to spend a day in Innsbruck, Austria, and add it to my travel map. I wanted to be back in Zurich that night, so I decided to make a day trip. I had booked my tickets in advance on the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) website at €19,00 each way—a great price considering I paid CHF 16.60 just to get to Sargans for my visit to Vaduz. As I had seen before when I returned from Milan by train, generally, booking train tickets on SBB was more expensive than booking on Trenitalia / ÖBB / Deutsche Bahn / where possible, even when, the actual train on which you travel is the same.\nThe weather turned drastically today with snow on the ground, a sharp contrast to yesterday\u0026rsquo;s sun, but I headed out anyway on the 6:40 AM RailJet.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rSomeone came by to check my ticket and passport as the frozen Swiss countryside rolled by. We crossed Liechtenstein non-stop into Austria and were soon climbing towards the Arlberg Pass. It was snowing outside and I imagined how nice it must have been in warmer weather, but even now it was a winter wonderland. As we descended towards Innsbruck, we had the Inn River for company on our right all the way until Innsbruck.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rSurprisingly, there was no snow on the ground in the city center. I began my walk toward the Wilten Basilica, a stunning Rococo masterpiece with a lavishly decorated interior. Right next door is Wilten Abbey, a Premonstratensian monastery with centuries of history. From this vantage point, I could see the modern Bergisel Ski Jump towering over the trees, a striking contrast of contemporary architecture against the Alpine skyline.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rHeading toward the center of town, I passed under the Triumphal Arch, built in 1765 to commemorate both a royal wedding and a royal mourning. I soon reached the Liberation Monument, which honors those who fought for Austrian independence, and St. Anne’s Column, a slender red marble pillar that stands as a symbol of the city\u0026rsquo;s defense against invaders.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rNext was Innsbruck\u0026rsquo;s most famous icon, the Golden Roof (Goldenes Dachl). Adorned with 2,657 fire-gilded copper tiles, it looked magnificent even under the grey sky. A massive Christmas market filled the square, and despite the damp cold, the festive atmosphere was incredibly welcoming.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI then headed to the riverfront to see the Colourful Houses of Innsbruck, whose bright facades contrasted the water. From there, I walked to the St. Jacob Cathedral (Innsbruck Cathedral), a prominent Baroque landmark, and the Tyrolean State Theatre, which sits elegantly across from the Imperial Palace.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI circled back for another look at the colourful houses as dusk settled in. I spent my final hour wandering through the glowing stalls of the Christmas markets. My return train was at 5:48 PM, and by the time I reached the station, I was ready for the warmth of the carriage.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe ride back was dark, but comfortably warm. I reached Zurich on time and took the tram back to my hotel, exhausted but happy to have seen the heart of the Tyrol.\n🚆 ÖBB RailJet\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2017/11/19/","summary":"Travel through the snowy Arlberg Pass to the heart of the Austrian Alps. Explore Innsbruck’s imperial history at the Wilten Basilica, wander through festive Christmas markets, and admire the iconic Golden Roof.","title":"A day in Innsbruck 🇦🇹"},{"content":" My flight to Zurich from Mumbai arrived on time, and I made it out of the airport relatively quickly. I boarded the train from the airport to Zürich HB (Zurich Main Station) and then took the tram to the hotel to drop off my bags. I could have spent the day relaxing after my travels, but instead, I decided to make the most of it by visiting Liechtenstein nearby.\nThe plan was set; I had booked the train tickets to Sargans just the previous evening on the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) website for CHF 16.60 each way. I took the tram back to the station and grabbed some breakfast at Rapido, a convenient stop for a quick bite before a journey. I boarded the InterCity IC563, which had arrived from Basel and was headed to Chur. The train left exactly at 9:37 AM; the next stop was Sargans.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI alighted at Sargans and took the bus to Vaduz. As the bus left the station, we were treated to beautiful views of lush meadows and jagged mountains. I caught sight of Gutenberg Castle in Balzers as we drove by; it is one of the five castles of the principality and sits majestically on a 70-meter-high free-standing rock. I alighted at the Vaduz Städtle bus stop and headed toward my first stop, Vaduz Castle.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rIt was a nice and bright day with scattered clouds—perfect for roaming around. The weather turned drastically the next day when I visited Innsbruck. Near the start of the trail, I passed the Grande Cavallo, a prominent bronze horse sculpture by Fernando Botero. I also walked by the Center of Art and Communication, a striking modern building that stands out against the traditional Alpine scenery.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe trail up the hill was not too steep, but it definitely provided a good warm-up. By the time I reached the top, the exertion and the sun meant I didn\u0026rsquo;t even need my jacket anymore.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThere were boards with information to read along the way, providing context for the Vaduz Castle (Schloss Vaduz), which serves as the official residence of the Prince of Liechtenstein. The climb also offered great views of the valley and the snow-capped mountains across the Rhine River in Switzerland.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter spending some time at the castle grounds, I walked down and saw the famous Das Rote Haus (Red House), a late-medieval gabled tower house that is one of the city\u0026rsquo;s most photographed landmarks. I continued toward the Rheinpark Stadium, the national stadium where Liechtenstein\u0026rsquo;s national football team plays.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rIt was a nice walk along the Rhine River bank to the Alte Rheinbrücke, a historic covered wooden bridge. Built in 1901, it is the last remaining wooden bridge spanning the Rhine. There was a clear marker inside the bridge showing the international border; I enjoyed walking across into Switzerland and then back again into Liechtenstein in just a few steps.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rNext, I went to see the St. Florin Cathedral, a 19th-century Neo-Gothic church that serves as the center of the Archdiocese of Vaduz. I then headed to the Regierungsgebäude (Government Building) and the Liechtenstein Center area. This pedestrian zone is the heart of the capital, filled with various sculptures and art installations.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI hadn\u0026rsquo;t really slept well the previous night on the red-eye flight, and after walking around all day, I was starting to feel tired—especially since India was 4.5 hours ahead and it was already late evening for my body clock. Anticipating this, I had booked the 4:58 PM train back so I would get an early dinner and a good night\u0026rsquo;s sleep. I caught the bus from the Städtle stop back to Sargans and then boarded the InterCity Express ICE1256 back to Zurich.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r🚆 Swiss Federal Railways SBB\n🍽️ Rapido\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2017/11/18/","summary":"Escape to the Principality of Liechtenstein! From the Alpine views at Vaduz Castle to the unique experience of walking an international border on a wooden bridge, explore the highlights of Vaduz.","title":"A day in Vaduz 🇱🇮"},{"content":"natural liking for someone or something\nboth fulfillment and longing, it does bring\nyou are captivated and you don\u0026rsquo;t know why\nit doesn\u0026rsquo;t fit with obvious logic, but you still try\nyou\u0026rsquo;re drawn to things that have a certain appeal\nor to people because of how they make you feel\na four-legged friend who is eager to please\nthe solicitous demeanour which puts you at ease\nthe open countryside and quaint simple folk\nthe obvious grin and chuckle on your inside joke\nthe lyrics and the music that you love to hear\nthe comfort and reassurance to allay your fear\nan early walk, the crisp air and the morning dew\nan unexpected \u0026lsquo;hello\u0026rsquo; from someone out of the blue\ntaking that trip to your dream destination\nunpretentious simplicity or natural sophistication\nthe romance of flying and the love of travel\nsomeone\u0026rsquo;s esoteric ways which you try to unravel\nthe clear blue skies and the lush green farms\nmeeting after a while and a welcome with open arms\nthe first rains and the smell of the wet soil\nthe unquestioning acceptance after a period of turmoil\nsunrise and sunset, sublime before and after\nthe exuberant company and the incessant laughter\nthe reticent solitude and walking the extra mile\nthe indulgent attitude and that disarming smile\na feeling of déjà vu, like you\u0026rsquo;ve been here before\njust spending time together and then some more\nthe immersive experience of reading a good book\nthe covert cognizance and that \u0026lsquo;i-know-you-know\u0026rsquo; look\nconversations with yourself, to refresh and renew\na memento exchanged that says \u0026lsquo;i\u0026rsquo;m thinking of you\u0026rsquo;\nthe divergent paths you often choose to tread\nthe quiet understanding when it is said without being said\neach one of these, alluring, but for no discernible reason\nyet always and ever changing, like the flavor of the season\none of life\u0026rsquo;s key lessons that you should really be learning\nis the delicate balance between contentment and yearning\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2017/08/01/","summary":"\u003cp\u003enatural liking for someone or something\u003cbr\u003e\nboth fulfillment and longing, it does bring\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eyou are captivated and you don\u0026rsquo;t know why\u003cbr\u003e\nit doesn\u0026rsquo;t fit with obvious logic, but you still try\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eyou\u0026rsquo;re drawn to things that have a certain appeal\u003cbr\u003e\nor to people because of how they make you feel\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ea four-legged friend who is eager to please\u003cbr\u003e\nthe solicitous demeanour which puts you at ease\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ethe open countryside and quaint simple folk\u003cbr\u003e\nthe obvious grin and chuckle on your inside joke\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Affinity / Affinities"},{"content":"at times you are distant, even when with the crowd\nthough you are really not, sometimes you do seem proud\npowerful like the tempest and gentle like the breeze\nyou navigate places and people with such quasi-ease\nyou are totally fatalistic and that\u0026rsquo;s how you choose to see\nyour multifarious affiliations, they are just meant to be\naffinities come and go, but some things stay the same\nhow you give, what you get and how you play the game\nyou really crave to belong and to have people around\nbut simultaneously you\u0026rsquo;re certain: you don\u0026rsquo;t want to be bound\nfrom being a social butterfly to being a total recluse\nit\u0026rsquo;s poetically apposite to see why: you are your own muse\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2017/07/18/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eat times you are distant, even when with the crowd\u003cbr\u003e\nthough you are really not, sometimes you do seem proud\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003epowerful like the tempest and gentle like the breeze\u003cbr\u003e\nyou navigate places and people with such quasi-ease\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eyou are totally fatalistic and that\u0026rsquo;s how you choose to see\u003cbr\u003e\nyour multifarious affiliations, they are just meant to be\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eaffinities come and go, but some things stay the same\u003cbr\u003e\nhow you give, what you get and how you play the game\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Muse"},{"content":"a feeling of pensive sadness, typically with no obvious cause\nyou continue to tread the usual path, despondent, but without a pause\nwhen? where? how? and why? did all of this have to start\nwho has put you in this quandary? your mind? or is it your heart?\nyou want to wish away this frenzy, things should be steady, even slow\nbut what is the solace that you seek? i think, even you do not know\nyou\u0026rsquo;re unsure about some feelings, thinking that they are contraband\nand that just makes it so much harder to feel, to fathom and to understand\nthe reason for your discomfiture is, most likely, not what you think\nbut scatterbrained is what it makes you, and you\u0026rsquo;re almost on the brink\nyou dig deeper, looking inside, without judgement, without stigma\nbut to your own self, more than anyone else, you will always be an enigma\nthere\u0026rsquo;s probably no real reason for despair, but naught you can do\nyou wear that usual smile of yours, but your eyes, they betray you\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2017/07/11/","summary":"\u003cp\u003ea feeling of pensive sadness, typically with no obvious cause\u003cbr\u003e\nyou continue to tread the usual path, despondent, but without a pause\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ewhen? where? how? and why? did all of this have to start\u003cbr\u003e\nwho has put you in this quandary? your mind? or is it your heart?\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eyou want to wish away this frenzy, things should be steady, even slow\u003cbr\u003e\nbut what is the solace that you seek? i think, even you do not know\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Melancholy"},{"content":"\rAfter the wonderful Pilanesberg Safari yesterday, our overnight flight Ethiopian Airlines 848 from Johannesburg to Addis Ababa landed around 6:00 AM. We had already been given a Passenger Accommodation Voucher at Johannesburg airport, and upon arrival at Bole International Airport, we secured our transit visa cards to enter the city.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe cleared immigration and were whisked away to the Ethiopia Hotel by shuttle bus. Though we each held an individual voucher, the hotel kindly upgraded us to a massive suite so we could stay together. The room was basic but impressively large, featuring a small balcony that looked out over the waking city.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI had contacted Addis Ethiopia Tour about a week prior to arrange a custom transit itinerary. After a quick breakfast at the hotel, our guide and driver arrived to begin our full-day exploration of the capital.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOur first stop was a steep, winding drive up Entoto Hill. As we climbed, the air grew noticeably crisp, and the mountain became densely blanketed by towering eucalyptus trees—an Australian import that has become a staple of the local landscape. From the summit, we were rewarded with a breathtaking panoramic view of the sprawling capital and the green Ethiopian highlands beyond.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rBack in the city, we were dropped off for lunch at the historic Taitu Hotel to try their famous vegan buffet.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe were struck by the similarities to Indian cuisine: plenty of spiced greens, hearty lentils, and vibrant vegetable curries. The standout difference was Injera, the sourdough-risen flatbread with a unique spongy texture that serves as both food and utensil—a fascinating contrast to the wheat-based roti we are used to.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rTo round off the meal, our guide took us to Tomoca Coffee. This wasn\u0026rsquo;t a tourist trap, but a bustling hub where locals stand at high tables to enjoy a quick, potent brew. The Ethiopian coffee was delectable—dark, strong, and naturally sweet—providing the perfect caffeine kick for the afternoon.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rNext, we visited The National Museum of Ethiopia, where a specialized guide led us through the country\u0026rsquo;s rich heritage.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe highlight was undoubtedly \u0026ldquo;Lucy\u0026rdquo;, the 3.2-million-year-old fossilized remains of Australopithecus afarensis. Standing before one of the most significant links in human evolution was a truly humbling experience.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe basement was dedicated to archaeological and paleoanthropological exhibits.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe first floor had objects from ancient and medieval periods, as well as artifacts from former rulers.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe second floor displayed artwork including a painting depicting the meeting of Solomon and Sheba.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThere was also a collection of arts and crafts, including traditional weapons, jewellery, utensils, clothing and musical instruments.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOur final cultural stop was the Holy Trinity Cathedral, built to celebrate the country’s liberation from Italian occupation.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe copper-domed building is stunning, but the true treasure lies inside: a series of magnificent stained-glass windows that bathe the interior in a kaleidoscope of light, depicting scenes from the Old and New Testaments.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAs we concluded our tour, we passed two iconic landmarks: the Miyazya 27 Victory Statue, commemorating the end of the five-year Italian struggle, and the Lion of Judah Monument, which stands as a proud symbol of the Ethiopian monarchy and the nation’s independence.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter a few hours of relaxation back at the hotel, we returned to the airport for our final flight, Ethiopian Airlines 640, to Mumbai.\nBack at the hotel, we relaxed for a while in our room and then went down to go to the airport.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe managed to fit in one last dinner at the Star Alliance Gold Lounge before the festivities began.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rSince it was New Year\u0026rsquo;s Eve, Ethiopian Airlines went above and beyond, setting up traditional coffee ceremonies and food for everyone in the terminal. There was music, laughter, and a wonderful sense of community as travelers from all over the world rang in the new year together. It was the perfect, festive end to an unforgettable journey across Africa.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r🚘 Addis Ethiopia Tour\n🍽️ Itegue Taitu\n☕ Tomoca Coffee\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2016/12/31/","summary":"Maximizing a long layover in Ethiopia. From the panoramic views of Entoto Hill and the prehistoric wonders of \u0026ldquo;Lucy\u0026rdquo; to authentic Ethiopian coffee and a festive New Year’s Eve at Bole International Airport.","title":"This Time for Africa - Day 7 🇪🇹"},{"content":"\rAfter spending our final day in Cape Town yesterday, we rose in the pre-dawn hours and took a taxi to Cape Town International Airport for our 6:00 AM flight, South African Airways 302, to Johannesburg. Before boarding, we enjoyed a quiet breakfast at the SAA Domestic Premium Class Lounge, where the hot buffet and fresh coffee provided a much-needed wake-up call.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOnboard South African Airways 302, we were offered a choice between a full hot breakfast or fresh seasonal fruit. With an arrival time of 7:55 AM, we knew we wouldn\u0026rsquo;t make it to Pilanesberg National Park in time for the scheduled 9:30 AM open-vehicle safari. Instead, I had pre-booked a closed-vehicle safari with MoAfrika Tours, which included airport transfers.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rBased on earlier emails, we expected a shared minivan, but we were pleasantly surprised to find a private car and driver waiting for us. Since we were the only ones booked for the closed safari that day, we both had window seats and unobstructed views—a perfect setup for photography. We left the airport and began the drive toward the wilderness.\nWe entered the park through the Manyane Gate, and the transition from the paved highway to the rugged park roads was immediate. The landscape opened up into vast plains and volcanic hills, and it wasn\u0026rsquo;t long before we spotted our first residents.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rEarly in the drive, we encountered a group of Hippopotamuses partially submerged in a watering hole. Seeing these massive animals so close, with just their eyes and ears peeking above the surface, made the safari feel incredibly real.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe park was teeming with life. We saw dazzles of Zebras grazing near the road and herds of Wildebeests moving slowly across the golden grass. Their prehistoric appearance against the vast African sky was a sight to behold.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rFurther into the bush, several Giraffes emerged from the acacia trees, their long necks reaching for the highest leaves. We also spotted groups of Kudus, recognizable by their striking spiraled horns and elegant white stripes.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe took a brief midday break at Manyane Resort for lunch. The resort is a peaceful oasis at the edge of the park, and after a hearty meal, we felt recharged and ready to head back into the wild for the afternoon.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOur afternoon route took toward the Mankwe Hide. The hide offered a spectacular, shaded vantage point over the Manyane Dam, where we observed a large male Waterbuck standing proudly near the water\u0026rsquo;s edge.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe birdlife in Pilanesberg was equally impressive. We caught sight of the brightly colored Southern Masked Weaver, a delicate Ring-necked Dove, and the heavy-set Kori Bustard, which is one of the largest flying birds in the world.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOf course, no safari is complete without seeing the graceful Impala. These nimble antelopes seemed to be around every corner, their reddish-brown coats blending perfectly with the landscape.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe highlight of the day was spotting three of the \u0026ldquo;Big Five\u0026rdquo;: Lions, African Elephants, and Rhinoceroses. Seeing a Rhinoceros up close is a humbling experience; their sheer power and prehistoric armor are breathtaking.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAs the sun began to lower, we were treated to a sighting of several Lionesses resting. Their calm demeanor belied their status as the park\u0026rsquo;s apex predators. We also crossed paths with a couple of African Elephants, who were unfazed by our presence.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe exited the park through the Bakubung Gate around 6:00 PM and began the drive back to O.R. Tambo International Airport. Our African adventure wouldn\u0026rsquo;t have been complete without this day; it was the perfect, wild conclusion to our trip.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAt the airport, we checked in for our red-eye flight, Ethiopian Airlines 848, departing at 11:35 PM. We spent our final hours in South Africa at the SAA International Premium Lounge, enjoying a full dinner and reflecting on the week\u0026rsquo;s incredible experiences.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rSupper was served onboard shortly after takeoff as we flew north toward Ethiopia. Our return journey home would continue tomorrow with a transit in Addis Ababa before the final leg to Mumbai.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r🚘 MoAfrika Tours\n🍽️ SAA Domestic Premium Class Lounge\n🍽️ Manyane Resort\n🍽️ SAA International Premium Lounge\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2016/12/30/","summary":"Maximizing a final day in South Africa with a private safari at Pilanesberg. Discover some of the \u0026ldquo;Big Five,\u0026rdquo; witness diverse birdlife at the Manyane Dam, and experience the vast landscapes of the Manyane and Bakubung gates.","title":"This Time for Africa - Day 6 🇿🇦"},{"content":"This was part of This Time for Africa - Day 5 🇿🇦.\nAt 4:00 PM, we set out from Green Market Square for the final walking tour of our stay: the vibrant and historic neighborhood of Bo-Kaap. Formerly known as the Malay Quarter, this area is the spiritual heart of Cape Town’s Cape Malay community, descendants of enslaved people brought by the Dutch from South East Asia.\nOur first stop was the Auwal Masjid, the oldest mosque in South Africa, established in 1794. It stands as a symbol of religious freedom and the endurance of the community\u0026rsquo;s identity through centuries of colonial rule.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAs we moved deeper into the neighborhood, the scenery transformed into the iconic rainbow of colors Bo-Kaap is famous for. Legend has it that while the houses were leased, they had to be white; when the residents were finally allowed to buy them, they painted them in bright hues as an expression of freedom. The narrow, cobbled streets are lined with shades of lime green, electric blue, and hot pink that look incredibly vivid against the African sun.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe also passed Biesmiellah Restaurant, a local institution famous for serving authentic Cape Malay cuisine. This was a reminder of the rich culinary heritage that defines this part of the city.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe ended our tour on Chiappini Street, perhaps the most photographed spot in the area. The contrast of the brightly painted homes with the rugged, grey backdrop of Table Mountain is breathtaking.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r👣 Bo-Kaap Walking Tour\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2016/12/29-1600/","summary":"Walking through the most colorful neighborhood in South Africa. From the historic Auwal Masjid to the photogenic rows of brightly painted homes, we explore the rich heritage and resilient spirit of the Cape Malay community.","title":"Bo Kaap Walking Tour 🇿🇦"},{"content":"This was part of This Time for Africa - Day 5 🇿🇦.\nAt 2:00 PM, we rejoined our guides at Green Market Square for a journey into one of Cape Town\u0026rsquo;s most storied and tragic neighborhoods. District Six was once a vibrant, multi-racial inner-city residential area, home to a diverse community of artisans and merchants. Everything changed in the 1960s and 70s when the Apartheid regime declared it a \u0026ldquo;whites-only\u0026rdquo; area under the Group Areas Act, leading to the forced removal of over 60,000 residents.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAs we walked, we learned about the deep socio-economic and racial divides that this displacement created. However, amidst the history of loss, we also saw signs of spiritual and communal resilience. We visited the Muir Street Mosque (also known as the Zeenatul Islam Mosque), whose elegant minarets stood defiantly as the surrounding neighborhood was leveled. Nearby, the Al Azhar Mosque remains another vital pillar of the community that refused to be erased.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOne of the most striking aspects of the tour was the street art and murals. These aren\u0026rsquo;t just decorations; they are powerful acts of reclamation. The murals depict the faces of former residents and scenes of daily life from before the removals, ensuring that the stories of the people who lived here are never forgotten.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOn our way back toward the city center, we passed the District Six Museum. Housed in an old church building, the museum serves as a living memorial, containing personal maps and artifacts that help former residents and tourists alike understand the scale of what was lost—and the strength of the spirit that remains.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r👣 District Six Walking Tour\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2016/12/29-1400/","summary":"Tracing the scars of the Group Areas Act through District Six. We explore the resilient spirit of a community forcibly removed in the 1970s, visiting historic mosques, the District Six Museum, and the powerful murals that now define the landscape.","title":"District Six Walking Tour 🇿🇦"},{"content":"This was part of This Time for Africa - Day 5 🇿🇦.\nAt 11:00 AM, we gathered at Green Market Square to begin our journey through Cape Town’s complex past. Our first stop was St. George\u0026rsquo;s Cathedral, known as the \u0026ldquo;People\u0026rsquo;s Cathedral\u0026rdquo; for its role in the resistance against Apartheid. Its grand neo-Gothic arches stood as a silent witness to many of the city\u0026rsquo;s most pivotal political gatherings.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rFrom there, we entered The Company’s Garden, the oldest garden in South Africa, originally established in the 1650s to grow fresh produce for passing ships. Walking down the tree-lined avenues, we encountered the Cecil John Rhodes Statue, a controversial figure in modern South Africa, and the Company\u0026rsquo;s Garden Sundial, which has been tracking the Cape sun. We also passed the Parliament of South Africa Old Assembly, known as the Poorthuis, and saw the Statue of J.C. Smuts standing watch near the entrance.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rNestled within the greenery, The Company\u0026rsquo;s Garden Restaurant offers a peaceful spot for visitors to rest under the shade of ancient trees. However, the mood shifted as we left the gardens to visit the High Court Civil Annex. This site is an infamous reminder of the Apartheid regime; it was here that citizens had to present themselves for racial classification, often subjected to degrading tests to determine their legal rights and social standing.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOur walk continued toward Church Square, a space deeply tied to the history of slavery in the Cape. We saw the remembrance columns that make up The Cape Town Memorial To The Enslaved, inscribed with the names of those who were once sold here. Nearby stands the Statue of Jan Hendrik Hofmeyr, a prominent South African politician and journalist.\nFinally, we reached the Grand Parade, the city\u0026rsquo;s main public square. Standing before the Cape Town City Hall, it was easy to imagine the massive crowds that gathered here in 1990 to hear Nelson Mandela’s first speech after his release from prison. The ornate Italian Renaissance-style building remains one of the most beautiful landmarks in the city.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r👣 Historic City Tour\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2016/12/29-1100/","summary":"Walking through the shadows of Apartheid and the light of democracy. This tour covers Cape Town’s most significant landmarks, including St. George’s Cathedral, the High Court Civil Annex, and the Grand Parade.","title":"Historic City Tour 🇿🇦"},{"content":"\rAfter the rugged coastal beauty of the Cape Peninsula yesterday, we dedicated today to the heart and soul of Cape Town. We enjoyed a relaxed morning, lingering over breakfast before walking to the City Sightseeing office to finalize our plans for a day of urban exploration.\nWe headed to Green Market Square to join the Historic City Tour at 11:00 AM. Since we had some time to kill before the next leg of our journey, we stopped for a quick, flavorful lunch at Shwarma Cafe, a perfect fuel-up for the walking ahead.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe afternoon was a deep dive into South African history and culture. We joined the District Six Walking Tour at 2:00 PM, learning about the forced removals during the Apartheid era, and followed that up with the vibrant Bo Kaap Walking Tour at 4:00 PM, where the brightly painted houses and Cape Malay heritage stole the show.\nAs evening approached, we took a taxi to the Victoria \u0026amp; Alfred (V\u0026amp;A) Waterfront. The timing was perfect; we watched as the sky turned shades of orange and pink, with the sun setting directly behind the majestic silhouette of Table Mountain in the distance.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rDominating the skyline of the precinct is The Cape Wheel. This giant observation wheel offers a spectacular 360-degree panoramic view of the city, the stadium, and the sea. Even from the ground, its illuminated structure adds a festive, modern energy to the historic docks.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe V\u0026amp;A Waterfront is the oldest working harbour in the Southern Hemisphere; we strolled along the piers, taking in the mix of salty sea air and live street music. We stopped by the African Trading Port, filled with high-quality African art and curios, which looked particularly striking against the darkening sky.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOne of the more unique engineering sights here is the Swing Bridge. We were lucky enough to see it in action—it rotates smoothly to allow boats to move between the basins, effectively temporarily cutting off pedestrian traffic between the Clock Tower and the rest of the Waterfront.\nFor our final dinner in the city, we kept it casual. We picked up a couple of burgers from Tom \u0026amp; - Burger \u0026amp; Wing Shack and found a spot to sit by the water, soaking in the last of the Cape Town atmosphere. The area around the Clock Tower, with its distinctive Victorian Gothic architecture and red facade, looked beautiful as the city lights began to twinkle. We also passed the Life Grand Cafe, where the outdoor seating was buzzing with people enjoying the warm summer evening.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThis was our final night in Cape Town. It’s a city that manages to be both heavy with history and incredibly lighthearted and beautiful. Our return journey began tomorrow, taking us to Mumbai via Johannesburg and Addis Ababa.\n🍽️ Shwarma Cafe\n🍽️ Tom \u0026amp; - Burger \u0026amp; Wing Shack\n🛏️ HomeBase Cape Town Backpackers\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2016/12/29/","summary":"Maximizing our final day in Cape Town with three distinct walking tours covering the city’s complex history and colorful culture. We end the evening at the V\u0026amp;A Waterfront, watching the sunset over the oldest working harbour in the Southern Hemisphere.","title":"This Time for Africa - Day 5 🇿🇦"},{"content":"\rAfter the adrenaline of shark diving and the heights of Table Mountain, we opted for a more grounded—but equally stunning—exploration of the coast. We booked the Cape Peninsula Tour with Baz Bus. We met the group at their office near our hotel, boarded our bus, and began the drive along the Atlantic Seaboard. Passing through Camps Bay, the white sand beaches and palm-lined promenade looked pristine against the backdrop of the Twelve Apostles mountain range.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOur first major stop was Hout Bay Harbour, a vibrant working port filled with colorful fishing boats and artisan markets. We took a boat cruise to Duiker Island to see the Cape Fur Seal colony. As we left the harbour, we spotted the Lichtenstein Castle perched on the slopes of Karbonkelberg Mountain, looking like it was plucked straight from Europe and dropped into the African wild. We also rounded The Sentinel, a massive, jagged peak that stands as a guardian at the mouth of the bay.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rApproaching Duiker Island was a sensory experience—the sound and sight of thousands of seals barking and basking on the rocks were incredible. The boat maneuvered quite close, allowing us to see them gliding effortlessly through the water. After the boat arrived back the at harbour, we had some time to browse around and check out the local shops.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rBack on land, we drove toward Chapman’s Peak Drive, arguably one of the most spectacular marine drives in the world. We stopped at a lookout point to enjoy a light snack of muffins and yogurt while soaking in the panoramic views of Hout Bay.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rContinuing south, we caught glimpses of Long Beach, a vast stretch of white sand popular with surfers and horse riders, as we entered the Cape Point Nature Reserve.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rInside the reserve, the tour added an active twist: a 6-kilometer bicycle ride to the Tourist Information Centre. Bicycles and helmets were provided, and the guides told us by what time they expected us to reach there. \u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rRiding through the fynbos (local shrubland) without the barrier of bus windows was refreshing.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAt the center, we enjoyed a picnic lunch: salad and chips, rolls with cold cuts and cheese along with fruits and juice. We had some time and browsed a small museum detailing the maritime history and unique ecology of the Cape.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe then moved to Cape Point National Park. While the Flying Dutchman Funicular was available to whisk visitors up the hill, we decided to hike the path to the Old Cape Point Lighthouse.\nAfter the lunch break we got back into the bus and headed to Cape Point National Park. Here we could buy a ticket and ride the Flying Dutchman Funicular up to the viewing point but we just decided to hike up like almost everyone else.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rFrom this height, we could see the Cape Peninsula behind us and the vast ocean ahead. The New Cape Point Lighthouse perched much lower on the cliffs—built there because the old one was often shrouded in too much fog to be useful to ships.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rFor the final stretch, I chose to walk to the Cape of Good Hope via the Cape Peninsula Wooden Walkway. The trail winds along the cliff edge, offering views of the secluded Dias Beach below. \u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe sand there looked untouched, and though time didn\u0026rsquo;t permit a descent, the view from above was breathtaking. Eventually, I reached the iconic sign marking the most South-Western point of Africa.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe drive back was a mini-safari; we spotted baboons near the road and ostriches and bontebok antelope wandering through the scrub.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOur final stop was Boulders Beach in Simon\u0026rsquo;s Town. This is home to a massive colony of African Penguins (also known as Jackass Penguins for their braying sounds).\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWatching them waddle across the sand and swim through the rock pools from the boardwalk was fun.\nThis was the end of our trip and we drove back to Cape Town. To end the day, we headed to Mama Africa on Long Street. The restaurant is a Cape Town institution, famous for its rustic decor and live marimba music. \u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI decided to be adventurous and ordered Mama\u0026rsquo;s Wild Game Mixed Grill. It was a unique opportunity to try a variety of local meats, including crocodile, ostrich, springbok, kudu, and venison sausage. Each had a distinct flavor, making it a meal to remember.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter an enjoyable dinner we walked down Long Street back to the hotel, ready for a more relaxed pace tomorrow.\n🚍 Baz Bus\n🍽️ Mama Africa\n🛏️ HomeBase Cape Town Backpackers\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2016/12/28/","summary":"From the playful seal colonies of Duiker Island to the southwesternmost tip of Africa, join us as we explore the Cape Peninsula. Highlights include a scenic cycle through the reserve, a cliffside hike to the Cape of Good Hope, and a wild game dinner on Long Street.","title":"This Time for Africa - Day 4 🇿🇦"},{"content":"\rAfter arriving in Cape Town, we got up early for the day we had been anticipating most. I had booked Shark Cage Diving in Gansbaai with Shark Zone about a week prior. The transport service picked us up from our hotel, and we made a few stops around Cape Town to collect other passengers. We drove east, winding our way up the scenic Houwhoek Pass, which offered stunning views of the Hottentots Holland Mountains, before arriving at the meeting point in Van Dyks Bay.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rUpon arrival at the White Shark Ventures base, we were served a light breakfast during a comprehensive safety briefing. All diving equipment was supplied, including thick wetsuits to combat the cold Atlantic waters. After eating, we took a short walk to Kleinbaai Harbour. The harbor is a small but busy gateway to \u0026ldquo;Shark Alley,\u0026rdquo; and as our boat left the sheltered jetty, the water turned choppy as we headed into the open ocean.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOnce anchored, the crew began to chum the water with fish products to attract the Great White Sharks. When the first shark was sighted—a massive, dark shadow gliding just below the surface—we kitted up. Groups of five entered the cage at a time. Interestingly, the crew mentioned that visibility can be limited underwater, making the view from the boat\u0026rsquo;s upper deck just as impressive, if not better, for seeing the full scale of the sharks.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe chose different batches so one of us could photograph the action from the boat. The water was freezing, and the initial thermal shock was intense. The cage, about 10 feet tall with a mesh base, felt sturdy but remarkably thin once a shark approached. We were warned repeatedly to only hold the inner red hand-railing; holding the outer grill is a recipe for broken knuckles if a shark decides to bump the cage. When the lookout shouted \u0026ldquo;Dive! Dive! Dive!\u0026rdquo;, we submerged to find ourselves face-to-face with the most legendary predator of the sea. It was fantastic to be up close and personal with these magnificent creatures.\nThere were some drinks and snacks on board for those who were interested and/or had motion sickness. After everyone had been in the cage once the crew asked if we wanted another round. Not wanting to pass up another chance, this time we went into the cage together. Towards the end of our second round in the water, one of the sharks actually bumped into the cage and went under the boat to the other side. This not only shook the cage but rattled the boat as well. That impact gave us a taste of the power of these beasts in the water.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rBack at the harbour, we had a light lunch while watching the videographer\u0026rsquo;s footage. The ride back to Cape Town was quieter, but the mood lifted as Table Mountain came into view. The flat-topped landmark looked magnificent against the clear afternoon sky, signaling our next stop.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe took a taxi to the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway base station. We didn\u0026rsquo;t have to wait long before boarding the cable car.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe floors of these cars rotate 360 degrees during the journey, ensuring every passenger gets a panoramic view of the city and the cliffs as you rise. It took us about five minutes to reach the top of the mountain.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe top of the mountain is a massive plateau with multiple stone-paved pathways leading to various lookouts.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAt the summit, the temperature dropped significantly, and we were grateful for our fleece jackets.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rTo the west, we looked down upon the turquoise waters of Camps Bay Beach and the luxury homes lining the coast.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rFurther north, the peak of Lion’s Head and Signal Hill (also known as Lion\u0026rsquo;s Tail) were clearly visible, resembling a lion crouching to protect the city.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rFrom another vantage point, we spotted the Cape Town Stadium, a modern architectural marvel built for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, sitting right on the edge of the Atlantic.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rBeyond the stadium, the vast expanse of Table Bay and the downtown skyline stretched out toward the horizon.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAmidst the grand views, we also found smaller residents: Dassies (Rock Hyraxes). These furry creatures, which are oddly enough the closest living relatives to elephants, were foraging peacefully along the rocky cliffs.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAs evening approached, clouds began to spill over the edge of the mountain like a \u0026ldquo;tablecloth\u0026rdquo; waterfall. It was a surreal experience walking through the mist.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAs the light faded and the cold set in, we took the cable car back down and returned to the city.\nWe took a taxi back to our hotel. Having been out and about all day we were quite tired and decide to go back to The Diplomatic Bar and Restaurant for dinner because it was literally around the corner from our hotel. Our plan tomorrow was to visit the Cape Peninsula.\n🦈 Shark Zone\n🚠 Table Mountain\n🍽️ The Diplomatic Bar and Restaurant\n🛏️ HomeBase Cape Town Backpackers\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2016/12/27/","summary":"Experience the best of South Africa’s extremes. We head to the \u0026ldquo;Shark Capital of the World\u0026rdquo; in Gansbaai for an underwater encounter with Great White Sharks before returning to Cape Town for a 360-degree rotating cable car ascent of the iconic Table Mountain.","title":"This Time for Africa - Day 3 🇿🇦"},{"content":"\rOur flight EgyptAir 851 from Cairo to Addis Ababa touched down around 3:15 AM. The airport was quiet in the pre-dawn hours, with only a few weary travelers wandering the terminals. Thanks to my United MileagePlus Gold status, we were able to access the Star Alliance Gold Lounge. While there was a separate Ethiopian Airlines Cloud Nine Lounge reserved strictly for Business Class passengers, the Gold Lounge provided a welcome sanctuary. We found some comfortable chairs and managed to catch a few hours of sleep before the sun came up. Around 7:00 AM, we enjoyed a light breakfast as the airport began to buzz with morning activity.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOur flight Ethiopian Airlines 847 to Cape Town was scheduled for 8:30 AM. This was our first time flying with Ethiopian Airlines, and I was curious to see how Africa’s leading carrier would compare to our previous flights.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe most exciting milestone of this leg was the moment we crossed the equator for the very first time. I kept a close eye on the flight tracker, watching our progress as we moved into the Southern Hemisphere—a simple but significant \u0026ldquo;bucket list\u0026rdquo; moment for any travel enthusiast.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rLunch was served around noon as we traversed the vast African continent from north to south. The meal was hearty, providing the fuel we needed for our arrival in South Africa.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe landed at Cape Town International Airport around 2:15 PM, parking right next to a Turkish Airlines flight that had just arrived from Istanbul.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter clearing immigration and reclaiming our bags, we headed out. While I was initially skeptical about airport taxis, we decided to use the MyCiTi bus service. It’s a clean, efficient, and cost-effective way to get to the city center. We took the bus to the Civic Centre bus terminus, which left us with a roughly 1 km walk to our hotel. The hotel staff had been incredibly helpful beforehand, providing the formal confirmation letter we needed for our visa applications.\nI had booked a standard double room at HomeBase Cape Town Backpackers via hotels.com, specifically selecting an ensuite bathroom. However, check-in proved a bit tricky; we were told that all ensuite rooms were occupied and that our reservation didn\u0026rsquo;t explicitly guarantee one. With it being late in the day, we decided to settle in anyway. The room was nice, featuring a large window that overlooked the bustling street below, but since we were on a higher floor, the city noise didn\u0026rsquo;t disturb our rest.\nOnce we had freshened up, we headed out for a stroll along Long Street. Known for its Victorian-era buildings and bohemian vibe, the street is the heartbeat of Cape Town’s nightlife and shopping. We eventually reached Green Market Square, one of the oldest social hubs in the city. The square is usually a bustling flea market during the day, but in the evening, the historic cobblestones and surrounding architecture offer a more peaceful, atmospheric look at the city\u0026rsquo;s heritage.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rFor dinner, we visited The Diplomatic Bar and Restaurant to sample some authentic African cuisine. The flavors were bold and distinctive—entirely different from anything we had tried back home. It was the perfect way to immerse ourselves in the local culture on our first night.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rExhausted from the long journey across the continent, we walked back to our hotel—just a short block away—and called it a night. We needed every bit of rest for the big adventure planned for tomorrow.\n🚍 MyCiTi Airport Service\n🛏️ HomeBase Cape Town Backpackers\n🍽️ The Diplomatic Bar and Restaurant\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2016/12/26/","summary":"A journey from the transit lounges of Addis Ababa to the vibrant streets of Cape Town. Highlights include crossing the equator, navigating MyCiTi transit, and an evening stroll through historic Green Market Square.","title":"This Time for Africa - Day 2 🇿🇦"},{"content":"\rIt was finally here. The day we began the trip that we had been planning for the last 11 months. I had booked United award tickets for us from Mumbai to Cape Town via Cairo and Addis Ababa. We left Pune the previous evening for our first flight to Cairo, EgyptAir 969, departing from Mumbai at 2:20 AM. The flight itself was uneventful, and we reached Cairo early in the morning.\nThe plan was to spend the day in Cairo in transit and then continue to South Africa. Since we were traveling on an award ticket, I wasn\u0026rsquo;t sure if we could get the complimentary transit stamp and hotel. So, we had applied for the transit visa in advance just in case. We were redirected to multiple lines and immigration counters, only to be told that we couldn\u0026rsquo;t exit the airport with a transit visa. Exasperated, we finally went to the EgyptAir desk for transfer customers; they arranged for us to get the transit stamp to enter Egypt and also gave us complimentary hotel accommodation for the day. Had we followed this path from the beginning, we would have been better off. Instead, we wasted money on the transit visa and three precious hours navigating the bureaucracy.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe were put up at Le Passage Cairo Hotel \u0026amp; Casino by EgyptAir. The hotel shuttle picked us up from the airport, and we arrived after a short drive to find a surprisingly grand property with lush gardens. The front desk staff took our voucher, noted our departure flight time, and provided our room number. While waiting for our room to be ready, we enjoyed a breakfast spread featuring local Egyptian staples and a live omelette station.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI had contacted Egyptian Sidekick about 10 days before our trip. Since we were only in Cairo for a short transit, we wanted a seamless experience. Despite our three-hour delay at the airport, our guide Mohsen and driver Ahmed were waiting for us, ready to adjust the itinerary on the fly.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe first headed to Dahshur, located about 1.5 hours from Cairo. It was incredible to see the Red Pyramid and the Bent Pyramid up close. The Red Pyramid is famous for being the first successful smooth-sided pyramid, and its reddish hue under the sun is striking. The Bent Pyramid is equally fascinating, showing a unique change in angle halfway up. This site is far less crowded than Giza; with only 2-3 other visitors, it felt like a private tour. It was surreal to crawl through the narrow passage to see the Red Pyramid from the inside. We could also see the Black Pyramid in the distance, though it remains inaccessible to tourists.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rNext was Saqqara to see the Step Pyramid of Djoser. This structure is considered the earliest large-scale cut stone construction in the world. The surrounding temple complex is filled with intricate stone carvings and impressive colonnades. We also visited the Imhotep Museum, which houses a real Mummy and various artifacts that bring ancient Egyptian craftsmanship to life. It was eerie yet fascinating to see how well-preserved the remains were after thousands of years.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rDue to a delayed start and the building traffic, we had to skip Memphis to ensure we reached the Giza Plateau before closing. As we approached Giza, the pyramids loomed over the city skyline. While the surrounding urban area is quite busy and chaotic, the site itself was majestic. We arrived in the late afternoon, just as the light began to soften. We declined the persistent offers for camel rides and instead walked toward the Great Sphinx of Giza. Seeing the Sphinx with the Pyramids of Giza in the background is a quintessential travel moment, though the Sphinx was slightly smaller in person than I had imagined.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rHaving already explored the interior of the Red Pyramid, we spent our time at Giza soaking in the views from the observation area as the sun set behind the ancient tombs. Our final stop was Koshary Abou Tarek, a world-famous spot for Egypt’s national dish. The layers of rice, pasta, and lentils topped with spicy sauce were the perfect end to our whirlwind day.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWhile the immigration fiasco cost us time we could have spent at the Egyptian Museum, this transit day was a dream come true. We left for our flight EgyptAir 851 to Addis Ababa exhausted but grateful for our first taste of Africa.\n🚘 Egyptian Sidekick\n🍽️ Koshary Abou Tarek\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2016/12/25/","summary":"Starting the African adventure with a transit through Egypt. From the golden glow of the Bent Pyramid to the legendary Great Sphinx, explore the cradle of civilization.","title":"This Time for Africa - Day 1 🇪🇬"},{"content":"My flight from Mumbai via Delhi and Hong Kong landed just past noon, and I had about 6 hours before my connecting flight. I decided to take the chance and pass through immigration to take one of the Incheon Airport Transit Tours. Indian nationals in transit through South Korea are visa-exempt for 30 days, provided they hold a physical visa or residence permit issued by countries like the USA, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand. Although I had a visa for Canada, the immigration officer checked my USA visa instead. He stamped my passport, and I was through. Since my bags were checked all the way to Canada, I walked past baggage claim directly to the arrivals hall. I reached the Transit Tour Information Desk in Terminal 1, 1F near Exit 8. Given my transit duration and the tour timings, the only tour I could take was the Incheon tour, so I registered for it.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAt the time of departure, I found out I was the only one on the bus, but the tour still went ahead as scheduled. I met the tour guide and the driver, and we were on our way. We drove over the Incheon Bridge, South Korea\u0026rsquo;s longest spanning cable-stayed bridge, which offers impressive views of the Yellow Sea. Our first stop was the Heungryunsa Temple, a serene Buddhist temple nestled on a hillside. The weather was wet but not cold, and the bus provided umbrellas for the passengers. I spent about an hour roaming around the temple grounds, admiring the intricate colorful carvings and the beautifully landscaped gardens.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rNext was the Memorial Hall for Incheon Landing Operation, which commemorates the successful \u0026ldquo;Operation Chromite\u0026rdquo; led by General MacArthur during the Korean War. Inside the building, there are exhibits of military armaments used by both South and North Korean forces, along with photos documenting the daily struggles of life during the conflict. Outside, a grand 18-meter-long memorial tower stands as a tribute, surrounded by the national flags of the 16 countries that participated in the UN forces during the war.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe headed back to the airport after this. I thanked the tour guide and the driver for the excellent excursion and headed inside to board my flight to Vancouver at 6:00 PM.\n🚍 Incheon Airport Transit Tour\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2016/10/02/","summary":"Step out of Incheon Airport for a cultural deep dive! Discover the peaceful hillside gardens of Heungryunsa Temple and the moving history of the Korean War at the Incheon Landing Operation Memorial.","title":"An afternoon in Incheon 🇰🇷"},{"content":"\rBoth of us had been collecting miles on United MileagePlus for quite some time. With the miles we had collected so far, I was scouting for destinations we wanted to visit and where we could maximize our miles.\nAfrica was at the top of our list, and I was trying to figure out how we could do the most with that. We had enough miles between the two of us for three one-way tickets from India (Central Asia region) to South Africa (Africa region), which meant that we would need to purchase one one-way ticket for one of us.\nAs it turns out, a one-way flight from India to South Africa was almost twice as expensive as a one-way flight from South Africa to India. After a lot of research and award searches, I was finally able to zero in on our travel plans.\nOur first flight would be on EgyptAir on Sunday, 25th December, leaving Mumbai at 2:20 AM. We would reach Cairo at 5:35 AM with a 17-hour layover in Cairo. Our next flight on EgyptAir would leave Cairo at 11:35 PM and reach Addis Ababa the next morning at 3:15 AM on Monday, 26th December. We would then connect onward to an Ethiopian Airlines flight at 8:15 AM, reaching Cape Town at 2:15 PM. I booked this itinerary as award tickets for both of us.\nDate Flight From At To At Airline SUN 25 DEC MS 969 MUMBAI, IN (BOM) 02:20 CAIRO, EG (CAI) 05:35 EGYPTAIR SUN 25 DEC MS 851 CAIRO, EG (CAI) 22:35 ADDIS ABABA, ET (ADD) 03:15(+1) EGYPTAIR MON 26 DEC ET 847 ADDIS ABABA, ET (ADD) 08:30 CAPE TOWN, ZA (CPT) 14:15 ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES After spending 4 days in Cape Town, I was able to put together a return itinerary with day-long layovers in both Johannesburg and Addis Ababa. We would leave Cape Town at 6:00 AM on Friday, 30th December, on a South African Airways flight reaching Johannesburg at 7:55 AM. After about 15 hours in Johannesburg, we would connect to an Ethiopian Airlines red-eye flight leaving at 11:35 PM and reaching Addis Ababa the next morning at 6:00 AM on Saturday, 31st December. After about 17 hours in Addis Ababa, we would take another Ethiopian Airlines red-eye flight leaving at 11:35 PM and reaching Mumbai the next morning at 7:15 AM on Sunday, 1st January. I planned this itinerary as one award ticket and one paid ticket with the same flights.\nI tried booking all these flights on the United website, but my payment transaction would not go through. I then called the MileagePlus customer service number, and they were able to book the flights for me. They also waived the telephone booking fee because I was unable to complete the booking on the website due to a technical error.\nI also booked two separate one-way tickets for myself: from Cape Town to Johannesburg on South African Airways, and then from Johannesburg to Mumbai on Ethiopian Airlines directly on each airline\u0026rsquo;s website to match the award ticket itinerary for the return journey.\nDate Flight From At To At Airline FRI 30 DEC SA 302 CAPE TOWN, ZA (CPT) 06:00 JOHANNESBURG, ZA (JNB) 07:55 SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS FRI 30 DEC ET 848 JOHANNESBURG, ZA (JNB) 23:35 ADDIS ABABA, ET (ADD) 06:00(+1) ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES SAT 31 DEC ET 640 ADDIS ABABA, ET (ADD) 23:35 MUMBAI, IN (BOM) 07:15(+1) ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES With that, we were all set for our week in Africa, thanks to United MileagePlus.\n90,000 miles redeemed | 3 one-way tickets\n3 countries | 3 airlines | 4 new airports\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2016/02/07/","summary":"A detailed guide to redeeming United miles for a multi-stop trip to South Africa, featuring long layovers in Cairo, Johannesburg and Addis Ababa.","title":"United MileagePlus Award to South Africa"},{"content":"Ever since I found out about touristanbul, I was eagerly waiting for the opportunity to fly Turkish Airlines and visit Istanbul in transit. My red-eye from London to Istanbul on Saturday night landed early morning, and I had a 15-hour layover before my flight to Mumbai. The Republic of Turkey issues e-Visas for Indian passport holders who have a valid visa for the USA, the UK, or the Schengen countries. I had applied for the e-Visa in advance to avoid any last-minute complications. I headed to immigration, where the officer checked my e-Visa and my visa for the USA, then stamped my passport. My bag was checked through to Mumbai, so I walked past baggage claim and customs and proceeded to the Hotel Desk in the International Arrival Hall. I submitted my boarding pass, and they asked me to wait for the tour call. Since I hadn’t slept well on the flight, I found a bench and took a quick nap.\nAbout half an hour before the tour departure, we were asked to assemble. After calling our names, they returned our boarding passes and gave us each a badge for the day. This badge identified us for waived entrance fees and complimentary meals. We were introduced to our guide and led to the bus for the drive from the airport to the city.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rTurkish Airlines and touristanbul provided complimentary breakfast and lunch, covering all entrance fees. Our first stop was Çatladıkapı Sosyal Tesisleri for breakfast, a social facility located right along the scenic Marmara Sea coast.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe then walked to Sultan Ahmet Square (the ancient Hippodrome) to see the historic monuments. I was struck by the Walled Obelisk, a 10th-century structure originally covered in gilded bronze plaques, and the Obelisk of Theodosius, an Ancient Egyptian monument brought to the city in the 4th century. We also saw the Serpent Column, a bronze sacrificial tripod originally from Delphi, which commemorates the Greeks who fought the Persians.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rNext, we visited the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, famously known as the Blue Mosque. The name comes from the over 20,000 blue handmade İznik-style ceramic tiles that decorate its interior. Its six minarets and cascading domes make it a masterpiece of Ottoman classical architecture and it continues to function as a mosque even today.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOur next stop was the Topkapi Palace Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage site that served as the main residence of the Ottoman Sultans for nearly 400 years. The complex features lush courtyards, sacred relics, and ornate chambers that offer a glimpse into imperial life.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe took a break for lunch at the Tamara Restaurant, enjoying local Turkish cuisine before spending some time browsing the nearby shops for traditional souvenirs.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rIn the afternoon, we explored Hagia Sophia, an architectural marvel that has transitioned from a Byzantine basilica to an Ottoman mosque and is now a museum. Its massive central dome and intricate golden mosaics represent a unique synthesis of Christian and Islamic art.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe last stop of the evening was the Basilica Cistern, the largest of the ancient water reservoirs beneath Istanbul. Walking through the forest of marble columns, including the famous Medusa-head bases, felt like stepping into a subterranean palace.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rBefore heading back to the bus, we passed the German Fountain in Sultan Ahmet Square. This gazebo-style fountain was a gift from the German Emperor Wilhelm II to the Sultan, featuring a beautiful golden-mosaic-lined dome.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe returned our badges and thanked our guide for a wonderful day. After a smooth process through passport control, I made my way to the gate for my flight to Mumbai. This was a fantastic way to spend a long layover, and I would definitely recommend touristanbul to anyone flying Turkish Airlines and transiting the city.\n👣 touristanbul\n🍽️ Çatladikapi Sosyal Tesisleri\n🍽️ Tamara Restaurant and Cafe\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2016/01/31/","summary":"Experience the magic of Istanbul in a single day! From the glittering mosaics of Hagia Sophia to the historic obelisks of Sultanahmet Square, explore the highlights of the city between flights.","title":"A day in Istanbul 🇹🇷"},{"content":"The plan for today was to make a day trip to Milan and add Italy to my travel map. I had started thinking about this two weeks before but the train tickets from Zurich to Milan were already quite expensive. So I decided to go by bus. I booked my onward journey on FlixBus for €19,00 and I found a good price of £22.10 on loco2.com for the return by train. My journey would take me over the Gotthard Pass by road and return via the Gotthard Tunnel by rail. The Gotthard Base Tunnel was still under construction and only opened in 2016, so I didn\u0026rsquo;t get to experience that.\nI took the tram to Zurich HB and then walked to the Sihlquai Car Park to board my bus at 7:00 AM. The ride was comfortable and as the day got brighter, it was nice to see the surroundings we drove through. We made a quick rest stop on the way and then proceeded towards Milan.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI bought the 24-hour travel card and hopped on the M 1 metro from Lampugnano to Duomo. I had been looking forward to seeing the Milan Cathedral ever since I started reading about Milan. The second-largest cathedral in the world, it is a white marble masterpiece in late Gothic style. And seeing Duomo di Milano in person, it was magnifico. There is artwork on the doors of the Cathedral and it has exquisite and intricate work in marble everywhere. Piazza del Duomo, or Cathedral Square, is the main city square of Milan and the Monument to King Victor Emmanuel II is here.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rMy next stop was the Sforzesco Castle and I took M 1 metro again from Duomo to Cadorna FN. Right outside the metro station, I saw the \u0026ldquo;Needle, Thread and Knot\u0026rdquo; public-art installation in Piazzale Cadorna. It is a tribute to Milan\u0026rsquo;s influence in the fashion industry; the three thread colours (red, green, yellow) represent the lines of the Milan Metro, and the needle pulling thread through fabric is a metaphor for a train going through a tunnel.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rSforzesco Castle is one of the largest citadels in Europe. It has nice water fountains in front and houses several museums. The central courtyard is open to the public and is free to visit. I strolled through the interiors and saw the Monument to Saint John of Nepomuk and the Ducal Court.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rSempione Park, right behind the castle, is like a huge landscaped garden. It is an urban park in the centre of Milan with large green spaces where tourists and locals come to rest and relax when it is sunny. I crossed the Bridge of the Little Mermaids, which is the first bridge built in Italy made of metal and went onwards to see the neoclassical Arch of Peace at the north end of the park. The gate is located at the center of a wide round square known as Piazza Sempione / Simplon Square.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI walked back to take the M 2 metro from Lanza to P.TA Genova FS and stepped out to see Milan Docks in the bohemian part of town where the Navigli Pavese and Navigli Grande canals meet. The canals were constructed to transport goods, mainly marble, to construct Milan’s cathedral, the Duomo.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rA quick ride on the M 2 metro from P.TA Genova FS to S. Ambrogio brought me to Basilica of Sant\u0026rsquo;Ambrogio, one of the most ancient churches in Milan built in the Romanesque style. It has two red brick bell towers and a huge atrium nearly as large as the entire church.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI took the M 2 and M 1 metros back from S. Ambrogio to Duomo and walked to the Piazza Della Scala to see the Monument of Leonardo da Vinci by Pietro Magni and the Palazzo Marino which is now the Milan City Hall and the Palazzo della Banca Commerciale Italiana.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI passed through the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, a shopping mall in a splendid 19th-century palace with a stunning mosaic floor and wonderful glass roof and cupola. It houses some of the most luxurious boutiques and many upscale restaurants in Milan.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rIt was a great way to end the day sitting and watching the busy Piazza Duomo as the evening light soaked the white marble of Milan Cathedral.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rI took the M 3 metro from Duomo to Centrale FS to catch my train EuroCity 22 from Milano Centrale to Zurich HB. I had the corner window seat in the last row in the last compartment.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rMy neighbour was a guy from Switzerland who had been trekking in Italy for a week and was heading back home. He told me that some passengers would be \u0026ldquo;randomly\u0026rdquo; screened and asked to show their passport (and visa), he joked that I was likely to be one of them. It was dark outside by the time we left so there wasn\u0026rsquo;t much to see. I dozed off after a while and we must have passed through the Gotthard Tunnel then. After I woke up, my neighbour told me that I had missed the inspection and they hadn\u0026rsquo;t wanted to check my documents, so I hadn\u0026rsquo;t been disturbed during my nap. The train pulled into Zurich HB on time. I bade my neighbour farewell and took the tram back to the hotel after a great day in Italy.\n🚍 FlixBus\n🚆 loco2.com\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2015/10/31/","summary":"A solo journey from Zurich to Milan featuring the world-renowned Duomo, the historic Sforzesco Castle, and the scenic Navigli canals. Discover how to navigate the city using the Milan Metro and enjoy the architectural beauty of Italy\u0026rsquo;s fashion capital.","title":"A day in Milan 🇮🇹"},{"content":"\rColombo is a city of sharp contrasts, where ancient spiritual sites sit in the shadow of rising glass skyscrapers. We spent our day navigating this mix of serene lakeside temples and the colonial-meets-modern energy of the business district.\nWe began our exploration at Beira Lake, home to the beautiful Seema Malaka. This assembly hall for monks was redesigned by the famous architect Geoffrey Bawa. The blue-tiled roofs and the rows of bronze Buddha statues create a peaceful atmosphere, even as the modern \u0026ldquo;MAGA\u0026rdquo; skyscraper rises in the background.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rJust a short walk from the lake is the main Gangaramaya Temple. It is an eclectic museum of sorts, filled with jeweled statues and intricate artwork. The central shrine room is particularly striking, featuring a vibrant Buddha statue surrounded by ivory tusks and ornate chandeliers.\nLater, we visited the Sri Kailawasanathan Swami Devasthanam, a stunning Hindu temple characterized by its towering, colorful gopuram.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAs the sun began to dip lower, we headed into the heart of the business district. The World Trade Center twin towers dominate the skyline here. Nearby, the grand Neo-Baroque Presidential Secretariat (the Old Parliament Building) looked magnificent bathed in the warm, directional light of the late afternoon.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe finished the day at the waterfront. The massive red cranes of the Colombo Port were silhouetted against a hazy sky, while the sun dipped toward the horizon over the Laccadive Sea. It was the perfect, quiet conclusion to a busy day in the capital.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r🛏️ City Beds-The Regent\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2013/11/16/","summary":"Day 7 in Colombo was a perfect blend of old and new. We started at the iconic Seema Malaka on Beira Lake, explored the eclectic treasures of the Gangaramaya Temple, and finished with a walk through the historic Fort area and Galle Face Green.","title":"A week in Sri Lanka - Day 7 🇱🇰"},{"content":"\rToday was the last day of our trip, and we were looking forward to going home. My initial plan was to go for a swim at the pool and then enjoy a nice breakfast. After packing all our luggage, it was a pleasant surprise to find that we still had room left for some more. So, we changed our plan and visited MBK Center again to pick up items we had liked the previous night but couldn\u0026rsquo;t buy because we weren\u0026rsquo;t sure if we could carry them back. After a quick breakfast, we were off to MBK, taking the metro from Nana to Siam. Unfortunately, this meant I missed the chance to enjoy the great swimming pool at the Ambassador Hotel.\nWe came back in time for lunch, but our car to the airport had arrived early. We decided to head to the airport ahead of schedule and have lunch there. We checked out of the hotel and were off to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), a place I had read so much about on airliners.net. It was massive and truly impressive, featuring a futuristic design with its signature tubular steel corridors and vast glass facades.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter checking in our bags, we went to the Sky Cafe to have lunch. The cafe provided a front-row seat to the tarmac, where a constant stream of international aircraft taxied past the massive terminal windows.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe Sky Cafe had huge glass windows facing all the action, and I could have sat there all day just watching the ground operations. We then cleared immigration and moved to the air-side of the terminal. The departure hall was a blend of modern engineering and traditional Thai aesthetics, with high, sweeping ceilings that made the space feel incredibly open.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThere were many duty-free shops at the airport, along with numerous sculptures and cultural displays for everyone to see. One of the most striking sights was the large \u0026lsquo;Churning of the Milk Ocean\u0026rsquo; sculpture, a magnificent depiction of Hindu mythology that serves as a centerpiece for the terminal.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe then cleared the final security check and walked towards our gate to find the \u0026lsquo;Royal Barge\u0026rsquo; waiting to take us back home. This Thai Airways Airbus A330 featured a stunning special livery depicting the Suphannahong Royal Barge, a masterpiece of Thai art that I had admired on the first day at Kuala Lumpur International Airport. It felt like a poetic conclusion to our trip that the very same aircraft we spotted when we started the trip was now the one flying us back to Mumbai.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r🚇 Nana to National Stadium Station\n🚇 National Stadium Station to Nana\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2007/12/10/","summary":"Our final day in Bangkok: a last-minute shopping trip via the BTS Skytrain, exploring the architectural marvel of Suvarnabhumi Airport, and a scenic flight home on a specially liveried Thai Airways Airbus A330.","title":"South East Asia - Day 11 🇹🇭"},{"content":"\rAfter visiting Safari World yesterday, today was another full day outdoors. We set off in the morning to visit the famous Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. We drove for a while away from Bangkok city after picking up passengers for today\u0026rsquo;s tour. We were dropped off at a canal from where we boarded long-tail boats which would take us to the floating market. We cruised through the canal passing by many wooden houses on stilts and seeing the residents go about their everyday life by the water.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe then reached the heart of the floating market and saw what that was all about. It was like a busy water-highway filled with floating shops. Small wooden boats were piled high with colorful tropical fruits, vegetables, and fresh flowers, navigated expertly by vendors in traditional straw hats. There were also many floating eateries which were dishing out local delicacies, all prepared fresh in front of you, right then and there. We didn\u0026rsquo;t really buy anything there, but it was great to experience the unique sights and sounds of this historic trading hub.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe then headed out to see a couple of temples. The temple grounds featured intricate golden spires and serene statues that provided a peaceful break from the morning\u0026rsquo;s excitement. Our next stop was Rose Garden.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAt the Rose Garden, we saw a show which gave us a glimpse of Thai culture. It covered everything from their everyday life, chores, and folk songs to the traditional Thai wedding ceremony. The performers wore beautiful silk costumes, and the rhythmic music perfectly set the stage for these stories.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe Rose Garden also had a beautiful lake, and as we were walking around it, we actually saw orchids naturally growing on their tree hosts. The vibrant purple and white petals stood out against the deep green foliage, showcasing Thailand\u0026rsquo;s rich botanical diversity.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe also saw Thai craftsmen working on local handicrafts: weaving delicate fabrics and performing intricate woodwork. Everything was very beautiful and showed a high level of detail. Watching the artists work with such patience and precision gave us a real appreciation for Thai artistry.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe then headed to see the Elephant Show and the Crocodile Show before heading back to Bangkok in the evening.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOur plan now was to visit MBK Center (Mahboonkrong), one of Bangkok\u0026rsquo;s most famous and massive shopping malls. We took the BTS Skytrain from E3 Nana station, which was just a short walk from our hotel. The elevated train ride offered a great view of the city’s skyline as we moved through the Sukhumvit area. We got off at the W1 National Stadium station and took the exit which led us straight into Tokyu Department Store inside MBK.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rMBK is a labyrinth of over 2,000 shops selling everything from electronics and fashion to furniture. We couldn\u0026rsquo;t complete even seeing all the stores and shops inside, and it was getting late, so we decided to go for dinner. We found a great Lebanese restaurant a short walk away from our hotel. This was our last night in Bangkok, and after a great dinner, we walked back to the hotel to pack for the next day.\n🛏️ Ambassador Hotel\n🚇 Nana to National Stadium Station\n🚇 National Stadium Station to Nana\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2007/12/09/","summary":"A day of Thai tradition and modern city life: from cruising the busy canals of the world-famous floating market to watching cultural shows at Rose Garden and navigating the massive MBK shopping mall via the BTS Skytrain.","title":"South East Asia - Day 10 🇹🇭"},{"content":"\rToday, we were all set to visit Safari World, a massive open-air leisure park located on the outskirts of Bangkok. We were picked up by a minibus and stopped at a few other hotels to pick up more people for the tour. Upon reaching the park, we first went for the drive through the Safari Park. This section allows visitors to drive through a natural habitat where animals roam freely, offering a unique chance to see wildlife without the barriers of traditional cages.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe saw lots of wild animals along the way, including zebras, giraffes, etc. It was nice to see that even if they were within a park, they at least had space to move around.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe then went on to catch the various shows there; these included the Dolphin \u0026amp; Beluga Whale Show, Bird Show, Sea Lion Show, Spy War Show, and the Orangutan show.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThere were also photo opportunities available with various animals. We got our snaps clicked with real tiger cubs. The first cub was very small—the size of a domestic cat—and we had to feed it milk from a bottle. The second tiger cub was huge, like a large dog. It was an experience of a lifetime to touch a real, living, breathing tiger. We also got some snaps with the Orangutans, who were surprisingly playful.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter spending the entire day there, we headed back to Bangkok. We then made our way to the famous Suan Lum Night Bazaar. This sprawling market was a shopper\u0026rsquo;s paradise, featuring hundreds of stalls selling everything from traditional Thai crafts to modern fashion under the glow of neon lights. We shopped for a couple of hours, buying t-shirts, slippers, and other items. One thing to remember while shopping in these Bangkok markets is to \u0026ldquo;always bargain.\u0026rdquo; We then had dinner at the large hawker center nearby, where we enjoyed local delicacies, before taking a tuk-tuk back to the hotel, looking forward to our day tomorrow.\n🛏️ Ambassador Hotel\n🏞️ Safari World\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2007/12/08/","summary":"A wild adventure at Safari World featuring tiger cub feedings and orangutan encounters, followed by a vibrant evening of street food and souvenir shopping at the Suan Lum Night Bazaar.","title":"South East Asia - Day 9 🇹🇭"},{"content":"\rAfter a nice day in Pattaya yesterday, we left in the morning and headed back to Bangkok. We were dropped off at The Ambassador Hotel, a well-known landmark in the vibrant Sukhumvit area. We waited to be checked in, and eventually, they managed to find a room for us on a non-smoking floor. The room was nice, with a small balcony overlooking the swimming pool. The pool looked very inviting, and I should have gone for a swim right then and there instead of saving it for later. At that time, I didn\u0026rsquo;t realize that with all the activities we had planned in Bangkok, that \u0026ldquo;later time\u0026rdquo; would never come.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe took the City Tour in the afternoon and visited Wat Trai Mit Witthayaram Worawihan to see the Golden Buddha. This massive statue is the world\u0026rsquo;s largest solid gold Buddha, weighing five and a half tons and dating back to the Sukhothai period. The gleam of the polished gold against the intricate white and gold architecture of the temple was truly breathtaking.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe next stop was the Reclining Buddha temple, officially known as Wat Phra Chetuphon (Wat Pho). On the way there, we got a real taste of the famous Bangkok traffic—a slow-moving sea of colorful taxis and tuk-tuks. Inside the viharn, the 46-meter-long Buddha covered in gold leaf was an awe-inspiring sight.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe got to see beautiful Thai temple art and architecture throughout the complex. The grounds are dotted with towering \u0026ldquo;chedis\u0026rdquo; or pagodas, including the four Great Chedis like Chedi Phra Si Sanphet, which are decorated with vibrant ceramic tiles and intricate floral patterns. The level of detail on every spire and roofline was incredible.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThere were some other things on the list, but we couldn\u0026rsquo;t see everything due to the lack of time. Of course, there was a mandatory stop at the Gems Factory, but this time we actually bought a little something as a souvenir. During our explorations, we also encountered the famous Ramayana murals. These detailed paintings encircle the temple galleries, depicting scenes from the Thai epic \u0026lsquo;Ramakien\u0026rsquo; with stunning colors and gold-leaf highlights.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThat evening, we had reservations for a Dinner Cruise on the Chao Phraya River. We reached the registration desk and were assigned to board the Chao Phraya Princess III. While waiting on the waterfront for our boat to arrive, I leaned over to see if I could spot anything in the water, and the sunglasses I was wearing over my head fell straight into the river. That made me a little upset, but I got over it soon enough as the brightly lit boat docked.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe were seated on the lower deck of the boat at a table by the window. As soon as the boat started, people hit the buffet. There were a lot of different items served, and it was difficult to even taste everything offered. We decided to walk around, check what was available, and only focus on what we liked most. It was truly a gastronomic delight. As we enjoyed our dinner, we cruised along the Chao Phraya River, passing under many beautiful bridges that were superbly lit up at night. The illuminated temples and city skyline passing by on either side provided a nice backdrop to our meal. After the cruise, we were dropped back at our hotel.\n🛏️ Ambassador Hotel\n🍽️ Chao Phraya Princess Dinner Cruise\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2007/12/07/","summary":"A day of spiritual splendor and riverfront views in Bangkok. Discover world-famous temples like Wat Trai Mit and Wat Pho, witness intricate Ramayana murals, and enjoy a gastronomic buffet cruise along the Chao Phraya River.","title":"South East Asia - Day 8 🇹🇭"},{"content":"\rAfter arriving in Pattaya yesterday, we got ready in the morning and went down for breakfast. As usual, even this hotel had a great breakfast spread. We were scheduled to take the Coral Island (Ko Lan) tour today.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rA tuk-tuk arrived to take us to the beach. We reached the shore and had to wade through the water to reach the speedboat that was going to take us to Coral Island. There were about 20–25 people with us. Our first stop was parasailing. We had to climb aboard a floating platform where parasailing was available at an extra cost. We were, of course, more than willing to try it. The platform was a hive of activity, bobbing gently in the Gulf of Thailand as colorful parachutes bloomed against the sky.\nWe watched in awe at the precision and timing with which the crew handled the activities. As soon as a person came in for a landing, a group of people would assist them and remove the harness; one person would lead the landed passenger away, while another group would attach the harness to the next person waiting in line, who would be lifted off their feet almost instantaneously. And all this happened within a 5–10 second window while the boat pulling the harness and parachute continued moving ahead in the water. Soon, it was my turn, and before I knew it, I was in the air being led by the boat for a loop around; it felt exactly like flying.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOur next stop was the underwater sea walk, but no one from our group seemed interested in that, so we headed for Coral Island (Ko Lan). The speedboat ride was amazing—with bumps and turns, it was almost as thrilling as a roller coaster. Ko Lan welcomed us with its pristine white sand beach and clear blue water, a tropical escape just a few kilometers off the Pattaya coast. I went for a swim in the sea, and then we sat on the beach to unwind, watching the gentle waves roll in.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter returning to Pattaya, we were taken to a restaurant for an Indian lunch buffet. We went back to the hotel in the afternoon to relax before our tour of Mini Siam, which features miniature replicas of iconic structures from Thailand and all over the world. Walking through the park felt like a whirlwind global tour, where the craftsmanship of the tiny details brought world-famous landmarks to life at a 1:25 scale.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rIt was nice to see smaller-scale versions of many Thai temples, such as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, and also sites from around the world like the Eiffel Tower and the Leaning Tower of Pisa.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe also saw the model for Bangkok Hua Lamphong railway station, where we had arrived in Bangkok just a few days prior, and Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport, from where we would be departing in a few days. Seeing these familiar transit hubs in miniature was a quirky reminder of our own journey through Thailand.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter returning from Mini Siam, we walked along the road next to Pattaya beach to shop for souvenirs. We saw an Iranian restaurant on our way back to the hotel and picked up grilled chicken for dinner. This was our last night in Pattaya, and we would be heading back to Bangkok the next day.\n🛏️ Baiyoke Pattaya Hotel\n🌏 Mini Siam\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2007/12/06/","summary":"From the adrenaline rush of speedboats and parasailing at Ko Lan to the intricate craftsmanship of Mini Siam’s miniature world, Day 7 captures the diverse attractions of Pattaya.","title":"South East Asia - Day 7 🇹🇭"},{"content":"\rTraveling overnight from Malaysia yesterday, I woke up as our train was approaching Hua Hin railway station. All the coach attendants put on their coats and hats and waited at the door of each coach. This station is one of the oldest in Thailand, famous for its iconic bright red and yellow wooden Royal Waiting Room, which was originally built during the reign of King Rama VI. The halt wasn\u0026rsquo;t too long, and soon we resumed our journey to Bangkok.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOne thing we didn\u0026rsquo;t notice the previous night was that our coach was the last coach on the train. There was a door with a big glass window at the end, so I spent some time standing there and watching the track fly backwards. The rhythmic clatter of the International Express IE 36 felt like the perfect soundtrack to the changing Thai landscape rolling away behind us.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe reached Bangkok Hua Lamphong Train Station at around 10:00 AM. The station’s massive vaulted iron roof and neo-Renaissance style were quite a sight, designed by Italian architects to resemble the Frankfurt (Main) Hauptbahnhof. We eventually found the person who was going to pick us up for our transfer to Pattaya. Unfortunately, he didn\u0026rsquo;t really speak any English. He transferred us to a hotel, and from there, we were transferred to a bus stop.\nWe had a nice noodle soup for breakfast and then boarded the bus to Pattaya. The journey took about two hours, and the ride was smooth and comfortable. We were booked to stay at the Baiyoke Pattaya Hotel, a high-rise property situated conveniently near the beach and shopping areas.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe room was big and clean, though the view wasn\u0026rsquo;t all that great. We didn\u0026rsquo;t have anything planned for the day, so we decided to visit the Royal Garden Plaza. This shopping mall is hard to miss because of the giant red airplane that appears to have crashed into its side, an eye-catching entrance for the Ripley\u0026rsquo;s attractions inside. We had a late lunch of Pad Thai and some Duck Fried rice at the food court on the terrace, overlooking the bustling streets below.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe then went to Ripley\u0026rsquo;s Believe It Or Not! and explored the various attractions, including Ripley\u0026rsquo;s Haunted Adventure, Ripley\u0026rsquo;s Infinity Maze, and Ripley\u0026rsquo;s 4D Moving Theater. The museum is filled with oddities and curiosities from around the globe.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOut of these, the Infinity Maze was the most exciting. It used mirrors and light effects to create an endless, disorienting environment that was both challenging and fun to navigate. Royal Garden Plaza even had a multiplex, so we caught a show of The Golden Compass there. Although it was more of a children\u0026rsquo;s movie, both of us liked it.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe went to Oishi Ramen, a popular Japanese noodle bar, for dinner. The open kitchen allowed us to watch the chefs expertly preparing the ramen bowls, which were a perfect way to end a long day of travel. We then walked back to our hotel, ready for our day tomorrow.\n🛏️ Baiyoke Pattaya Hotel\n🍽️ Food Wave\n🏛️ Ripley\u0026rsquo;s Believe It or Not!\n🍽️ Oishi Ramen\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2007/12/05/","summary":"Crossing from Malaysia into the heart of Thailand, Day 6 takes us from the scenic rail journey into Bangkok’s Hua Lamphong Station to the lively streets of Pattaya. Highlights include authentic Pad Thai and the mind-bending Ripley’s Infinity Maze.","title":"South East Asia - Day 6 🇹🇭"},{"content":"\rAfter a relaxing day yesterday, we woke up and headed down for breakfast. The Lone Pine Hotel offered a great spread, and we thoroughly enjoyed the morning ambiance. The restaurant setup, nestled among the trees, provided a serene start to our day. We then took a final walk around the hotel grounds, admiring the colonial-style architecture and the way the morning light filtered through the casuarina trees. We wanted to stock up on a few food items for our long rail journey to Thailand so we walked around to pick up a few things from shops nearby.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe decided to be a little adventurous and take the local bus from our hotel to the jetty to catch the ferry to Butterworth on mainland Malaysia. We didn\u0026rsquo;t have to wait at the bus stop for long. The bus ride was pleasant, offering great views of the Andaman Sea as we wound along the coast. We also caught our first glimpse of the historic streets of Georgetown, where old colonial buildings began to appear more frequently.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAt the jetty, we boarded the ferry along with a steady stream of people and vehicles. It was interesting to see the logistics of the operation; cars were packed onto the lower deck while passenger seating was located on the upper deck. The Georgetown Ferry Terminal is a bustling hub that has connected the island to the mainland for decades, maintaining a classic charm despite the modern city surrounding it.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOn the way, we saw the famous Penang Bridge stretching across the horizon. It is among the longest bridges in the world and remains a proud national landmark for Malaysia. As we moved further away from the island, the skyline of Georgetown and the masts at the Georgetown Marina created a beautiful maritime silhouette against the sky.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rButterworth railway station was just a quick walk from the ferry terminal. Upon reaching the mainland, we walked around a bit and grabbed some food at a nearby hawker center. I had planned our travel from Malaysia to Thailand by rail because we wanted to do something different—moving away from the standard group tour itineraries that most tourists follow in South East Asia.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rseat61.com is a fantastic resource that helped me coordinate the logistics. As we waited for our train, the International Express IE 36, we were treated to a view of the magnificent Eastern \u0026amp; Oriental Express. This luxury train is famous for its green and gold carriages and provides a high-end touring experience for those traveling from Bangkok to Butterworth (Penang) to Kuala Lumpur to Singapore or vice versa.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rSoon, our own train arrived, and we made our way to our seats. The configuration was simple—just two compartments pulled by a diesel engine. It was relaxing to sit back and watch the lush Malaysian countryside roll by. As we approached the border with Thailand, the train slowed down and finally came to a halt at Padang Besar railway station.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThis was a first for us: an international border crossing by rail. We were looking forward to the novelty of completing immigration and customs formalities at a railway station—a sharp contrast to the usual airport experience. Having crossed from the USA to Canada by road previously, we were excited to add \u0026ldquo;by rail\u0026rdquo; to our list (leaving only \u0026ldquo;by sea,\u0026rdquo; which I eventually checked off more than a decade later in Estonia).\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe had to leave our bags on the train for inspection by customs officials. The process of leaving Malaysia and entering Thailand was surprisingly efficient, taking no more than 15 minutes. After changing some currency, we were back on board, officially traveling through Thailand. As the train began its journey north, the coach attendant set up our tables for dinner.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe sun set quickly, and the landscape outside turned into a dark blur. We soon approached Hat Yai, the first major town on the Thai side of the border. Here, our two compartments were attached to a larger train heading to Bangkok. Once we were underway again, the coach attendant transformed our seating area into cozy sleeper berths for the night. We fell asleep to the rhythmic sound of the tracks as the train made its way toward the Thai capital.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r🚍 Rapid Penang Batu Ferringhi to Georgetown\n⛴️ Penang Ferry Georgetown to Butterworth\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2007/12/04/","summary":"A journey of transitions: from the sunny shores of Batu Ferringhi to the tracks of the International Express. Discover the novelty of crossing the Malaysia-Thailand border at Padang Besar and the luxury of the Eastern \u0026amp; Oriental Express.","title":"South East Asia - Day 5 🇲🇾"},{"content":"After a nice day in Kuala Lumpur yesterday, we got up in the morning and got ready to leave for Penang. We were to depart on Air Asia 6310 from the LCCT. Our ride to the airport was arranged, and we were picked up from our hotel after breakfast. The drive to the airport was nothing spectacular, but we did manage to view the developments in and around Kuala Lumpur. The high-rise buildings, elevated tracks for the mass transit system, and the roads and highways all seemed very impressive and almost on par with developed countries. As we drove towards the airport, the road ran alongside the high-speed train tracks from Kuala Lumpur International Airport to KL Sentral, and one of the KLIA Express trains just zipped right past us. The non-stop trip takes around 28 minutes to cover the distance of 57 kilometers; I would have liked to try that. As we approached the road to the LCCT, we also saw the way to the Sepang International Circuit (SIC), the premier motorsport venue used for the Formula One Malaysian Grand Prix. The track\u0026rsquo;s unique architecture and sweeping curves were visible even from a distance, a testament to Malaysia\u0026rsquo;s growing presence on the global sports stage.\nSince our flight was not to leave for some time, we got ourselves a quick brunch. We went past security and then waited for our boarding calls. We could see a line forming in front of the gate and, as always, I was getting impatient to just sit around and wanted to join it right away. Once the gate was opened, we had to walk through a series of passages until we reached our aircraft. I motioned to Snehal to follow me, and we boarded the aircraft from the stairs at the back. We got the window and aisle seat in the second-to-last row. Luckily, the flight was not 100% full, and no one bothered to try and take the empty middle seat between us. The flight took off on time, and soon we were at cruising altitude. Our flight took us mostly along the west coast of peninsular Malaysia. Our approach to Penang Bayan Lepas International Airport was from the south, and as we descended, we drew closer and closer to the beautiful aquamarine waters of the sea below us. The airport serves as a major gateway to the island, with its runways extending toward the coastline, offering passengers a stunning aerial view of the surrounding tropical landscape.\nAfter landing and baggage claim, we made our way outside to get a cab to get to Batu Ferringhi, a popular beach destination known for its soft white sands and bustling evening atmosphere. We found a taxi that would take us there for RM60. Along the way, the driver also told us about all the places in Penang that we were passing by and which we should visit. Unfortunately, he didn\u0026rsquo;t know that we didn\u0026rsquo;t have that much time in Penang and would probably not be able to see even one of the things he mentioned.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe reached the hotel and found the staff at the reception already waiting for us. One of them checked my passport and the reservation confirmation we had. She then said that since we were going to be at the hotel only for one night, they would upgrade us from the Standard Room to the Superior Room overlooking the pool and facing the beach and sea. Needless to say, we were thrilled. The Lone Pine Hotel, with its iconic casuarina trees and white-washed architecture, felt like a serene boutique retreat tucked away from the main road.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter putting all our stuff in the room, we got down and spent time relaxing and swimming in the pool. We then took a nice long walk on the beach until the sun set. The sky transformed into a canvas of deep oranges and purples, reflecting off the calm Andaman Sea as the day came to a peaceful close.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe came back to the hotel and relaxed for a while, then got ready to see the famous night market. The whole area seemed to be a completely different place compared to what we had seen in the afternoon when we arrived. There were lots and lots of little stalls all along the road from right outside our hotel at the Pasar Malam Batu Feringghi (Night Market). This vibrant marketplace comes alive after dark, filled with the sights of colorful textiles and the sounds of friendly haggling under rows of glowing lightbulbs. There were lots of things we liked but somehow didn\u0026rsquo;t end up buying much. I kept convincing both of us that we would get better stuff for less money in Thailand, where we were headed next. Unfortunately, that didn\u0026rsquo;t happen. So here\u0026rsquo;s a tip: if you like something (especially in Malaysia), buy it—and don\u0026rsquo;t wait to get to Thailand!\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAnother thing we really enjoyed in the night market was the street food at the hawker centers. The air was thick with the savory aroma of grilling meats and exotic spices, drawing us toward stalls serving up Penang\u0026rsquo;s world-famous culinary delights. We first ate at one hawker center in the middle of the night market. As we walked back, we saw another hawker center past our hotel on the other side. It was Chicken Satay at its absolute best. We also had Japanese fried rice and star fruit juice. All the food was delicious and definitely not to be missed. We then called it a day, headed back to the hotel, and packed for our travel to Thailand the next day.\n🛏️ Lone Pine Hotel\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2007/12/03/","summary":"Our journey continues to Penang! From spotting the KLIA Express and Sepang Circuit on the way to the airport to enjoying a lucky room upgrade at Lone Pine Hotel, Day 4 is filled with coastal views, sunset strolls, and world-class street food at Batu Ferringhi.","title":"South East Asia - Day 4 🇲🇾"},{"content":"\rAfter a nice day yesterday, we had a quick breakfast at our hotel and waited in the lobby to be picked up for the Kuala Lumpur city tour. When the driver arrived, we recognized him as the one who drove us from Genting, and we also met the couple from Mumbai who were on the city tour with us. Our first stop was the Istana Negara (or National Palace). This official residence of the Monarch of Malaysia is famous for its golden domes and the ceremonial changing of the guard at the main gates. We spent some time admiring the grand architecture and the sentries stationed at the entrance.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe then proceeded to the ASEAN Sculpture Garden and National Monument. The ASEAN Sculpture Garden had a nice collection of prize-winning sculptures by some of the finest artists in the ASEAN region. The garden is a peaceful, landscaped park where modern art meets nature, featuring diverse abstract works made of wood, marble, and iron.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe National Monument (also known as Tugu Negara) is a sculpture that commemorates those who died in Malaysia\u0026rsquo;s struggle for freedom. It is one of the tallest bronze freestanding sculpture groupings in the world, depicting seven soldiers symbolizing leadership, suffering, unity, and vigilance.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter spending some time there, we were taken to the Batik Factory, Handicraft Store, and Leather Factory, which were mandatory items for all tours to include. The goods at all these places were terribly expensive, and most of us just quickly walked past everything to get this over with.\nOur next stop was the beautiful Menara Kuala Lumpur. Having visited the CN Tower in Toronto, we were really looking forward to seeing the Menara Kuala Lumpur, which was said to be the tallest of its kind in Asia at the time. The tower serves as a telecommunications hub and features a design inspired by Islamic architecture.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe bought tickets for the observation deck and waited in the queue to take the elevator. Just before the entrance of the elevators, the ceiling had a huge faceted glass dome which looked really brilliant, like a huge jewel.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOnce we reached the top, we took the audio tour which explained what we could see as we went around the observation deck. Some of the things we could see caught our attention: our hotel Grand Continental, the National Art Gallery, the theater Istana Budaya, and Eye on Malaysia at Lake Titiwangsa. Looking toward the horizon, we could even spot the limestone cliffs of Batu Caves and the massive Malaysia Telecom building, which is shaped like a sprouting bamboo shoot. Of course, the Petronas Twin Towers dominated the view.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter spending time at the observation deck, we returned to the base and were picked up by our driver. We asked him to drop us off at the Masjid Jamek area so we could walk around a bit and get a feel of the city. This historic heart of KL is where the Klang and Gombak rivers meet, surrounded by vibrant markets and colonial-era architecture. We saw a Hawker Centre there and had noodle soup and fried fish to start with. We then had lunch at a small local eatery there and walked around the market picking up a few small things we liked. After that, we took the LRT from Masjid Jamek station to Sultan Ismail station to get back to our hotel for a while.\nThat evening we planned to visit the The International WaterSky Spectacular at Lake Titiwangsa. From our hotel, we could take either the Monorail or the LRT to Titiwangsa station. Since we were already familiar with the LRT, we decided to take that option. We waited for our friend who was supposed to join us at the station there and then took a taxi to Lake Titiwangsa. We queued up for the tickets for the Eye on Malaysia, which was the tallest portable observation wheel in South East Asia. As the wheel rotated, the city lights began to twinkle, offering a spectacular 360-degree panorama of the glowing KL skyline.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOnce we were done with that, we found a nice place to sit on the shores of the lake for Theatre of The Waters. This was a brilliant laser show open to the public as a part of the Visit Malaysia Year 2007 celebrations. The show combined synchronized fountains with lasers and music, projecting vibrant scenes of Malaysian life directly onto curtains of mist. It was extremely enjoyable and definitely well worth the visit. After that, we bid farewell to our friend since we were scheduled to leave Kuala Lumpur the next day.\nWe took the LRT to KL Sentral which is the main railway station of Kuala Lumpur. I had planned our travel from Butterworth to Bangkok on the International Express IE 36 as mentioned on seat61.com. I had made the reservation by email and we had to pick up our train tickets from KL Sentral. We reached the ticket counters, took a token and waited for our turn. After making the payment and collecting the tickets, we headed back to our hotel by LRT. We wanted to find a place for dinner close to our hotel and so we settled on Hamid\u0026rsquo;s since we had liked it before. After a quick meal there we called it a day and went back to our hotel to pack for travel the next day.\n🛏️ Hotel Grand Continental\n🚇 Masjid Jamek to Sultan Ismail\n🚇 Sultan Ismail to Titiwangsa\n🚇 Titiwangsa to KL Sentral via Masjid Jamek\n🚇 KL Sentral to KL Sultan Ismail via Masjid Jamek\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2007/12/02/","summary":"A full day of KL sightseeing featuring the National Palace, a breathtaking view from the Menara KL observation deck, and a festive evening at Lake Titiwangsa for the International WaterSky Spectacular.","title":"South East Asia - Day 3 🇲🇾"},{"content":"After arriving here yesterday, we woke up and decided to hit the Genting Outdoor Theme Park nice and early to avoid the crowds and, more importantly, long lines for the rides. After a wonderful buffet breakfast at our hotel, we started off following directions to get to the park. After walking for what seemed like forever through corridors and escalators, we finally reached the entrance. As we stepped outside, we realized it was quite cold and very foggy. Forget the crowds; there was hardly anyone in sight. The colorful rides sat shrouded in the morning mist, giving the park an almost surreal, quiet atmosphere. The first thing I tried was the Spinner. It was a nice ride, but the spinning motion made the mountain chill feel even more biting. I was the only one who tried this.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter that, we came across Cyclone. We both decided to try this one and got on; it was a simple rollercoaster which we enjoyed, its bright tracks providing a sharp contrast to the gray Highland sky. Then we tried the Pirate Train. As the ride started and we entered the dark passageways, we kept expecting something to show up and scare us. But nothing at all happened! And before we knew it, we were out. After that, I decided that we should try only the thrill rides going forward. Next up was the Grand Prix Fun Kart, which was okay.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAnd after that came the highlight of my visit there: The Space Shot. I had tried the Big Shot ride at the Stratosphere Hotel before and so was really looking forward to this. It was simply amazing. I was seated with a middle-aged couple from India. As we climbed higher and higher, they were talking about how easy this ride was and how nice the view from up there was. And then suddenly, we started our free fall, which silenced them until the end of the ride. From that height, even through the clouds, the scale of the Genting complex was impressive. I then tried the Corkscrew which was fun. I sat right in front. My neighbor was a local Malaysian guy from Penang. Since we would be visiting there in a few days, I asked him about transport options from the airport to our hotel there.\nWe then tried the Sungei Rejang Flume Ride, Flying Dragon, and Rolling Thunder Mine Train. The Mine Train took us on a bumpy, fast-paced journey through themed tunnels and rocky outcrops. We were running out of time since we had to check out of our room and someone was supposed to pick us up at 12:00 PM for our transfer back to Kuala Lumpur. So the last ride I tried was the special ride they had newly started: the Flying Coaster. This was Asia\u0026rsquo;s first hang-gliding roller coaster and was very, very enjoyable, simulating the feeling of soaring through the air while horizontal.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter that we went back to our room and picked up our bags. We were not taking the Genting Skyway to go down but someone was going to pick us up from outside the lobby of the hotel. We waited and waited and then finally after more than one hour a driver came to collect us. We got into the minivan and met a couple from Mumbai who were also on vacation there. They were also going to be in Kuala Lumpur so we all discussed things to do and places to see there.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rAfter being on the road for an hour and a half, we reached our hotel in Kuala Lumpur: Hotel Grand Continental. The tall building stood prominently in the city center, offering easy access to the transit lines. As we waited to be checked-in, I requested the front desk manager for a room with a nice view. We took the key and went to the 23rd floor to our room. The room was just fantastic. It was huge and open on two sides. On one side, we could see the Petronas Twin Towers and Menara KL in a single view. It was simply amazing. We had booked a standard room, but I suspect we received a fantastic upgrade.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe stepped out for a quick lunch. We found this small restaurant very close to our hotel called Hamid\u0026rsquo;s, which served excellent Roti Canai and Daal. We relaxed in the room that afternoon and then I went for a quick swim in the pool which was nice and refreshing. In the evening we had decided to meet one of our friends (who was working in Kuala Lumpur) at KLCC. We went to the Sultan Ismail LRT station which was a short walk away from our hotel on the Ampang Line. We took the train to Masjid Jamek and then took the Kelana Jaya Line to KLCC. The trains here were great, even better in some ways than the MTA and PATH trains in the New York Metro area. We got off the train and took the exit which directly took us inside Suria KLCC which was a huge mall.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe met our friend there and then walked out to the KLCC Park to see the Petronas Twin Towers. They were simply amazing! And pictures couldn\u0026rsquo;t really do justice to their beauty as seen in person. The park provided a lush, green sanctuary right at the foot of these steel-and-glass giants. We chatted and walked around there until it got dark so we could see the towers as they would light up. And we took lots and lots of pictures. We had dinner at the food court at Suria KLCC, where there were plenty of options to choose from and we all could eat something of our choice.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r🛏️ Hotel Grand Continental\n🚇 Sultan Ismail to KLCC via Masjid Jamek\n🚇 KLCC to Sultan Ismail via Masjid Jamek\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2007/12/01/","summary":"From the foggy, chilly heights of Genting Highlands to the glittering skyline of Kuala Lumpur, Day 2 covers iconic theme park rides, a lucky hotel upgrade, and a night walk through KLCC Park to see the illuminated Twin Towers.","title":"South East Asia - Day 2 🇲🇾"},{"content":"\rAs I woke up and gazed outside my window, I realized that we were somewhere over the Malacca Straits as we approached Kuala Lumpur International Airport - KLIA (KUL). Looking down at the wing of our Malaysia Airlines 195 aircraft, I could see the vast expanse of the ocean giving way to the coastline. Soon, the captain made the announcement asking the cabin crew to return to their seat as we were about to land. The one thing I noticed was how incredibly green the landscape below was: lush green palm plantations as far as we could see. The landing was nothing out of the ordinary, and we were soon taxiing our way to the assigned aero-bridge for docking.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rOn our way, I was thrilled to see the Thai Airways special paint scheme \u0026lsquo;Royal Barge\u0026rsquo; Airbus 330 which I had read/heard so much about on airliners.net. Little did I know then that this aircraft we saw here would be the same one taking us back to Mumbai from Bangkok after a few days. Within minutes, we were out of the aircraft that brought us here. Flying Malaysian Airlines for the first time was a nice experience. We arrived at the satellite terminal, a modern glass-and-steel hub that serves as the heart of KLIA’s international traffic, where we located a currency exchange and changed money. The moving walkways here reminded me of the first international airport I had seen outside of India - Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) and how impressed I was to see them that time. We took the aerotrain to the main terminal building and soon were making our way to Immigration. We had obtained our Malaysian visas earlier, so we didn\u0026rsquo;t have to spend any time at the \u0026lsquo;Visa on Arrival\u0026rsquo; counters. Immigration was quick and effortless.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWe were picked up in the arrival hall and taken to the parking lot. As per our itinerary, we were to be transferred directly to Genting Highlands by seat-in coach. But we were pleasantly surprised when we realized that we actually had a private car waiting for us. As we left the airport behind and approached Kuala Lumpur, our driver asked us if we wanted to have some Indian breakfast. We told him that we wouldn\u0026rsquo;t mind that at all and so within a short while we were at Batu Caves. Towering over us was the magnificent gold statue of Lord Murugan, guarding the entrance to the limestone caves that have stood there for ages.\nThis was another nice surprise because initially we had not been able to fit Batu Caves into our travel plan since there were limited travel options to go there and we didn\u0026rsquo;t have much time available. After a nice South Indian breakfast, we roamed around there taking a few pictures, capturing the vibrant colors of the shrines. It had been a long time since we had been traveling and we didn\u0026rsquo;t go the main shrine which was many steep steps away. We paid our respects to the deity from below and then were on our way to Genting Highlands.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe road to reach the cable car station was very picturesque with beautiful hills and woods on either side. We took the Genting Skyway to reach the top. It was a really wonderful experience. The gondolas glided smoothly over the tropical rainforest canopy, offering a bird\u0026rsquo;s-eye view of the dense jungle below. As we climbed higher and higher, the mist and clouds cover just kept getting more and more dense and soon we couldn\u0026rsquo;t see anything at all. When we reached the top we started to make our way through the maze that Genting Highlands is. We just walked and walked and walked till finally we arrived at the First World Hotel. Known for its colorful, rainbow-striped exterior, the hotel felt like a city within itself.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rThe lobby and the check-in area were nothing short of something at an international airport. We took the token and waited till our number was called. After about an hour we were checked in and took our bags to our room. The room itself was neat and clean but very small and basic. But we were not too bothered by it since we planned to spend most of our time outside. We then got out to try and get some lunch. There were just too many options to explore. And we were really looking forward to enjoying the local cuisine. We finally settled for a nice food joint which served a spicy noodle soup and some other local delicacies. The rich aromas of Malaysian spices filled the air, a perfect introduction to the local flavors.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rWith lunch taken care of we wandered around in the indoor First World Theme Park for the rest of the afternoon. The indoor theme park was absolutely huge with many rides, though most of them seemed like they were for smaller children. We saw the Venice Gondolas like the ones at The Venetian Resort Hotel Casino at Las Vegas, meandering through a miniature recreation of the Italian canals. The Rio Float gave people a top view of the entire indoor theme park. The entire indoor theme park was decorated for Christmas and New Year and all this made the atmosphere very festive. Bright lights and holiday ornaments adorned every corner, creating a magical winter wonderland indoors.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\rIn the evening, we watched a stage show which had artists performing various local and regional dances which was very enjoyable. The dancers wore intricate, traditional costumes, showcasing the diverse cultural heritage of Malaysia. As we roamed around more, we came across this nice little Sushi bar. It had been a long day and we were feeling tired with all the travelling and walking around. So we stopped there to eat and decided to call it a day so we would be rested for tomorrow.\n\u0026lsaquo;\r\u0026rsaquo;\r🛏️ First World Hotel\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2007/11/30/","summary":"Our South East Asia adventure begins with an overnight flight to Kuala Lumpur. From the lush green palm plantations viewed from above to the vibrant atmosphere of the First World Theme Park, discover the magic of KLIA, Batu Caves, and Genting Highlands.","title":"South East Asia - Day 1 🇲🇾"},{"content":"First of all, it\u0026rsquo;s hard enough for us to remove ourselves from a state of inertia and try something new. We tend to get comfortable very easily and don\u0026rsquo;t really make any effort for change as long as the going is good.\nIt\u0026rsquo;s only when things don\u0026rsquo;t really go our way that we tend to sit up and take notice of opportunities suitable for us. Our approach to decision-making tends to be more reactive than proactive most of the time.\nOf course there are individuals who plot their path in life, personally and professionally, well in advance and take every effort to follow through with their plans. Most of us, however, strive passively towards achieving something.\nWe always hope everything works out as we expected. And sometimes it does.\nBut often this achievement is somehow tainted. In a seemingly cruel twist of fate, we either don\u0026rsquo;t want this anymore or worse still, even if we do want it, we have to give it up.\nLife just doesn’t seem fair. And I know we’ve all heard that one before. Such situations lead to two scenarios: one, the Forbidden Fruit Syndrome, and the other, the Sour Grapes Syndrome.\nIn the first scenario, we keep pursuing things which we know we probably don\u0026rsquo;t really want or which are obviously out of reach. Somehow the chase seems exciting to us. Even though it does take its toll on us mentally and probably physically as well. When we do achieve this result, we somehow keep looking for ways to let this opportunity go. Subconsciously finding excuses to not make a difficult decision. And taking the easy way out. At the point where the actual decision has to be made, we wonder how we got ourselves into this mess anyway. Is it better to have no choice at all rather than have to make a difficult decision?\nIn the second scenario, we tend to shy away from the very process of decision-making. Avoiding all situations where a decision needs to be made. In this process we probably give up opportunities which might be very good for us. Either we are thinking \u0026ldquo;Why rock the boat?\u0026rdquo;. Or, having been through a difficult decision-making process in the past, and being once bitten, twice shy, we somehow convince ourselves that we\u0026rsquo;re happy the way we are and there\u0026rsquo;s no need for any change at all. Even at the expense of not realizing our own potential.\nEither way, we tend to deviate from the optimum path and tend towards an extreme. Which by the way, is not a good thing in any given situation.\nWe must eventually realize that no one decision or choice is ever going to give us everything at once. More often than not, something we want always comes at a price of something we already have. And only we can decide whether the want is worth the sacrifice of the have.\nBut, all said and done, we have to learn to take hard decisions. Running away from a decision or decision-making is only going to postpone things to tomorrow. And by then, there will probably be more variables in the equation which will complicate the situation even more and make the decision even harder.\nMost things in life have to be learnt the hard way. And decision-making is surely one of them.\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2007/05/28/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eFirst of all, it\u0026rsquo;s hard enough for us to remove ourselves from a state of inertia and try something new. We tend to get comfortable very easily and don\u0026rsquo;t really make any effort for change as long as the going is good.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt\u0026rsquo;s only when things don\u0026rsquo;t really go our way that we tend to sit up and take notice of opportunities suitable for us. Our approach to decision-making tends to be more reactive than proactive most of the time.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Decision Tree"},{"content":"\u0026hellip; Because It Might Just Come True!\nLife is strange. It has you running after things which you\u0026rsquo;re not even sure you want. And if you do want them, you\u0026rsquo;re not sure why.\nWhat you want, may clearly be something which is not best for you. The question is: When do you realize this?\nAll through our life, and more consciously in our adult life, we chase after people or things which we seem to want in our lives.\nIt could be someone who makes us feel good about ourselves, someone we like spending time with, a variety of personal or professional goals, ambition, money, power, or anything else.\nAnd why do we run after these things? It could be because we feel that attaining that something might give us a sense of security, increase our self-worth, or make us feel good inside.\nWhat we should realize is that our desires are only a \u0026ldquo;means\u0026rdquo; to get to an \u0026ldquo;end\u0026rdquo; that we really want.\nOften, things only because someone else is also doing the same: our family, friends or colleagues. They may or may not be clear on why they want something. But you certainly are unclear as to why you\u0026rsquo;re running behind this. And you may not even realize it.\nOne of the hardest things to do in life is to figure out what you really want. I envy people who really know where they are and where they want to be.\nAll things considered, many times in life, you even get these things which you so desire. And then you don\u0026rsquo;t know what to do.\nYou\u0026rsquo;ve possibly spent a lot of time and energy trying to attain something. And when finally you do, you somehow don\u0026rsquo;t feel the joy or satisfaction you were expecting. Something feels amiss. You keep wondering why you\u0026rsquo;re feeling this way. I mean, you got what you wanted; you should be thrilled. But you\u0026rsquo;re not. And this is not a good feeling at all.\nThis leads us back to the basic question of whether we really know what we want and whether we really want what we\u0026rsquo;re running after.\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2007/05/17/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u0026hellip; Because It Might Just Come True!\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLife is strange. It has you running after things which you\u0026rsquo;re not even sure you want. And if you do want them, you\u0026rsquo;re not sure why.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat you want, may clearly be something which is not best for you. The question is: When do you realize this?\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll through our life, and more consciously in our adult life, we chase after people or things which we seem to want in our lives.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Be Careful What You Wish For..."},{"content":"I know you\u0026rsquo;re thinking \u0026ldquo;Charles Dickens\u0026rdquo;. But not this time. This is different.\nWe go through life and cross paths with multitudes of people. People we\u0026rsquo;re related to, neighbours, friends from school/college, colleagues/friends from our workplace, etc. But surprisingly, only some of these make a meaningful impact on us.\nWe are, more often than not, drawn to people for a couple of reasons: first, they make us feel good about ourselves, cared for, and/or protected; and second, they have something which we admire, appreciate, or want to emulate.\nWhen it comes to having expectations from people in our life, we generally think of attention and affection (which easily come to mind) and respect (which is more subtle and non-explicit).\nMany times we are upset because people don\u0026rsquo;t live up to our expectations. But the first thing to understand is that in any relationship, or rather in most relationships, expectations are never really formalized or documented. And it\u0026rsquo;s not like the expectations you have are being broadcast on national television for people you know to watch and note down.\nOften, people fall short of meeting our expectations because what we expect of them is against their very nature. And we may not really want people to change just to meet our expectations because it\u0026rsquo;s probably their individuality that could have drawn us to them in the first place. This is a really tricky tightrope walk.\nAnother thing is that just like people don\u0026rsquo;t meet our expectations, we don\u0026rsquo;t live up to all the expectations people have from us as well. It\u0026rsquo;s a two-way street, so to speak, but much more complicated than it sounds.\nEven though someone doesn\u0026rsquo;t meet all my expectations, I might still do everything I can to meet this someone\u0026rsquo;s expectations from me. And another may be giving me all that I want and more but I\u0026rsquo;m still not able to give back the least which is expected of me.\nAll this is like a complicated web of supply-versus-demand mechanisms with everyone interfacing with everyone else. And when you factor in \u0026ldquo;time\u0026rdquo; then everything changes. Just like in real life, what\u0026rsquo;s hot today is not tomorrow. So expecting something today doesn\u0026rsquo;t necessarily mean that you\u0026rsquo;ll be happy if you get it tomorrow.\nContinuing to think on these lines can lead to certain paranoia. But most of us can shield ourselves from this \u0026ldquo;excessive worrying\u0026rdquo;, most of the time. One thing we should learn is to tune in to what people expect from us, and try as sincerely as possible to meet those expectations. At least this way people won\u0026rsquo;t have any complaints about you. And as far as your expectations from others, well, we can only hope that they are met.\n","permalink":"https://blog.tejasjog.in/posts/2007/05/03/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eI know you\u0026rsquo;re thinking \u0026ldquo;Charles Dickens\u0026rdquo;. But not this time. This is different.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe go through life and cross paths with multitudes of people. People we\u0026rsquo;re related to, neighbours, friends from school/college, colleagues/friends from our workplace, etc. But surprisingly, only some of these make a meaningful impact on us.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe are, more often than not, drawn to people for a couple of reasons: first, they make us feel good about ourselves, cared for, and/or protected; and second, they have something which we admire, appreciate, or want to emulate.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Great Expectations!"}]