Tag: Travel

India days 29-33: high season hostel life + favorite activities in Manali + day trip to Sissu

May 13, 2022

Hey friends, happy Friday!! These past few days have been quite eventful as the hostel is finally in high season. Until now, it’s just been me, Chetan, and a few guests here and there as we’ve been ramping up for the summer season. But after our Kasol trip last weekend, the floodgates opened as several … More India days 29-33: high season hostel life + favorite activities in Manali + day trip to Sissu

India days 26-28: weekend in stoner town of Kasol + visiting Malana Village

May 9, 2022

And a new week begins! I’m back from a weekend trip to Kasol, a riverside town famous for cultivating the best hashish in India. Kasol was on my radar as it was all the buzz among travelers I met; people raved about its chiller atmosphere, unique scenery, and less commercial vibes than Manali (spoiler alert … More India days 26-28: weekend in stoner town of Kasol + visiting Malana Village

India days 20-25: day trip to Solang Valley + Baror Parsha waterfall hike + hostel life and duties

May 5, 2022

After the changes around my volunteering gig last week, things have gotten much brighter. Day by day, I feel even more at home at my new hostel and more comfortable with the staff/guests who feel like my Manali family. Over the last few days, I was able to put the past behind me and truly … More India days 20-25: day trip to Solang Valley + Baror Parsha waterfall hike + hostel life and duties

India days 16-19: exploring Old Manali + Nasogi village life + sulfur hot springs + change of plans

April 29, 2022

After a wonderful start to my month in Manali, the last few days were filled with seeing more sites and getting to know the community even more. My days were very much “go with the flow” as unexpected events unfolded, leading to a slight change in plans in my volunteering gig that I’ll share more … More India days 16-19: exploring Old Manali + Nasogi village life + sulfur hot springs + change of plans

India days 13-15: new chapter in Manali / the Himalayas + new gig at a hostel through Workaway + day trip to Koksar

April 26, 2022

And a new chapter begins in the Himalayas. 🙂 I’m currently in Manali, a high-altitude mountain town in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. Manali is popular among backpackers and families for its mountain scenery, trekking, and strong Tibetan influence. I am SO excited to be here as the Himalayas have been on my all-time … More India days 13-15: new chapter in Manali / the Himalayas + new gig at a hostel through Workaway + day trip to Koksar

India days 8-12: fairytale Indian wedding in Jaipur

April 21, 2022

These last few days were a whirlwind of fun as they were dedicated to celebrating the marriage of my good friend from San Francisco, Karan, and his beautiful bride, Ashna. It was my first traditional Indian wedding, and boy was it one to remember! It was the most lavish and beautiful wedding I’ve ever attended. … More India days 8-12: fairytale Indian wedding in Jaipur

India days 4-7: meeting Aloo Baba + day trip to Ajmer + marble dumping yard + Aarti ceremony + all types of temples

April 17, 2022

After my wonderful first days in India, I remained in Pushkar for the rest of the week. The last few days were spent doing more off-the-beaten-path activities, enjoying the vibes in this holy town, and falling in love with Pushkar even more. Day 4: Meeting Aloo Baba + “monkey” temple Nick, Stefan, and I set … More India days 4-7: meeting Aloo Baba + day trip to Ajmer + marble dumping yard + Aarti ceremony + all types of temples

India days 1-3: first days in holy city of Pushkar + Pushkar Lake + Savitri Temple hike + camel safari

April 15, 2022

I made it to India!! My first days have been packed with wonderful experiences in a small, religious desert town called Pushkar. Pushkar is in the Rajasthan state (the largest Indian state and where most tourists go). I’m focusing on Northern India this trip because I wanted a different experience than Sri Lanka, which I … More India days 1-3: first days in holy city of Pushkar + Pushkar Lake + Savitri Temple hike + camel safari

Sri Lanka days 25-28: last days in Ella + more motorbiking adventures + tea factory tour + Ella Rock hike + secret waterfall swim + trip reflection 

April 10, 2022

Our last days in Sri Lanka were just beautiful. We explored more of Ella, the mountain town in Sri Lanka known as “nature’s paradise.” After checking off some of the more popular/touristy sites during our first three days in Ella, we spent these last days exploring new spots that were more off-the-beaten-path. This brought us … More Sri Lanka days 25-28: last days in Ella + more motorbiking adventures + tea factory tour + Ella Rock hike + secret waterfall swim + trip reflection 

Sri Lanka days 22-24: lively mountain town of Ella + Little Adam’s Peak hike + Nine Arch Bridge + scooter adventures to Ravana Cave + Sri Lanka’s economic crisis

April 5, 2022

After a beautiful start to our reunion in Sri Lanka, Joe and I made it to the mountains for the second week of our trip. We are spending one week in Ella, a lively town in the highlands known for its picturesque hills covered with cloud forests, hiking, tea plantations, and hippie vibes. Day 22: … More Sri Lanka days 22-24: lively mountain town of Ella + Little Adam’s Peak hike + Nine Arch Bridge + scooter adventures to Ravana Cave + Sri Lanka’s economic crisis