Guest post: New Zealand - Heaven on earth?

It could very well be. New Zealand had been on my bucket list for many years, ever since I first watched Lord of The Rings. After my first glimpse of Middle-earth in the theatre over 15 years ago, I knew that I had to find a way to visit those beautiful places some day. 

And then it happened. Earlier this year, I was chatting with my cousin who lives in Australia, and he shared details of his incredible vacation in New Zealand. That was my cue. I knew I had to do a solo trip to New Zealand, but was contemplating the expenses that I would have to incur. After spending the next few days on Skyscanner, I found some great deals on flights. Over the weekend, I booked my flights and applied for my tourist visa. 

Auckland skyline

I planned to visit a few significant places in both the North and South Islands, and I knew it was going to be hectic. All my stay was booked via Airbnb or Hostel World. One month from then, I would land in Auckland!

Mission Bay Beach

I landed in Auckland after a 13-hour journey via Malaysia. I took a taxi to my cozy apartment by the beach, which I booked on Airbnb. After dropping off my luggage, I decided to take a walk to the CBD. Fresh air and clean streets - a great start to my vacation. I walked along the Viaduct Harbour, which had many of the best restaurants in Auckland. 

The foodie in me was craving dinner, and I was spoilt for choice. I decided to start with The Viaduct Grill, tempted by the seafood and pork options on their menu. The seafood pasta was loaded with succulent mussels and shrimp, and I gobbled down the entire dish. After an amazing meal, I strolled back to my apartment, and was looking forward to the adventures in store for me.

I woke up before sunrise on the second day and I used the early hours to plan out the finer details of my trip. I rented a car from Hertz, and headed straight to the Harbour Bridge. With hardly any vehicles on the road, the drive was very pleasant. I took the time to walk around the bridge, but could not get a slot for the Bungy. For the more adventurous at heart, the Bungy at the Auckland Harbour Bridge is a must do! 

Art Museum

Art Museum

After spending a couple of hours at the Art Museum, I had lunch at Elliott Stables. This is a unique food court with many different cuisines. I tried a few Brazilian and Filipino dishes, and every dish was delicious. 

I spent the rest of day visiting the War Memorial Museum, Sky city (casino) and Sky tower. I got to learn so much about the Kiwi culture and people. I then drove to the Mission Bay Beach, and enjoyed the beautiful sunset while sipping on a steaming cup of chili hot chocolate. It was a beautiful evening, and a perfect end to the day.

Other places to visit in and around Auckland are the Rangitoto Island and Waitakere Ranges.

***************************************************************

Keith D'Souza is an IT professional based in Bengaluru. When he is not doing solo trips, he is undertaking Himalayan treks. He has visited 14 countries till date and intends to hit the 100 mark some day. His introduction is not complete without mentioning his undying love for food, especially local cuisines.   

Guest post: Why we travel

I often wonder! Why do we travel? Why is it some have a tremendous urge to explore the unseen, while others are simply content living in the cozy comforts of a place they lovingly refer to as 'home.' It doesn't need hours of pondering to spell out the reasons. 

In the words of a great travel writer Pico Iyer, 'we travel firstly to lose ourselves; and we travel next, to find ourselves. We travel to widen our knowledge and to go beyond newspaper reports and television coverage. We travel to expose myths and to understand more about cultures. We travel to bring the 'child' back into our lives, something we may have left behind as teens and we travel to reverse time. We travel, to escape the humdrum of a non-existential existence we are at times exposed to, day in and day out. We travel to get rid of our prejudices, and when we travel, the greatest discovery and joy is in seeing new places with new eyes and an open mind.’ 

Travel brings many unexpected pleasant surprises, like the time we were in a village close to the Fagaras mountains not far from Sibui, Romania. After a long tiring trek we stopped at a village to catch our breath and admire the scenery. Moments later a middle aged woman came to us with cups of steaming coffee. Not understanding the language seemed to possess no hindrance; on this occasion it was the kindness of a person who understood our need for a warm drink. Then there was this memorable moment when a Yemeni national paid for our taxi fare in Sanaa because we did not possess the necessary change in Yemeni rials to compensate the taxi driver, while travelling from our hotel to the old quarter. He also refused to accept the dollars we offered him. We were touched by this momentous gesture. Talk about unpredictability, there’s plenty when on the road. 

During my short and limited stint in the amazing world of travel, I have been exposed to quizzical situations, and events, not all of which were my own making. Like I learnt, people stand in queues not only in front of bread shops in Moscow or in bus stands in Mumbai. I had to stand for over an hour to enter a casino in Kansas and have stood for roughly the same amount of time to enter the Beer Market in Toronto. 

I was warned not to enter a nightclub if I didn't have the money in Kowloon, Hongkong. I learnt rather sadly, that a miniscule percentage of the world’s population is mean, ignorant and probably racist. While standing at a rail platform in Western Europe, I was spat upon by a young teenager in a passing train. Poor lad, his aim wasn't too good! May he L.I.P (Live in Peace)! 

By the same measure, after a most fascinating day inside an Indian wildlife park, our Indian guide had the gumption to say, he would have received a bigger tip had we been foreigners. Little did he realize the panther was spotted thanks to the efforts of a friend and yours truly, while the tiger family, we spotted hiding in the meadows was first spotted by the village boy, whom we had agreed to give a ride in the first place? The tip if any should have been reserved for us and the village boy! 

Fleeting moments at destinations brings the child back into our lives. Long walks on lonely beaches along the western coast of India, spectacular sunsets in the company of mountains in Ladakh, India; the sight of a male tiger goring its prey in Kanha, central India; cycling across slopes on way to Lake Constanz in Germany, walking along the fort walls in Kumbalgarh Fort with monsoon clouds hovering above brings back many memories we were exposed to when we were children, besides enlivening the proceedings on a dog day afternoon in Mumbai. Thank my good stars, I have quite a number of unforgettable memories all coiled up at the back of my mind. 

Understanding local cultures and behavior enriches travel and makes the whole experience more rewarding. In a village up in the hills, not so far from the city of Muscat, I was treated to cups of 'kawa' or 'chai' or tea, but, not before I had accepted the cup with my right hand and hid the left hand from the host's view (the left hand is considered unclean). For my good behavior, I was once rewarded with the exclusive use of a private washroom (normally reserved only for the innkeeper) at a guesthouse in Phobjika, Bhutan. I was overwhelmed by the gesture and felt like the Prince of Mumbai, while accepting the keys! Incidentally, the room where I slept in had no lock! 

Little do we realize, travel isn't a one-way journey, how we behave and react is carefully noted by locals, not accustomed to uncalled and wild behavior? When we travel we are ambassadors of the lands we come from. Strangely, we are as much a sight for the locals, as they (probably) are for us. At our worst behavior, we can only be termed as 'intruders.’ 

As travelers we are at times like monks, carrying bare provisions and belongings, moving from one place to the next. While visiting the Tongsa Monastery in Central Bhutan, my driver-cum-guide, the ever smiling and amiable Mindro Dorjee, said that he wouldn't be able to enter the monastery since he was not fully clothed, while 'me’ the traveler was excused, even though I had worn a half-sleeved shirt. As wayfarers, we enjoy concessions, while pretending to live a frugal life. 

It goes without saying, when we travel, we fulfill the role of 'courier personnel’, transporting back and forth souvenirs that every culture needs. I made it a point to carry handicrafts; handmade paper, decorative items and leather articles from the Cottage Industries Emporium while in Mumbai, and returned back from my escapades with a bagful of memories, film, perfumes and chocolates. There were no Cottage Industries shops in Toronto, I found exquisite key chains and maple syrup at the duty free shop in Toronto. I used to often wonder, whether it would suffice. It's the thought that counts, which brought me comfort. 

A travel philosopher Santayana once wrote, 'There is wisdom in turning as far as possible from the familiar to the unfamiliar; it keeps the mind nimble; it kills prejudice and it fosters humor.' Pico Iyer has the last word on this inspiring subject- 'the best trips, like the best love affairs, never really end.' 

*************************************************************

Hector Dsouza owns a travel agency in Mumbai called L'orient Travels and he is also the India representative for SouthWest German Tourism. Needless to say, he is an avid traveller and photographer. He is also very passionate about yoga and is a certified Ashtanga yoga instructor from the Yoga Sanctuary in Toronto.

A New Zealand for vegetarians

Not eating meat or dairy is zero problem in New Zealand. Vegetarian and vegan dining is both easy and delicious throughout the country. There’s a plethora of places offering wholly plant-based menus and plenty more who let seasonal produce be the hero. 

Here’s a list of a bunch of places that can whet appetite of vegetarians:

Kokako 

Cafe culture is king in New Zealand – their standards for coffee are set high, with uncomplicated, fresh food following suit. Coffee roaster Kokako not only serves the best ethically traded, organic coffee in town, they also offer a completely vegetarian menu (much of it also vegan), showcasing the best of seasonal, organic produce in unfussy, delicious dishes. Try their blends and single origins in espresso or batch brews. Plus there’s kombucha and popular nitro cold brew coffee on tap.

Kokako occupies a beautifully renovated former post office in Auckland’s fringe suburb of Grey Lynn, a five-minute car or 10-minute bus ride from the CBD.

537 Great North Rd, Grey Lynn, Auckland; +64 9 376 6086; weekdays, 7am to 3.30pm, weekends, 7.30am to 4pm.

Gatherings 

Gatherings is a “living wine bar and restaurant” by talented young chef Alex Davies, whose wholly plant-based cuisine is inspired by the bounty of the Canterbury region’s distinct seasons. Walking the talk, Davies spent a year working on an organic vegetable farm in north Canterbury in order to learn more about sustainable food systems. The five-course dinner set menu costs a very reasonable $60, or you can opt for snacks at the bar. There’s an “organic and living wine list” to accompany the cuisine and the space often hosts live performances organised.

Gatherings is located close to the city centre in Christchurch.

Unit 5/2 Papanui Rd, Christchurch; Wednesday-Saturday, lunch from noon to 2pm, happy hour 4pm-6pm and dinner 6pm-11pm. 

Ten Twenty Four 

It’s a recipe for success: a seasoned fine-dining chef, a Spanish Mission-style stucco building at the end of a palm-lined driveway, and the stunning countryside of New Zealand’s Hawkes Bay “food bowl”. Then there’s the food. At Ten Twenty Four, his kitchen counter cluttered by bottles of locally grown garnishes – edible flowers, fronds, shoots and leaves – chef Kent Baddeley transforms left-field ideas into remarkably delicious dishes. Ten Twenty Four isn’t an exclusively vegetarian kitchen, but seasonal, hyper-local produce is the star and those with dietary requirements are well catered for. 

Ten Twenty Four is a short drive out of Hastings in Hawkes Bay. This is wine country, but also where most of New Zealand’s stone fruit is grown. The road to Ten Twenty Four is dotted with orchard stalls, some with honesty boxes.

1024 Pakowhai Rd, Hastings; +64 6 870 6440; Tuesday to Sunday for lunch; Friday and Saturday for dinner.

Boquita

Vibrant Mexican flavours abound at Boquita. This bijou central Wellington spot features a concise organic plant-based menu of tacos, salads and sides made with fresh local produce and top-quality ingredients that the proprietors import directly from Mexico (browse the selection for sale). You can park up at the bench to dine, but if it’s a fine day, grab your goodies and have a picnic at nearby Oriental Bay or up on Mount Victoria, also close, gazing down on the city.

In central Wellington, pretty much everywhere is within walking distance.

23 Kent Tce, Wellington; Tuesday to Saturday, lunch 11.30am-2.30pm, dinner 5pm-9pm. No bookings.

Little Bird Unbakery

The raw cuisine Little Bird Unbakery in Auckland’s Ponsonby certainly won’t leave you feeling cold. In this warm, bright space, you’ll feel the love and attention of the kitchen in everything on the menu, which is predominantly raw, with a few cooked items. Fresh coconuts are cracked open for smoothies, kimchi and kefir are made onsite, as are sprouted breads, nut milks and cheeses. As well as great coffee and an arm-long list of juices and smoothies, there’s a wide range of teas.

Little Bird Unbakery in Ponsonby is just five minutes’ drive from the CBD or a 10-minute ride on the Link bus. Another Little Bird is at Britomart by the train station. Cnr Summer St and Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby, Auckland; +64 9 555 3278; open daily 7am-4pm. 

Visa procedure

One may forward their application to the TT office in Mumbai or Delhi, which will then be directed to Immigration New Zealand. A visitor visa for New Zealand is processed within 15 working days. www.immigration.govt.nz

Airline connections

Connecting flights to New Zealand are available on Singapore Airlines/Air New Zealand, Thai Airways, Cathay Pacific and Malaysia Airlines with stop-overs in their respective hubs.  New Zealand’s international gateways are Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown.

Domestic services

You can fly between all New Zealand cities and most major towns using domestic air services. Air New Zealand and Jetstar are the main providers. Their services are complemented by regional airlines, charter companies and scenic flight operators.

For more information, check: newzealand.com/in or hashtag #NZmustdo    

How being fit gave me confidence to trek again

When people new to trekking ask me for suggestions on what they would need for a trek or how they should go about choosing a trek, I always - without an exception - bring up fitness. Do they have a regime? How regular are they? 

I feel that every conversation about trekking expeditions, even with yourself, should start with fitness. I learnt this the hard way though. 

In 2011, i did my first high-altitude trek - the Chadar. I was a newbie and had no idea what I was taking up. No amount of reading or talking to people can really give you a clear picture of what high-altitude trekking involves. And so, i went on the trek with a decent level of fitness. Not exceptional, but just about bordering on satisfactory.     

I realised this while on the trek. I completed it, but i witnessed that the others were having way more fun doing it than I was and i couldn't understand why. Until i returned and retrospected. It turned out that had i been fitter, Chadar would have been less of a struggle. No amount of fancy gear can help you in that situation. A good pair of trekking shoes can mask a flaw or a good sack can prevent a shoulder pain, but beyond that you are on your own.

The Chadar incident dented my confidence so much so that I did not have the courage to even think about trekking again for a full six years! That's a lot of time wasted not trekking. These were my prime years - so to speak - and I was idling sitting in office in front of my laptop and buying things i didn't really need. 

In 2016, i decided that i had done enough moping around and that i should face my fears. The only way i could do that was by getting fit. At least, that was the first step. I started doing a mix of activities - cycling, yoga, running. In 2017, i decided to do a trek - an easy one - to see how i fared. 

I did well and i was satisfied with myself. Then I decided to take it up a notch and do an easy to moderate trek. This time it was Sandakphu. I did that well too. Nay - i was having fun. Finally. 

Cut to the present, I have just returned from the Kashmir Great Lakes trek, which is categorised as moderate to difficult trek. Apart from a slight hiccup (i had to offload my sack from day two because i had packed unwisely), i did well. At least i think i did well. That doesn't mean my fitness levels are superlative. But i know that i am finally a work in progress and not in limbo anymore.

So my request to people who are first-timers or even second-timers is: take fitness seriously. It can make or break not just your trek but also your confidence in yourself as a trekker. 


Tip: You need to do a mix of exercises that will not just strengthen your core and your leg muscles but also some cardio that will help you control your breathing.   

    

Sandakphu has the views

At the outset, I'd like to clarify that Sandakphu isn't what one might call a 'major' trek. Schools from Darjeeling and nearby places take their students on this trail. It ranges from an easy to moderate trek, depending upon one's capability, and is sort of commercialised now because of its popularity. 

But don't knock it off. It has the views, and the most amazing of them is the up-close sight of the Sleeping Buddha. It is simply awe-inspiring. It is majestic because of its proximity, so much so that even the outline of the far-off Mount Everest did not arouse as much bedazzlement in me as much as the Sleeping Buddha did. 

And we were so lucky to get a window of clear skies that evening and the following morning while we were camped in Sagargram. 

What's interesting about Sandakphu is that four out of the five highest peaks of the world - Mount Everest, Kanchandzonga, Makalu and Lhotse - can be seen from here. Putting this incredible fact aside though, it is also true that every trail and every trek brings with its own set of joys. And hardships.

We got rains on 2.5 of the six days we were trekking. Leaches were upon us and the cold and wetness made us miserable. Still, our miscellaneous group that consisted of first-timers as well as veterans overcame their own little hurdles and saw meaning in it. 

I have heard regular (and not so regular) trekkers dismiss treks that are common, or popular, or easy as insubstantial or lacking character. But nothing can be further from the truth, and it's not in keeping with the ethos of mountaineering. Every mountain is sacred and special, right?

If my narrative has piqued your interest in the Sandakphu trek, and want to read more about the route, best times to go and places to stay, you might like this blog: Conflating Visions. To sign up with an organised group, i would recommend IndiaHikes.   

A glimpse of Arunachal

My introduction to the mysterious region of India’s North East was through a short (relatively-speaking) trek into the wilderness of Arunachal Pradesh. The most northeast I had been within India was to Gangtok and I signed up for this trip without too many expectations.

 

Our train from Guwahati to Naharlagun

Arriving at Arunachal

Reaching Arunachal itself was time-consuming. First, take a flight to Guwahati in Assam which in itself was a task because regional connectivity in India still sucks. Direct flights from a lot of cities are few and far between, specially from Mumbai, and are therefore expensive. From Guwahati, I took an overnight train to Arunachal’s capital city of Itanagar. The station is however called Naharlagun. From there, you need to call for taxis (Sumo) or look for state transport bus that will take you to your destination.  

 

There are a couple of check posts once you enter Arunachal. But tourists have no trouble. We weren't even asked to show our permit even once except at the station

Get a permit

To exit the station, you will need to show a permit to enter the state, even for Indian nationals. This, you can get from the Arunachal Pradesh Tourism office in your own city in advance which will cost anything between Rs 60 to Rs 90 depending on the city. But if you can’t, then you pay approximately Rs 450 for a single permit at the airport within 15-20 minutes. Beware though – do not apply for it online. Your application may never get approved!

 

A typical fence of a local home made of bamboo

Trek through a forest

I had signed up for a short 4-day trek that would take us through a forest in the Talley Valley that resides in the Talley Valley Wildlife Sanctuary. The Talley Valley trail winds up and down mountains, valleys and across rivers. On this trek, you cross the Pangey Valley, Talley Valley and Ziro Valley.

The trek is the easy if you’ve trekked before and a good stepping stone for those who haven’t done overnight treks. That said, it is perfect for those who love nature and enjoy just being surrounded by trees. If you want to experience and get to know the culture of Arunachal Pradesh, its best to skip the trek and just focus on visiting villages and towns like Ziro (famous for its annual music festival) and Hong.

Other spots to see

Of course, other spots are known to be much more beautiful like Tawang and Tuting but getting from one place to another takes a lot of time since the roads are in really bad condition. When we there, there was a sudden strike called on by the transporters to protest against bad roads. Unfortunately, by sheer misfortune of being the farthest state of India, Arunachal largely remains out of our government’s mind.    

 

We passed through huge rice paddy fields on the last day of our trek 

Arunachal actually has 12 different tourist circuits which makes it easy for you to choose your route. Check the details here. The state’s tourism ministry website has a lot of information on not just stay and places but also on ministry-approved tour operators who can help with ground arrangements.

Whatever you choose to do though, you will not regret it. Keep an open mind and you will realize that even a seemingly casual experience can have an impact and move you in ways that you may not have expected. Whether it is the people (we discussed state politics with an auto driver who seemed frustrated with the situation), the food (vegetarians have fewer choices though), or the culture (we were invited to share food at a local family’s house party held to celebrate the birth of a boy just because we were passing by).

 

Tall pine trees marked the end of our 4-day trek 

GOOD TO KNOW

Getting a permit

There are different permits needed to access different districts. So choose the spots you want to visit and apply for those permits accordingly.

  

Ziro Music Festival

This year, the festival will be held from September 21st to 24^th, 2017. It is billed as India's most fun outdoor music festival. So you can plan your trip accordingly.

Getting to Ziro

Ziro town is about 3-4 hours away by road from Naharlagun station. Once there, you may look up a homestay. We stayed at the state-owned Paradise Guest House, which was pretty decent.

A pop-up hotel in Tel Aviv

On Tuesday March 14, the first pop-up hotel of its kind in the world opened in a lifeguard tower on Tel Aviv beach. The lifeguard tower is located on Frishman Beach.

Over the past month, the lifeguard tower was transformed into a one-one-of-its-kind oceanfront hotel suite, complete with luxurious space and amenities, including a pampering shower, personal butler, breakfast, and room service.