Schönbrunn Palace, Vienna

• Early morning on a weekday is ideal to visit Schönbrunn Palace. There are multiple public transport connections available.
• You will appreciate the grandeur of the palace if you acquiant beforehand with the layout and the history of palace.
• Be ready for a small climb to the top of hillock behind the palace. It is a place to be with the entire Vienna visible in the horizon.

Schönbrunn Palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and crown jewel of the capital city of Vienna. We were on a four country tour of Europe and this was the very first morning. We had landed in Vienna last evening and spent most of the evening exploring the neighbourhood. Our hotel was a walking distance from the Danube river. Palace is on the other side of this beautiful city.

Schönbrunn Palace Gardens

Phuket

Krabi - Koh Samui - Phuket

Phuket has the best of both the worlds. Families can plan vacation in and around Phuket while loners can stay for days around Bangla Street and not get bored. We were on a boys trip but we did both. It was a seven day planned itinerary that we were following that included Krabi, Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Phi Phi & Phuket.

Sunset @ Patong Beach

Koh Samui

Krabi - Koh Samui - Phuket

Koh Samui is for party and leisure. The island brims with vacation air. Adjacent Koh Phangan island has become the biggest full moon party destination which attracts more and more tourists to this bustling town year over year. We were here around such a full moon party and witnessed the grandiose night unfold.

Fireworks @ Haad Rin Full Moon Party

Krabi

Krabi - Koh Samui - Phuket

Krabi was a stopover. There are few attractions in Krabi although if you include day tours of Phi Phi and Hong Island you can actually plan a three day itinerary. We were here for just a night and so we decided to make the most of it without planning anything far.

Ao Nang Beach, Krabi

Everest Base Camp Trek - Part 6

Everest Base Camp Trek Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4 - Part 5 - Part 6

While I somewhat recovered, my friends suggested we arrange for a helicopter. This was something. From feeling almost okay to getting back to Lukla on a helicopter in such  a short time was something I was not able to comprehend. I resisted. Thankfully me friends were more sensible.

Golden crest @ Lobuche

Everest Base Camp Trek - Part 5

Everest Base Camp Trek Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4 - Part 5 - Part 6

Next morning we started after another cold breakfast for Narkang. It’s an adjacent hill to Dingboche. The climb was steep. We started as a batch but someone kept calling quits so by the time we hit the top only five of us were remaining. The view from here was breathtaking. Dingboche and Periche (one of our stops upon returning) were clearly visible.

On way to Narkang peak

Everest Base Camp Trek - Part 4

Everest Base Camp Trek Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4 - Part 5 - Part 6

Tiangboche is only 1000ft above Namche. However crossing a river means going 2000ft down and then 3000ft up. The route plan was also not helpful. Going down, the easy part, was before lunch and going up was post-lunch. Unaware of details since there was no briefing, we started merrily on the flat looking trek towards Tiangboche.

View from the Tiangboche climb

Everest Base Camp Trek - Part 3

Everest Base Camp Trek Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4 - Part 5 - Part 6

At night we had a scuffle with our trekking agency as they were forcing us to eat food from restaurant of our hotel. Namche is unique in the EBC route as it has numerous options for eating and shopping. This was another way for the agency for earning money. We rebelled and ate at a nearby bakery.

First glance of Namche

Everest Base Camp Trek - Part 2

Everest Base Camp Trek Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4 - Part 5 - Part 6

We rested in a restaurant that was only about 100m away from the airport. In fact entire Lukla is within the walking distance of the airport. By 11 we were fresh and started for our next stop which was Phakding. Professional trekkers go for Namchi directly but we were amateurs.

On way to Phakding

Everest Base Camp Trek - Part 1

Everest Base Camp Trek Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4 - Part 5 - Part 6

We were all gathered in Kathmandu in one hotel ready to embark on one of the toughest trek we had attempted. It was evening and a small briefing was planned before we took off to Lukla next morning. It was here that I met the batch that was going to be together for next 10-12 days for the journey to the Everest Base Camp.

Lukla Airport

Bauddhanath Stupa, Kathmandu

• Buddha Stupa is one of the grandest structures in Kathmandu. With a busy marketplace surrounding it and some of the famous eateries nearby, this is a place to be.
• There is no entry fee but the place gets crowded so early morning is the best time to visit.

A Stupa is a Buddhist religious structure that represents the learning and messages of Buddha. It is always white in colour and hemispherical in shape - probably indicating the non-violence doctrine of Buddhism. We visited Buddha Stupa on our way to Bhaktapur Darbar Square and Changunarayan Temple. The three heritage sites can be easily covered over a single day if you start early.

Bauddhanath Stupa, Kathmandu

Pashupatinath Temple, Kathmandu

• One of the most revered temples in the Indian subcontinent, Pashupatinath Temple and the evening celebration is a must visit in Kathmandu. It takes couple hours in total.
• Evening is the best time to visit so that one covers the famous aarti on the banks of  Bagmati river. Photographs inside the temple are not allowed. 

We had to visit Pashupatinath temple coming from India. As per Indian mythology when Sati died her body parts fell in different parts of Indian subcontinent but the most important part that is her head fell at Pashupatinath which makes this one of the most prominent religious sites around.

Entrance to Pashupatinath Temple, Kathmandu

Chandragiri, Nepal

• Chandragiri is a half day activity from Kathmandu. The ropeway is the key attraction although the view from the top is equally stunning.
• Cab will take USD 30-40 depending upon how long you make them stay at the base of the ropeway. There are resorts as well near the peak.

A trip to Chandragiri peak was surprise. We were aware of this attraction but given there was so much of heritage to cover in the Kathmandu valley, we were not such this will make the cut in our itinerary. We did make it to the peak and while we found the place covered with clouds, it was still a most unique experience.

Chandragiri Cable Car

Thamel, Kathmandu

• Thamel is the backpacker’s heaven in Kathmandu, located in the middle of city and host some of the cheapest hotels and bars
• Even if you want a spacious / luxurious stay, it is recommended that it is closer to Thamel
• Kathmandu Darbar Square and Garden of Dreams are two complexes diametrically to each other at the periphery of Thamel and can be covered together

Our Hotel was adjacent to Thamel. It was a huge convenience. It meant most of our movements, be it for restaurant, bar or sites, we were able to do it walking. Even late night outings were possible on foot. In fact we realised late how colourful the night life in and around Thamel is.

Kathmandu Darbar Square, Thamel

Patan Darbar Square, Kathmandu

• Patan Darbar Square faced maximum damage during the 2015 earthquake, the restoration work is going on even 7 years later
• The late evening time with lighting and less crowd is more suited for those who want to check this place thoroughly

Patan Darbar Square is the most prominent of the darbars not just because of its exquisite beauty but also because of the significant damage and restoration work that it had to go through after the devastating 2015 earthquakes. The darbar, a Unesco World Heritage Site, houses more than 50 temples within its premises.

Patan Darbar Square at night, Kathmandu

7 Heritage Sites of Kathmandu Valley

 While Kathmandu valley is a Unesco World Heritage Site, it actually constitutes seven separate entities that comprise into the WHS. They are:

A. Kathmandu Darbar Square

B. Patan Darbar Square

C. Swayambhu Stupa

D. Buddha Stupa

E. Pashupatinath Temple

F. Bhaktapur Darbar Square

G. Changunarayan Temple

 7 Heritage Sites of Kathmandu Valley

It takes 2 days minimum to cover all the sites although it may take more than a day to cover each one in the true sense, such is the grandeur of Kathmandu valley. Day 1 can be dedicated to A, B & C while day 2 can be used to cover D, E, F & G.

Cliffs of Moher, Ireland

Trip: Ireland & Northern Ireland

Tips: Take guided tour bus from Dublin if you do not want to drive the whole day. Take the option of boat ride from Doolin to see the horcrux cave, the site of a Harry Potter movie.

Cliffs of Moher was windy and thrilling. The thrill was to walk on a narrow path adjacent to the cliffs facing sea hundreds of feets down. The monument of fallen suggested the thrills was not without risk. Still we took the whole round and watched the amazingly carved faces of the cliff from different angles. Being told that the horcrux cave shooting of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince was done here made things doubly interesting.

A view of the cliffs

Dublin, Ireland

Ireland was crowded and unkempt compared to Northern Ireland. Dublin was more so with Trinity College right in the middle and a milieu of people from all parts of the world. The native language is Irish but very few people speak it. English dominates which makes Ireland even more attractive for the diaspora.

River view, Dublin

Game of Throne Sites, Northern Ireland

Our bus tour took us to a total of seven GOT shooting sites. The most impressive was the Ballintoy Harbour. We went all the way down to the harbour and the view from down was majestic - mix of white and dark stones scattered around for ages. There is a white building used in the GOT scenes as an ancient building but actually is a coffee house.

The Dark Hedges

Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland

Flint McCool was the Irish giant who built the Giant’s Causeway to teach his Scottish counterpart a lesson or so says the legends of Northern Ireland. However it goes, the hexagonal stones carved by nature are a bizarre abnormality that tourists flock to visit in the northern most part of North Ireland. We were among them and were equally piqued by what we saw. No way these can happen naturally, we thought and yet science says they did.

Incredible natural structures @ Giant’s Causaway