Travels in the second half of 2014 – India, Myanmar, Cambodia
There is much happening in the next six months. I will begin my journeys in a few days in the Himalayas, followed by travels in several parts of North India and Asia. Here is the general plan at this time. Would you have any interesting travel tips in any of these places that I should check out?
Spiti Himalayas. I will be in Lahaul & Spiti next week, leading a photography tour for Darter. I will be travelling through magnificent Chandratal Lake, Kaza and several high-altitude villages in Spiti Valley. Besides leading tours for Darter, I am also hoping to do some personal photography projects in the area.
A few short trips. I may be retracing my last year’s visit to the waterfalls of the western ghats after coming back from Spiti. I would also be getting to spend some time in Kochi soon after.
Myanmar and Cambodia. I am excited to be leading this photography tour to Myanmar. My visit to Myanmar last year was an eye-opener about the country. It is well accessible, easy to travel through than what it was a decade ago. And it is welcoming visitors and opening up for more travellers year after year. I am looking forward to going back again, now with a bunch of photography enthusiasts. Travelling Myanmar is a great pleasure.
Soon after my tour to Myanmar, I am heading to Cambodia, a country I have been wanting to visit for a very long time. I will be spending two weeks in Cambodia before returning home, and hoping to explore the country’s tropical life as well as the well-known temples.
Dev Diwali in Varanasi. Last year, I visited Varanasi during the time of Dev Diwali when my right hand was disabled. The festival was a dazzler, with lamps shining on every step leading to the river. Despite a temporary handicap, I lifted my camera in excruciating pain and made a few images for my record. This time, the hand has healed and I will be back again to to experience the festival better.
Hornbill Festival. Three years have passed since I have been wanting to visit Hornbill Festival. I am not certain, but I vaguely recall thinking of this as too exotic a festival and wanting to visit many many years ago. The time has come this December. And I am all the more excited because we will be travelling with someone who is without doubt one of the most knowledgeable person about the region. I will be leading photography tour to Hornbill Festival and several other exciting places in the North-East.
Rajasthan. Before leading my annual photography tour to Rajasthan, I am planning to spend a few days travelling around Jaipur, this time visiting some very rural outside-the-touristy locations. Subsequently, I will be leading a group of photography-enthusiasts through Jaipur, Bikaner, Jaisalmer and Jodhpur.
Ladakh in Winter. Early in 2015, I will be in Ladakh, leading a photography tour and exploring its winter landscapes. Each time I visit Ladakh in winter, I find something new and exciting. I am yet to find such fascinating landscapes anywhere else in India.
As I am writing this, several plans are being made for the first half of 2015 as well. There is a fifteen-day tour across Kerala in the making, as well as a likely visit to Nepal and Rajasthan. It’s going to be busy days ahead…