A rainy Kolkata experienced the Dragon Boat festival yesterday (21st June, 2015) for the first time in Tiretta Bazaar. It was really a fun festival where there were different stalls, dance, music, food and great energy everywhere. The response from visitors was quite warming and foodaholic Kolkata enjoyed the Chinese flavor without any complaint… Me too 

From dragon dance to enchanting music, the Chinese residents of Tiretta Bazaar make it special for Kolkata lovers. I have never been to Tiretta Bazaar and so it is a total fun for me on this rainy season. I explored the streets of the Chattawala Gulee and the architecture of North Kolkata, which is amazing experience for me.

Click on their Facebook Page to know more https://www.facebook.com/dragonboatfest2015?fref=ts

“You are enjoying the charm of Mountain Alps and your friend in India is enjoying the same charm at the same time.” How is it possible? Well, it is a magic of your Smartphone that will stay you connected with the world anytime. It is a blessing of science that people are accepting with positive views. While you are traveling, it is a smart idea to carry your Smartphone. Whenever I plan a trip, my Smartphone becomes my loyal friend because it is not only about social media post, but more than this. What’s that? Check out below and let your spirit enjoy the beauty of an unknown place.

1. When you are away from your hometown for a pleasure trip or business trip, you need to know how much data you need to use. Sign up with the internet plan as per your need and accordingly use the service. It will be beneficial for you to make international calls as well as use the internet for personal need.
2. Do you love to surf the internet? Well, access your internet package and get the maximum benefit. Collect more information about the place you are going to visit and keep them as your backup. Make an information directory, which will help you during an emergency in an unknown place.
3. You have a good internet package with internet connection, Wella you can download relevant apps in your Smartphone. It will help you find out nearby restaurants, medicine shops and many more destinations of that particular area while you are taking a stroll. Isn’t it amazing!
4. Stop “automatic downloading” option and shift to manual setting or else it will eat up your battery and you can face problems. Upload images in your social media profile like Facebook and Twitter with Wi-Fi connection. Many hotels offer you Wi-Fi connection, which is really a pain free service. Why not you just grab this opportunity?
5. Good internet connection helps you save your phone balance. You can choose Whatsapp call, IMO video call or Skype call to talk with your friends and relatives. Moreover, you should check out the roaming service and if you in the mid of an ocean, then ask for help from customer service provider.
6. While traveling, carry Power Bank i.e. portable powerhouse and you can keep your Smartphone alive in the middle of the road. It is a great gadget and never let you down in an unknown country.

An increasing number of rape and molestation cases force the women of today, to think twice about a solo trip. Women travel to different places because of a business trip, educational meet or just to have fun. Unlike men, women travelers face a lot of problems when they move out of their comfort zone. That does not mean you will stop traveling and will not pursue your dream.

Today, I will share some safety measures for all you women travelers. These measures help me a lot when I travel alone.

Risk assessment: It is better to have an assessment of the risk factors that you can face when you are alone in an unknown land. Get the details of the destination hat you are planning to visit and what are current situation of the place. It will help you take genuine measures before traveling to that particular place.

Self defense items in your handbags: You must keep the small and foldable knife, mid-length rope and peppermint spray in your handbag. These self defense items will keep your attackers away from you. If you find yourself in a bad position, then you can use these items to save yourself.

Note down the local police station number- Once you reach your destination, look for an emergency police station number and note down immediately. It will save you from sudden danger in a different place.

Change your look: If you are on the streets of a new place, dress up very normal and do not carry too much cash. Your appearance should be normal and if anyone asks you “Are you alone”? Say. “No” straightaway. It will help you from future risk in that particular city.

Safety in hotel: When you are in the hotel room, ask for a room which is near the elevator and in the 1^st floor. Do not choose a room near emergency exists.

Traveling in cab: Sit confidently and do not take out the local map of the place. You must research on the route beforehand or use GPS app in your Smartphone. It will keep you safer than anything else.

These basic safety measures will give you the confidence to travel alone. Whatever is the reason of your traveling alone, you should always keep your eyes and ears open. Your presence of mind is the best weapon for you to have safe traveling.

Happy Journey!

“Traveling is a bug”, a famous quote symbolizes many things and the people who love to travel, do not think much about the place, weather and circumstance. They just want to enjoy the new place in their own terms and condition. I am a traveler too, and never step out of my house without essential items in my luggage bag. Check out these following items while on a trip and you must take these items in your travel bag to make your trip successful.

Notebook

You must write down the points in the notebook that you will visit in a particular place. For example- If you are traveling to Paris, then write all the famous places of Paris that you want to see on your trip. Trust me, it is a good habit and you will have a track of your trip flawlessly.

Smartphone Charger

                        

There is no doubt that you will take your gadget with you. It is your second life through which you can get many information and stay connected with the world. But, you should keep the charger of a Smartphone in your travel bag so there is no last minute rush.

Headphones

Music is a favorite time pass while you are traveling. Headphones give you the freedom to hear the music at anytime and anywhere.

Umbrella

It is such an item that most travelers overlook. But, you cannot imagine the benefits of an umbrella. It can protect you from sun rays, uncertain rainfall, act as a stick if you are traveling to any hill station and give you protection from burglars at night (emergency). Don’t forget to keep an umbrella in your travel bag.

Sunglass

Eye protection is must during day time. Sunglasses keep your eyes cool from UV rays and you can stroll different streets of a new place with great desire.

Hat

Whether you are a beach or jungle trip or a hill station trip, a hat in your travel bag will add more in your style statement. It protects your hair and creates an oomph factor.

Mid length scarf

The multipurpose scarf is available in various colors and designs that you can choose. It is not only for style, but you can use it as to cover your body while sleeping in a tent during adventurous trip. You can use it to cover your head while visiting any holy place.

Air pillow

It is necessary to carry an air pillow because you never know where you will get to sleep. It is your best friend for a soundless sleep and you cannot miss it from your travel bag.

Digital Camera

Memories are stronger than the moment. Digital camera keeps your memories fresh because you click more pictures of the moment and it becomes the memory of your life.

Pair of shoe

When your shoe betrays you, you should have an extra pair to save you. During an emergency, it is very helpful and you do not have to waste time for a shoe store in an unknown place.

These are small items, but very essential for you to have a smooth travel experience. Next time, you plan for a trip to a wonderland these must-have will complete your journey.

Kaasto maja hai rail lai ma… Song from a Bollywood movie comes in my mind when I think of Toy Train. Ghoom is a beautiful hill station for nature lovers. The hilly locality is amazing for adventurous travelers. You can feel nature closely. The fresh air of this place rejuvenates your soul. Ghoom railway station is the hot spot of this hill station. Ghoom is famous for the railway station from the British period. This hill station is the highest hill station in the world (7407 ft sea level). The beauty of the famous Toy Train snatches the minds of the visitors.

The hilly area is small, but awesome from enthusiast travelers. The Hill cart road passes through this hilly place. Every time you look at the hills, Ghoom is covered with fog. The scenic beauty of Ghoom is marvelous. The weather of Ghoom will mesmerize your unsatisfied soul. The pictures capture every moment of your visit. Cool your restless soul with photography sessions of the beautiful tea gardens and other attractions of this enchanting place.

Special Attractions:

Time to visit:

You can visit at any time of a year. Summer lover can enjoy the place from April to June. Avoid July-August for rainy season and landslide danger. From September to December midweek, you can enjoy the winter. Snow lovers can visit during December last and January, but with proper precaution.

Where to stay:

From Luxury to Budget hotels, you have everything on hand to enjoy the peace of this place. The hotels are well maintained and clean. Government Holiday homes are also available at cheap rates. The hospitality towards guests is incredible. Local people like Nepali, Lepcha and Bhutia are friendly and supportive.

How to reach:

From Bagdogra Airport, you can reach Ghoom riding a toy train. Avoid hassle and book the tickets for Toy Train beforehand. Are you privacy lover? Then, you can also hire private cars and enjoy the scenic beauty of the hills.

Ghoom is a perfect destination for honeymoon couples. Bloom your love in the midst of nature and make each moment memorable. Take a zigzag joy ride to explore the beauty of Ghoom. You can come with a friend, family or alone and spend few days with Nature.

North Bengal has many places to visit. Many tourists from different parts of the world come here to enjoy the beauty. One of such places is Sonada. It is one of the best tourism destinations in North Bengal.

Sonada is a small town of Darjeeling. It was once a town of Tibetan Refugees. This town is surrounded by Darjeeling town, Kurseong, Mirik, Ghoom and Takdah. National highway 55 and the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway pass through this town. A small DHR railway stations are found here. Many local passengers use this railway station for their communications. Toy train, the national heritage, runs through this DHR railway. Here are two important educational institutes namely Sonada Degree College and North Bengal Institute of Hotel Management. The Chatakpur Eco village is very near to Sonada.  In Sonada there is a Central school for Tibetans.

Interesting places around Sonada are Misssionary Educatuional Institute-Salesian College, Mondakotee Tea Estate, Sonada Monastery, Oaks Tea Estate, Senchal Lake, Tiger Hill, etc. Apart from these tourist spots one of the best touring spots is a Chatakpur Eco village which is 7 km away from Sonada. This town is surrounded by many tea gardens whose scenic beauty attracts the minds of the visitors. It has an excellent trekking route.

The hill people of different castes like Nepali, Bhutia, Lepcha live here. They are honest, authentic and cooperative in nature. Their main source of income comes from working in the tea garden. Some of them earn money by selling goods to the tourists.

There are many hotels and resorts in Darjeeling or near to Sonada where tourists can stay and enjoy their journey. Luxury hotels and cheap rate hotels both are available here.

Siliguri is the central place from where tourists can take mini buses, taxies, private car to reach Darjeeling. Local transports are available for Sonada. Come here, and relax for few days.