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anemonenemerosa · 4 years ago

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The Spare Chapter 8

Hello fellow people,

the next one.

At first thank you all for reading and supporting me! It really means a lot!

Secondly: this chapter gets dark. So please stay safe. TW for metntal struggles, self-harm and alcohol abuse.

The SW-verse belongs to the lovely @lumosinlove and the HP characters to JKR.

Chapter 8

Regulus had always prided himself with his poker face. He could fool anyone… except his mother. She knew he was sitting on something huge and kept pestering him as soon he stepped into the dining room. Despite his mother’s elaborate and well-practiced interrogation methods, he kept his mouth shut. I know your methods, mother but this time I won't give in.

On the other hand, Walburga knew Regulus, too. She knew exactly how to push his buttons but before he could crack, the interview went online and wreaked havoc over the house. It was bad but luckily, in a twisted sense, also bad enough so his mother would suspect this to be his secret, not his brother’s sexuality. For now, he was off this particular hook and had time to bury his secret too deep for anybody to find.

Sirius texted after leaving this morning "Regulus, rappelle moi s'il te plait." Please call me back.

Regulus couldn't. Firstly, he was sure that Sirius hated him now. And justified as it was, he couldn’t hear the prove of it in his brother’s voice. Secondly, the explosion of Walburga and Orion’s wrath, that Regulus fell victim to, left him with the very first black eye his father ever gave him and the promise of his mother to never leave him unsupervised again.

Now, Sirius has to share this special category of their mother with me...

Every of his steps would be watched now, every word he wanted to say conformed to her liking first. Besides, even if he was brave enough to call, his phone was still spied. Due to his new status, he was watched too closely sneak out and get himself a secret one. Also, Sirius had his people to care and comfort him. He did not need him.

I should have seen it coming, shouldn't I? Once again, Regulus chided himself for keeping his head too deep inside his own ass.

He was aware, that the interview most likely hurt his brother deeply and how remorseful Regulus felt about that now, it was the intention. He also expected his parent’s disapproval, to put it in mild words, but what he forgot to consider was the reaction of the media and public. His brother was beloved and not known for the unfair game Regulus accused him of. While the hurting part probably worked out, the Snakes, but especially Regulus, were caught in the crossfire from angry fans. The whole commotion was, of course, dutifully covered by the media, which circled the progress of events like vultures. Besides the shitstorm he evoked, Regulus really didn't expect the Death Eaters to turn their backs on him immediately. It was their idea after all.

So, the public was ripping him apart and his mother only called to check on his behaviour. Why, he did not know, given that was basically grounded. His father was too disappointed to talk to him at all and the Death Eaters resumed being indifferent towards the rookie while the second and third rank of the team gloated on his downfall. If he needed to get somewhere, Narcissa or Bellatrix kept at his side. NHL-salary was rather generous and they didn't have to work, so the women were free to accompany Regulus to everything outside practice and games, except the bathroom. Narcissa was annoyed and bored by babysitting-duty but Bellatrix seemed to enjoy tormenting Regulus.

Too cruel for her level of madness, this one.

He began wishing to talk to his brother even he would receive a lot of shit for messing up.

"Regulus, rappelle moi s'il te plait." Please call me back. Regulus wanted. But he couldn't.

His blissful mornings of light fiction reading didn't bring him peace anymore. His focus outright refused to stay on the books. His family, the Snakes and the interview with its consequences were all over his mind, suffocating everything else. Regulus stopped talking to people. Not that he was talkative to begin with. All the people mingling with his brain in his past couldn't erase his introverted nature. But his ingrained wariness towards others developed into something resembling paranoia.

The longer he thought about how he had let himself be used by the Death Eaters for their nasty operations, the worse it got. Not for the first time, but stronger than ever, Regulus felt not just reluctance but downright refusal to take part in any of this. The spiteful antics of his family and the Snakes were complicated, exhausting and plainly atrocious.

The stupor he seemed to have been all this time ashamed him... he understood Sirius a little better now and he would really like to talk about all of this. But there was no one trustworthy around, not even Mrs. Kreacher would keep quiet if her mother urged her to speak. Slughorn, the team’s psychologist wouldn't keep shut either if Riddle decided he wanted to know what was going on. Medical confidentiality was a mere suggestion, when it came to Riddle.

-oOo-

Christmas drew closer and with it came all the things Regulus deeply despised: Cheesy music and decorations, ridiculous sweaters, forced cheerfulness, glitter and lots and lots of people. People in every place, at every time; there was just no escape.

This gets worse every year, Regulus had trouble to stifle his grumbling while he shuffled through the overcrowded mall Narcissa had dragged him into for Christmas shopping.

Where do all these people stay the rest of the year? Is there a special place they are kept just to be unleashed come December? What is even the use of all that cheap nonsense people throw at each other under the glorified piece of vegetation?

Disgruntled as he was, he had to admit that this hell, specifically designed for him, kept him a little distracted from the upheaval in his brain. Fans and media got bored by Regulus lack of response to the interview and stopped caring somewhere along the increasing lunacy that was the Holiday season.

At least they leave the tea in peace. Regulus eyed the menu in front of him with narrow eyes. Is there even a coffee-like beverage left that is not a sugary winter-themed concoction? Wasn't the pumpkin-spice thing enough? Narcissa needed a break and a "coffee", so they stood in the line of whatever type of coffee-shop chain while Regulus' arms were hung with heaps of shopping bags, contemplating to dig himself a grave in his mother’s garden instead.

-oOo-

The call for All Star with Severus boosted his mood for a while. Rookies rarely got the opportunity to participate and he knew he earned it. He was good enough. But of course, the last rookie to make it to Allstar was Sirius, who else, so again it was nothing worth mentioning at home, barely acceptable. But apparently, it was sufficient to placate his parents back to speaking terms.

The Snakes Christmas-party was just as awful as Regulus had anticipated. He was just informed that Sirius would stay in Gryffindor over the holidays. Not that he could blame him but it stung a little. He just really hoped to be able to finally talk to him but couldn't call on an unmonitored phone as his cousins' watch on him did not subside. He wished he could've stayed at home but it was made clear that his was definitely not an option. Regulus dislikes parties any given day. Disliked polite but meaningless small talk, having to feed on tiny bits of food while standing around and wearing evening attire. The prospect of this party, Regulus didn't dislike. This one, he dreaded. Since Thanksgiving and its aftermath, he distrusted most of the Snakes and avoided any contact outside of practice and while he was talking again to his parents, the trust was gone.

"No ifs ands or buts about it! You go!" Narcissa all but dragged him to the Lestrange Estate, where the party took place.

Orion and Walburga were there, too but mingling around with some important and influential people. Probably collecting more information for their pathetic little feuds. As much as he liked sitting in a theatre balcony like Statler and Waldorf from the Muppet Show, taking the piss out of people, this was getting too far to be considered amusing. Also, there was a reason why Statler and Waldorf were a duo. While never given the opportunity, Regulus suspected that taking the piss off people was more fun together.

The evening went on and the absurd blend of silly games and subtle interrogation subsided into pathetic cockalorum, open hostility and unpleasant jokes as everyone except him got drunker by the minute.

Crabbe and Goyle were the first to succumb into adolescence, reshaping the Christmas pudding into a rather unbalanced pair of -Breasts? Buttocks? A lone scrotum? - while giggling uncontrollably. The same fate awaited about half of the food as the evening went on. The dubious card-game Yaxley and Mulciber were invested with two nameless guys of the third line seemed to change rules by the minute. It came to a sudden halt as Yaxley jumped from his seat and stormed over to Nott, accusing him of flirting with his wife and throwing a badly aimed punch that send a high-priced vase flying instead of crashing into Notts nose. Yaxley’s "wife" was de facto Carrow’s sister while Yaxley’s actual wife was tucked in a different corner, passionately snogging Rabastan Lestrange, Rodolphus' younger brother.

Amidst that ruckus, Dolohov threw up into the glogg bowl.

Regulus leaned against the kitchen counter, decidedly far away from the commotion and stared in disbelief. People... He gave an exasperated huff and allowed himself an actual eyeroll, not just a mental one.

The Death Eaters kept up a bit more dignity. They exclusively stayed in their group, sipping what looked like more expensive booze. Orion was immersed in a conversation with Riddle, Umbridge, Karkaroff and... one of the NHL governors -Fudge? -. Regulus eyebrows went up. Interesting. But no, he would not snoop. He was done with this shit. Much to Regulus´, and judging by his father’s looks, also Orion’s surprise, Narcissa, Bellatrix and his mother showed a lot self-restrain. They mingled with a flock of other hockey wives and it took uncharacteristically long for them -Crabbe, Nott and Mulciber were already passed out, Goyle and Yaxley were close- to cackle and gossip as loudly as at Regulus' draft-party.

Rabastan and Yaxley’s wife were nowhere to be seen and Regulus thought it was rather beneficial that her husband was out cold.

By now, also the -oh so sophisticated- Death Eaters started to act out. Lucius was bickering with Carrow while Macnair drew lopsided phalli on Goyle’s and Crabbe’s faces and a crooked moustache on the bridge of Yaxley’s nose. Close, though.

Severus coaxed Bellatrix out of Walburga’s cutches and started flirting blatantly. Rodolphus watched the scenery with mild interest.

Around the time when one should keep a careful eye on what was on the floor while walking, Regulus snatched himself a piece of the last cake-shaped cake. He was tired and in a sour mood while stabbing at the unsuspecting and innocent slice. Irritated, he thought about his brother, who probably had a lot of fun. While somewhat happy for him, the envy and feeling of abandonment would just not leave, as much as he tried.

Surely, Remus is fucking Sirius' brain out by now.

Regulus' eyes widened.

Did I just say that out loud? His head snapped up, Bella and Severus staring at him, frozen in their tacks. Oh no. Oh no no no nonono! Merde! Shit! Shit shit shit!

But almost instantly the woman doubled over and sputtered vomit all over a very, very drunk Severus, who swore loudly but was unable to wobble away quick enough. Regulus sidestepped the next flood of her sick and excused himself. It was late enough to leave without gaining suspicion. On the way back to Malfoy Manor, he prayed to every deity whose existence he resolutely doubted, that Severus and Bellatrix were too drunk to remember come tomorrow. He considered confessing the maybe/maybe-not slip to his brother. But the call would be noticed and if Severus and Bellatrix indeed forgot about the slip, he would just urge on their memory. Also, his brother would be furious with him and if he ever wanted to make amends with him, wasn't it unwise to piss him off entirely without knowing that it was necessary?

The next days, Regulus was uncharacteristically jumpy. At dinners, he just pushed food around his plate, dreading the things that were to come. But nothing happened. Christmas came around and nothing happened. New Year’s Eve was two days ago, still nothing. If they remembered, I would surely know it by now. Maybe I did not commit the biggest fuck-up of my life.

-oOo-

After hiding out in his childhood room until the All Star-only practices began, Regulus felt somewhat steady. He had arranged himself with the new circumstances, his revised moral-code and set of minds. His life was unsatisfactory and lonely. He was not happy but it was bearable. Practice went well enough. On ice, he could zone-out. What happened in his life was not of importance in the rink. Hockey is about hockey only. Not friendship, not family, only competition. His mantra made it through his mental refurbishment untouched.

What he thought off the ice was written on another sheet of paper.

At of the last All Star-only practices, shit went straight down to hell. The Death Eaters, filling up for Regulus and Severus to practice certain tricks, were in very good spirits. Regulus felt uneasy at the sight of them, huddled together and sneering. Then, he saw it. He looks happy, in love. His brain supplied while looking at the photos before it caught up. The caption, the comments. Regulus went numb, froze on the spot, barely realising he stopped breathing. Things seemed to happen around him but he wasn't part of reality anymore and only snippets penetrated whatever fog surrounded him.

"Thanks for the hint. I finally got the worthless faggot." Severus smirked and threw him an overexaggerated wink while turning to his stall.

His mother called, she was clearly drunk and kept ranting about the shame of Sirius' abnormity gone public and how furious their father was. He didn't bother to really listen but was certain there were no words of support for his brother or concerns about Sirius' feelings. Sirius, who was thrown into the most hateful part of the internet, who just wanted to play hockey and love who he loved, now having his private life on display for the public to rip apart. Their parents, apparently, did not know who let it slip but Regulus was sure, if they ever found out, he was in for more than a black eye.

He desperately wanted to reverse time, make it unhappen but he knew that this was not an option. This was reality.

I messed up. Everything. Je suis désolé mon frère... I am so sorry brother The typical sarcasm and snark usually accompanying Regulus thoughts were long gone.

Mumbling something about extra laps, he turned back to the rink. Nobody said something, nobody came after him. They did not care and that was just what he needed. He ran laps until he was barely able to stay upright, head swimming, thoughts racing around but impossible to grasp, the weight on his chest suffocating. In the shower, Regulus collapsed on the floor. Sitting on the cold tiles, he was breathing hard as remorse, fear and shame mingled together to an unbearable sort of pain. Tears were running down his face, breath only coming in hard chopped sobs.

Weak - disappointing – undeserving of affection - a meagre replacement, just a spare - not good enough - not fast enough - not strong enough - not worthy – unlovable.

These words kept spiralling in his head as he shoved his hands into his hair and pulled hard. His eyes fell on a shattered bottle beside him. Regulus was desperate to make his brain focus on something else, anything to make it stop. He grabbed the bottleneck and rammed the busted end into his thigh. Regulus did not feel the pain. Everything went blank as he watched the blood pour out of his leg and mix with the water on the floor, shower still running.

The silence brought some peace but something Regulus could not grasp felt off as he continued to watch his blood run down his thigh.

#Sweater Weather #lumosinlove #the spare #regulus black #Sirius Black #Remus Lupin #Death Eaters

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oramos2096 · 4 years ago

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Chocolate: Mexica and Spain

The 15th century was truly a pivotal time in human history. Europe had just entered its Renaissance and its appreciation for classical works, leaving behind the dark times of the Medieval era. Over in the Americas, the Mexica were a dominant state controlling the southern area of modern-day Mexico, while the Incas controlled much of South America along the Andes. Both had built upon pre-existing states and established themselves by their excellent political organization and military might. This was also the century when two civilizations met for the first time, bridging the gap between the West and Eastern Hemispheres that kicked off an exchange of goods, ideas, diseases, people, and more.

The most commonly known name for the Mexicas is “Aztec” and the “Aztec Empire”. Although technically not wrong, the Mexica didn’t refer to themselves as Aztec. The name derives from their mythical origin city of Aztlan. Furthermore, their “empire” was actually more of an alliance between three great city-states that created a strong confederation. These city-states were Tenochtitlan, Texcoco, and Tlacopan. Tenochtitlan is most widely known as the foundations of modern-day Mexico City! The Mexicas had entered the valley of Mexico some time after the collapse of the Toltecs. A nomadic group used as mercenaries by the more centralized states of the area, the Mexicas were seen as an uncultured people that have come into the area. According to their legend, the Mexica were told by their god to migrate south from Aztlan until they see an eagle eating a serpent sat atop of a cactus. They were to settle down where they see this sight, and that happened to be at Lake Texcoco built the city of Tenochtitlan in 1325. Roughly a century later, in 1428, they allied with two neighboring city-states and took control of the valley as the “Aztec Empire”. They would come to dominate the area and impose tributes on territories they subjugate to assert their dominance. The tribute was usually paid in goods such as crops, cacao being a major key crop. The Mexicas wouldn’t dominate their subjects, but rather grant them autonomy as long as they are loyal to the “empire” and recognize them as the leaders. Cacao was produced in the regions of Soconusco and Tabasco and was the most desired crop for tribute. They had grand central markets, the largest being in Tlatelolco, in which people can trade manufactured goods for food and goods of neighbors. Agriculture was important to the Mexicas, and their system of chinampas made it possible to practice agriculture atop of a lake! They would make raised gardens out of branches and brushwood and covered with fertile soil brought in from arable land to make plots of farmland on the lake’s surface, using the fresh water as irrigation. Canals were used to circulate the water among the gardens, which were anchored down by poles, and seemed to create a grid-like pattern. Their chinampa system was an ingenious engineering feat that made life on a lake almost self-sustaining. The best primary sources we have of the Mexica culture is the codices. The most famous and largely known codex is the Florentine Codex written by Spanish friar Bernardino de Sahagun as he studied the culture of the Mexica. The Mexica spoke Nahuatl and their written language largely consisted of glyphs and pictograms. These codices showed that the value of cacao was largely more commercial to the Mexica than it was to the Maya, which had a more religious and spiritual value. This may be because most the codices were written by Spaniards and they downplayed the Mexica religious beliefs as it was seen inferior and barbaric as it wasn’t Catholic. These Spanish were also in the New World for, mainly, monetary gain. Diego Duran wrote a codex known as The History of the Indies which had a lot of information on how the Mexica used cacao commercially and left some detailed accounts of the trade and the groups involved. The merchants offered “package deals” with the cacao by including some spices to add in the beverage such as vanilla and chile (spicy peppers). He also includes accounts of women selling ready-made chocolate beverage in the marketplace.

Since cacao was so important to the economy, cacao producing regions became a focus of the Mexica for territory expansion. The region of Soconusco became targeted until finally under full Mexica control, granting them authority of a region that produces the cash crop. The Spanish took note of all the available silver, which they would have used for currency, while the Mexica used cacao for currency and saw no use in the silver. Since cacao was used commercially, it was a marker for social status and wealth among the Mexica. The drinking of the actual beverage was mostly seen as something for the elite since it requires a lot of cacao.

Cacao was also used, surprisingly, for medicinal reasons. Inherited from the medicinal beliefs of the Maya, the Mexica followed through and produced them in botanical gardens strictly for medicinal use. They were applied directly to the skin, prepared special for ailments, or used to appease the God as sickness was seen as a punishment.

The Spanish had landed in Guanaja, an island off of Honduras, and captured a canoe from the indigenous. Inside the canoe they found some clothing made of cotton, weapons such as clubs and axes, and some cacao beans which they assumed to be almonds. Seen as worthless almonds, the Spaniards didn’t care about them and when the “almonds” fell down they noticed the indigenous react as if they just watched precious gold being tossed into a volcano. Since they don’t understand the attachment of currency to a crop, the Spaniards likened this reaction to barbaric since they valued cacao much more than they would “real currency” such as gold or silver. When Hernan Cortes came to Mexico, he was invited by Mexica leader Moctezuma to Tenochtitlan. He had some of the cacao beverage made for his guest as a gesture of power and dominance, though Cortes was probably oblivious to the fact and thought he was just drinking a bitter beverage. Cortes saw the value that cacao had among the Mexica, and promptly established his own plantations! The Spanish were the ones who brought cacao with them back to Europe and it was seen as exotic and luxurious drink from the New World. They brought back all the fixings that accompanied it in the Mexica culture (vanilla, chile, ear flowers), but added sweeteners such as sugar or honey to make it more palatable to them. This was the first instance of adapting the recipe for chocolate, and there was many to follow.

Sources: 1) De Orellana, Margarita, et al. “CHOCOLATE II: Mysticism and Cultural Blends.” Artes De México, no. 105, 2012, pp. 73–96. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/24319003. Accessed 29 Nov. 2020.

2) De Orellana, Margarita, et al. “Chocolate III: RITUAL, ART AND MEMORY.” Artes De México, no. 110, 2013, pp. 72–96. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/24318995. Accessed 29 Nov. 2020.

#mexica #aztec #conquistador #15th century

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stop-brunotime · 7 years ago

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CW: I'm ranting about personal stuff, using bad language, feeling shit about myself and being a bad example, complaining about my emotionally abusive mother, etc. Proceed with caution. This is further to my post on Thursday. Thank you to everyone who reached out. It meant the world, and I'll reply individually when I'm done with this post. I'm going to list the questions that have been bugging me to the point of suicidal ideation, and if you know the answers, please help a sibling out!

Christmas

Am I the only one bothered by Christmas trees? Like, everyone knows Jesus was probably born in August/September, because that's when Judaism's 'go visit the family' holidays are and there's no way shepherds would've been hanging out in the pastures in midwinter. Christmas trees are a blind appropriation of European Paganism's customs (and, while we're at it, holiday, since it's not even Jesus's real birthday). We're all claiming to celebrate Jesus, when in reality we're just marking our homes as places the tree spirits can overwinter. How can we claim to live lives of peace and love and do ignorant, appropriative shit like that?

Santa. FFS, this one grates my carrot to the quick. Named for St Nicholas (who was an African bishop and very definitely Black, despite what the white supremacists will tell you on Twitter), Santa seems to be a combination of Scandinavian Pagan myths. Either he's a Christian appropriation of Odinn, who gave kids gifts at midwinter, or he's an erasure of Sami (native Scandinavians, traditionally marginalised) shamans (who were typically women) who apparently gave the grown-ups entheogenic mushrooms. So, we're erasing POC and Native women and getting toxic about it on socials. Nice. I totally want gifts from that guy! (I'm aware that in Spain and Germany [and probably other countries too] it's the Baby Jesus who brings the gifts. I'm not resident in one of those countries, so have to deal with all the Santa bullshit) Again, we claim to be all about the peace and love how?!

Bringing me to Christians. Now, I identify as one, so am spraying friendly fire here. Why are my choices of places to worship either the kind who preach heterosexism from the pulpit, regularly using 'the homosexuals' as our go-to example of unrepentant sinners bound for eternity in Hell, or the kind who just don't mention it, which feels like ominous silence? The church who don't actively hate on queers have asked me to play in their music group. I gave guy some bullshit reason about being too busy to do something I would actually like to do as a person of faith, because I was scared that, if I started doing it and they found out I occasionally fall for women and NBs/GNCs, they'd throw me out and publicly shame me and maybe sell me out to the cops (who are wildly heterosexist, backed up by the law, and allegedly not above a bit of corrective gang rape of queer prisoners).

And onto Trump. The man reminds me of my mother. And that makes me a terrible human, because he does so many worse things than triggering memories of her being consistently passive-aggressive and theologically inaccurate about "Christian values". He makes such rapey comments all the fucking time, and just dismisses anyone who tries to call him on it. He is the embodiment of everything that's wrong with the world, and yet I meet so many people who love him. We live in fucking Africa...what exactly are we doing supporting the guy who's defunding all the USAID healthcare programs that keep us in contraceptives? Like, sure, I've never had an abortion, and, barring medical necessity or a pregnancy from being raped again, am probably going to keep any pregnancy I achieve before menopause (which is only ten years away, and I don't exactly have the most active sex life from which to achieve a pregnancy)...but I've been the emergency contact on enough hospital admission forms to know that it's a necessary medical procedure and people need access to quick, cheap, and as-painless-as-possible abortions. We got that from USAID. Now Trump has fucked that up and we need to go private, which is a D&C under full anaesthesia, with associated risks. Sure, Trump blustered a bit about Mugabe, but didn't do anything real in the eleven months between him taking office and us having our coup-that's-not-a-coup. Tweeting doesn't count. How exactly is that asshole going to be 'the next Mordecai of Israel' and 'the one to rid the world of dictatorship'?

Speaking of pathological Machiavellian narcissists, does anyone have resources for recovering from a parent who used you to meet her needs from when you were really small? She never raped me or anything, but the long-term emotional neglect, belittling, passive-aggression, criticism, gaslighting, parental alienation (yes, for almost twenty years she had me convinced that my dad, whom I love and who I'm most like, was the angry abuser in their relationship and she was the victim) have taken their toll. My therapist says I need to adjust my expectations of her and my problems will go away. I see her point, but my mother is still mean as fuck. For example, she sent me a room diffuser that smelled like it came from a pound shop for Christmas. (It was called 'african spice'. It smelled of cinnamon. There are no African spices. Cinnamon is from Asia. She's heard me rant several times about people mis-labelling plant origins, so it's not like she doesn't know how much it bugs me.) This is after a quarter century of me saying variations on, 'Books or nothing, but please no cash or girly shit,' every Christmas and birthday. This is after coming out to her as genderqueer. She said she immediately thought of me when she saw it. Surely there's a more direct way to tell me that I or my house smell/s bad? Perhaps a way that doesn't subtly signal that she still frames me as the gender-perfect imaginary daughter she has in her head? She went to the effort of having it brought to Zimbabwe in a suitcase (what comes in suitcases isn't charged import tax). She could have spent that fiver on a second-hand book from Amazon, sent it out in a way that bypassed ZIMRA's human rights violation of a book tax, and given me the gift of freedom of information. But she chose to force her gender ideals on me in a way that says, yet again, that I need to be just a little bit better to be worthy of her love

I'm legit concerned that she's made me a horrible person. She gave me so many of her issues that I'm pretty sure everyone feels about me the way they do about her. I'm sure everyone looks at me and sees the lack of tangible results that come from being terrified of being publicly shamed as crazy and weird. I'm horribly awkward and say the wrong thing often. I've had dates end because I got awkward and up in my head and told him that wood cockroaches eat their parents' shit to replenish their gut flora after molting. I take days, sometimes months, to reply to messages. I hold opinions that are shared by a tiny minority of scientists and theologians, and everyone disagrees. And my writing output bears this out. The only time people say nice stuff about my writing is when I've written porn under a fake name that doesn't really have socials. The rest of the time, it's people calling me out or trolling me. Am I wrong? Is the internet just a toxic shit hole? Is everyone talking smack about me in DM, and I have no idea how many people are laughing at me? Should I just delete all my accounts, move to the Andes, change my name, and raise llamas for yarn and bees for mead?

What even is the right thing to do? I was raised with so much certainty, and have since found out things like the universe wasn't made in six days five thousand years ago, and nobody really knows where Mount Sinai is. It doesn't feel right to just pick the most convenient set of rules. I should be able to tell what the right choice is. Who died and bequeathed me the right to decide right from wrong? How am I supposed to help others when I don't even know the answers myself (and neither do any of the scholars, who are simply putting forward a best guess model) and will probably be wrestling with existential questions on my death bed? Put your own mask on first, sure, but how do I fit all these masks on one face?

#personal #rant #questions

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thegrassisaalwaysgreener · 5 years ago

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Peru- Part 2

Tuesday October 1st, 2019 Since we were leaving bright and early for our flight to Cusco, Hotel Santa Cruz gave us to go breakfast bags- so nice of them! We were picked up by the tour company and brought to the airport. Our guide brought us through check in and all the way to the security area, which was very kind of him (and made me feel a bit like a child). Our flight from Lima to Cusco was about an hour and a half and the scenery as we were descending was super interesting. The area was very mountainous and rocky appearing. We were greeted at the airport by another guide from Tucan Travel who’s name I have forgotten (I thought I had everyone’s name written down but can’t seem to find them). This guide was awesome and told us all about the city en route to the accomodations. After we checked in to our hotel (Anden Inca), he took us on a walking tour of the main square (Plaza de Armas) and showed us some great spots to check out to visit, eat at and of course, where to shop. After being left by the guide, we wanted to hang out and decide what activities in Cusco we really wanted to do and when. We were planning to pick up the “big ticket” that was $130 soles each but got you into a multitude of activities in the Cusco region including museums, the Sacred Valley of the Incas and Saqsaywaman. The cost of Saqsaywaman was 70 soles each anyways and we would be reimbursed for our Sacred Valley of the Inca tour, so it was a no brainer. We wandered around the town for a while, checking out the alpaca wool stores, main square and various markets. We had a delicious lunch of alpaca skewers/stir fry with veggies, salad and potatoes at Caja before grabbing our “big ticket” and getting more money out of the ATM. We walked back to the hotel to grab warmer clothes (aka a jacket and scarf since that is all we really packed). Since we were feeling mildly short of breath at rest, we took a cab (10 soles) up to one of the points of the city to check out Saqsaywaman (which sounds funny and can be spelt tons of different ways). This Pre-Incan, walled complex is built from large (up to 200 tones) stones that were carefully cut to fit together without mortar. This complex was believed to have been used for ceremonies but its exact use is unknown. This complex is massive and there are lots of local guides who are willing to take you on a tour for a small fee. Since neither Jill nor I are huge into exact history, we were happy to wander around ourselves and enjoy the intricate stonework and great views of the city. One of the coolest things we saw from this vantage point was a large stadium down in the city that was painted rainbow colours and stood out amongst the stone of the surrounding area. After seeing the majority of Saqsaywaman, we walked down the road to check out “Christo Blanco” (White Jesus). This 26 foot tall statue of Jesus was a gift from Arabic Palestinians, who sought refuge in Cusco after the Second World War This status of Jesus is similar to that of Rio’s Christ the Redeemer but on a smaller scale. There were many people selling souvenirs at the base of Christo Blanco and many tour buses came and went. We managed to find a cab to take us back down the hill to our hotel, where we took a bit of a break after a long day. I had been at altitude before, but being at 3400 m, all of a sudden, for a long period of time was different. We started taking our Diamox (which is supposed to help with altitude sickness) and stayed well hydrated but let me tell you, the SOBOE was real. After relaxing for a bit, Jill and I met up with our group in the breakfast room of our hotel to meet our tour leaders - Raoul and Richard. We were debriefed on the next few days and what we could expect. We were also given our small duffle bags that were to be brought with us for our trek. Some of us had to rent sleeping bags, extra air mattress and poles, so that was sorted out at this time as well. We were told our duffels had to be less than 5 kg (for the porters who would be carrying it all) and our sleeping bags weighed 2.2kg. This was going to be interesting to say the least. For anyone that knows me, knows I am not the best packer and like having many options when I travel. There would be no extra options on this trek. There was some information in our packages about the tour and about weight limits, but I didn’t recall it stating the exact size and was shocked that 5kg was all we could bring. After all, we were going for 4 days to hike into the Andes Mountains en route to Machu Picchu. When we did Kili, we had way more stuff- then again that was 4 more days of hiking. In any case, we were all quite stressed about what we would be bringing with us and what we would have to cut out (or put in our day packs). Once the meeting was finished, Jill and I went and did a rough pack, which was so sad. There were so many things we had to cut out of our packing due to weight. We had the bare minimum packed and ready to go (including many layers since it would be quite cold at night at- around 0-5 degrees). We headed down the road to the Aztec Inca Restaurant. This spot had just about any cuisine you could ask for-American, Mexican, Italian, Peruvian etc. We were two of the only patrons in the restaurant that was run by an older woman and her son. We each had a Mexican inspired dish (tacos and enchiladas) before wandering around in search of this cool dessert spot we had read about that had ice cream rolls. Despite our best efforts, we couldn’t find said spot (and later found out it had been closed a month prior to our visit) and enjoyed checking out the stone streets and busy bars/restaurants of Cusco. I was even offered cocaine from a random on the street, which was a first. As a side note, we had been told that drugs were super common in Peru and that we could “get whatever we wanted”. Now, neither Jill nor I were looking for anything more than a glass of wine, but we learned in Mancora that men were solicited far more for drugs than women were. We didn’t believe that drugs were so readily available until we went around with Daniel and he was stopped every other block and offered drugs. End of story about drugs and back to dessert. We stopped at Qucharitas for our sweet tooth fix, which ended up being a fab dessert choice. Qucharitas had cold stone ice cream, crepes and all sorts of other delicious treats. Jill had a fruit crepe while I settled for coconut and chocolate ice cream with a churro cone. Both desserts were amazing and were probably the last desserts we would be having for a while. We headed back the hotel for a good nights sleep before our next big adventure!

Wednesday October 2, 2019 The Anden Inca hotel had a great continental breakfast, which we enjoyed before putting the majority of our belongings into the hotels’ storage room and hopping on the bus. We were heading towards the Sacred Valley of the Incas- a valley/river combo in between beautiful mountains that featured many Incan structures, temples and of course Machu Picchu. We would be travelling from Cusco through the Sacred Valley en route to our starting point for our trek. Our tour guides spoke to us about the valley, the Incas and all the history around the area. While I took many notes (on seemingly everything), I won’t bore you with too many details. Our first stop of the day was at Awana Kancha, where we learned the difference between Alpacas and Llamas and saw several different types of alpacas. We saw how they made the wool, used various herbs and spices to dye it and watched women weave beautiful clothing items. This “living museum of the Andes” also featured many different types of corn and quinoa, which are abundant in the Andes. While the history and information was really neat and helpful, I was most excited about feeding and petting the alpacas (well and taking selfies of course). After shopping and washroom breaks at Awana Kancha, we hopped back in the bus for another 35 minutes or so before arriving at the Pisaq Archeaological Park. Our guides explained that we would be driving through many different Incan cities that were all special in their own way with fabulous lookout points and views. Pisaq was very neat and had an urban centre, cemetery and ceremonial space in it. We got to walk through the ruins and learn about what kinds of activities were done in which parts of the ruins. We also saw some beautiful landscapes and the various levels of terraces that grew different types of crops. Despite the rain and cold, we had a great time exploring the ruins and learned a lot. Next stop the town of Pisac to check out the market. I was super excited about this because so far, all of the markets we had seen had been awesome with tons of great art, clothing and souvenirs. Most of the people still spoke Kechewa (or Quechua) which is an ancient language of the Incans. We had about 30 minutes to wander the market and were told to meet our group at a designated spot. After walking up and down the market and checking out many stalls (and losing 50 soles out of my pocket) we decided not to buy anything since we didn’t have any extra weight left in our bags. Half-hour later, the group was not in the designated meeting spot and we were mildly concerned about how we would find them as the market seemed like a maze and our Spanish was still dismal at best. After a bit more searching, we found them and laughed as they changed the meeting spot but didn’t tell everyone. We spent another 40 minutes in the bus before getting out in Urubamba for lunch at InkaLicious. The buffet was 35 soles a person and had many great salads, meats and veggies. The dessert options were pretty good too (of course). We were all stuffed and happy with our day and meal so far. Back in the bus we went for the short drive from Hullyamba (Or Urubamba) into Ollyantambo. Many of the names of the towns (as you can gather) are still in their original Incan name, which is super neat. Ollantaytambo meant “Resting Spot” as this is the last town before the Inca trail begins towards Machu Picchu. This town is nestled in between the Urubumba River and the large snow capped mountains. This town is known for its large archeological site that was home to many religious and military spots as well as rich agriculture. We explored these ancient ruins and learned all about its history. Many of the large (80 tonne) stones were brought from the other side of the valley over 9km away, in the Incan times. We visited the various temples (Sun, Earth, Wind, Fire) and learned about each of their significance. At the top of the ruin, the views of the town below and mountains around us were incredible. It is crazy to think that all of this was created hundreds of years ago by the Incans/PreIncans and all of the work they put into creating their homes/ceremonial spots. I definitely wouldn’t have been cut out to be an Incan back then. We were given our bags and directions on how to get to our hotel, as our bus wouldn’t fit well down the narrow, stone roads of the town. We stayed at the Tika Wasi Hotel which was very cute with nice comfortable rooms but poor acoustics (as we were realizing was a theme in Peruvian hotels). Jill and I hung out and enjoyed some down time before we met our group at Café Corozones for dinner. We sat at a table with some really cool people and learned a lot about them and their neat jobs (e.g working on American millionaires’ yachts). The altitude was definitely affecting my appetite so I had some chicken noodle soup before we wandered back to the hotel for our last comfy sleep for a few days.

Thursday October 3rd ,2019 Today was the first day of our Inca Trail Trek! We were up relatively late around 730 and had breakfast before leaving the hotel at 0815. We walked over to the main square and were picked up by a large coach bus. The bus seemed to go off-roading (along a railroad track and over a small river) through a small town where we would pick up the majority of our team and supplies. We met our whole group (which included the 12 of us trekkers, 2 guides, 1 chef and 14 Porters) and took a group photo before checking in and walking through the gate to the start of the trek. The Inca trail is three overlapping trails that all terminate at Machu Picchu. The trail itself is approx. 80 km from Ollantaytambo but the hike is around 40 km total. The highest elevation of the hike is the “Deadwomans pass” at 4200 meters. While we had a general overview of the trek, each day we would get briefed on what would happen the following day at dinner. Since this trail is very popular and sacred, there is a max of 500 people allowed on the trail each day, which includes the 300 or so porters/staff. The start of the trail begins just outside of Ollantaytambo/Chilca area along the Urubamba River. We snapped some great photos in front of the Inca Trail signs and with our welcoming crew of llamas. As we walked along the river, our guides taught us things about the trees we were walking past (munia, peach, avocado) as well as all the “cochinilla” (parasite on the cactus) that are used as die for alpaca wool along with pointing out the various mountains, glaciers and special spots. Today would be the only day that we would see donkeys/horses as porters along the way and was said to be very scenic. I was surprised to learn that there would be many rest stops with places to purchases snacks and water. Not that I had much hiking experience, but when we did Kili, it was basically just hikers and staff the whole time with nowhere to buy anything or anyone living in the small towns. Today we would be hiking for about 1.5 hours at a time. We were told this was an “Easy” day but I gave it a 6/10. There were lots of small hills that were not super challenging, but challenging enough at 2,600m. The weather was just perfect for hiking, warm-ish, sunny with a slight breeze. Each 1.5 hours or so we would stop for water and a snack if needed. The washrooms so far were similar to those we had seen in our travels- toilets without toilet seats. They were better than holes in the ground, which I was used to on my last trek. Of course, the porters were ahead of us and they would be at the lunch spot/camping spot with everything ready for us before we got there. Our lunch today was at 1400 and was delicious. We had soup, rice, veggies and chicken. Lunchtime was about an hour and it rained throughout our lunch. We found some free toilets (most were 1 sole to use) and we used them before heading out for the last part of our trek. We only had about 2 hours left and we stopped a few times for breaks, washrooms and shopping. I felt pretty short of breath today and was walking slow and steady (which may be the theme of my trek haha). I got to know a few of my fellow trekkers and really enjoyed this part of the day. To me, travelling is good for the soul because you not only get to see amazing things but meet awesome people you might not otherwise have had the opportunity to meet. We made it to camp at 1640 and happily saw that the porters had everything all set up already- these guys were amazing! Our campsite was called at Huayllabamba and was at 3000 meters. There were some ruins in our area so Jill, Tony and I walked up there. I guess I forgot to mention our amazing hiking friends! Jill and I were joined with some fabulous people. Tony, Rehka and Deepak were from England and were definitely the parents of the group. They are some of the loveliest people and I was excited to get to know them more. Emily was also from the UK and was there travelling alone but was bunking with Katherine from the island of Guernsey (closer to France but considered an island of the UK). Malcolm and Caroline were also from the UK and were big into tennis and hiking at home. The final duo in our group was Jess and Tom, the cutest young couple from Australia who were travelling for several weeks together all through South America. The group seemed awesome and I was really excited to finish the trek with them! Anyways, back to the ruins! We walked up to the ruins, which only took about 10 mins and had a neat view of the campsite and area around us. Despite being tired and sore I was super happy we made this small extra trek and enjoyed a different display of the area. By the time we got back, it was time to get to know our crew. We learned each of their names along with how long they had been a porter for and if they had any kids. Most of them did not speak English or Spanish but their native language of Ketachaw. The porters were anywhere from 22 to 60 years old which I thought was insane. These men were just amazingly tough and strong to do this weekly. They often leave their families for weeks at a time, as it is pricey and long to get home for days away. Many of them live in small towns around the town of Ollantaytambo and the Cusco area. We had some free time before dinner so I had a $10 soles “hot shower”, which would be the last of the trek. It wasn’t warm at all but nice to shower in the middle of nowhere on a trek after a long first day. After the shower, tea and hot chocolate were ready along with crackers/cookies. We all chatted and got to know one another before dinner. Dinner was extensive- soup with rice, pasta, stuffed chicken, a beef stew and pumpkin squash puree for dessert. This chef was awesome and definitely was accommodating as we had a few dietary restrictions on this trip. Raoul briefed us on the next day including our wake up time (0545 eek!) for our 0730 departure and what the hiking would consist of. The first day of the trek was great! We hiked just over 12 km in 6.5 hours, which included lunch and multiple breaks. Day two was going to be the most challenging day and we were excited to get to it!

Friday October 4, 2019 0545 definitely came early! I didn’t want to get up and out of my sleeping bag as it seemed freezing outside (it was a low of about 5 overnight) and my sleep wasn’t the best. The sleeping bags that we had were the mummy type and we had used our sleeping bag liners that made it even harder to move around in. I also didn’t realize we had a tube-like fleece blanket that went into the sleeping bag. I wish I had figured this out as it would’ve been nice in the cool night air. Sleeping in wool base layers with the multiple layers of the sleeping bag kept me comfy until I had to go to the washroom at 2130 (so annoying). We also had extra air mattress each which was pretty slippery. While the first night sleep wasn’t the best, I was excited to get the day started. We got our stuff packed up and we were ready to go for breakfast soon after wake up. Breakfast was a weird but yummy porridge, toast, eggs and fried rice. I made sure to pick up some extra water from the lady who was selling water ($10 soles for 1.5 litres which would be 1/3-1/2 the price in the city). We were out hiking with our poles at 0730 and knew that today might be a bit of a challenge, as we would be going over our first and highest pass of the trip. The first ¼ of the hike wasn’t too bad. There were many steady inclines with lots of flat spots. I did the majority of this first part alone in about 55 minutes or so which was kind of nice. I have been listening to a lot of podcasts and doing some mindfulness and found this to be super helpful while hiking (thanks Ben Bergeron). The quickest time for this ¼ was 40 mins and the longest was about 1:05 mins so I was happy to be in the middle. Our snack at this time were apples and a bounty bar which I saved for later. I’ve found that while I am hiking, I don’t get very hungry (probably because of the altitude) so keeping hydrated is key for me. The 2nd quarter of the trek I did with Emily and we kept a good pace. We stopped lots to takes short breaks and enjoy the view. Jill was a speedy gazelle and way ahead of us. After the 2nd quarter, we stopped for lunch where it was cool, breezy and rainy. Our lunch was a delicious mushroom soup with pasta, veggies, avocado and some sort of chicken and bean concoction. As with our previous meals- it was all great and sustaining. The last two hours towards the summit were pretty tricky but we stopped often for quick breaks, which helped a lot. It took us just under two hours to get to the top and of course it started raining when we got there. Alpacas/llamas greeted us at the top which was very welcomed. We climbed to the peak and took tons of photos before it really stared to pour. Those of us who were at the top made our way down and stopped for a quick toilet break just after the Dead Woman’s Pass (at 4200 m). It was quite slippery on the way down which made me super nervous with my clumsiness and knee surgery less than a year before. We enjoyed the scenery, conversation and watched the fog roll over the camp site and the rest of the area while we hiked. It took us just under 2 hours to get to camp and boy was I glad to be there! When we got to camp around 1645, we noticed that our site was in the middle of the camping area, which was slightly annoying. To get to either bathroom, you had to either climb up or down- super challenging when your legs are already exhausted and shaky from almost 2 hours of declines. The rest of the group came in on their own, a couple at a time and were greeted with cheers and high fives. We had our afternoon snack of tea, hot chocolate and crackers before enjoying some time in the tent relaxing. It was quite chilly out and I did not want to get out of the tent for supper (even though I knew it was a must). After another delicious dinner we were briefed on the plan for tomorrow. We had hiked a total of about 11 km in 8 hours and were all excited for a good nights sleep.

Saturday October 5, 2019 Today was going to be the “scenic” day of our trek. It was also going to be the longest so we were woken at about 0500. We were out by 0630 after a yummy breakfast of eggs, toast, coffee/hot chocolate and a type of sugar puff cereal (think Sugar Crisp but less sweet). We set off on the first part of the day, which was a steep pass that was going to take us about 2 hours. The 40 min or so walk up the stair-like stones was mildly challenging after a large breakfast, before we made a stop at the Runkurakay complex. I decided to be stubborn and chose to hike in my t-shirt (because my hot pink rain jacket bled onto my skin when it rained). Despite it being cool out, I figured I would be sweating really soon. I regretted my decision about 30 mins into the hike when I was already soaked and cold but chose to be stubborn and waited until the top of our last pass (almost 2 hours later) to throw on my light rain jacket. We waited for the group shivering and huddled together and then made our way down towards our camp spot. We stopped for a quick snack and bathroom break before walking the 1:00-1:30 mins to lunch (1h if you’re Jill, 1:15 or so if you’re me). As always tea was ready for us when we arrived at Phuyupatamarca (or the town in the clouds) and we enjoyed a great meal of soup, potatoes, pork chops, pasta and salad. We learned more about the ruins we were around as well as some of the significance of the culture and area. After lunch, we were given the option of a shorter route and a longer route that had another beautiful set of ruins to see. The longer route was about an hour longer but would be well worth it. Naturally, we decided on the longer route and enjoyed the shade and reprieve of some of the trees on the route towards our camping spot. The ruins that we visited were called Intipata and are very impressive. These ruins are often missed because you can’t see them fully from the path and are not the most common route but they are way bigger and expansive that you would think. They are home to many llamas (or alpacas, I still get them confused) as well as many different plant sources of nutrition and over 200 kinds of orchids (which is the most famous plant on the Inca Trail). After many photos and selfies with the llamas, we made our way to our campsite that seemed close but took us almost an hour to get to. There were many steps along the way and every time we thought we had found our campsite, we learned it was another groups. While today was our longest day, it was also the most relaxed (minus the cold and rain). Our knees and legs were pretty sore but the 17.5 or so km we managed to hike didn’t seem so bad. Since there was only the one steeper incline, it was mostly downhill/flat which I personally liked a lot better. Our tents in Winay-Wayna were set up quite close to the top edge of some rock levels which was a bit unnerving. People had to walk past us to get to one of the washroom as well but after the first few people, I stopped noticing. The bathrooms at this campsite were some of the worst (and smelliest) that we had seen. Throughout the hike, the bathrooms were mostly stalls with toilets without toilet seats on them or holes in the ground. We were getting an extra leg workout in by all of the squats we were doing. Dinner was delicious (as always it seemed) with quinoa soup, lomo saltado (traditional Peruvian beef dish), rice, noodles and veggies. At the end of the meal, we were given a delicious cake! It’s crazy that the chef had time (and the resources) to make a cake in the middle of the Inca Trail! Our crew came in for our last goodbyes- which were a bit awkward but cute nonetheless. We gave out our tip envelopes as a group (also awks) before being briefed on our last day of the trek.

Sunday October 6, 2019 Today was THE day. Or should I say, the morning. We were woken up rather early at 0330 so we could be up and out of our tents at 0350 to get in line at the check point. Groups were lined up earlier than we were but we still managed to hang out under the wood awning until the booth opened at 0530. We had been given breakfast bags to go with sandwiches, juice, fruit and a bar that we could munch on before we started our final hike. It was almost like a race when people got past the check point- which I think is kind of funny. It was barely daylight when we started the hike but thankfully, we didn’t have to use our headlamps because that would’ve added an extra level of danger for clumsy kids like me. The hike to the Sungate was about an hour and very pretty. It was quite undulating at times and involved some legit monkey steps about 10 mins before the Sungate. These steps required most people to use their hands and feet to climb up. There were about 30 in total and I was next level cranky after that. We made it to the Sungate at about 0635 to see that surprise, surprise, it was foggy. We couldn’t see Machu Picchu in the distance, making the whole thing mildly anti climactic (I was having dejavu from Kilimanjaro). Our group came together at the top to take some photos and enjoy a snack before hiking that last 45 mins or so towards Machu Picchu. Peruvians (and especially those in the MachuPicchu/Cusco Region) really believe in and respect the theory of the three “Gods”. These gods are the Condor, Puma and the Snake that represent Heaven, Present and the underworld. Half way between the Sungate and Machu Picchu, we found three levels of an altar that represented these Gods and had some great background history/folklore around them. This was considered the last stop before the city of Machu Picchu. Before we arrive at Machu Picchu (“Old Mountain”), it is probably important to make note of what it is and why it is so special. Machu Picchu is the most renowned Incan citadel/city that was initially built in the 15th century, high up in the Andes and then abandoned (due to the Spanish invasion). It was built in the Incan fashion of precisely shaped dry stonewalls that are held together without mortar. While its exact use back in Incan times is unknown, there are many different ceremonial spots along with terraces that may have been used by the ancient emperor Pacachuti. While this “Lost City of the Incas” had existed for thousands of years, it did not come to be known as the amazing place it is until the early 1900s. Hiram Bingham of the USA, discovered this ancient city with the help of an 11 year old Ketchwa boy, who he paid to show him up the Urubamba River to these amazing ruins. Initially, this beautiful Incan ruin was a jungle covered with bushes and trees. He had many people come to help clean it up to see what was really underneath. Many of the details of what was found are hearsay, as he wasn’t known as the most honest and truthful man (allegedly). Gold and silver were among some of the more valuable resources that were found once excavation began (among many skeletons of woman and children who were sacrificed in the name of tradition and culture). Machu Picchu is also considered a Unesco World Heritage site which means it attracts thousands of visitors per day. While they do limit permits on the trail, over 2500 people visit Machu Picchu every day, making this dangerous for long term survival of the beautiful site. It was not meant for the weight and foot traffic that it has attracted which makes it so much more important for everyone to do their job and abide by the restrictions set out. The Peruvian government does it’s best to help with the sustainability of this historic site but it is said that only 8% of the revenue from Machu Picchu goes back to the community, the rest going to Lima (not a confirmed fact, just tour guide hersay) We arrived at our first sight of Machu Picchu around 8 am and it was already pretty busy! Our group met up at the main entrance after taking some amazing photos en route (and a minor altercation with some large German men). We were able to get our passports stamped with the signature Machu Picchu Stamp (which is way cooler than I thought it would be). We got in the line for the washrooms and bag drop that was not super well organized or laid out and dropped off our bags. Visitors are only allowed to bring fanny packs/small back packs into the site. Our guides took us all around these beautiful, ancient ruins. We learned much more about its history and learned about each of the areas that we visited. While I loved being at this amazing spot, I have to say I was exhausted and wasn’t enjoying it as much as if I had slept more than a few hours the night before. After a few group photos and tons of photos from literally every angle we could, we were done our tour/visit. It started to get super busy around 1030 and so we made our way back the entrance to grab our stuff and hop on the bus. Our guides clearly have been around the block before- we made it to the line for the buses just as everyone else seemed to as well. They didn’t have it very well organized and the line for the bus wrapped around the whole entrance way into the entrance line. We were given our 12 soles tickets for the bus and made our way from Machu Picchu into the town of Aguas Calientes (coolest name ever). The bus ride was about 25 mins and we were dropped off in the centre of town around noon. We didn’t have to catch our train until 1445 so we headed to our lunch spot called Munaycha. Emily and I shared “nachos” and pizza along with some fresh cold beers and pisco sours. It was so nice to relax and sit on proper chairs and enjoy the company. After a few beers and pisco sours, we made our way through the town towards the train station, mildly intoxicated. Thank goodness Raoul knew the streets like the back of his hand, or else it wouldn’t have gone well. We rushed to the train, grabbed our tickets and found our seats on the nicest train I’d ever been on. The seats reclined and had tables in front of them and was super clean. Tony ordered us another round of beers and we laughed (a bit too loud at times and were shushed) and enjoyed the 1.5 hour train ride. In Ollantaytambo, we said goodbye to Richard before jumping on another bus that would take us into Cusco. We knew we had about a 2 hour drive so we made a pit stop at a store to grab water and more beer. The drive felt long but was pleasant with beautiful sights, great company and awesome music. By the time we made it back into Cusco, my tipsy feeling had worn off and now I was just exhausted. We said our goodbyes to Raoul, thanking him and giving him my hiking poles (that I vowed to never use again).The Anden Inca staff were amazing and already had our bags in our rooms. Our room for the next two nights was even better than the last one, with a nicer bathroom, cute ceilings and tons of extra room. After a much needed shower, we got ready to meet the group and go for dinner. Dinner was at the Aztec Inka place Jill and I had been to before as we had some picky eaters in the group and knew this place had a bit of everything. After burritos and water, I was super tired and headed home to bed early around 2130 after saying goodbye to the half of our group that would be leaving in the am.

Monday October 7, 2019 Today was definitely a sleep in day! Well for me at least (sorry Jildo). We had breakfast at the hotel and met with our jungle group (Catherine, Deepak, Rehka, Jill and myself). We were briefed on how the next few days would go including wake ups, airport transport times etc. After our breakfast meeting, Jill and I walked into town and checked out the Cathedral Basilica. The town was celebrating Santa Rosa day but then we found out the parade was actually for Our Lady of the Rosary day. We enjoyed the parade a bit before paying the $25 soles each to enter the beautiful church. I have to admit, I was most excited to see two things- 1. The last supper painting with the meal being a guinea pig and 2. Black Jesus. While photos were not allowed to be taken, I really enjoyed seeing these two interesting pieces and learning about them. After the Cathedral, we visited the Inca Museum (10 soles) which was way bigger and more interesting than I had anticipated. We saw awesome pre Incan artifacts and drawings along with many relics from the Incan times and even mummies. Jill and I had talked about getting massages, so we ended up finding one of the many people in the square selling them. Similar to many other massage places we had been to, we were lead down random hallways to get to the small massage room. We had to wait a while to get started- we think the lady had to find someone else to massage one of us. Our massages were decent (especially for 50 soles) and made me feel more relaxed and less sore for sure. Jill and I still needed to pick up some souvenirs so we headed back to the hotel to grab our backpacks to contain all of our goodies. We stopped at Las Frescas that served delicious poke bowls. They were massive, healthy and exactly what we were looking for. We sauntered around the main square, popping into various alpaca stores. We found an amazing market to browse and barter for scarves, blankets and other little souvenirs. I love a good market and barter sesh so we had a good afternoon and picked up some great stuff. We realized it was later on in the day than we had thought and had to pick up our laundry before the lady went home from the day. We packed up our stuff for the amazon and got everything organized. We were both so tired and not feeling so great so we bailed on dinner and picked up a few snacks (that ended up being totally unnecessary) for the Amazon before going to bed early.

Tuesday October 8, 2019 Today we were leaving Cusco (sadly). Jill and I both agreed that this was probably our favourite town of the trip with its neat landscapes, beautiful buildings and great culture. After breakfast and check out, we were met by our guide Paul from Tucan Travel who would take us through traffic (thanks to another Peruvian Holiday) to the airport. Paul gave us all the info we would need for the day and we were checked into the Latam flight in about 25 mins. We made sure to get out some more soles as there would be no other opportunities to get money out for the cash only Amazon EcoLodge. Most ATMS cost about 13-20 soles to get money out so make sure to take this into account if you’re short on cash in Peru. Security and boarding went well and soon we were on our delayed flight to Puerto Maldonado but safe and sound. The flight from Cusco to Puerto Maldonado is only an hour but the temperature difference when we got off the plane was evident. We were warned that the Amazon and surrounding area was very hot and humid but that because of El Niño (I think), the temperature can change drastically and quickly. We were told to make sure to only bring what we needed (in duffle bags of course) and to pack long pants for our walks as there was lots of bugs and plants that might cause issues in shorts. I definitely was feeling the heat the moment we got off the plane and wasn’t feeling well at all. We waited for our bags before hopping into the open air bus that would take us to the Eco Amazonia’s headquarters in Puerto. Puerto Maldanado has a population of about 80,000 is mostly a tourist place with one main square and is a port to many Amazonian trip. It is on the Madre de Dios River in the Madre de Dios region / Amazon basin. We were given 15 mins or so to get our stuff organized into our duffle bags for the trip before heading towards the port. We saw their version of the Golden Gate Bridge called Puente Billinghurst which is also the longest bridge in Peru at 750 meters long. We took a 1 hour speed canoe ride on the Madre de Dios River. We learned that we weren’t actually on the Amazon River (Duh) but on a tributary of the river that is over 1500 km from the actual Amazon River. We were staying at one of the many eco lodges in the area called Eco Amazonia. We were already told that there were restrictions on electricity (only really on from 1700-0700) and that there was no cell services/wifi among many other small details. None of these things would be an issue for the short time we were here- we would embrace the quiet and relaxation. We had a great buffet lunch after being briefed on the strict timeline of the next 36 hours. After our yummy meal, we were showed to our individual huts. This place was magical! It was quiet and serene, rustic and charming, all wrapped into one. Each of the huts were for 2-3 people and super cute. They had a small “mud” room with seats to leave your muddy stuff before entering the room. There were three twin beds in our room with a bathroom. The shower was a bit strange as it was open to the room in a way but was cute and just what we needed. The tops of the room were screens only so we could hear all of the fun nature noises. We got ready for our afternoon hike to Caiman Lake. The hike is really a short walk (1 km to the lake) but we stopped to learn about some of the types of trees, animals and birds in the area. Julio was our guide and carried a knife for safety reasons, which made him look extra bad ass. We saw many “Iron trees” en route to cocha caiman (caiman Lake) which was a bit smaller than I had anticipated. We learned about the caimans (similar to an alligator) and several of the 70 subtypes. Caimans can vary in length but some can grow up to 4+ meters. They are mostly nocturnal but do enjoy the sun and fish. They are shy by nature but can be aggressive when needed. We saw many of them in the water and even saw a few come up onto the land thanks to Julios baiting skills. We heard the boiler birds and saw some beautiful macaws flying around. After our walk back, we hung out and checked out the hammocks, pool and quiet areas of the lodge. Happy hour ended around 1800 and the deal was, as usual, 2 drinks for $20 soles (a steal since the drinks were 16-28 a piece). While the bartenders tried real hard, they were busy doing other jobs at the lodge and didn’t have a ton to offer in terms of alcohol and mixer. We were really sad they ran out of tonic, vodka and sparkling water but realized where we were and were thankful that they even had a bar. What was neat about this lodge, is that the staff play many roles. The tour guides would help in the kitchen and dining room as well as in the bar. It is a small staff who get some amazing things done each day. The manager Mauricio was amazing and very welcoming. After our happy hour drinks, we grabbed our long sleeves before heading to the entrance for our late night canoe ride. We were going with the group and Julio to check out some more caimans. It was significantly cooler and less buggy than we had anticipated. Jupiter, Saturn and Scorpio were out in full force which was super cool to see. Julio used his “caiman call” and laser sharp vision to point out many caimans on the way. Our boat ride was very relaxing and enjoyable. After the boat ride, dinner was ready in the dining room. We were served a quinoa soup with fried yuka, chicken, veggies and a lemon tart for dessert. We made sure to top up our water bottles as water and hot drinks were only available during meal times (0530-0730, 1330-1500 and 1900-1800). If you didn’t have water at other times, you had to buy it at the bar. We enjoyed some more drinks and chatted after our great dinner. We noticed that there were very few people enjoying the common area at this time. There had been many people hanging out playing pool and foosball before dinner but it was a ghost town after. We played pool and foosball until just before 2200. The main lights go off at 2200 so we made our way home for showers and bed.

Wednesday October 9, 2019 Despite going to bed early, we both slept until our wake up call at 0600 by Julio. We made it to breakfast for 0630 which was great! The options were extensive including omelets, cheese, fruit, homemade bread, ham and cakes along with a variety of juices. We ate quickly since we had to be ready for our long walk at 0700. We got our backpacks ready with water, sunscreen and bug spray and met the group. The first cool thing we saw on our stroll was the trumpeter bird who sang to us. We grabbed a photo with Tony and the trumpeter since he was staying in the bungalow named after this fun bird. On the walk, we stopped every 100 m or so to learn about various plants, bugs and animals in the area. There are 6 different types of monkeys on the nature reserve and we managed to see 3 of them on our walk (howler monkeys, brown capuchin and squirrel monkeys). We saw some cool non human friends like the amazon crested toad (with two fake eyes), a gross millipede, cute sloth and one large Goliath tarantula. Julio taught us about many of the different trees and plants, several of which have healing and medicinal properties. After about 3 hours, we made it to Largo Apuvictor which was our main destination. There was a lookout point which had a beautiful view of the brownish/murky water (we had come to realize was what all the water in this area looked like) and the vast jungle around us. We had snacks while waiting for our canoe ride. The canoe ride was lovely but we sadly didn’t see an anaconda (which was the ONLY reason I went on this walk). We saw some nice birds and a turtle while on our canoe ride. Some members of our large group had many questions and walked super slow, so we got ahead and walked a big quicker back to the lodge. We hopped in the “indoor” pool and cooled off before planning our afternoon. We were supposed to take another boat ride to Monkey Island, but our group decided to skip it and enjoy some R&R at the lodge. While the lodge was amazing, the strict schedule wasn’t exactly what we were looking for on vacation, especially after do the Inca Trail. We spent the afternoon drinking and lying in the hammocks. Mauricio personally delivered a round or two of drinks to us out by the hammocks that overlooked the river. We were served a yummy lunch (not that I can exactly remember what it was…) before enjoying more time out by the water in the hammocks. I swear, I could’ve lived in the hammocks. We played a bit more table tennis and foosball before our yummy meal of rice, meat, veggies, soup and a delicious chocolate cake. After dinner, we had some more drinks, including one of the grossest wines I’ve ever had and some members of the group indulged in tequila shots. As always, we had great conversation and so many laughs before showering and heading to bed for our last sleep in the amazon. The rooms were way cooler overnight especially with the marvelous fan that worked wonders.

Thursday October 10, 2019 The howler monkeys woke us up before our 0600 wake up call, which was actually welcome. The sound of all the birds, crickets and monkeys was magical to wake up to. We had a nice final breakfast before settling our fairly large tab (thanks to all of our bevvies). We tried to fill up our water bottles but the lodge had run out of water (uhoh for the next people arriving) so put our tip in the tip box, finished our packing before saying goodbye to Mauricio. Our last group photo in the Amazon was taken before we hopped on the speed canoe back to town. I soaked up some rays and had a bit of a snooze on the 1:45 min long boat ride. The staff brought us back to the office in the open air bus and then right back to the airport. I was pretty happy to be off the open area bus as the drivers in this area were pretty crazy and didn’t abide by any specific rules of the road. The airport check in was easy and we were happy to find air-conditioning on the other side of security. The small restaurant in the terminal didn’t have much to offer and the small convenience cart was very picky about their money being “clean”. Thankfully, we managed to get some water before our Latam flight back to Lima. We landed in Lima 1.5 hours later and were picked up again by a Tucan travel staff member. They dropped us off at the Hotel Santa Cruz about an hour later. As usual, the weather in Lima was dismally grey and cooler. After unpacking our stuff, we grabbed some delicious sandwiches and coffee across the street at Caffeteria. Kat and I decided to take an Uber to the local Indian/Inka market to pick up a few last minute souvenirs. I was very impressed with this market and of course, picked up more souvenirs that were probably unnecessary and may or may not fit in my bag. Our Uber got us back to the hotel for 1700, giving me plenty of time to shower and get ready for our evening activities. As a group, we decided to go to the Park of the Reserve halfway between where we were in Miraflores and downtown Lima to check out the Magic Water Circuit show. There were two different show times and we opted for the earlier one so we could go for a nice dinner after. This water show did not disappoint! There were several different fountains with various coloured lights and fun effects. The show itself was about 15 mins and was pretty neat. We made sure to have a great vantage point so we could see all of the fountains. We managed to find a taxi to take us back towards the hotel area. The hotel had made us a reservation at El Senorio de Sulco, near the water in Miraflores however when we arrived, they didn’t have a table for us. Our group was not happy about this but the restaurant made it all better by feeding us two pisco sours while we waited. We enjoyed several bottles of wine and a delicious meal before finishing off our night with some night caps at the hotel bar (our English friends were not good influences on our livers!)

Friday October 11, 2019 It was officially our last day of our trip! In so many ways, it had seemed as though we had been away forever but then in other ways, it flew by! We enjoyed our last buffet breakfast at Hotel Santa Cruz, before saying our “see you laters” to our new friends with the promise of a reunion in England. Jill and I had a few more places in Lima that we wanted to check out so we made sure we were packed and ready to go. The hotel was kind enough to let us leave our stuff there while we went to explore for our final day. We had been told that Huaca Pucllana (or Huaca Juliana) was a must see by a few people so we headed over there first thing in the am. This adobe (mud brick) pyramid was made out of 7 staggered platforms around 200-500 AD and was used as a ceremonial centre by the PreIncans, Wari people. While the pyramids were neat to see, I was over it about 15 mins into the 90 minute or so tour. You had to be on a guided tour, which was a bit annoying, especially since our tour guide was very difficult to understand. The copious amounts of booze we had the night before didn’t help either. One of the best parts of this visit were the alpacas and guinea pigs we got to see. After the ceremonial/playground adventure, we grabbed coffees while we wandered around downtown Miraflores before hopping into a cab to the Frias market in Baranco. Baranco is known as the hip/art district of Lima and we were excited to explore this area. The market was filled with cool stalls with different clothes, food, art and jewelry. They often have live music in the evenings as well but we were a bit early for that. We were also starving so we checked out a Peruvian/Chinese fusion restaurant for lunch and ordered WAY too much food for the two of us. The rice, noodles and wontons were all amazing and cheap (which was the best part!) Since we had enjoyed the Lima by Walking tours so much, we decided to check out the Barranco walking tour. We were to meet the group leader in the central square by the beautifully painted library at 1610. Starbucks was in the area, so we grabbed coffees and waited for the group. The center of Barranco was super cute with many pastel coloured buildings, beautiful gardens and flowers. It was a beautifully sunny and warm-ish day (shocking for Lima) so we were extra excited to spend our last afternoon outside in the nice weather. Barranco is known as the “bohemian” part of the city and is home to about 30,000 people. It is one of the 43 districts in Lima. People from Miraflores and the historical centre moved to this area or have a “summer house” in Barranco because of its artsy, eclectic and relaxed vibe along with its access to the ocean which is lacking along the coast of Lima. We learned a ton about the history of the area (that is interesting but I won’t bore anyone else with it) while wandering around, checking out the views of the ocean and beautiful graffiti. We saw the famous and romantic bridge of “sighs” where you make a wish and hold your breath while you cross. Legends say you only get this wish once in a lifetime so it’s important to make it a good one. The city was initially mostly Spanish with Andean and Incan influence for many years. At the end of the 19th century, many people from China and Japan emigrated to the area, so there is a neat mix of all the cultures. This is evident in the art, food and design of the homes. We made several stops for great photos and loved the views we had. The tour ended at the Dedalo gallery that was filled with several rooms of clothing, jewelry, toys and art. Most of the artists were local which was really neat to see. Jill and I decided to walk to Larcomar since it looked pretty close on the map. Famous last words! The walkway along the coast is anything but direct and both our bum ankles were feeling it by the time we made it to Larcomar. Despite being a bit sore, the views along the coast were amazing and I was glad we did the walk. Larcomar is a cool mall that was built into the cliffs of the Lima coast. It was several floors tall and had a beautiful view of the coast and water. The stores were mostly higher end but we enjoyed wandering around nonetheless. We were finally having a Paletta bar and so excited! The Paletta bar was basically a stuffed ice cream bar that we had seen all throughout the country. I got one with Nutella on the inside wrapped in Kinder surprise flavoured ice cream, dipped in chocolate and Jill got one with a form of blueberry jam inside and cheesecake flavoured ice cream. They were bomb and definitely worth the wait. After a bit of a mishap finding our Uber, we managed to make our way back to the hotel where we took up the lobby and sprawled out on the couches for a few hours. It was nice to have a place to hang out and get organized before our flight. We ate our last Peruvian meal at the hotel (which was gross wings and average nachos) and some beers before taking our final Uber to the airport. We left the hotel at 2330 and made it to airport at 0005 since it was late and there was no traffic. Check in and bag drop was super easy and we spent some time enjoying duty free and buying our last minute souvenirs (thanks to Jill, we had an extra checked duffle that we threw some stuff in).

Saturday October 12, 2019 Our AC Rouge flight was very uneventful- I slept the majority of the trip thanks to Gravol and went through the thousands of photos on my phone. I tried to enjoy the gross egg breakfast but was just so excited to be headed home. While I LOVE travelling, I was so happy to land at YYZ. Customs and security was a breeze and we made it through around 11 am. Jill and I said our goodbyes and went our separate ways. I am so lucky and thankful to have such an amazing travel buddy with whom I mesh so well with. We always have a great time together, regardless what continent we are on and this trip was no different. While there are so many places in Peru we didn’t get to, we had a jammed packed 3 week adventure that I won’t soon forget!

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kdmarketresearch · 5 years ago

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Wild Pollock Market 2016 by Manufacturing Region and Types of Application 2016-2025

KD Market Insights added a title on “Wild Pollock Market – 2016-2025” to its collection of industry research reports that offers extensive and highly detailed current and future market trends in the global and regional/market. The report includes market size, Y-O-Y growth analysis and structure of the overall industry based on a unique combination of industry research, fieldwork, market sizing analysis, and our in-house expertise.

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The market research report demonstrates market dynamics which includes growth drivers, restraining factors and opportunities and trends spearheading current Weight End-use Industry and future status of this market. Our general approach is to target several individuals with specific questions that we believed would satisfy our research objective. Further, to speed up the data collection process, we employed an online survey, delivered via email. The research team analyzed the results to identify potential opportunities and risks for the market.

In addition, the report offers recent industry activities and value chain analysis for the Wild Pollock Market. Moreover, Porter’s Five Forces analysis demonstrates the five forces which include buyers bargaining power, suppliers bargaining power, the threat of new entrants, the threat of substitutes, and degree of competition in Wild Pollock Market. Along with figures and tables, a market attractiveness and BPS analysis has been provided for every segment in the report.

Global Wild Pollock Market Size & Forecast:

Global Wild Pollock market witnessed a market value of USD XX Million in 2018 and is estimated to reach USD XX million in 2025, registering a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of XX% between 2018 and 2025. The report analyses the market by geographies i.e. North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America & Middle East & Africa. Further, the geographies are fragmented into the country and regional groupings:

- North America (U.S. & Canada) - Europe (Germany, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain, Russia and Rest of Europe) - Asia Pacific (China, India, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand and Rest of Asia Pacific) - Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, Argentina and Rest of Latin America) - Middle East & Africa (GCC, North Africa, South Africa and Rest of Middle East & Africa)

Global Wild Pollock Market Segmentation:

The research offers a comprehensive analysis of global Wild Pollock market with respect to following sub-markets:

Based on Spices: - Alaska Pollock - Atlantic Pollock

Based on Form: - Fresh - - - Whole - - - Fillet - Frozen - - - Whole - - - Fillet - Canned

Based on End-use Industry: - Household (Retail) - Food Services (HORECA) - Pharmaceutical & Nutraceutical Industry

Based on Sales Channel: - Grocery Stores - Hypermarket/ Supermarket - Online Sales Channel

Global Wild Pollock Market: Competitive Landscape

The report also highlights the competitive landscape of the global Wild Pollock market, market share and positioning of all the major players in the industry. The competitive landscape analysis provides detailed strategic analysis of the company’s business and performance such as company overview, financial information, revenue breakup by segment and by geography, SWOT Analysis, key facts, business strategy, key product offerings, marketing and distribution strategies, new product development, recent news (acquisition, expansion, Type development, research & development and other market activities).

The report includes profiles of leading companies in the global Wild Pollock market.

Some of the key players profiled include:

- Trident Seafoods Corporation - Maruha Nichiro Corp. - Pacific Andes International Holdings Ltd. - American Seafoods Company LLC. - Peter Pan Seafoods Inc. - Dalian Fugu Seafood Co., Ltd. - Russian Fishery Company - Jeka Group - Glacialis – (Norebo Group) - PJSC Okeanrybflot - Beaver Street Fisheries - Eastern Fish Company - Other Major & Niche Key Players

Timeline Considered for Analysis:

- 2016 to 2017 – Historical Year - 2018 – Base Year - 2019 – Estimated Year - 2020 to 2025 – Forecasted Year

Customization: We also offers customization’s in the industry report as per the company’s specific needs.

Key Questions Answered in the Global Wild Pollock Industry Report:

- What is the overall market size in 2018? What will be the market growth during the forecast period i.e. 2019-2025? - Which region would have high demand for product in the upcoming years? - What are the factors driving the growth of the market? - Which sub-market will make the most significant contribution to the market? - What are the market opportunities for existing and entry-level players? - What are various long-term and short-term strategies adopted by the market players?

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Table of content

1. Executive Summary 2. Growth Drivers & Issues in Global Wild Pollock Market 3. Global Wild Pollock Market Trends 4. Opportunities in Global Wild Pollock Market 5. Recent Industry Activities, 2018 6. Porter's Five Forces Analysis 7. Market Value Chain and Supply Chain Analysis 8. Global Wild Pollock Market Size (USD Million) & Volume (Units), Forecast & Y-o-Y Growth Analysis, 2016-2025

9. Global Wild Pollock Market Segmentation Analysis, By Spices

9.1. Introduction 9.2. Market Attractiveness, By Spices 9.3. BPS Analysis, By Spices 9.3.1. Alaska Pollock 9.3.2. Atlantic Pollock

10. Global Wild Pollock Market Segmentation Analysis, By Form

10.1. Introduction 10.2. Market Attractiveness, By Form 10.3. BPS Analysis, By Form 10.3.1. Fresh 10.3.1.1. Whole 10.3.1.2. Fillet 10.3.2. Frozen 10.3.2.1. Whole 10.3.2.2. Fillet 10.3.3. Canned

11. Global Wild Pollock Market Segmentation Analysis, By End-use Industry

11.1. Introduction 11.2. Market Attractiveness, By End-use Industry 11.3. BPS Analysis, By End-use Industry 11.3.1. Household (Retail) 11.3.2. Food Services (HORECA) 11.3.3. Pharmaceutical & Nutraceutical Industry

12. Global Wild Pollock Market Segmentation Analysis, By Sales Channel

12.1. Introduction 12.2. Market Attractiveness, By Sales Channel 12.3. BPS Analysis, By Sales Channel 12.3.1. Grocery Stores 12.3.2. Hypermarket/ Supermarket 12.3.3. Online Sales Channel

13. Geographical Analysis

13.1. Introduction 13.2. North America Wild Pollock Market Size (USD Million) & Volume (Units), Forecast & Y-o-Y Growth Analysis, 2016-2025 13.2.1. By Spices 13.2.2. By Form 13.2.3. By End-use Industry 13.2.4. By Sales Channel 13.2.5. By Country 13.2.5.1. Market Attractiveness, By Sales Channel 13.2.5.2. BPS Analysis, By Sales Channel 13.2.5.3. U.S. Market Size (USD Million) & Volume (Units), Forecast & Y-o-Y Growth Analysis, 2016-2025 13.2.5.4. Canada Market Size (USD Million) & Volume (Units), Forecast & Y-o-Y Growth Analysis, 2016-2025

13.3. Europe Wild Pollock Market Size (USD Million) & Volume (Units), Forecast & Y-o-Y Growth Analysis, 2016-2025 13.3.1. By Spices 13.3.2. By Form 13.3.3. By End-use Industry 13.3.4. By Sales Channel 13.3.5. By Country 13.3.5.1. Market Attractiveness, By Country 13.3.5.2. BPS Analysis, By Country 13.3.5.3. Germany Market Size (USD Million) & Volume (Units), Forecast & Y-o-Y Growth Analysis, 2016-2025 13.3.5.4. United Kingdom Market Size (USD Million) & Volume (Units), Forecast & Y-o-Y Growth Analysis, 2016-2025 13.3.5.5. France Market Size (USD Million) & Volume (Units), Forecast & Y-o-Y Growth Analysis, 2016-2025 13.3.5.6. Italy Market Size (USD Million) & Volume (Units), Forecast & Y-o-Y Growth Analysis, 2016-2025 13.3.5.7. Spain Market Size (USD Million) & Volume (Units), Forecast & Y-o-Y Growth Analysis, 2016-2025 13.3.5.8. Russia Market Size (USD Million) & Volume (Units), Forecast & Y-o-Y Growth Analysis, 2016-2025 13.3.5.9. Rest of Europe Market Size (USD Million) & Volume (Units), Forecast & Y-o-Y Growth Analysis, 2016-2025

13.4. Asia Pacific Wild Pollock Market Size (USD Million) & Volume (Units), Forecast & Y-o-Y Growth Analysis, 2016-2025 13.4.1. By Spices 13.4.2. By Form 13.4.3. By End-use Industry 13.4.4. By Sales Channel 13.4.5. By Country 13.4.5.1. Market Attractiveness, By Country 13.4.5.2. BPS Analysis, By Country 13.4.5.3. China Market Size (USD Million) & Volume (Units), Forecast & Y-o-Y Growth Analysis, 2016-2025 13.4.5.4. India Market Size (USD Million) & Volume (Units), Forecast & Y-o-Y Growth Analysis, 2016-2025 13.4.5.5. Japan Market Size (USD Million) & Volume (Units), Forecast & Y-o-Y Growth Analysis, 2016-2025 13.4.5.6. South Korea Market Size (USD Million) & Volume (Units), Forecast & Y-o-Y Growth Analysis, 2016-2025 13.4.5.7. Indonesia Market Size (USD Million) & Volume (Units), Forecast & Y-o-Y Growth Analysis, 2016-2025 13.4.5.8. Taiwan Market Size (USD Million) & Volume (Units), Forecast & Y-o-Y Growth Analysis, 2016-2025 13.4.5.9. Australia Market Size (USD Million) & Volume (Units), Forecast & Y-o-Y Growth Analysis, 2016-2025 13.4.5.10. New Zealand Market Size (USD Million) & Volume (Units), Forecast & Y-o-Y Growth Analysis, 2016-2025 13.4.5.11. Rest of Asia Pacific Market Size (USD Million) & Volume (Units), Forecast & Y-o-Y Growth Analysis, 2016-2025

13.5. Latin America Wild Pollock Market Size (USD Million) & Volume (Units), Forecast & Y-o-Y Growth Analysis, 2016-2025 13.5.1. By Spices 13.5.2. By Form 13.5.3. By End-use Industry 13.5.4. By Sales Channel 13.5.5. By Country 13.5.5.1. Market Attractiveness, By Country 13.5.5.2. BPS Analysis, By Country 13.5.5.3. Brazil Market Size (USD Million) & Volume (Units), Forecast & Y-o-Y Growth Analysis, 2016-2025 13.5.5.4. Mexico Market Size (USD Million) & Volume (Units), Forecast & Y-o-Y Growth Analysis, 2016-2025 13.5.5.5. Rest of Latin America Market Size (USD Million) & Volume (Units), Forecast & Y-o-Y Growth Analysis, 2016-2025

13.6. Middle East & Africa Wild Pollock Market Size (USD Million) & Volume (Units), Forecast & Y-o-Y Growth Analysis, 2016-2025 13.6.1. By Spices 13.6.2. By Form 13.6.3. By End-use Industry 13.6.4. By Sales Channel 13.6.5. By Country 13.6.5.1. Market Attractiveness, By Geography 13.6.5.2. BPS Analysis, By Geography 13.6.5.3. GCC Market Size (USD Million) & Volume (Units), Forecast & Y-o-Y Growth Analysis, 2016-2025 13.6.5.4. North Africa Market Size (USD Million) & Volume (Units), Forecast & Y-o-Y Growth Analysis, 2016-2025 13.6.5.5. South Africa Market Size (USD Million) & Volume (Units), Forecast & Y-o-Y Growth Analysis, 2016-2025 13.6.5.6. Rest of Middle East & Africa Market Size (USD Million) & Volume (Units), Forecast & Y-o-Y Growth Analysis, 2016-2025

14. Competitive Landscape

14.1. Market Share of Key Players 14.2. Market Positioning of Major Players in Global Wild Pollock Market 14.3. Company Profiles 14.3.1. Trident Seafoods Corporation 14.3.1.1. Business Strategy 14.3.1.2. Financials 14.3.1.3. SWOT Analysis 14.3.1.4. Market Share Analysis 14.3.1.5. Key Achievements & Developments 14.3.2. Maruha Nichiro Corp. 14.3.3. Pacific Andes International Holdings Ltd. 14.3.4. American Seafoods Company LLC. 14.3.5. Peter Pan Seafoods Inc. 14.3.6. Dalian Fugu Seafood Co., Ltd. 14.3.7. Russian Fishery Company 14.3.8. Jeka Group 14.3.9. Glacialis – (Norebo Group) 14.3.10. PJSC Okeanrybflot 14.3.11. Beaver Street Fisheries 14.3.12. Eastern Fish CompanyOther Major & Niche Players

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athanzafirovwinefood · 5 years ago

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5 must-see bodegas in the heights of the Andes & Patagonia - Argentina

Mendoza, Argentina, is one of eight world wine capitals, according to the Great Wine Capitals Global Network. No wonder the country enjoys such a good reputation! Do you want to let yourself be tempted by some good Argentinian wines? Here is a selection of the best bodegas of the country, in the heights of the Andes but also in Patagonia.

San Pedro de Yacochuya, the unchanging winery of Cafayate

San Pedro de Yacochuya belongs to the Etchart family, one of the pioneers of the region of Cafayate, north of Argentina. One of its peculiarities is that its vineyards are located more than 2,000 meters above sea level, making it one of the highest bodegas in the world! Although the specialty of the region is the torrontés, the vineyard has only 2 hectares of this variety for 9 hectares of Malbec, 4 hectares of cabernet sauvignon and 1 hectare of Tannat. Since 1988 Arnold Etchart asked the famous French enologist Michel Rolland to associate with him and two years later this collaboration gives birth to one of the most prestigious wines of Argentina: the Arnaldo B. Etchart Cosecha 1989. The bodega is doing so well that in 2001 it exports its first bottles, after being bought by the Pernod Ricard group in 1996.

What you drink: Yacochuya, an icon of the bodega, a blend of 90% Malbec and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. It has a beautiful purple color and it perceives notes of licorice, blueberry, blackberry, and spices. One can not miss either the torrontés, emblem of Cafayate. It is composed only of this unique variety and has pronounced fruity aromas.

Clos de Los Siete, a bit of France in argentine lands

Definitely falling in love with Argentina, Michel Rolland decides to build his own bodega in the Valle de Uco, 100 km from Mendoza, with the Bordeaux Jean-Michel Arcaute. It stretches over 800 hectares at an altitude of 1,100 meters and enjoys rich soil and ideal exposure. Soon, three other bodegas come to complete the first to form the Clos de Los Siete. Although each of these 4 bodegas makes and assemble their own wine, they are all dedicated to the production of Clos de los Siete. Irrigation of the vines is carried out drop by drop to provide the exact amount of water it needs and espalier cultivation allows optimal development of its leaf area. Here, the vine is worked like that of a grand cru classé of Bordeaux: green harvest, leafing and parcels of 1 to 3 hectares only for a rigorously controlled yield. Finally, following the harvest, the wine is stored in stainless steel tanks and thermoregulated before being stored in French oak barrels for fermentation. All these attentions make the Clos de los Siete a wine of exception.

What you drink: you guessed it alone, the Clos de los Siete of course! It is 57% malbec, 18% merlot, 14% cabernet sauvignon, 9% syrah and 2% petit-verdot. A subtle blend for maximum pleasure.

Bodega Tapiz, ecology & technology

The Tapiz bodega produces one of the best wines in Argentina. Located in the province of Mendoza, its vineyards stretch from 920 to 1,400 meters above sea level at the foot of the Andes. It is one of the most advanced winemaking wineries in Argentina, but it does work in an environmentally friendly way, using ecologically sustainable techniques. The owners are counting on the support of Jean-Claude Berrouet, the first permanent nologist for Château Petrus, who, retired, has decided to become a consultant for Argentina. His philosophy is to let the terroir express itself by promoting the elegance of a wine rather than its origin. Tapiz wines can be found in several regions of the world: France, the United States, Australia or China.

What you drink: the two flagship varieties of the bodega are Malbec and Torrontés but it also grows Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah or Chardonnay. Most of the wines are monocépages, which is the originality of the bodega.

And also: the Tapiz family also produces olive oil! So when you feel longevity come to wine tastings, go walk among the olive trees.

Salentein, the biggest producer of Argentina & the most famous bodegas

The bodega Salentein is one of the most known and most important of Argentina: 150 000 hectares of vines for 900 wine growers. It is located in the Valle de Uco and has been designed according to very precise codes: its cross shape makes it possible to reduce the travel time between the different stages of the wine making process and is also a symbol of the valley's religious roots; like a tribute to the snow-capped peaks of the Andes, which allow to dirrigate and give life to the vines. The winemaker of this bodega is none other than José Galante, Argentina's icon of vitiviniculture. It uses to preserve, in its nectars, all the aromas and flavors of the fruit by a process of sweet and slow winemaking. The wines thus elaborated are true emblems of the Valle de Uco and carry in their bottle a little of this earth.

What to drink: Salentein offers an impressive variety of wines, from the entry level to the luxury line. The Portillo line features very fruity wines that are easy to drink, from rosé to malbec to white. These are the most affordable wines. Salentein reserves reveal power and finesse and finally, the very high end Numina and Primus are powerful and generous wines.

The winery of the End of the world, cap vers le sud

As its name indicates, this bodega is at the end of the world, in Patagonian lands. Indeed, Argentina can boast of being among the most austral vineyards in the world! The particular geographical situation of this vineyard gives it several advantages: a wide thermal amplitude due to hot and sunny days and cool nights, which gives to the wine its color, its acidity, its aromas and its structure; the particularly intense sun rays that allow the grapes to ripen quickly; and the very low humidity that keeps the vines in healthy conditions. Patagonia is closer to the arid desert than the fertile Burgundy but a powerful irrigation technology allows to create a real oasis and cultivate the vine.

What we drink there: the Newen Malbec Reservado 2015, a beefy red Argent enrobé. It has a woody imprint and an acidity that tones the wine. A supervised success, without surprises, by Michel Rolland.

If there is one thing that has been selected from this selection of the best bodegas in Argentina, it is that the synergies between France and Argentina are particularly important in the world of wine!

Agathe (Argentina Exception)

Peru Excepción, offers tailor-made, individual and unique stays in Argentina, Chile, Bolivia & Peru for 10 years. His team, located in Buenos Aires, Santiago & Lima, offers tours with driver-guide or self-drive, cruises in Patagonia & Antarctica, and a selection of the finest hotels. One of the common points of these four countries is viticulture: we will present the originality of each region through vineyards, grape varieties, vintages and bodegas.

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For 15 years, Athan Zafirov has traveled the vineyards around the world and worked with some of the greatest chefs including Francois Duc and Alan Brown.

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janikbesendorf-blog · 5 years ago

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Discover our ultimate list of top 10 UNESCO World Heritage sites of 2019 from exotic destinations around the world.

Ancient ruins, prehistoric jungles, and indigenous cultures worthy of preservation – UNESCO has long sought to protect the cultural and natural heritage of the world. Every UNESCO World Heritage site is a little window to the genius of mankind, a witness to long lost cultures and traditions, a symbol of artistic brilliance and a reminder of the astounding natural beauty and diversity of the world we live in.

For travelers in search of the remarkable and unique, each of these sites can be your trip of a lifetime. Imagine wandering through a sprawling Inca citadel towering over the clouds some 2000 meters above sea level. Or watching the golden sun set behind the Taj Mahal – an eternal ode to love. Centuries old traditions live on at atmospheric Asian temples built thousands of years ago and still in use. In Sumatra, the jungle comes alive with the daily activity of endangered species.

Rich in history, culture and raw appeal, these are some of the most awe-inspiring destinations in the world. Here are some essential tips to help you discover these gems.

1Machu Picchu, Peru

The mist-laden summits of Machu Picchu in Peru may have been ‘forgotten’ until the early 20th century but today, it’s firmly imprinted in our collective consciousness as one of the top UNESCO-listed sites in the world. Getting to the top is no mean feat but if you’re looking for gorgeous panoramas as well, we advise making the trek up the Wayna Picchu – a mountain just across from the citadel.

The trail is steep but worthwhile with great birds-eye views of the lost city and the surrounding Andean peaks. Because of the narrow trail and popular demand, there are only two timings allowed for the climb which must be booked in advance, which we are happy to do for you!

Panoramic view of Machu Picchu, lost city of the Incas

Gateway to Machu Picchu

Huayna or Wayna Picchu with its terraces and buildings

View of Wayna Picchu

Wandering around the ruins of the citadel

Tip: We recommend rising early to get the best views between 0700 and 0800, before the heat and the crowds arrive!

When to visit: June to August is the best time to visit Machu Picchu, however, expect large crowds and long queues. This is also a great time to go hiking on the Inca trail. The shoulder season between April – May, and September – October, offers great weather and fewer crowds. Read more about the best time to visit Peru

Stay: Inkaterra Machu Picchu, Belmond Sanctuary Lodge

2Rapa Nui / Easter Island, Chile

Firmly off the radar for mass tourism, Chile’s Easter Island is a dream destination for history and nature enthusiasts alike. One of the remotest corners of the world, expect lush green meadows, volcanic craters, soft white sandy beaches and some of the world’s best (and least known) diving, snorkeling and surfing opportunities at Rapa Nui, as the locals call it. The island’s largest attractions however, are the 870-odd gravity-defying, mysterious Moai statues that date back to the 1200s!

Mysterious Moai statues in Chile’s Easter Island

Aerial view of volcanic caldera in Easter Island

Visitors at the UNESCO World Heritage site

Anakena – A beautiful white coral sand beach at Easter Island

Ovahe Beach in Easter Island

When to visit: The best time to visit the Easter Islands is during the first two weeks of February when the Tapati festival takes place. Read more about the best time to visit Chile

Stay: Explora Rapa Nui, Altiplanico Rapa Nui

3Coffee Region, Colombia

If you think Colombia’s Coffee Region deserves any less mention than the rest on this list, think again. Nestled by the majestic Andes, this 348,700 acre area boasts rolling valleys, verdant plantations, numerous bird and plant species and – you guessed it – some of the best Arabica in the world! Over the last 150 years coffee growing has shaped the culture and identity of the local community, with practices passed down through generations.

Not just caffeine-induced journeys, you could have a host of other adventures in this region – trekking and hiking in the other-worldly cloud forests, riding horses through rolling valleys, taking leisurely walks through Andean mountain villages, or bathing in the hot springs of Santa Rosa de Cabal

Panoramic view of the Coffee Region in Colombia – a UNESCO World Heritage site

When to visit: The warm months of December to February offer sunny skies and perfect weather for visiting this mountainous region. Read more about the best time to visit Colombia

Stay: Hacienda Bambusa, Estrella del Monte

4Medina of Fes, Morocco

At this UNESCO-listed site, 1300 years of history and heritage are yours to discover! Touted by locals as the most beautiful medina in all of Morocco, you’ll be awed at the exquisite examples of Islamic art and architecture. These narrow streets are flanked on either side by bustling souks occupied by tailors, artists, and traders, quaint cafes that lead to outdoor markets, the covered bazaar, and quiet squares where you can spot children at play. The new medina, the medersa or Islamic educational institute, and the iconic Bab Boujloud or Blue Gate, are great places to indulge in people watching.

A souk or market in Fes, Morocco

Gateway to the walled medina of Fes in Morocco

Fes is famous for its tanneries

Beautiful alleyways of the city

Medersa Bou Inania of Fes in Morocco

When to visit: Travel to Fes in the months of April – May and October – November when the weather is comfortable and temperate enough for great walking tours. Read more about the best time to visit Morocco

Stay: Riad Fes, Palais Amani

5Zanzibar’s Stone Town, Tanzania

Delve deep into the heart of Zanzibar’s colorful history at this UNESCO site. Narrow, labyrinth like streets lead you past ancient heritage buildings, distinctive architecture and ramparts of the Old Fort, straight into a bustling spice market – Zanzibar is, after all, known as the ‘Spice Island’! Not just heritage buildings, this preserved site also tells tales of Africa’s slave trade, having been used as the base of operations. Just outside the city limits, an impossibly azure ocean and soft white sand awaits at some of the most beautiful beaches in the world!

Aerial view of Stone Town

Canons overlooking the ocean at Stone Town

Slave Market Memorial and Stone Town Church

Stone Town beach in Zanzibar

Narrow streets leading to the market

When to visit: Visit Zanzibar between the winter months of June to October or in summer, between mid-December and March. Read more about the best time to visit Zanzibar

Stay: Zanzibar Serena Hotel, Kisiwa House

6Angkor Wat, Cambodia

Cambodia’s pride and joy can easily rival some of the best known UNESCO-sites of the world, including Peru’s Machu Picchu (later on our list!). Spread over 400 acres, the vast complex of ruins, in various states of preservation, will wow you with its sheer size and grandeur, not to mention architectural genius and symbolism. An epic reminder of the grand Angkor civilization, these temples built between the 9th and 13th centuries, are some of the finest examples of Asian architecture.

Not just walking tours, you can explore the Angkor complex on the back of a vespa or opt for a bird’s eye perspective from a helicopter! We also recommend an archaeology tour with renowned local anthropologist Mr. Khin Po Thai, for a whole new perspective!

When to visit: The winter months of November to January are perfect for exploring the Angkor Wat complex. Read more about the best time to visit Cambodia

Stay: Belmond La Residence D’ Angkor, Shinta Mani Shack

7Taj Mahal, India

Not just an enduring symbol of Mughal architecture, the impossibly beautiful Taj Mahal tells an eternal tale of love. Built on the banks of the Yamuna river by Emperor Shah Jahan for his late wife, this imposing white marble structure is considered the most beautiful structure in the world by many – no wonder it draws in thousands of visitors every year, few of who leave disappointed!

Enchanting Travels guest Gary Bard at the Taj Mahal

At the Taj Mahal

The Taj is at its magnificent best during the witching hours of sunrise and sunset, with a glorious play of light and darkness forming a perfect background to its white facade.

When to visit: The winter months of October to March are perfect for a visit to the Taj Mahal in Agra, India. Read more about the best time to visit India

Stay: Oberoi Amarvilas, ITC Mughal

8Borobudur, Indonesia

Many say that the Borobudur temples easily rival Angkor Wat. One of the largest Buddhist temples in the world, this 9th century pyramid-esque structure rises up from the green plains around it just like one of the many neighboring volcanoes – a surreal sight at sunrise or sunset. Climbing up the six tiers to see the latticework stupas and Buddha statues can be arduous but is well worth it. After an enlightening visit, you could also take time to cycle around the tranquil countryside and mingle with the friendly locals.

When to visit: The dry months of April to October are perfect for a visit to Indonesia. Read more about the best time to visit Indonesia

Stay: Amanjiwo, Plataran Borobudur Resort & Spa

9Sumatran Rainforest, Indonesia

A vast area shared by three Indonesian national parks, this land of incredible biodiversity is also home to the last remaining orangutans, Sumatran tigers and rhinos and pygmy elephants in the world! Tranquil waterfalls, hot springs and eco-conscious resorts make this the destination of choice of nature and wildlife enthusiasts in Asia. The rainforest area near the remote village of Tangkahan in Indonesia is also known for its unique group of domesticated elephants who help rangers patrol the dense forests!

Rainforest in Sumatra, Indonesia

Orangutan in the wild, Sumatra, Indonesia

Sumatran tiger hiding in the jungle

Waterfall in North Sumatra

Wild Sumatran elephants at the river

When to visit: The dry months between April and October are the best time to visit the rainforest. However, given that the rainforests are located in the tropics, short bursts of rainfall can be expected even at this time so don’t forget your rain gear! Read more about the best time to visit Indonesia

10Shirakawa-go, Japan

Welcome to a magical wonderland set deep in the mountains of Japan. Located along the Shogawa River Valley among remote mountains stretching from Gifu to the Toyama Prefectures, picturesque Shirakawa-go needs to be seen to be believed. Visit the traditional gassho-zukuri (vernacular farmhouses), some of which are over 250 years old! In Japanese, the term “Gassho-zukuri” means, ‘constructed like hands in prayer’, as the steep thatched roofs of these farmhouses resemble the hands of Buddhist monks pressed together in prayer. The roofs also allow for attic spaces where the locals cultivate silkworms.

When to visit: Spring, the season of cherry blossoms, is a beautiful time to visit this region however, expect a host of other visitors as well! The milder autumn months later in the year are also a great time to see the villages but if you wish to walk into a snow-laden winter wonderland, there’s no better time than December to January. Read more about the best time to visit Japan

Bucket-lists come in all shapes and sizes. At Enchanting Travels, we specialize in tailoring our trips to yours. Get in touch with us today for your fully customized UNESCO World Heritage sites tour in 2019.

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The post Your Ultimate Guide to the Top 10 UNESCO World Heritage Sites of 2019 appeared first on Enchanting Travels.

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siemprelluvia · 7 years ago

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This week we’re talking about food! (Doesn’t it all look awesome?)

So here’s the thing about food: There’s a lot that I haven’t gotten to try yet, and a lot that I haven’t gotten pictures of yet. But that’s okay, I’m going with what I’ve got!

Food, in my opinion, is one of the best ways to represent culture. The ingredients in a dish and the methods used to prepare it can say a lot about where you’re from and what you’re accustomed to. How you serve that dish, what time of the year and what setting you eat it in, and who you serve it to can tell stories about social structure, day to day life, holidays, family... anything, really. Everything comes from context.

The context I have observed in my homestay is this: breakfast is served at 7:30, but you don’t have to eat right away. Lunch comes between 11:30 and 2pm, and that serve time depends on what you’re doing in the day. Dinner is at 7:30. You can eat early or you can eat late, but the food is ready and waiting at 7:30. Meals can be eaten individually or as a group- the only one that is consistently eaten as a group is dinner. Also, the television is on at most meals. It’s usually playing the news in the morning and a gameshow called EEG at night. At 8 pm, the telenovelas start. And Gaby loves to watch them with you as you finish your dinner.

Some recurring trends I’ve noticed are the ingredients. Avocado, mainly. Probably around half of the meals I’ve eaten have contained avocado in some way, shape, or form. Frankly, I’m thrilled. I love avocado. (Fun fact! Avocado is called plata in Peru) I’ve also noticed tons of tomatoes. Also a favorite of mine. Tomatoes get sliced up fresh and placed in salad- both cooked and fresh- or layered on sandwiches, or served up as a garnish. Tomatoes are everywhere. I see a splash of red in my food and it’s most definitely a tomato. And on the topic of tomatoes, I’ll mention ketchup- it’s sweet! Ketchup in the US is kind of a vinegary flavor that highlights the acidity of tomatoes. Here, the second ingredient is sugar. Far from being a bad flavor, sweet ketchup actually pairs great with mayonnaise- which usually has some lime juice in it!

And now for an A-to-Z of some of the highlights of Peruvian cuisine!

Ají de gallina: shredded chicken in a creamy yellow sauce made from yellow chilis (ají amarillo), cheese, and milk. Often served with bread or boiled potatoes, occasionally garnished with walnuts. I had this for the first time over boiled potatoes in Chincha, and it was absolutely delicious! Not at all spicy, but full of wonderful chicken, cheese, and ají flavors.

Alfajores: crumbly sandwich cookies made of flour or cornstarch cookies filled with manjar blanco (caramel-like, similar to dulce de leche, a reduction of milk and sugar) and covered in powdered sugar. I haven’t had any Peruvian alfajores yet, but I have made them before! If you like shortbread cookies and caramel, these are the treat for you.

Anticuchos: popular street food (and favorite of Carlos). Cuts of stew meat or beef heart marinated in vinegar and spices such as cumin, ají, and garlic that are skewered and grilled. Often served with boiled potatoes or bread. I haven’t tried any yet, but I fully intend to before I leave!

Arroz con leche: rice pudding! My favorite iteration of this so far is arroz zambito- rice pudding kissed by the sun. It’s traditional rice pudding that is sweetened by chancaca and flavored with coconut, raisin, and aniseed. We were served arroz zambito when we went to Mundo Libre in Pachacamac. It’s a warm dessert, but the perfect end to a meal.

Causa: a potato dish usually made as a potato cake or stuffed roll. Yellow potatoes blended with oil, lime juice, and ají amarillo are used to make a paste, which is the causa itself. The type of causa I had in Chincha was a roll stuffed with shredded chicken, served cold. An odd experience, but very good.

Ceviche: an extremely popular seafood dish, characteristic of coastal regions such as Lima. I haven’t eaten any ceviche yet, as it is seafood, but I’ve heard it’s quite good if you enjoy fish. There are many different types of ceviche, but they are typically made from fresh raw fish that has been cured in citrus juice and spiced with ají or chili peppers.

Chicha morada: classic Peruvian beverage made from purple corn. Made with sugar, cinnamon, and clove, and served with pretty much any meal you choose. Takes a little getting used to, but absolutely delicious! Personally, I think it pairs best with savory meals.

Chicarrones: fried pork belly or intestines. In Peru, it is boiled with seasoning until no water remains, then fried in its own fat. I haven’t had them yet, but they’re another popular street food and favorite of Carlos.

Chifa: a Peruvian take on Chinese cuisine! Think of all the Chinese food you have in the United States… and make it sweeter. I’ve had Chifa one time since I’ve been here and honestly… I mostly ate the wontons. Everything was really good, but the wontons were excellent. Also, chifa tends to be served with Inca Kola!

Churros: best found at a street cart in Parque Kennedy. There are tons of different types of curros, but my favorite are hot and filled with melted manjar blanco. S/. 2.50 in Parque Kennedy and worth every centimento.

Cuy: guinea pig. Straight up guinea pig. Again, not something I’ve eaten yet. It’s a big food source in the Andes, but less so here on the coast. Give me a few days- I’m headed to Cusco and I’m going to try it.

Empanadas: stuffed bread/pastry that can be baked or fried. Empanadas can have a ton of different types of fillings. I’ve had chicken and I’ve had cheese, and they’re all delicious. One curious thing about the chicken empanadas is that they nearly always have quail eggs inside with the chicken filling. It takes a little getting used to, but it’s good.

Inca Kola: practically the national drink of Peru. Seriously. Inca Kola was made in Peru in 1935 and has since exploded throughout Latin America. The true flavor of Inca Kola is lemon verbena, but everyone tastes it slightly different. The flavor is commonly referred to as cotton candy or bubblegum. It’s definitely a drink that needs some adjusting to. After three weeks, I’ve found that Inca Kola is probably my favorite soft drink. It smells like bubblegum and tastes like… well, tastes like Inca Kola.

Lomo saltado: beef stir fry typically served with rice. Can also be made with chicken (which I prefer). The meat is thinly sliced and fried with onions, tomatoes, soy sauce, and ají amarillo. Each time I’ve gotten any type of saltado, it also has French fries. And each time I’ve gotten saltado, it’s been delicious.

Mazamorra morada: a popular dessert made from purple corn and fruit. I haven’t eaten any yet, but it supposedly tastes like blackberry pie filling. It tends to be thickened with flour or corn starch and spices with cinnamon and cloves (like chicha morada) and served cold.

Papa a la huancaína: a cold dish that consists of boiled potato slices covered in Huancaína sauce. The sauce is yellow and creamy, as its base is the ají amarillo pepper. It is often served with hard-boiled egg quarters, a black olive, lettuce leaves, and tomato slices. Typically an appetizer and not a main dish. I’ve had these potatoes several times, and each time it surprises me that they’re cold. Even so, they are by far one of the most tasty and iconic foods I’ve had here in Peru.

Papa rellena: a type of croquette. In Peru it is a baked potato dough filled with chopped beef, onions, eggs, and whole black olives, with cumin and other spices. Once stuffed, the potato ball is deep-fried and is served with an accompanying ‘salsa criolla’ or ají sauce. We had papas rellenas for dinner a few days back, and while they were a little odd, they were pretty good. I could definitely get more behind this dish if it had slightly less black olives.

Picarones: vaguely circular pieces of deep-fried dough. Kind of like a donut, actually, but crispy and covered in honey. Picarones are served hot from the fryer, but the honey is always cold. I’ve had street picarones and I’ve had restaurant picarones and both are delicious. I fully intend to find a recipe and attempt to make some back home.

Pisco sour: the actual national drink of Peru. Though I am of legal drinking age here in Peru and I have had a couple of drinks in safe company, I have not tried pisco sour. I’m not sure if I will while I’m here, but I’d like to find a way to brink some pisco back to the states so I can mix up the drink for my parents. Pisco sour is a cocktail. The base liquor is pisco, which is mixed with fresh-squeezed lime juice, simple syrup, and egg whites. These ingredients are shook in a cocktail shaker with ice, then poured into a glass (sans ice) and garnished with Angostura bitters. Served straight up.

Tejas: a dumpling-shaped sweet created in the Ica region. The filling is typically a whole walnut and manjar blanco, and the exterior is a sugar-based shell similar to fondant. There are versions of tejas that are accurately named chocotejas, as the exterior is made up of a chocolate shell instead of a sugar one. I got to try some chocotejas this past weekend when I was in Ica, and they were excellent! If I thought they could survive three more weeks and a plane ride to the US, I would have gotten some to bring home.

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tirupatitourspackages · 5 years ago

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Tirupati Balaji is set at the most raised reason behind the Tirumala slants

Tirupati Balaji is India's most visited religious unprecedented meandered zone. Continually incalculable aficionados visit this treasured asylum in the Chittoor District of Andhra Pradesh, India. It is evident for the Sri Venkateshwara Temple focused on ruler Vishnu, who is additionally called by a couple of names like Balaji in the North and Govinda in South India. The Lord Sri Venkehwara is the all shocking Lord of the universe.

One of the essential 10 safe spots of India, Tirupati Balaji is set at the most raised reason behind the Tirumala slants, while the town lies at the lower locale. The Tirumala Hill has seven summits, which is said to address the seven hoods of a snake underneath where Vishnu remains. The area has the tranquil and religious air about it; the pioneers go to the shelter with pretentious feelings.

Area: Tirupati Tour group is dealt with in the Chittoor District of Andra Pradesh at the lower zones of the Eastern Ghats, and the haven of Sri Venkateshwara is embarked to the seventh summit Venkatachala. The shelter lies on the Southern banks of Sri Swami Pushkarini.

Who made it: Unfortunately, there are no records of the starting time of the Temple, notwithstanding, was kept up and empowered by different relationship early. The sheltered house is censured by the Pallavas, Cholas, Pandyas and later pioneers of Mysore.

The best method to reach: Tirupati Airport is 15 km from the downtown territory and offers two or three neighborhood flights. The nearest International flight is in Chennai (130 km) from Tirupati. A taxi will pick you that is fused into out Tirupati Package.

The veritable railroad station is the Tirupati Main; the trains take you to confirmed urban structures like Chennai. Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kochi and that is just the begin.

Exceptional contrasted with other vehicle station (Sri Hari) is genuinely extraordinary in the state, which has a direct vehicle relationship to the close towns and gigantic urban structures. There are particular connection working relationship as well.

Best time to visit: Almost the greater part of the seasons is remarkable for you to visit Tirupati. Regardless, in the event that you need to encounter the spot in its full swing, the best time is to go during the celebration time. Particularly the celebration of Brahmotsavam, celebrated around Diwali (October) is superior to the run of the mill alternative. Besides, when you are there, it is better you experience out before schedule for your relationship to God in light of the get-together.

Hypnotizing Facts:

• One of the legends behind the venerating of Lord Vishnu is that the sanctuary houses a brightness of Lord Venkateshwara (Vishnu) which is seen to stay there until the culmination of the present moment or Kali Yuga. It is additionally seen that by loving him we will accomplish Mukti or salvation.

• Tripura has a couple of shelters and is a principal moderate and illuminating center point in the south. It is one of the richest voyage focuses.

• The Tirumala Hill is 853m above ocean level and is about 10.33 square miles.

• It is seen that About 50,000 wayfarers' visit the shelter dependably and during the celebrations like yearly Brahmotsavam the extent of explorers is fundamentally 500,000.

• The idolized merriments are Vaishnava great occasions, Rama Navami, Janmashtami . while the most fundamental celebration lauded every year is Brahmotsavam.

• Tirupati is viewed as likely the most settled safe house which was referenced in Puranas and the Shastras.

• Tirumala, the name is gotten from the terms, Tiru reasons Holy and mala means inclines, subsequently the obvious mountains.

• There are a couple of astounding creatures in the asylum like Dhruva Beram, Bhoga Srinivasa, Ugra Srinivasa and some more.

• The ensured house revealed a couple of etchings that are of recorded, semantic and social criticalness.

• In the asylum, the fans shave their head as an offering to the God, the constantly amassing of the hair shows fundamentally a ton. These hairs are later sold in closeouts to by and large purchasers who change them into overhauls.

• The thuylabharam offering is done in the sheltered house, where a fan sits on a checking worth scale and brings to the table materials heavier than his weight.

Spots of Interest:

• An archeological genuine center, Chandragiri Fort.

• SV Zoological park (the second most basic zoo in Asia).

• Jungle the book Biological Park.

• Regional Science focus and Planitarium.

• There are particular safe houses that you can visit in Tirupati and Tirumala bound from the important Sri Venkateshwara Temple.

• Alamelu Mangapuram Temple.

• Padmavathi Ammavari Temple.

• Kapila Theertham (set out to ace Shiva and Parvati).

• Govindaraja Swamy Temple and that is only a look at something more prominent.

Tirupati Tour and Tirumala is an undertaking spot, offering you an appearance for a substitute encounter all around. The affirmation of the fans and the depicting of the clergymen resonation around the slopes of Tirumala. There is an inclination of most strange concordance and tranquility in the spot.

The other name Tirupati Balaji is Lord Venkata, which means destroyer of sins. Venkata is made of two words 'Ven' proposes 'sin' and 'Changed affiliation' infers 'destroyer', along these lines it is seen that darshan of Lord Venkata conflicted his terrible practices. May Lord Venkateshwara satisfy the greater part of your needs!

It is seen that Lord Srinivasa expected to make charts for his wedding. Ruler Kubera ascribed cash to Lord Venkateswara (a kind of the god Vishnu) for his marriage with Padmavathi. Together, Srinivasa and Padmavathi lived relentlessly while Goddess Lakshmi, understanding the responsibilities of Lord Vishnu, lived in his heart until the climax of time. In affirmation of this, fans go to on Tirupati visit to give cash in Venkateswara's hundi (favoring pot) with the target that he can pay it back to Kubera. The hundi accumulations go as high as 22.5 million INR very much arranged. Fans offer gold as a token of their radiance for God.

Tirupati has its own one of a kind air terminal and you can get flights from each legitimate metro of India to Tirupati air terminal. In any case, these future ricocheting flights – unfathomably through Hyderabad. There are non-stop flights from Hyderabad that take really over an hour to reach. Chennai is the closest International Airport at about 15o km and after that is the Bangalore International plane terminal around 250 km away; the two spots are related by street and rail to Tirupati. Tirupati Railway station is a colossal railhead and trains from all bits of the nation reach here.

When you reach Tirupati you can take the near vehicle – that use dependably from Tirupati to Tirumala – which is the haven site. Or of course, you can take a taxi. The segment is only 10 km.

In any case, there are amazingly exceptional principles that should be looked for after while visiting the sanctuary. Hoardings with these principles can be discovered all around in Tirupati group.

Make the principal strides not to Leave before you visit these spots:

Relish the neighboring cooking:

Visit Sri Venkateswara Swamy Vaari Temple:

Find Sri Kalahasti Temple:

1. Relish the near to cooking:

Despite whether it's the laddu maha prasad from Tirupati Balaji Temple, a certified South Indian area at a near bistro or a dazzling cup of channel espresso, Tirupati is a foodie's pleasure. Some unmistakable bistros are Andhra Spice, Hyderabad House, and Maurya Restaurant.

2. Visit Sri Venkateswara Swamy Vaari Temple:

The most unprecedented adventurer target and religious vitality for the city, it is composed on the Tirumala top, 18 kilometers from Tirupati. An imperative number of fans come here to get a gander at the eight-foot-tall picture of Lord Venkateswara masterminded with gold, gainful stones and creates and remaining under the overlaid vault, Ananda Nilaya Divya Vimana.

3. Discover Sri Kalahasti Temple:

Made plans to Lord Shiva, Sri Kalahasti Temple is an hour's drive from Tirupati and ought to be visited on the off chance that you are managing an experience to Tirupati. It is savvy of the Chola and Vijayanagara styles of organizing. Unquestionably comprehended for its Vayu Linga, which will as a rule wind, Sri Kalahasti Temple is one of the five Pancha Bhoota Streams. Attempt to visit this spot in the event that you plan a trip to Tirupati.

Endeavor the Prasadam offered to pioneers by the safe house, it's the groundbreaking "Tirupati laddoo". Tirupati Laddu had got Geographical sign etching which entitles just Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams to make or sell it. Unmistakable evident prasadams are in like way open including puliohora , daddojanam, Malhotra, vada and chakra-pongali, miryala-pongali, Appam, Paayasam, Jilebi, Muruku, Dosa, seera, Free suppers are offered especially orchestrated to the pioneers. On Thursdays, the Tirupavada Seva is driven, where sustenance things are kept as naivedyam to Lord Venkateswara.

Do try to visit Tirupati during the festival of their different celebrations, the air is accused for centrality as masses of individuals plan the get-together to offer their regards to the magnificence. The experience is amazing.

Here we are giving TirupatiTour pack to you with the faultless extravagances.

Darshan visit outfit a perfect Tirupati visit pack with the rehearsed guide that ponders the chronicled foundation of that spots and no ifs, ands or buts comprehended of every marvel happened there.In the outdated period, a large portion of the wonderful people amassed together to lead an appeasing slant for the uprightness of the world. There came the earth shattering Saints Narada. He asked them who did they need to give the easing result, paying little respect to whether it was to Brahma or Vishnu or Maheswara. They kept an eye out for that they expected to offer it to the GOD who could control the Sathva, Rejas, Thamo Qualities. By then began the subject of who was the best among the Trois. At last Saint, Bhrugu was made to discover who was the best

Sanctified individual Bhrughu who considered the past, present, and future got a third eye in his inner foot through his mind boggling amends. The groundbreaking Bhrughu First went to the universe of Lord Brahma.Brahma was chit-babbling with his life adornment Goddess Saraswathy. He didn't give a reasonable arrangement to Bhrughu. The furious Bhrugu said that through Brahma had four appearances and eight eyes He couldn't see the visitor coming. So Brahma did not legitimize the pacifying result. Since Brahma was savored the experience of Rejas Bhrughu reprimanded him that Brahma could never get commitments in the asylums. That is the reason Brahma had no asylum.

Wonderful individual Bhrugu's psyche was harmed. He began from the universe of Brahma and came to Kailasa mountain, the home Siva. There Bhrugu saw Lord Siva and his revered one Goddess Parvathy occupied with a vivacious move. Nandhi the central supporter and particular others were standing placed assets into the move. Siva couldn't get his visitor fittingly, Brughu lost control and said that shiva did not legitimize the mitigating result. He decried Shiva that he never get a picture love in the havens. Or on the other hand maybe the strategy of adoring Siva as Phallus appeared

Bhrugu came to Vaikunda, the home of Lord Mahavishnu.Bhrughu saw Vishnu lying with his treasured one Goddess Lakshmi upon the snake Anandha. Which is his bed? Narayana saw Bhrughu coming. He imagined that he didn't see him and occupied with chit prattling with Lakshmi Devi.Without thinking his character and what he was doing Bhrughu put his foot on Narayana's Breast. Narayana got up gently and tell at the feet of Bhrughu for decrease. He was lamented that he had crushed by not passing on Bhrughu. He asked Bhrughu when he put his foot on Narayanas chest whether his foot was harmed by the important stones worn by Narayana in his chest. To remove the destruction he scoured the feet of burughu. While doing this he obliterated the third eye in inside foot. Having lost the third eye Bhrughu lost all his arrogance.He comprehended his issue and cherished Vishnu. He came back to the unbelievable people and revealed to them that Sri Hari was the best among the Trios. He referenced that they give the propitiatory outcome to Mahavishnu

Lakshmi Devi's legacy at Vishnu's chest. Precisely when Bhrughu put his foot on Vishnu's Breast he fell at the feet of Bhrughu and asked exculpation. He didn't demonstrate any disdain against Bhrughu. right when Lakshmi Devi saw this she wound up being exasperates towards her adored one without knowing reality Vishnu endeavored to quiet Lakshmi Devi. Regardless, … ..

Mahavishnu attempted to quiet Lakshmi Devi. However, it was useless. Lakshmi Devi left Vaikunta

The Trios and the favored people endeavored to influence reality to Lakshmi Devi. Regardless, she didn't hear it. She set out for Kollapuram and started humility

Lakshmi Devi left Vaikunta and Mahavishnu wound up being astoundingly confounded. He went to the earth and visited Varaha Moorthy at Varaha Mountain

Mahavishnu initiated his state to Varaha Moorthy. He got concur and spot to remain there. By then he began compensation sitting in a termitary

Mahavishnu went to the earth and began to pay. His Penance he was tormented by the nonappearance of rest and sustenance. Amazing individual Narada instructed that to Parvathy Devi. Since concerning her supplication Brahma and Siva changed into a Cow and Calf. Parvathy Devi secured as a dairy animals herdess and offered the Cow and Calf to the King Chola

Varaha Moutain was a touch of the Kingdom of Chola. The Cows of King Chola used to eat in this forests zone. Ruler Brahma and Shiva spread as dairy animals and calf were in like way coming to there close by various groups. They were flooding milk each day on the terminal. One day the grazier saw that and offered a clarification to the King Chola

Following day King Chola disguised close to the termitary. The dairy animals overflowed Milk. Exactly when the dairy creatures' shepherd hit the ox-like with his hatchet Vishnu was endeavoring to leave religious school. He got hurt on his jaw and blood spouted from the damage. The bovines shepherd fell neglectful. The King dashed to Vishnu and tell at his feet and referenced astuteness. Vishnu Cursed him to change into a Devil. He said that in the going with birth the King of Chola would envision as the master of Sky. Right when Vishnu weds his girl Padmavathy the ruler would get salvation. since the dairy bovines herder was the focal man to see Vishnu following to coming to earth his race would get the bit of leeway to see him first in Vishu's shielded house

Narayana got hurt on his head and jaws. He was sifting for some medication to fix the injuries. He heard a lady exhibiting the names of Sri Krishna from a touching by a house. He went to the house and saw a lady names Vakula Malika. She related a couple of meds in the wickedness and sponsorship Narayana.During the season of Vishnu's sign of Sri Krishna. Yashoda couldn't see the marriage of Krishna knowing the torment of Yashoda Krishna kept up her to satisfy her aching. So Yashoda envisioned as Vakula Malika and shaped the marriage among Srinivasa and Padmavathy as a mother. Along these lines she got salvation

The pioneer of Sky had no adolescents. So he made a response made by Saint Suka. When he wrinkled the field utilized for reparation he got a case. In the holder, he saw a female pre-grown-up lying in a lotus having a thousand petals

The King got immature from a PADMAM(LOTUS) so he named the female tyke as Padmavati. He brought her up very carefully. As years passed Padmavathy changed into a youthful brilliant lady

Srinivasa went for seeking after from the cloister(Ashrama) of Vakula Malika. He saw an elephant looking for after a young lady. Promptly he sent several shocks at the elephant. The elephant was startled and fled. In this way, he protected Padmavathy from Danger

Padmavathy began to look all starry looked toward at Srinivasa. She didn't have the foggiest idea his character Srinivasa in addition went gaga for Padmavathy. Both of them didn't uncover one another about this and left the timberland.

Srinivasa expected to find a few solutions concerning the lady, He had found in the forested territories. So He hid as 'Kathy' ( a lady admonishing future ) and went to the kingdom of the Chola. There Kurathy anticipated about the future to the general open. During that Srinivasa got a handle on that the lady He had found in the backcountry was the young woman of the King of the Sky.

The King sent for the Kurathy lady to go to the glorious the living game plan to know the reason behind the hopelessness of his girl Srinivasa in the cover of Kurathy Woman went to the distinguished living course of action and tol The King got adolescent from a PADMAM(LOTUS) so he named the female tyke as Padmavati. He brought her up in all regards carefully. As years passed Padmavathy changed into a youthful amazing lady

Srinivasa went for searching for after from the cloister(Ashrama) of Vakula Malika. He saw an elephant looking for after a youth. Quickly he sent a couple staggers at the elephant. The elephant was frightened and fled. Thusly, he protected Padmavathy from Danger

Padmavathy began to look all starry looked toward at Srinivasa. She didn't have the foggiest idea his character Srinivasa what's more went gaga for Padmavathy. Them two didn't uncover each other about this and left the timberland.

Srinivasa expected to find several game plans concerning the lady, He had found in the forested areas. So He stowed away as 'Kathy' ( a lady censuring future ) and went to the kingdom of the Chola. There Kurathy anticipated about the future to the general open. During that Srinivasa comprehended that the lady He had found in the boondocks was the youngster of the King of the Sky.

The King sent for the Kurathy lady to go to the incredible the living way to deal with know the reason for the misery of his youngster Srinivasa in the front of Kurathy Woman went to the perceived living approach and told the King that the explanation behind her weight was the excited individual she had found in the woodlands.' Kurathy ' told the King that the energetic individual was Mahavishnu .' Kurathy ' guided the King to fix the marriage among Srinivasa and Padmavathy

Srinivasa contributed Saint Suka.who had green-winged creature head, to show the Gods his marriage

The Gods wound up being inconceivably energized when they had heard the reports on the marriage of Srinivasa. They all related before Srinivasa and Promised to come and lead the marriage. They taught Srinivasa to approach KUBERA, the God concerning riches for cash to meet the marriage costs

Srinivasa got marriage welcome from the King of Sky. He wound up being Happy and demonstrated it to Vakula Malika whom he saw as his mom. She asked Srinivasa how he could meet the costs of the marriage. He revealed to her that He would get cash from Kubera. Srinivasa considered Kubera in his psyche.

Kubera showed up before Srinivasa. He referenced gold and cash for his marriage. Srinivasa revealed to Kubera that he would reimburse the dedication toward the finishing of KALIYUGA'(the present ). Kubera gave the real cash to Srinivasa. Brahma and Siva remained as a bystander as two pipal trees along the shore of the 'PUSHKARANI'(POND). Later when trees were to chop down blood spouted from these trees. So the cutting of trees finished. We can see these pipal trees close to the pond(Pushkarani) in Tirumala

Srinivasa began to comprehension on his vehicle Garuda, An Eagle , to marry Padmavathy

All Gods together with Saints and religious fans got together to go to the marriage of Srinivas

God favored sprouts and great people kept up and subjects merrily commended the marriage. Beginning now and into the not so distant the marriage of Srinivasa with Padmavathy was made in quality.

After the marriage, Saint Agasthya offered cheerfulness to the couple. They lived in the cloister(ASHRAM) for a half year as his visitors

Favored individual Narada revealed to Lakshmi Devi about the marriage. She finished her revises at Kollapuram and achieved the gathering of Agastya. There she moved nearer Srinivasa for Justice

In the Ramayana Maya Sita went to Agni, Lord of Fire, rather than Sita. Maya Sita was Padmavathy. Vishnu was RAMA and LAKSHMIDEVI was Sita. Sita pushed toward Rama to marry Maya Sita for the Sacrifice she had done. In any case, Rama Refused it since He should have been monogamous. Rama said in the going with birth He would consider as Srinivasa and marry Padmavathy .Srinivasa referenced that Lakshmi Devi reviews these things. Having inspected the past her brain exchanged and ended up being calm

A sheltered house was worked by head Thondaman at Tirumala in Andhra Pradesh.In this sanctuary, Srinivasa for Balaji passes on Lakshmi Devi in his chest and favors the fans. Padmavathy Devi Resides at Tiruchanoor and offers advancements to the lovers. It is perceived that resulting to closing the sanctuary in the night Srinivasa goes to Tiruchanoor to see Padmavathy Devi. Vakula Malika in addition got Salvation. Srinivasa connected with her to sit at the door of 'THADAPPALLY'(Temple Kitchen) and watch the fans making obligations .Devotees can see the Idol of Vakula Malika at the 'THADAPPALLY' section.

Do you wanna have an energy about Tirupati visit? Hold up don't in like manner and book now at darshantour.com.

Tirupati Balaji Temple is a standard encounter center and one of the striking Hindu Temples and Lord Venketeshwara who means that Lord Vishnu that sorted out in the tendency town Tirumala, nearest Tirupati in Chittoor zone of Andhra Pradesh, India. Tirupati Balaji refuge is considered a holiest and most frequented religious position which is acclaimed as Vaikuntam on the earth. For incredible concordance reliably a get-together of Hindu gives visited Tirupati Balaji shelter. Incalculable fans visit this sheltered house constantly to pay regard to the most remarkable power. Tirupati Temple is moved toward Venkatadri that one of the seven plants of Tirumala and therefore is generally called the Temple of Seven Hills which called Saptagiri in Sanskrit. The Presiding ideal intensity of Tirupati Temple, Lord Venkateswara, is in like route suggested by more names as Balaji, Govinda, and Srinivasa, etc. Constantly a wide level of submits go to Tirupati shelter to love of Lord Venketesh swami. Grand Holiday Tours offer you the best outline for Tirupati Tour Packages from Delhi. We have diverse cabin in our Tirupati visit Packagesorganization which is generally need in Travel.

Tirumala which is the home of the Lord Venkateshwara is known to be the most outdated shelter dealt with in India. The Shastras, Alwar tunes, Puranas and Sthalamahatmyams without a doubt announce that in the kalyug an individual can essentially achieve salvation or mukthi by revering the Lord of Tirupati, Venkateswara. It is said that concerning 5,000 years back that Lord Venkateswara made Tirumala his Home. Before Lord Venkateswara including the Tirumala, it was Lord Varahaswami, who'd made the Tirumala his living strategy.

We give Tirupati Packages from Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Bangalore through train, by strategies for vehicle and by techniques for Air as well. The Temple is visited by a titanic number voyagers very much arranged and on a brilliant occasion or good times like Brahmotsavam, the proportion of travelers extended ward upon 400,000 to 500,000 and making it most visited sanctified spot on earth. In case you have dealt with a Trip for Tirupati Balaji Darshan and need a sensible social affair for your excursion, don't weight contact Royal Holiday Tours and get all information about Darshan, Worship and visiting and Book a Tirupati visit Package agreeing with your suggestion at a spending cost.

In context on the extraordinary significance of the Tirupati Temple, it is one of the holiest and most visited voyager centers in India. Being the living intend to Lord Balaji who implies that the Lord Vishnu it is recognized to be the Vaikuntam or Heaven on Earth. These days going to Tirupati have ended up being less hazardous and less bewildering. One could without a huge amount of a stretch strategy their Tirupati visit by Tirupati Balaji online Ticket booking and make travel relatively as settlement plans. Since Tirupati has a significant amassing on culminations of the week, good times and events most of the events the fans ought to envision their chance for a Darshanam for 48 hours or more.

Tirupati Balaji Temple is seen as a victor among the most luxurious havens on earth. This Temple is dealt with in the Tirumala in Chennai. Tirupati Temple is on a very basic level ideal and respectfully outstanding. Master Tirupati Balaji Maharaj is the major of this Temple known as Lord Venkateswara who is the ideal from Lord Vishnu. He has four hands and his game-plan is decreased. Reliably normal 50000 to 100000 fans visit the Tirupati Balaji Temple at Tirumala. The picture of Lord Balaji is the intensity of all staggering vitality. There is the get-together to the point that the push get-together and security personals would drive you forward commonly. With a best a few course of action by Temple expert for the fans, they can have a calm Darshan and fulfill their sure achievements.

The tendencies of Tirumala have seven doled out that express the seven leader of the Adisesha and along these lines taking the name Seshachalam. Seven Crownings are Venkatadri, Neeladri, Narayanadri, Anjanadri, Garudri and Vrushabhadri. The Temple of Balaji or Venkateswara is arranged on the seventh slant which is Venkatadri and is too called "Safe house of the Seven Hills". Various names of Venkateswara are Srinivasa, Balaji, and Govinda. This haven is one among the rich voyage centers present is the world after the asylum in Trivandrum, Kerala is known as Sri Padmanabaswamy Temple.

In order to make it dynamically direct for the pioneers, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams has made a grouping of workplaces like the E-Seva, E-Darshan, Sarva Darshan, etc. The E-Seva is extremely an improvement Tirupati online Ticket booking office for the Tirupati Darshanam. These approaches should either be conceivable by Visas or check cards.

There are the Tickets by Post, which is another affiliation that makes it less difficult for the fans to get the darshanam tickets by post. This will require the individual benefitting the relationship to make a letter to the pro of the asylum for the tickets on the date that has bd the King that the explanation behind her inconvenience was the energetic individual she had found in the forest.' Kurathy ' told the King that the young individual was Mahavishnu .' Kurathy ' guided the King to fix the marriage among Srinivasa and Padmavathy

Srinivasa contributed Saint Suka.who had green-winged creature head, to show the Gods his marriage

The Gods wound up being incredibly enthusiastic when they had heard the reports on the marriage of Srinivasa. They all associated before Srinivasa and Promised to come and lead the marriage. They instructed Srinivasa to approach KUBERA, the God concerning riches for cash to meet the marriage costs

Srinivasa got marriage welcome from the King of Sky. He wound up being extremely Happy and shown it to Vakula Malika whom he saw as his mom. She asked Srinivasa how he could meet the costs of the marriage. He revealed to her that He would pick up cash from Kubera. Srinivasa thought about Kubera in his brain.

Kubera showed up before Srinivasa. He referenced gold and cash for his marriage. Srinivasa revealed to Kubera that he would reimburse the dedication toward the finishing of KALIYUGA'(the present ). Kubera gave the fundamental cash to Srinivasa. Brahma and Siva remained as an onlooker as two pipal trees along the shore of the 'PUSHKARANI'(POND). Later when trees were to slice down blood spouted from these trees. So the cutting of trees halted. We can see these pipal trees close to the pond(Pushkarani) in Tirumala

Srinivasa began to experience on his vehicle Garuda, An Eagle , to marry Padmavathy

All Gods together with Saints and religious fanatics touched base to go to the marriage of Srinivas

God favored sprouts and magnificent people upheld and subjects happily commended the marriage. From now on the marriage of Srinivasa with Padmavathy was composed in quality.

After the marriage, Saint Agasthya offered festivity to the couple. They lived in the cloister(ASHRAM) for a half year as his visitors

Holy individual Narada revealed to Lakshmi Devi about the marriage. She finished her atonement at Kollapuram and achieved the social affair of Agastya. There she moved nearer Srinivasa for Justice

In the Ramayana Maya Sita went to Agni, Lord of Fire, as opposed to Sita. Maya Sita was Padmavathy. Vishnu was RAMA and LAKSHMIDEVI was Sita. Sita moved toward Rama to marry Maya Sita for the Sacrifice she had done. In any case, Rama Refused it since He should have been monogamous. Rama said in the accompanying birth He would consider as Srinivasa and marry Padmavathy .Srinivasa mentioned that Lakshmi Devi remembers these things. Having reviewed the past her mind changed and ended up being peaceful

A haven was worked by head Thondaman at Tirumala in Andhra Pradesh.In this asylum, Srinivasa for Balaji carries Lakshmi Devi in his chest and favors the fans. Padmavathy Devi Resides at Tiruchanoor and offers endowments to the devotees. It is acknowledged that consequent to closing the haven in the night Srinivasa goes to Tiruchanoor to see Padmavathy Devi. Vakula Malika furthermore got Salvation. Srinivasa empowered her to sit at the door of 'THADAPPALLY'(Temple Kitchen) and watch the enthusiasts making commitments .Devotees can see the Idol of Vakula Malika at the 'THADAPPALLY' gateway.

Do you wanna have a comprehension of Tirupati tour? Hold up don't also and book now at darshantour.com.

Tirupati Balaji Temple is a standard adventure center and one of the notable Hindu Temples and Lord Venketeshwara who is a sign of Lord Vishnu that arranged in the slant town Tirumala, nearest Tirupati in Chittoor area of Andhra Pradesh, India. Tirupati Balaji haven is considered a holiest and most frequented religious position which is acclaimed as Vaikuntam on the earth. For supernatural concordance reliably a social occasion of Hindu gives visited Tirupati Balaji haven. Countless fans visit this haven reliably to pay regard to the most extraordinary power. Tirupati Temple is masterminded on Venkatadri that one of the seven plants of Tirumala and consequently is generally called the Temple of Seven Hills which called Saptagiri in Sanskrit. The Presiding divine force of Tirupati Temple, Lord Venkateswara, is in like manner alluded to by more names as Balaji, Govinda, and Srinivasa, etc. Reliably a wide extent of submits go to Tirupati asylum to love of Lord Venketesh swami. Majestic Holiday Tours offer you the best game plan for Tirupati Tour Packages from Delhi. We have various housing in our Tirupati tour Packagesorganization which is generally needed in Travel.

Tirumala which is the home of the Lord Venkateshwara is known to be the most out of date asylum organized in India. The Shastras, Alwar tunes, Puranas and Sthalamahatmyams certainly declare that in the kalyug an individual can simply achieve salvation or mukthi by venerating the Lord of Tirupati, Venkateswara. It is said that in regards to five thousand years back that Lord Venkateswara made Tirumala his Home. Before Lord Venkateswara including the Tirumala, it was Lord Varahaswami, who'd made the Tirumala his living arrangement.

We give Tirupati Packages from Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Bangalore through train, by means of vehicle and by means of Air also. The Temple is visited by a colossal number voyagers step by step and on a remarkable occasion or festivities like Brahmotsavam, the number of explorers extended up to 400,000 to 500,000 and making it most visited the sacrosanct spot on earth. If you have organized a Trip for Tirupati Balaji Darshan and need a sensible group for your excursion, don't pressure contact Royal Holiday Tours and get all information about Darshan tour, Worship and visiting and Book a Tirupati tour Package agreeing with your proposal at a spending cost.

In view of the extraordinary noteworthiness of the Tirupati Temple, it is one of the holiest and most visited voyager centers in India. Being the living arrangement to Lord Balaji who is an indication of the Lord Vishnu it is accepted to be the Vaikuntam or Heaven on Earth. These days going to Tirupati have ended up being less troublesome and less complex. One could without a lot of a stretch game plan their Tirupati visit by Tirupati Balaji online Ticket booking and make travel similarly as settlement plans. Since Tirupati has a noteworthy gathering on finishes of the week, festivities and events most of the events the fans ought to envision their chance for a Darshanam for 48 hours or more.

Tirupati Balaji Temple is seen as a standout amongst the most lavish havens on earth. This Temple is organized in the Tirumala in Chennai. Tirupati Temple is significantly auspicious and respectfully earth-shattering. Ace Tirupati Balaji Maharaj is the major of this Temple known as Lord Venkateswara who is the ideal from Lord Vishnu. He has four hands and his arrangement is diminished. Reliably typical 50000 to 100000 fans visit the Tirupati Balaji Temple at Tirumala. The symbol of Lord Balaji is the force of all great imperativeness. There is the group to the point that the push gathering and security personals would drive you forward normally. With a best a couple of course of action by Temple master for the fans, they can have a tranquil Darshan and fulfill their hopeful achievements.

The slants of Tirumala have seven designated that express the seven chiefs of the Adisesha and thusly taking the name Seshachalam. Seven Crownings are Venkatadri, Neeladri, Narayanadri, Anjanadri, Garudri, and Vrushabhadri. The Temple of Balaji or Venkateswara is arranged on the seventh incline which is Venkatadri and is too called "Haven of the Seven Hills". Various names of Venkateswara are Srinivasa, Balaji, and Govinda. This haven is one among the wealthy voyage centers present in the world after the asylum in Trivandrum, Kerala is known as Sri Padmanabaswamy Temple.

In order to make it more straightforward for the pioneers, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams has made a variety of workplaces like the E-Seva, E-Darshan, Sarva Darshan, etc. The E-Seva is extremely an improvement Tirupati online Ticket booking office for the Tirupati Darshanam. These arrangements should either be conceivable by Visas or check cards.

There are the Tickets by Post, which is another organization that makes it less difficult for the fans to obtain the darshanam tickets by post. This will require the individual benefitting the organizations to create a letter to the master of the asylum for the tickets on the date that has been chosen. It is furthermore basic to indicate the kind of darshanam one should need to profit send it to close by a DD for the total. There are around forty-three online booking concentrates today that are giving the required organizations of the Tirupati asylum. There are various game-plans that are made by the TTD in order to empower the voyagers to structure the visit to Tirupati suitably. Regardless, there are in like manner a few authentic associations that give Tirupati package that will include settlement, travel and visiting close by various workplaces that can be altered.

#tirupati tour #tirupati tour package

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accuhunt · 6 years ago

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Unusual Solo Travel Destinations to Feed Your Adventurous Spirit.

As solo travellers, we often tend to take shelter in the same tried and tested places. The ones that rank high on online lists of “safe countries for solo travel”, which have several hostels to choose from, where tourism has made it imperative for locals to speak English and where the presence of other travellers puts us in our comfort zone. Over my solo explorations in the past seven years though, I’ve found that such places often tend to stifle our adventurous spirit. The same spirit that originally made us want to go it alone.

Looking back, my most cherished solo travel memories were made in unusual, offbeat places – and while putting together this post, I’ve considered the following parameters:

The locals aren’t saturated with tourism: Despite being an introvert, I found it relatively easy to have authentic interactions and make local friends in these places.

There’s plenty to do alone, even on a budget: Although this is very subjective and based on personal preferences, these are places where I found plenty to do using public transport and on a moderate budget.

A general feeling of safety: It’s important to keep our wits about us anywhere we go or live, but I never felt particularly unsafe in these places.

If you plan to travel solo but can’t decide where to go, consider my favorite (offbeat) solo travel destinations:

Julian Alps, Slovenia

Best solo travel destination for: Mountains and solitude

Postcard living in the Slovenian Alps.

Although as solo travellers, we’re spoilt for choice in Europe, the one country that really stole my heart is Slovenia. Like every other traveller, I first landed up in Ljubljana – an artsy capital city with incredible vegan food (hello, Barberella Arkade Bistro) – and Lake Bled – a sore disappointment given how commercial it’s become. But further into the Slovenian Alps, I was captivated by the dreamy mountains and valleys, loved hiking and cycling by myself, and ended up staying with Slovenian hosts so friendly, they invited me for home-cooked meals and drove me to their favorite spots amid the stunning rivers and forests. That special connection was so strong that one week after I left Slovenia, I ended up changing my travel plans and coming back to spend the rest of my Europe trip there!

Solo travel recommendations for Slovenia:

Getting around: Buses connect many parts of the Slovenian Alps to Ljubljana. I mostly hiked, cycled and got rides with my hosts in the mountains.

Visa: Slovenia is part of the Schengen zone; see my tips on how to score a Schengen visa on an Indian passport.

Stay: See all the Airbnbs I loved in Europe (I even slept in a wine barrel in Ljubljana!)

Also read: Easy Ways to Take Awesome Photos of Yourself While When You Travel Solo

Hill country, Sri Lanka

Best solo travel destination for: First international solo trip; nature; vegan food

Mornings at my homestay in Colombo.

I think of Sri Lanka as a saner, smaller, less chaotic version of India – one that is as full of natural beauty yet feels safer and easier to manoeuvre. The capital city of Colombo always puts me in my comfort zone as I sink my feet into the wet shores of the Indian Ocean, feast at accidentally vegan-friendly restaurants and imagine a utopian future for India with lower population, clean streets and better infrastructure. And when I think of the countryside, I can’t stop dreaming of the lush green hills, the train rides along misty tea plantations and rice paddies, the curious locals who become friends with an ice-breaking smile, the forests with indigenous dwellers, wild elephants and big cats, and most of all, of steamed hoppers served with a curry simmered overnight with Sri Lankan spices. Can I go back already?

Solo travel recommendations for Sri Lanka:

Getting there: Sri Lankan Airlines flies direct from multiple cities in India.

Visa: Sri Lanka offers online ETA, which serves as the Sri Lanka tourist visa for Indians. See details here.

Stay: For a luxurious stay, Cinnamon Hotels has branches in Colombo and Kandy. Check out my fav Airbnbs across Sri Lanka if you’re on a budget.

Do: See my list of incredible ways to experience Sri Lanka.

Also read: Travelling Abroad First Time? 10 Questions on Your Mind

Kumaon, Uttarakhand, India

Best solo travel destination for: Nature and the slow life

Hiking in the deodar forests of Uttarakhand.

On some of my earliest solo explorations in India, the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand taught me so much about solo travel. In Peora and Nathuakhan, I learnt to hike alone, put my faith in nature and accept random acts of kindness from strangers. Walking across Himalayan villages in Kumaon, I learnt to embrace the slow life philosophy of locals – sometimes out of choice, sometimes out of circumstance. In Binsar, I learnt of the man-forest conflict and in Sarmoli, I grasped how a small group of committed women can transform their lives and those of many others.

I don’t think I could have enjoyed mere sightseeing in the Kumaon Himalayas. The terraced mountain farms, the pristine lakes, the scented pine forests and the lush valleys are stunning, no doubt. But it’s only when I learnt to club them with a slice of local living, that I truly fell in love.

Solo travel recommendations for Kumaon, Uttarakhand:

Getting there: Take the Shatabdi from Delhi to Haldwani, and a shared taxi thereafter. You can also fly to Pantnagar but shared rides are harder to find there.

Stay: All the homestays in my list of awe-inspiring hideouts to tune out of life and tune into the mountains in Uttarakhand.

Transport: Shared taxis, state buses, hitchhiking. Ask your hosts for advice.

Also read: How I Conquer My Solo Travel Fears

Ecuador

Best solo travel destination for: Experienced solo travellers; hiking; culture

Crazy beautiful hikes in Ecuador.

Hiking alone in the Andes Mountains of Ecuador is definitely one of my most cherished solo travel memories – especially when I throw in my time with an indigenous Quichua family and the jaw-dropping beauty of the rugged Andean trails, forests, lakes, valleys, canyons and ridges. Despite spending a month slowly exploring the country – partly by myself, partly with a friend – I feel like I never really got my closure and can’t wait to go back someday.

Solo travel recommendations for Ecuador:

Visa: Indian passport holders get visa-free access to Ecuador with a valid and used US visa.

Stay: I loved staying at family-run Airbnbs across Ecuador, and at Black Sheep Inn in the Andes.

Transport: Public buses connect most of the country.

Learn Spanish: Speaking Spanish is essential to travel in Ecuador.

Also read: What it’s Like to Travel Solo When You’re in a Relationship

Mauritius

Best solo travel destination for: Nature and beaches – if you don’t mind being surrounded by lovestruck couples!

Black River Gorges in Mauritius.

It’s one thing to read that Mauritius is popular with honeymoon couples, quite another to land on this beautiful island and constantly be badgered with questions of why you chose to travel there alone. But once I learnt to humour the questions, I fell in love with the many faces of the island – hiking in the rugged wilderness above Port Louis and in the Black River Gorges National Park, riding my bike along swaying sugarcane fields, chatting with Indo-Mauritian fishermen and farmers, revelling in the stunning sunrises and sunsets, checking out the craft beer and street food scene, sleeping on a rooftop under the stars, and snorkelling to explore the stunning underwater beauty of the Indian Ocean. I wouldn’t pick it as my first solo travel destination, but I’d certainly go when I’m ready for some sea, sand and solitude.

Solo travel recommendations for Mauritius:

Visa: Mauritius offers visa on arrival for Indian passport holders.

Stay: Check out my list of incredible eco-conscious accommodations in Mauritius – that are not honeymoon resorts

Adventure sports: See my self-crafted Mauritius adventure sports map!

Getting around: Although renting a car is the only option for long distances, I was pretty happy covering short ones on my rented scooter and bicycle.

Also read: Solo Travel: To Go or Not To Go?

Cuba

Best solo travel destination for: Experienced solo travellers; architecture; culture

The colors of La Habana.

As someone who can’t imagine staying offline for long periods of time, I didn’t know if I’d enjoy exploring Cuba solo. Turned out, the fascinating history, isolated culture, striking natural beauty and endearing locals made me forget all about the internet – even though it could be accessed in public parks! The best thing I did in La Habana (Havana) was sign up for a private “go with the flow” afternoon with Cuban Adventures and spend 3 hours with a young guide who grew up in Cuba – drinking daiquiri, catching a football game, learning about the Afro-Cuban religion, spotting incredible murals and sculptures as we wandered around the by-lanes of Havana and talked candidly about Cuba’s eventful history.

In an attempt at offbeat and meaningful travel, I also landed up volunteering briefly at a coral reef restoration project run by IOI Adventures in a remote village in Isla de la Juventud. Along with locals from the village and a fellow volunteer, I picked up plastic trash from the ocean floor, saw how corals were being regrown, patrolled a deserted beach for turtle hatching, snorkelled above stunning reefs and pledged to further cut out single-use plastic from my life.

Solo travel recommendations for Cuba:

Visa: Indian passport holders can enter Cuba with a tourist card.

Internet: Wifi cards are available for purchase at ETECSA (telecom) shops across the country, and wifi can be accessed at many public parks.

Stay: I stayed at Casa Particulares (private homestays) across Cuba – some through Airbnb, some through local reference – and loved interacting with local families.

Transport: Buses and shared taxis connect most places across Cuba; homestay hosts can arrange both with some advance notice.

Also read: How I’m Financially Sustaining My Digital Nomad Lifestyle

Odisha, India

Best solo travel destination for: Mature solo travellers; culture-seekers

Sunset in the eastern ghats.

I only spent a couple weeks in Odisha, quite nervous about exploring the state for the first time. But I quickly fell in love with everything – the local food (easy to veganise), the warm people, the stunning and diverse natural beauty and the intriguing tribal way of life. I did long journeys on state buses, took an overnight train, explored small villages on a bicycle, and felt safe in the company of those I met along the way.

I say Odisha is for experienced solo travellers though, because travel infrastructure is limited, the regular tourist circuit isn’t geared towards solo travel and it takes some ‘jugaad’ (think hitchhiking pillion on a motorbike) to get off the beaten path if you travel alone and don’t have a car. I’ll be writing a detailed post about my travels in Odisha soon!

Solo travel recommendations for Odisha:

Stay: I enjoyed staying at Kila Dalijoda along the eastern ghats and Chandoori Sai in the Koraput region. And loved my time at Desia Ecolodge, where thanks to my host and now friend Bubu, I was able to experience the fascinating tribal culture of Koraput in an intimate and respectful way.

Public transport: I got around by buses and trains, and although the quality is pretty much the same as the rest of India, I found the locals to be helpful and friendly, and didn’t feel unsafe.

Also read: How to Plan Your First Solo Trip

The United Kingdom

Best solo travel destination for: First solo trip; cities; hiking

Hiking in the Lake District.

Though not the most friendly on the wallet, England and Scotland are some of the easiest places to navigate without having to get familiar with a foreign language, with plenty to explore for offbeat travellers. I spent my days in Aberdeen and Edinburgh walking everywhere, checking out old churches, urban parks, edgy neighborhoods and hipster cafes. Renting a car or joining a group tour is necessary to explore much of the countryside, but I found that the Lake District was a beautiful exception – the town of Keswick is accessible by train and bus, and is a great base for incredible hikes in the surrounding Cumbrian Mountains.

Solo travel recommendations for the UK:

Visa: Apply for a UK visa at VFS UK; the regular tourist visa takes atleast 14 working days, sometimes longer, so give yourself plenty of time.

Stay: Find bed and breakfasts, and old country hotels across Britain, on booking.com. If you’re not signed up yet, register with my referral to get 10$ off your first stay.

Also read: Autumn, Adventure and Artful Living in Aberdeeshire, Scotland

Guatemala

Best solo travel destination for: Mature solo travellers; rugged beauty; cultural immersion

Hate saying goodbye to Guatemala.

I’ve perhaps never been as nervous embarking on a solo adventure as I was boarding my flight to Guatemala – my first time in Central America. But those solo travel fears were soon dispelled in the quaint town of Antigua, in the home of a Mayan family in an obscure town where I learnt Spanish and by the stupendous beauty of Lake Atitlan. I’ve been so intrigued by what survives of the Mayan culture and so delighted by the basic staple food (beans, rice, plantains, cacao, avocados) that I’ve been back for long periods twice since. I recommend Guatemala for experienced solo travellers because you must learn some Spanish to get by, know when to trust your gut, and figure out the country once you go beyond the worn-out tourist trail.

Solo travel recommendations for Guatemala:

Visa: Indian passport holders get visa-free access to Guatemala with a valid and used US visa.

Stay: Check out my fav Airbnbs across Central America.

Transport: The popular tourist spots in Guatemala are connected by shuttles, while other places are accessible by bus.

Learn Spanish: Learning Spanish is a must while travelling in Guatemala; very few locals are able to understand English. I learnt Spanish at the pretty remote Bio Itza School in the village of San Jose, and then again from private Mayan tutor Rebeca along Lake Atitlan.

Also read: What Solo Travel Has Taught Me About the World – And Myself

Spiti, Himachal Pradesh, India

Best solo travel destination for: First solo trip; mountains; going off the grid; volunteering

The stark beauty of Spiti.

The Spiti Valley of Himachal Pradesh is where my love affair with solo travel began. I still remember my first lonely night in a shabby room in Shimla with some clarity. I had no idea what I was doing, why I was travelling alone, what it was going lead to. But all those questions were dispelled as we drove along winding roads to arrive in one of the most spectacular and fascinating regions of India. Back in 2011, Spiti was a trip of firsts for me – volunteer traveling, hitch-hiking, sleeping under the Milky Way and learning about sustainable tourism. My time volunteering with Spiti Ecosphere impacted me so deeply that I decided to quit my corporate job soon after and began charting a different life for myself.

Solo travel recommendations for Spiti, Himachal Pradesh:

Getting there: Take the overnight HPTDC Volvo bus from Delhi to Manali, spend a night or two to acclimatise, then take a shared taxi to Kaza.

Traveling in Spiti: I highly recommend traveling with Spiti Ecosphere – their “life as a local” trip is one I want to try myself. You can also base yourself in Kaza for a while and volunteer with them.

The “I Love Spiti” campaign: Last year, I partnered with Spiti Ecosphere and fellow volunteers to launch “I Love Spiti” – a campaign against plastic bottled water in Spiti. Consider volunteering in Spiti to take this campaign to the next level!

Also read: Solo Travel Moments That Left Me Scared Shitless

Bahrain

Best solo travel destination for: Experienced solo travellers; culture

With a local friend in Bahrain.

Many countries in the Middle East are shrouded in controversy and oppression, and having heard horror stories from close friends, I’d probably avoid many of them, especially as a solo female traveller. Bahrain (and Oman and Jordan) are exceptions though – some of the more liberal, peaceful ones in the region. I didn’t travel solo in Jordan and I’m yet to explore Oman, but Bahrain has occupied a warm space in my heart since I travelled there a few years ago. Public transport is non-existent and taxis expensive, so I ended up hitch-hiking with the friendliest souls, hanging out in trendy shisha cafes, having heart-to-heart conversations with locals and even finding some surprising Indian connections.

Solo travel recommendations for Bahrain:

Visa: Bahrain offers visa on arrival for Indian passport holders.

Stay: I stayed at a hotel, but in retrospect, would choose an Airbnb or guesthouse in or close to the trendy Adliya neighborhood.

Getting around: Getting around within Bahrain without a car is challenging. I managed with walking, hitch-hiking, being driven around with new friends and the rare taxi.

Also read: Why You Shouldn’t Put Off Your Travel Dreams in 2018

North Goa (interiors), India

Best solo travel destination for: First solo trip; vegan food

The sleepy interiors of north Goa.

I’ve never been drawn to the beaches of Goa – often full of boisterous crowds, aggressive drug peddlers and underwhelming food. But the interiors of Goa have continued to delight me for years now, thanks to my earliest discoveries with my Goan hosts Raquel and Roberto. Theirs is not the Goa you read or hear about otherwise – no beaches, no loud parties, alcohol is not the centre of attraction. Theirs is a Goa of sleepy villages, pristine backwaters, lush paddies and the susegad (content) life. One that you have to experience yourself to believe.

Solo travel recommendations for Goa:

Stay: Stay at Cancio’s House for an authentic Goan experience in the interiors of North Goa on a budget.

Do: See my alternative travel guide to Goa, authentic Goan food to try and offbeat ways to experience Goa.

Also read: Offbeat, Incredible and Sustainable: These Travel Companies Are Changing the Way You Experience India

Germany

Best solo travel destination for: Nature; postcard villages; solitude

Postcard villages in Hessen, Germany.

Ever since I got over my misconceptions of Germany on my first Euro trip (no, most Germans are not uptight and the beer’s fab but there’s so much more to the country), I’ve explored several parts of Germany – a lot of it solo. I love the wine traditions along the River Rhine, the Christmas Markets across the country, the forested countryside of Hessen, the waterways of Spreewald, the lost-in-time villages of Southwest Germany and the stellar beauty of the German Alps in Berchtesgaden National Park. Equally, I love the conscious living embraced by many locals, the long train journeys on the Deutsche Bahn (seriously, when will India catch up?) and the fact that I’m never thinking twice about my safety.

Solo travel recommendations for Germany:

Getting there:Lufthansa offers direct flights from India to Munich and Frankfurt.

Visa: Apply for a Schengen visa at VFS Germany in India.

First time to Germany: See my tips to plan your first trip to Germany.

What are some unusual places around the world you’ve travelled solo? Which were your favorites and why?

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Unusual Solo Travel Destinations to Feed Your Adventurous Spirit. published first on https://airriflelab.tumblr.com

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