New avenues to earn frequent flyer miles (and even bitcoins) have emerged with PointsHound & RocketMiles. Both the services are just like the other hotel booking engines with the added benefit of earning miles for the booking. This is in addition to the usual point earnings from the hotel for the stay. RocketMiles has been […]
Category: Travel Stories
Getting to & back the Bangalore airport
The Bangalore airport (officially called Kempegowda International Airport, named after the founder of Bangalore) opened in 2005 and located about 40kms from the city centre. It is the only commercial airport of Bangalore. The old city airport is only used for testing & defense purposes (probably also for private planes. When I own one, I […]
How to earn air miles, bitcoins and cash back for booking hotels, not only staying
It is a funny world out there. Besides earning loyalty program points for staying in hotels, it is also possible to earn airline miles, bitcoins or a cash back for just booking a hotel. Here’s how… Earn airline miles for booking a hotel: PointsHound & RocketMiles Both are like any other hotel booking services, just […]
Short take on long distance air travel
Long distance air travel is a mixed bag experience. As much as it confuses the body clock and tires the muscles, it also brings along a few unique thrills, memorable experiences and new ideas An empty next seat :D Free upgrades :O (Those booked in first class have no such hope, sorry guys ;) A […]
Days in Spain/Catalonia: Happy bartenders of Barcelona
One of the positives of solo travel- one has no choice but to watch others! Especially in vibrant cities like the one am in now, Barcelona. It is a insightful and fun experience. Last evening at La Pizza Del Born (If one thinks the best pizzas are always thin crust, this place will change that […]
Days in France: Random train of thoughts
————————————————————- This was written on July 2013!!! ————————————————————- The world was seen in just 2 – India and Foreign! It does seem lame and dumb but this was the belief as a young boy. That was an era of postal letters, telegram, (that died recently in India) and newspapers. No internet, no mobiles, one channel […]
Dubai: A few hours in the desert city
————————————————————- This was written on 26th April 2012!!! ————————————————————- Flying by Emirates, it is hard not to plan a stop over in Dubai, a showcase of how big money coupled with a grand vision could create a mystique that man would yearn to experience discounting the odds of nature. If not for the creation of an […]
Days in France: Skied to Roland Garros to watch a play!
“Skied to Roland Garros to watch a play!”…. Does sound weird ah! Pick the 3 key words – Ski, Roland Garros & a play and it summaries the last trip to Paris. The first weekend, we drove about 500kms from Paris towards the south of France to La Clusaz on the Alps ranges. Our good […]
Georgia Sunshine Village
We made a short drive out trip to George Sunshine Village for the last couple of days. About 100kms of good roads from Bangalore on NH209 and a last stretch of rugged terrain (about 5kms), Georgia Sunshine is close to Talakad & Shivanasamudram- Ganganachukki (bluff) and Barachukki falls. It is a small cozy resort, passionately […]
Days in Malaysia: A vacation that made it our way
The trip to Srilanka last year was our first long & far vacation after Aashira joined us. Srilanka was an experiment- travelling with a tiny tot, accommodating her interests & needs. We realised soon, she had in fact taught us to relax & unwind. Otherwise, we would have kept it busy and tight to ensure […]
Days in Srilanka: Travel tips & some observations
1. Bangalore & Chennai are nearly equi-distant from Colombo (little over an hour) but you will find significant difference in air fares. About 4-5 airlines fly Chennai-Colombo while only Srilankan Airlines fly Bangalore-Colombo. SpiceJet has launched Chennai-Colomobo and return fares are available under-Rs 5000 all inclusive. 2. The Srilankan tourism organization’s website is rich in […]
Srilanka: Trip Summary
It was a much sought after vacation since Aashira’s birth. Besides short drive trips to Mysore & Coorg, it had been over 2 long years. Srilanka was the chosen beach destination after Andaman & Lakshadweep lost out due to lack of direct flights from Bangalore and not-so-easy access to suitable accommodation from the destination airport. […]