With Debbie and Hubby

November 14, 2016

I started my travelthon with a vision of meeting different people, absorbing their stories, learning from their diverse knowledge and understanding their culture. A year back, I was roaming the streets of Dharamshala chatting to monks trying to understand the history and fate of the Tibetan people. It was then that I bumped into a cute couple from Texas, USA. They were seated in a cafe having breakfast. I sat on the same table and started chatting. I found our conversation on God, fate, religion and spirituality. It was so engaging that I wrote it on my blog. I was not lucky enough to see the Dalai Lama, but Debbie managed to shake hands with the big man and also received words of wisdom from him. The chat in the cafe and our time together was very memorable for me as I explained to them the vision of my travelthon and the reason for travelling the world. Then we parted ways only in a hope that we will see each other again.

Fate, indeed, is a funny thing and destiny plays its silent, yet, sure part in our lives. Just a few days back I got a message on my messenger from Debbie that she was in Delhi. She had been following my blog for a year and had also been actively commenting on some of my posts. I was thrilled and it was great timing as I had just landed in Delhi after celebrating Diwali with my friends in Mumbai. I asked her to send me her number and the next morning, we decided to meet outside her hotel in Lajpat Nagar. Debbie was happy to see me as I took them for a tuk-tuk ride around New Delhi, India Gate and Connaught Place. We had a meal at the Kake Ka Dhaba where we dived into some delicious no-nonsense Punjabi food. Butter chicken, keema and roti were heaven as both of them relished the Indian food. We had ice cream at Naturals and I treated them to a special banarasi paan.

Luckily for me, a fan recognised me as a Bollywood celebrity and even took photographs with me. It gave me the added boost in front of my foreign guests. After all, they were being shown around the city by a Bollywood celebrity.

By the evening, we headed for their hotel where I thanked them for their company. Debbie invited me over to Texas when I decided to go to the USA. She even promised to help with the visas. Surely, I had struck a good friendship with them which will continue as I move forward in my travelthon.

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Crocodiles, Hippos and Sunset on the Zambezi

October 14, 2016

So here I was in Zambia as an explorer. I was no less than Livingstone trying to make sense of the world and its many wonders. One such marvel is the Zambezi cruise that I went on. It was one of the most invigorating experiences of my life. I was thrilled to bits but before that, we had an opportunity to see some reptiles and serpents in the crocodile park. I roamed amongst these vicious animals and observed them sucking on a lemon drop. Cobras, vipers, and many creepy crawlers were all available for me to see and take pictures with.

i_croc — A Crocodile in the Crocodile Park

Nick was at his animated best as we then drove towards the Zambezi sunset cruise. I chatted with the people who had come to enjoy the cruise as we all hopped on a trawler full of booze with chicken and sausages being served for all to enjoy. I sipped away on glasses of whiskey and lime as the hippos in the river tried to come close to us. There was a group of them all floating under the water with only their noses being visible, but the most interesting part was when they yawned and widely opened their mouth. I managed to take a lot of pictures of hippos, elephants and cranes. It was as if they wanted my attention and were posing for my lens. I have also learnt so many things from these animals and that is another story.

i_hippo — Did you know that a Group of Hippos is called a Crash?

Then all of a sudden I heard ‘ooooh’s and ‘aahha’s. As I turned around, I saw the sunset. There it was, the sun as a radiant orange ball in the sky that made me feel like I was in love again. The fresh fizzing barbecue, the banter of good friends, flying cranes, bobbing hippos and the astonishing sunset. It was all too much to enjoy. I clicked away as Roger urged me to take that perfect shot. “Maybe I will travel to Botswana also. I think I am enjoying Africa.” Roger smiled and said. “We would love to take you there if you so wish.” “I have to finish Zimbabwe first, then I think I can get to Botswana. I will let you know.” That was that. The salad was nice and so was the chicken.

i_boat_2 — Making food in the middle of the Zambezi waters.

The cruise was about two and a half hours long and we were back to the banks of the river by 7:00 PM local time only to be greeted by the traditional dancers. Their dance was a vibrant traditional Zambian dance that was very similar to the ones I have seen in Zulu. The loud banging of the drums along with a robust shaking of the hips and legs. I wanted to join them but I felt exhausted. So I let be but yes, I did get some pictures of their fantastic costumes. I loved it as hell and was struck by the sheer spirit and power of their dance. They were just high on rhythm and music. All they had was their dance and it was as if the dance had merged with them and as if everything was one.

i_cruise_3 — The sphere of fire in the sky, making me feel as if I am in love again.

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Walking with Lions

September 17, 2016

Settling into Lusaka, Zambia and taking time out with the Welham Boys’, I was sated and yet needed more! That is what it is to be a traveller and the Hindi word yayavar –

वह साधु या संन्यासी जो किसी एक स्थान पर टिककर न रहता हो, बराबर घूमता फिरता हो।
वह जिसके रहने का कोई निश्चित स्थान न हो और जो खान पान आदि के सुभीते के विचार से अपना डेरा कभी कहीं और कभी कहीं लगाता हो।

came to mind!

On the Road, Nick and I, Lusaka to Livingstone - September 2016 — On the Road, Nick and I, Lusaka to Livingstone – September 2016

Lusaka To Livingstone ! — Lusaka to Livingstone!

Nick and I had connected on the internet before I got here. He came designated as Transportation Coordinator for Africa, Zambia and with his help and his merry crew, I headed for a four-day trip to Livingstone, Zambia which is situated south of Lusaka and named after David, the famous explorer. He was the first ever European and a Scot at that to ever get to Africa. Nick drove me to Livingstone which was a five-hour drive. We started early and reached just after lunch time. Continue Reading "Walking with Lions"

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Welham Boys’ and Christ College Get-together at Lusaka

September 15, 2016

Tanzania had been fun and I was headed to Zambia and Lusaka, their biggest city and capital. It has been fun ever since I arrived. The local currency is Kwacha here and around 9.8 Kwacha is a dollar. The streets are broad and clean with tasteful African architecture. Lodges, bungalows, stores and dusty markets is Lusaka for you. I met up with old Welham Boys’ school mates Neeraj and Ashish who showered me with their hospitality and kindness. I was overwhelmed by their generosity. We went to Lusaka club for lunch and wandered around the Safari Park to see rhinos and deer. The night was in a beautiful club with lots of liquor and fine Thai foor. The club was filled with the clutter of glasses and the cream society of Lusaka dine here.

Boys will Be Boys ! — Boys will be Boys!

Then it was time to hang out with the Christ College gang Goma, Phiri and Moyo. We all hooked up. Goma, of course, helped me with my visa letter and we met Phiri at a night club. It was J&B all around as we chatted about old times and how time flies. Goma just went through a bypass as I informed him about my ailments.

“You see Goma, I have no physical ailments as all my problems are in my head. Being creative, I am diagnosed as schizophrenic. I get great bursts of inspiration where I begin to write great poetry and verses.” I said in a very animated manner.

Goma, playing with his mobile phone looked up and said “Ah like Rabindranath Tagore, the man who wrote that great poem.” Pat came my reply “Yes, Gitanjali, it won him the Nobel Prize for Literature” The evening was moving smoothly as we got a bit drunk and then moved to a posh Indian Restaurant for dinner.

x11275 — Conversing about Poetry and Life.

Man, I was having Indian food after a long time. So I had keema mattar and chicken masala with naan and tandoori roti. Zambia is famous for copper, Victoria Falls and the wildlife. The people are very friendly and Indian food is easy to get here.

I stayed at a lodge in Chudleigh on the outskirts of Lusaka. Goma used to visit me there and I also drank with Moyo at the bar of the lodge. After a few days of meeting old friends and reminiscing about our history together, I felt a warm feeling in my heart and it felt as if I was at home here, but I say this about every country I am in at the moment.

Next day, I felt a little restless so went for a swim and chilled out on beer and chicken. I also tried the live video feature of Facebook for the first time and it has got a lot of views for me. But I had now decided to move base to Livingstone for four days and that’s exactly what I did with the help of Nick Daga and the Zambian Safari Experience. At 250 dollars a day, it was a steal. Victoria Falls, Lion Walks, crocodile farms and also fun at the river Zambezi was all waiting for me. It was as if I was ready to embrace Zambia.

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Sunset at Zanzibar – an African Archipelago!

September 11, 2016

After all the animals, nature and some supernatural, I headed further out into Zanzibar in Tanzania which is an archipelago, a collection of islands! The view of the mountains was a delight to see as I crossed the plane.

Mount Kilimanjaro in the clouds !! — Mount Kilimanjaro in the clouds!

I had a few days to kill here before heading to Zambia where several of my friends awaited me and my exciting company (I am sure!). I had checked into this shack of a hotel and woke up late as my friendly guide Dixon knocked on the door “Hey sir, wake up! I have to tell you something about tomorrow’s plan.” he bellowed. “Hang on, hang on!” I said as I stumbled out of the bed half naked with sleepy eyes. I looked around this beautiful shack in Zanzibar to find my keys to the room so that I could open the damn door. “Damn!” I swore, “I can’t find the room keys, hang on!” I said as I grabbed my bag to see if it was there. “We will have to break the door from outside.” Norman barked for helped. A tragedy was avoided and as luck would have it, I found my keys under the bed sheet and opened the door. Norman told me the schedule for my trip for the next day which was “I will have to leave now for Dara Salam. My friend will come and pick you up tomorrow.” he said with a glee in his eyes “Till then, enjoy the sunset on the beach.”

Continue Reading "Sunset at Zanzibar – an African Archipelago!"

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Sunset at the Sopa Lodge

September 4, 2016

I have been travelling through Africa for more than 70 days, that is, over two months. It was kind of interesting to note that between journeys especially at airports and in planes, some rather famous people have also been discovering Africa with me!

https://www.facebook.com/narendramodi/videos/10157233136050165/

Prime minister Modi was all over Africa and perhaps, he was having more fun than I was and definitely covering more ground.

https://www.facebook.com/narendramodi/photos/a.10150164299700165.421791.177526890164/10157235286640165/?type=3

Mark has been around. He lost a satellite and suffered a setback to his plans of bringing the internet to Africa. Continue Reading "Sunset at the Sopa Lodge"

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Dara Salam to Moshi, Kilimanjaro, some coffee and the waterfall!

August 27, 2016

I had gotten into Dar-es-Salam and the plan was to see the wildlife this side of the African landscape having seen one side at Kenya already. I had tied up with a local tour guide through people I knew at Africa from earlier and as I was now getting to know travelling through the continent, covering countries.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1416214755265946&set=a.1416214791932609.1073741826.100006323056036&type=3&theater

Norman was to be my my guide cum taxi driver and on the first day he arrived two hours late to the hotel. I had been up all night writing and had just slept a few winks. It was frustrating to say the least but I got along with him to the car with my bags. We were headed towards Moshi, the foothills of the Kilimanjaro.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10154236026287911&set=a.10154236010542911.1073741866.746592910&type=3&theater

We stopped at a local shop for water and samosas which were as always ever present at Africa and then headed on the road. Continue Reading "Dara Salam to Moshi, Kilimanjaro, some coffee and the waterfall!"

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Salam and Thank you for Smoking

August 25, 2016

Maputo, Mozambique had been interesting but the traveller in me was moving ahead into Africa and now I was now headed to Dar-es-Salam, Tanzania – literally in Arabic – the abode of peace, the land of Serengeti and the Kilimanjaro and ZanZibar.

http://www.facebook.com/anuj.tikku/posts/10154229812182911

I wanted to explore these exotic african landscapes. I was booked on a Kenyan Airways Flight to Dar-es-Salam with stops at Nairobi and hopping through Kilimanjaro!

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10154239528857911&set=ms.c.eJxdy8kNwEAIQ9GOIsDD4v4bm~_QU4ZOlJ383zxNgRhua7o~%3B~%3BAoTIu1tmUirayIfJ~%3BYGlVIiKXeEURZImUt2fXErFJ5I~-.bps.a.10154239526532911.1073741868.746592910&type=3&theater

It takes around two hours with a 15 min stop over at Kilimanjaro. At the Nairobi airport I wanted to smoke and the nearest smoking room was a ten min walk away. I decided to bribe the janitor and he allowed me to smoke in the women’s loo which was empty at that time. This is not the first time i have smoked in a no smoking zone and I recalled I had at the Khajuraho airport and such customs rarely change across geographies and bribing the janitor does the trick most of the time. Often they manage to arrange for a lighter also. So this is for the traveller smokers out their and a trick when the urge arises in you to smoke at airports! Continue Reading "Salam and Thank you for Smoking"

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Hans & I in Magical Maputo

August 20, 2016

After some great adventures, romance and animals at Kenya reached Maputo in the land of Mozambique.

https://www.facebook.com/anujtikku1974/photos/pcb.943020895824492/943019719157943/?type=3&theater

This is a country that has an AK47 in it’s flag and stuff can get exciting here a bit! I checked into the Villa Das Mangas situated in the town centre.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10154223582037911&set=pcb.10154223584697911&type=3&theater

https://www.facebook.com/anujtikku1974/photos/pcb.943020895824492/943020135824568/?type=3&theater

It is a sea port of significance and was a Portuguese colony granted freedom in the early 1970s. Continue Reading "Hans & I in Magical Maputo "

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Onwards to Mount Kenya and ruminations!

August 7, 2016

The Amboseli leg of my journey was coming to an end and it was time for us to move towards mount Kenya. In the meanwhile I also took the opportunity to apply for my Zambia visa online. I used a 3G dongle with a local SIM card to get access to internet on the move and while the connection was not exactly stellar – it did get the job done!

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10154185343907911&set=pb.746592910.-2207520000.1470550082.&type=3&theater

I could upload and send mails , everything on the move from the comfort of my van. I am thinking now that I need to go back and tie up with a telecom service provider and get a discounted deal. Telecommunication cost can be a substantial part of ones travelling expenses especially if you also want to blog while at it. Continue Reading "Onwards to Mount Kenya and ruminations!"