India is indeed an all-in-one package. While visiting this country, no matter what destination you choose, there is so much on your list that one often wishes somebody had told them ‘What not to do’. Gunjan Mehra suggests.
Somebody once said – ‘The kind of a vacation you have will primarily depend upon not whether you know what exactly to do but more so on what not to waste your time in doing’.
Every time you are on a holiday chances are that you will end up squandering away a lot of your time and moolah on useless pursuits that really would mean nothing to your or those accompanying you. Of course, every individual is bound to travel with a different objective, but in spite of that a few activities/destinations tend to be just over-rated and giving these a miss could actually be worth it.
So, here is a list of the activities that you must shy away from no matter how much your travel agent/advisor insists. For your convenience, we bring you a host of ‘What not to do’ tips from popular travel destinations like Goa and the North East.
1. Bagga and Calangute:
Mention Goa and the first thing that people suggest is visiting Bagga and Calangute beaches. Well, the truth is Goa is anything but them. The true spirit and colors of Goa reside in the beaches of the South Goa like Utorda, Majorda and Palolim. Although, North Goa has a few good beaches too, but Bagga and Calangute are definitely not them. Try Anjuna, Vagatore or Morjim. These could only be a paradise for a shopping spree, but nothing more than that.
2.Getting Inked:
Getting a permanent tattoo is something most of us look forward to while scheduling a trip to Goa. But, getting a local tattoo-wala do it is a bad…bad idea. In fact, a tattoo parlor happens to the only safe place where you can get one done without the fear of being infected. So, why waste your time getting one from Goa when such parlors have mushroomed in almost all cities today? Better still look for on-line deals to get yourself inked in your own city.
3. Visiting Goa during Christmas/New Year:
Why visit Goa during Christmas or the New Year’s when the state is so jam packed with tourists that most properties are selling for more than triple their original costs and there is therefore just as little scope of enjoying your private time.
Ever heard of San Juao? No? Well then, it is the most fun-filled festival celebrated in the state of Goa during the months of July/August. The festival marks the beginning of rains and hence involves soaking oneself in rains, eating & drinking local delicacies and of-course dancing all through the 3 daylong celebration. San Juao falls during the so called ‘non-season’ in Goa and hence most resorts and hotels eagerly dole out packages for the festival at almost half the cost inclusive of food and events typical to the festival.
While Goa happens to the most popular destination of the country, the seven sisters locked away in the North Eastern corner of India happen to be the least explored of all. That however, does in no way connote the idea that they are any less beautiful. On the contrary, these virgin beauties preserve their scenic splendor and offer the most diverse flora, fauna and cultural extravaganza ever. But when in the North East, pay no heed to these suggestions:
1. All National Parks are Same
Most people believe that all National Parks and Sanctuaries are just the same. So, visiting one should just about sum up their encounter with the wild in the North East. But that is such a serious fallacy! Be it Nameri or Kaziranga, Manas or Orang they all have their own set of attractions in terms of the activities, flora and fauna that they have in offering. Make sure you do your homework well in advance and then choose the ones that interest you the most.
2. North East is all about Bamboo
The variety and quality of handicraft and handloom that the seven sisters have in offering is incomparable to any other state or region of India. Apart from bamboo you can also look for brightly colored shawls from Nagaland and Mizoram, gem stones, cane-craft, cotton handloom, Assam silk, traditional gold ornaments, teak wood furniture and crystal decorative & glassware.
Well, your reason to travel could be any, but making sure you don’t fall into these popular travel traps could indeed prove to be valuable.
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