What’s so special about summers?

Summers!! It’s the time of the year when the days are longer than nights and evenings are sluggish and dull, if you do not have enough to keep yourself engaged.  You’ll have the majority of people who would crib about the sweaty season, but there are always a few like me, who have less or no complaints with sizzling sunny days as there are ways to keep the summery gloom at bay. Why? For plenty of reasons:

Summers makes you feel light

Hasn’t it been long, carrying those overcoats, jackets, high necks, mufflers, stockings and just too many clothes for a body? Now, is the time when you transform your wardrobe with a stylish one with lots of space for your shorts, satin lace tops, floral dresses, cotton and linen shirts and trousers. Scorching sun gives you the liberty to flaunt variety of shades in various patterns. Summers gives your skin, ample space to breath. This is one reason to let go off repentance of the bygone winter.

Summers are fun for all age groups. If you plan well!

This is the time when you can plan a good vacation with your entire family. Take a week’s break from work and pack your bags for a cool place like hill stations, near or far, depending on the availability of leaves that you could manage from your office. Availing leaves is as difficult as booking an air or a railway ticket these days. So, make sure that you plan them well in advance. A well planned holiday can take away the last minute stress and you can completely enjoy with your family and friends. Remember, if you are looking for the fun aspect, try going in a large group. But, if you are looking for a vacation that gives you ample time to relax, friends and their families are an absolute NO.

Plunge into some water sports and activities

Of course, who would want to do that in winters? But, this is the best time to go swimming or exploring water sports. These days there are amusement and water parks in almost every city. Plan a weekend and dedicate your day to splashing up and enjoying the water rides throughout the day. This will refresh you and you can plan it for days when you want to stay cool and enjoy some quality time with your loved ones. The best part is, you can do this over a weekend and need not take unnecessary off from work.

Best time to enjoy Beverages

A little health awareness does not take away the fun element. This season gives you lots of options to have fluids in variety of ways. Have fruits which are water enriched like watermelon, kiwi, strawberry, muskmelon. This will not just help you feel light, but also keep you rejuvenated. Fruits are the best source of vitamins. The majority of people complain of not feeling hungry during the hot weather. This can lead to weakness or dehydration. So, the best way is to have fruits and beverages, like fresh fruit juice or try some interesting mock-tail recipes at your home. If you succeed, then you can also call upon your friends and neighbors to try some. Isn’t it a cool way to enjoy and take care of your health at the same time?

Go pamper yourself

I know of some women who complained this winter that they did not feel like going to a beauty salon because of the freezing cold. Ladies, this is the best time to step out frequently and rejuvenate your senses with some spa, foot massages and facials. Try going the organic way like fruit products or gel based products instead of creams that will leave you look more like an oil paper rather than giving you a cool sensation. And, when it comes to self-pampering why should men be left behind. Try some aroma therapies or fish pedicure that will unwind and invigorate your senses.

Enjoy the evening stroll

Summer evenings are worth a stroll if you have someone to chit chat with and an ice cream shop just down the road. Walking has lost its charm with increasing dependency on machines. Cars have replaced our efforts to walk and smartphones have taken the place of your partner to walk. So, put your best foot forward and walk down the lane with someone you would love to spend time with. Make a pick and slurp on some mouth smacking ice-cream, and you can try some more. That’s the best thing about summers; you do not need to worry about the cough and cold.

Watching movies at home is fun

You must be going out to watch a movie almost every second week. But, this is the time when you can get some good flicks to watch in the comfort of your home. All you need to do is work a little on the ambiance of your living room to give it a cool, dark and cozy effect. Keep some snacks, popcorn and cold drinks ready. When, it’s all set, lie down on your couch and enjoy the theater effect of watching a movie of your choice with your friends and family.

And, the list of activities and engagements go on and on. Summers are so exciting, if you know the best time to do, what you want to do and the best ways to avoid the stinky weather, instead stay refreshed all the time. All that you can do in the summers, you probably cannot do in the winters. So, tell me now, what is it that you prefer–Summers or Winters?

 

Play It Safe

It was a daunting evening and a bumpy ride on a silent road of a far-off island. That unforgettable experience still gives me Goosebumps. My husband and I had planned a trip to one of the most popular islands in a foreign land. Since, we were not familiar with the place, we decided to buy a guide book from a local shop, nearby our resort. With excitement at its peak, we planned to spend some good buck and take a car on rent for one day and a bike for another. Smartly, we circled down on the map some interesting spots to visit the consecutive days. I would merely talk about the first day when we took a car on rent as we had good amount of fun in exploring a new place all by ourselves. But, the second day when we somewhat over-confidently, after a day’s successful adventure and exploration, took a bike on rent—oh! How can I forget?

So, it all started the second day of our expedition. Close to the resort was a local market where we saw some shops giving away bikes on rent. Being on an island, we were flown in emotion and thought to have some added adventure. We immediately took out the local currency and took few seconds in ensuring that we offer the vendor correctly. The vendor did some paperwork and asked us to choose a bike. I still can feel the adrenaline rush that I was going through to ride a bike in a new country, moreover island to be precise. I chose blue; bright and stood apart from the rest. The vendor again did some usual bunch of formalities as a religious act and handed over the keys and funny looking white colored helmets.

We were all set and thrilled for our ride and decided to cover all the leftover spots–spots, which could not be covered the first day. And, there we go to a crocodile park, some ancient wells, beaches, and local markets trying variety of food and art pieces. We got so involved in the uniqueness of the culture that we forgot to keep a tab on time. However, my smart husband realized well on time, right before the sunset that we must be heading back to the resort and enjoy the places in the vicinity. To which I agreed, like an obedient wife, of course.

On our way back, my husband took the charge of riding me back safe and sound (as he’s not too confident about my driving skills, I must mention though that I own excellent ones. No, seriously!). Back to the point; while he was riding the bike with complete focus on the unfamiliar routes and signboards, I was thoroughly enjoying views sitting behind him, trying to capture almost every useless thing in my camera. Suddenly, he asked me if we have to take a left turn or go straight (One thing he agrees is that I’m better at remembering the routes). This time I wasn’t too sure, mutually we decided to take the left turn. A decent busy road gave us some relief.

The fuel needle was dropping and we had it in mind to refuel the bike at the first petrol station. After covering some four kilometers we realized that this road seemed endless. We looked around and couldn’t find anyone else within the proximity. The sun was bidding adieu, the fuel needle was drooping down and now even at a faster speed. Both the sides of the street were thick forests. We were badly stuck. If we go back our little blue bike would certainly ditch us, if we move ahead, we were not sure whether this road would ever end and where to.

Finally, it was pitch dark after fifteen minutes. The road was getting narrower. We could not bet on the existence of human species as there were none. Both of us acted to be bold and brave enough. We started convincing each other, “This road will lead somewhere, definitely.” After covering few more miles, again my smart husband stopped; took a u-turn and said firmly, “OK, we are not going farther”. To which I agreed, again like an obedient wife. But, this time I certainly did not have a choice.

Somewhere, my inner self was praying to God for our safety. Still, we kept each other distracted till the time we saw a beam of light at some distance. There was such a sigh of relief, I can’t express in words. Finally, we could see some human like species and machines on wheels. And, we behaved as everything was normal and none of us were scared–I knew I was.

The next day, my husband admitted that it was a spine-chilling experience for him, even more because I was with him. After all, men will be men.

The next day, early morning we went back to the same road exploring where we could have landed if we had taken that road. And, we found a huge shipyard with gigantic ships. It was a beautiful sight of course and a wonderful lesson for the adventure freak couple.

Till date, I appreciate the decision we took that day of taking a u-turn. However, life doesn’t always offer a u-turn.

Hence, it’s important that you:

• Plan your trip well in advance
• Inquire about the place before you actually land
• Chalk down the key places or tourist spots
• Stay at places which are crowded
• Ask for a local guide
• Do not go exploring outskirts
• Always keep your fuel tank full in case you take a vehicle on rent
• Keep some important numbers in case of emergency like hotel, vendor, guide, local friend
• Always keep a torch handy
• Avoid carrying expensive items and too much of cash
• Avoid wearing too much of jewelry
• Do not experiment and explore beyond limits
• Be adventurous in doing things that you are confident about

Safety comes first. So, next time when you plan a trip to such a happening place, remember these little things. Stay adventurous, stay safe and keep travelling.

On an Adventure Trail

You dream to be an adventure sport, but know not how? Here are some tips to help you plan a safe adventure trip and have the best vacation ever.  

Going on a vacation is fun, more so ever if you plan for an adventurous excursion. Adventure is not everyone’s cup of tea. It acts like a drug, the more you have it, the more addicted you will be. To do something adventurous does not require extraordinary skills like jumping off the plane or wrestling with the wild animals. You need not even be a superman to go on an adventure trip. Age and gender is no bar if you own a heart of an adventure freak.

All you need to remember are some important facts:

• Know your limits especially when it comes to your fitness level.
• Don’t push yourself too hard to do something extraordinary.
• Be prepared and flexible enough to mould yourself according to the climate.
• Ensure your safety. Read manuals carefully or listen to instructions.
• It is very important to gather information about the place and professionals that must be trained enough to safeguard you.
• Carry less.
• Recharge the batteries of all the cameras, phones, tablets.
• Don’t panic.
• Take along some basic medications and healing ointments.

Now, all that I can see is a long weekend, coming up soon. I am all set and thrilled for an adventure trip. What about you?