Top 10 Ways to Be an Eco-Friendly Traveler #TravelTips - The Happy Getaway 2017

Top 10 Ways to Be an Eco-Friendly Traveler #TravelTips - THG 2017

If you’ve ever been a bag packer or traveler, you may have realized how united and singular the tune to the environment and travel is. Each step on to a new mountain or experience is always wrapped around the bliss of the never ending fragrance of green. But it’s been quite upsetting though to see many a times, the disregard and lack of care shown by travelers during trips and treks towards the environment.

The distance from being eco-friendly and taking the environment for granted arises through the feeling of “someone else will clean it” or that “me alone being environment friendly won’t change the world” that makes a traveler seem more like an outsider, even though that is exact opposite of what we stand for. I believe if each of us does out part we could live in a much more happier and greener society. And down below you will find my Top 10 ways of being a more responsible and environment friendly traveler.

10. Don’t be a Plucker

We all know you love plucking flowers and making art from leaves, but the environment is alive and vibrant. And if all of us begin to pluck everything that blossoms then we would not have a lifeline that goes beyond a few days.

So unless they have already had their time and have made their way down, it is not advisable to be a plucker, which will make your quite a sucker!

09. Carry a Garbage Bag

We often complain that Oh, I would have thrown it in the right place if I would see a dustbin. But let’s be fair to find a Dustbin in the middle of nowhere or on a mountain is close to impossible. So do your part, always make sure you carry a garbage or a waste bag which you, or someone who wasn’t as responsible as you could use.

 08. Report Unlawful Environmental Activities

Many a times on our trips or journeys we may come across an illegal or not so environment friendly activity. Like hunting, cutting of trees or burning of crops but we often hesitate to get ourselves involved or take a step. Well, or we don’t know how we could. The 8^th tip is top take the effort to find out, or try. This maybe something that the environment can’t fight against (Well, cause they can’t speak) but we can, and if we don’t try to notify the authorities or do what’s right. Then who will?

07. Avoid Trespassing into Reserved Greenland’s

It may seem like a cool idea or story to tell when you went past those fences into that reserved forest or territory and did some exploring. But sadly it may cost you or the Greenland some amount of life in return. As most reserved lands are protection shields to wildlife and plant’s that are at risk. Therefore at that point human intervention may not be the most advisable without prior consent or permission. So please, don’t let your need to do something unlawful cost the environment, something it needs.

06. Refrain from Smoking & Liquor Consumption

I know, a cigarette in the middle of nowhere with a bottle of beer may seem like a scene from a movie. But it could lead to throwing of bottle’s leading to littering and starting of a fire due to improper putting of the cigarette. So please be vigilant and try to avoid any unfavorable occurrences.

05. Respect the Environment & Surrounding While Travelling

We often just stamp over plants or smash over ant hills. There is sense of responsibility or respect shown to nature or the life that it pays shelter too. There is a need as a top 5 reason to be humble and more caring of the surrounding to insure that you are a protector and well wisher instead of being a threat and careless bad doer. So respect the environment and it will respect you.

04. Lift All the Waste on Your Way of Other Travelers

You may feel if you do well and carry a waste bag and collect your own waste that should give you a clean chit. But to be fair, that sadly is not enough. There is a need for picking up other travelers waste as well on your way. To ensure that you being responsible can hopefully cover up for all the lack of responsibility your co-travelers and explorers show.

03. Avoid Using Plastic Bottle’s & Disposable Items

It may seem easier to just carry a plastic bag or an old Pepsi bottle instead of taking the effort to take a paper bag or a non disposable bottle. But it is quite the strain when it comes to carrying disposable items that you will soon need to be disposed into the open because it will add to your back weight and sooner or later you may take the convenient option of littering which would not help the environment in any way.

02. Support Plantation Drives & Animal Welfare Programs by NGOs

One way of being an Eco-Friendly Traveler is by supporting others that are doing good work in this space. Few organizations that have frequent campaigns and initiatives to help the environment are . Do support, donate, volunteer and be involved as their cause is to protect our home. An as an Eco-friendly traveler that must be our duty and agenda as well.

01. Initiate Clean Up’s & Cleanliness Drives as Part of Your Trip Itinerary

It is great to see other NGOs take initiatives but the change will only begin if each one of us begins to take the initiative to do our part. To start to incorporate nature friendly activities and drives as part of our trips to ensure that we are not just enjoying the beauty of travelling but are also helping preserve its beauty.

I hope you enjoyed this read, please do share inputs and suggestions if you feel there is something I have missed out and could add to this list. I love volunteering and giving back to the society and this write up is an effort to connect it to a passion of mine that is to travel. Please do, do your parts and share this write up with as many people as you can so that they can become more responsible travelers.

Hope you have a safe, adventurous and eco-friendly weekend!

Edited & Written by Alvin Anthony

Please do share, comment and subscribe. Happy Travelling!

The Happy Getaway Network

https://www.facebook.com/thehappygetaway

https://instagram.com/thehappygetaway/

Twitter @thehappygetaway

Disclaimer: All images used are Stalk/Borrowed images and do not belong to the blog, they are used for representation purposes only and belong to the rightful owners.

10 Reasons: Why Prioritizing Travel Is A Must #TravelTips - The Happy Getaway 2017

The Happy Getaway is back! with your weekly edition of Travel Reviews, Tips & Experience blogging. And in our Monday edition today, we talk about the 10 reasons why, you need to make time off your "Oh so, busy!" schedule to travel. To get out off your bed and not be lazy to explore, and create experiences, here are our top 10 reasons, why you should be travelling this weekend. 

#10 Nature & Wildlife Heals

We all know that being around nature and wild life creates a sense of peace and belonging which helps us calm down from our usual day stresses. The smell of wet grass, and the buzzing of the wild life helps refresh and rejuvenate our senses so as to be able to find peace and joy. And it is not every day that we spend time in the greens listening to birds or dipping our feet into a river. Thus after a hard week's work we all deserve the pampering and comfort of being lost in the arms of nature. 

Don't deprive yourself off it, just because it takes some effort.

#9 Learn About New Cultures & Traditions

If you love discovering and learning new things. Then travel is your best outlet. Every fort, village, cave, mountain or waterfall you may visit has its own tale of being formed. Embraced in the culture and community that surrounds it. There's always something new to learn and experience and if you love learning that you must surely, get yourself a new experience every weekend. Through which you can disconnect with your present belief systems and find solace within memories from the past, and learn more about the rich heritage and history of the world.

#8 Challenge & Push Yourself To Builds Persistence & Accommodate 

It's difficult these days to be persistent to push yourself to finish a trek or climb a mountain or to be accommodating and adjust to changing circumstances. Travel helps you work on both fronts. It makes you push yourself to keep up and reach the top and makes you learn to make do, adjust and make the most of circumstances irrespective of how difficult it may be or seem. So come, push yourself to not be lazy or complain about all your problems and limitations, just pack your bag and find your adventure. 

#7 Learn More About Your Preferences & Dislikes

How well do we know ourselves? How often do we put ourselves in unfavorable situations and learn new things about ourselves? Not often, I'm sure. But travel, is a world of self discovery. And through doing a trip on a budget, that may not be comfortable or as you would usually prefer it, you would learn new things about yourself. About what you like, how you like it. You'd learn more about who you are, and how you react differently to circumstances. And what's more valuable than self discovery right?

#6 Create's A Memorable Experience

The modern generations is often caught out for investing time into experiences that dont last more than a few hours or days. Putting time into nothing that you can think or reflect upon years later and take away from. Investing into memorable experiences that can help you through life and can make you a better version of you is the need of today. A memory of doing a trek, sitting across a river, doing BBQ near a lake, making new friends and sharing stories. These are memories and experiences that are cherish-able than most things we'd do ordinarily. So why not go out and make memories? Than stay in and be thankful for Netflix?

#5 Helps Clear Your Mind

Do you feel like your mind is overly clogged at times. So much that you can't get things done or pay attention. So much that you can't be creative or breathe freely without getting worried. It maybe any particular reason but it is important for your mind to be at peace, for you to live life to the fullest. And this is what travel does for you, it helps you clear your mind and refresh your canvas. It helps you detach from the world and reconnect with a world of purity away from the noise. In the most natural and organic way possible break away from your worries.

#4 Meet & Connect With New People 

We all love to be comfortable and protected within our small circle of friends and people we know. But what are the possibilities of meeting someone from the other side of the world? With similar interests but who does not live in your neighborhood? A role model? Travelling helps your meet and connect with people over a journey. It helps learn more about them and yourself by spending time with people from various walks of life. Reflecting upon perspectives and experiences

 And maybe making a new best friend? 

#3 We All Need The Exercise 

You know, we do. The age old gym membership or going for a run dream never comes true with the fast paced life that we live in. It is very important for us to keep fit and get that regular exercise that we all need. And what better way to do it? Through travel. It helps you freshen up your body through regular movement and helps build your fitness and stamina to take on any challenge that is put in front of you. It helps you stay fit in the most enjoyable way possible and not in vicinity of four walls.

#2 Helps You Connect With Yourself

Our second most important reason why should prioritize travel is because it helps you connect with yourself. And man, isn't that essential. I mean you may be doing all the right things in the world and having the best of friends, but unless you haven't connected with yourself what is all that worth? Travel gives you that safe and open space to be able to spend time with yourself and with your emotions. It helps you discover and find who you are and what your purpose is better. It helps you bring clarity to how you may then go on to describe and think yourself. Away from what the world may think or perceive you to be.

#1 Break The Monotony

The number one reason is, that you should break that ordinary followed since childhood routine of doing certain things on certain days. Break the monotony of schedules and of life and do the unexpected. Become more spontaneous and open to living life, as it comes. To packing your bags and following your heart and not your mind. Surprise yourself, and don't shy away from putting that hard work in that you know you will appreciate in the future.

And that's a rap folks, thank's for reading through our top 10 reasons, why travel should be one of the things that you push yourself into prioritizing, because it makes all the other things that you do tick. Are there any other reasons according to you? Do share and let us know, if you think we should add to this, or anything you do not agree with. 

We hope you like the article. Do subscribe and watch this space for a lot more travel and experience based content coming your way shortly. And do let us know if this motivated you to go out and travel.

Edited & Written by Alvin Anthony

Please do share, comment and subscribe. Happy Travelling!

The Happy Getaway Network

https://www.facebook.com/thehappygetaway

https://instagram.com/thehappygetaway/

Twitter @thehappygetaway

The Birthplace Of Emperor Shivaji - Shivneri Fort 2015

This trip, is surely one of the most memorable trips, that I have done in the recent past. Not because I travelled to Pune, in a day and back. Not because I may have missed majority of one of the most memorable Manchester Derby's (Football), where we won 4-2 and secured 3rd place. But because on Sunday the 12th of April 2015, I was finally able to see and live the stories and triumphs I was told about as a child. I was able to visit the home of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj a great king and warrior of ancient Indian historical times. I was finally able to visit Shivneri Fort, in Pune. A place I have heard a lot about, and have always wanted to visit since an early age. I was always fond of kings, queens, warriors and stories of their triumphs and reigns. (Huge LOTR fan here.) So this visit surely did help me learn and understand things, about Shivaji and his early life and childhood a whole lot better.

It started off with me calling Anup (Founder of Bhramar, and Mr. boss organizer)  during the week in the afternoon, confirming myself for the trip. Also assuring him, that no matter what happens (Heaven or earth moves.) I'll surely make it. Then the week went by really quickly and in no time it was Sunday. It's beautiful looking forward for something all week, and then finally seeing it happen. It was around 4:30 am, when I boarded a train from Kurla to Thane. It was a bit of a let down that no one else from the 36 or so that we're coming, we're coming from the suburbs. So it left me listening to the Beatles, sipping some chai and boarding an almost empty or so  train to Thane. Post reaching Thane, I looked for Ananad Cinema hall (As Anup told me too), walking across the empty Thane station roads, in the dim yet not so shady street lights felt quite warm and homely. Soon, everyone began to gather at the hall. Tall, old, short, young, mothers, babies, students, you name it we had it. It was quite a mix bunch of people (From different professions and walks of life) all gathered in the early hours, all looking forward to a good trip. Felt like one big family of Bhramar volunteers, regulars and newbies. A family of strangers, away from home.

Maybe delays are a new trend. Or just trips I take are jinxed, but we did end up waiting quite a bit for the bus to arrive. But once it did, we soon filled in and caught our seats to set off. The bus journey onwards was quite a peaceful one, me including quite a few others caught up with some sleep. Some others munched on a few snacks and shared some pleasant conversations. We soon arrived at our Breakfast halt. We all caught a light bite, had some hot coffee and tea and set off again. We soon, began to pass the beautiful mountains, misty river and cloudy hills  as we reached closer to our destination. We then arrived at the base point, and lied ahead of us the mighty mountain, which encompassed the long beloved Shivneri fort. The stairs greeted us, with longing gates and flowers.

Shivneri Fort was built under the aegis of Sahaji, the father of Shivaji, who wanted a strong fortification that could protect his family from the enemies. Jijabai (Shivaji's mother) spent the days of her pregnancy at Shivneri and it was here that Shivaji Maharaj was born, in the year 1627. Almost the entire childhood of Shivaji was spent playing inside the compound of the fort. He received most of his basic education at Shivneri only and the lessons he learnt here were responsible, to quite an extent, in shaping his personality as a great ruler.

We soon began to pass the gates. There were 7 different beautiful gates, set up for the enemies to cross, one more mightier than the other. We soon climbed up the steady stairs passing through the morning sun and breeze. Our first stop was at the Shiv Mandir, we first entered bare feet bowing in mercy and worship. We later gather outside the entrance, sitting one aside the other listening to Shilpa Parab Pradhan (Our Guide and Teacher, for the day.). She told us about the temple, and the early age history of the fort. How it was a very important historical structure, and how it was where Shivaji got his name Shivba here. We soon head back and upwards towards Ambarkhana (A grain, gold and food storage facility) which was well crafted and had vintage security and air circulation facilities (Impressive!).

We later passed Ganga & Jammuna one of more than ten water tanks present in Shivneri (This being the only potable and pure one.) We filled up our bottles and enjoyed the cold and earthy water of the tank, that was very refreshing to have in the warm sunny weather. We moved forward and came across, Shiv Kunj.  Shiv Kunj is a monument constructed by the state government, in honor of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Inside Shiv Kunj there is an idol of Bal Shivaji and Jijabai made of “Panchdhatu” (An alloy of 5 metals.) Very beautiful, and artistic indeed.  We later head forward to Shiv Janamasthan, we climbed up the narrow stairs and sat in a quarter where the entire group gathered up again and we began to listen to the birth story of the great king. How the modern day misconceptions  of the three Shivaji Jayantis, due to change in the English and Hindu Calendar, and due to multiple beliefs and followers. Also stories about Jijabai and her strength and grace to and through Shivajis birth. It was really heart filling to hear. We then head towards Kadelot point, a place where prisoners were punished by throwing them down the fort. This point is on the northern end of the fort.

We had now reached the end of our visit long yet beautiful visit, we received a few words of conclusion and wisdom by Anup and Shilpa. It was followed by a quick round of introductions, and getting to know one another. As we were behind schedule, we then later rushed to the base point, got back to our bus and head towards our lunch point. In a comfy little village home, we then enjoyed some delicious food, that helped us reminisce over the day gone by. It was beautiful, the rocky hill and detailed architecture. The crafted strategic pathways and structures. The history and childhood memories of Shivaji and his family who lived and grew up at Shivneri, after whom he was named. We soon, got back to the bus and it was songs (Some self made new ones! and jokes, till the way back home!

It was a good experience. All wrapped up in one rushed yet, memorable day. Bhramar were quite efficient and warm with their organizing and experience delivery. However, sometimes on such trips, time passes by too quickly so delays are bound to happen learning and listening to new stories. However, overall it was a memorable day, and great set of people (Very family like! ).

Looking forward to my next getaway with Bhramar, and the group.

I know it will be quite a memorable and happy one :)

Picture of the Fort (Shivneri Fort  2015) :

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.871141542949625.1073741831.855590067838106&type=1

This is Alman (You know, like Superman?) signing off, until next time.

Have a great day, and an adventurous weekend! :)                                                                                     

                                                                             

Do Follow & Support:

Bhramar:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bhramar/398535046927678?fref=ts

The Happy Getaway:

https://www.facebook.com/thehappygetaway

https://instagram.com/thehappygetaway/

Twitter: @thehappygetaway

Thank You

Alvin Anthony

10 Skills That Travelling Will Help You Build - THG 2015

Travelling, trekking and backpacking has a lot more to do with you, than you could imagine. Getting out of your not so pleasant comfort zone, talking, learning and interacting helps an individual grow in numerous ways. It helps a persons inner and outer circle to broaden and lightens his or hers personality to be nurtured and moulded based on the experiences, people and situations they encounter. Hence, travelling should be considered the new training ground for people to learn things and build their skills in real time.

We are now going to run through (literally, run run.) a list of 10 reasons by The Happy Getaway, to showcase how travelling helps you grow and build your skills. So here we go, in no particular order.

1. Mental & Physical Oneness

A trek, or any other journey, depending on the difficulty level, is usually a test of the mental and physical being. And a test of how they work in unison. The mental being to not give up, keep its cool, motivate itself and not let the weather, people, or path get to them. The physical being to push itself, fall down and get up again, to endure and guide itself and to sustain and dig in deep till the goal isn’t met. Travelling helps you connect the dots between your mental and physical being, helps you think and be at the same time. For example your mind may tell you you're thirsty, you should not go on. But the physical being understands that it needs to push on to be able to quench the thirst. This working of unison, and balancing of rationality and the real world is what helps trekkers do extremely hard paths and trips and grow mentally and physically.

2. Communication & Interactive Skills

You meet a lot of strangers, villagers, backpackers and others when you usually travel. This means, conversations, directions, life stories, or small talk (depending on what you’d prefer.) Travelling is the best way to help you open up, and take that shy person inside you out of the picture, as you interact, discuss and learn new things from new people. Understanding, listening and situationally seeing really helps your communication and interactive skills grow.

3. Time Management

May it be a small trip or a big one. Time is always of the essence. The halts you take, the time you start at, the time you leave, the time you spend eating, it all plays a massive role in your overall experience. No one likes delays, or missing a sunset. Yet at the same time they want to spend as much time clicking pictures, and moving around aimlessly. I think as an organiser or experienced trekker, you tend to understand the value of time more. You tend to understand why, time is important, how it affects the entire group and experience of the trip. Hence, the overall management of time tends to reflect from travelling to other walks of life.

4. Planning & Preparing

Planning the route, timeline, transport routes, food and rest spots and other things like what should i carry? will it be hot? will i need an extra pair of clothes? How much money should i carry? You mind begins to think and plan for the day ahead. You begin to think of the situations you’d be in, how you will handle them. If a particular path is too hard for the others, how you have option b and c. If someone gets unwell, how you will handle the situation. I believe modern day travelling, the better planned the more better the experienced. Don’t get me wrong, I love impromptu trips (I really, do.) but a wholesome experience from start to end, can only be felt when you put time and effort into preparing and building towards it. This helps your skills grow, in a strong way, through experiences unlike any other training model can ever teach you.

5. Team Work

There are always a few people, that are on their first trek or trip, or people that aren’t used to travelling, people who are very experienced, and people who need to keep stopping every 15 minutes to take a breather and water break. A team usually while travelling, or in any walk of life is filled with people from different fields, holding different levels of experiences and who are good at some things and not so good at others. Travelling helps you identify this, it helps you see people from different fields help each other in a time of crisis, the experienced helped the new ones, the less fit are motivated by the regulars and the team waits for it each other, doesn’t go too far ahead or too behind leaving anyone out. Teamwork and togetherness is very important in the modern day world, where everyone has become selfish and only think about themselves. And I don’t think there is any other place, where you could learn working together better.

6. Determination & Self Motivation

It is very easy to give up, halt permanently, and let the situation and how difficult it may seem get the better of you and what your final goal is. Motivating yourself, and being determined that no matter what comes my way, I will reach the base point, I will not let my physical or mental state of mind get the better of me is what a true traveller is made off. And I believe when all odds are down, when the trains are cancelled, path is blocked or extremely hard, when the people you're with need a beacon of hope and motivation. You are the only one that can push yourself, and be determined that you complete the journey.

7. Accommodativeness & Adaptability

Being accommodative. Yes. Not so nice loo’s (No loo’s at all sometimes.) No proper roads or modes of transport, make do food, tough paths, rude people, language barriers. Difficult difficult difficult? Well not really. Adjusting, accommodating and making the most of little things and enjoying the little things is what travelling is all about.  Because barriers can only be overcome when your will and ready to look at it not as a challenge but as an opportunity to do and learn. Hence travelling surely does help you learn to become more accommodative and adaptable in nature.

8. Quick & Prompt Thinking

It is important to be able to think quickly at times, and promptly. Especially when time is of essence and when your decision may impact a lot of other factors. It could impact the entire group travelling with you and the experience they and you have. This isn’t that you would learn through one trip or that would develop over night, I believe it has a lot to do with experiences and knowledge and how that grows with the more you travel and the more situations you encounter. And the same that reflects in real life and non travel scenarios and how you tend to relate and draw conclusions and outcomes similarly. Hence it helps you think more quicker and promptly.

9. Cool Headedness & Peace

Everything may go wrong on a particular day. The trains may be late, or not arriving. People might be late, slow, laid back and uncooperative. Transport might be difficult or overly expensive. The path might be blocked or rushed. You may lose your bag, your wallet might get stolen. Everything and anything to worry you, give you a headache and to make you want to scream may happen. Yet overtime you realise, that losing your cool won’t solve or help the situation you're in. Yet thinking and doing can. Hence, it helps you keep your cool. And not spend your energy (That you probably have very left in the end.) to use your efforts productively and to keep your mind and head and peace.

10. Flexibility

Like structures, plans, and agendas? Welcome, to nature. Where in the present day in rains, thunders, gets sunny and windy when and however it likes. Flexibility is an important trait in todays times as people get so use to schedules and plans they find it very hard to adjust or move things around .Travelling helps you realise, there are some thigns you have control over and some things you don't have control over. Some things you can pre plan for, and some things you need to accept and move forward with. It helps you keep your mind more open and helps you become more flexible and open minded in nature.

Here, is The Happy Getaway list. I hope you liked my Top 10 Skills, list. Do share with me what you think about it, your experiences and other points you think we should add to this list, either in the comment section. Or you can mail me at thehappygetaway@gmail.com.

Travel more, and learn more :)

So until next time, this is Al signing off.

Do Follow & Support -

The Happy Getaway:

https://www.facebook.com/thehappygetaway

https://instagram.com/thehappygetaway/

Twitter: @thehappygetaway

Thank You.

Alvin Anthony