Make holiday travel a pleasure, some tips

Following are some tips to make holiday travel a pleasure.

1. Start a diary

Start a diary exclusively for the holiday travel. This will later serve as wonderful memorabilia! Might help in blogging, updating Facebook and Instagram as well :) It will be interesting to read the notes that you made afterward. Make it a point to record everything on it including your initial thoughts about which destination to visit. You can, later on, refer to it and write an honest review about the place for the benefit of others! If you blog, it will be an interesting read to all your friends. It might also help them to make well thought of plans for their travel as well as other things.

2. Group leader

If you are travelling as a group it is better to designate somebody as the group leader. He/she will be responsible for all aspects of travel. But that doesn't mean that the other team members are just followers. They all must make their own plans for travel, be responsible and co-operate. Convene group meetings at regular intervals. Each team member must carry out the tasks allotted to them efficiently within the time frame allotted to them. Each member must research and contribute to the travel. So the selection of the group is very important.    

3. Where to go?

Have a definite idea about the destinations you plan to visit. Its is a common tendency to be in a dream world going through beautiful photoshopped pictures in glossy magazines expecting paradise like living conditions over there only to get disappointed later on when you reach there being welcomed by virulent mosquitoes and dirty, stinking lakes and ponds. Most of the travelogues are written by people who were sponsored by hotels or tour operating companies. So expect bias in their writings. If you are traveling to a place where you never have been ever before, try to read positive as well as negative reviews about the place in the Internet. Before deciding where to go it is better to research and decide about the destination in whatever ways possible. It is very important to read the negative reviews as well. So-called 'negatives' may well be realities! Yes! Try to form your own opinion about the place. Watch videos of the important attractions. Talk to your friends and relatives who had been there previously. Research the internet thoroughly.

4. Budget

Once you have decided where to go, make a budget. It must include the following.

• Cost of travel
• Visa fees
• Accommodation
• Food
• Transport at the destination
• Shopping expenses
• Entertainment 
• Miscellaneous 
• Unforeseen expenses

Find out from different travel agents about a better deal of travel costs, the best mode of transport and the easiest route. Estimate the cost and plan your budget accordingly. Don't forget to include airport taxes, entry fees and other types of hidden travel costs, if any.

Call upon the embassies, if you are traveling abroad, to find out about the visa fees and other formalities. Check if they have issued any cautionary notices or warnings about travel to that particular country! Check their websites.

You can read so many reviews about the different types of accommodation available all over the world in the Internet. Here also you may see a lot of wonderful photoshopped pictures of hotel rooms on the Hotel's website. Cross-check the information and have an idea about the costs. If possible book well in advance. You may get a better deal if you book early.

Find out what type of food is available. In most hotels staff will assist you in finding good eateries outside once you become bored of trying their delicacies. But before arriving at the destination have an idea about what you are going to eat and how much will it cost.

Have an idea about the transportation facilities available. Find out how much the taxis, buses, metro trains, and ferry cost. Always choose safe, convenient and reasonably priced modes of transport. Try to download a map during the planning stage itself.

Be careful with your spending if you are traveling with your credit cards. It is better to have an idea about how much you are going to spend every day. Resist the temptation to be on a shopping spree while on holiday. You may see so many attractive things at your destination but think carefully about your needs and wants before you reach for your wallet.

Plan the entertainment expenses even before you actually start your journey. Try to be safe and have everything ready for having fun safely. Be in control all the time and enjoy with full confidence and peace of mind. Booze above normal limits blurs senses and that is where the trouble starts. Be safe!
   
5. Travel plan

Okay, you have decided where you want to spend your holidays, you have included everything you wanted and made a very reasonable budget. You have enough funds to cover all the expenses. Now is the time to make a travel plan.

Decide the dates. Inform your employers, colleagues, and friends online as well as offline about your probable dates of travel well in advance.

Contact your travel agent and request them to block the dates of travel. Many Airlines will do it without you paying any fee. You will be given a date before which you need to buy the ticket. But with most of the low-cost, no-frills airlines this is not possible. Cancellation or even change of dates for that matter will cost you money. So be one hundred percent sure about your travel dates if you plan to fly with them.

If you are planning a journey by road have a route map ready and discuss with your travel agent and their drivers your travel plans. This will give you as well as the drivers better idea about your journey ahead.

Get a Railway map and timetable and note down the details of important stations and other details. If you are planning a cruise by sea ask for a map and travel plan and have a better idea about your trip.

Now plan your travel at the destination. Find out the different modes of transport over there and how much it is going to cost you. Try to download a map of the area you are going to visit. Nowadays GPS systems are available; if you can afford it is always better, your smartphones if equipped with one will come in handy. Bilingual maps will be an added advantage, if available. Try to get the addresses typed in the local language so that it will be easy for the taxi drivers to understand where to take you. Also, it is better to learn some words in the local language as well. Always learn to pronounce it well and have it written in the local language in your notebook so that you can show it to people when you ask for directions, eateries or for toilets. You will find plenty of such things in the Internet.

Plan your return journey also. Did you book the return ticket? Make a travel plan for this part as well.

6. Pack your bags

This is a very important part of travel.
Find out how much you can carry without paying anything extra if you are traveling by airplane. Also better to inquire how much they will charge for extra kilos, just in case. You will be shocked to hear the exorbitant cost of the extra weight of the luggage. Less luggage more comfort! In addition to searching the website of the airlines, chat with them about their latest luggage policy. Weigh your hand carry and luggage before your journey. Attach a name tag with destination details and date of travel along with the name of the airlines.

YOU MUST PACK YOUR BAGS PERSONALLY, NEVER ALLOW ANYONE ELSE TO DO IT FOR YOU! YOU KNOW THIS IS FOR SECURITY REASONS!

Buy only good and reliable bags. Lock it securely. Keep the keys safely. Find out if there is some specific requirement by some Airlines about the bags and cases you can carry. It is a good idea to keep the duplicate keys safely.

Make a list of everything you are planning to carry. Here are some suggestions.

In order to keep your freshly pressed clothes without wrinkles, you can wrap each one in plastic bags. But its better to pack a small, portable electric iron. Some hotels will provide free ironing facilities.

Take with you a Universal electrical plug adapter with you. Find out details of voltage.

Don't forget to carry your cell phone charger. Also, carry your camera battery charger.

Keep a flashlight or a small torch in your bag.

You also buy some candles and lighter at your destination and keep in your hotel room. It may look like an unwanted item but you may never know when power failures or natural disasters occur especially in tropical countries. Also, carry or buy mosquito repellant gels and other paraphernalia, serious diseases are quite common in many parts of the world spread by mosquitoes.

Note the location of the fire exits in the hotel.

Pack some chocolates, cookies and canned food items. These will come in handy sometimes. Always check with the Airlines what food items they allow you to bring into another country. Be aware of the customs regulations too.

Check your toiletries bag. Fill it with everything you might need. Don't forget to carry Antibacterial hand gels and wipes. Check with your airlines what all things you can carry. Pack some face masks and sunscreen if you are planning to get a lot of Sun.

First aid materials and medications for common ailments are very important. Don't forget your regular medications. Get a prescription from your doctor even for over the counter medicines for simple ailments before travel to avoid problems in another country. If you are a frequent traveler keep some of these things in your bag so that you need only to check and replenish when you travel next time.

Keep a card filled with your full addresses and contact numbers inside all your bags. No harm in packing a small handy electric kettle and a glass. Some tea sachets or coffee bottle will not be a big burden to your luggage especially if you are in the habit of taking such drinks at odd hours.

Mobile phone - very important. Find out the roaming charges, do not get ripped off! Try to get details of the SIM cards and their cost at your destination. Better to have a stand-by phone while traveling.

DON'T FORGET TO TAKE PASSPORT, TICKETS, CREDIT CARDS OR MONEY AND ALL OTHER TRAVEL AND ACCOMMODATION DOCUMENTS.
Keep copies of all these as well.

7. Travel

Relax and pray for a safe journey. Do some breathing exercises and relax well. After all, you are going somewhere to spend your holidays, so try to be calm and cool all the time. You have prepared everything well and now its time for you to enjoy the travel. Make notes, take pictures and videos. Have fun!

There can be flight delays and other things but try to enjoy your time. Everything might not go well according to your plans sometimes but take it as part and parcel of holiday travel but the important thing is to enjoy maximum. Buy travel and health insurance.

8. Touts

Always watch out for touts and pickpockets. Try to locate somebody responsible like a Policeman while asking for directions etc. If possible hire a registered guide. Let common sense be your guide in unfamiliar places and uncomfortable situations. Looking like a tourist at odd times in a foreign country can bring about trouble sometimes. Give paramount importance to safety wherever you go!

Have a pleasant and comfortable journey. Always travel light with ease. Enjoy your travel. Don't squeeze in so many places to visit within a limited time span and hurry with everything.

Always be familiar with the sensitive sociocultural issues relevant to the particular region and respect them.

Bon voyage!

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Relaxation techniques to reduce stress

Many of us are unaware of the state of being stressful.

We believe we are perfectly well both physically and mentally. There is a lot of confusion with the terms anxiety, stress, and fear. Some think they are all same. Considering the behavior and actions as "normal"; people resort to smoking, drinking and violence not acknowledging the fact that it is something called 'stress' that is driving people to seek solace in those things.

It is a common tendency to fill the mind with all sorts of garbage. Hatred, vengeance, envy, jealousy, greed, anger etc. dominate the thoughts of people forcing their brains to produce chemical substances that eventually induce more stress. There is only very little place for positive emotions in a polluted mind. Some people were forced to live like this because of the particular environment they were living in. Some just drift unknowingly into a maddening and stressful life for no reason.

It is interesting to note that many super successful, high-level achievers lead a very stressful life. One might wonder - "is the high level of stress an accompaniment of success! ?"

The truth is that Stress exists in every one of us, even the children are not spared, the level of it may vary from people to people though. Rich and the poor alike suffer from this problem.

Some stress is normal but its level should be within the normal range. But our stress levels shoot up most of the time and it becomes uncontrollable. Few people start doing some remedy to counter stress at an early stage but majority seek a remedy or outlet rather late. It is better to start remedial measures as early as possible; the response then would be better. Earlier the better!

Our body and mind need a lot of fine tuning just like the machines. The only difference is it is much more delicate and intricate than them. There is no operating manual or handbook available for humans that is universally acceptable for such a purpose. What works for me may not work for you.

• How to relax our body and mind?
• How to unwind?
• How to control stress?

The following technique worked well for me. Allow me to share it with you.

If you think you really have a serious problem it is better to seek professional help. Always remember that nothing else will substitute professional help.

Those who have not practiced some form of relaxation techniques before will have to lie down and practice when they feel like doing it any time suitable for them. They must get the feel of 'relaxation', only then will they be able to apply the method to relax when they feel stressed out in day-to-day life.

Always keep in mind "practice makes one perfect".

Now let us begin.

First I will describe the method for those who are going to do this for the first time. This is meant for those who have not experienced any sort of relaxation before or who have just begun to realize the problem of stress and its seriousness.

The whole process may take about 20 to 30 minutes.

Select a place where no one will disturb you. The place should be comfortable. It should be calm, quiet, peaceful and clean. This can be indoors or outdoors. The setting may preferably be natural if possible. I need not tell you how relaxed we become without any effort on our part if we go to a beach or to a place of abundant natural beauty. Mother Nature makes us relaxed automatically! I have highlighted this fact so many times in the posts on this blog.

Lie down on a soft bed or any surface where you will feel comfortable. Wear loose clothes. Jewelry etc. may be removed. No music or any form of electronic activity in the vicinity, please! Some dislike music in any form, some might like! Individual preferences, of course!

First, you may lie down on your back. You can use a mattress if needed. Use a neck and head pillow if you like or use pillows under your knees if you have discomfort or some ailment in the knees or legs. The most important thing is that you must feel good in this position. So make yourself comfortable, in any position you like.

Once you have attained some grip on your performance you can lie sideways or on your tummy with face turned to one side and practice relaxation. Gain control over your mood in whatever positions you want to lie down.

Some people tend to fall asleep the moment they lie down. For those, I recommend relaxation in the sitting position.

Once you are comfortable close your eyes and breathe deeply. Just be aware of your breathing process. Inhale and exhale deeply. Concentrate on your breath. This breathing process should be effortless and slow. Try to imagine that you are filling your mind and body with the vital energy through this type of breathing.

Find a keyword, for eg: "Relax", "Cool" etc. Chant it slowly, really imagining the meaning in a detailed way. Feel it. Let the energy fill you wholly. Relaaaaaaaaax...!

This method of diverting the direction of thought processes to something pleasant makes us feel better giving a break to the production of stress-producing chemical substances in the brain. The vicious circle of 'bad thoughts - more bad chemicals - more stress - more bad thoughts' is broken giving relief to the mind and body.

Now try to deepen the level of relaxation you just now have experienced. Slowly and effortlessly breathe in and out.

Now loosen the tight muscles in the body. Concentrate on each and every inch in the body and try to loosen.

Imagine that you are feeling weightlessness as though you were in Space.

• You are feeling light.
• You feel secure and safe. 
• You feel confident. 
• You feel better. 
• You feel like you are getting what you wanted in life.  
• All your wishes are getting fulfilled.
• You feel great happiness.

Deepen this state of relaxation further and further. Loosen more. Slowly chant the keyword. Avoid getting into sleep.

This is a state of 'active' relaxation. You are in control, your mind is under your control. Your body is under your control. Your mind and body are now stress-free. Good!

Once you feel like you are better, slowly come back to reality. Open your eyes slowly. Move your limbs slowly. Turn over to one side and get up. Return to the normal activities of daily living. This phase is also equally important like that of relaxation; slowly come out of it. Take your time! Never rush through this process.

Practice this daily as much as you can. You can do this anytime you want whenever you feel like doing it.

Once you have learned the technique of relaxation you are going to apply it during the daytime when you need it while doing the activities of daily living. The moment you feel some external stimulus like an environmental event or emotion inducing stress in yourself apply relaxation technique to calm yourself. This state of relaxation is going to become your normal state sooner.

Now let us train in a different way.

Sit on a chair wearing your work clothes. Don't loosen the buttons.
Keep the palms facing up on your thighs with elbows bent. Feet on the floor.
You can keep your footwear. If you wear spectacles, keep them if you like.
Here we are simulating your work environment where you are likely to experience a lot of stress.

Concentrate on your breathing. Inhale and exhale deeply, slowly and smoothly. Imagine everything like you did in the above session that I have described. Relax. Feel better. Feel confident. Feel calm and cool. Narrate the keyword. Let it resonate in your mind. Chant it.

After some time, once you feel better, slowly come out of this state and engage in the activities of daily living. As days go by, with more and more practice, you will notice that you have slowed down your pace in life and is feeling more in control of your thought processes. You will feel that you are tackling challenges in a cool and relaxed way. Now you want to win over the challenges or solve problems. Thus you will enjoy that winning feeling. You are sure to win. You are a winner!

Practice this and get more control upon yourself. With more and more practice you will be able to attain better control upon your emotions thereby reducing stress.

You can also do this at your workstation if you have privacy. If not, don't practice this while at work but once you attain some sort of control you can relax just by thinking about the keyword. Induce relaxation by chanting your keyword in your mind while at work when you feel stress. Your breathing becomes regular, you relax and feel better. Negative thoughts just disappear. You become cool in no time. A smile appears on your face.

Now try to be actively relaxed, calm, cool, well adjusted, balanced, with better control of your life, confident, secure, and contented all the time. Practice being in this relaxed attitude always. Anytime, anywhere you need, induce relaxation by chanting the keyword in your mind. Feel the wave of relaxation sweep through your mind and body.  Practice more and more. Train your mind and body.

• Don't allow stress to build up. 
• Anytime you feel too much pressure, take deep breaths, or take a short break and relax. 
• Put some real effort to loosen up. 
• Try not to be angry.
• Cultivate a positive attitude. 
• Radiate warmth. 
• Never allow destructive criticisms to affect you badly. 
• Wipe off negative influences as quickly as possible. 
• Repel negative vibes. Don't pollute your mind, be kind to yourself.  
• Try to get out of the artificial environment and enjoy the beauty of nature at least for sometime every day.
• Wear comfortable clothing always that makes us relaxed.
• Tight clothes and stilettos may be fashionable but those make us uncomfortable.
• Exposure to electronic machinery can induce stress. Limit it. Take short breaks to calm yourselves.
• Too much TV,  music that is too loud, smoking (both active and passive), alcohol, drugs etc. are all bad, they make you more stressful ultimately.
• Jokes, humor, and laughter are good but avoid making fun of people and enjoying at the expense of others' peace of mind.
• Let everyone be a winner.
• Sleep well.
• Avoid comparisons. Never compare, you are unique !
• Limit listening to the so-called 'advisors and 'Didn't I tell you? You never listened'...type of people. 
• Limit social media :)
• Practice, practice, practice... 

Good luck!

Note: Please read the DISCLAIMER attached to this blog.

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Relaxation - for our mind, body and soul

Abu Dhabi Corniche is a beautiful place!

This was a surprise snap one day while strolling through this beautiful place. I think this team was practising here; a very rare sight in this part of the world.

It stretches from the Marina Mall to Mina port. People flock to this place to escape the hustle and bustle of the City after their work to relax. There is no entrance fee.

At night the place will be well lit. Weekends people come here for barbecue get together.

This is an ideal place to jog and for those who would like to exercise can go through the different set of work out routines at designated stations meant for the same. There are stations for chinning the bar, tummy toning exercises etc.               

This is a beautiful place to relax enjoying the breeze and the beautiful sea.

• Relaxation is something very important we all need. Purposely set aside a little time every day for ourselves, for our mind, body, and soul. 

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Reach higher, a simple inspiration

I have seen the above while strolling through the Dubai Marina. A simple thing...

a powerful motivator!

 There is a ferry service along the Marina. Only nominal fare!

• We may find such powerful affirmations unexpectedly in our day-to-day life! Get inspired...refill our energy stores with such positive things...!

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World happiness day, a belated post!

Considering the fact that the pursuit of happiness is a fundamental human goal, the United Nations General Assembly in 2012 declared March 20 as the 'International day of happiness'.

Poverty eradication, economic development, social and environmental well-being etc. are considered as factors that contribute to happiness.

Bhutan, a small Himalayan country considers among other aspects spiritual well-being also an indicator of GNH (Gross National Happiness Index), a happiness measure. Bhutanese are considered to be one of the happiest people in the world. No wonder, the whole initiative of this movement came from that country.

People celebrated this day in many ways across the world. Some initiated a chain reaction of generosity, random acts of kindness etc.

Belated Happiness day wishes, all of you!

Be happy😊

Check:
http://www.worldhappyday.com
http://happinessinternational.org

Try to be happy, live happily. Enjoy life and be successful. Look and read for success tips.

• Happiness is something that cannot be defined in simple terms. It is subjective, very private. Whatever, try to 'be happy'... all the time!

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Ancient wisdom - South pointing chariot, awesome!

I am blogging in this post about an ancient equipment. It is a surprising example of the knowledge and wisdom of those people who lived so many years ago. We have plenty to learn from the history and make use of those nice qualities our ancestors possessed in present-day lives.

You can see this at the Ibn Batuta Mall in Dubai. This Mall is themed according to the travel experiences of Ibn Battuta, the famous 14th-century Arab explorer.

This cardinal direction pointing non-magnetic device was invented by the Chinese. The pointing arm of the figure will always be facing the south direction no matter whichever direction the chariot turned.

The chariot must have been used for navigational purposes by the ancient Chinese. This might have helped the warriors and travelers to negotiate the vast terrains in China. The mechanism operates by a differential gear system. No magnets were used.

Interesting...isn't it?

The Ibn Battuta Mall has Persia court, China court, Andalusia court, Egypt court, India court, and the Tunisia court.

Plenty of outlets...very good architecture...!

Lovely Mall to visit...!

http://www.ibnbattutamall.com

• The dire need for something to lessen the hardships in life stirs up imagination; it triggers the infinite possibilities the human mind is capable of, the end result is inventions like this.

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How humans excel...Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world!

Burj Khalifa is the tallest man-made architectural marvel situated in the Emirate of Dubai, the United Arab Emirates. Burj Khalifa (Arabic = Khalifa tower) stands majestically at over 828 m (2716.5 ft) having more than 160 stories.

Dubai achieved this outstanding feat under the efficient leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice president and Prime Minister of the UAE and the Ruler of Dubai.

His Highness is a great leader having the power to inspire people and his determination to succeed made Dubai a world-class destination. 

This fantastic creation became a reality with international co-operation, hard work of many talented people and above all as a result of dynamic leadership.

January 2004 - Excavation.

April 2008 - Level 160 - World's tallest man-made building.
January 2010 - Official launching.

The designing was carried out by the Chicago Office of Skidmore, Owings and Merrill LLP (SOM). Mr Adrian Smith was the consulting design partner. The inspiration was a desert plant named Hymenocallis with petals emanating from a central stem! The tower has three portions arranged around a central core.

I did not know all these details till recently. Only when I began researching when I was contemplating a post about the Burj Khalifa I came to know of these wonderful facts. Glad that I am sharing these with you.

Bill Baker was the structural engineer. The property developer was Emaar and the elevators were installed by Otis.

This is a mixed-use tower where one of the major attractions is the Giorgio Armani Hotel. At the base, we can see the world famous Dubai fountain, which is the tallest performing fountain. Burj Khalifa park's design is also inspired by the desert flower Hymenocallis like the tower itself. 

You will find plenty of Burj Khalifa tour ads in local newspapers or your Hotel travel desk will arrange one according to your convenience.   

For a view from outside including the Dubai fountain nothing to spend except Metro or other types of conveyance charges to Dubai Mall!                                                                                                                                                                
Just go to the lower level of the Dubai Mall following the 'At the top' sign, get out and voilà...you are viewing one of the wonders of the world...!
                                                                   
'At the top' - is Burj Khalifa's observation deck on level 124. Better take tickets online well in advance!

Tickets are also available at 'At the top' entrance at the lower level of the Dubai Mall.

Free entry for children under three years of age.

In the upcoming posts, I will upload pictures of this awe-inspiring monument from different angles.

• Another example of success achieved by sheer determination, willpower, and unlimited enthusiasm to make dreams a reality.

• Nothing is impossible.

• Proof of how an able leadership can motivate people to deliver outstanding results.

• Inspiration can be any simple thing, here it was just a small flower!

• You have unlimited potential, with the right kind of circumstances the possibilities are endless.

Check:
http://www.burjkhalifa.ae/en/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burj_Khalifa
http://smithgill.com/

You may read about the hardships and the problems the team faced, how they tackled the issues and found solutions etc. etc and finally the glory that wiped off all the tears! Hats off to Adrian Smith and the whole team.

I will post the pictures taken by me during the construction time soon. How it made people of the UAE...say  wow...lucky we were, watching this wonder unfolding in front of us..!

Youtube video link  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijvJ0ZzaoSM

Now so many people from different parts of the world come to the UAE to see Burj Khalifa. No doubt this has become a jewel in the crown of the magnificent city of Dubai.

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