ISTRIA: Istria got my full attention as I saw it listed as one of the "Best of the World Must-see Places for 2012" on an issue of National Geographic Traveler magazine. I became set on reaching the Adriatic Sea from Zagreb, Croatia's capital, where I would be visiting friends. I really wanted to get a taste of at least Rovinj and I ended up getting so much more. My friends arranged for us three to be taken on a road trip with a fellow from Zagreb. So, at 7:30am we left to explore Istria's highlights. We had a lovely drive through the green Istrian interior with bucolic landscape of rolling hills, small hilltop villages with Venetian style church towers pocking the skies, olive tree groves, mountains, and more. PAZIN Once in the Istrian region, Pazin was ... read more

In a big contrast to most of my travel destinations, I find myself in one of the richest countries in the world, Switzerland. It is incredibly organized, well behaved, efficient and politically neutral. I had already discovered the bewitching natural beauty of this country a couple of decades ago. So, what brings me back? A chance to visit 5 good friends from the past, who I met in different corners of the world, and now reside in various corners of this tiny country. Along the way, as we hop from city to city, we'll take detours to re-visit some favorite spots and discover new ones as well. Here is the first climpse of the trip. GENEVA: Perfect weekend with friends Picked up at the airport by our friend Roberto, with jet-lag and all, there was no ... read more

MY DAYS IN BHTHAN: CURIOSITY ABOUT THE STORY BEHIND FLYING PENISES? Giggles and questions marks must pop into every visitor to Bhutan’s head, as it did to mine, as one sees the happy-and-funny looking ribbon penis painted on the walls of houses and businesses. I hope you won't take offense on focus of this blog, as you read the title. It's not just about the "object", but most importantly, what's behind it. I write about what catches my attention, and this is one of the things in Bhutan which is truly interesting and curious. I'd be writing also if tons of houses had happy cats with ribbons were painted on the walls of most homes, with the intention to mean more than just an interesting animal painting. Only a Divine Madman in Bhutan could be behind ... read more

ON THE WAY TO THIMPHU: On the way from Paro to Thimphu we visited a small private monastery across the river, TAMCHHOG LHAKHANG. The suspended iron chain narrow bridge, from where colorful prayer flags were hung, was both picturesque and frightening to cross. It was built by a Tibetan saint, composer and engineer who built 108 bridges across Tibet and Bhutan. A 100-year old tamarind tree and vertical white prayer flags completed the enchanting landscape. But what made the visit at this monastery quite special was to find a group of village Bhutanese seating on the yard outside the chapel and kids playfully around the yard, some playing soccer. THIMPHU, the capital of Bhutan: Nothing really special about the capital that doesn't have a single traffic light. The 4th king is responsible for many changes which ... read more

Plenty to do in DC. Museums galore, parks, monuments. Felt as a school kid on a field trip at times, but seeing the cheeryblossoms made up for tinconvenience of being in DC at peak season.... read more