Aditya Chunekar
achuneka
Aditya Chunekar
Ever since I watched Motorcycle Diaries, a film based on Che-Guvera's motor-cycle exploits, I have dreamt of taking a year off and travel. Visit places of stunning natural beauty, meet amazing people, have incredible experiences! Taking a year off and voluntarily 'doing nothing' but travel is something completely unheard of in India.
But as soon as I could gather enough funds and enough guts, I started last October and it has been the most memorable one in my life. I sky-dived in Poconos, NY and hiked across the spectacular Grand Canyon. Tested my endurance limit during a month long course at Himalayan Moutaineering Institute (HMI), Darjeeling. Gaped at the peaceful beauty and grandeur of the gompas tucked away in mountains in the last Shangri-La of the world, Bhutan. Experienced the beautiful sunrise over Ganga at Varanasi, clicked the colourful ghats, took an early morning misty boat ride and awed at the majestic Ganga Arati at Dasashwamedh ghat. Sweated out over 250 kms of cycling over golden beaches and across dense forests in Goa. Got mesmerized with sun-soaked beaches, gorgeous sunsets, misty cool hill stations, tranquil backwaters and intricately designed temples on 5000 km solo motor-cycle trip of South Indian Peninsula. Rolled over on the white sand beaches and snorkelled in the turquoise waters for a decko of the delicate and brightly colored coral reefs in Andamans. Threw buckets of water on each other while celebrating New Year in Laos, gulping the ubiquitous Beerlao and shouting Sabaidee Pi Mai (Happy New Year). Enjoyed the hospitality of Lao people, the friendliest and happiest bunch of people I have ever met. Hiked 220 km around the mighty Annapurna in Nepal crossing high passes, just staring at the gigantic 8000 m peaks and feasting on deliciously hot and omni-present Dal Bhat. And finally had the out of the world experience of riding my motor-cycle to the roof of the world, Ladakh.
I visited places of stunning natural beauty. I met amazing people. I had incredible experiences. I lived my dream.
This blog is about my experiences. Enjoy reading !
All the photos are
Here