Home Travelogue
Category:

Travelogue

VideosTravelogue

Tuirihiau & Vantawng waterfalls, Thenzawl : Day 6 & 7 in Mizoram

by VV
written by VV



In this video, you will see us visiting Tuirihiau and Vantawng waterfalls which were one of the best parts of our 7-days trip to Mizoram. After our stay at Hmuifang tourist resort on the previous day, we stayed in Thenzawl tourist lodge, which was the best stay on our entire trip. Enjoy the beauty of Tuirihiau waterfalls which can be seen from behind. Vantawng waterfalls reminded me of my visit to Cherrapunji in Meghalaya where I came across many similar beautiful waterfalls.

How to reach Thenzawl

Aizawl to Thenzawl Bus: There are regular bus services between Aizawl and Thenzawl operated by the state road transport corporation of Mizoram government. Buses going to Lunglei also pass from Thenzawl. Travelling by bus is the cheapest way to reach Thenzawl.
Aizawl to Thenzawl Sumo: A lot of shared Tata Sumo taxis are available between Aizawl & Thenzawl. They take less time than the buses but quite uncomfortable as they are stuffed with passengers. Still, they are the most preferred way to travel across north-east Indian states.

Other videos of my Mizoram Trip

0 comment
1 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
TravelogueTravel GuideVideos

Our trip to Hmuifang & Sialsuk: Day 5 & 6 in Mizoram

by VV
written by VV



This video is about my family visit to Hmuifang & Sialsuk Tlang. Both are two different places and quite famous tourist destinations in Mizoram. So whenever you search for places to see in Mizoram, you’ll find these names on the list.

Hmuifang Tlang

Tlang means Peak in the Mizo language. In my previous video, you saw our trek to Reiek Tlang. Hmuifang Tlang is higher than Reiek Tlang. The altitude of Reiek is 1485 metres and Hmuifang’s height is 1619 metres. Hmuifang is 55 kilometres away from Aizawl. It took us 3 hours to reach Hmuifang from Aizawl with a lot of breaks in between.  We stayed at the Hmuifang Tourist resort.

Best time to visit Hmuifang

Hmuifang’s weather fluctuates according to the season. March, April, May & November are the best months to visit Hmuifang. From June to October its rains. December, January and Feb are too cold.

Click here for Hmuifang Tourist Resort Phone number

How to reach Hmuifang from Aizawl

We hired an SUV for 11,000 Rupees for a 5-days trip. After a 2-days trip to Reiek, we went for a 3-days trip to Hmuifang & Thenzawl. If you want to travel by public transport, you can take a shared taxi going towards Sialsuk or Thenzawl. Hmuifang Tourist resort is located on the highway.

Read: Why I recommend not to stay at Hmuifang Tourist Resort

Sialsuk Tlang

Next day we started our trip to Thenzawl. On the way, we visited the Sialsuk Tlang. It is located near the Sialsuk village. There is a PWD rest house near the Sialsuk peak. Approach Mizoram Government’s PWD (department) for its booking. One can do a short trek to the village. Entry fee is 10 Rs per person. The views from Sialsuk Tlang are simply amazing. Watch the video to have a glimpse of the panoramic views from there. (Video – Hmuifang & Sialsuk Tlang : Day 5 & 6: Mizoram Trip)

Other videos of my Mizoram Trip

0 comment
1 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
VideosTravelogue

A Grand-father & Son’s trek to Reiek peak, Mizoram

by VV
written by VV



In this video, you’ll see me travelling with my family from Aizawl to Reiek. I have shared information about transportation from Aizawl to Reiek. There are shared taxis for Reiek which take. We hired an SUV for 11,000 Rupees for a 5 days trip. This itinerary included a visit to Reiek village and thereafter a trek to Reiek peak. We stayed at Reiek Tourist Resort. I have shared information on the type of rooms and their tariffs.

We went on a trek to Reiek peak on the next day. It took us 4 hours to complete the trek. Altitude of Reiek peak is 1548 metres. In this video, I have also shared information about mobile network coverage and other private hotels in Reiek. Hope you like it. For any question, please feel free to ask at bit.ly/THFBgroup

Reiek tourist resort contact number: 9862719019
0 comment
4 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
VideosTravel GuideTravelogue

Watch this before visiting Aizawl, Mizoram

by VV
written by VV



This video is about my first day’s experience of visiting Aizawl, the capital city of Mizoram. I hopped on local buses, took shared taxis, hitchhiked and interacted with the locals in Aizawl. I am sharing the information which can be helpful for any tourist visiting Aizawl.

Aizawl Airport

At the beginning of the video, I have shared information regarding the public transport between Lengpui Airport to Aizawl. There is no airport in Aizawl city. The nearest airport is in Lengpui village. Distance from Lengpui airport to Aizawl distance is 33 kilometres. There are no public buses between the airport and Aizawl city. The only option is to hire a taxi. Usually, there are two options. Small cars like Alto or Eon & SUVs like Bolero, Scorpio or Sumo. Most of the prepaid cars are the small cars. SUVs run on a rental basis. I am sharing the charges for both of them. I landed in Lengpui on a Sunday and usually it is difficult to get rental cars on Sundays. So if you want to rent a car and landing on a Sunday, better to call a travel agency.

  • Lengpui airport to Aizawl Sumo fare – 2000-2500 Rs
  • Lengpui airport to Aizawl Prepaid taxi fare/Small cars – 1000-1200 Rs

Hotels in Aizawl

I stayed in a Government guest house in Aizawl. The tourism department of Mizoram Government owns it and hence any tourist can stay there. Bookings are done on-phone on first come first served basis. The guesthouse is situated in Chaltlang area of Aizawl city and hence called ‘Tourist lodge Chaltlang’.

Check this box for private hotels in Aizawl


Vegetarian food in Mizoram

I will share information in the next videos about vegetarian food in Mizoram. My entire family is vegetarian, so I was quite apprehensive about getting vegetarian food in Aizawl. But Chaltlang tourist lodge offered us a very nice ‘home-made’ vegetarian meals. The rates are also quite reasonable. Watch the video for more details on the food rates.

  • Chaltlang tourist lodge phone – 03892341083, 03892346589,  03892346422
  • Room tariff in Chaltlang tourist lodge – start from 600 to 2500 Rs.
  • Vegetarian food available – Yes

Experiencing the public transport in Aizawl

On the next day, I used the public transportation to explore Aizawl. The most popular ones are the minibuses and the small cars (Maruti 800). You can share the fare of a taxi in Aizawl on a ‘contri’ basis. That means you don’t have to pay the full fare of a taxi if some other passenger is also using the cab.

  • Aizawl minibus fare = 5 Rs minimum

Aizawl Traffic jams

Getting stuck in traffic jams in Aizawl is a nightmare. We lost a lot of time during our trip in these traffic jams. The roads of the hilly city feel narrow in comparison to an exceptionally high volume of traffic. So if you are a solo traveller, then the best way is to hire a bike taxi.

Bike taxi in Aizawl

The best way to travel in Aizawl is to hire a two-wheeler taxi. You can identify the bike taxi drivers by their Yellow helmet. I was told that they charge Rs 10 for the first kilometre and then 5 for every subsequent kilometre.

Mobile network in Aizawl

During the stay, we used Airtel, BSNL, Jio and Vodafone mobile networks. All of them were ok. Jio & Airtel’s Internet speed was poor while uploading videos on youtube. Almost took a day to upload 1GB of internet data. Didn’t use BSNL and Vodafone’s internet.

In this video, you will get to learn how to say thanks in Mizo language which is a must for everyone visiting Aizawl. Also, you will see a glimpse of traffic sense, gender equality, cleanliness and overall culture of the Mizos.

0 comment
5 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
TravelogueVideos

How do I convince my Mother for solo trips

by VV
written by VV





Getting permission from the family to travel solo is not easy. Same happens with my family. My mother is always worried about me, especially when I am on an adventure trip.  But seeing me travelling from many years, my mother eventually understood ‘Ye manane wala nahi hai’ ;) But while travelling I always do something for her which keeps her comfortable. Watch this video to know what I do!

My other travel video series

You can watch some of my adventure trip series here:

Hitchhiking in Russia – 2017

Hitchhiking in Malaysia – 2017

A trip to the offbeat Himalayas:  Spiti – India – 2017

Hitchhiking in Thailand – 2017

Hitchhiking in Austria- 2016

Hitchhiking in Czechia- 2016

 

 

0 comment
3 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
VideosTravelogue

21 Hours, No lift: Challenges of Hitchhiking in Malaysia

by VV
written by VV





I started the day in Brinchang and visited the Sungai Palas Tea Plantation in Cameron Highlands. After completing the tea estate tour at about 11 am, I started hitchhiking to Ipoh, which is a major town on the main highway connecting Kuala Lumpur to Penang or Alor Setar (for Langkawi). The initial experiences were not that bad. I got lifts after few minutes of efforts, but after I reached Ipoh, I struggled a lot to get the next lift.

The biggest mistake I did

While hitchhiking, its always advisable to remain on the highway. Getting a lift inside the city is sometimes not easy. I experienced this in Ipoh. The family dropped me at a petrol station, which I supposed would be a better place to get a lift, but the petrol station was situated inside the city. All of the people who stopped and wanted to give me a lift could not do that because they were going to some place in the town itself. Eventually, I had to struggle for 21 hours to get the next lift. Watch this video to know how I got lift finally.

Online booking of Bus, Ferry, Trains & Car in Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore & Indonesia

Where did I stay in Ipoh

Thanks to the Gurudwara Sahib, Jelapang in Ipoh for allowing me to do a night halt in the Gurudwara. Thanks to everyone who helped me on the highway and those who could not. It was a learning experience. Hope you will find this video helpful and not commit the mistake I did.

Gurudwaras in Malaysia: A Traveller’s Guide

My other travel video series

Hitchhiking in Russia – 2017

Hitchhiking in Malaysia – 2017

A trip to the offbeat Himalayas:  Spiti – India – 2017

Hitchhiking in Thailand – 2017

Hitchhiking in Austria- 2016

Hitchhiking in Czechia- 2016

0 comment
3 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Cameron Highlands
VideosTravelogue

Cameron Highlands: Travel Guide

by VV
written by VV

Cameron Highlands is the largest hill-station of Malaysia. It is as big as Singapore. Located at a distance of 220 kilometres from Kuala Lumpur, the capital city of Malaysia, Cameron Highlands a must visit place for tourists visiting Malaysia. I also visited this place on my week-long backpack trip to Malaysia. Being a nature and adventure lover, I found it more interesting than other places. In fact, I would advise you to take out at least 2 full days to enjoy Cameron Highlands thoroughly. The ‘Cameron Highlands Travel Guide’ will help you develop a basic understanding of this tourist place.

Tanah Rata, Brinchang & Kampung Raja are the main towns of Cameron Highlands. Most of the hotels are located in Tanah Rata. Buses from Kuala Lumpur and Ipoh terminates at Tanah Rata, Brinchang and Kampung Raja. Many travel agencies are located in these towns where you can book a taxi, hire a cab, get local trek maps and other travel-related information.

Things to do in Cameron Highlands

Go on a hiking trip amidst the sprawling tea gardens, visit the tea factories to see how tea leaves are processed and when you are tired, come back to your hotel and relax. Repeat this on the next day or visit the nearby places like Brinchang or Tanah Rata. I would also recommend visiting the local market, especially the roadside small shops.

Tip: Take a local minibus to explore the local towns of Cameron Highlands

Places to visit in Cameron Highlands

It is a hill station and the best part of hill stations are their cool and soothing weather and beautiful hills all over. As mentioned above Cameron Highlands is famous for its tea gardens. Tourists often visit these places in Cameron Highlands:

  1. Boh (Sungei Palas) Tea Estate: See the beautiful plantation & visit the tea factory
  2. Mount (Gunung) Brinchang: Highest motorable place in Malaysia (2,032 metres)
  3. Time Tunnel Museum, Brinchang: to see history and cultural heritage of Cameron Highlands
  4. Bharat tea estate: See the beautiful plantation from the cafe
  5. Mossy forest: Recommended for a hike
  6. Sam Poh Temple, Brinchang: A Buddhist temple in the limestone cave

The sprawling tea farms on the hills of Cameron Highlands reminded me of my trip to Munnar, located in the southern state of Kerala, India.  Both of these places have a lot of similarities. Both of these places have tea estates and factories. I visited Boh tea estate in Cameron Highlands whereas, a few years back I visited Kollukumalai tea estate in Munnar, India. Both of them are gorgeously picturesque. Watch this video to get a glimpse of Munnar & Kollukumalai tea estate.

Cameron Highlands Video: How was my experience

Best time to visit Cameron Highlands

Cold weather is the biggest USP of Cameron Highlands. Towns in these highlands are situated on the elevation ranging from 1100 metres to 1600 metres, close to Munnar (Kerala, India). The temperature remains between 14 to 24-degree Celsius all around the year. I spent one night in Cameron Highlands sleeping in an open hall of a mosque in Brinchang. It rained & was quite cold. I was not prepared and equipped with light warmers required for such weather condition. But staying in a hotel would make your stay comfortable.

Tip: Do not forget to pack an Umbrella and hiking shoes  

Budget Hotels in Cameron Highlands

Like other mountain resorts, Cameroon Highlands is also a not budget-friendly tourist destination. Hotels and Resorts in Cameron Highlands usually start from 70 Ringgit. I didn’t find any hostel in Cameroon Highlands. If you are a budget traveller and ready to do a new experiment, then stay in the Mosque or Gurudwara in Brinchang as I did.

How to reach Cameron Highlands

It takes around 3 to 4 hours from Kuala Lumpur to reach Cameron Highlands. It is approx. 220 kilometres far from Kuala Lumpur via Tapah.  Bus fare from Kuala Lumpur to Cameron Highlands is around 35 to 40 Ringgit. Watch these videos to see how is the road condition from Kuala Lumpur to Cameron Highlands.  The other option to reach Cameron Highlands is via Ipoh. There are few buses from Ipoh which is approx 85 kilometres far from Brinchang.

Bus from Kuala Lumpur to Cameron Highlands

Many bus companies operate luxury coaches from Kuala Lumpur to Cameron Highlands (Brinchang, Tanah Rata, Kampung Raja). These buses can also be booked online. Easybook.com can help you to get bus tickets online. As they claim on their websites, you can get online bus tickets for Malaysia and Singapore by using their website. As I hitchhiked all over Malaysia, I do not have experience of using this website. I came to know about a slow local bus between Kuala Lumpur and Tanah Rata. The fare for this bus is 22 Ringgit. Please check it from the local tourism authority, bus terminal or your hotel (and also inform us in the comment section) if you are travelling on a budget.

Click here for Online bus booking in Malaysia



Booking.com

0 comment
3 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
trip to bali
Travelogue

My 8-days trip to Bali

by VV
written by VV

Author: Naman Arora

So here’s a brief about my trip to Bali which lasted for 8 days. If you’re a budget traveller then this is a must read! I have shared my inputs based on my experience on Flight tickets, Hotels and transportation in Bali.

BALI FLIGHTS: Why I didn’t take Air Asia flight from Bali!

I had booked AirAsia flight which cost me 7,500 Indian Rupees (One way) with an option for cabin luggage only. My primary reason for booking AirAsia flight was that it was cheap and well within my budget for travel and secondly I didn’t feel the need to carry too many clothes with me for the trip. Shorts and vests are enough if you wish to roam around Bali. If you enjoying shopping then probably you can go for Malindo Air for the return journey which allows a maximum of 20 Kilograms for check-in and 7 Kilograms for cabin baggage (Price: 9000 INR). I opted for this option because I shop extensively. You needn’t pay extra 3,500 INR for AirAsia check-in when you can purchase clothes worth the same amount. In Bali, clothes are very cheap!

Flights to Bali


HOTELS IN BALI: Why I stayed in resorts and 4-star hotels!

I made my hotel bookings through Booking.com and will always recommend this website. Here you can book hostels at prices ranging from 100 to 1,200 INR and hotels from Rs. 800 to 35,000 per night. In the end, it comes down to the luxury or the comfort you wish to have. I would suggest, book a luxurious hotel in Ubud and opt for guest houses in Kuta or Seminyak. The reason behind this is that Ubud has some great hotels and resorts to offer! You can enjoy the beauty, nature and the silence of the place. After all who wouldn’t want to simply lay inside the pool with a beer in hand? I had booked Kadiga Villa which is a 4-Star property. It was fabulous and the hospitality was at par with the services provided. I stayed at the place for 2 nights and I really enjoyed a lot! In India, it’s hard to find this sort of luxury at an affordable price of 4000 INR per night with a private pool and complimentary breakfast. No doubt, there are cheaper options available but it all comes down to the level of comfort you require. In Kuta or Seminyak, it’s not advisable to spend so much money on hotels because there are so many other things to do apart from beaches and parties. I stayed in Kuta for a period of 5 days in D’gaduh suite. It cost 1,100 INR per night with an access to the pool. But it was definitely worth it! It was located in the main market with Legian just a kilometre away and the staff was also very friendly.

Also check : Bali Travel Guide

TRANSPORTATION IN BALI: Why I was said ‘NO to Uber’!

Uber, Grab and Gojek apps are banned in Bali so don’t use them to get a taxi from the airport. If another driver sees you using the Uber app, he may stop you and won’t allow you to go. This happened to me twice. There are hoardings all over the city saying that Uber and Grab are banned. The best way to get Uber is to step outside the hotel, move a distance of at least 100 metres and then use the app. You’ll find taxi drivers mostly outside the hotels and airport. It’s not really easy to get an Uber taxi at the airport. I had booked my taxi from rideaways.com by paying a hefty sum of 13.15 USD. The local taxis are very expensive.

Click: Online booking of Ferry and bus in Bali 

Sharing my experience, I had booked a ride from Kuta to Ubud with Uber. It was showing 1,20,000 IDR which is supposed to be around 600 Indian Rupees. But when I started getting into the cab, a local driver stopped me and politely asked me to leave the Uber cab. The Uber cab left immediately and then I was left with only one option, to book a local taxi. They charged me 30,000 IDR which is around 1,500 Indian Rupees. After heavy bargaining, I closed the deal at 2,50,000 IDR. Stil, it was more than double to what to what Uber was offering. So if you’re planning a ride with Uber or Grab, then try not board from a near a hotel.




Get Tourist Drivers license in Bali to explore the ‘Real Bali’

The best way of travelling in Bali is to hire a scooter. Indians need an IDP (International driving permit) for driving but it’s really hard to get one in India. So the best way is to get a temporary Balinese driving license (Tourist Driver’s License) from the police station in Denpasar within a day. Preferably, check with your hotel or homestay. They will know exactly, how you can get there. The cost for the same comes around to be 30 USD. That’s one way, how the local police make some extra money. You will just have to fill in a Multiple Choice Form (with answers right next to you!). Bring a passport size picture and the required money for fees. The license is issued to anybody between the age group of 18 to 70 years. The rent for the scooter is 60,000 IDR (around 270 Indian Rupees) per day and it’s even lesser on weekdays. I got it for 80,000 IDR (357 Indian Rupees) including petrol. Petrol is very cheap in Bali at around 38 Indian Rupees per litre.

Caught by Bali traffic police! (Driving without license or helmet in Bali)

If you get caught by the traffic police for driving without a license or helmet, over speeding or being blamed for an offence you didn’t perform, do not panic. Some Policemen will do their best in scaring and threatening you. But keep your calm and be friendly to them. That will undoubtedly help you in the situation. Convince them with your sincerity and modesty. They would just charge a fee and let you go. You may have to pay between 10 to 30 USD. I’m sharing this because such an incident happened to me. I didn’t have a license and had to around 500 Indian Rupees as a bribe.

Check Another trip : 5 Days in Bali
1 comment
3 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
VideosTravelogue

Cameron Highlands : I hitchhiked and stayed in a Mosque

by VV
written by VV




I took these videos during my backpacking trip to Malaysia. After spending 3 days in  Kuala Lumpur, the capital city of Malaysia, I started hitchhiking to Cameron Highlands. I started from a petrol station located on the outskirts of Northern Kuala Lumpur. A young man took me to Tapah. Thereafter two other cars helped me to reach Brinchang, the final destination in Cameron Highlands. I stayed in a mosque in Brinchang. There is also a Gurudwara (Sikh temple) in Brinchang where visitors can stay after the temple staff is convinced about their whereabouts.

TRAVEL GUIDE : CAMERON HIGHLANDS

Hotels in Cameron Highlands


My other travel video series

Hitchhiking in Russia – 2017

Hitchhiking in Malaysia – 2017

A trip to the offbeat Himalayas:  Spiti – India – 2017

Hitchhiking in Thailand – 2017

Hitchhiking in Austria- 2016

Hitchhiking in Czechia- 2016

0 comment
1 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
dubai trip
Travelogue

My Dubai Trip: A journey to the city of dreams

by VV
written by VV

Author: Unmesh Rajput

I went on a 7-day trip to Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Oman in October 2017. Based on my experiences, I have shared few tips which may be helpful for anyone planning a Dubai trip.

Best time to visit Dubai

Dubai is ‘hot’! I suggest a trip to Dubai in the months of October/November so that weather is not unpleasant. Else you will not be able to explore the outdoors and beaches, which should not be missed.

Most important: Before you take your flight to Dubai

Ensure your Visa Agent confirms they will get an “OTB = OK To Board” from Dubai embassy. Unless you have an OTB, you will not be able to board a flight to Dubai even though you have a valid Visa and Ticket. OTB is done 24-48 hours before the flight.

Getting there

Visa is easy but requires flight and hotel bookings in advance. Indigo offers 30+7kg luggage for onward and return flights to Dubai. Make full use of this capacity and shop till you drop!!

Hotels in Dubai

All hotels or other stay options in Dubai are expensive. So just book and forget. Don’t think much. I stayed at Marriott Harbour Hotel and Suites, Dubai Marina. The view from its 51st floor is just fantabulous.


Booking.com

Getting around Dubai

Buy ‘NOL card’ right at the airport. Use Red/Green lines metro or the Bus system to get into the city. Do check metro and bus operational hours beforehand as they can change. Taxis are an expensive affair unless 2-4 people are ride sharing.

  • Do read all rules before you travel, e.g. sleeping in Metro and seat sharing is not allowed.
  • Trams are operational only in Dubai Marina area. Police are not everywhere, but cameras are! So be mindful.
  • Don’t jaywalk, cross the roads only at Zebra Crossings when the light turns Green.
  • Hop-on Hop-off tourist buses are also available at a cost.
  • Do take the boat ride in old Dubai, it costs only 1 Dirham.

Dressing code in Dubai

Conservative for man/woman, a fellow male tourist was caught by police as his shorts were way below his waist. You are only expected to cover yourself adequately when you visit a place of worship. Makes sense, right! However, bikinis and swim shorts are allowed on beaches. Surprised!

Must see-Must do in Dubai

There is so much to do in Dubai. Covering even in one month is difficult. I have listed a few, but you should research thoroughly before. Certainly not to be missed are star attractions like:

  • Desert Safari with BBQ dinner and entertainment
  • Burj Al Arab and its beach
  • Top of Burj Khalifa
  • Dubai Mall and its Fountain Show
  • Atlantis and Palm Jumeirah
  • Old Dubai and Dubai Creek
  • Watersports and Speedboat cruise in Dubai Marina
  • Dhow Dinner Cruise
  • Gold Souq
  • Temple of Shiva and Krishna in Old Dubai (only Hindu temple in Dubai),
  • Dubai Sky Dive
  • Aquaventure Waterpark
  • Ski Dubai
  • Miracle Garden
  • Bur Dubai
  • Deira markets
  • Electronics Shopping

Food & Alcohol

Wow! Heres the interesting part. Local food is fantastic and cheap. A meal can usually cost between 15-20 Dirhams without compromise on taste. Restaurants can be costly. Do try the white as well as red shawarma. You will get exposure to excellent Arabic, Pakistani and Indian food. I loved the Pakistani cuisine on offer, and it was damn cheap, only around 10-15 dirhams/meal. Public sale of Alcohol is not allowed, you can buy only in Hotels/Pubs/Restaurants/Clubs or through a local friend (Indian jugaad! lol).

Travel Guide – Dubai’s visa, flights, tips for Indians

Tips for Dubai trip

  • Read “Time Out Dubai” before you go. Check for events and programmes. The weekend is Friday and Saturday. So plan accordingly.
  • There are not as many Emiratis as there are travellers and expatriates. Don’t be surprised. Also, everyone speaks English.
  • Dubai is ridiculously safe. You will almost never lose your valuables. Police and Authorities keep making surprise checks on everyone. So carry Passport and Visa everywhere, even I was asked to produce it twice along with all the other local people.
  • Never plan Dubai on a budget. Dubai has to be seen to be believed. Explore it completely, and you will never regret it. Plan it as per your budget, and it will never leave unimpressed.
  • Everything here is massive, beautiful and beautifully planned. Do carry your best cameras and don’t miss any opportunity to Click.
  • Electronics in Malls/ Stores like Saraf DG/Jumbo are expensive. I bought iPhone 7 Plus 256GB in a market shop for 46,000 Rupees in October 2017 from Al Fahidi Street. One option is to shop electronics online and have them delivered to your hotel in Dubai. Yes! Or shop in markets like Bur Dubai Mankhool Road, Al Ain centre or Computer Plaza. Good deals are also at GITEX exhibition, but it is only once a year in September/October.
  • The variety and beauty of ornaments on offer in Gold Souq are simply mind-boggling. Do your homework on the Indian gold prices very well. Prices of 22k and 24k gold biscuits vary according to the certification body. (Swiss/Middle East etc.) Even ornaments are accredited. Buy gold on Saturday/Sunday as international markets are closed, and the price will be stable. Bargaining is the key to getting a good price. Don’t stress and politely walk away if you do not like the price. That’s ok. This is one place your wife or girlfriend is going to love. Don’t miss the biggest gold ring – 63kg on display in Gold Souq and displayed in Hindi movie “Welcome Back”!
  • Cost cutting options: Buy food at Supermarkets like Carrefour. Travel by Tram, Metro, Bus. Try and explore free possibilities as far as possible. Shop only at a discount. Some exceptional shopping deals are during Ramadan, National Day or Christmas.
  • The Dubai Mall fountain show is every 30 mins, different each time with Arabic, Chinese and Indian music. Do watch all three shows. Don’t miss the free aquarium view in Dubai Mall and you can also pay to get inside the aquarium with the Sharks and Stingrays in full view of the public.
  • Try water taxi. Take the RTA water taxi from Old Dubai to Dubai Marina. The views are fantastic and entirely paisa vasool. The RTA water taxi maps and info is available at RTA offices.
  • Flights/Hotel are at least twice as expensive in peak season as during offseason. So discounts at Dubai Shopping Festival will be set off. Be wise and visit in offseason. Book Flights and hotels two months in advance. Check the weather in advance.
  • Shamelessly admire cars and click pictures. Luxury cars are extremely common. Go to all the car showrooms and see all the luxury cars for free. You can rent any supercar, yes even a Lamborghini on an International Driving License. But please study all the traffic rules and regulations online as punishment in case of violation is very strict. Else you can plan to be taken around in one of the luxury cars, even the stretch Limo or stretch Hummer.

Useful travel websites in Dubai

  • Metro information: https://www.dubai-online.com/transport/metro/ & http://www.dubaimetro.eu/
  • Water Taxi – https://www.rta.ae/links/marine/en/dubai-water-taxi.html
  • Tour tickets – www.headout.com
  • Rules for Indians – https://www.khaleejtimes.com/nation/dubai/11-things-indians-must-never-do-in-dubai
0 comment
2 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Newer Posts
Older Posts