Ten tips for girls travelling alone

Are you a girl who loves travelling alone? Or are you someone for whom travelling alone is an integral part of life as you live far off from home? If yes this post is for you.

Some girls may be doubtful about the fact that this post is coming from a boy.But let me tell you I have a sister and a few friends who travel alone sometimes and I have written this post keeping them in mind.

So here are the ten points.Most of these hold good even for Boys.I personally follow almost all of these.

1.First,as a girl (or even for boys) you should have something to protect yourself in case things turn bad.For this you can keep a pepper spray at all times with you.Better still, for the long term you can learn martial arts.Krav Maga is one such Martial arts that has been gaining much popularity both among men and women.Check it out.

2.Next prepare a list of minimum 5 persons whom you can contact in case of an emergency.Have their phone numbers and their email ids written down clearly in more than 2 places with you.One place can be your travel dairy.Another can be your smartphone.Yet another potential place can be in your purse.Better still if you can, memorise all the names and numbers.

3.Whenever you travel, designate one person with the following criteria as your 'control room contact'

Criteria is
a) He/she should be your close friend.One whom you can call at 3am in the night without any fear.
b) He/She should be nearby a computer with internet access most of the time.
c) Preferably one with good knowledge about the goings on of the world and events nearby.Also one who knows his/her way around the internet.
d) Preferably One with good contacts or a good network.

The idea behind this to always have some one whom you can contact when you need help like the following
-urgently book tickets
-know the status of places in case of any calamity
-when you run out of money
-know the directions to any place
etc

I think you get it by now. This is like more like a James Bond type of thing.Imagine you are the field agent and you should always have someone on the base to help you.I personally call him/her my 'control room contact'.I will refer him/her as CRC for the rest of the post.

4.My brother keeps telling me and my sister about this. Always take note of your surroundings.Wear safety belts when you are in a car.When you are travelling by a bus note down the bus number.Take a pic and whatsapp it to your CRC. And when you have boarded it always check out where the emergency exits are. Same goes when you are in a train.Always know where the emergency exits are.When you are riding a two wheeler wear a helmet.
Be mad about safety!

5.These days there are so many apps coming out about safety of women.Check them out and install one of them in your smartphone.

6.Always keep at least one person informed about your whereabouts. It can be your CRC or anyone else.

7.Join or simply check out women organisations or groups or which have members who travel alone.For example - The WOW Club : Pioneers of All Women Travel - Home or Home - World YWCA or LWTC - Home

8.Know other single women travellers. Make a little group of your own.
Also know the famous ones like Shivya Nath,Anuradha Goyal,Anuradha Shankar,Neelima Vallangi,Lakshmi Sharath and Lakshmi Prabhala.Check out their blogs.

9.Always prepare for Plan B.Always prepare for emergencies.No matter how much extra work you have to do prepare for emergencies.For example if you have booked a train , be ready with an alternate train that you can catch in case you miss the original train.Be through in your planning.Leave nothing to chance.

10.Carry a First Aid Kit with you always. Keep it properly stocked.

Chandannagar,West Bengal

The French in the 17th Century established their colonies in five towns in India.One of them was Chandannagar in West Bengal. Curiously Chandannagar is the only colony which is not near the sea coast.Perhaps having a large river flowing by compensated the lack of a sea coast.

The Chandannagar Strand

It is a small town an hour 23km north of Kolkata. River Hooghly flows past quietly through the town.I am a huge fan of historical tourism and I have never been to a former French colony in India so I decided to check it out.Added to it was the call of a Indo French Museum.So last Sunday off I went to kolkata and from there took the 12 o'clock Bandel local to Chandannagar. I reached around 1 o'clock.Usually I take a walk around a new place.But not that day.The sun was fiercely shining overhead and I was already sweating bucketfuls from the train ride.So I flagged down a share auto and went to the one place which is famous in Chandannagar. The strand.The ride was through small narrow streets through the town.I was surprised to see a 'more' supermarket in one of the streets. There were some old buildings which looked like they belonged to the pre independence era but there was nothing spectacular.

The Indo French Cultural Centre

After a ride of a few minutes I reached the strand.My first priority was the Museum which I mentioned earlier.I walked along the strand with the river to my left and a row of old and beautiful buildings to my right.There was a college for girls,a police station,a government building, a church and finally I reached the museum.It was formerly the residence of one of the most famous governor general of French India, Joseph François Dupleix,It was converted into an Institute cum Museum and was called the Institute de Chandannagar or Indo French Cultural Centre. I had come with a lot of expectations but the museum did not live up to it.The layout is haphazard and the items are neither properly labelled nor arranged in any proper order.There are different sections including one on paintings,one has the bed of the governor general,one has books and newspapers and one has weapons and arms.Like most of the museums in India it lacked enthusiasm.The lack of interest showed in the way the museum was maintained.

Of all the exhibits a few things were interesting like the newspapers from the 18th century.There was a french newspaper which had one front page advertisement in English about the a discount being offered for tickets on a ship returning to England.There were interesting books but nothing which stood out.I wrapped up my visit with some disappointment.

By the way their website looks like it is from the 18th Century -Click here.

Patalbari

Next I strolled around the strand for quite some time,I tried visiting the patalbari but was told that it is not open to visitors.The strand is almost a kilometer long with a set of the most beautiful buildings of Chandannagar here.Opposite the river Hooghly flows serenely.Here and there a fisherman's boat glides over the smooth flowing river.Lots of opportunities here for a photography enthusiast.I casually strolled here and there,took some pics,had a heavily scented biryani in one of the restaurants nearby and for sometime sat down on one of the numerous benches provided there.

A church on the strand

At around 4pm I decided it was time to go and I returned to the railway station.I walked half the distance and was lucky to stumble upon a beautiful building.For the next half I took an auto.I took another local train to kolkata.

The strand

A kid jumps into the Hooghly River

A beautiful building in the town of Chandannagar

Ib,Orissa.The shortest Railway Station name in India.

Ib is a tiny village near Jharsuguda in the state of Orissa. Its claim to fame is its railway station.It has the shortest railway station name in India along with Od in Gujarat.

Last Sunday I went to Ib to have a look at the station.Yes you read that right,I went to a remote railway station just because it had the shortest name in India.

I took the Bilaspur-Jharsuguda Passenger from raigarh at 10:30 am.The weather was overcast and cloudy.Perfect for a train journey.As the compartment was full I stood near the door.The cool air with the fragrance of the forest trees was flowing over my face numbing my cheeks.After sometime a slight stinging feeling developed on my face and I withdrew inside a little.  
Remote Indian railway stations are very beautiful and are the perfect getaways for people who love nature.Simply sitting on the benches of the deserted platforms offers so much peace.I passed through the several small stations before I reached Ib.

I got down at the lonely platform. Barring me I saw only a couple get down here.
This moment reminded me of Sherlock Holmes who,in many a case, goes to the charming English countryside in trains.This felt similar.
I looked around and just right ahead several metres away was the foot over bridge.I clambered up the stairs and took in the sight.To the left of where I was standing there was a row of British like brick cottages with comfortable space between them on uneven terrain.There was a small gentle hill on which ran a small footpath.It looked quaint in the cloudy atmosphere.
To the right of me was a small river flowing nearby the station.There was a shabby pump house on the banks.I waited here taking in the sight and planning my next move.
The train which was still on the platform gave a shrill horn waking me from my reverie.It slowly lumbered away disappearing over the horizon leaving me alone on the bridge.The silence was wonderful.I stood there in the silence enjoying it.

I then went towards those little cottages which I mentioned earlier and looked around.I saw a man in a railways uniform.I approached him and asked him,just to make sure,about the next train to raigarh. After that I asked him if there was any place to eat or buy snack around there.He pointed to a small shack clustered in a row of houses nearby.It didn't look promising but having no other choice I made my way over there.There was a middle aged woman making tea there.I inquired if she had any 'nashta' (snacks) while simultaneously scanning the place.I knew the answer before she replied with a no.But She had some biscuits and Haldiram packets which I bought.Now armed with some food I thought of going to the rail bridge over the river just at the beginning of the station.I went there,found a spot for myself and sat down.The view was wonderful.In front me were two bridges over the river Ib. I sat at one end of one of the bridges.down below a few people were bathing.At some distance away a couple of youngsters dressed only in their undergarments were practicing dance moves.One of them was hyper excited and kept jumping around.There voices fell and dropped in the all pervading silence.The weather was just perfect with gentle breeze blowing and the sun hiding under a cover of clouds.I have this habit of calling up friends whenever i am in these kind of peaceful settings.Most of them were sleeping as it was a Sunday afternoon.A few connected and I had lengthy talks.I also took may pics here of the bridge and the few trains that came and went.

Soon the time for my return train was approaching and I strolled back to the station.The station buidling itself was vey small with a even smaller ticketing and waiting area section.I went inside and saw a couple of people sitting there.I asked one of them if the issuance of tickets has started, he replied with a no and told me the process.First the bell would be rung and then issuance of the tickets would start.This was rural india with its still old procedures.I waited patiently and half an hour before the scheduled arrival of the train the bell was rung and ticket counter was open.I took my ticket,thanked the guy who helped me and waited for the train on one of the benches.Soon the train arrived,I boarded  and again stood near the door enjoying the wind blowing over my face.Back in raigarh people complain about not having enough options for picnics or sight seeing nearby.My advise to them-Just pack your stuff and maybe a book or two and go to a nearby rural railway station.And Ib is the best of the lot on the raigarh Jharsuguda line.

Kolkata.My first Official Visit.

This was my fourth visit to Kolkata and My first official trip.Apart from the company work I had a few things planned for it.

I checked-in in Hotel Natraj in Howrah area near the station and by 7am was ready to go out.I went to the legendary Mitra Cafe hoping to down some famous dishes like Brain chops and fish fry.But to my disappointment I found out that those items would be available only in the evening.I had a boiled egg for breakfast there.Atleast I knew the location now.From here I took the metro to MG Road and there walked around the streets. I was still hungry and desperately wanted a mughlai breakfast and checked zomato for a nearby place to eat a mughlai breakfast and found Sufia Restaurant nearby the Nakhoda masjid.Before I could reach Sufia restaurant I came across Hotel Aminia.I didnt know there was a branch here in these parts.I am still doubtful of the authenticity of that branch.Anyway I was very hungry from my long walk and I walked right in.I had mutton kheema and tandoori roti which I didnt quite like.

Next I walked back to my Hotel in Howrah going past the beautiful Writers Building while doing so.Yes I walked 3km maybe back to my hotel.From there for my official work I went to Ichapur.I was back to my hotel by 11 30am.I took some rest here and for the lunch I already had a restaurant in mind.I always wanted to try korean food for a long time.After seeing so many korean movies and Dramas I was curious to try something.This was my priority one activity for the trip and off I went determinedly.I took an Ola cab for the ride.

At the Family Chicken Restaurant at sector 1, Salt Lake I ordered Chicken Deopbab as it was the only dish I could eat(pork and squid are not permissible items for a muslim) The chicken was also halal here.As I took the first bite,mixing some rice with a chicken piece I didn't quite like it.It tasted very normal but as I continued eating the taste grew on me and by the time I finished I was absolutely delighted with the whole dish.After the meal here I went to college street by taking a share auto first then a public bus.In college street I was excited to see the piles and piles of books scattered everywhere.Nothing like the sight of books to lift the spirits of a bookworm.Taking Presidency College as my pivot I checked out both directions.I bought a good book at a Rs 100 fixed price book stall.I was happy with the deal.

From college street I took a cab back to Ichapur to complete my official work.From there it was straight back to my hotel where I took some rest till 9pm when I checked out.I went to the railway station and had my dinner in the KFC there which was overflowing with travellers.I boarded my train back to raigarh at 12am and slept like a log till the morning next day.

Orchha,Madhya Pradesh

           Orchha is a charming village in Northern Madhya Pradesh besotted with some stunning pieces of architecture.Orchha translates into hidden city. Tucked away in the plains of central India,15km from the city of Jhansi,orchha truly presents a picture of a tiny hidden city what with its glorious structures,cafes serving english,isreali and korean food, souvenir shops and plenty of foreigners.

           I visited Orchha a few days back during my double off.My total journey to and fro from my room was to take up 32 hours and I had a visiting time of 5 hours in Orchha.That too got shortened when my train was late by a couple of hours and I reached Jhansi by 9am.I had a small breakfast and immediately started looking around for share autos to orchaa.An autowallah informed me that share autos to orchha start from the bus stand and he took me there.An auto to Jhansi bus stand takes around 15minutes and Rs10.From there a share auto to orchha takes 40minutes and Rs15.This is a very cheap mode and one can save almost Rs200 compared to engaging an auto.If you are alone with little luggage share auto is the preferred mode.

           I reached orchha at 10am.As I entered the town clinging to the side of the auto I could see the landscape dotted with many ruins here and there.I got down at the last stop and to the left side I saw the entrance to the palace complex.After a quick look at google maps I trudged along the road leading to the palace complex.The right side of the road was lined with souvenir shops and two cafes claiming that they were recommended by Lonely Planet.One of them really is,as in my preparation for the trip I had referred to Lonely Planet and could recall the cafe name.The other one I couldn't recall and maybe I need to check the latest edition.

            I approached the palace complex,passed under the arch and just ahead saw the ticket counter.I took the tickets and entered the complex.There was a man seated at the entrance who greeted me warmly and asked if I wanted a guide,I politely declined and went ahead.I came across a big open ground.I went straight ahead.To my left lay the Sheesh mahal,a palace turned into a hotel.One can stay in it to experience of staying in a palace.Straight ahead lay the splendid Jahangir Mahal. The architecture of the Mahal was different from the kind I was used to seeing with domes and arches all around.This one had umbrella like structures called chhattris all over.As I entered in, I came across a sqaure courtyard with a fountain in the middle.There were four exquisite chhattris on the four sides of the top floor.There was excellent symmetry in the structures here.I climbed up the stairs on one of the sides and strolled around all the four sides.The view is stunning from here.One can see the nearby Chaturbhuj temple,the Laxminarayan temple and the Betwa river from the sides.On one of these sides I met a foreigner.One of the many I would see that day.Jahangir Mahal was built in honor of Mughal King Jahangir sometime in the 1600s.

After I saw the whole mahal to my.heart's content I moved on to the Raja Ram Mahal.This Was to the left of the Jahangir Mahal a little bit ahead.Built in the same 17th century this palace was very plain when compared with the Jahangir Mahal.The exteriors are plain,there aren't any exquisite chhattris.But one thing that stands out are the paintings on the wall.The murals are very beautiful and interesting.There are many hidden stairs here and one has to keep looking for a way to to reach the top.From the top the views are magnificent.Some of best pics I took  are from here.

Next I walked back around the main palace complex,behind the Jahangir Mahal is the Rai Parveen Mahal.Built for a courtesan of the Ruling raja here.This is a very small palace.Nothing interesting here except for a few paintings inside.Other than that there is a small garden outside.Everything is systematic here.The whole garden is divided into the mughal style of four quarters.Here I met a tourist from Switzerland who was fascinated by the whole palace.We talked for a few minutes and since I was in a hurry now I left rather quickly.

Around here are some other ruins which I did not visit as my time was running out.I had a train to catch at 3pm.and It was already 12 30pm.I still had to eat my lunch.I pondered over the possibility of visiting the famous chhattris nearby.I finally came to the result that it was not possible.So I went to one of the cafe, Ram Raja cafe.Here I had a banana Pancake.From here I went to a souvenir shop and bought a few things.Next I went to the other cafe on the road, the Bhola Cafe. Here I ordered kimchi,the korean dish but the cook said it was not possible so I settled on the simple egg fired rice.It was horrible.Anyway after this I immediately started looking for a share auto to take me back to Jhansi.I found one nearby.Took it and reached Jhansi bustsand.From there I took another auto to reach the railway station just in time to catch my train back to Raigarh.

I was very happy with this trip and all my 32 hours journey was worth the 3 hours I spent in Orchha.

Hemgir Palace,Hemgir,Orissa

In a remote village of Hemgir lies the Palace of the Zamindars who once ruled the Hemgir Estate.Covering over 900 sq km including large areas of forests,Hemgir Estate was part of the Gangpur State.

While returning from koiligughar falls we stumbled upon this palace while passing through the Hemgir village.I was the first one to spot it,surprised by the distinct looks of the front façade and the small cuboids at the corners.A house featuring an arch made of lions on the front roof in a village was quite unexpected.I urged the others in the group to stop.We got down and after asking the neighbours about the entrance which was,we found out,at the back,we made our way there.

We walked inside a small doorway and to our right there was a small hut which we assumed to be of a caretaker.Even after repeated knocks and shouts nobody came out so we proceed ahead.To the right there were ruins of a small house with very short pillars at the front.The whole house was characteristically short.

Next we went through another doorway to reach a thatched hut which showed signs of life.Satya being an Odiya himself called out in odiya.An old man came out inquiring.We said we were a group of travellers passing by and wished to see the palace.I was expecting a rejection but to my surprise and happiness he lead us to inside the main palace complex.We looked around.From an inscription I found out the palace was built in 1930.This section looked more modern when compared to the first structure which we had seen.The old man explained that that was the older palace which was built much before the 1930s.The best part was that we found an almirah full of documents.I casually looked at some and was excited to see that some of the documents dated to 1930s and 40s. Since these were private property we were a bit hesitant to look at them.

The old man enthusiastically told us about the palace and a few stories.We were grateful for him for his help and his stories.He informed us that the actual owners still come by sometimes to spend some time in the village.Indeed we saw AC in the windows while leaving.It would have been interesting to meet the owners.Later an on online search told me that the present owners were MLAs.Hemgir ascended to India in 1953.  

Koilighugar Waterfalls,Orissa

Koilighugar waterfalls is a small but lovely three tiered falls lies near the village of govindpur in the Jharsuguda dist.

           Myself along with my work colleagues made a day trip there a few weeks back.Anil sir,Amol sir,Vinay sir,Naveen sir,dhiren,satya and myself made up the group.We started at 8am and after going through many small villages along the way we reached the waterfalls at around 10am.The villages in these pars of India are very beautiful with small ponds everywhere.
           The kolilighugar falls,well, fall in steps.There is a pathway made along the small stream on which the falls are located on the upstream side.One can walk over it to cross over to the other side.There is an ashram just at the start of the walls and there is a small souvenir shop as well.This was unexpected.The stream upstream of the falls along with the forest surrounding it makes for some beautiful scenery.There were even some beautiful ducks peacefully swimming in it.

            We gingerly descended onto the second tier of the falls and slowly entered the gushing water.It was very chilly and fast.Slowly we got accustomed to the cool water.We spent an hour splashing around in the water and then emerged out only when we were content.The area where the water falls is deep and is excellent for people who know swimming and diving.

            It is a nice little place to chill out.Very good for a day trip.But in my opinion not suitable for families with small kids.

How to reach- My friend Satya saved the route we took from our place near tamnar by using the application 'My tracks'
here is the route map.