When Japan Bloomed

I have never been a fan of peak-season travel. Off-season has been my pick for a while now. But then, when Sakura knocks your mind so hard, you better wake up to take in those blossoms. Like several other avid travellers, this had been on the top of my bucket list for Ages now. 

So, Japan during Sakura it was, for Summers’ 2026. Our first stop was at Tokyo, the ever-bustling metropolis. It was a city with stark contrasts - uncannily similar to my hometown Madras on this particular trait. It was one where tall skyscrapers co-existed happily with pockets that wore slow life as a proud badge of honour; where under-ground fast-food joints and quick eat grabs shared space with Michelin stars, tea ceremonies that extend well beyond couple of hours and elaborate sit-down Japanese meals; where neon lights and gen-next immersive experiences like the ones at Team Lab Planets held us in awe amidst those thousands of inviting cherry blossom trees that had opened up just in time for us to say a Hello. This was a nation where high-speed tech and mindfulness co-exist as BFFs, as a routine of their daily lives.

As always, we managed to squeeze in a bit of the touristy and the off-beat. When your travel pack is a trio with three thousand different items in their respective bucket-lists, you can well-expect both a visit to the Disney Sea and a bit of culture through visits to the majestic Mt Fuji, its local villages, homes and markets. We could barely scrape through a tiny portion of the capital city, since there were deeper journeys to be done and quainter towns to be parking ourselves at. 

Next up, was Kyoto. A short-ride on the Shinkansen bullet train from Tokyo landed us here in a little over two hours. And Boy, this one had our hearts -  for the silence we experienced in its streets and in its expansive Zen Gardens; for the blooms that were far richer than Tokyo; for the conversations we broke into with locals over Tea and for their evident pride over their country’s rich history and heritage. It was, in every sense and spirit, love at first sight. The Philosopher’s Path alongside the Lake Biwa Canal, fenced by the Ginkakuji and Nanzenji shrines, was mesmerising with the blossoms in peak bloom. Kyoto is blessed with several dramatic and interesting sights to behold  - be it the graceful Deer at the Nara Park, the lush green Bamboo Forest at Arashiyama, the walk up to the Fushimi Inari shrine along its 10,000 Torii gates, or the Kimono clad warm locals, Kyoto was Japanese culture presenting itself to us at its epic best. It was impossible not to fall in love with this one. 

Last up on the itinerary was Osaka, a vibrant city defined by its many magnificent castles with legendary tales. and colourful markets like Dotonbori. 

As soon as you land from the cacophony that is Mumbai into a nation where Silence is considered a daily norm, you realise the need to unlearn a lot from your mind to even take in a tiny portion of the rich cultural experience that the city offers. 

Some magical experiences and take-aways for us from this trip that the Japanese gave us, like only they could possibly ever do:

• While the blooms remind you of the vibrant colours and hues, it also reminds you, at a philosophical level, about the transient nature of lives. The fact that Sakura lasts for all of just 15 days during the entire year reminds one to enjoy life while it lasts. A fleeting week of Sakura is, well, a more-than-gentle reminder that life's most beautiful moments are often the briefest.

• The Japanese take waste management seriously; nay, very, very seriously. There are hard-coded rules around this that are adhered to with responsibility, so much so that you will hardly find a public trash can anywhere. 
  

• Nobody helps foreign travellers like the Japanese. Remember, we were there on what was, arguably, their busiest week of the year. And some of their main subway stations like Shinjuku or Shibuya (famous for its Shibuya Scramble crossing), can be truly over-whelming. Their loyalty to their local language didn’t really help as well. However, there were more than three occasions when we were practically lost and had to ask for help. So, we just had to ask sheepishly for help and we had folks who - not merely guided us passively - but just stopped whatever they were doing in their lives, came out of their way to chart us back into familiar territory. In a day and age where even basic courtesies barely exist in busy lives, this was so refreshing.

• Their Kiosks practically dish out anything and everything from a bottle of water to restaurant-quality meals to high-end tech gadgets, cameras, hair-dryers and the like. 

• Japanese stationery fill-in gaps that you never knew existed in life. They make the coolest stationery fills that you didnt know you needed in life. Forget my school going kid, its hard for adults not to have that kid in a candy store kinda moment. And we had several of them, indeed.

• The extent of mindfulness they practice is evident from the soothing music that’s played to de-stress their daily commuters from their run-around life. 

• Even the bird-sounds tuned in the traffic-signal crossings are designed to be inclusive and visually abled-friendly. There are specific bird-sounds for specific purposes. ‘Kakko’, the Cuckoo-call indicates a North-South crossing while ‘Piyo’ bird chirping indicates an east-west crossing. 

• Even their manhole covers are so artistically done, turning a basic utility infrastructure into an exhibition of public, urban street art. Osaka, in particular, had truly mastered this in its several lanes.

• Japan and Kitkat are truly a match made in heaven. From Red Bean to the omnipresent Matcha to the seasonal flavours of Sakura, traditional classics like Banana, Blueberry and Strawberry cheesecake, one is literally spoilt for choices. 

• Equally, the flavours of ice-creams that we had tasted were stuff that was unheard of in other parts of the universe -  be it the Sweet Potato or Black Sesame or Lavender, you feel the flavours literally at every single lick of the scoop. 

At the end of what was an enchanting break from the mundane, even if I attempt to reflect on our trip to this far-east nation, it was a magical week, wrapped in pink petals, serene timeless shrines and some life-long memories that we'll cherish. 

Leaving you all with few clicks that'll last forever in our minds, as fresh as these blooms themselves:

Ayubowan!

This post will be a special one for multiple reasons. First off, it will be a return to my ‘post your travel story’ days, after like a gap of 8 longggg years! Secondly, this was (like many other locales, ofc) a long waiting one to-be-ticked-off-on-the-list wala destination. We had to technically do ‘foreign’ because: a) our passports were feeling unloved for long. b) This was the farthest ‘foreign’ country that I could convince Appa to join in. All the excuses/USPs that you can think of were attempted by yours truly to pitch this 🤣– bore adicha 1 hour la Chennai (you can literally fly off to Chennai, our hometown, in an hour), Ramayana places ellam innum irukku (you get to trace Lord Rama's path, here), etc.

So, Yes, for Summer 2025, Srilanka, it was. Upon landing at Colombo, we drove off straight to Kandy. What a quaint, sleepy town it is. Spent a day there visiting the local markets, usual touristy stuff like the temples, Buddhas, lake, et al. Missed watching the Kandyan dance that I learnt about much later. Did a quick day trip to the Pinnawala Elephant Sanctuary where we got to see these gentle giants play around have fun with water. 

Next off was the scenic Nuwara Eliya (aka The Little England – a relic of the past that reminds you of its British colonial heritage). With tea plantations and lush green rolling hills to both sides, it was a drive to remember.  The country indeed has a gorgeous country side. Nuwara reminded us of Ooty a lot – typical British Bungalows, heritage post office that encourages you to connect with your folk back home, the old school way. Nuwara also has a strong Ramayana presence through Ashoka Vatika, Hanuman’s foot prints, the Hakgala gardens where apparently Ravana kept Sita, and the periphery.

During travels, you must consider yourself lucky if you get a guide who is a bigger enthu cutlet than you are. And we were fortunate to have one. Our guide Mr Gowrish made us tweak our trip mid way to make a de-tour to Ella, yet another fab, (and very instagrammable) village. With several home chef experiences to savour local vegetarian srilankan cuisine (think Sambol, string hoppers/idiyappam, Pal Poni, Coconut flat breads, Coconut milk, and the likes), often amidst gorgeous outdoor settings, we lapped up all that came our way. Just when we thought we were done, 

Gowrish pulled another surprise by suggesting we do the Nuwara – Ella leg by a local train. And we were more than happy to concur with his suggestion. The train from Kandy to Ella often figures in one of those top 10/must-do train journeys in the globe. We were happy to have at least done one leg of that for a flavour. Surrounded by thick lush green flora and dense, milky-white water falls all around, it was a feast to our eyes that usually only stares at PC Screens and skyscrapers all around. The halt at the Ella 9 arches bridge was the highlight of them all. Indeed, experiential journeys are the Best.

After an over-dose of local culture, gorgeous waterfalls, country side and mountains, the return leg back to Colombo was through the fabulous southern and western coast of Lanka. Long stretches of turquoise waters and pristine beaches surrounded by the ubiquitous Coconut trees could put even the most alert minds to sleep.

Gowrish often recalled the country’s difficult past during the war times, the LTTE/tamil- sinhalese equations and a peek into the ethnic races that occupy the land. A conversation with locals like him truly enriches you and teach stuff that perhaps, history books never will.

Considering the spectrum of age-group of the family and the diversities in interest amongst us, one non-negotiable parameter for all our vacations is that the place needs to offer something to everyone. And Srilanka, for sure, fits the bill in that sense. With such ease of access for Indians, quite an economical currency vis-à-vis India and some  picture-perfect, scenic spots, this has our heart and a good mind to return to cover the Northern province of the country may be, next time around.

Until then, Ayubowan!!  

Go Green

'Discover the unknown' has been our travel moto for quite sometime now. True to our stated objective, the Husband and I decided to bring in my birthday weekend in a destination which had less of the ‘Human beings’ variety and more of other living beings. So much to celebrate me turning a year older (& wiser :P).  Our search led us to Tarpa (Save Farms) which was primarily the choice due to its proximity from Mumbai.

At just about 2 hours (90 kms) away from Mumbai, lies the clean, green and serene Save Farms. 

Unripe Nutmeg

For want of better words, I would put it as 30 acres of pure bliss. Nature lovers would be definitely pleased to see so much of greenery across their 30 acre farm with its countless varieties of plants. 

The place is also apt for school/college students looking for interesting nature-related projects. 

Figs

Mutation Farming

The highlight of this agri-tourism destination is the passion that the Save Brothers (Mr. Prabhakar Save and Mr. Anil Save) have towards agriculture and their commitment towards eco-conservational initiatives. 

Betel Leaf Creeper

Their knowledge about the Flora around was quite evident too, with their impressive narration about the umpteen varieties of plants around right from the medicinal ones, the spices and herbs, the crotons, the home-grown vegetables and the like. To top it all, we were floored by the yummy and sweet-like-honey Gholvad Chikoos that make this locality famous across the globe. One bite is all it took to be convinced that they deserve every bit of the global acclaim.

Fern Leaves

They have awesome tree-houses (“Machans”) and cottages which lend a quaint feel to the entire place. The entire location is so peaceful that the only noises you hear are those of birds' chirping, hens' cooing and that of the hush wind.

Raw Papayas

Food was amazing and was customised and served fresh and hot. The entire home-stay like experience was memorable thanks to the fantastic hospitality of the Save brothers and their amazing staff over there.

As it was my birthday weekend getaway, it was very thoughtful and sweet on their part to gift me a nice coffee mug filled with fragrant flowers which seemed like they had bloomed that day only to wish me a very Happy Birthday :) . Well, indeed, it was a truly memorable one!

So, if you are looking for a place away from all the hustle-bustle around you but lazy enough to travel too far, you don’t have to look beyond this one.

A Guide to Social Networking Etiquettes

A recent market research on the trends in leveraging social networking for marketing by corporates emphasised the power of Generation S and how it had made email (Generation E) look so passé. After all, you now have one platform where Gen E can not only mail but also several other things under the sun.

As someone who took up to social networking at its stages of infancy and seen it the way as its evolved today, these could be few tricks of the trade which can help you hold your own in the virtual world:-

• Never hang up a chat session abruptly without bidding bye – Online chat is as good as a f2f chat and need not necessarily be discourteous.
• Say BRB, only if you really mean it.
• Never tag people in pics without their consent – after all, even a monkey would want to be well dressed out if its parading before a group of friends :P
• Never add your boss to your network – u don’t want to be caught holidaying whilst your leave application says u r unwell!
• Never over do the acronyms part – the world was not created knowing words like ROFLMAO, IKWYM, CWTCU, etc..and they do not form part of the  Oxford English Dictionary as well. And, hey, it is NOT COOL.
• Yes, there are Sister’s Week, Brother’s Week, Son’s Week, Daughter’s Week, even Daughters-in-Law’s Week. And yes, there are Cancer Patients Week. I am fairly successful in being a good daughter/sister. I am also fairly sensitive towards patients who are struck with such fatal diseases and prefer doing my bit discreetly. I know of several of my friends who do so, too. Please do not bombard our walls reminding us of these. Do your bit without proclaiming the same to the world.
• If you are copy pasting, please acknowledge. Do not plagiarise.
• If you use it purely for tp ing....err, time passing, do so only with people who have spare time to pass, don’t bother the busy ones unless they too have the time to pass!!..;)
• Wish even those friends whose birthdays do not come as standard alerts through FB/ Google Calendar – Now, THAT would really mean something!

                                                        ******

P.S. : Sorry SK, the 4^th point is not meant for u, and no I do not employ this particular trick...:D!