TRAVELOGUES

How about studying in the lap of lush green mountains overlooking the sea in Australia?
Gradually, the southern hemisphere’s tourist hub has turned into a global educational centre. Every year many Indians fly down to Australian Universities quite unaware of what’s the place has to offer. First few months are spent more in adjusting to the Aussie lifestyle.
But before sending child to a foreign land for studies, a paranoid mom RH Singh, founder director of Smart Kids Kindergarten took the pain of visiting Australia. She checked campus life, staying arrangements, standard of living and other necessary things to her satisfaction. Aussie faculty was quite taken back at an Indian mother coming all the way just to get the feel of the place.
“After my trip to Australia I am ready to send my son, Alammohan Singh to join RMIT University, Melbourne,” says Singh. Being an Indian, she was happy to see not much of western influence striking Australia. Aussies are family oriented people. Kids continue living with parent till they are settled.
Combining leisure with work, after Melbourne Singh headed towards Sydney and later moved to Auckland, New Zealand.
“The Australian capital is like any other metropolitan city in the world fast and busy. Life runs at a much faster pace than time.” During two days of stay in Sydney, Singh spent most of her time at Habour Bridge or Opera House. “When young, I would dream about standing at Harbour Bridge quietly. I finally came true. There was lot of movement around, lot of sound of cluttering, music of operas and people busy enjoying themselves.”
Surfing and yoking at the exotic beaches is a delight. For party animals there are numerous nightclubs and casinos to enjoy the evening.
“I met one of students there, who advised me to visit Crown Casino. Waiters, ushers ands barmen all were decent in mannerism. Exclusive juxtapositioning of flowers and light created a scintillating live show amidst all casino activity.”
Then Singh moved on to another Southern retreat – Auckland. It was Diwali time. For first time after marriage this dedicated mother was away from husband Harmohan on both Diwali and her birthday. She also missed her mom, Amrita Kohli. But friends with whom she stayed over: Sonia and Ripu in Melbourne, Manjeet and Veenu in Sydney and Premjit and Opinder in Auckland made her feel at home.
Singh could never imagine that Diwali is that popular even in the other part of the globe. She recollects, “Just like India, on Diwali there was merriment all around with drink, dinner and dance, plus the dazzling fireworks.”
One Tree Hill, the second highest volcanic peak in Auckland, next to Mount Eden, offers views of the city and has a huge obelisk at the top.
This avid traveler prefers not to have Indian food in a foreign land, rather relish the local flavour. Recalling what’s available on platter in Melbourne, Singh says, “Food was not a problem.” Like Mumbai, every second place in Melbourne is an eating joint. All cuisine: Italian, Lebanese, Chinese, Italian, Paki and even Sri Lankan are available there.”Talking about two most countries famous for dairy products, how can one forget about chocolates. “In markets and shopping areas have lot of pastry-shops. Delicious chocolates diary products, meat, cheese and oversized hybrid vegetable are what all cater to the local taste buds.”

VANCOUVER
Gear up for an adventure of lifetime... as Manjeet Singh is going to take us on a ride to Vancouver, famous for its big-city lifestyle and outdoor fun in such cheek-by-jowl proximity. Ski in the morning, sail in the afternoon and still make it back to town in time for a cocktail or three.
Beach is what North Indians go nutty about. Manjeet says, “Beaches were cool. People enjoyed playing football, volleyball and sunbathing.” Beyond rocky-sandy beaches, clean and green gardens, the systematic way of functioning, spick-n-span environment and discipline impressed Singh.
During his Canadian trip, he went with his friend Vijay Mahajan to Victoria City for a week. He says “Victoria City is very small and thinly populated city in Vancouver Island, still the system it’s very organized.”
Five-days sloughing, then two days to party fascinated him the most. Natives there are always willing to doff the bike shorts, throw on their best t-shirt, and go out on the town. It's a city that loves to entertain. Sports and live music take precedence, with theatre very close behind and a healthy comedy scene to boot.
The two friends had a blast exploring the best of Victoria, Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands and the Sunshine Coast! Famous for green spaces, countercultural and cosmopolitan neighbourhoods, Vancouver is a tourist delight. Gastown, the city's original settlement, now transformed into a gussied-up historical quarter is another hotspot, he adds.
He calls Vancouver a small India with two cities - Sari and Delta – carrying the Punjabi tone with road signs in both English and Punjabi. There are temples and gurdwaras all over Canada.
When Punjabi language has reached Vancouver, how can Punjabi food be left behind. “Continental and Chinese food stuff available there are lip-smacking. Punjabi specialities can also be easily tried. Not only Indian abroad but Phirangs are crazy for Punjabi cuisine.”
Out of astonishment Manjeet says that the place is actually dirt free. You can wear a shirt for two consecutive days and the collars will still be neat.

LEH
‘In the land of Lamas, don’t behave like a Gama,’ this interesting caution is a common site in Leh. And city-based industrialist Arvinder Singh who frequently zooms through the cold desert explains us the why of it.
“Route to Leh is a scenic delight! It has skin piercing bitter breeze, deadly calmness and lofty mountains to offer,” he titters. In the adverse weather to rescue masons from much botheration of construction Arvinder supplies cemented sheets that makes construct a house possible in few hours.
Well! Unlike many travellers who prefer taking a road this roady loves to flip on his sedan to Leh. “Travelling by road helps you to get climatised to the rising altitude,” he suggests.
Crossing five passes, enjoying the panoramic views at lakes and origin of Chenab and Satluj, Spiti makes this journey out of the world experience. “After Rohtang there is no vegetation for miles together. You need to carry lot of grub, juices and foremost a hot water-bottle to sustain the cold,” advises Arvinder.
After Bara Lacha and Lachungla passes, the next destination would be the world’s highest pass – Tang Langa. He quips, “There is no second chance there. One rain and landslides come blocking the roads. There are enough petrol-pumps but tyres can go flat anytime, so you ought to be ready with puncture tape.” Or it’s better to get on tubeless ones.”
Throughout the path you will be accompanied by rivulet and cascading waterfalls. Near Chander taal you are sure to bang into many Europeans near who come all the way to enjoy cycling. “These hard souls are used to such weather for them is pleasant,” chortle Arvinder. They love riding to Leh where they spend months together. “Cheap accommodation, amicable habitats and hospitable guest house at the amazingly beautiful spot- what else do they need?” questions Arvinder. But on hitting leh you need a minimum three days of rest to adapt to the dipping mercury that goes as far as –20 degree Celisus.
Thereafter its time to head towards Pangong Tso, the hollow lake. Only it’s one-third-part falls in India and the rest in China. This calm, clear and unending expanse is one of biggest lake in Asia at an altitude of 14,200 feet.
“Mapping Pangong gives a sense of achievement. Even armymen look at you respectfully, when you mention Pangong,” Arvinder says. Its crystal clear water plays with sunlight to display the bands of rainbow hues.