Wah Taj, Wah

While on the highway, got goosebumps when I read Haryana, Gurgaon names.You dont have to be physically present there just listen to their names and you are scared

Its crowded like car festival, always

Every one has to go in a queue, food is not allowed:)

Its amazing to be there looking at the white beauty

I couldn’t stop admiring the beauty.

Look at the bees like human. Its crazy crowd. You will never get a shot without any one photobombing it.

The beauty cant be expressed in words

They scrubbed Taj clean with the special Multani Mitti, bought it from Turkey. Gold which decorated the dome was gone with British, self gifted, when they left India for good. There are many more monuments which has missing parts, the parts being taken away by British. Oh Dear!

Earth quake or Thunder storm, nothing can harm Taj, isn’t it awesome

During full moon Taj shines and one need special ticket to watch the magic.

Yamuna   flew quietly but gracefully remembering the olden golden days, leaving the track of her tears.

I am buffalo and I can walk anywhere I want because I am in UP. Freedom for human, double freedom for animals.

It looked like age of depression. Then black now turned into brown, never-seen-oil hair, face stained with sweat, water or god knows what substance, shabby clothes, standing and staring at something or nothing with blank expression.

Jodha Bai’s Palace

Its free entry for street dogs

Jodha Bai’s kitchen

Jodha Bai’s Palace

We could see Fatehpur Sikri from here

Fatehpur Sikri entance

According to our guide Akbar didnt kill Anarkali, rather he sent her to Lahore through this tunnel

Dead for long but visited every day by many

Bhar do jholi meri ya muhammad laut kar main na jaunga khali

Salim Chisti Dargah Fatehpur Sikri.

They say if you pray here whole heartily your wishes come true.

Our guide was taking us around and then he stopped in front of a man i rather say salesman and said “Now he will explain in the importance of Dargah”

The sales man who was selling chadar, which we have seen in Dargah said

“Buy this chadar, thread, visit the Dargah, your wishes will come true. Tie the thread to the window while offer the Chadar to god. The Chadar later is given to the needy”

On asking chadar costs he said 700Rs. :).

All mighty, rich, powerful good was in need of a chadar?

Anywhere you can make money is in religious place, in India, churches, temples and dargah.

Little bit of emotional blackmail and humans are in pocket.

So did I buy the chadar?hmmm, yes but cheap one. I am sure god wont sit and calculate different between 700 and 250.

Akbar constructed Fatehpur Sikri. Did you know Akbar had married a christian Mariam, a Hindu and many Muslim women, according to our guide who charged us 100Rs for his 1 hour walk through on Jodhas Mahal and Fatehpur Sikri. We also assumed that he is a dealer in chadar business.

Buland Darwaza

If there is a Spitting game in Olympics, UP will defiantly will bring gold for India

10Rs give me and I will tell you a Shayari, the kid literally tortured me. This is when I gave him money and he gave me one of his best smile, obviously followed by shayari in super express mode

Few tips:

-Some guides are genuine but not all. They have tie ups with local shop keepers so be wise while buying things

-Fatehpur Sikri is very far from Taj. You can cover both in same day provided you leave early in the morning.

-We couldn’t visit inside Taj as there was a big queue. It was either only Taj or Taj and Sikri. We went with latter.

-UP sounds and looks dangerous, make sure your driver is trust worthy while hiring a vehicle. Delhi to UP highway stories are sickening.

-Some days are closed for public visit for Taj. Make sure you go on right day.

-Dress moderately, because its UP(Why to take chance when we can take precaution)

-Avoid any arguments with local

Clifton To Bristol, Cymru

Fancy Airbnb

Clifton Suspension Bridge

Clifton Suspension Bridge

Posing with Indian guy Raja Rammohun Roy

Bristol Cathedral

This is where my Wales trip ended so as my UK roaming.

If you are visiting Wales, drive will be best option. The stretch is so breathtaking and serene you will be lost in its beauty.

 

Ceredigion, Cymru

I forgot our second host name, who was a darling person. She was the only one who fed us proper English breakfast rather than the sad, boring continental.

I still remember it was Easter Sunday 2017, we had gathered around her dining table while she patiently waited for us to settle down. Then asked us about our choice of breakfast. While we were busy digging up our food she asked us about our job, place. Then she started to talk about her life, her first husband. Her voice shook when she spoke about her husband, we were so terrified that she might weep when she said “he passed away”. There was a long pause, which no one had the courage to break, we just glanced at our plate in silence. I looked at her and thought “Love, it never lessens even after death”.

She was a teacher by profession and ran Airbnb whenever she feel like convenient. She had chickens in her backyard whom she introduced to us proudly saying “Thanks to them, I always have fresh eggs”

She had green house where she grew vegetables on her own. She was the first hardworking person I ever met in the whole of UK.

 

Easter Egg on Easter Sunday. She was different than other  hosts. She hugged us when we were leaving and wished us luck. She was a lovely person.

I try to foll the lamb’s by calling them in their own language like “Baeeeeeeeeeeeee”. They looked at me for a while and ran away.

We found this beautiful church on the way and we couldnt help ourselves from peeking in

When its cold outside, bladder is full and no toilet in the view, we water the garden

And the best photographer award goes to Me. Be my travel companion and you will have the best picture in your album

Conwy To Snowdonia, Cymru

Conwy Castle

Conwy Suspension Bridge

The smallest House, Conwy, Cymru(it means Wales Welsh)

The Crazy me

The one hour walk begins.

Rock climbing looked fascinating but not for the week

Oh yeah!

When profile pic is at the stake.

I do things on impulse, with no regrets. Broken bones and swollen knees what so ever.

Snowdon Mountain Railway

View from Snowdon’s peak

Surrounded by the mountain, in the cold weather when a sunflower blooms.

Some hard working Indians.

Chester,Wales

First prize in eating others brains goes to… MEMEMEMEME

Brum Brum.

It was insane. Couldn’t stop watching them taking lapse after lapse.

Chester Cathedral

Artist can turn anything into sculptor. Imagination!

Yeah, it was 2017 Good Friday

Apparently its called Water Of Life

Eastgate Clock, Chester

If you strain your eyes you can see a bridge

The station is known for its longer name. Its Welsh name

Some fancy Air BnB. This is the first time I saw a bathroom bigger than any other room.

Out hots pointed out the window and said “like how they mention in Jana Austen’s novels” and I was the only one nodding.

P.S: I had lost all the fine pictures which i captured in my phone(All angels, multiple). Thanks to my friends S and G for sharing their pictures for my blog

Lazy Bum In Scotland:The Last Day

KyleakinLook, whom I found on my morning walk

It was so silent and peaceful, felt like staying there forever,away from annoying people, traffic and computers but surrounded by mind blowing castles, water body, sheep,mountain goats, the thing with Horns( mountain cattle’s), eccentric music and men in kilt. I would have done anything to stay there

When Scots talk you are just lost if you are not used to their accent. Gaelic is their language, they never liked United Kingdom(history is the proof). One visit and you are lost, like me.

That is our guide. Nothing can beat men in kiltGlimpse of the hostel where I stayed

Eilean Donan Castle

One of my favourite pic

Love you til the end.

Sisters of Kintail

The Commando Memorial, Spean Bridge

The Doune Castle

The National Wallace Monument

The national Wallace Monument

Scotland is and ever will be very special place for me.  Its hard take a glance to literally fall in love with the place. The magical mountain, the rich history, chilly weather, old castles, men in  kilt,…I call it heaven on earth. One must visit this place before they leave this earth.

The Kelpies

Haggis, Scottish famous dishScottish National Gallery

Lone trip though, I had a different but awesome experience. I saw the world with different eyes after my trip. Its true travelling makes you see the world differently. Scotland will always remain my favourite

Lazy Bum In Scotland:Fairy Glen, The Storr…

Glad I am a fascinated morning walker, could see the beauty. KyleakinThat is the view from the hostel window,Kyleakin

Mountain cattle or “the Thing with Horns” as our guide used to call it.

Fairy Pools

Fairy Pools

Fairy Pools.It is believed that if you take a dip in this water you will never age.

Fairy Pools

The Storr

The Storr

You dont need word to explain the beauty, just a look a enough. Highlands are breathtaking.

The Storr. The story behind The Storr is very fascinating.Kilt Rock

Kilt Rock

Kilt Rock

Quiraing viewpoint.Even sun plays hide and seek in the highlands

Looks like sheep doesn’t have any other work that grazing in the mountain. In England and Scotland, sheep grazing grass or gazing at you is common

Fairy Glen

The place is all magical as fairies

Yeah baby, its Fish and Chips

After the dinner when I took leave and started to walk, limping,  on the lone street of Kyleakin,in the dark but sweet night I was happy. The moon was dancing in his white glory in the silent dark sky. When you are content, doing things, your way ,even nature joins the celebration.

I was crossing the small bridge, on my way back to hostel when I was thunder-shocked, two girls, head covered in hijab were lying on the bridge and admiring the Tide-white moon in the sky. Crazy?na, it was super crazy and I loved it. When they saw me they tried to get up “no, dont do that, please let me join you guys, I always wanted to do this”. Smiling we three lied down on the hard  floor of the bridge,watching the moon.

“He looks much sexier from here” I said.

“yeah” they agreed,giggling. Then it was all quiet . We lost ourselves in watching him, his body marks, his shape, his biceps.

I couldn’t stop myself from remembering this guy, on whom I had huge crush, yeah just crush no LOVE saying “you are too crazy, no wonder you are single”. I was hurt wondering do I need to change myself to be little less crazy and very boring so that I can be loved? I am glad I didnt. That is the reason I was happy, living my crazy moment with women I didnt know from Adam, in Scotland.

When my back started to hurt I got up and said “I think I’ll leave, nice to meet you ladies and Thank, I will always remember this moment”. Bidding my fair well I walked away towards my hostel, I didnt know their name or place, I didnt bother to ask, it didn’t matter, sometimes its best to do things with total strangers.

Previous parts

Lazy Bum In Scotland: Kyleakin

Lazy Bum In Scotland: Arthur’s Seat

Lazy Bum In Scotland: Kyleakin

As I walked out of the hostel, for my planned tour, my smile was broadening recalling Naidus words “You will meet some handsome guy in the tour Lobo, dont worry. You dad will have a son-in-law by the year fall(I wasnt looking out, mind you)”. Dreams good but expectations are not.

As I got into the waiting vehicle my smile was murder brutally when I saw all women glaring at me. Equilibrium which was natures main principle had lost its balance and was dangling with a rope of “Women Only”.Out of 12, Majority of them were in their early twenties. Oh Boy!. Except the the tour guide come driver all were women celebrating their womanhood on women’s day in Scotland including me. Girls school, women college, women hostel and then women tour, how lucky I am!.

The Firth of Forth Rail Bridge, Queensbridge, Scotland

Forth road bridge, Scotland

Places after places, roads after roads and with loads of knowledge on Scottish history I was drawn to Scotland. I walked beside the active women, limping my feet as much as possible. When I couldn’t I just stood cursing my previous days stupid jump. “I will be back” I was consoling myself.

 The Battle of Culloden was fought on this  filed.

 On its own in the vast filed

 

Water is icy as ice cubes, Loch Ness

When we reached the icy cold Loch Ness,  I was trembling with cold wondering how could Nessie can live in there in this icy cold water. There was this girl from Canada who took a dip in the icy cold water just because she wanted to. “Crazy” sipping the bitter liquid which burned down my throat. But hey, you should have guts to do that, who said women are not adventurous.Scottish believe that Nessie, The Sea monster lives in Loch Ness. Apparently no one found the evidence of Nessie’s existence. Some came with fake evidence but none proven till date.

Urquhart Castle sits beside Loch Ness in the Highlands of Scotland

Day passed and night drew closer we reached Kyleakin where we were staying for 2 nights. The night was dark so I couldnt see the surroundings clearly. But thanks to the sea gulls, with their signature sound I was clear we were somewhere surrounded by water.

Limping I followed the ladies to have our dinner. With Kyleakin beer, Scottish Music surrounded by Scottish man I couldn’t imagine a better way to spend my day in Scotland. With the girls talking about their crushes, FB stalker I was lost in my dinner. Oh Yeah, you dont know what you are really missing unless you taste it. They were all smart, energetic women who knew what they wanted. Me, I still dont know what I want but hey I was listening to them attentively.That’s put guide with Eric Bans eyes.Castle Moil Restaurant Kyleakin, Scotland

Never forget to carry your life partner, BOOK

Fire Place, FANCY!

When my head hit the bed that night how I wished I could be like them adventurous, social, open minded, risk takers.

Please Note: Ever get a opportunity to visit Scotland, never let it go. The place makes you fall in love, water body back grounded by the trees, numerous castles, the  tempting mountains, single malted Whiskey, the mountain goats, highland cattle’s and not to forget the fairies.

Lazy Bum In Scotland: Arthur’s Seat

View inside my hostel room

Yeah, that my stuff sleeping on the bed. You are smart if you recognized my pink stole .

Who says travelling alone isn’t fun, I was enjoying every bit of it, see the pictures and you will know because I am not there in any of it.Staying in a hostel just outside the castle is sexy or not?. Hostel was another level of paradise, tourist from all around the world male and female all together. Even though I couldn’t interact with them due to my lack of social skills I was lost in the game of watching them(there are many people who share my interest), handsome guys in their ganjis playing pool, reading the news paper, doing nothing sitting on the couch, washing their juice glasses, talking..US.Japan, Canada, Aussie and one Indian girl(that is me me me).

As there was a walk I was back to my hostel before 2PM,As our sexy, handsome guide started the walk after checking our footwear he went on pointing this and that and explaining. With his accent rhymed like a wind shay-me I was lost with my the grasping capacity gone to White Walkers beyond the wall. I was like Teddy, my dog moving my head 30 degree and 60 degree without blinking but watching intensely.

Bobby, the Grey-friars who waited on his owners grave faithfully, till his end, in the graveyard made my eyes wet. People near by took care of him, giving him food and water. Is there any story involving with happy ending?.

People cant stop kissing the statue and talking about bobby, so passionately.

Bobbys grave

This is where the Harry Potter and the whole series was born

I was jumping Jane when the walk begin, after slogging my ass day and night in office first outing I was enjoying. It was not even 15 minutes when I started panting. Aint I country girl who loves to walk miles and miles with Archie, tailing with Rum Teddy, aint I the same girl who avoid auto so that I can walk?I doubted. “If this is the case I might not even to see the face of my unborn kids and their father(I am still hopeful)”

Fu** Arthur, Fu** his Seat I was singing the song taking breaks every 5 minutes. “Was I crazy to climb this?was I?Was I” When my conscience was fighting within I was fighting for air. We Indians stop exercising once we get a job unless for cousin wedding or own or to impress any girl/guy from college, may be its just me. Few more days on that chair in front of system and my tummy will be like my manager’s beer tummy, trying to fit in medium size shirt, revealing little bit of that dirty passage from behind.

While our guide reached the top in no speed I was thunder stuck with his physique. “I climb this place twice in a week in 45 minutes”. “What the …?” Is he freak? Here I am trying my ass out not to collapse and he climbs Arthur’s fucki** seat twice a week. I was bit relived when I saw two US girls became my 5-minutes break partners. saying “Say what” when I cracked some PJ’s

When I reached the top I realised how breath taking it was. Sexy view from F**Arthurs Seat. I became active listener rather than the talker in my walk group. With my Indian accent and terminology it would have taken days to explain Indians things to them.

You recognised right, its Carlton Hill

Descend was difficult but descend was disaster. Being the last in queue I am sure they would have figure it out that I am Roza Pinto(Nishas granny, according to Nisha her grannys ghost rest in me). Handsome guide took pity on me and waited for me to get down from the sloppy way. I dont know why I did what I did, may be the dead kid in me wanted to came to life or wanted to impress the guy behind me. Before I know I jumped from certain height on the uneven ground. “Surrrrrp”, those old Bones

The super energetic GUIDE

5-minutes break partners.

We reached the bottom and all were walking. I realised by then I was slighting limping my right foot. “Its just temporary” I was consoling myself

“Any one of you hungry?” When guide said they were many who wanted to refill their empty tummy. I just followed because I had nothing much to do

“I am from Philadelphia” one guy was saying

“Me to, where you stay in Phil” Girls who were taking break with me while walking said

…..

I was just looking their face in first in first order base. Then they were talking about drinking games, save the queen, thump up…

“I keep on travelling, Parague, Budapest” one who happens to my room mate was saying

“I am off to Ireland next week for St Patricks day” other sharing too.

Swamy Devare(Oh Dear god)Where I go for my vacation?I catch Sugama bus and go to Mangalore then back to Bangalore. Listening to them I realised how people from other countries try to explore, take risk, meet new people. while we Indians just stick to social norms, study our ass off, get job, work our ass off, get married to, make babies, pay their tuition fees and then suffer with cancer or tumor, and die paying the hospital bill.  Fun filled life with peace and adventure we haven’t tasted that phase of life, sorry honey, it’s not for us.

When I reached back to hostel there was a commotion in the wash room. I saw men shaving, girls combing, applying make up.Then it hit me, they were getting ready for PC. I wasn’t keen on it as my leg was screaming with pain. “what 30+Roza pinto will do in midst of youngster”, I was telling myself.”Yeah What I do”.

Then against my will I got ready, “Lets see what happens in pub crawling”.With my hostel seal on my hand, I followed the cheering, hopeful herd limping.  “ID Please” when the security guy asked me I wanted to hit my head to the wall for my ignorance. Remember always carry a book to read,credit card to pay bill, umbrella for the protection:) and fu**ID card for identification. Dont be like SNL. I blinked 20timespersecond  like Loly and tilted my head 30 degree and whispered “I forgot Sir”. “Step aside mam” he said firmly.”You better go and get your I-Card” he said politely. I walked out away from the merry people, music from the pub slowly floating towards me, the night was young but I wasn’t. With my swollen knee I have to limp all the way up to hostel and back here. “Next time” I said and walked away. I was sad just for a moment then the Roza Pinto was back. “You should have listen to me”

Back in hostel met a short but sweet guy from Japan, my roommate,who was travelling, making friends with Japaneses to English translation book. MAN!isnt it fantastic. I loved his courage.He reminded me of my best friend Golu. short but sweet but with lots of confidence. I dont remember his name but yeah I remember his face.

When the event filled day came to an end I wished my time in Scotland to last forever. Yeah I was being greedy who wouldn’t be when you are in Scotland

1: https://snlworld.wordpress.com/2017/06/18/lazy-bum-in-scotland-on-her-own/

Westminster Abbey, London

Its hard to forget the day when I visited Westminster’s Abbey on my own. It was snowing slightly, freezing outside, I was tempted way beyond words to stay back,wear my woolen socks. sipping the mulled wine to watch a movie. But no, that day energy was running at its peak my body.When you are around, all you have to look up and you see the time.

Beyond this place all you have is your eyes to capture the breath taking architecture and absorb all the fragrance of the beauty.

Taking picture inside is prohibited as expected:)

With so many kings and queens bodies resting in peace you dont feel the presence of divinity but you feel the presence of quiet ghosts

Oldest Door

Only problem when you travel alone is you have all pictures except you in it.

Beautiful lady little plumpy, on the wonderful day like this why grumpy?

Its a must visit place, entry fees is bit pricey but worth spending.

When I was tired walking, exploring on the cold day, his mere statue felt consoling. I was walking on those street just a month before the attack. I feel fortunate not to be present there to witness the human slaughter in name of religion.

Whats new: The lazy ass finally did her solo trip not to euro but to Scotland. Who says you cant do things on your own terms:)