Unforgettable Pokhara - Jomsom flights

     Partially frightening, completely exciting and adventurous mountain flights, to my ever favorite destination in Nepal. Every flight experience has been unique; extremely disappointing delayed or cancelled flights from Pokhara itself, awesome view of pristine snow capped massifs at almost equal height of them, petrifying mid-air turbulence, hilarious expressions of horrified co-passengers, beautiful view of flying over the Kali Gandaki river and between the narrow passage of Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri mountain, and the best part saved for last - the supremely stylish landing against the wind. Stylish 'coz the aircraft has to abruptly descend little lower and immediately take a U turn. So if you're sitting on the right side of the aircraft, you are technically forced to almost fall on your co passenger sitting by your left side. I wonder how it feels to be sitting on the left side. All this for just a few seconds but it seems like you're in for the last flight of your life. Happy flying !!

Scientific reasons for traveling

       

       Travel is most commonly thought of as a recreational activity, something people do for fun. So sure, it can definitely be a blast, but as it turns out, seeing new places is also crucial to keeping your brain full of creative ideas.
       Travel experiences increase both cognitive flexibility (the mind’s ability to jump between different ideas) and depth and integrativeness of thought (the ability to make deep connections between disparate forms).”
      The connection between an increase in creativity and travel comes when you head to an unknown destination and actually immerse yourself in the culture. So while chilling at an all-inclusive resort in the tropics may help you to unwind, it probably isn’t going to do much in the way of helping expand your cognitive flexibility. Instead, head to a destination where you can mingle with locals, check out small markets and eat where the city’s residents eat. The experience needs to be immersive.
       Another factor to consider is to avoid choosing somewhere too dramatically different from what you know. The researchers say an especially different place might come with an overwhelming intimidation factor, and keeping to yourself blocks out crucial experiences that come with increased creativity. That being said, if you’re an extroverted, fearless kind of adventurer, this could also have no effect on you.
       While this is great motivation to finally splurge on that international trip you’ve been considering, an adventure abroad is obviously not a possibility for everyone, but it doesn’t have to be. You can still reap these creative benefits by making subtle changes in your daily life: take a new route home, explore an unfamiliar part of town or maybe volunteer with an organization totally different from what you’re used to. So long as you can keep those cultural blinders off, the new ideas will keep rolling in.

(Copied and pasted from an article I'm unable to remember now)

Joys of traveling

     D-e-l-i-g-h-t-f-u-l full moon playing hide and seek amidst clouds ... !!
     It may not be a leisurely long drive tonight and the traveler is all tired and sore with hours of traveling across countries. But these are the moments - of watching a moon being your playful follower, thinking about the sweet parting conversations with dear friends who insist that you return back 'for sure' even before you've set out on your journey, meet little children excitedly sharing endless stories to unknown captive audience, kindness and patience of the takeaway joint staff when you place your order just when they are about to close for the day, and knowing that you're lovingly covered by the love of friends and family worrying/ praying for your safe arrival to whatever destination you're headed to - that make me forget all the distress and hassles. And I taste the best of traveling. 
      I've realized, I'm never a solo traveler. Wherever I go, I always travel with my clan ☺☺