One of the most interesting cities to visit in India, is Jodhpur – India’s blue city – and I am going to share 20 photos to inspire you and give you reasons to visit Jodhpur. I have been here twice, once as a backpacker than again 5 years later (now) as a more mid-range travelers so I’ve seen a lot of different vibes in Jodhpur and I’m so happy to share about them.

While this blog post is just some photos to get you pumped up to come here, I do have a lot of information about Jodhpur and you can check out my recent blog post, a full guide to Jodhpur which includes my room there – a 500-year-old adorable suite with a fort view for just $53 per night!

For these photos, I’ll put a little caption on some but definitely read up on that guide to know the inside scoop on this city. I’ll at least tell you now why the city is blue, though! No one knows, ha ha. Some say it’s to prevent mosquitos, some say it keeps it cooler, and others say that it was a caste thing done by the Brahmins.

Also read: 20 photos to inspire you to visit Udaipur & my two-week Rajasthan itinerary

Reasons to Visit Jodhpur – Photos to Inspire You to See India’s Blue City

on a tour of the Bishnoi village seeing how they make their epic rugs

my beautiful room at the Blue House Guesthouse – book here

Mehrangarh Fort

this sleeping dog is my favorite pic from the trip

this is traditional … and it’s opium, more on that in another post!

This is the new cafe at Good Earth which isn’t quite open yet

I love the stepwell – just search ‘stepwell cafe’ on Googe Maps

even the ground is colorful

The first time I visited Jodhpur, I was a very broke backpacker so I was so glad to come back all this time later with some money to spend. Rather than a $10 room (the cheapest there), I splurged for a beautiful suite which was still only $53. It’s small differences you can make on everything from eating to lodging that can change your trip drastically. I hope you have the best time in Jodhpur and love India’s blue city!

Pin this inspiration and reasons to visit Jodhpur for later:

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As if my four blog posts haven’t given you enough reasons to visit Udaipur, maybe these photos will help push you over the edge to book a trip here!

20 Reasons to Visit Udaipur in Images

I believe that Udaipur is the most beautiful city in all of India and in general, Rajasthan is my favorite state (okay, except Goa). It’s the most royal place where you stay in palaces that Maharajas once lived in and can see elephants in the street. Udaipur is the “white city” and it’s based around four lakes, with Lake Pichola being the most famous. You 100% want to stay at a haveli on the lake and I recommend my hotel, Jagat Niwas SO much.

Want more information? Check out my blog post about the things to do in Udaipur as a traveler that you simply don’t want to miss + this review of Jagat Niwas, my favorite boutique hotel in India that is as cheap as $46 per night (and it’s on the lake!).

City Palace

Lake Pichola

luxury boat ride with Jagat Niwas (cover your shoulders when touring around, we just took our shawls off for nicer photos on the boat)

Monsoon Palace

Views of the ghats

City Palace

Lake Pichola

Views from the restaurant at Jagat Niwas

traditional Rajasthani food – dal batti

inside the suite at Jagat Niwas

overlooking the whole city at Monsoon Palace

The colorful streets

Shopping like crazy for Rajasthani textiles

City Palace

Views of the lake

outside the main temple

inside City Palace

The contrast of the royal palaces and the streets is unique

the people here are so friendly – it’s one of the easier states to travel if you’re new to India

colors everywhere

Is this not the most beautiful city in India?

I loved revisiting Udaipur after five years because as it was probably exactly the same, I had changed and I saw it really differently. If you want tips, remember to check out my article on what to do there and if you’re interested in my hotel, Jagat Niwas, you can click here to check rates and availability. Rooms range from just $50 up to $190 for the suite (the suite is amazing!). I have so much more on Rajasthan coming soon – but I have already quite a lot of content. Here are some more cool towns in this state:

• Camel riding in Jaisalmer
• The blue city of Jodhpur
• Chilling out in Pushkar

Pin these great reasons to visit Udaipur for later!

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The post 20 Photos to Inspire You to Visit Udaipur, India’s Royal White City appeared first on Hippie In Heels.

As you know, I’ve been getting more serious with my blog photography. I finally upgraded from my cell phone to a more professional mirrorless camera, and I’ve been taking Skillshare classes to learn more about Lightroom and photo editing. Because of this, I’ve started needing more stylish camera bags for travel that will keep my lenses safe but also fit the stuff I would normally carry in my purse. It was important to me as well that it didn’t look like a “camera bag” 1) because it’s a little less cute and 2) it could lead to theft. I’ve discovered a few different brands that work well, so I’m sharing them all here! I’ve split it into camera bags for travel in the city and camera bags for more adventurous travel.

Stylish Camera Bags for Travel in the City

For city travel, leather bags are the way to go. Often you’re wearing nicer clothes than if you were out hiking or biking, and canvas bags can easily rub and ruin the fabric. Here are some of my favorites:

LO & Sons Claremont Bag

The Lo & Sons Claremont is ideal. It will fit your camera and one lens, which is likely all you’ll want to take out with you for a day in a city sightseeing. From Morocco to Israel, this was my go-to and kept me organized and my equipment safe. The bag itself is hard shell and durable although looks completely fashionable like a normal purse. That is also great when it comes to theft. The bag cannot be bent or compressed when packing; you will want to carry it on the plane as a purse.

ONA

ONA is an incredibly popular camera bag company. Although I’m all about Lo & Sons, they have just one style of camera bags. If you want more options, then you can scroll along these ONA bags. They are also perfect stylish leather bags for the city.

Stylish Camera Bags for Adventure Travel

For more adventurous trips, I prefer something a little more durable than leather. I can’t imagine trying to hike with my Lo & Sons bag and then seeing it get scratched up with rocks and loose tree branches. Plus, I think I’d look pretty silly with a nice leather bag in the middle of the mountains!

ONA

ONA also make canvas messenger bags that are more spacious and can hold all your equipment. It’s ideal for long trips where you need to take everything, for plane journeys, and for camping or hiking trips.

Incase

Incase is a cool brand I recently found. They make great camera bags, especially the backpacks which would be perfect when you have to do a lot of walking but want to keep them really protected. It can become grueling to carry all your equipment on one shoulder and a backpack can come in handy.

Bonus: Incase Camera Lens Cases

Incase also make really cool lens cases that are hard shell and protect each lens individually. I have two of these and they are great when you want to take one lens out in a purse that isn’t as protective, you can throw it in and know it’ll be safe. There are multiple sizes so I recommend measuring your lens before purchasing.

Pin “Best Camera Bags for Travel” for Later!

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feature image from Instagram @andreatunon_

Amidst all the beautiful chaos that is Rome, there is one place that remains a safe haven for those looking to explore this historic city at a slower pace: Trastevere.

With its colorful façades, traffic-free streets and the sounds of the Tiber as it peacefully flows by, this medieval quarter almost seems like an impossible dream. But its quaint charm is definitely real and, best of all, super Instagrammable!

Whether you’re looking for that typical Italian street to make your Instagram 100% #goals or you’re just looking for a spot in Rome to take a peaceful stroll in the late afternoon, Trastevere is where you’ll find it.

Below, find the best route to explore this charming neighborhood – and take many photos along the way! And if you’re wondering how to spend 4 days in the city, check this Rome itinerary guide.

An Instagram Guide to Trastevere Neighborhood in Rome

Ponte Sisto

https://www.instagram.com/p/BQ3Er5hlNMX/

There is no better introduction to Trastevere than Ponte Sisto. With its graceful arches reaching across the two margins of the Tiber, Ponte Sisto is a beautiful combination of Rome’s elegant architecture and stunning city views.

This is your northern gateway into Rome’s most unique neighborhood. Behind you lie the historic monuments and ruins of the Eternal City; ahead, you’ll find quirky shops, winding cobbled streets and plenty of postcard-perfect views.

Via Corsini

And since you’re starting to explore Trastevere from its northern tip, your first stop will be Orto Botanico. But first, enjoy the photo-ops at Via Corsini. It’s here that you’ll catch this beautiful façade of an 18th-century palace. Inside, you can visit its opulent rooms and view a collection of antique art in its galleries.

Orto Botanico

Just behind Palazzo Corsini is where you’ll find this secret garden in the center of Rome. Housing over 7,000 unique plant and flower species, Orto Botanico is one of the city’s many stunning UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It offers plenty of shade and unique shots of a different side of Trastevere.

Orto Botanico is open between 9 am and 7 pm daily and tickets are €10.

Gianicolo

https://www.instagram.com/p/BRByRybFKGB/

Just above the gardens, you’ll find the eighth hill of Rome. Gianicolo, though not included one the list of the official seven historic colli (hills) of Rome, is actually where you’ll get one of the best panoramic views of the city. The climb to the top is long (about 20 minutes) but definitely worth it!

Piazza di Santa Maria in Trastevere

https://www.instagram.com/p/BQ2WcjklGpr/

A short 10-minute walk will take you from Orto Botanico into the heart of Trastevere at Piazza di Santa Maria. But if you want to take your time, head into the smaller alleyways with crumbling buildings and faded façades. Via del Moro is perfect if you also want to check out some of the local shops and restaurants.

Once at Piazza di Santa Maria in Trastevere, you’ll want to grab a coffee at one of the cafés that line the square and do some people-watching. The 15th century fountain is frequently the stage for musical and cultural events by day and the perfect meeting point for partygoers by night.

Basilica di Santa Maria

And while you’re at the piazza, your eyes will likely immediately be drawn to the gorgeous façade of the basilica that dominates the square. Considered to be the oldest church built in Rome, Basilica di Santa Maria started being built all the way back in the 3rd century.

Its façade is adorned by ancient Latin inscriptions and, inside, the scenery is just as breathtaking. Golden details embellish the high ceilings and ancient mosaics decorate the apse.

Via della Lungaretta

https://www.instagram.com/p/BL8eF8EgkaF/

https://www.instagram.com/p/BMPWEqqDRvT/

It’s time to wander the streets of Trastevere again and Via della Lungaretta will take you all the way from the main piazza to the southernmost tip of this magical neighborhood. Flowerpots on window sills, pastel-colored villas and majestic doorways will fill your Instagram gallery with wanderlust and style.

Via della Lugaretta is also where you’ll find unique local shops, like the incredible Open Door Bookshop, and delicious restaurants to grab a quick bite in the afternoon. Don’t forget to stop by the Fior di Luna for some of that delicious Italian gelato!

Isola Tiberina

As if the quiet streets of Trastevere didn’t already feel like the polar opposite from the bustling avenues of Rome, entering Isola Tiberina is like stumbling upon a magical world. Here, a mysterious and tumultuous heritage creates an enchanting atmosphere where the sound of the Tiber flowing by guide you to discover a historic church, an ancient hospital and a charming restaurant.

From Via della Lungaretta, just turn left onto Piazza della Gensola, then take the first right to get to Lungotevere degli Anguillara and in less than 5 minutes you’ll be crossing Ponte Cestio to get to this magical island.

In all, this route takes about 45 minutes to complete without stopping.

If you include stops for photo-ops, a sweet gelato or just a few moments to take in the picturesque views, you’ll be plenty busy for a good afternoon!

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Ines is the awesome guest poster who contributed this blog post.  You can follow more from Ines at The Wanderlust Factory or on her incredibly gorgeous Instagram page.

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The post An Instagram Guide to Trastevere for Amazing Photo Opportunities appeared first on Hippie In Heels.

I had “pinned” this all blue town on Pinterest several times over the years. I didn’t even know the name. When I looked up places to visit in Morocco, I saw on the Free People blog that visiting the all blue town was a must: Chefchaouen. I realized it was the same place I always wanted to see and made it a priority on my trip to Morocco.

I wrote my tips for Chefchaouen here and wrote about it on BravoTV.

I have so many photos to share that I decided to do a little photo gallery post here. I have a Pinterest plugin added so if you hover over any image you like you’ll see a “pin it” button pop up and you can pin the image to your travel board.

The all blue town on Pinterest is really THAT beautiful.

These stairs are Mohammad’s house, the owner of our guesthouse, Aurberge Dardara and they are definitely the coolest stairs ever. Wouldn’t you want to live here?

silk trench coat

Baskets are the “thing” to buy here in Morocco! I came home with 5! One if for my mom. They make great gifts if you have the space in your luggage.

You will see so many cute cats like this little monkey while in Chefchaouen.

It’s definitely a place to get some photos taken!

And drink mint tea while shopping for rugs. They will always make you tea!

black silk maxi dress

These white rugs are used as marriage capes but these days people buy them as rugs, even Moroccans. They are beautiful with their fringe and sequins. The very best deal we got on a super large one was 60 dollars. Later, people called us liars when we tried to get that price and we never got an offer below 100. The deal we got was in Fes, 4 hours from here.

They are famous for Argan oil and make soaps and other bath products.

Like India, colorful dye is everywhere.

white cotton coverup

silk jacket

Try to eat lunch at a rooftop restaurant so you can see the views below!

Artwork always makes the best souvenir.

This alley with the plants is very famous and is seen ALL over Pinterest and Instagram. there were 5 other girls wanting to take photos here. Wonder if they were bloggers too!?

All this blue inspired me to paint my furniture at home and redecorate my house!

Antique shopping is popular here but beware not all is antique and some is from China and even India.

orange silk coat

I spy a little kitten up above… do you?

Read more:

• 2 Week Morocco Itinerary – follow my exact itinerary!
• Tips on Chefchaouen – where to stay, what to do, and more!
• How to dress in Morocco – exact outfits and links to buy them (most are on sale by now)
• Shopping in Morocco – best things to buy and where to find them

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The post My Pinterest Dreams Came True in Chefchaouen first appeared on Hippie In Heels.

The post My Pinterest Dreams Came True in Chefchaouen appeared first on Hippie In Heels.

My time in Finland was spectacular and I have so much amazing information to share with you so that you can do some of the cool things I got to do on the Nordic Blogger’s Experience, which I was invited to this year.

If you’re like me and have a wanderlust for everywhere, then it won’t take much to push you over the edge to book a flight to Finland! Here are 20 photos to inspire you to visit Finland!

20 Photos to Inspire you to Visit Finland

a traditional lappish teepee, where of course you drink Fazer hot cocoa!

my new bestie!

blueberry juice is totally Finnish and you’re going to have it a lot on your trip!

the backgrounds are just stunning

In Vantaa, near Helsinki, there is SO much amazing graffiti to explore and photograph, and yeah I’m getting like NO air lol 

You can stay in the cutest log cabins, too!

Helsinki is a hipster paradise

They love breakfast here and it’s SO full of flavor. Don’t miss the cloudberry jam!

Reindeer sledding is a MUST

Ever heard of a kuksa? It’s a little wooden cup that Finns carry around with them to drink tea and coffee. Of course, I bought one.

It’s only sunlight from 11 am to 3 pm in the winter so you’ll definitely be awake for the beautiful sunrises and sunsets. 

reindeer photo bomb!

dog sledding with huskies is an unbeatable experience

From dogsledding with huskies to riding on a sleigh with reindeer, there is so much adventure to be had in Finland! I hope these photos to inspire you to visit Finland, worked!

I loved every moment of that, but actually just seeing the snow-covered trees and being in crisp, cold, fresh air, was enough to make me love Finland. The blueberry juice, cloudberry jam, and delicious rye bread were some of my favorite foods.

Finland is easy to get to with budget flights from WOW Air in the USA or Finnair in Finland. From India, Jet Airways will get you to Amsterdam with ease and you can take Finnair from there.

For more on Finland, check out my other posts:

• Visiting a reindeer farm
• 5 adventures in Oulu
• Dogsledding with Huskies
• Packing for Finland
• A Forest Adventure
• Tips for Helsinki
• Vantaa Tips

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The post 20 Photos to Inspire You to Visit Finland appeared first on Hippie In Heels.

Morocco was such a beautiful and photogenic country. I spent 10 days here with my friend Tia and went into tourist mode, shopping, exploring and taking each day as it came. I have many articles coming up to share tips about how you can do the same. It’s all really quite affordable too!

We started in the tiny blue town of Chefchaouen which is “Pinterest famous”, we went to the ancient medinas of Fes, the luxury of Marrakesh, got lost in the souks, and rode camels in the desert.

For More Morocco Travel

• The Perfect Morocco Itinerary for 2 Weeks
• Shopping in Morocco | What to Buy in Morocco and How Much to Pay
• Crazy and Delicious Foods to Try in Morocco

20 Photos to Inspire You to Visit Morocco

Chefchaouen Outfit from TIA

Fes Outfit from TIA

Marrakesh

Desert Camping Outfit from TIA

Karawan Riad, Fes

Chefchaouen

Breakfast, see here for all the foods to eat in Morocco

Desert Camp

Les Cinq Djellabas, Marrakesh

Read my full guide on shopping in Morocco here

Hammam at Karawan Riad Outfit from TIA

Shopping in the medina Outfit from TIA

Desert Camp Outfit from TIA

Chefchaouen Outfit from TIA

Royal Palm, Marrakesh

Chefchaouen, the Blue Pearl

Karawan Riad, Fes

Moroccan lunches

Fes

Chefchaouen

Want more information on these locations in Morocco? I have lots of blog posts coming soon that will have detailed information about these places!

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The post 20 Photos to Inspire You to Visit Morocco first appeared on Hippie In Heels.

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London has some of the most picturesque spots in the world and in this day and age of social media, it’s not just bloggers who want to get the best Instagram shots in London, but lots of travelers and even locals. A photograph from you travels is sometimes the best souvenir.

How to get the best Instagram shots in London

I teamed up with Pictrip to try out their services in London while I was there last month. They partner you up with a local photographer and you go off to explore. Before your photoshoot day, you are given the options of where you can shoot. There were a lot in London but I narrowed it down to Shoreditch (graffiti and urban vibes), Westminster (this whole area, the typical London vibe), and Notting Hill (antiques, colorful houses).

Here’s some samples of the photos that I got sent to me in a gallery just days after the shoot. There were 75 sent all together for a 3 hour shoot in 3 locations. I did the “City Trekker” package which is 420 GBP. If that’s not in your budget or you don’t need 75 photos, you can do the smallest package of 15 images for 150 pounds. You do take the tube from spot to spot so bring an Oyster card or buy a day pass. You can get some cool shots inside the stations.

People who use Pictrip are often travelers looking for that great souvenir, couples on a special trip like an anniversary or honeymoon, and even families who want a unique look on their vacation instead of the normal studio shots.

Pictrip isn’t just in London though. Elsewhere in Europe, you can find them in Paris, Venice, Dublin, Milan, Nice, Barcelona, Lake Como, Monaca, and Rome. In North America, you can do shoots in NYC, Disney (LA), LA, San Fransisco, Toronto, Boston, and Vancouver. They also are in Dubai, Sydney, and Melbourne.

Outfit Ideas

Pin how to get the best Instagram shots in London:

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These are the most luxurious Indian islands… that you didn’t know existed!

 1. Lakshadweep

 

A photo posted by Gods Own Country Kerala (@godsowncountrykerala) on Aug 19, 2016 at 8:06am PDT

When I think of this island, I think of the cheap scuba certificate I could get in the Laccadive sea, but when Pinterest users look they see this usually with the wrong place captioned:

Lakshadweep (meaning one hundred thousand islands) is off the coast of Kerala to the West of India and made up of 36 small islands. Kavaratti is the most popular and has more development on it. Kadmat is where you want to get your scuba on; it has the prettiest water in India! This is mostly visited by Indian tourists as it’s still pretty secret around the world. Other popular islands here are Agatti and Bangaram.

Tips: Get here from Kochi easily and dress modest for the Muslim crowd. Avoid July through September for monsoon. Technically no alcohol is allowed and tourists need to get a permit to visit.

2. Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

 

A photo posted by junnybox (@junnybox) on Aug 24, 2016 at 12:06am PDT

The Andaman’s are probably the most popular set of islands for foreign tourists to go to while in India. These are in the Andaman Sea to the East side of India. From the beginning of literature these islands have been discussed by explorers, and some wrote they were full of cannibals.  They were known as “black waters” of the Indian Ocean and were full of prisoners! Now they are full of 5-star hotels and tourists. This is another great place to get your scuba certificates.

The Islands have had a fight to stay alive while Tsunamis and earthquakes literally tear the small islands into pieces and hit the large ones hard. They have recently been declared a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. You may have heard about the Nicobar Islands, as some theorists believe the missing Malaysia airlines flight landed here.

Tip: beware of swimming. Nearby to Havelock Island is a reservation for saltwater crocodiles and I know of someone who was with a friend who was tragically killed swimming outside a fancy resort. In the last 25 years, there have been 24 deaths from crocodile attacks. There are apparently not enough signs up warning tourists, although I haven’t been to see for myself. Even swimming in open ocean away from rivers and mangroves is not always safe. Also, keep in mind there are some tribal areas here and you will need permits to visit.

3. St. Mary’s Islands

 

A photo posted by Rudranil Das (@rdas_photography) on Aug 21, 2016 at 8:16am PDT

St Mary’s islands are a set of four, located off Udupi, Karnataka. These “coconut islands” are in the Arabian sea (west side of India). Here you’ll see giant columns of lava stone because of the split off of Madagascar, way back when… well, you know. I seriously struggle in science, but I do know that the lava situation here is incredible rare.

Tips: there are guards to make sure you don’t swim anywhere dangerous, but in case they are on tea break, use good judgment near rocks. You’ll go here by boat for a day trip (this is your only option).

4. Netrani Island.

 

A photo posted by Sukanya Raju (@sudotkanya) on Nov 22, 2015 at 11:25am PST

Also called Pigeon Island, this is off the coast of Karnataka in the Arabian Sea about 20 km from Murudeshwara to the west of India. This is a major scuba destination for tourists in Goa and Kerala. During monsoon, you can’t go to this island. Any island that is shaped like a heart is worth a visit!

Tip: Don’t try to go here alone. The Indian Navy uses the island adjacent for target practice.

So there we have the luxury Indian islands… with beaches of white sand you didn’t think was possible in India! I am determined to visit at least one of these beauties while I live here! Have you been to one?

The post 4 Luxurious Indian Islands (many people don’t know exist) first appeared on Hippie In Heels.

The post 4 Luxurious Indian Islands (many people don’t know exist) appeared first on Hippie In Heels.

Welcome back to the series “International Boho-Chic Designers”. I meet so many fashion designers and artists on my travels and as a shopaholic,  I love having unique items from abroad. I want to share them with you!  The designers featured here are those I really shop from and adore.

Shoop Doop hasn’t been around long, but it’s what all the guys in Goa are wearing, and the shirts are unique but at the same time you can tell where they bought it from. They all have a touch of his funky style. It’s quickly becoming the go-to shop for guys here in Goa, and taking off in London as well. As you can imagine, lots of the shopping is done by girls buying for their family or boyfriend.

Sean offered to give away THREE shirts! Girls, enter the giveaway so you can gift this to someone. I’m really resisting entering the giveaway myself so I can get one for Ben ha, but that would be breaking the rules.. I’ll let you guys win ;)

The guy behind Shoop Doop

He has such an interesting background, which is probably why his shirts are so inspired and full of color. Sean Barr moved to London from Scotland in the 80’s with a desire to sing and after lots of work, he landed a job through Mute records singing backing with Erasure and a session with Boy George’s band, Culture Club.

During his travel, he was buying nice shirts in (a then undiscovered by tourists) Turkey and selling them in Greece. His love of fashion and travel was born! He started traveling in Australia, USA, North Africa, India, more of Asia.. and doesn’t seem to be stopping even now. He played music along the way in a variety of huge name brands in the UK and Ibiza, becoming quite famous from what I gather, or “infamous possibly!” as he says.

Parties with Brit Winner, Paloma Faith in Thailand

He realized that on stage, everyone was in boring H&M shirts and wanted to make a change. He started making funky pants and shirts and people were noticing. He ended up taking his samples to London, and bam now he’s got a whole new career!

Shoop Doop, the brand.

“I decided I didn’t want to make a safe collection of shirts which sat together nicely neatly and blandly. That’s not me, and it wouldn’t work if I went down that road.”

He appreciates everyone having different tastes and styles but didn’t want to stop from using color just because Brit’s typically shy away from it. Indian of course love color. They’ve been on Goa’s Fashion week and Fashion TV here.

“I love color, I always have done in all it’s forms, which was definitely a hugely inspirational aspect of being in India and an obvious choice for me to work in creating.”

He started bold with shirts covered in flamingos, burgers, fries, and lobsters! But not everyone is into that, so he did some funky retro shirts, some vintage, and some sophisticated and meant to look more sexy. Most are for men, but he does have a range for women and even kids.

“Each shirt belongs to someone is what I have found. Sometimes, I look at what I created and wonder if I got it wrong, only for someone to come in first thing of opening and buy that particular shirt!”

This brand is very unique for dudes & girls traveling. These have been worn by LA rockers like
Cat Power & Icarus Line to the Bollywood star Kim Sharma. Something for everyone. Plus, most of his shirts are cotton, so they wear well and will look better than a t-shirt. You can go from the beach to the club and be dressed appropriately. Plus, they are affordable at 30 pounds each (2,200 Rs. or 47 USD)

Malik, the Shoop Doop tailor

Where can you buy Shoop Doop?

Online at ASOS is available for you all over the world.

If you’re in England, check out The White Horse in Brixton South London, POP Brixton at Make Do & Mend, Fashion Klicks in Norwood, and Woo Woo Boutique in the trendy Brixton Village Market.

Their main shop is located in Goa, on Ashwem, Morjim beach next to La Plage & Jade Jagger. They are stocked in other shops in Goa like Anjuna Flea Market, behind Sea Breeze, at the Arpora Saturday Night Market, near gate 1, at Cheshire Cat & Villa Blanche in Assagao, Mermaids in Anjuna, and Lamuela in both Arambol and Mandrem, and Fara Boutique in Arambol.

Night Market, Arpora

You can also find them in Delhi on the second floor Studio 417  Shapur Jat (Near Dada Jungi house). If you’re none of those places, shop online on the Shoop Doop Website (they ship internationally).

To connect, follow along their journey on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, or Twitter, email at shoopdooplondon@gmail.com or ring them at +44-208-671-6397 or in Goa +91-8888-564-234.

*Shoop Doop 3 Winner giveaway!!!*

For this giveaway there will be THREE winners! As usual, I am running this giveaway through rafflecopter so the machine can choose the winner. These are the shirts up for grabs, which are his most sold shirts:

you get the shirt, not the guy ;)

All you have to do is follow the instructions below which include liking both Shoop Doop London and I on social media as linked below. You have 7 days to enter. This giveaway is open to people from all countries. You will win the 1 of 3 shirts (first pick gets first choice). which is a £30 value (about 47  bucks). These are my favorite of the whole collection. Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Did you enjoy this post? Let me know in the comments or by sharing it with the social media links! I’d love to keep giving you travel tricks & tips so feel free to subscribe by e-mail in the big purple box below. Don’t forget you can follow me on facebook, twitter, instagram & bloglovin‘.

The post International Boho-Chic Designers: Shoop Doop // London & a giveaway! first appeared on Hippie In Heels.

The post International Boho-Chic Designers: Shoop Doop // London & a giveaway! appeared first on Hippie In Heels.

While on a tour through Karnataka, I met Siobhan Carrick and Chandell Kelly. I’d briefly spoken with them on Instagram, and I knew they followed my blog. We had some amazing times together on the Chikkamagalur loop of the goMowgli tour & they kept me cracking up telling me stories from their last two months in India. Backpacking India two months in one go is tiring but you can see and do so much in that long amount of time.

By far the best (and worst) was when Siobhan shared how sick she was on a local bus that after puking out the window, she actually laid on the floor of the bus with her cheek on the ground. It was a new low. Even I hadn’t been that sick! Although it sounds terrible, these stories are things travelers love to share with one another…. and it got me thinking, why not share their trip with you? So I’ve asked them about their highs and lows, booking advice, and what they wished they’d known before coming to India.

If you are coming for just a month, I have a similar post from friends who break down their month here in India in huge detail. You can read it here.

Before coming to India do not forget these three very important things:

1. Travel Insurance. I use World Nomads which is what Lonely Planet recommends
2. a VISA. You would be surprised how many people email me saying they showed up without one and got sent home. If you’re staying less than 60 days, here’s how to get a tourist e-visa for India. If you’re staying longer than 60 days, I have step by step guides to get a visa for India from the USA and get a visa for India from the UK.
3. Your phone needs to be unlocked to add a SIM card. Many USA phones are not. You can buy a SIM card in India. Trabug is a travel phone that you can have shipped to your hotel in India. This phone has the internet and all kinds of India travel apps on it. It’s more expensive than a SIM, but SIM cards are sometimes a huge hassle for foreigners in India. You don’t want to be in India without access to the internet.
4. Start with this post to see how to plan a trip in India from scratch step by step the easiest way possible.

PS: stayed tuned to the very bottom, because this post is FULL of great photos all taken by them.

at the river Ganges, Varanasi

relaxing in Hampi on one of the many boulders

touring around in a Kerala houseboat

Backpacking India Two Months Itinerary & Tips

• Dates in India: Sep 19th – Nov 20th (this is just before peak season and the PERFECT time to travel India)
• The flight to India was booked through Kayak on Air India (they flew Toronto, NY, to Mumbai)
• The flight home was actually from Colombo, Sri Lanka and booked via Skyscanner on Sri Lankan Airlines
• Flight cost: 700 to India and 450 back
• When booking, they didn’t have a set plan therefore didn’t book a round trip. In the end, they got a better price than I ever have (da fuk!?).

• Budget: On average about 1000-1200 bucks per month. They weren’t on a typical backpacking budget with a few splurges like: Hostels (new and can be a splurge in India compared to a cheap guesthouse), safaris, Elefantastic in Jaipur, and a GoMowgli tour. All in all, they were pleased with the amount they spent.

with a Sadhu in Varanasi

camel safari in Jaisalmer

playing around in front of the Taj Mahal

2 month India itinerary

These chicadees saw SO much in their time in India! It’s amazing. They traveling at a nice pace being sure not to wear themselves out, but also continuously sought out unique experiences rather than just wandering aimlessly. Here is the cities they went to in order (with links to articles I’ve written about them):

1. Mumbai
2. Udaipur
3. Jodhpur
4. Jasailmer
5. Agra
6. Delhi
7. Amritsar
8. Dharamsala
9. Rishikesh
10. Varanasi
11. Goa
12. Hampi
13. Gokarna
14. goMowgli tour in Karnataka
15. Mysore
16. Allepey
17. Varkala

So, I asked them some more questions…

When asked which place was the worst: Agra. See Taj Mahal and leave same day.

Which place could you have spent less time: Jodhpur no more than a day. See the fort and get out if possible. Also, a week was too much in Goa. It was too westernized and they missed the chaos of “real India”. 

Which places were favorites and needing MORE time: Hampi and Udaipur

Where they wished they could have gone but didn’t make it: Ladakh (parents worries kept them away)

the blue alleys of Jodhpur

painting elephants with Elephantastic! in Jaipur

Backpacking India Advice

I asked them quite a handful of questions about their time in India including their highlights and low lights. If you’re considering coming, I’m sure you realize it’s not always an easy place to travel. This whole post is filled with photos from their trip which I think serve as excellent inspiration to plan your trip to India.

Highlights of traveling India:

Friendly people, culture shock (the good and the bad!), experiencing and learning about spirituality and religion, camel safari, Dharamsala, Varanasi, elefantastic! in Jaipur, Udaipur, Chandell loved the food while Siobhan didn’t as much, and “gaining perspective on how much we have in the western world and appreciating it while also reflecting on how we sometimes forget the simple and important thing in life.”

Lowlights of traveling India: 

They say hostels were the main way they met other backpackers. When I traveled, I rarely met other friends, so it seems hostels may be the new way to go! They didn’t stay at Zostels Hostel but they said they heard good things from backpackers. 

The post Backpacking India for Two Months | A Sneak Peek & Tips first appeared on Hippie In Heels.

The post Backpacking India for Two Months | A Sneak Peek & Tips appeared first on Hippie In Heels.

I just can’t seem to get enough of Hampi. I visited first over two years ago when I dragged Ben there after reading about it in Lonely Planet. Later, I went on a tour with goMowgli and saw even more that I’d missed.

This time, we took the easiest route by hiring a rickshaw driver to show us around from 1-530 and we saw most everything on the temple side. We were meant to see the chilled out reservoir side the following day, but decided not to for a variety of reasons (boat sickness, timing, being tired, not wanting to cliff jump).

Want more notes on ONE day in Hampi (because this is mostly photos of what you’ll see in one day) my post on the top things to do in Hampi!

We went here from Goa and had Babu drive. It took about 8 hours and we took the route through Hubli to Hospet. It’s anywhere from 9,000 rs to 15,000 rs for a driver there and back. At peak season, it’ll run closer to the higher end of that spectrum.

As it was Christmas time, all great rooms were booked in Hampi (Shanthi Guesthouse  and Mowgli Guesthouse) so we had to stay at the Hyatt about 30 km away. I was a pain, but worth having a lovely (but expensive!) buffet and soft clean bed to sleep in.

My parents LOVED their one day in Hampi. Here’s what we got up to below; if you want to see it all make your life easy and hire a rickshaw. We got ripped off at 1200 rs per rickshaw (we took 2) but I didn’t feel like negotiating after a long car ride. You can get it down to 800 rs easily.

coconuts outside the Queen’s Stables are a must

The Lotus Mahal is my favorite bit of Hampi

walking down the main strip

the main attraction: the chariot 

best views in Hampi

I stared at this cute dog and played with it about 2 minutes before I realized there were a bunch of baby goats in the bottom of the truck! OMG cuteness!

parents loved the monkeys!

one of my favorite shots

standard tourist pic! Love it!

One of the perks of staying at the Hyatt, other than an amazing bed, is that it is located in this little modern village set up entirely for the steel workers. There is a small mall, temple, lake, and amazing gardens around the Hyatt. It was a bit Surreal.

For some reason I didn’t take a photo of the main temple, but it was a very new Ganesh temple. Everything was covered in jewels that I’m pretty sure were real. It was all gold painted. My parents were in awe! If you stay at the Hyatt it’s just a 5 min drive here and very worth the stop on your way out in the AM.

Did you enjoy this post? Let me know in the comments or by sharing it with the social media links! I’d love to keep giving you travel tricks & tips so feel free to subscribe by e-mail in the big purple box below. Don’t forget you can follow me on facebook, twitter, instagram & bloglovin‘.

The post Visiting Hampi Again Feat. Mom & Dad first appeared on Hippie In Heels.

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I didn’t know what to expect at all when I got to Bandung, least of all what to do in Northern Bandung. I was there on a trip with Indonesia and Bandung tourism, and didn’t have much time to research the area. I was BLOWN AWAY with the sights.

Some of the best parts were just seeing the big clouds over the mountains. How was the sky so blue and the tea leaves so green?! It was like it had been photoshopped.. in fact, my photos almost look photoshopped! But as you can imagine, I’m not that techy. I also loved the donkeys and horses, the rice fields all over the countryside, the random guys helping with traffic (were they hired or just helping, because their clothes were just normal!), the sunsets, the fog, the cold mornings, and the clean feeling in the air.

I wish I could have taken photos of the drive to Tangkuban Parahu, but the windy roads were making me feel a little sick… plus the fact breakfast was rice and noodles, no kidding! On your way up north, you should maybe take motion sickness pills. I’ll share a little bit about Tangkuban Parahu, the floating market, and learning to play the angklung.

Sari Ater

This hotel has huge hot springs that they boast as some of the best in the world. Your showers will actually have the hot spring water coming out. It’s a great resort and the swimming pools have been built into the spring! They have off-road go-karts, horses, and awesome 4 wheel drive adventures.

Tangkuban Parahu

Bandung was actually a lake a long time ago, but is now a huge city with something like 2 million people living there. Although some parts are prone to flooding, the lake is long gone. Now, the volcanoes and mountains that surround make for a great view from the city. If you drive north to Tangkuban Parahu which is an active volcano, you’ll get to see a HUGE volcanic crater called Kawah Ratu (Queen Crater). It’s amazing.

There are vendors dotted around and people giving donkey (or mule? or small horse?) rides. You’ll also see everyone selling the locally grown blueberries, blackberries, and strawberries. It’s kind of perfect. No one hassles you to shop either.

Bandung Floating Market

The floating market is a great place to try local food. You can have a real lunch first, then snack if you like. You’ll switch money from tokens to make it easy. I don’t suggest taking the boat out and seeing the different floating stalls, but rather it’s easier to taste from land on the other side. Plus, rowing the boats is a work out and makes photography hard.

Definitely taste the “crepes”, dim sum, banana cake (so cute!), and all the varieties of delicious fried food. I even got a lollipop I saved for the parade.

Saung Angklung Udjo

In West Java, the Sundanese still play their traditional instrument, the angklung. It’s made of bamboo and different sizes are different octaves. I wish I could have gotten more photos from the center, Saung Angklung Udjo, where we saw a performance and also a traditional play. You will want to tap along to the play’s music, but trust me, it’s impossible to follow the beat!

Have you ever heard the quote from actress Kristen Bell, “if I’m not on a 3-7 on an emotional scale, I’m crying”. That is so me! I tear up sometimes with sad commercials, and I have teared up more times than I can count in India when something sweet happens.

I was sitting in the stands feeling so lucky to see their art form and to be on the trip in general, and the kids started playing Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody. I started to tear up! I cheered so loud when it was over and the kids took us out to dance with them. We got to play our own angklungs which was pretty damn cool!

I was on this trip thanks to Wonderful Indonesia, Pesona Bandung, and all those involved in the Asian African Conference, but all opinions are my own. If you want to read more, check out my article on what to do in Southern Bandung.

The post Northern Bandung | mountains and volcanic craters first appeared on Hippie In Heels.

The post Northern Bandung | mountains and volcanic craters appeared first on Hippie In Heels.

Welcome back to the series “International Boho-Chic Designers”. I meet so many fashion designers and artists on my travels and as a shopoholic,  I love having unique items from abroad. I want to share them with you!  The designers featured here are those I really shop from and adore.

I’ve seen the FARA booth at the Saturday night market in Arpora for the last two years, just near the Thai place. I always peaked inside and looked at all the silky tie-dye and gorgeous raw silk dresses. They were over my price range last year, but this year I’m hoping to save up a bit a finally buy something from the team at Fara. Their clothes are some of my absolute favorites at the market and they have a new shop in Arambol. To celebrate their Indian silk scarf range they are giving one away to one of you readers!

Stall at Saturday Arpora Market

Varanasi Scarf

Giveaway: The scarves they make are hand-drawn by them and represent different areas of India. They are giving away Goa which is just a perfect match for Hippie in Heels. Scroll to bottom to enter giveaway.

The chicks behind FARA Boutique

Fumie and Rachel are the girls behind the brand. Fumie originally from Japan, studied in London at the London College of Fashion and since has worked for Alexander McQueen and Stella Mcartney! Fumie is a talented pattern cutter seemstress and designer.

Rachel grew up in London and studied at Fine Art at Central Saint Martins. After graduating she worked as a fashion buyer for Urban Outiffitters for 5 years.

Both are mothers to little girls, living in Goa and also London, and spend everyday together on the beach or in their shop, designing and creating.

FARA, the Brand:

FARA stands for Fumie and Rachel’s adventures. They met and became friends through their love of travel. Fara is now in its 2^nd season making simple yet design led clothes for women. Their clothes are easy to wear, yet elegant. They make these incredible hand-drawn (by them!) scarves that are so technical and sophisticated… but really fun and bold at the same time. I asked what FARA is as a brand:

 “Designs inspired by our adventures and dreams of those still to come”

examples of the raw silk

the flowy tie-dye silk… I love this skirt!

FARA makes a range of dresses, tops, shorts, trousers, skirts, kaftans, kimonos, scarves, and cushion covers. Their clothes are made from either 100% raw silk which is hand woven in Varanasi, 100% silk Haboti, or silk chiffon. Their stuff is so unique especially because they show India through their clothing and both of them are travelers who have seen vast amounts of the subcontinent.

The scarves which they are famous for are hand drawn illustrations painted with traditional Japanese watercolour. The same illustrations on on the cushion covers. When you look at the detail up close it’s just amazing!

Their four hand-drawn and painted scarves in order clockwise: Varanasi, Rajasthan, Himalaya, Goa

“With Fara, I rediscovered and rekindled a passion for drawing and painting, and with my knowledge of Japanese watercolour painting knew that these silk scarves woudl capture the essence of the love of travel with the love of luxury.” Fumie, FARA

I just love the scarves they have now, but they have even more coming making the decision of which to purchase even harder. While the old scarves represent their favorite places in India: Varanasi, Goa, Himalayas, and Rajasthan, the new scarves are based on Hindu Gods combined with Fairy tales like Shiva and the Little Mermaid or Hanuman and The Jungle Book. I saw the samples and they are stunning and so imaginative. I am so excited they are giving a scarf away to a reader (and also a bit jealous of the winner already!).

The Rajasthan scarf shows colors of pink Jaipur, camels, daffodils, and gypsy jewelry. For Varanasi they depict the smoking grey for the ghats mixed with Sadhus, cows, monkeys, and spicy chai. They even add in the pooja flowers- it’s the detail in these scarves which make them a great souvenir (and since these are also my favorite places in India, makes it so difficult to choose one!). The Himalaya scarf tells the tale of mountain travel with Buddhist prayer wheels, thangkas, and stunning scenery and the Goa scarf (which you can win!) shows our beautiful home: lush green countryside, cows in the market, Enfield bikes, cashew flowers and more.

Himalaya scarf above & all four below

I asked why their brand is the perfect for travelers like you:

“We wanted to convey imagery that was deep and meaningful to our own experiences. We consider these silk scarves as pieces of art as well as accessories and our customers often find they have their own personal attachments and their own memories of these special places in India.” -Rachel, FARA

Where can you buy FARA?

If you’re in India you can see their stock in person at FARA Boutique in Arambol, Goa. Also at the Saturday market in Arpora, Goa and Second Floow Studios in New Delhi. If you’re not in India and want to buy something please do check out their Etsy shop.

If you want to see their amazing photography and gorgeous models pop up on your socia media, be sure to follow FARA on facebook and instagram. You can email them rachel@faraboutique.com.

*FARA “GOA” Silk Scarf giveaway!!!*

This is the scarf you can win!! How cute!? I want it.

As usual, I am running this giveaway through rafflecopter so the machine can choose the winner. All you have to do is follow the instructions below which include liking both the boutique and I on social media. You have 7 days to enter. This giveaway is open to people from all countries. You will win the “Goa” scarf which is a 7,900 rs value (something like 150 bucks). It’s my favorite of the whole collection. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Did you enjoy this post? Let me know in the comments or by sharing it with the social media links! I’d love to keep giving you travel tricks & tips so feel free to subscribe by e-mail in the big purple box below. Don’t forget you can follow me on facebook, twitter, instagram & bloglovin‘.

The post International Boho-Chic Designers: FARA // India & a Giveaway! first appeared on Hippie In Heels.

The post International Boho-Chic Designers: FARA // India & a Giveaway! appeared first on Hippie In Heels.

Welcome back to the series “International Boho-Chic Designers”. I meet so many fashion designers and artists on my travels and as a shopoholic, love having unique items form abroad. I want to share them with you!  The designers featured here are those I really shop from and adore.

The new shop TIA in Morjim / Ashwem is making waves in Goa. It seems TIA is the designer to be wearing this season! As you head to Ashwem Beach, look for this design on life size silhouettes outside her shop. There is a full map in the end of the post.

Shop Tia online at Etsy.

& a fabulous TIA GIVEAWAY!

I usually go into detail about the designer and where they came from, but I’ve done that already with Tia Cherelle with her brand Tia and Tan last year. Take a second to check out that post and learn a little about the ‘growing up Goan’ lifestyle that made Tia the unique designer she is now.

This year she is slowly merging Tia & Tan into TIA after rebranding. Her collections: the original high end silks and an additional affordable cotton beach wear came from some learning curves and adjusting to make sure everyone could afford the brand. She’s also added in a lot of one of a kind pieces and will even make things to order (but I’m next in line… no cuts).

TIA Silks

The new collection shows another journey. She started from scratch having artists draw what she envisioned and getting it printed onto silk, therefore all the fabrics are completely unique and took her awhile to perfect.

The collection is based on the story of Krishna in the jungle, and the bright colors come from the inspiration of India where there is never a dull moment!     -Tia

There are multiple prints like Krishna, Leopard, Jungle, and Birds as well as bold colors like peach, purple, emerald green, and whites all in a satin silk. She’s added sequin party pieces, retro 70’s crop tops with matching shorts, and bold embroidered shorts. Ok, now for photos of all these sexy models in her silk line because I know that’s what you all want!

TIA Cottons

The new range of cottons are perfect because they are affordable for everyone. Last year, so many people commented that they loved the brand but just couldn’t afford such high end silk. That was part of Tia’s thought process in re-branding and she added these colorful, easy beach looks starting at only 1,000 rs (20 bucks). Can’t beat that!

TIA Shop in Ashwem, Goa

If you follow my Instagram, you’ll know I wear TIA brand clothes a lot. It’s by far my favorite shop in Goa because they clothes always fit so perfectly. She’s also always made clothes for men as well, in super soft cottons. She’s got a new line for men coming soon. So, boy or girl, if you’re in Ashwem or the Saturday market (where she has a stall) take a second to check out her amazing pieces!

like this scarf? You can win it below!

inside of the Ashwem shop

new shorts & my favorite lungis / scarves… wear one almost every day with a bikini!

men’s shorts & woman’s sequin tops

Saturday night market stall

The main shop is just at the Morjim-Ashwem junction. When you turn right toward Marbella, you’ll see it on your right. Look for the psy black and white sign boards and silhouettes.

Here is the view from outside the shop & below is the map:

All Tia’s contact is on the flier above. Happy shopping! Sad you’re not coming to India to buy TIA? Don’t be, you can shop online on her Etsy.

The TIA giveaway! Win a silk Scarf

I love love love the scarf TIA is giving away, and really just want to keep it for myself but you guys put up with my poor grammar and misspelled words on the regular, so it’s about time I reward you with another giveaway.

This bird print pure satin silk scarf sells in Goa for 3,500 rs. Like all previous giveaways, I am using rafflecopter to select the winner. Just “like” both Tia & I on social media through all these buttons below for multiple entries. TIA will ship world wide so anyone is welcome to enter. You have SEVEN days before the contest closes.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The post International Boho-Chic Designers: TIA // India & a giveaway! first appeared on Hippie In Heels.

The post International Boho-Chic Designers: TIA // India & a giveaway! appeared first on Hippie In Heels.

I’ve had a few IG comments asking if traveling with goMowgli was worth it and this is a prime example of why it was. Looking back on my trip, seeing how Mysore art was made and meeting all these artisans was one of my favorite parts. From watching sculptors use their imagination only to break down giant square blocks into intricate sculptures of Hindu gods, to watching the traditional wood work being made, and seeing incense rolled and flowers streamed in the markets, to watching silk and khadi cotton being spun- these are things in two years in India I’ve never seen and probably most people who even live in Mysore haven’t seen.

Update: goMowgli was a great tour company but sadly, five years after writing this they are no longer in business. Below, I have addresses for most places we visited but if you want a tour, you can check out this one on Viator. For more textile and craft tours in India, this post sums up some of my favorites.

Inlay & Marquetry

The Inlay and Marquetry workers  were fabulous. We went down a small dusty road and peaked into this factory (although with only 10 people working by hand, is it a factory?) It’s called Sri Geetha Fine Arts.

Location: #1368 Mission Hospital Road Cross, M K Street, Near Hotel Prakash, Mandi Mohalla.

You had men who were starting with the raw wood prepping and bending it, women cutting out the shapes with hand saw- string things, and more people getting it all put together. When you tour royal places in Mysore this is the type of wood you’ll see. They make tables, statues, and even hanging wall art. The white bits used to be ivory but now they use plastic. Many families in Mysore own the antique ivory ones. Each piece of art tells a story, like this one which tells of Dashara. It’ll take three months to make a table piece.

When they apply shades of veneer to make patterns it’s called Marquetry, and when they put colored material in the base of the wood it’s inlay. I loved when they had the wood inside wood like you see here- almost like a puzzle.. or painting with wood if that makes sense.

Mysore Sculptors

The sculptors were equally fabulous to watch. One guy was starting from scratch while others were sanding the knees of their finished Gods. This particular shop has sold to the Royal Palaces for generations and will even show you how it’s done, after all there’s no way you’d even be their competition, they are magicians! I can’t recall the name of this place, but it was in Mandi Mohalla area.

How to Make Incense

I had never known how incense was made. Sandalwood is only grown in Karnataka and the government has full control over it. This guy’s family business is in oil & incense, with a specialty of sandalwood incense. You can’t visit Mysore without trying something sandalwood whether it’s soap or oil! Water was added to make this into a ball of dough-like substance then it was rolled onto sticks and dried. After 20 minutes, it’s ready.

Flower Market in Mysore

The flower market was bustling and I loved watching them string flowers. Some used needles, while other women wrapped the string around the flowers somehow to make the strands.

Weaving Khaddi in Mysore

Karnataka is known for Khadi cotton, while Mysore (the old capital) is known for silk. You can get both all over the state. I saw silk being made in BR Hills by the Soliga Tribe and Khadi cotton being made in Melukote (read more on Melukote city), which was amazing and I bought a few colors to get dresses made in Goa. I enjoyed the khadi so much, I’ll be sharing how to buy it and get dresses made in Goa in a whole post of it’s own!

silk weaving in BR hills

making khaddi cotton in Meukote 

I was on this tour in part with goMowgli, but all opinions are my own.

The post Mysore Art & Meeting the local Artisans first appeared on Hippie In Heels.

The post Mysore Art & Meeting the local Artisans appeared first on Hippie In Heels.

I cannot begin to tell you how stoked I was to do a JUNGLE SAFARI! Prior to, I feel like it was almost a sin to be a travel writer in India and not have been on one single safari looking for India’s tigers and leopards. I was invited to do a jungle safari with Kabini River Jungle Lodge while I was on my goMowgli tour in Karnataka.

Because it’s a hop on hop off tour, the company dropped me off in the jungle with all the tigers and wild elephants just as I’d planned.

I was late, as always, so the second I got there I was swooped up by a big ass jeep to go touring around the forrest. I was literally smiling so big my face hurt the next day. Everything the tour guide said I was ooo’ing and aah’ing over.

The Safari at Kabini River

The moment we got into the Nagarhole National Park I spotted a wild elephant! We saw all kinds of animals and I’m not surprised as one, the Western Ghats have some of the most diverse wildlife in the world and two, it was voted top 5 wildlife resorts in the WORLD by Tatler’s.

Obviously, you want to know what animals you’ll see. While you can see tigers and leopards (and they did the night before I arrived) I didn’t see any. Bummed a bit, but know that they are elusive and it’s just a matter of luck. If you want to see tigers the best place is at a Ranthambore safari.

What I did see were: guars, sambars, spotted deer, wild elephant, serpent eagles, mongoose, kingfisher, boars, and lots of monkeys and other important birds that I’m sure your bird-lovers would go bonkers over.

notice the birds on top?

Sambar, the biggest dear in India

Guar and baby guar

We saw a tiger print and a leopard print and heard the panicked warning called from the “barking deer” (if I understood my guide correctly) and tried to track them but had no luck. We went out again in the morning which was when I saw the guar which were huge!

leopard print and mongoose

I never knew that new antlers were fuzzy!

I was surprised how the animals hung out together: boars and deer roaming around while birds sat on the deer and mongoose popped up for a picture pose. In the gazebo by the lake were information boards explaining how the forestry department works to keep these animals safe. One thing’s for sure: the more spotted deer, the more there’s food for tigers, and the easier the population can rise. They talked about the problems with human population growth in India and the leopards getting into the villages- so the scared village people may kill that animal to save themselves.. it’s a problem that I don’t think anyone has the answers to.

who could fight in such a pretty place? ;)

The Rooms at Kabini River Jungle Lodge

The lodges were former hunting lodges of the Maharaja so they were pretty darn fancy. The resort has a fully stocked bar, ayurvedic treatments, WiFi near the office, delicious buffets with seriously the BEST veg soup I’ve had in India. It was like crack and I just kept going back for more. Sorry for eating all your soup, Jungle Lodge. I also loved the butter chicken, cabbage, and carrots.

some kind of fried chickpea patty & surprisingly spicy baked beans

Dinner is served at 830 and there is a wildlife movie before at 730. In the main lodge are some books you can borrow and ….. a stuffed TIGER that’s 9.5 feet long. It was killed in a territory fight by another tiger (which must have been massive) so they kept it at the lodge.

The room was pretty massive and just absolutely perfect. It was a nice touch of luxury while in the middle of the jungle which is kind of the perfect thing for a “hippie in heels”. Kind of couldn’t get over having four pillows because this literally NEVER happens in India and actually loved the heavy soft towel I took a photo. No one uses dryers in India so usually towels are crispy from drying in the sun- these were soft as could be!

There are cottages, rooms, and tents at varied prices. I loved that they do wake up calls for the morning safari so you don’t over sleep. The animals are only out at dawn and dusk so you have to wake up pretty early and start the tour by 615 am. You can opt to do the tour by boat if you want to as well. But even while sitting at the lodge, you’re bound to see wildlife. The spotted deer love being around people because that’s where they are safe so you’ll see them by the dozens.

The full grounds are really big so it’s best to show up in the afternoon not at night so that you can get a grasp of the layout. I got a little lost finding the dinner space at night and started worrying a lost leopard was going to come steal me away before I could get my fried papads.

Practical information for your stay

Location: Kabini | about 90 km from Mysore, 90 km from Madikeri, and 225 km from Bangalore. You’ll see on the tour where a lake joins the national parks with 2 others, and can look across at Wayanad, Kerala.

Price: starts at 8,200 to 11,200 for foreigners per person and 4,950 t0 7,950 for Indians. Food and safari included. 50% off for children.

Other information: Best to go at dry season so the animals are out looking for water. It was accessible for people with disabilities and ramps were at all areas of the camp. Mosquitos were abundant and a headlamp would have been helpful. As a solo female traveler I felt very safe here.

I was on this tour as part of my goMowgli tour and with an invitation from Jungle Lodges. As always, opinions are my own.

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The post Jungle Safari with Kabini River Jungle Lodge first appeared on Hippie In Heels.

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I’m so excited to start sharing all the adventures I’ve been having the last month in Karnataka. It was an early morning start to Dubare Elephant camp, which wasn’t easy for me after my Volvo breakdown of the century (which I’ll tell you about later!). I was soon to see why we left Mysore so early on the goMowgli tour, as at 830 we were the only ones around for the elephant’s bath times!

photo via Karan of goMowgli

Bathing Elephants in India – Dubare Camp

I was asking a lot of questions about the care of the elephants after hearing so many awful tales of wild elephants trapped for tourist attractions or to become temple elephants, but the team explained to me that the terrible practices were outlawed in the 70’s. There were many elephants already tamed when the practice was stopped and the Forestry Department along with the Karnatakan Government uses these elephants to tour the forests where vehicles can’t get through. They explained that the elephants used to work doing logging but since it’s been stopped the elephants have little work and spend their days quite bored.

 photo via Karan of goMowgli

We immediately saw another use for these elephants. Upon arrival to the camp, the gate was drawn shut and they locals were saying panicked, “wild elephant is going crazy!”. Here, an elephant can ruin all someone’s crops in one day therefore wrecking their livelihood. Coorg is quite the rural area in most places and many people farm.

It is part of the Forestry Department’s duty to scare these trouble-making elephants back into the forest where they came from. They do this by riding tamed elephants. We saw them in action getting ready to track the wild elephant. In some rare instances, wild elephants have killed people.

When these tamed elephants have babies, those elephants are kept tied so that they too will be tamed. I know some people see this as animal abuse, and I admit I’m still on the fence because who knows if we are getting all the information- but these are working elephants just like someone would use a cow, water buffalo, or horse for work. When your job is to keep leopards, tigers, and wild elephants from killing crops or stealing babies from villages (while not hurting the amazing wildlife at the same time), your work is a little bigger and the tamed elephant gets the job done. On the other hand, when I see temple elephants like at Mysore Palace, my heart breaks for them and I just want to set them free.

The water was nice and cold in October. You can bathe them with your hands, but not the scrub brushes since they are afraid you might hurt the elephant. They let me for all of two seconds so I could get a photo. One of the elephants was pregnant which was so odd to see a huge bulge in her stomach moving.

photo via Karan of goMowgli above and the one below

who knew elephant tongues were so soft!? My reaction.

You actually don’t need much time here. The bathing was great and I loved every second of it, but I wish they didn’t offer the elephant rides. I’m not into riding the elephants because it just makes me feel a little bad for them. They have important jobs to do, so walking around with kids on their backs must be a bit degrading for these amazing creatures! I did ride an elephant in Goa a couple years ago before I knew the whole story of how these animals are kept- and in Goa it’s 100% just for money-making purposes so I wouldn’t do it again. After their baths, I gave them some cucumbers (and felt their soft tongues!).

Practical Information for Dubare Camp

• Coming from Mysore, you’ll pass through through Hundsur and then Periyapatna where 150-200 years ago it was the prime tiger territory in the whole of India and was very feared!

• For breakfast a great little dosa was served up at Top In Town on the way in Kushalnagar

• Price for bathing elephants are 100 for indians and 200 foreigners

• Feeding is 20 rupees for one piece of food or you can bring your own food but it must be clean and new, as in don’t take a bite of your banana then feed them or they will yell at you!

• If you’re on the goMowgli tour and want to stay here longer, you can stay at the Jungle Lodge. Here’s a video from their website: Dubare video

• Check availability! If the Union is on strike they won’t be open. This is government owned.

I was invited here by goMowgli, but all opinions are my own!

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A trip to India is pretty incomplete without visiting its most famous landmark! The Taj Mahal isn’t only a famous place to visit in India, it’s famous all around the globe, with millions of visitors every year. Here are all my best, little-known tips for Taj Mahal visit, so you can make the most of your trip.

The Logistics of a Taj Mahal Visit

First and foremost, if you’re not on a budget, I’d recommend doing a Taj Mahal tour. It’s a bit out of the way, and there are so many tours that will make it such a smoother experience. 

GAdventures has so a lot of longer itinerary options, which you can check out here. Meanwhile, Viator has some shorter itinerary options here.

Also, don’t forget to get your visa! You do need one to visit India in general, and it would be a shame to read all these tips, arrive in India, and realize you can’t even enter the country! I swear by iVisa. It’s easy and straightforward. Check out my post on getting a tourist visa for India here and check what you need on iVisa here.

And to be on the safe side, always travel with insurance.

IF you want to do it on your own, here’s my experience.

Visiting the busier Taj Mahal after such a zen experience in Rishikesh, which is known for its ashrams and yoga retreats, probably wasn’t the best idea. We had such a relaxing time at our ashram and were sort of dreading going to Agra.

I’m not going to lie- I just wanted to fast-forward and have already seen the Taj Mahal. It was starting to feel like a chore.

Chloe and I hitchhiked to Haridwar, where we took a rickshaw to the bus stop. The bus to Agra was pretty unbearable. I was still suffering really bad from the side effects of dengue fever and the last couple hours I was in tears telling Chloe I think I needed to go to a hospital. I wasn’t eating because I knew I’d just get stomach cramps, and I think we were both dehydrated and tired. (Guys, get travel insurance. Dengue fever is no joke)

If you go to the Taj Mahal, I highly recommend not taking the bus. Travel from Delhi to Agra either by train or plane. Check out Kiwi to see all your budget options.

The Taj Mahal is a World Wonder perfectly placed on the Yamuna River and stunningly magical, but the same can’t be said about Agra. If you want to plan a Taj Mahal visit, you will have to base yourself out of Agra. It’s a loud crowded town filled with pollution, touts, and litter.

I wouldn’t stay in Agra for longer than necessary.

I know some people will be offended by this, but hey, like I always say: I’m going to tell it on the blog like I would to a friend, and I wouldn’t be telling my bestie to book a few nights in Agra.

We got in and out easily thanks to catching up with a couch surfer. He even let us leave our bags at his place. He’s a police officer and drove us to the Taj area then picked us up later. So nice and helpful! He really was a saint especially with how sick I was feeling. This is where Chlo and I said our goodbyes and I went on to Varanasi while she went off to Rajasthan.

Anyhow, here are my little tips for the perfect Taj Mahal day trip.

13 Tips for Taj Mahal Visit

1. First of all, I recommend reading up on the Taj.

I’m not going to go into the past here, but it did take 22 years to complete. It’s made of all marble and took 20,000 workers to build. All to show love to a woman. Some say the workers’ thumbs were cut off so they couldn’t ever build something like it again. Read [easyazon_link identifier=”B00HVPQ84O” locale=”US” tag=”Hipinhee-20″]this book[/easyazon_link] for more of its history.

2. It is hard to get to if you aren’t doing the Golden Triangle all at once.

It’s less than 200 km from Delhi, but you’ll most likely book a local bus at the station. Follow my local bus tips to stay safe. You can hire a driver or tour guide from Delhi to plan a Taj Mahal day tour. You can also take a train in or fly!

So many of my friends who come to visit me in Goa, first fly into Delhi so they can go see the Taj. They take a day tour from Delhi to Agra and back to Delhi where they then fly onward to Goa. These tours are easy breezy and take out all the headache. You can do a Viator tour by car or a tour by train.

3. If you have the budget and time to do so, stay at the Oberoi Amarvilas Agra Hotel.

You can see the Taj from your hotel window just like so many celebrities and royals have! Now, unfortunately, I am not a famous blogger who gets free stays at 5-star hotels, but in this case, if you own this hotel and are reading this, please, hit me up! ;) I will totally let you pour me a cup of tea at the Oberoi!

4. The best Taj Mahal visiting time is EARLY. 

It opens at 6 am, and you should be there right then! I didn’t make it at that time, and it was quite crowded while I was there. To me, it wasn’t a big deal- I’m not much of a monument person anyway. I know some people would have been bummed though.

5. Be prepared to be hassled.

And I don’t mean by vendors. I mean by the nicest families ever… but there are just a few too many of them. If someone wants a photo with you (and they will), just know that once you agree, a line will form. I must have taken at least 30 photos with people, and finally had to say no which always makes me feel bad when it’s nice people. You have to make sure you get your experience there, not just help make other people get a photo they want.

6. There are a few different entry gates.

They all charge the same. Foreigners pay 750 rupees while nationals pay 20 rupees. At the time, I was a little annoyed, but looking back now that I live in India, I completely understand. Foreigners get a free bottle of water, and everyone gets shoe covers you must wear inside.

7. You cannot bring snacks in with you.

They will search your purse. Lockers are located outside the gate.

8. It’s a little bit of a toss-up for what time of year to go to the Taj Mahal.

Read my tips on when to travel to India to know when the best time is for weather, but keep in mind, if you can handle the high heat off-season it would be ideal to miss the crowds.

9. Know ahead of time that although it’s gorgeous from the outside, the walk inside is… not…

It was like herding cattle and being pushed through the walkways of the Taj. It was quite stinky, hot, and crowded. I couldn’t wait to get to get back outside!

10. After the Taj, check out the Agra Fort before you head out of town.

11. Now for the shopping

Unless you want some wholesale marble (which is readily available) don’t shop in Agra. Prices are marked up 100x the real amount. Are you even surprised? I did buy a postcard here at 4x the normal price, but it was very pretty.

Instead here are my shopping and souvenir tips for India.

12. If you’re looking for the perfect photo, it seems all the best come from across the river.

I didn’t make it over there, and I am by no means a professional photographer, but if that’s your thing you’ll want to find a viewing point. They are not free.

13. Don’t plan your whole trip around seeing this monument.

If you can’t seem to fit it in your itinerary, it won’t be that big of a deal. You know, I once wrote a 4-page rant about my rickshaw driver in Jaipur, but in regards to one of the seven wonders of the world, I wrote, “I saw the Taj Mahal today”. That’s it. It was gorgeous just like the photos, but it wasn’t what made backpacking India special.

Don’t forget your copy of my India Guide ebook. It’s every single thing you need to know about traveling to India from epic landmarks you need on your itinerary to lesser known palaces, treehosue hotels, and the basics of traveling all the top towns here – in a massive 100,000 words, this will make sure you have the best trip possible! Buy it here. Read more about the book and see reviews here.

BONUS TIP: What to Wear to the Taj Mahal

While there’s no specific dress code at the Taj Mahal, you do want to be mindful of your outfits in general. Check out my big post on the do’s and don’ts of how to dress in India.

And, on a more fun note, wear something colorful! Since the Taj is all white marble, it’s the perfect place to wear your bright reds, yellows, purples, and blues.

Here are some outfits that would be perfect!

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The post 13 Little Known Tips for Taj Mahal Visit first appeared on Hippie In Heels.

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