Latest from the road

Trip reports, travelogues, and photo stories — context for the guides, not a substitute for them.

Travelogues

Long reads

We Went Back to Ladakh. It Was Still True.
TRAVELOGUE
Leh, Leh district, Ladakh, 194195, India

We Went Back to Ladakh. It Was Still True.

There's a thing nobody tells you about flying into Leh. The mountains start appearing about forty minutes before you land, somewhere over the Himachal border,...

#India#Travelogues#Road Trips
The Other Chikmagalur: Tea Gardens, the Kudremukh Ghat, and a Loop We Almost Missed
TRAVELOGUE
Samse, Kalasa taluk, Chikkamagaluru, Karnataka, 577124, India

The Other Chikmagalur: Tea Gardens, the Kudremukh Ghat, and a Loop We Almost Missed

You've Done the Coffee Estate. Now Do Chikmagalur Properly.The first Chikmagalur trip usually goes the same way.Drive up on a Friday evening. Wake up to mist...

#Bangalore#South India#Karnataka
Best One Day Trips from Bangalore in 2026 — Four Routes Worth the Drive
TRAVELOGUE

Best One Day Trips from Bangalore in 2026 — Four Routes Worth the Drive

Bangalore is one of those cities where the best therapy is leaving it for a day. Not a weekend — just a day. Leaving the endless sprint cycles and roadmaps...

#Bangalore#Karnataka#Road Trips
Koh Lanta for Digital Nomads: A Quiet Island Built for Remote Work
TRAVELOGUE
Rasta Bar, 4245, คลองนิน, ศาลาด่าน, อำเภอเกาะลันตา, จังหวัดกระบี่, 81150, ประเทศไทย

Koh Lanta for Digital Nomads: A Quiet Island Built for Remote Work

A One-Week Guide to Remote Work and Slow Living in the AndamanIf Ao Nang is the place where you flip the switch into vacation mode, Koh Lanta is where you...

#Thailand#Beaches#Slow Travel
Ao Nang Krabi Travel Guide 2026: The Ultimate "Slow Travel" Itinerary
TRAVELOGUE
ถ้ำหลังหลง, Only during low tide!, ตำบลอ่าวนาง, อำเภอเมืองกระบี่, จังหวัดกระบี่, 81210, ประเทศไทย

Ao Nang Krabi Travel Guide 2026: The Ultimate "Slow Travel" Itinerary

A Deep Dive into Krabi's Soul, Three Trips LaterThere is a specific kind of exhaustion that comes with the corporate life. It isn't just physical; it's a...

#Travelogues#Thailand#Krabi
Three Trips to Thailand in a Year: How Krabi & Koh Lanta Became Our Reset
TRAVELOGUE
Petchjinda Massage, 4245, พระแอะ, ศาลาด่าน, อำเภอเกาะลันตา, จังหวัดกระบี่, 81150, ประเทศไทย

Three Trips to Thailand in a Year: How Krabi & Koh Lanta Became Our Reset

A year of returns, tropical rains, and the luxury of familiarity.They say you never step into the same river twice, for it is not the same river and you are...

#Travelogues#Thailand#Krabi
Motorcycling and the art of Travel meditation
TRAVELOGUE

Motorcycling and the art of Travel meditation

The gush of wind, the sceneries of the world passing by, the roar of the engine, the road ahead and you. There is an immense amount of romantic freedom and solitude that motorcycling offers. The moment when you’re on the saddle, it’s just you alone with your thoughts. The sights, smells and souls that you experience on your journey are equally incredible. If you’re the one who believes that a journey matters more than the destination, then you should go take a tour on two wheels at least once in your life.

#Bangalore#Motorcycle Diaries#Travelogues
Coffee Culture in Vietnam: Strong and Slow drip
TRAVELOGUE

Coffee Culture in Vietnam: Strong and Slow drip

Well, first of all, without any exaggeration, coffee is just about everywhere in Vietnam, and I love coffee. Anytime anywhere!Fun fact: Vietnam is the world's...

#Travelogues#Vietnam#Food Culture
Exploring Hoi An's Charming Old Town
TRAVELOGUE

Exploring Hoi An's Charming Old Town

Hoi An means "peaceful meeting place", and has earned a UNESCO World Heritage site recognition since 1999 for its well-preserved ancient town.  View...

#Vietnam#Heritage#Hoi An
Remembering the Heroes: 25 Years of the Kargil War at the Kargil War Memorial
TRAVELOGUE
Kargil, Kargil tehsil, Kargil district, Ladakh, 194103, India

Remembering the Heroes: 25 Years of the Kargil War at the Kargil War Memorial

Driving from Srinagar to LehIn the summer of 2017, we embarked on a memorable 10-day road trip from Srinagar to Leh, traversing some of the highest passes and...

#India#Leh#Kargil

Photo stories

Frame by frame

The Cemetery at the End of Park Street | Kolkata
PHOTO STORY
Peter Cat, Sir William Jones Sarani, Ripon Street, Kolkata, Kolkata Metropolitan Area, Kolkata, West Bengal, 700016, India

The Cemetery at the End of Park Street | Kolkata

The cemetery at the end of Park Street — kebabs first, then obelisks, Derozio, and February light between the tombs.

#India#Kolkata#West Bengal
Jodhpur in 3 Days: Mehrangarh, the Blue City & Toorji Ka Jhalra
PHOTO STORY
लायाकान मोहाल्ला, Jodhpur, Jodhpur Tehsil, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, 342003, India

Jodhpur in 3 Days: Mehrangarh, the Blue City & Toorji Ka Jhalra

Azure alleys and stone stories — Mehrangarh, Toorji Ka Jhalra, Phool Mahal, and the Blue City from the fort walls.

#Heritage#Rajasthan#Forts
The Monsoon Diaries: Walking the Cloud-Line at Hampta Pass
PHOTO STORY
Model Town, Manali, Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, 175131, India

The Monsoon Diaries: Walking the Cloud-Line at Hampta Pass

Monsoon on Hampta Pass — bistort meadows, bleeding mountains, mist on the pass, and Lahaul on the other side.

#Hampta Pass#Himachal Pradesh#Hiking
Wings of the Tide: A Birdwatching Journey Through the Sundarbans
PHOTO STORY
Twenty-four Parganas, North 24 Parganas, West Bengal, 743425, India

Wings of the Tide: A Birdwatching Journey Through the Sundarbans

Wings of the tide — kingfishers, adjutant storks, and sea eagles on a Sundarbans boat, without the tiger narrative.

#Bird Watching#Nature#Backwaters
Hoysala Architecture: A Complete Guide to Karnataka’s Most Intricate Temple Style
PHOTO STORY
Beluru Halebidu Road, Halebidu, Beluru taluk, Hassan, Karnataka, 573121, India

Hoysala Architecture: A Complete Guide to Karnataka’s Most Intricate Temple Style

A visual guide to Hoysala temples — frieze bands, Mahabharata panels, adhisthana layers, and Belur madanikas in photographs.

#Bangalore#Temples#Halebidu

Notes

Shorter posts

Thailand's New Visa Rules for Indians (2026): What Changed and Why We're Still Going
BLOG POST
ถ้ำหลังหลง, Only during low tide!, ตำบลอ่าวนาง, อำเภอเมืองกระบี่, จังหวัดกระบี่, 81210, ประเทศไทย

Thailand's New Visa Rules for Indians (2026): What Changed and Why We're Still Going

Thailand Is About to Make It Harder to Enter. We're Going Anyway. On May 19, 2026, Thailand's Cabinet approved a sweeping overhaul of its visa policy. The...

#Thailand#Krabi#Slow Travel
Wayanad 2026: Everything We Planned, Everything We Missed, and Why It Was Still Worth It
BLOG POST
Pulinjal, Mananthavady, Wayanad, Kerala, 670731, India

Wayanad 2026: Everything We Planned, Everything We Missed, and Why It Was Still Worth It

A 4-day Wayanad trip from Bangalore — what we planned, what we missed, and the unplanned moments that made it worth it. Honest guide with food, stays, drives, and practical tips.

#India#Karnataka#Kerala
Lamai Beach, Koh Samui: Why It’s Perfect for Long Swims and Slow Days | Thailand
BLOG POST
Kon-Tiki Your Beach Restaurant & Bar, Public Road, บ้านละไม, เทศบาลนครเกาะสมุย, อำเภอเกาะสมุย, จังหวัดสุราษฎร์ธานี, 84310, ประเทศไทย

Lamai Beach, Koh Samui: Why It’s Perfect for Long Swims and Slow Days | Thailand

When I think back to our trip in August, one image rises above all the others: Lamai Beach in Koh Samui. Sand, sky, and the kind of sea that makes the rest of...

#Thailand#Beaches#Slow Travel
Vietnam - A relaxed Itinerary for 10 days
BLOG POST
Thành phố Hà Nội, Việt Nam

Vietnam - A relaxed Itinerary for 10 days

Welcome to Vietnam, a country that captivates with its unique experiences, blending rich history, vibrant culture, breathtaking nature, and a culinary scene...

#Vietnam#Temples#Heritage
Relax by the Kaveri - getaway to Bheemeshwari & Mekedatu Sangam
BLOG POST
Bheemeshwari, Malavalli taluk, Mandya, Karnataka, India

Relax by the Kaveri - getaway to Bheemeshwari & Mekedatu Sangam

Bheemeshwari, about 100 km away from Bangalore, is an ideal one day getaway for the weekend. Add Makedettu Sangam to your itinerary to enjoy a splendid drive and some boating! This is a perfect place for the nature lover. The quiet moments on the secluded bank, in the company of silently flowing Cauvery, tall trees, the distant jungle, and the azure sky filled my heart with peace and serenity. This is an ideal getaway from Bangalore.

#India#Bangalore#Motorcycle Diaries
Floating through the Mangroves of Sundarbans | A Day trip from Kolkata | Sundarban National Park
BLOG POST

Floating through the Mangroves of Sundarbans | A Day trip from Kolkata | Sundarban National Park

A boat safari in the Sundarbans brought us face-to-face with rare birds, lush mangroves, and unforgettable family memories. Guided through this unique ecosystem, we marveled at the tranquil waterways and enjoyed a festive meal on board, soaking in the wonders of the world’s largest mangrove forest.

#Kolkata#India#Heritage
Durga’s travelogue : The carnival de Bengal
BLOG POST
Kolkata, Kolkata Metropolitan Area, Kolkata, West Bengal, India

Durga’s travelogue : The carnival de Bengal

Durga Puja, the most important festival of Bengal is coming soon. Christmas in New York, Rio Carnival in Brazil, and the La Tomatina Festival in Spain summed up cannot beat the magnitude of the Durga Puja celebrations in Kolkata, India. Pujo spans 10 days filled with packed elaborate rituals, great food and a stunning display of creativity and art in the form of innovative themed pandals and idols. People deck up in new clothes, flock to the pandals and soak themselves in the festive spirit. The whole city transforms to a festive mood, work comes to a halt as the Pujo spirit hits Kolkata.

#Kolkata#India#Durga Pujo
Savoring Vietnam: A Food Lover's Journey
BLOG POST
Thành phố Hà Nội, Việt Nam

Savoring Vietnam: A Food Lover's Journey

Vietnam is like the ultimate foodie wonderland, especially when it comes to street food. It's not just about grabbing a bite; it's a full-blown culinary...

#Hoi An#Hanoi#Southeast Asia
St. Philomena Church, Mysore — What to See, History & Visiting from Bangalore
BLOG POST

St. Philomena Church, Mysore — What to See, History & Visiting from Bangalore

Discover the Neo-Gothic Splendor of St. Philomena Church in Mysore on a comfortable and quick Day Trip from Bangalore.

#Bangalore#India#Mysore
The Navadurga — Bangalore's Nine Hill Forts (+ Madhugiri, Devanahalli & More)
BLOG POST
Bengaluru, Bangalore North, Bengaluru Urban, Karnataka, India

The Navadurga — Bangalore's Nine Hill Forts (+ Madhugiri, Devanahalli & More)

Explore underrated forts with rich history, scenic views, and thrilling adventures near Bangalore. Discover the forgotten charm of ancient fortresses and embark on a journey to the past. Join us in 2024 as we unveil the mystery of the Navadurga - nine hill forts around Bangalore.

#Bangalore#India#Karnataka
Kendatti Blue water – One day ride from Bangalore
BLOG POST
Bommanahalli, Chitradurga taluku, Chitradurga, Karnataka, India

Kendatti Blue water – One day ride from Bangalore

It was a high pressure work week and a bike ride was due. Trying to hit the target of minimum one bike ride a month, we planned a short day trip amidst all the hustle bustle of daily life. While surfing travel blogs for “Day Rides from Bangalore”, I chanced upon a link to this place often called as the “Chhota Ladakh”, although it looks nothing like Ladakh, I was intrigued. A quick google search for the photos and I added this to my list of bike rides this year.

#Bangalore#India#South India
2017 – Flashback
BLOG POST
Kolkata, Kolkata Metropolitan Area, Kolkata, West Bengal, India

2017 – Flashback

2017 was filled with travel plans, visiting new places and new stories to share. I got to visit the Philippines too! A short summary of the 2017 that went by! Completed around 8 trips, a couple of them were quite long ones. The last one of the year, a 3000 km long road trip for 10 days from Srinagar to Kolkata covering the breadth of North India, was one of my finest.

#India#Bangalore#Kolkata
Meghalaya and the start of my Sabbatical
BLOG POST
Meghalaya, India

Meghalaya and the start of my Sabbatical

I always wanted to travel to the North eastern part of India. Having travelled almost across the whole country, the North east remained a corner which I could not get the opportunity to touch till date. But this year, coincidentally I was jobless and a couple of friends were headed to one of the seven sisters – the abode of clouds, Meghalaya.

#India#Kolkata#Meghalaya
Gudibande Fort & Bhairasagara Lake — A Day Trip from Bangalore Worth Making
BLOG POST
Gudibande Fort, Gudibande trek trail, Gudibande, Gudibande taluk, Chikkaballapura, Karnataka, 561209, India

Gudibande Fort & Bhairasagara Lake — A Day Trip from Bangalore Worth Making

📍 Distance ~100 km from Bangalore 🗺️ Route Bengaluru → Devenahalli → Chikballapur → Gudibande ⏱️ Trek time 45 min up · 20 min down 🎟️ Entry fee Free 📅 Best...

#Bangalore#India#Karnataka
Kumbhalgarh Fort — The Great Wall of India: What to See & How to Visit
BLOG POST

Kumbhalgarh Fort — The Great Wall of India: What to See & How to Visit

Kumbhalgarh Fort is situated in the western part of the Aravali Hills in the Rajasthan. Rana Kumbha founded this fort during the 15th century. Built over a period of 15 years under the expert supervision of the famed architect of Kumbhalgarh Fort Rajasthan named Mandan, it is perfectly perched between eleven peaks of the Aravalli ranges. Maharana Pratap was born in Kumbhalgarh, he was known as the great warrior of Mewar, and the royal families occupied this fort until the 19th century. The world’s second-largest wall surrounds the Kumbhalgarh fort, and this is the second-largest fort in Rajasthan after the Chittorgarh Fort.

#Rajasthan#North India#India
Durga Pujo 2020 - How we celebrated during the Pandemic
BLOG POST

Durga Pujo 2020 - How we celebrated during the Pandemic

Emotions. Homecoming. Togetherness. Durga Puja is synonymous with all these and more. For the first time in recent memory, there will be a gap of an unprecedented 35 days between the Mahalaya and Durga Puja. Also in for the first time ever, no one will be allowed to go inside the pandals this year to reduce the crowds and tackle the widespread Coronavirus. So we ended up having loads of home cooked feasts and enjoying pujo from inside majorly.

#Kolkata#Europe#India
Prinsep Ghat, Kolkata — Timings, What to See & Where to Go After
BLOG POST
Prinsep Ghat, Strand Road, Hastings, Kolkata, Kolkata Metropolitan Area, Kolkata, West Bengal, 700022, India

Prinsep Ghat, Kolkata — Timings, What to See & Where to Go After

Prinsep Ghat has a specific quality on a February morning — empty ghats, the Hooghly carrying a light mist, and the kind of quiet that Kolkata almost never...

#India#Kolkata#West Bengal
Chunchi Falls from Bangalore (2026) — Waterfall, Sangam & Bheemeshwari Day Trip
BLOG POST
Chunchi Falls, Terigedoddi, Kanakapura taluk, Bengaluru South, Karnataka, 562119, India

Chunchi Falls from Bangalore (2026) — Waterfall, Sangam & Bheemeshwari Day Trip

Update — March 2026 Access to the water at Chunchi Falls is currently restricted — the guided trek to the plunge pool is no longer operating. The viewpoint...

#Bangalore#India#Mysore
Hesaraghatta Lake & Grasslands — Day Trip from Bangalore (Birdwatching, Cycling & More)
BLOG POST

Hesaraghatta Lake & Grasslands — Day Trip from Bangalore (Birdwatching, Cycling & More)

Hesaraghatta Lake and surrounding Avalahalli Forest - quick getaway from Bangalore. I had heard a lot about Hesaraghatta grasslands which is close to the...

#Bangalore#Nature
Why we Went Back to Thailand
BLOG POST
ถ้ำหลังหลง, Only during low tide!, ตำบลอ่าวนาง, อำเภอเมืองกระบี่, จังหวัดกระบี่, 81210, ประเทศไทย

Why we Went Back to Thailand

We first went to Thailand in December last year — a whirlwind loop of Phuket > Koh Lanta > Ao Nang > back to Phuket. It was amazing: wandering...

#Travelogues#Thailand#Krabi
Top places to visit in Vietnam
BLOG POST
Thành phố Hà Nội, Việt Nam

Top places to visit in Vietnam

There's a lot in Vietnam to cover in one vacation.Vietnam astounds with its contrasts, from bustling metropolises brimming with energy to serene beaches and...

#Travelogues#Vietnam#Temples
Bangalore to Madikeri: The Ultimate 3-Day Coorg Road Trip Itinerary
BLOG POST
Madikeri, Madikeri taluku, Kodagu, Karnataka, 571201, India

Bangalore to Madikeri: The Ultimate 3-Day Coorg Road Trip Itinerary

Escape the city with our perfect 3-day Bangalore to Coorg road trip itinerary. Discover the best routes, scenic stops, coffee plantations, and stays in Madikeri.

#Bangalore#India#South India
Travel Blog | WanderingBong