GRRRL TRAVELER - Part 10

Photo Essay: Is Goa over its hype?

Filed under Mumbai / Goa, Photo Essays by Christine Ka'aloa on March 25, 2011 at 11:49 am {3 comments}

Just a sidenote: traveling and uploading pictures for my blog isn’t as easy as I thought it would be. Sifting through the barrage of photos, resizing and uploading/linking can be a bit of a time consuming trick. Needless to say, I’m finding photos I’m looking for… after I post.

In my last post I touched briefly on the beaches in Goa and their um… tourist mania. As I explained, Baga Beach (& Calangute, it’s sister beach) can be a bit of a water sport carnival. Here are a few more pictures which may make you wonder- Is this still India? (more…)

Love Letter #9: Purpose & Panic in Goa

Filed under India, Love Letter Postcards by Christine Ka'aloa on March 22, 2011 at 11:15 am {5 comments}

: Mandrem Beach, Goa, India

Dear Love,

With all my rush to get here, I’ve forgotten why I came.

I’m in Goa, India, sitting in a Nepalese restaurant by the beach typing. Words are my anchor. Will they help me find myself? The beach is like a white canvas stretched out and striped with delicate skeleton of hand-made bridges, which take resort guests out to hotel-manned large beach umbrellas, lounge chairs and sun tanning stations. Much of what surrounds this is space.

I made no plans, plotted no route or destination. I assume I’d just Be, Experience, Live…and the path would magically create itself. What a fool.

Where shall I go next?

The question begs a deeper reflection and sharper query:

Why are you here?

Purpose.

(more…)

Goa: Solo Fears, Scooters and Dreds

Filed under India, Mumbai / Goa by Christine Ka'aloa on March 21, 2011 at 3:48 am {9 comments}

Looking at the sea out from Baga Beach, the sea is shining, teasing,… much like the vibe of the locals and beaches in Goa. As a female traveling who’s been nervous about traveling india alone, I feel surprisingly safe here. Waves tickling my feet, a pineapple lassi in hand, I look out at the beach. Even the cows are catching their daily dose of sand and rays.

“Goa is one of the friendliest spots in the India. ”

That’s why, Tara, a native from Kolkata, is back in Goa for a six-month stint of work at one of the many Baga beachside restaurants, Shining Star. I asked (more…)

7 Ways to See Bangkok (and love it!)

Filed under Bangkok, Thailand tips & stays by Christine Ka'aloa on March 19, 2011 at 5:15 pm {6 comments}

Motorbike taxis are popular with locals as a cheap and quick way to zig-zag in and out of traffic. Watch the Thai as they ride side-saddle; they’re real pros at this!

One of the biggest things I love about Bangkok? It’s never boring. Each day in this Thai capital presents a stunning visual array of sights and activities to keep cameras clicking and wallets opening for budget vacation splurges. From proudly historical to dilapidated, devoutly traditional to contemporary, the city’s changing urban faces can appear confused as to the direction it leans. That doesn’t matter. Hop a flight to Bangkok and watch your tourist itinerary grow into “101 Things to See“!

Here’s 7 Top things to do and see in Bangkok:

(more…)

Love Letter #8: Retreat

Filed under India, Love Letter Postcards by Christine Ka'aloa on March 18, 2011 at 11:15 am {2 comments}

Anjuna, Goa, India

Dear Love,

A big unknown looms before us.

Tides… come and go.

Aannaa. Jaannaa.

For now, let me withdraw, observe, breathe…

Let my breath sound with the sea.

GRRRL

Written by Christine Ka'aloa India

Photo Essay: Slumdogs of Mumbai

Along Carter Road runs a promenade which Mumbainikers go to for a stroll, to walk their dog or to just hang out by the beach. One of the nice things about this boardwalk are their benches. Some have inscribed memorials to people, some have short sayings and some have stray dogs, a large problem in India. Here are just a few of those benches– with slumdog or without.

March 16, 2011 2

Written by Christine Ka'aloa India

Mumbai: A reformed Bombay?

Mumbai.

Action. Motion. Heat. Noise.

A cacophony of sound and moving drive-by sights accost my taxi window on the drive into the heart of this blazing city. Overwhelmed and excited, everything felt raw, jaw-dropping or new to me and the problem began– what to focus my attention upon first?

All is a soiled hotbed of moving, honking, hawking, digging, driving, walking and selling activity. Roadside stands line the streets in endless stream, selling everything from food, souvenirs, cellphones,… tires.

March 15, 2011 4

Written by Christine Ka'aloa * Korea tips & stays

Are there Apple stores in Korea ?

Attention all Mac and Apple fans, you can get your Apple fix in Korea too!

When I first arrived to Korea and realized I needed a converter plug for my Apple Powerbook, I was given an apologetic look and an explanation that there weren’t many Apple stores here. I was told there was one store in Seoul called Frisbee.
there are more stores than I was led to believe… Korea has two certified Apple Reseller stores– Frisbee and a# .

March 14, 2011 4

Written by Christine Ka'aloa * Korea tips & stays

Top 7 Things to Do in Seoul

For a weekend traveler living in Korea, Seoul makes my blood race. Sometimes there’s an ongoing list of things of events taking place or sometimes, I just have to create my own ways of having fun.