Archive | June, 2013

Sanjeev Nanda’s tips for budding bikers!

26 Jun

Gone are those days when owing a bike was reserved for aristocrats or upper-middle class individuals. Presently every other person owns a bike. The moment you think about getting on your two wheels, I am sure that you will be bombarded with many people queuing up to offer their expert and free advice on how you should ride your bike. The reality of incidents occurring on roads will never change and hence it is highly recommended for anyone who rides a bike to take precautionary measures in order to avoid accidents or get into hassles.

Sanjeev NandaThis article is an extract from the Sanjeev Nanda travel diary and I hope that these tips will assist you in your bike road-trips.

  1. Though it’s a time consuming affair, do make sure that you thoroughly read every single page of owner’s manual. Doing so will help you in understanding the road rules and you will be able to maintain the flexibly of your bike in a long-term prospective.
  2. Tires lay a concrete foundation in the smooth functioning of a bike so; make it a point to check the surface of your bike tires for cuts, deflation or any other related issues.
  3. Other than the tires, do check the working mechanism of the bike accessories like the clutch, break, cables and especially the accelerators.
  4. It is acknowledged that you might not be familiar about each and every aspect of a bike’s working mechanism so, get your bike serviced by a reputed technician and at regular intervals.

To conclude, once you begin to follow the aforementioned tips, you will succeed in flaunting your bike and bike-riding skills without any risks. Do not forget that prevention is always better than cure so a slight negligence from your part could end up in a complete disaster.

To know about more about my biking stories, keep checking the articles posted in Sanjeev Nanda’s blog.

My wine tour to Santa Barbarsa by Sanjeev Nanda

25 Jun

sanjeev nanda santabarbaraHi, I am Sanjeev Nanda and this follow-up article in my blog will talk about my travel experience in Santa Barbara. ‘Wow’ is the only word that hits my mind whenever I recall my trip to Santa Barbara. Recent case studies have shown that Santa Barbara entertains more than a million tourists every year.

A trip to Santa Barbara with no wine tours will be an absolute waste so whenever you visit this part of the world, make sure that you enjoy privileges of wine tours. Regardless of the fact that you are an occasional wine sipper or a regular wine enthusiast, exotic wines prepared in Santa Barbara’s wineries like Santa Ynez and Foxen Canyon will get you in that perfect mood.

If you are a luxury lover, all you need to do is rent a limousine so that you can pamper yourself throughout your wine trip. Driving a car all by yourself will not just snatch away luxuries, but you will miss out experiencing the aesthetic beauty of Santa Barbara. Black hanging grapes will keep on tempting you throughout your wine tour.

Unlike other places, you do not need to wait for a specific month to plan your vacation in Santa Barbara, this place is known for its perennial tropical climate. So all you need to do is just pack your bags anytime and set yourself for a luxury trip.

For the reason that there are several wineries in this region, you will come across more than hundreds of exotic wine tasting opportunities. If you are an occasional wine sipper, avoid tasting the harder wines because it might intoxicate you. 0.08% is a permissible drinking limit so make sure that you do not exceed it because a slight negligence from your end can cost you heavily in the long run.

As a whole, keep the above mentioned things in mind to enjoy interruptedly in Santa Barbara. Look out for more stories from the excerpts of Sanjeev Nanda’s unforgettable trips!

Things you need to know when in India – by Sanjeev Nanda

3 Jun

When you are solo traveler in India, there are so many things that you need to take note of. From paying extra attention to what you eat and where you go, to making sure you are not being cheated by anybody or everybody.

While travelling solo, there are a few things that I learned. If you keep these travel tips in mind, your trip to this cultural melting pot will be as memorable as any other destination. Trust me – you will have the time of your life!

While many see India as an unsafe country along with extreme weather during summer months, there is so much more that meets the eye.

When in India – Always, always & always drink sterilized water! This is extremely important from a health perspective. Watch the mineral water bottle that you buy very carefully. Check if the seal is intact, if not ask the seller to replace it at once with another sealed bottled.

The same alert goes for food. Try avoiding street food or anything that has been in the open for long. It is best to dine in a restaurant of repute rather than mess up with your digestive system. Unless you are accustomed to such food options and your system isn’t that sensitive, it is best to be safe than sorry.

Keep your driver’s license with you at all times. While travelling in trains, you may be asked for identification. In case you don’t have your passport with you, this will work just fine.

When travelling to famous tourist spots, remember to hire a guide from an authorized and recognized travel agency. Being locals, they know best. From the best souvenir shops to the history of the monuments, they will assist you accordingly.

Next, it is highly recommended to spend time on researching about your accommodation options and book your tour in advance. Most hotels won’t ask for your credit card details at the time of the booking but if you are planning a stay in one of the reputed hotel chains, they just might.

Do remember to confirm the package/stay/tour charges once you arrive at the hotel. Confusions and miscommunications can be best avoided with prior information and booking closures so that you can enjoy a hassle free vacation.

Lastly, keep your emergency contacts stored in your mobile/laptop/tablet and a notebook. List a local friend or someone you trust as your emergency contact as they would be more equipped and knowledgeable about the area. Do ensure that you store the contact details of a local medical practitioner in case of any emergency.

India is a vast and an amazing place to visit. You may have spent months here and still might not have experienced the best of its cultural and heritage wealth.

For more travel stories by Sanjeev Nanda, stay tuned!