Travel Talk- Saving money for full time travel?

Well, hardest part in full-time travel is to survive without a job. Spending wisely and saving every rupee means a lot. I took a couple of years after I quit my job and started traveling, to realize how saving little by little makes a big difference. I observed my savings were evaporating faster than I thought! There are many articles floating around on internet with general tips. But, saving money is very personal. What works for one may not work for another. Saving can be very effective when there is a strong desire and determination to fund your travel dream. Saving money is not an easy thing. It takes a lot of effort, creativity and sacrificing many of the lifestyle addictions. We may not succeed as we have planned but best thing to do is ... keep trying ... to make our dreams come true! 

Colorful Skies- Sunrise seen from Mather Point, Grand Canyon

Many times I consider Grand Canyon as The Canyon as if there is no other canyon in this big world! That could be because of the beauty of the rocks or may be I haven't seen anything better than it yet! I have visited this park more than once and every time I did spend more than 3 days here. I watched sunrise and sunset everyday. And every time from a different viewpoint. This is one of the closeups I captured in my camera from Mather Point. Lovely memories!

National Parks- Grand Canyon National Park

Grand Canyon National Park is very popular and visited by many- guess why? It is a magnificent work of art by Mother Nature, on the rocks by the river and with time. The Grand Canyon- a gorge of the Colorado River, a massive, imposing landscape is a World Heritage Site and also considered to be one of the seven Natural Wonders of the World. The grandeur, the beauty and the majesticity of this canyon is unparalleled. The beauty is increased by the layers of exposed colored rocks and the vastness. The park contains several types of ecosystems, different life zones and three types of desert systems. It is one of the places to view the rarest bird in the world- California Condor. Like all other national parks in USA, there is an entry fee of $20.

Colorful Skies- Sunrise and Thor's Hammer, Bryce Canyon

Bryce Canyon National park in south-western Utah is a land of beauty! Amphitheaters filled with hoodoos of different shapes and sizes and colors, it is one of the mesmerizing landscapes. Thor's Hammer is one of the special hoodoos and I happened to be there at sunrise. It was an unforgettable scene!

Random Thoughts- The passion called Travel!

I happened to have a chat with an acquaintance who lives in the same apartment complex as me. And obviously the conversation turned to travel. During the conversation she kept on repeating one line ... Oh! I have a job, I have a family. If I were 'like you' I would also travel. When saying 'like you' she sounded like she is alleging me of something! By the end of that conversation I was thinking ... Anybody 'who wants to' can travel ... but then, what is it to be 'like you'?

Hawaii- More from Big Island!

Big Island of Hawaii is popular for its most active volcano Kilauea. But, there are many other places one could enjoy this island's volcanic beauty. As any other island it has numerous beaches on the western coast and waterfalls on the wind and rain swept eastern coast. If you take a drive along the perimeter of the island numerous viewpoints await you.

Colorful Skies- Moonset for a change!

When we think about beautiful colorful skies always sunrises or sunsets come into mind. For a change I am posting a picture of a moonset on a full-moon night! One October night a couple of years ago I attended a photography meetup at Suthro Baths in San Fancisco. Suthro Baths are ruins of a large 19th century swimming pool which were abandoned almost several decades ago.

National Seashore- Point Reyes, The beautiful coast

Point Reyes National Seashore is one of the gems of San Francisco bay area. Point Reyes peninsula is surrounded by the peaceful Pacific ocean. The seashore is just not a beach where one can hangout, it is an array of habitats for marine wildlife. Beaches, bays, lagoons, estuaries, tide pools and so on ... The  National Seashore was established to protect the delicate wilderness and ancient tribal culture and now it is a natural sanctuary for hundreds of plants and wildlife and also to the human spirit. The seashore offers long stretches of sandy beaches, hiking trails many other recreational activities. One of my favorite places where I went looking for photo-opportunities, inspiration and solitude!

Random Thoughts- Why do people travel?

Why do you travel? is one question everyone around me and everyone I meet ask me. As I have mentioned in my 'About me' page that I have an 'intense internal compulsion' to travel. When I say this some people get suspicious and some think I am crazy. Whatever the case may be I become a mysterious woman ... but then isn't it a valid and interesting question- Why do people travel? And we definitely get different personal opinions on traveling! There might be many posts in many blogs on this. I thought of putting my perspective together on this topic ... 

Hawaii- Iao Valley and the Needle, Maui

Iao Valley state park is one of the landmarks in Central Maui. This natural beautiful sacred valley is home for the iconic 1,200ft high Iao needle. The needle stands among the green towering cliffs guarding the valley. Mostly the top of these cliffs are covered with a blanket of fog enhancing the natural beauty of the valley. A short walk from the parking on a paved path  leads to the lookout. It was too windy when I was there.