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Oindrila Goes Footloose

Travel Blog by Oindrila Soni

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oindrilade

Formerly Oindrila De
Travel Writer 🌍 Epicure 🍴 Marathoner 👣
📝 Latest post on my travel blog👇

Woke up to this gorgeous view on my birthday.🌅

Woke up to this gorgeous view on my birthday.🌅

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Thank you, my dearest husband @martinrsoni 😘for making this milestone birthday a memorable one and keeping it a surprise all the while.

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When we were dating 2 years ago, I remember sitting on that ledge one day, by the Gateway of India. We both looked up at the iconic structure of the Taj Mahal Palace and wondered if we'd ever stay there. Perhaps on our 50th wedding anniversary, we thought to ourselves... But I had no clue you'd make this happen so soon! ❤️

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#besthusbandever #tajhotels #tajhotelmumbai #tajmahalpalace #tajmahalpalacehotel #tajmahalpalacemumbai #tajmahalpalacehotelmumbai #gatewayofindia #gatewayofindiamumbai #arabiansea #sunrise #mumbai_in_clicks #mumbai_diaries #luxurystay #luxurystaycation #staycation2020 #mumbaisunrise #birthdaysurprise #luxuryhotels #luxuryvacations #luxurytravel #roomwithaview #besthotelsintheworld #beautifulsunrise #beautifuldestinations #heritageproperties #heritagehotel #gorgeousplaces

In most of the countries that I visit, the locals

In most of the countries that I visit, the locals often seem to tower over me. This was never bothersome to me until one day, the lady at the museum ticket counter offered me a "children's discount" to enter a cave-museum in Budapest.

I gradually grew to become conscious of my height, which until then, I thought was quite average. This led to a manic buying of stilettos, wedges and platforms - basically, any type of heeled shoes I could get my hands on (rather, "feet in"). I would never dare to wear flats, and being barefoot was unthinkable.

As I matured with age, I realized I was being so stupid. The only person I was fooling with the heels was myself. Since when did my height begin to define me anyway! Embracing my natural self was one of the best things I could do to myself. So what if others think I'm short? I'm taller in other ways. I'm not afraid of being barefoot anymore. :-)

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#MyBodyMyCare #YehHaiNayiDilli #POPxoXBodycare

@popxodaily @delhicapitals @bodycarecreations

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#oindrilagoesfootloose #nomakeup #indiaclicks #india #desidiaries #indiatravelgram #india_clicks #india_ig #exploremore #travelmemories #travelthrowback #simplicity #naturalhair #naturalwoman #travelblogger #travelwriter

Maharashtra is home to quite a few rocky #beaches

Maharashtra is home to quite a few rocky #beaches that make for pleasant hangouts to catch the monsoon or watch sunsets.

Unfortunately, we risk losing many of these beautiful beaches due to our neglect of #sustainability. The lack of appropriate waste disposal, a disregard for the indigenous ecosystem, and plastic pollution are turning most of these natural escapes into open dump yards.

To reverse the negative impact, we can actively create awareness about methods to rescue beaches. Some starter points are:

🟡 Stop the discharge of untreated industrial and residential waste into the #beach surroundings.

🟡 Prevent the illegal collection of sea shells, small marine creatures such as snails and starfish, and also sand. Beach #preservation is at the core of sustaining beaches.

🟡 Carry out beach cleaning at least once a week, especially if it's a frequently visited one.

🟡 Plastic should be strictly avoided at the beach since there's always a risk of plastic waste being dragged into the deep sea through the waves on the shore. Even if it's recyclable plastic, you can't guarantee that the trash will be picked up and responsibly disposed before a wave laps it up.

🟡 If you're looking to dip into the #sea water, be mindful of the creams and cosmetics you have on. Most sunscreen lotions are not environment friendly. To be on the safer side, use sunblocks and soaps certified by WSO's @friendofthesea_official.

For guidelines that are more comprehensive, check out the recommendations of World Sustainability Organization.

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#oindrilagoesfootloose #danapani #danapanibeach #beachesofinstagram #beachesofindia #beachescape #beachesandnature #beachvibes #beachlife #beachday #beachview #beachlifestyle #sustainablebeaches #beachesofmaharashtra #beachesofmumbai #rockybeach #rockybeaches #beachconservation #friendofthesea #sustainablelifestyle #sustainabletravel

#Sustainability is not something you do once a whi

#Sustainability is not something you do once a while. It is an attitude, a dedicated change to your lifestyle.

You can make sustainable choices in even small things such as the food you consume.

When I look at my plate of masala #uttapam, I don't usually think about how the ingredients made their way into this delicacy. But if I did, I'd discover many opportunities to make selections that are environmentally ethical.

Whether you are a consumer or a producer of food grains, vegetables and fruits, here are some ways to get started on responsible #farming:

✅ The farming practice should not deteriorate the soil of its essential minerals. Crop rotation, especially with nitrogen-fixing plants, go a long way in sustaining soil quality.

✅ Avoid tillage, even if you have to wait longer to see the results. Tilling contributes to soil erosion, whereas farming without tillage results in improved crop yields, water conservation and also a lot of 💲 saved on equipment cost, energy expenses and manpower.

✅ Use renewable energy sources for agricultural needs. Solar panels and windmills start giving returns on their investments in a few years.

✅ Insist on fair wages and fair trade practices for farm workers. Sustainability is not just for nature and animals, it's for humans too.

✅ Look for farm produce which are certified by an organisation that ratifies #sustainable products. @friendoftheearth_official has a list of vendors that follow ethical agricultural practices. Their WSO-certified products undergo regular audits.

Feel free to add to this list if you have more insights on #responsiblefarming.

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#masalauttapam #southindianfood #southindianbreakfast #southindiancuisine #sustainableliving #sustainablelifestyle #sustainablefarming #sustainablefood #sustainableagriculture #sustainablelife #responsibleagriculture #responsiblefood #ethicalfarming #ethicalagriculture #friendoftheearth

Last year, when I swam with the critically endange

Last year, when I swam with the critically endangered 🐢hawksbill sea turtles of the Indian Ocean, I realized how important it is to be mindful of responsible #snorkeling.

Underwater excursions are integral to #maldives' tourism, just as it is for most other archipelagos and countries with a sizeable shoreline. However, this thirst for undersea exploration should not turn into an occasion of intimidation for marine creatures.

If you plan to go #swimming with sea #turtles, remember that you should:

1️⃣ Maintain a distance of at least 2 metres from the #reptile.

2️⃣ Not create an atmosphere of panic for the animal by swimming towards it from the front.

3️⃣ Swim alongside the turtle without attempting to touch it. (If a turtle feels threatened, it can bite you.)

4️⃣ Never try to swim directly over or under the turtle, even if it is to take highly Instagrammable selfies or videos.

5️⃣ Avoid creating a lot of noise with your fins flapping against the water surface as this will scare the 🐢. The correct way to use fins is to keep them underwater at all times.

These are just a few of many aspects to be aware of if you genuinely are an #environmentallyconscious traveler and an #animallover .

If you happen to be an experience provider, consider getting your services audited and attested by @friendofthesea_official, which is an arm of WSO (World Sustainability Organization) that certifies products, organizations and services on #sustainability.

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#oindrilainmaldives #swimmingwithturtles🐢 #snorkelingadventure #hawksbillturtle #hawksbillseaturtle #criticallyendangered #criticallyendangeredspecies #sustainabletravel #sustainabletourism #responsibletravel #responsiblesnorkelling #friendofthesea #indianocean #earthfocus #maldives_ig #turtlereef #southmaleatoll #maldivessnorkelling

If there's one place where I want to go back after

If there's one place where I want to go back after the lockdown is lifted, it is the mountains.

It has really been a while since I took my hiking boots out. My last memory of snow is across the Pacific, in a continent I'm not sure I want to see again.

But I really want to go back to the high altitudes, ensure I have no mobile coverage, leave no trace of my trail (and the snowfall makes that easy), and no forwarding address. Will there ever be an escape this time?

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#oindrilagoesfootloose #mountains #highaltitude #mountainlife #snow #snowyday #snowsnowsnow #snowlife #snowy #mountainscape #mountainlovers #travelescape #beforequarantine #pinetrees #pine #winterwonderland #winterhiking #winterhike #hiking #trekkinglovers #hikingtrails #snowhike #snowtrek #hikingculture

As I read about restaurants opening up around the

As I read about restaurants opening up around the world, I still wait for Mumbai to let us eat out again.

I absolutely love cooking at home, but the longing to go someplace nice every now and then doesn't leave me.

In the rewired, unlocked world, we'll probably have better chances of having entire restaurants to ourselves so we can bask in our new-found exclusivity.

[Picture from our trip to Paradise Island in the Maldivian archipelago]

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#postcovidtourism #postcovidtravel #vacationvibes #vacationgoals #vacationmode #finedining #postcovidlife #postcovidworld #Maldives #maldivesreopening #visitmaldives #maldivesphotography #maldives_ig #maldivesrestaurants #paradiseislandresortmaldives #paradiseislandresort #paradiseisland #sunnydays #beautifulrestaurants #diningonthedeck #alfrescodining #throwback😍 #privateisland #privatedining

Far from the madding crowd... I can't believe I w

Far from the madding crowd...

I can't believe I was holidaying here much "before" my city was locked down. This is where I'd rather stay than in the midst of the chaos that Mumbai is fast returning to.

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#oindrilagoesfootloose #igdaily #igatpuri #igatpuridiaries #igatpuriscenes #mundegaon #mundhegaon #maharashtra_ig #maharashtratourism #moodygrams #lightroomedits #tree #treesofinstagram #treephotography #lakesofinstagram #lakelife #lakedays #natureescapes #offbeattracks #offbeattravel #weekendretreat #weekendgetaway

The door at one of my favourite cafes in Mumbai!😍

Abstract art, exposed brick walls, mosaic tiles, and the clink of cups that carry the famous Madras filter coffee...

I can't help but think of Madras Diaries now that my husband makes me his signature filter coffee every now and then.

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#madrasdiaries #cafesofmumbai #cafestagram #cafesofinsta #cafe #cafeculture #exposedbrick #interestingplaces #interestingfinds #cafelove #doorsofinstagram #doordecor #interiordesign #interiors #interiordecor #doorart #cityfinds #moodygrams

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