Shoestring Travel : Travel Blog for Travel Tips on Budget

250 Photography Quotes from Famous Photographers

Photography quotes from famous photographers can teach us a lot. This blogpost which captures 230 photography quotes from famous photographers can not only teach you many things but also become a ready list that you can use to post photography quotes on Instagram or any Social Media.

I have been photographing for almost 12 years now and I often read these quotes and get inspired. Some basic quotes like " A photograph is usually looked at - seldom looked into." by Ansel Adams can teach us a lot. As a photographer when I read these Photography quotes these always remind me to look beyond the obvious while taking a photograph.

These 250 Photography Quotes will surely inspire you. My suggestion is to go through every photography quotes and ponder upon the deeper meaning. Trust me these photography quotes will help you to learn a lot.

Easy Indian Food Recipes from 28 States which You can Make at Home - Let's Travel across India through Indian Food recipes which you can easily make at home. When we can't travel in India the best way to travel across India is through culinary experiences from the Indian states.

With these 77 recipes for Indian food you are found to become a master chef at home, you will become the star of your home. This blogpost also consists of Traditional Indian food recipes. These Indian recipes don't take much time to prepare and you can prepare new Easy Indian Food every day for the next 2.5 months and will not get bored eating the same thing every day.

The lists of Easy Indian Food recipes are handpicked so that the ingredients are easily available to cook most of the Indian dishes and it doesn't take a long time to prepare this Indian food at home. The list Indian Food Recipes are listed statewise and are in chronological order. These easy Indian food recipe might not have originated from the state but is easily available food and one of the most popular Indian food in that state.

Darjeeling Himalayan Railway also is known as the Darjeeling Toy Train is not a journey but a blend of myriad emotions. Every person who plans to visit North Bengal should experience the Darjeeling Toy Train or the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway journey once in his lifetime. This Darjeeling Himalayan railway journey is nothing like other train journeys you would have taken.
Its a romance with Darjeeling.

( Source )

Why Ride on the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway or the Darjeeling Toy Train

Darjeeling Toy Train or Darjeeling Himalayan Railway journey is a journey of a lifetime. The journey is like a romance of the early 19th Century. You get to hear the sweet sound "Chuk chuk" of the toy train while you play with the whiff of the cold air of Darjeeling.

Chinatown in Bangkok is the ultimate food paradise. This Chinatown Bangkok guide contains Food in Chinatown, Things to do in Chinatown in Bangkok, and everything about Chinatown Bangkok. Every time I travel to Bangkok, I make it a point to visit Chinatown of Bangkok just for the food. Chinatown in Bangkok is unique as it is a blend of Thai & Chinese food. If you are thinking in Chinatown of Bangkok that you get only Chinese Food then let me tell you, that you are wrong. You get every kind of cuisine starting from Thai to Chinese and Chinatown of Bangkok offers amazing seafood and few exotic foods like fish fins.

Chinatown Bangkok Guide Food and Things To Do

This blog post is the ultimate guide for navigating Chinatown in Bangkok while you taste the amazing food and also see some unique sites in Chinatown of Bangkok. Trying out various options of food that Chinatown in Bangkok has to offer you is a must. Before we delve deeper and get lost in the tantalizing taste of the food we should know the history behind the place. By the way, it is on the Yaowarat Road.

History of Chinatown in Bangkok

Approximately 1400 years ago, the Chinese people from the provinces of Guangxi & Yunnan started migrating south. They migrated to the Northern Regions of Thailand.

The Tai people brought Chinese influence to Thai Cuisine. The world-famous Pad Thai is influenced by Chinese immigrants. The real name of Pad Thai is Kway Teow Phat Thai. "Kway Teow" is a Chinese word in a Chinese dialect which means rice noodles, and the entire name means stir-fried rice noodles Thai-style. Noodles and stir-frying are very Chinese, and immigration of the Chinese people brought the style of cooking to Siam. Flavors like tamarind, palm sugar, and chilies were the Thai twists.

Charak Gajan Festival in West Bengal has to be one of the most unique festivals. People often call it as Charak Gajan festival however these are two different kinds of a ritual known as Charak & Gajan. However, for the ease of reading in this blog, I will refer to it as the Charak Gajan festival. The festivals of Charak Gajan is celebrated on the last two days of the month of Chaitra just before the Bengali New Year. Poila Boishak or Bengali New Year falls in the mid of April and thus Charak Gajan festival is celebrated from 11th-14th April every year.

Origin & History of Charak Gajan Festival

Offbeat Destinations or places in Europe are something yet to be explored and the beauty of the places can be enjoyed devoid of tourists. I love Europe as a continent however most of the known places are over touristy. Hence before traveling to any country I always search for Offbeat Destinations. Not necessarily I find offbeat destinations before traveling however sometimes I discover offbeat destinations while on the move from the locals.

You can find offbeat destinations in your country too. Once this lockdown is over, travel to an offbeat destination in any country to enjoy the pure form of culture & nature. The offbeat destinations in a country offer you to experience the life, culture and interact with the local from close quarters. If you are in love with photography you will also get to capture some unique photographs at these offbeat destinations.

How to save money for travel is a question which many people ponder on. There are many ways to save money for travel. Small changes in our life or the way we live can help us to save a lot of money to travel. In this blogpost, we will discuss how to save money for travel.

After hearing that I have traveled to 26 countries, 5 Wonders of the World, 3 Continents and 23 states in India , people often ask me :

How can they save money for travel?

Well, this will automatically fall in place when you have the intent to travel. Once you plan that you want to travel and you have finalized where to travel the next step is to find out the approximate cost of traveling.

Just follow the below 20 tips on How to Save money for travel and you have enough money to go to your dream destination.

How to Save Money for Travel

I know many people who want to go to a particular place and try to save money to get the experience however due to certain constraints they are never able to save the money and end up going nowhere.

So how do I save money for travel?

NO, You don't have to downgrade your lifestyle to save money.

You can enjoy life and still save a huge amount for travelling. The following are my few personal tips

Long Weekend Holidays are special for people who have corporate jobs. By taking one or a maximum of two leaves we get almost Four to Five days leaves to travel. Every year I make a calendar for Long weekend holiday for myself and plan my travels in advance. This year I thought of sharing this Long weekend Holiday Calendar for 2020 so that you can benefit and plan your holidays too.

If you are from Kolkata, Mumbai, Delhi or Bangalore then this Long Weekend Holiday Calendar will help you to plan your perfect vacation during Long weekends in India. A small note before I start the local festival holidays may vary based on your company or state. However, I have taken into account the holidays given in 2020 by a few top companies in India. I have suggested the places where you should ideally based on the season however you always have an option to reshuffle the places where you want to travel during these Long weekend holidays in 2020.

So let’s begin the planning for Long weekend holidays in 2020.

If you want the PDF version of the Long Weekend Holiday Calendar , CLICK HERE to Download for Free.

Its Christmas in Kolkata and it is the time again the city of joy decks ups in beautiful lights. Christmas and New Year in Kolkata is special just like Durga Puja and until you are in Kolkata during Christmas you will not be able to get a feel of it.

Christmas in Kolkata is the time when people of Kolkata have yummylicious cakes, party the old colonial way and just have fun. This fun atmosphere extends from Christmas to New Year in Kolkata. There are lots of things to do in Kolkata during Christmas and New Year. If you plan to spend your Christmas or New Year in Kolkata then keep on reading the blog as Shoestring Travel brings exciting things to do during Christmas and New Year.

Have you ever entered into a Time Machine where time has stopped approximately 300 years back? Bari Kothi is a living time machine where, as soon as you enter you will be transformed into an era of Nawabs. Bari Kothi is a luxury boutique heritage hotel in Azimganj, Murshidabad which has been painstakingly restored to its lost glory. Bari Kothi welcomes you with its majestic Corinthian and Doric columns and lights from beautiful chandeliers. You take a small step inside Bari Kothi and you can’t miss the long corridors, beautiful checkered floor, antique furniture and to keep you company there is a library with old books. Bari Kothi has everything to take you back to the era when the aristocracy was Royal. If you want to get a royal experience Bari Kothi is the perfect luxury heritage hotel in India and is one of the best heritage hotels in India.

Bari Kothi is own by the Dhudhoria family and built by Rai Bahadur Budh Sing Dudhoria who belonged to the Sheherwali community. Before you time travel through Bari Kothi it’s important to understand the Sheherwali community. Understanding the Sheherwali community will help you appreciate the nuances of the Unique Luxury Heritage Hotel – Bari Kothi

Murshidabad Silk : The story of the golden threads. Most of the people relate the place- Murshidabad with Siraj Ud Daulah & Murshidabad Silk. Murshidabad has witnessed a golden legacy of innumerable important historical events that changed the history of India. Murshidabad is the second largest silk producing district in West Bengal. The position of Murshidabad near the Bhagirathi river made the town an important center for Silk Trade. Muslin, Jamdani and Baluchari Butidar Sarees from Murshidabad can be found in the Art Galleries of the Indian Museum in Kolkata, too.

Authentic Bengali food in Kolkata? Don’t worry, you don’t have to splurge. Every time someone comes to Kolkata and asks me where can s/he authentic Bengali food in Kolkata, I don’t recommend fine dining or specialty restaurants but I recommend to go to old heritage places which serve authentic Bengali food and in an authentic way. Well, Kolkata offers the perfect gastronomic journey for a foodie.

Kolkata serves unique food from breakfasts to dinner and you have to taste and try it yourself. One word of caution the places suggested here doesn’t have the best of the décor, however, one assurance you will find the tastiest foods here and will be able to pamper your taste buds with authentic Bengali food.

In search of authentic Bengali food in Kolkata, in this blog post, I will start with Breakfast and then move to lunch/dinner and end with evening snacks.

The pocket pinch in the below places is not more than Rs 200/300 per person. This price is for lunch and for breakfast and evening snacks it will be below Rs 100 per person.

Water Sports in Goa will give you adrenaline rush next time you plan your holiday in Goa. Goa – a most popular beach holiday destination is not only for Indians but foreigners too because of its beauty and ample opportunities for adventure. Goa is in the coastal area offering a wide range of water sports, especially in North Goa. There are a number of hotels, resorts and agencies who offer a wide range of water sports in Baga beach, Candolim beach, Bogmallo beach, Calangute beach, Cavelossim beach or Colva Beach at affordable rates. You can check Goa Yacht which has lots of options for water sports in Goa.

12 Water Sports in Goa

Goa the beach paradise in India is known for many beaches which are frequented by tourists, however, there are many Secret or Hidden Beaches in Goa which are not frequented by tourists. These hidden beaches in goa are almost empty and you will get a feel of a private beach in Goa. When visiting Goa forget the normal beaches like Baga, Anjuna, Calangute instead head to these hidden beaches in Goa.

These beaches are not in touristy areas hence don't expect to get shacks and food at these places. Carry your own lunchbox or packed food here. You and your friends or partner can have a perfect day at these hidden beaches in Goa.

If you are in a Hurry, You can PIN IT for later read

Ultimate Guide to Hidden Beaches in Goa #Goa #HiddenBeaches #Beaches #India

Where to Stay in Goa

When you are planning to visit the Hidden Beaches of Goa then why stay at a touristy place. Hidden beaches in Goa can be really enjoyed when you stay at a place near a hidden beach. Isn't it. Shoestring Travel suggests you stay in Agonda. If you stay in Agonda then few hidden beaches like Agonda beach, Cola Beach and Kakolem Beach will be just a few kilometers away and you can spend the whole day at these hidden beaches without thinking to return back to the hotel early.

There are sweet shops in Kolkata and there are Heritage Sweet shops in Kolkata. Kolkata or Bengal is synonymous with sweets. Kolkatans are incredibly proud of the sweets of Bengal and their unique appeal. There are numerous sweet shops in Kolkata which have sprouted like mushrooms and which are known for fusion or modern sweets. However, if you are looking for authentic and tasty sweets in Kolkata then where should you head?

My friends who come to Kolkata from outside Bengal often ask me this question - From where can I buy sweets to take back for my family. Most people are aware of one or two shops, however, there is a treasure trove of heritage shops which are serving Kolkata for more than 100 Years.

Yes, these Heritage sweets shops in Kolkata are more than 100 years old and you have to visit these places to get the real taste of sweets which Kolkata or Bengal is known for. They still have the old world charm and follow the authentic recipes of the sweets without adding any fusion to them. These legendary and heritage sweets shops in Kolkata are absolutely a must-visit in your lifetime.

History of Sweets of Kolkata

The contribution of Portuguese who were one of the first European settlers in Bengal can't be forgotten. The use of "Chhana" or Cottage Cheese in Bengali sweets are the contribution of Portuguese settlement who loved their cheese.

Rangrez a Muslim Marwari community whose tradition involves dyeing of clothes by hand in Kolkata is vanishing soon. Yes, you read it right a unique culture, heritage, and way of living will vanish from the city of Kolkata in the next 10 years if we don't do anything about it. Every year many cultures, communities, heritage vanish from the face of the earth due to modernization and this photo story is one such example of it where communities are vanishing from Kolkata in India.

While I was walking through the lanes of Kolkata in search of the Rangrez community who dye the clothes with hands using colors I remembered the Bollywood song from the Bollywood movie Tanu Weds Manu which means- "my Rangrez tell me which color have to put in the water with love"

Aye rangrez mere,

Yeh baat bata rangrez mere,

Yeh kaun se paani mein tu ne,

Kaun sa rang ghola hain…

These days only 10-15 families out of 3000+ Rangrez community practice the art. Rest all of them have shifted to other work. And if the current plight of the Rangrez community continues within 10 years these 10-15 families will stop practicing the art of dyeing clothes using their hands.

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About me

Tanayesh Talukdar
Travel Blogger & Photographer

An avid traveller & photographer always on the lookout for unique destinations,culture & food.At last count I had traveled to 26 countries across 5 continents.

I am extremely passionate about documenting the cultures & traditions on the verge of vanishing through my blog & photographs.

Through this travel blog Shoestring Travel I intend to bring travel stories & travel itineraries so that people can pursue their wanderlust on a budget.
If I can be of any help to you anything related to travel or photography I would be grateful.You can reach me at shoestringtravel.in@gmail.com

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Why Ride on the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway or the Darjeeling Toy Train

History of Chinatown in Bangkok

Origin & History of Charak Gajan Festival

How can they save money for travel?

How to Save Money for Travel

12 Water Sports in Goa

Where to Stay in Goa

History of Sweets of Kolkata

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