Month: February 2014

beaches in south Australia, Kangaroo Island

My First Impressions of Australia.

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Three days ago, I  woke up to pristine blue waters as my Singapore Airlines flight hovered over the coast of Australia. Five years after my first trip to Melbourne, I am back in the land down under – ready to experience more and drink less (yes, that trip’s a bit of a blur). So far, I’ve spotted kangaroos and koalas in the wild,  indulged my taste buds, and seen some of the country’s most pristine beaches. These are my first impressions: Shivya NathWelcome to my blog, The Shooting Star. I’ve been called a storyteller, writer, photographer, digital nomad, “sustainability influencer,” social entrepreneur, solo traveller, vegan, sustainable tourism consultant and environmentalist. But in my heart, I’m just a girl who believes that travel – if done right – has the power to change us and the world we live in.

Hidden Treasures on a Road Trip in Maharashtra.

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I had no idea what a road trip near Mumbai might reveal. Turns out, pristine lakes, virgin beaches and stunning villages await on a road trip in Maharashtra. I am transiting through Singapore on my way to South Australia as I pen this. Amid the excitement of visiting the land down under, I find myself looking back fondly at the last week, which we spent road tripping through rural Maharashtra. Just 2.5 hours away, this road trip near Mumbai revealed many hidden surprises! We drove along pristine lakes, stayed at a work-in-progress art village just off Panchgani, and lazed in the warm afternoon sun on virgin beaches along the Konkan coast. Here’s my visual ode to the state – and some ideas for your own road trip in Maharashtra: READING MURAKAMI BY PAWNA LAKE near Lonavala, finishing this picture of tranquility. A GORGEOUS SELF-CATERING ABODE IN PAWNA NAGAR  on a hill, overlooking Pawna Lake – making for a perfect stop on a road trip in Maharashtra. A PRISTINE OUTDOOR OFFICE by the mango trees, quaint …

travel, travel writing, earn while travelling

How to Earn Money While Travelling?

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About this post: How to travel for a living? How to make money while travelling? How to earn money travel blogging? Jobs involving travel? How to score a travelling job? In this post, I try to sum up answers to all your questions about earning money while travelling – including location independent jobs, freelancing and travel blogging. Earlier this week, I arrived in my hometown Dehradun, to find a big box waiting for me to open. I was overwhelmed to find a sparkling trophy inside, engraved with my name – a physical testimony to the “Best Indian Travel Blogger” award that I won at the Indian Blogger Awards 2013, held by Indiblogger! A big THANK YOU to everyone for your support, especially those who spared a moment to write a testimonial for this blog. My inspiration to blog is back with a vengeance, and I’m opening the floor to questions and topics YOU want me to write about. I promise to share honest views on travel, places that I’ve been to, and blogging (and life, if you really want my …

Toronto: 7 Best Free Things to do.

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My last memory of Canada is strolling along a charming neighborhood in the residential suburbs of Toronto with my blogger friend Mariellen. I had spent the morning at CN Tower, playing Titanic over the edge of the city, and caught a free lunchtime concert outside the subway. On my flight home, I pledged to come back and experience more of the city’s awesomeness, a lot of which is indeed free! Shivya NathWelcome to my blog, The Shooting Star. I’ve been called a storyteller, writer, photographer, digital nomad, “sustainability influencer,” social entrepreneur, solo traveller, vegan, sustainable tourism consultant and environmentalist. But in my heart, I’m just a girl who believes that travel – if done right – has the power to change us and the world we live in.

kerala backwaters, North Kerala, India Untravelled

God’s Own “Island” by the Kasaragod Backwaters!

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We slowly row away from the shore, leaving behind the dim lights on our palm-fringed island in Kerala. The current in the backwaters sways our tiny kayak. After a brief show of resistance, we surrender and let it guide us. Small fish occasionally jump out of the water, creating ripples. A thousand stars shimmer in the sky above. These are the virgin Kasaragod backwaters. Silent, untouched and without a houseboat in sight (Also read: What India (and the World) Can Learn From Sustainable Tourism in Kerala). I first visited Oyster Opera – this pristine island in Kerala two years ago, while charting out The Best Kept Secrets of Kerala trail for India Untravelled. When we impulsively decided to fly from Singapore to Kochi a few days back, I found myself craving the tranquillity of this little paradise. It is neither a resort nor a homestay, but just a place that perfectly encapsulates the languid way of life in these Kasaragod backwaters. Also read: Offbeat Kerala: 11 Travel Experiences to Inspire the Artist in You On …