All posts tagged: reviews

Crater lake, taal lake, taal volcano

5 Offbeat Travel Destinations in Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia is so much more than an oasis of Chinese culture. Its unique Β landscapes and hidden islands are waiting to be discovered by mainstream tourism, and until that happens, it will be sure to please any travel-lusting wanderer. The isolation of Β its beauty is perhaps what sets it apart from every place else in the world. I originally wrote about these 5 undiscovered places in Southeast Asia as a guest post for GotSaga. 5.Β Perhentian Islands, Malaysia There is nothing like a rejuvenating getaway amid turquoise waters and white sands. Add to that snorkeling in an underwater world of sharks, smoking shisha on the beach under the stars, riding a speedboat on low tide under the moonlight, and an upbeat atmosphere created by half a dozen small cafes serving up the most delicious milkshakes. 4. Taal Volcano, Philippines Welcome to a volcano within a lake within a volcano within another lake! Hidden somewhere among the clouds, Taal Volcano is the world’s smallest active volcano, located on the island of Luzon in the Philippines.Β Tagytay City affords …

Advertising bites, 2009

Creativity can never be drained out of advertising. I don’t know if sales will increase post these ads, but smiles definitely will. An incredible Incredible India TV commercial by Nirvana films. A wonderfully executed TV commercial by TATA Communications for its foreign markets (hence not featured on Indian TV). A glocalized Intel ad for an Indian audience. An Amul billboard I spotted in Bombay, targeting the 90% reservation proposal for SSC students by the Maharashra government. Never doubt the power of the freedom of speech in a democracy! What are your favorites this year? 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.

Keep Off The grass

I finally found, read and loved a book that hasn’t been extensively reviewed (yet) on the blogosphere! If you aren’t already enticed by the title, get a load of this: an Indian investment banker on Wall Street, born and brought up in the US, decides to quit his million dollar job to go to India to find his roots. He enrolls himself at IIM (Indian Institute of Management) Bangalore, and what ensues is a hillarious chase of answers, grades and weed.Β  Obviously, the IIM turns out to be completely different from typical B-schools in the US and elsewhere. Samrat Ratan, the protagonist, once a Yale valedictorian and a big-shot banker, is pitted against the super-brained IITians from the country, only to discover that mediocrity has its own virtues. His constant struggle between his American upbringing and Indian roots initially finds no solace in the rat-race of grades and jobs, until he realizes that relationships are what really matter.Β  In his quest for happiness, Samrat meets Sarkar and Vinod, the former an incredibly smart guy with …

Happy Independence Day, India

15th August is when every Indian heart beats to the rhythm of the Indian national anthem and all eyes sparkle in the glory of the Indian tricolor. Every Independence Day, a dream is born. A dream to see India rise above all else, and become an epitome of peace, secularism and development. 62 years ago, India freed itself from the colonial shackles of the British empire. Indian freedom fighters displayed undaunted courage, and drowned their lives in a patriotic wave that has swept the country since. This Independence Day, let’s pledge in our hearts to work towards a united, educated, truly liberated India. “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has.”Β I borrow these words fromΒ Margaret Mead, very applicable in theΒ context of India. Every time you bloat in Indian pride, the fire of a nation is rekindled. Every morning thatΒ you pray to God, any God, a nation’s secularism is renewed. Every day that you speak no foul word, a nation’s peace …