Latest Articles Archives - Adventures of a tiny lady

How to truly experience Ho Chi Minh City.

Posted on September 29, 2019July 25, 2020 by nickolai.kinny

Vietnam's various bays offer plenty of things to see and do for visitors, and are usually every traveller's first choice. But did you know there's also much charm and unique experiences in Vietnam's urban cities? Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam's busiest city. A chaotic whirlwind breathes life and movement into all who settle here, and visitors cannot help but be hauled along for the ride. It is an a...

How I save money to travel the world.

Posted on February 6, 2019March 1, 2019 by nickolai.kinny

Save money to travel! A travel fund can start with simple lifestyle changes you make over a few years so things add up towards that much deserved holiday. Most people assume that millennials who travel constantly either have massive trust funds or are very lucky. If I had a penny for every time someone said “You're so lucky” I’d have another lifetime of travel booked and planned. My usual respons...

How to prepare for your first long-term travel.

Posted on December 6, 2018January 20, 2022 by nickolai.kinny

I think it’s safe to say I've travelled a lot in the last year alone; I’ve made a living and a life from travel and I couldn’t imagine it any other way! I love to encourage people to take the leap and travel more, and I always have plenty of tips and tricks up my sleeve that I’ve learned from my own travels. But ever travel is different so don't forget to also check this must-read tips while prep...

Unique experiences in the Isle of Wight.

Posted on August 27, 2018January 24, 2019 by nickolai.kinny

The Isle of Wight is an island off the south coast of England; with half of the island being designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, it makes it an Instagramers dream destination! It's extremely easy to get to this little slice of heaven, it's just a short hop and a skip away. Hop on a 2-hour train from central London to Portsmouth, and then skip onto a 20 minute Wightlink f...

Paris on a platter – An ode to Anthony Bourdain.

Posted on June 24, 2018June 22, 2020 by nickolai.kinny

Very few people come into your life with a purpose to inspire without even realising it. For me that was Anthony Bourdain, he pushed the boundaries of what a TV show about food and travel could be, always with an insatiable curiosity and an unflagging respect for the people he met along the way. He inspired me to be inquisitive, seek compassion, and live life adventurously. After watching his Pari...

Alice in wonderland trail in Guildford.

Posted on January 31, 2018June 22, 2020 by nickolai.kinny

Alice is a normal young girl with a normal sort of life until she is reading a normal book on a sunny afternoon by the river and follows a white rabbit down a rabbit-hole and tumbles headfirst into Wonderland. Since a young age, I've always been taken by this charming world jam-packed with fantastic pictures and interestingly bizarre conversations, mad tea parties, croquet matches, riddles, race...

Books I read in 2017.

Posted on January 12, 2018January 11, 2019 by nickolai.kinny

In spite of moving countries, travelling and a precipitous drop off in blog posts, 2017 has been a fantastic year of reading. I did a poor job of keeping track of all my books and had to try and reconstruct it all over the last few days. I added them all to Goodreads because that was the easiest way to go about it. If you want to see the list, I believe clicking on the infographic on the left will...

Bombay to Birmingham, and everything in between.

Posted on January 4, 2018June 22, 2020 by nickolai.kinny

I’d like to ring in this New Year 2018 with a post that is a recap of my 2017 year in travel. From moving countries to my first snowfall, the adventures of this tiny lady has evolved significantly over this last year. Here's a look back at how far we travelled and what our favourite memories were: Moving back to Bombay: (December 2016) After spending 2 years of working and living abroad in t...

15 Indian habits I lost after moving to England.

Posted on May 5, 2017June 22, 2020 by nickolai.kinny

It's been 2month and 2 weeks since I arrived in England and it's slowly shaping this new person I'm becoming. And even though everybody who decides to move to a new country needs time to adjust to their new environment, I've noticed that some changes are merely accepted overnight (like no fans in your bedroom) while some take awhile (like bundling up for all kinds of weather) But here are som...

The beautiful palaces of Bhuj.

Posted on January 27, 2017June 22, 2020 by nickolai.kinny

My first stop on my journey through Kutch, headquarters of the district and the most important place in the area is the city of Bhuj. Picturesquely placed between two streams, Bhuj was built by Rao Khengarl (1548-85) with a city wall, 10.5mtrs high that forms a polygon to surround it. It has 5 major gates and one small gate known as Chathi bari. Not much remains of the fort wall after the multip...

Eat like a local: Paraguay

Posted on November 9, 2016January 5, 2018 by nickolai.kinny

Whoever said “eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a pauper” has obviously never been to Paraguay, where the food is not only cheap but delicious and drool-worthy and where it’s possible to eat every meal like a king! In October 2014, I had the opportunity from Gadventures to travel through a few countries in South America. While Paraguay was never on the plan, I foun...

Munnar, a vibrant hill station.

Posted on October 31, 2016November 2, 2016 by nickolai.kinny

Munnar is a famous hill station in Kerala and located at an elevation of 1700 meters above the sea level. It draws a large number of tourists every year because of its pleasant climate, lush green landscapes, and beautiful tea plantations. Munnar is located in the Western Ghats and has a large cover of the area under protection as it houses some of the rare species of flora and fauna. It also offe...

10 Things to do in Pondicherry.

Posted on August 8, 2016August 8, 2016 by nickolai.kinny

The good life, lies in Pondicherry. Perfect for a city break if you live in Bangalore or Chennai and easily accessible by an 3-6hour overnight bus. It is 135kms from Chennai which takes around 3-4 hours while it is around 350kms from Bangalore which takes 12 hours of travel time. The culture there is synonymous to being laid back, sunny, great sea food and tax free alcohol. My favourite part of ...

The world beneath our world

Posted on June 9, 2016December 30, 2016 by nickolai.kinny

On account of it being World Ocean Day yesterday, I wanted to surprise my readers with something straight out of my travel journals. Yes! There are a few stories and moments I hold onto and keep to myself, they're both sacred and almost never make it to this blog. But that might change and here’s a treat. It relives the memory of my first scuba dive in the Andaman Islands somewhere off Haveloc...

Camping at the beach.

Posted on May 14, 2016June 8, 2016 by nickolai.kinny

Last year, i finally took my friend Kris up on his millionth attempt to take me overnight camping by the beach. He picked Kashid, a beach town on the shores of the Arabian Sea, in the North Konkan region of Maharashtra, India. Located 30 kms from Alibaug and 135 kms from Mumbai on the Alibaug-Murud road. I rode pillion on his motorcycle all the way from Mumbai one weekend and we arrived at 9pm. Af...

Every adventurer needs a friend called Frodo!

Posted on May 2, 2016June 8, 2016 by nickolai.kinny

You know a new travel tech product is going to be good when its launched and backed by adventurers and for adventurers. NexGear is a tech startup in Mumbai with a focus on developing seamlessly wearable devices. It is driven by a core vision to better the way people capture and share their adventures. Made up of a bunch of travel, adventure, and photography enthusiasts who also happen to be engine...

Money Mistakes to Avoid While Traveling

Posted on March 17, 2016March 7, 2021 by nickolai.kinny

By this point, I think I’ve tried it all when it comes to carrying money while travelling. Going back to thinking about a few trips in the past, I can only chuckle and shake my head as I recall myself, cautious and frightened, carrying cash in money belts, various hidden pockets, and forex cards, which I came to know about during my first trip abroad. After a while, I immediately switched back to ...

5 Must try Malay dishes.

Posted on March 10, 2016March 7, 2021 by nickolai.kinny

If I could pick and choose the next country I fly to, I would pick Malaysia. And it would only be because of the food they have there and the amazing Malay dishes I could gorge up. This craving is strongly influenced by my Malaysian flatmate who loves to cook up a storm in the kitchen and flood our apartment with drool-worthy scents. After having tasted quite a variety of Malay dishes, here are so...

Stopover in Abu Dhabi

Posted on November 8, 2015January 12, 2016 by nickolai.kinny

If you’re on a long haul international connecting flight on Etihad, you will very likely end up connecting through the Abu Dhabi International Airport. It is located roughly 30 kilometres from the city centre and makes the city a quick destination for those who are stuck on long layovers; the airport also makes it possible to let people get a taste of the Arab culture between flights. There are pl...

Places to Explore From Dubai

Posted on August 24, 2015October 24, 2016 by nickolai.kinny

Planning a holiday can be an expensive affair; therefore, researching about your travel options beforehand is one of the greatest options that will save you from extra expenses. With the rise in low cost and budget airlines such as FlyDubai and Qatar airways, it has now become easier to escape and unwind on a shoe-string budget. Here is a list of all the places I would like to explore in Dubai: ...

Moving on, to Dubai!

Posted on July 22, 2015January 12, 2016 by nickolai.kinny

Hey, Im moving countries!!!! Yes, you read right. I’ve always been interested in other places, people, cultures and languages and after living and working in India for 26 years i know that I’ve always felt that I wanted to experience not just traveling, but living in different places around the world. After years of living out of bags, in between trips through India, just to return home to do...

Kingfisher Blue Mile- Andaman Islands

Posted on June 29, 2015January 7, 2020 by nickolai.kinny

This article was first published on kingfisherworld.com Imagine 7 days of sheer bliss, adventure and good times in the Andamans. For Shibani, Craig, Ravi , Vinay , Roycin and me it will no longer be just a mere figment of our imagination. Thanks to the #kfbluemile we got to travel to the amazing andaman islands and cross things off from our personal bucket lists. From jumping off boats , to scuba...

Caramelising City – Mumbai’s best caramel custards.

Posted on June 25, 2015June 3, 2016 by nickolai.kinny

Caramel Custard is a creamy and scrumptious dessert made with caramelised sugar, eggs, milk and vanilla essence. The quintessential dessert that was once served to the reserved palate of Sahibs and Memsahibs of the British era. It is now accessible to the simple man with its yum dollops of tasty and its magnificent texture and mouthwatering taste. Being one of my favourite desserts, if i spot it o...

A note for travel writers, bloggers & photographers.

Posted on June 23, 2015January 12, 2016 by nickolai.kinny

Be in the moment & let the moment be with you. Document. So that others may find it easier to travel and discover.

Chasing adventures with The Man.

Posted on June 20, 2015October 12, 2017 by nickolai.kinny

My dad "The man" has always played an important role in my life, from when i was younger and even until now. But the biggest life lesson or quality he instilled in me from a very early age was my thirst for travel and adventure. I remember the memories like they were yesterday. While most of his plans involved pulling us out of school for a few days to discover and learn while we traveled. ...

Top 10 things to do in Hampi

Posted on March 3, 2015January 12, 2016 by nickolai.kinny

10) Visit the ruins: Hampi ruins are ruins of Vijayanagara, the former capital of the Vijayanagara Empire. It continues to be an important religious centre, housing the Virupaksha Temple, as well as several other monuments belonging to the old city. The ruins are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Visit my Photo Diary: Monuments at Hampi. 9) Stay by the rice fields and river: We stayed at the Mowgli Gu...

Photo Diary: Monuments in Hampi

Posted on February 28, 2015January 12, 2016 by nickolai.kinny

Click on the images for more information on these monuments in Hampi, Karnataka - India.

Let music take you there.

Posted on February 3, 2015January 12, 2016 by nickolai.kinny

Imagine if a song could take you back to a place or time, a place you've either never been to or want to relive again. Yes music can sometimes do that for you. The perfect song could transport you to that place in your head and make you feel like your there even if your halfway across the globe going through files on your work desk. These are 10 tracks that take me there and snippets on how i foun...

Why travelling solo is the best thing that ever happened to me

Posted on January 30, 2015October 24, 2016 by nickolai.kinny

This article was originally published on Times of Inida's idiva.com on Jan 23rd 2015. If someone asked me to think back to the last time I went without a trip or travel, I'm afraid I wouldn't have an answer because travel for me has now been ingrained so deeply that, it's now a lifestyle choice than a task or career. When one travels as often as I do, that it sometimes gives me only 2-3 days at ...

Top 5 things to do on the Republic Day weekend

Posted on January 15, 2015December 30, 2016 by nickolai.kinny

Long weekends are like an oasis. After the New Year festivities, celebrations hit a low and its back to office and routines for most people.But as travelers we are always seeing the next big break and the Republic Day long weekend is exactly that! This city of Mumbai and our country offers us plenty to do, as per our interests and as per things that set us on fire. Here's a list to choose from...

À la carte – Pondicherry

Posted on January 14, 2015January 12, 2016 by nickolai.kinny

This article was first published in The Mumbai Mirror on Dec 14, 2014. Pondicherry or Puducherry is usually sought after for its French villas, quarters and unique graffiti. But there is more to this place other than the usual laziness that is implied whilst cycling or strolling around the rues and maisons. The best way to experience any place is via its culinary offerings. Making it not only fu...

Don’t just visit; Move right in.

Posted on November 26, 2014January 12, 2016 by nickolai.kinny

Airbnb is an online community marketplace that connects people looking to rent their homes with people who are looking for accommodations. Airbnb users include hosts and travelers: hosts list and rent out their unused spaces, and travelers search for and book accommodations in 192 countries worldwide. It has grown from appealing to both couch-surfing budget-conscious tourists and to business tra...

Kerala Blog Express

Posted on November 22, 2014January 12, 2016 by nickolai.kinny

Of all the places I've traveled to in India, Kerala still remains on my untouched/bucket list. This is a first-of-its-kind initiative in our country to attract the blogger community for a first-hand experience of our land, its geography and culture which i think is an excellent idea by the Kerala Tourism Ministry. Last season saw enteries from as many as 80 countries, including US, UK, Poland, Spa...

Island Hopping in the Andamans.

Posted on November 21, 2014January 12, 2016 by nickolai.kinny

This article was originally published on Travelyaari.com in September 2015. In July 2013, I decided to travel to the Andaman Islands because everyone I knew who had been there, only had good things and splendid descriptions to convey about the beaches, marine life and the breathtaking views. So here’s my week long journey island hoping through the Andamans. Port Blair: This capital city of Andama...

Mumbai, meri jaan.

Posted on November 20, 2014December 30, 2016 by nickolai.kinny

This article was originally published on an expat journal - Expature on May 29th 2014. Mumbai, the name itself associates an immediate sense of chaos, noise and commotion to the people who belong or have visited it. One would imagine its roads possessing a topography of its own; overcrowded with lazy cattle, try hard fast bikes, rickshaw drivers that would put Tokyo drifters to shame, trucks, v...

Grab Your Dream

Posted on November 19, 2014December 30, 2016 by nickolai.kinny

I haven't posted in awhile and here's why...Over the last month, I had the time of my life in South America. Right from Tango dancing, to watching living statues on the streets, boat rides at the Iguassu Falls, Hitchhiking, Big-steak challenges with the locals, to football stadium-hopping, I've experienced all this and more on my South American journey. You too can win an all-expense-paid I...

Secret Wander Meet #2

Posted on November 4, 2014January 12, 2016 by nickolai.kinny

20 Wanderers + Unknown Location + Interesting Conversations + Countless Experiences + Fun Journey = 1 Successful Travellers Meet http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbD5X4_I7RY

Hungry Travellers Meet #2

Posted on November 1, 2014January 12, 2016 by nickolai.kinny

The 2nd edition of the hungry travellers meet concentrates on the buzz of the town "Traveling for festivals" in India and abroad. Speaker List: Anoop Sebastian Introduces us to The New Wave Musicfest : Fresh Asian Indie & Punk Music which kickstarts this month! Indie finally has a space and he talks abot interesting marketing strategies adopted to attract festival goers Supriya Sobti will...

South America Itinerary

Posted on September 25, 2014October 24, 2016 by nickolai.kinny

A rough sketch of an itinerary and what id imagine October in South America to be like. Day 1 Buenos Aires Arrival Day 2 Buenos Aires Free time to explore the many attractions. Check out a football match, a tango show or the city's famous nightlife. Day 3-5 Colonia/Montevideo Cross the Río de la Plata by ferry to Colonia, Uruguay. Free time to explore the area and relax at a streetside...

Hungry Travellers Meet #1

Posted on September 12, 2014January 12, 2016 by nickolai.kinny

About the event: As travellers we are always hungry for information, new places, faces and everything that will somehow fulfill us. We have a constant thrift for more and we suffer from an incurable wanderlust. Here's a chance to meet like-minded people, interact with them and share your travel plans, memories and any recommendations that experience gave you. Together let's encourage each other ...

Road trip to Korlai.

Posted on July 9, 2014October 15, 2016 by nickolai.kinny

Korlai fort: About 10 kilometres south of Alibag near Rev Danda village is the naval fort of Korlai. Locates just 3 kilometres down the Rev-Danda-Murud road near Korlai village, it can be reached via the road leading to the fort from the village, which is just 2 kilometres away. The fort is on a small hill (bout 250 to 300 feet high) in the sea. The main door of the fort faces the east, but if yo...

Secret Wander Meet #1

Posted on July 5, 2014January 12, 2016 by nickolai.kinny

15 Wanderers + Unknown Location + Interesting Conversations + Countless Experiences + Fun Journey = 1 Successful Travellers Meet http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpe_KqRvWGE

Thai Culinary Workshop

Posted on April 25, 2014December 30, 2016 by nickolai.kinny

A culinary lesson to supplement a sumptuous Thai lunch in a beautiful setting is amongst the most popular new and immersive experiences that India’s well-travelled are engaging in. To build awareness about this concept, Tourism Authority of Thailand tied up with A Perfect Bite Cook Studio (an undertaking by Rushina Munshaw Ghildiyal that offers culinary experiences in a state of the art kit...

My happy place.

Posted on January 20, 2014January 12, 2016 by nickolai.kinny

Most of us have a happy place, a place inside our heads where happiness and a state of being ecstatic is derived from. While some of us consider it a safe place, an escape, or sometimes merely a fond memory; My happy place will forever be Machu Picchu. And even though I've never been.. i hope someday i will with that special someone. I imagine us climbing up to one of the most breath-taking view...

The Golden Temple

Posted on November 4, 2013January 12, 2016 by nickolai.kinny

I have seen many places, but none like thee ! Oh the peace, calm and serenity I feel. This is one of the most beautiful places I have ever laid my eyes on. Truly magnificent and unlike any splendor in all it’s golden glory. Shining like the glint in each human eye present here. The recital of prayers and chants leave me speechless. Mesmerized by the environment around me and heart warmed and hum...

The Mud Rush, Pune.

Posted on September 5, 2013December 29, 2016 by nickolai.kinny

Welcome to the most bizarre, most thrilling, and the grubbiest event In India. The ultimate fun run, created for all the adventure-seekers among us. In came thousands of wacky-racers as they ran, crawled or even belly-floped their way through 7km of mud-pits, bog-holes and puddles oozing with thick, cold, gooey muck. The obstacle course runners started on their feet, but eventually e...

The Mud Rush

Posted on August 30, 2013December 29, 2016 by nickolai.kinny

This weekend my travelling feet will be attending the mud rush taking place in Pune on 31st August 2013, along the terrain of the Fort Jadhavgadh. 21 Obstacles spread over 5+ kms of a muddy trail. This true mud run will be interrupted by stacks of hay, water bodies, 8 feet barrier walls, 100 feet stretch of tires, 45 degree hills, fire, ice, and lots of mud. If your around Pune and rolling aroun...

Woodland : Adventurer Wanted

Posted on August 25, 2013December 29, 2016 by nickolai.kinny

Woodland is looking to give people the chance of a lifetime - the job of travelling to exciting destinations and participating in adventure activities, both of which will have a winner decided by the Woodland community. This adventurer will embark on a journey to discover unexplored adventure destinations around the world – a once-in-a-lifetime experience. And the job ‘Extreme Explorer’ comes with...

The best feelings in the world

Posted on June 27, 2012December 29, 2016 by nickolai.kinny

Lately, I've been so thankful for my hot chocolate every morning...because not only does it soothe my throat from the coughing but also makes me happy and spins a great mood to my day. This led me to think about the best feelings in the world. Obviously, there are more than these but here are the ones at the top of my head. 20-To be inspired and go from excitement to motivation 19- A deep ti...

A toilsome meal

Posted on February 27, 2012December 29, 2016 by nickolai.kinny

Thump ! Thump ! Thump ! It started with the pounding De-husking the skin from the rice With a heavy stick as her device Separating the two with a palm leaf sieve She wiped the summer's sweat off her face with her sari blouse sleeve She places the grains of rice between the 2 wheels While on her haunches she sits and kneels i watched her as she started to roll the stones Her body frail ...