"One of the gladdest moments of human life, methinks, is the departure upon a distant journey into unknown lands. Shaking off with one mighty effort the fetters of habit, the leaden weight of routine, the cloak of many cares and the slavery of home, man feels once more happy." - Sir Richard Burton
As a person who likes to travel to new places for many reasons - change of place, exploring a new environment, taking in the beauty of nature or plain travelling for travel's sake - in my relatively short stay in the United States, a country that I learned to love and now fondly remember, I was fortunate to be at places I had only dreamt of. The laidback lifestyle and lack of responsibility (read - no baby!) ensured that a major chunk of the free time was devoted to planning weekend getaways, trips to must-see locations or even a day tour. Here are the ten places which I had the opportunity to visit. Most of them are predictable stops on a tourist checklist. But I have listed them in the order of what I liked most about that place and why it will remain special in my memory.
10. Big Sur and Lake Tahoe, California - I visited Lake Tahoe and Big Sur on separate occasions and with different company. I believe I have missed out on the usual suspects that one goes to in California - Los Angeles, San Diego, Yosemite and so on, but the afore-mentioned places were quite an experience too. Lake Tahoe is known for its snow and skiing. Surrounded by imposing mountains, this freshwater lake looks calm and inviting. We were here in the month of November. Taking a walk near the lake proved next to impossible...it was so cold that we were not able to stand for a long time, in spite of wearing jackets, gloves and shoes. Maybe I'm exaggerating because we did take time to click pictures! The most memorable part of this trip was the cruise around the lake.
Big Sur is a popular tourist destination along the California coast, offering breathtaking views from the highway. What was most unique for me in this trip was the log cabin where we were staying. Waking up in an attic bed next to a tiny window was surprisingly wonderful. ( When I say 'attic', please conjure the most cozy and comfortable nook in a cabin). Taking a hike through craggy rocks and slippery footholds to a vantage point overlooking the ocean was another highlight of this fun trip.
9. Seattle, Washington -A three-hour-drive from the place where I stayed, Seattle was an obvious choice for weekend getaways or for taking along a guest. This bustling city offers bang for your buck. Going for a day-long trip on two occasions, I was able to check out most of its hotspots - the Seattle Acquarium, the Argosy cruise that takes us along Downtown Seattle, the Flight Museum with its inspiring array of all the machines that fly and the Space Needle. The most recognizable landmark of the city, the Space Needle, displayed prominently in the title screen of 'Frasier', is a tall structure that takes visitors in elevators to an observation deck at 520 feet. Needless to say, the city throws up vistas that tourists lap up with their cameras. But what really stood out for me in my trips to Seattle was the Boeing factory. The largest building in the world by volume, the Boeing Everett factory is an unforgettable experience, taking us close to the huge 747s, 767s, 777s being built there. Unfortunately, no pictures are allowed inside. So the only memories you will end up with are the ones you captured in your mind.
8. Washington D.C. -Okay, Washington should not be near the bottom of any list but it is in mine, partly because we did not have enough time to tour this extremely popular tourist destination. Thanks to my husband's cousin who was living there then, we did manage to cover a few important places though. We clicked pictures in front of THE White House and the Congress, walked our way to the Monument under a hot sun and had a good view of the Lincoln Memorial. So what was the one thing all of us remember about that trip? Bikes! We were in Washington during the Memorial Day Weekend, as a result of which thousands and thousands of bikers had descended on the city. Crossing a small street took us nearly ten minutes as the steady stream of bikes refused to let pedestrians have their way in spite of the traffic signal changing to red several times. Really a strange, never-before-seen moment!
7. Portland, Oregon -Technically, Portland should not be in this list because it is a place which I did not visit but stayed for three years. It requires a whole different blog to outline my love for the city, which boasts of being the origin of sportswear and gear giant, Nike. But, because of the many attractions that this city and its neighbouring towns have to offer, I have to include it here. So, what can one look forward to here? If you can ignore the ever-present rain that is a characteristic of this place, you can visit the awe-inspiring and surprisingly accessible Multnomah Falls, the picturesque Columbia River Gorge, the beautiful Rose Garden, the annual Tulip Fest at Woodburn with its abundant display of colours and hues, the exotic Japanese Garden, the lovely Trillium Lake or the huge park surrounding Hagg Lake. Or, make a trip to either Mt St Helens, a volcanic mountain that looks spectacular in the winter or the omnipresent Mount Hood which overlooks the landscape of Portland. If nothing else, taking a hike among its innumerable trails is enough to satiate the appetite of a nature lover, who has plenty to love in the city of roses.
6. Grand Canyon, Arizona -The name is enough to describe its magnificence. Even before I came to the US, I always wanted to see the Grand Canyon. After all, its grandeur has been shown in movies like "Jeans". But no image can capture the imposing spectacle of the steeply inclined natural wonder. The Colorado River, which looks like a tiny stream from above, silently courses its way among the silent rocks. Though we could not spend really a long time here, only being able to visit the West Rim, I will always cherish the time I was here. The massive canyon manages to impress and humble us tiny human beings with its strength and serenity. The shadowplay that the setting sun performs on these rugged rocks is worth a thousand pictures.
5. New York -Can there be a more popular city that resonates in the Indians' mind than New York? A cousin of my husband who had visited the East Coast once remarked, "If Washington reminds us of New Delhi, New York resembles Mumbai!" She could not be more accurate. If Washington reflects the historical significance of Delhi, with its succession of government buildings letting you into the political heart of the country, New York with its bustling and ever-busy streets is very much like Mumbai. Taking a subway, which could only be reached by overcoming heavy traffic, to the Times Square, we were thrown into a mass of moving people on intersecting busy streets ( a lovely, lovely contrast to the regular American roads where all one sees are cars whizzing past like a video game and pedestrians waiting tamely for the 'Walk' signal). The Times Square is a unique place where flashing billboards, imposing skyscrapers and people always on the go merge seamlessly. You should need the energy to take it all in!
As for the best part about New York, it was the much-awaited trip to the Statue of Liberty. The Museum, where the boat carrying you to the Statue has a stopover, is where you learn the history of the monument with the heart-breaking and inspiring stories of immigrants. But nothing prepares you for the beauty of this lady until the boat that ferries you to that island brings you in front of the majestic symbol of freedom. Simply awesome! I will also remember New York for my stay at my father's relation's place, an aunt whom I met for the first time. With her simplicity, unassuming nature, tremendous hospitality and her attitude towards life, she was an inspiration.`
4. Las Vegas, Nevada --Sometimes, taking a vacation with friends or relatives gives a wholly different vibe to the experience. And the vibe was positively fantastic when we were at the gambling paradise, Vegas with my husband's cousin and her hubby. Slot machines welcomed us in the airport itself, a teaser of what was in store for us ahead. Day is night and night is day in Vegas. For three days, all we did was roam around the Strip which is dotted with fabulous casinos like the MGM Grand, Paris, New York New York, the Venetian, the Bellagio and Excalibur. Vegas is a must-see at night, when it comes alive. For the first time, I was roaming around streets at 3 a.m. and there was nothing alarming about it. Also part of our itinerary - shows by Cirque de Soliel and the Blue Man Group. A great experience!
Whether it was the company or the place or probably a mix of both, Vegas took us to another world and it will always remain one of my most favourite holidays ever.
3. Niagara Falls -Before leaving America for good, I wanted to see the Niagara Falls, and my wish was granted. The Falls may be associated with predictability - arguably the most popular destination in the States, one will but expect beauty, great views and photo ops but the Falls give you much more - a sense of exhiliration and deep gratitude for having the fortune to be near one of the finest natural wonders in the world. The two tours that take you almost to the heart of the falls - the Cave of the Winds and the Maid of the Mist are AWESOME! When the Maid of the Mist took us almost to the midst of the Horseshoe Falls, I could no longer record the experience with my handycam as the lens and my face were completely splashed with the heavy gush of water. Even the Cave of the Winds gives you an utterly out-of-this-world experience. As you stand almost under the falls, you feel like being drenched by thousands of buckets of water! Of course, both times, waterproof clothing and shoes are provided. Otherwise, can you imagine your state at the end of it?
The best part of my trip to Niagara - being accompanied by my husband, my parents AND my 3-month-old son!
2. Hilo, Maui, Kauai - HawaiiWow! Where do I start? A week before our second anniversary, my husband sprang a surprise on me - his gift was a week-long vacation in Hawaii, the ultimate travel destination in America! I knew how lucky I was when as we were waiting for our flight, the people seated next to us who were catching another flight remarked, "Wow, going to Hawaii! We wish we were as lucky." A week is definitely not enough to explore the many facets of the group of islands that comprise Hawaii. Generously bestowed by nature's bounty, Hawaii is blessed with moderate weather which makes it a great place to visit at any time.
Seeing a volcano spewing ash and lava in Hilo, whale-watching in Maui, taking the famous winding road to Hana, breathing in the mountain air at Haleakala Summit, being treated to traditional Hawaiian singing, drinking coconut water that is sold along the roadside, clicking pictures in front of the Waimea Canyon are some of the things we were able to do in this state of Aloha (which means affection, love, peace in the Hawaiian language. It is also used as a greeting to say hello and goodbye.)
Known for its romantic beaches and cultural heritage, Hawaii was an unforgettable experience that became the final vacation that we two would ever take because after that we became three!
1. Crater Lake, Oregon -Okay so what could possibly beat a week-long vacation to HAWAII which was also a surprise anniversary gift??? Maybe nothing. But there is one place, for me, which by a hair's breadth beats it. Crater Lake! There are two reasons for this - 1. Though we had been on vacations to trips outside the city before, it had always been in the company of family. So this was the first time that only the two of us were on a holiday. Utterly special! 2. The second is a very simple reason - I fell in love with the Lake at first sight. Only someone who has no eye for beauty could possibly be unaffected by it.
The deepest lake in the US, Crater Lake as the name suggests lies in the remains of a destroyed volcano. As there are no streams flowing in or out of the lake, the water that is present in it comes purely from precipitation, like snow or rain. This is the reason why the lake has a brilliant blue colour, the likes of which I had never seen before. The Rim Drive is a popular road which skirts around the lake, giving tourists many opportunities to capture the magnificence of the waterbody.
Though most visit the lake as a day trip, we decided to stay the night at Crater Lake Lodge (which overlooks the lake), a modern accomodation that has retained the old-world magic of inns. So, though the rooms have every possible convenience, what they do lack, or let me say, thankfully do not offer is a television set. Guests at the lodge thus enjoy the leisure of playing boardgames beside a comforting fireplace in the Great Hall. And, sipping early morning coffee in the open porch which gives a bird's-eye-view of the lake fills you with a strange sense of peace and calm.
The previous day, we took a hike to an observation point to wait for the sunset which gives an entirely different view of the indigo-blue lake. The day we left, we again stretched our limbs and walked down the Cleetwood Trail, a steep, strictly for walking trail to reach the surface of the lake. Here we took the cruise that is organized by the National Park authorities, where the forest ranger elucidated the history and the significance of the lake. As the boat left behind ripples in its wake, we were asked to look down at the clear blue water of the lake. Clear is a term we often hear, but believe me, the water in this lake is so clear that you can see a tiny rock at the bottom of the lake, which is nearly 1900 feet deep!
As we trudged our way back to the top, I knew that this was the most beautiful lake that I had ever seen in my life.
There are other places more famous, more beautiful, more awe-inspiring than Crater Lake. But beauty as they say lies in the eyes of the beholder and I can never rate anything more than the calm, serene and utterly peaceful Crater Lake! But never say never. There is yet so much more in the world for me to see!
P.S : If I was able to be at all these places, it was only due to my dearest hubby, without whom none of this would have been possible and more importantly, memorable
