Sharing Travel memories & Viewpoints

Adv Jaspal Singh

Posts for Travel Asia Category

Exploring Dubai with GBS & ACOS: A memorable Trip

Jaspal Singh - 11 July 2023

Dubai Trip

Updated on September 8th, 2024

In January 2023, a group of enthusiastic learners embarked on an educational trip organized by GBS Dubai & ACOS. Little did we know this journey would be filled with exciting adventures, unexpected challenges, and unforgettable memories. From lost luggage to mesmerizing city tours and thrilling desert safaris, our time in Dubai was an incredible blend of learning, exploration, and pure enjoyment.

Arrival in Sharjah

Our journey began with a flight from Amritsar to Sharjah. Unfortunately, upon arrival at Sharjah airport, one of our fellow travelers, Gurpreet, encountered an unexpected hiccup. Gurpreet’s luggage had gone missing, leading to moments of panic. However, thanks to the efficient airport staff, the situation was swiftly resolved as they discovered another passenger had mistakenly taken Gurpreet’s bag. But to collect it we had to go to Sharjah the next morning again hiring a taxi.

Ride to Dubai

After the luggage mishap, we hired a taxi and embarked on a scenic drive from Sharjah to Dubai. Despite the rain showering down, the clean roads and captivating weather added an enchanting charm to our journey. As we marveled at the lush surroundings and sparkling cityscape, anticipation grew for the experiences that awaited us in Dubai.

Hotel Stay and Rest

Upon reaching our hotel, we took some time to rest and rejuvenate before delving into the evening’s plans. The comfortable accommodations provided the perfect sanctuary, allowing us to recharge our energy for the exciting adventures yet to come.

Dubai Trip
With Gurpreet somewhere in Dubai

Training sessions at GBS Dubai

The following day, we eagerly joined the rest of our group at the GBS campus. The day was filled with engaging training sessions that expanded our knowledge and provided us with invaluable insights. It was inspiring to learn from industry experts and fellow participants, fostering a spirit of growth and collaboration among us.

GBS Dubai
In GBS Campus with Mr. Kamal & Gurpreet
GBS Dr Kapoor
Mr. Kapoor giving a Presentation at GBS Campus

Exploring Dubai’s Treasure

With our minds enriched by the training sessions, we embarked on a city tour to discover the marvels of Dubai. Our itinerary included visits to iconic landmarks such as the Dubai Mall, Emirates Towers, and the magnificent Burj Khalifa. Each location left us in awe of Dubai’s architectural brilliance and its ambition to push the boundaries of innovation.

Dubai Trip
ACOS members with a beautiful backdrop of Atlantis, The Palm
Dubai
In the backdrop is beautiful Atlantis, The Palm
Dubai
Royal Atlantic Hotel view from the seaside in Dubai

Indulging in Retail Therapy

As a bustling cosmopolitan hub, Dubai is renowned for its shopping scene. During our visit, we could explore extravagant shopping malls, where we indulged in retail therapy. The vibrant atmosphere, a diverse range of stores, and luxurious boutiques made our shopping experience truly memorable.

Jumeirah Beach & Cruise Dinner

Our adventure continued with a visit to the breathtaking Palm Island and a leisurely stroll along Jumeirah Beach. The golden sands and crystal-clear waters provided a serene backdrop for relaxation and reflection. In the evening, we embarked on a captivating dinner cruise at Dubai Marine, savoring a delectable meal while surrounded by Dubai’s dazzling skyline.

dUBAI
Jumeirah Hotel Dubai

Desert Safari: Thrills and Delights

The climax of our journey awaited us with an exhilarating desert safari. Boarding sturdy off-road vehicles, we embarked on a thrilling ride through the sand dunes, experiencing heart-pounding moments of excitement. The desert camp welcomed us with traditional Arabian hospitality, treating us to a delicious dinner and enchanting belly dance performances that added an extra touch of magic to our trip.

Desert Safari
A group photo during Desert Safari

Overall, our educational trip to Dubai organized by GBS Dubai & ACOS was an unforgettable experience that blended learning, exploration, and enjoyment in perfect harmony. From the initial challenge of lost luggage to the mesmerizing city tours, shopping sprees, and thrilling desert safari, every moment enriched our knowledge and left a lasting impression. Dubai’s rich cultural heritage, awe-inspiring architecture, and warm hospitality created an ideal backdrop for this remarkable journey. As we bid farewell to Dubai, we carried with us not only cherished memories but also a newfound appreciation for the vibrant tapestry of this incredible city. Click here, if you are planning to Study in Dubai

Belly Dance @Desert Safari
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Memories from a Trip to ancient city Tashkent

Jaspal Singh - 4 October 2021

Boating in Tashkent

Updated on May 14th, 2023

Memories are like pages of a diary that we all carry with us. Sometimes we feel some memories are gone in the deep past, but suddenly, we see them floating back like some moving screen. Good memories are always the source of inspiration, and we try to keep them refreshing from time to time. Today in this article, I will share a few moments from my trip to Tashkent, and I hope you will also enjoy the brief description of those wonderful moments. I strongly believe that sharing adventures means enjoying them to the fullest.

We planned a Tashkent trip in 2018

In September 2018, a few friends from the same profession planned a trip to the ancient city of central Asia, Tashkent, in Uzbekistan. In this article, I will share a few names; otherwise, the description will remain incomplete. I read somewhere, ‘A journey is best measured in friends, rather than miles. This trip was initially planned by my wonderful friends, Amarjit & Gurpreet, although at a very initial stage, it was not an organised one but later we all enjoyed it a lot. Few of us were not quickly ready to join the trip, maybe having different reasons.

Tashkent, a tourist destination

Tashkent is still a very underrated destination, but it has many amazing things to make the tour trip worth memorable. Ancient mosques, dazzling minarets, and Medieval-style Islamic monuments gloriously exhibiting the country’s rich cultural and architectural heritage make your experience really awesome. On the second day of our trip, the very first place we went was Alisher Navoi National Park. It is a beautiful and largest park having beautiful buildings located deep within the park, and while one can’t enter, it creates a stunning view. These buildings, especially Romanov Palace, are examples of Russian influence in architecture. They named the park after Alisher Navoi, the great Turkic poet and thinker.

Alisher Navoi National Park
me@ Alisher Navoi National Park.

We spent a few hours in the park while clicking a few photographs. Park is so large, having a water stream passing through it. You can enjoy so many activities like boating, cycling, and roller skating. Having seen a lot of greenery, a big lake, canals and fountains, meadow and decorative flower beds, most probably, that you will forget about being in the centre of Tashkent.

Alisher Navoi is a big garden with several monuments inside. There is a very large man-made pool. It is a good place to chill for some time.

Independence Square, in the centre of the city

Another place we visited was Independence Square, in the centre of the city. This is again a big garden with a lot of water fountains, statutes, and few buildings. Spread over 12 hectares, this place has so many government buildings and administrative institutions located there. During Soviet rule, the square was named Lenin Square. A monument to Lenin was erected in its centre, dismantled upon the Declaration of Independence in 1991. There is a monument of a woman, normally known as a mourning mother, sadly looking down onto an eternal flame in memory of her children who fell in defending the country, making us silent for a few moments.

Trip to Tashkent
..all friends, Mr Virk, Satbir Bhatia, Sachin & Mr Kamal
Group photo reminding, friends that travel together, stay together
A journey is best measured in friends than in miles

As the late Prime Minister of India passed away in Tashkent, his memories have been treasured as a monument by the Uzbek Government as a mark of respect to the great man. Visitors, especially Indians, visit this monument while they visit Tashkent. We also planned to visit this place and spend a few memorable moments and also clicked a few photographs as memories.

trip to tashkent
There is an unspoken bond you create with the friends you travel with. With Kamal & Hardeep in a leisurely mood.

Amir Timor Square

We went to Amir Timor square; his statue is fixed in a huge sized park, where visitors hang out. Amir Timur was the most famous Central Asian conqueror in history. At its largest, the empire stretched from the borders of Western China all the way to Turkey. He was the great-grandfather of the famous Mughal emperor Babur who ruled India.

It was a sunny day with pleasant weather as it was the month of September, so the weather was sunny but not hot. A beautiful garden surrounds the statue. In the background, the building of the Uzbekistan Hotel, a classic piece of Soviet design, makes the sight more beautiful. The park surrounding the statue and the Bolazhon Park is certainly worth exploring, especially around sunset as locals meet to chat and relax. We all friends clicked a few pictures with statues. There are so many restaurants, café in the square’s surroundings, where you can sit and enjoy your evening. In the evening, this area comes more alive with visitors roaming here and there. Tashkent’s nightlife is also amazing. Bars and clubs attract you. A few of us went there and shared our experiences second day. I still remember they were pleased.

cycling time with Kamal, my friend

Shopping in traditional market

There are so many other details that I am missing because of the size of this article. We went to a traditional market, a dry fruit market, and many food corners and enjoyed delicious dishes. Restaurants and cafes in Tashkent surprise you with perfect service and food quality. It will amaze you with the wide range of cuisines.

The traditional market, in the old city, is a major crowd-puller of tourists. Just perfect for souvenir shopping, you can pick gorgeous trinkets, handicrafts, apparel, home décor items, and spices. You must know bargaining art while shopping there. I still remember how we purchased a few things using this bargaining art; few of us have.

In the last, it was really a wonderful trip to Tashkent, we really enjoyed it a lot. I can easily recommend you choose Tashkent as your next destination for a vacation.

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Trip to Kathmandu, sharing a few memories & experiences

Jaspal Singh - 15 June 2020

Updated on May 27th, 2023

We planned a trip to Kathmandu in December 2016. It was a trip for both leisure and professional reasons. The few days spent there were full of memories that I was trying to gather for the last few weeks as I was planning to put those moments in the shape of a blog, highlighting a few attractions that Kathmandu has. Kathmandu is a historical, spiritual, enticing, and vibrant place and has many things to offer to visitors. So many monuments and temples are treasured in the city, even after a natural disaster that occurred a few years back. In 2016, it was a depressing scene when I visited this city.

Effects of Earthquake in 2015

In an earthquake in April 2015, centuries-old buildings, like Kathmandu Durbar Square, Patan Durbar Square, and Changu Narayan Temple, were destroyed. A nine-story building called Bhimsen Tower was also destroyed. In 2016, the city was still under the effect of disaster but trying to put itself back together. Many buildings were so damaged that you could see from a distance only, as they were not safe to visit. As I am writing this blog after a few years, so I hope the situation would be better today.

Kathmandu: Tracing into history

Going back in history, they originally knew Kathmandu as Kantipur. It was a trading center between India and Tibet, which gradually led to the growth and construction of present-day Kathmandu. The city flourished in the 13th century when most monuments and incredible temples, including the famous Durbar Squares, were built. Kathmandu was an independent city within surrounding valley areas divided into three kingdoms. A long rivalry and regular infightings and wars between these kingdoms resulted in the decline of the valley’s kingdoms. Still, finally, in 1769, an invasion by Prithvi Narayan Shah made the unification of Nepal and Kathmandu became the capital city.

In 1846 again, a big change occurred. Rana’s family became the royal family of Nepal for almost 100 years. In the 1950s Nepal became a tourist point, and the tourist industry took an important shape. Tourists from all over the world started coming to Nepal and enjoying the exotic and beautiful scenery, and hippy culture became a part of life. Finally, in 2006, a parliamentary democratic setup was restored, and since then, it has had a politically stable era.

Everest View from hill's top
Everest View from Hill’s top

Nepali people & lifestyle

Nepali people are amicable and welcoming. I met many people concerning my professional reason; they all were very cooperative. The city is full of activities all day. There are shopping centers, where you can spend time but if you are thinking to buy something, never forget to bargain. Yak wool woolens, especially blankets, are very popular and you will find them everywhere. While moving you will surely find local whispering offers of weeds, hash, and opium in your ears. It is always better to say no to them and move on because you may get in trouble easily—almost everything like vegetables, eatables, fruits, and cigarette vendors you will find on roadsides. Same way, wines, and other drinks are available in local general shops.

If you are visiting for the first time

Portraying a city with a negative image is not the purpose of this blog, but a few details need to be shared. If you are visiting for the first time, you must keep in mind that it is still a developing city with many things that can frustrate you. Under construction roads, dusty air, traffic nuisance, street vendors, and beeps of cars are everywhere. When you stay a few more days, you will also find many outstanding things that you will never forget. Buddhist and Hindu temples are so outstanding that you keep on clicking all on your cameras.

…few more attractions in and around Kathmandu

In Kathmandu, there are so many awesome things that any visitor would love to see. As I mentioned earlier, that city has historical and religious significance as well. Visiting different temples can make you feel blessed. You will also find Sadhus (Monks) outside temples always ready to pose for photographs for some donation. Pashupati Nath temple, dedicated to the god Shiva, is on the banks of the Bagmati River. The huge-sized temple is a commonplace of worship for Hindus and Buddhists, where cremations take place along the river’s edge. This temple is so big that you can spend an entire day browsing the campus.

In the surrounding city, there are so many attractions that can add more memories to your trip.

While you are in Kathmandu, you can’t miss visiting another ancient place, Bhaktapur. The remarkable architecture of temples and the entire city is full of woodcarving and metal craft. You feel while praising those monuments. Bhaktapur is a nearby place where a beautiful temple attracts tourists. You can spend hours strolling and exploring this incredible place on foot. Boudhanath Temple is situated several kilometers outside the city. This temple was again under construction, but still, there were a lot of visitors browsing it. If you can spare a little more time, Pokhara, Chitwan & Chandra Giri can offer you a lot of breathtaking and soothing relaxation. Tourism is a way of life, and it can be felt everywhere, from the city’s chaotic streets to religious and historical temples.

Visiting Chandra Giri Hills

We planned to Visit Chandra Giri Hill resort and temple which is on the top of the hills. To reach there, take the ride on the cable car, and a 10-15 minute journey in astonishing views of the mountains is so fascinating that you can’t stop saying, it’s fabulous. Cold and fresh breeze welcomes you with its freshness. It’s a climb of about 2500 meters from sea level. Snow-capped peaks are visible from the top, and this entirely makes the surrounding a dreamland. There is a temple on the top of the hill dedicated to Lord Shiva, where an idol of Nandi is erected.

Resort Chandra Giri Hill
ChandraGiri Hills Resort
Temple at Chandra Giri Hill
Temple at Chandra Giri Hill

There is a cafeteria next to the temple where you can get snacks like popcorn and dumping. You can sit in the open area and enjoy eatables while enjoying nature. You can view the snow-capped tops of Everest from there. I still remember the panoramic view of Everest.

In concluding words, I can say that Kathmandu is worth visiting at least once in a lifetime. I wish to visit once again to recapture more about it.

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