Beyond The Horizon

Tag: writing

  • A Journey of Faith: 12 Days in Shirdi Mumbai ✈️🙏

    A Journey of Faith: 12 Days in Shirdi Mumbai ✈️🙏

    In December 2023, I embarked on my second international trip, a 12-day journey to India that took me to Shirdi and Mumbai.

    Unlike my first international trip to Singapore, which was filled with excitement and adventure, this journey had a different purpose. It was a spiritual trip, a chance to step away from the routines and pressures of everyday life and spend time reflecting, reconnecting, and finding a sense of inner peace.

    At the time, I needed a break. Life had become busy, and like many people, I found myself caught up in responsibilities, deadlines, and the demands of daily living. I wasn’t looking for luxury or entertainment. I was looking for something deeper, a change of environment that would help me slow down and gain perspective.

    Shirdi had long been a place I wanted to visit. As the home of Sai Baba, it attracts millions of devotees from around the world, each bringing their own prayers, hopes, and gratitude. Walking through the town and visiting the sacred sites was a humbling experience. There was a sense of devotion and faith that could be felt everywhere.

    What stayed with me most was not the crowds or the ceremonies, but the quiet moments in between. Moments of reflection. Moments of gratitude. Moments that reminded me to appreciate the things I often take for granted.

    After spending time in Shirdi, the journey continued to Mumbai. The city offered a completely different experience. The energy, movement, and diversity of Mumbai were unlike anything I had experienced before. From bustling streets to historic landmarks, every corner seemed to tell a story of its own.

    The contrast between the spiritual calm of Shirdi and the vibrant pace of Mumbai made the trip even more memorable. It felt like experiencing two different sides of India in a single journey.

    Looking back, this trip became much more than a holiday.

    It reminded me how valuable it is to step away from familiar surroundings every once in a while. Travel has a way of helping us see life from a different perspective. It challenges us, inspires us, and sometimes gives us exactly the pause we didn’t realize we needed.

    Most importantly, this journey reignited my passion for travel.

    After years without an international trip, India reminded me why I loved exploring new places in the first place. It sparked a curiosity that eventually led me to plan more journeys, take more photographs, and start this blog.

    When I boarded the flight home after twelve unforgettable days, I carried more than just memories and photographs with me. I returned with a renewed appreciation for travel, faith, and the importance of taking time to reconnect with ourselves.

    Looking back now, I realize that this trip wasn’t just a journey to India.

    It was the beginning of a new chapter.

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    Twelve days in India. A journey that began as a spiritual retreat became the trip that reignited my love for travel. Shirdi gave me peace and together they reminded me that sometimes the journeys we need most are the ones that help us reconnect with ourselves.

    Next →

    A Spiritual Experience in Shirdi

  • The Trip That Started It All✈️

    The Trip That Started It All✈️

    Why I Started Traveling

    If someone had asked me a few years ago whether I considered myself a traveler, I probably would have said no.

    My first international trip was to Singapore when I was 23 years old. I travelled with my colleagues from Maxis, and like many first-time travellers, I was excited about everything. One of the highlights of that trip was visiting Universal Studios Singapore. I still remember the excitement of being in a different country, experiencing a different environment, and realizing how much there was to see beyond the places I was familiar with.

    After that trip, life took over.

    Work, responsibilities, and the routines of everyday life gradually became the priority. Before I knew it, years had passed without another international adventure. Travel became something I occasionally thought about rather than something I actively pursued.

    Then something changed.

    I found myself wanting to experience new places again. Not because I wanted to tick countries off a list or follow travel trends, but because I missed the feeling of discovering something unfamiliar. I missed the excitement of planning a journey, exploring a new destination, and creating memories that would stay with me long after the trip ended.

    So I started travelling again.

    What began as simple day trips and short adventures soon reminded me why I enjoyed travelling in the first place. Whether it was watching a sunset in Raglan, visiting historic sites, or standing quietly in nature, each experience offered something different. Some moments were breathtaking, while others were wonderfully ordinary. Both were equally meaningful.

    That’s one of the reasons I created Beyond The Horizon.

    This blog is my personal travel journal, a place where I can document my experiences, photographs, lessons, and reflections as I explore new destinations. It’s not about being an expert. It’s about embracing the journey and sharing it along the way.

    Interestingly, after many years since that first trip to Singapore, my second international journey took me somewhere completely different: India. That trip turned out to be far more meaningful than I expected and reminded me why travel has such a powerful way of broadening our perspective.

    I’ll be sharing that story in an upcoming post, so stay tuned.

    For now, I’m simply enjoying the journey, one destination at a time.

    Every traveller has a starting point.

    Singapore was mine.

    And this is just the beginning.

    Great company. Great memories
    A journey I’ll never forget. ✈️🌍
  • Where the Road Ends: My Journey to Dhanushkodi

    Where the Road Ends: My Journey to Dhanushkodi

    Dhanushkodi was one of those places for me.

    Ever since I learned about the abandoned town at the southeastern tip of India, I knew it was a place I wanted to see for myself. The stories of its past, the vast stretches of coastline, and the unique location where land meets the endless sea sparked my curiosity.

    What I didn’t expect was how much the journey itself would become part of the experience.

    The road stretched ahead like a narrow ribbon, surrounded by the sea and open sky. With every passing kilometer, the crowds became fewer, the surroundings quieter, and the sense of adventure stronger.

    For a moment, it felt like I was travelling towards the edge of the world.It was one of those rare travel moments when you stop thinking about your destination and simply enjoy the journey itself.

    And yet, the best was still waiting ahead.

    Sometimes the best part of travel is not arriving at the destination, but the road that takes you there.” 🌅🚗🌊

    The Road to Dhanushkodi

    The journey to Dhanushkodi was just as memorable as the destination itself.

    As we drove beyond Rameswaram, the landscape slowly changed. The sea appeared on both sides of the road, stretching endlessly towards the horizon. The further I travelled, the quieter it became.

    With the wind rushing past and nothing but blue skies and open water around me, the drive felt like an adventure in itself. It was one of those rare journeys where I found myself slowing down just to take in the view.

    The road to Dhanushkodi, where every kilometre feels like a step closer to the edge of India.

    Life at the Edge of the Sea

    Despite being known as a ghost town, Dhanushkodi is far from deserted.

    Visitors wander along the shoreline, fishermen head out to sea, and local vendors serve refreshments to travellers exploring the area. The contrast between the town’s tragic history and the life that continues today is what makes Dhanushkodi so unique.

    Standing by the shore, watching fishing boats in the distance and listening to the sound of the waves, I felt a deep appreciation for the resilience of the people who still call this place home.

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    A Moment to Pause

    One of my favourite memories from this trip wasn’t visiting a landmark or taking photographs.

    It was simply sitting on the rocks, looking out at the endless sea.

    For a few moments, everything felt still. There was no rush to move on to the next destination. Just the sound of the waves, the sea breeze, and the horizon stretching as far as I could see.

    Travel often gives us beautiful views, but sometimes it also gives us the chance to pause and appreciate the present moment. Dhanushkodi did exactly that for me.

    Taking a moment to appreciate the endless horizon at Dhanushkodi.

    Beyond The Horizon

    As I left Dhanushkodi, I couldn’t help but look back one last time.

    What I found here was more than just a destination. It was a place filled with stories, history, and natural beauty. From the road lined by the sea to the historic ruins and the peaceful coastline, Dhanushkodi offered an experience I won’t soon forget.

    Some places stay with you because of what you see.

    Dhanushkodi stays with you because of how it makes you feel.

    Explore. Inspire. Discover. 🌊✨